Latest news with #Bradford
BBC News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Bradford sign Metcalfe from Everton
Bradford City have signed midfielder Jenson Metcalfe from 20, has joined the Bantams for an undisclosed fee and has signed a three-year contract. He spent last season on loan at Chesterfield, making 30 League Two appearances and helping them reach the play-offs. "I am so happy to join the club and I am especially looking forward to spending at least three years here, hopefully," Metcalfe told Bradford's website., externalBantams boss Graham Alexander added: "Jenson is a player with big potential and will bring extra competition to our midfield."His attributes in and out of possession suit our game very well, so we look forward to seeing him integrate into life at Bradford City."
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Bradford Council urged to demolish former school after fire
Bradford Council has been urged to force the demolition a former school after a fire was deliberately started on the Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service was called to the blaze at about 19:40 BST on 20 July at the derelict building off Westgate Hill is not the first time a fire has broken out at the former Yorkshire Martyrs Catholic College, and local Green Party councillors called on the council to take action.A Bradford Council spokesperson said: "We are unable to comment on specific details of this issue, as we have an ongoing investigation for which we have previously taken enforcement action and may do so again." The spokesperson added: "We will be working with partner agencies to identify an appropriate solution."Green Party councillors for the Tong ward said the site had become a serious risk to public safety and a symbol of demanded that the council force the owners to either demolish the building or sell it to someone else."This building has been a hazard and an eyesore for far too long," said Councillor Matt Edwards, leader of the Greens on Bradford Council."It creates a terrible first impression of Bradford for thousands of people travelling down the A650, but much more seriously, it puts firefighters, police officers and residents in danger every time there's another incident."The owners have shown complete disregard for the community, and the Labour-run council has failed to take strong enough action."We need to stop waiting."This building needs to be demolished, and the site brought back into use in a way that benefits local people." The school shut in 2010 and was subsequently bought by brothers Atsham, Azhar and Imran Al-Haq, who own Batley company Apollo BBC approached Apollo Beds for comment but the firm did not instances of break-ins, vandalism and fires have been reported since the site closed 15 years 8 July, Councillor Celia Hickson raised the matter publicly at a full meeting of Bradford Council, asking what enforcement action was being said: "The council has had years to sort this out."The fact we're still talking about 'considering options' after nearly a decade just isn't good enough."This building is a danger."It's attracting fires and anti-social behaviour."If the owners won't act, the council must force their hand, by pushing for demolition or a sale to someone who will take responsibility." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sharon Beshenivksy gang look-out who served just 11 years of life sentence over PC's killing is sent back to prison for breaking release rules
An armed robber jailed for life for the notorious killing of PC Sharon Beshenivsky has been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his release licence, MailOnline has learned. Gang lookout Faisal Razzaq was given a life sentence in 2007 and told he must serve at least 11 years when he was found guilty of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court. Razzaq, 43, was a key member of the gang who took part in the bungled armed robbery in Bradford on November 18 2005 that led to the death of PC Beshenivsky. Her colleague, Pc Teresa Milburn, was also gunned down in the street and seriously wounded as the robbers escaped with just £5,000. MailOnline can reveal that Razzaq, of Forest Gate, east London, was recalled to prison in September last year after breaching licence conditions. It is not known what rules he broke. PC Beshenivsky was shot outside the Universal Express travel agency in Bradford, west Yorkshire. Razzaq was a lookout for the gang alongside his older brother Hassan, who was also found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 20-years. Faisal Razzaq was given a life sentence in 2007 and told he must serve at least 11 years when he was found guilty of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court The brothers were cleared of murder at the same trial. Newcastle Crown Court was told that Razzaq had conducted a reconnaissance trip from London on November 13 2005, five days before the fatal shooting. He drove Piran Ditta Khan - the man known as uncle Pete, 'the architect of the robbery', who went on the run after the murder - first to Bradford and then to the house in Leeds where his brother Faisal was staying. The brothers were also found guilty of robbery and a series of firearms offences. Faisal Razzaq had seven-and-a-half-years added to his sentence in June 2007 for possession of firearms in 2004. He was on bail for this offence when the murder took place. The mastermind of the robbery, Piran Ditta Khan, fled to Pakistan and was arrested on 14 January 2020. On 4 April 2024 he was found guilty of murder and on 10 May 2024, at Leeds Crown Court, he was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 40 years. Muzzaker Shah and Yusuf Jama, were sentenced to life in prison with minimum terms of 35 years in 2006 for the murder of PC Beshenivsky, robbery and firearms offences. Speaking at the murder trial, PC Milburn said:'[We] didn't have a chance,' adding that her colleague 'stopped in terror' when she saw the gunman as she approached the door and was shot in the chest at point blank range before collapsing to the floor with an immediately fatal injury. Pc Beshenivsky was shot in the chest and killed on her youngest daughter's fourth birthday. She was the first woman police officer to be shot dead on duty since WPC Yvonne Fletcher was gunned down outside the Libyan embassy in London on April 17, 1984. A spokesperson for HM Prison and Probation Service said: 'As this case shows, we do not hesitate to send offenders back to prison if they break the rules.' In line with parole regulations, Razzaq had a hearing in November 2024 to consider whether the Probation Service had followed procedure and made the right decision. Unusually, a single member of the Parole Board made the decision to uphold Razzaq's licence recall based solely on a reading of documentation about his return to jail and also time subsequently spent behind bars. A spokesperson for the Parole Board said:'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Faisal Razzaq following a paper review. The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison. 'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community. 'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims. 'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority. 'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.' Razzaq caused outrage after he was first released in 2017 by celebrating with a Facebook post that read: 'Guess who's back?' He later caused further offence when it emerged In April 2024 that he was now getting around in a £20,000 Mercedes C-Class. When asked then if he felt any remorse for the death of 38-year-old PC Beshenivsky he said: 'Who told you I live here? Go away.'
BBC News
15 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Bradford City of Culture baton finishes district-wide journey
A celebratory baton designed by pupils at a Bradford school is on the final day of a four-week tour of the artwork, commissioned to commemorate the City of Culture year, was created by students at Carlton Bolling and has visited each of the district's 30 electoral journey, which began in the Keighley and Ilkley area, ends in Clayton on Thursday, and has seen hundreds of pairs of hands carry the piece since the start of Boyle, head of art at the school which came up with the design, said: "It's been named the Baton of Cohesion because the whole point of the event is to try and link all the wards together with a single event during the City of Culture year." Mr Boyle said about 20 pupils had been involved with coming up with the distinctive design which ended up resembling the Olympic torch."We've made 10 all together. Of the first four there's one left that's been taped together and is making its way around."But we've made another six in the last week-and-a-half with the idea that hopefully that will get them to the end," he each ward the baton was carried by someone from the local area, with nominations coming via Bradford Council concluding in a celebratory Boyle said: "The Baton of Cohesion has given some students the opportunity to see other parts of Bradford."And I know that seems strange; why aren't they going to other parts of Bradford? "But for some students that is a challenge." Thursday's final handover at Clayton Village will be followed by a special family fun day at Odsal Stadium on Thursday, 31 will happen to the remaining batons is still Boyle said: "I know we've got one for our school. And there are six (in total)."It could be that they're distributed to different organisations in Bradford to hold on to on a permanent basis... depending on how many are left, of course."
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Wuthering Nights' this Friday to celebrate Brontë/Bush birthday
A drag queen will provide a performance full of camp, comedy, and drama this Friday (July 25) as part of a dual celebration of Emily Brontë and Kate Bush. RuPaul's Drag Race UK star, Kate Butch, will be performing at South Square Centre in Thornton as part of Wuthering Nights. Brontë and Bush share a birthday (July 30), having been born 140 years apart, in 1818 and 1958 respectively. Comedy, performance art, a Wuthering dance-a-long, facepainting, dress-up, and a DJ will all feature at Wuthering Nights. Butch, a stand-up comedian and 'professional menace to society,' said: "I'm delighted to be heading to the wily, windy moors of Bradford for an evening of Bushy fun this July. "As my namesake suggests, I'm a massive fan of all things Kate Bush, and I can't wait to get my wuther on in the very heart of Brontë country. (Image: Supplied) "Expect a performance that's camp, chaotic, and full of drama – just like Kate Bush and the Brontës. "Come and join the fun!" The event also celebrates the Wondering Heights project, led by artist Lucy Barker as part of the Bradford 2025 Artist-led Project Awards. Wondering Heights encourages exploration, imagination, and movement through a Wuthering Heights-inspired dance routine. To book tickets, visit
