Latest news with #HighSheriff'sAwards
ITV News
26-07-2025
- ITV News
Teenager found guilty of murder of Noah Smedley in Ilkeston
CCTV footage shows Charles Hartle, who was 17 at the time, holding a large knife before running away. A Derbyshire teenager has been found guilty of murdering a young man when he stabbed him once in the chest with a "Rambo knife". Following a near-two-week trial at Derby Crown Court, a jury took less than three hours to unanimously convict Charlie Hartle of the brutal killing of Noah 18-year-old rap music lover, who was 17 at the time he attacked his victim, initially showed no emotion as the foreman of the jury delivered the verdict in front of family members of the Ilkeston victim and the defendant's own loved ones. But within a minute of hearing the news, he leaned forward and began to softly sob, holding his head in his Hartle, of Station Road, Stanley Village, into custody and adjourning sentence until the afternoon of Friday, August 22, Judge Shaun Smith KC said: 'I am not going to sentence you today or in the immediate future as I will guess the defence will need (psychiatric) reports."The starting point for a youth who took a knife to the scene is 23 years and (you were) 17 at the time. You have been found guilty by the jury and you have heard what the consequences are."The judge also said he wishes to give High Sheriff's Awards to those people who tried to save Mr Smedley's life at the scene. The trial heard how Hartle, nicknamed 'Lil Cee', and three friends arranged to meet Mr Smedley to buy cannabis from him on the evening of December 28, last year. The victim arrived on his scooter at around 8.15pm and after the deal had taken place, in Rose Avenue, off Heanor Road, Ilkeston, the defendant moved forward and pushed the fearsome blade into the victim's chest before he and his friends fled the played during the trial showed Mr Smedley stagger into the road and collapse. Despite the best efforts of passers-by and paramedics who tried to keep him alive, he was declared dead at the scene a short time the trial, prosecutor Adrian Langdale KC said one of Hartle's friends who was at the scene later said: "Charlie looked at Noah. He pulled up his balaclava at the time. 'We didn't realise anything was gonna happen and they just stared at each other for about one second. It was not really, like, a stare that you should be concerned about. "It was a stare where they just looked at each other by a glance, really. And that's when it happened, he pulled out his knife in an instant, and just stabbed Noah with it.'The prosecutor said another witness said: 'Charlie pulled his balaclava down so his mouth was on show. He gave a big smile, like a full-tooth smile, stabbed Noah, and ran straight off."Mr Langdale, when he opened the trial, said: 'It was this defendant who produced the knife that was secreted in his tracksuit bottoms. "He had a balaclava that he deliberately pulled down over his face, and moved forward to Noah. He grinned and smiled before deliberately stabbing him in the chest. "Noah Smedley, the deceased, did absolutely nothing, he wasn't himself armed, he didn't offer any violence, there was no good reason for killing him."'The Crown will say it was an utterly pointless killing, other than this defendant's unhealthy interest in knives and habitual carrying of such lethal weapons and a bravado to try and show others he was, to use the street term, some kind of big man."This week, Hartle chose not to give any evidence in his jury of seven women and five men heard how following the fatal stabbing, Hartle first went to a nearby party where his girlfriend was and then fled to Derby before his father drove to the city centre and brought him home to Stanley. The accused was wearing different clothing to what he had on at the time of the stabbing and the knife and his phone were not on him and have never been defendant was then driven to Ilkeston police station where he was arrested for murder. Mr Langdale said in a prepared statement given to the police who questioned him: "Firstly, I accept responsibility for inflicting the injury on Noah Smedley. There is a history to this, and Noah and I did not get on.'He has, in the past, made numerous threats to me and made disparaging comments. He has threatened me with violence. "I know he sold drugs and often those that do arm themselves as a matter of routine. I saw him reach for his waistband.'I immediately feared serious violence from him and that he had a knife. I was petrified that he was about to lunge at me.'In that split second, I instinctively lashed out with the knife I had, in self-defence. I did not aim it anywhere. It was simply a reaction. I never intended causing serious harm. I then sprinted away from the situation.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Yahoo
High Sheriff's Awards celebrate Dr Ruth Smith's year in office
The High Sheriff of North Yorkshire has marked her year in office with a focus on supporting vulnerable children, particularly those impacted by domestic abuse. At a High Sheriff's Awards event at Allerton Castle, Dr Ruth Smith reflected on her achievements and the community organisations she championed throughout the region. She attended more than 250 events during her tenure, including visits to local courts and emergency services, as well as meetings with King Charles and Queen Camilla. Among the attendees at the event was David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire (Image: Supplied) Dr Smith worked to raise awareness of the effects of domestic abuse on children. She led workshops with survivors, charities, and legal professionals, resulting in 36 "actionable improvements" across North Yorkshire. She also hosted a conference on the effects of trauma on children, attended by 75 people, mostly from schools, who received practical strategies to support young people. Dr Smith said: "This has been an incredibly rewarding year, full of both challenges and triumphs. "The passion and commitment I've seen from the organisations here tonight, along with the resilience of the children they support, have been a true source of inspiration. "As I conclude my time as High Sheriff, I am proud to honour these charities and the life-changing work they do." At the High Sheriff's Awards event at Allerton Castle, she celebrated the work of community organisations supporting children and young people in the region. Awards were given to Autism Angels in Nidderdale, WHISH (Whitby Hidden Impairment Support & Help), Just B in Harrogate, The Wave Project, The Island in York, Gallows Close Centre, and New Beginnings Peer Support. Celia McKeon, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, spoke at the gathering (Image: Supplied) Dr Smith was joined by Diana Parkes CBE from the Joanna Simpson Foundation, who shared her story of the murder of her daughter Joanna Simpson through domestic violence. Celia McKeon, chief executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said: "The baseline for the work is love and care, and it is all about building relationships of trust and mutual support. "The outcomes achieved by the groups are powerful. Dr Smith was said to have attended more than 250 events during her tenure (Image: Supplied) "They create belonging, inclusion, connection, confidence, purpose, and empowerment. "These groups pick up the pieces when our systems and institutions fail. "They build the foundations needed for resilient, hopeful communities. "They deserve our support and investment." David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, added: "This evening, and the High Sheriff's year, truly show the power of our communities and the impact they have on local people's lives. "I've already seen for myself some of the great work tonight's winners are doing, and I'm proud to have helped directly fund some of that work." The event was supported by Lewis Silkin, Harrogate Family Law, Acorn Retreat, PM Management Consultants, Joanna Simpson Foundation, and Drax and Harrogate and District Soroptimists, all of whom sponsored an award.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Search and rescue charity announces move to new base
AS a Carlisle-based search and rescue charity celebrates its sixth birthday, they have revealed they will now be expanding as they move to a new base. North Cumbria Search and Rescue was formed in November 2018 to serve the city of Carlisle and the communities of north Cumbria following the aftermath of Storm Desmond. Known as 'Project H', the group had been hinting at this major move since November last year. Having expanded to over 40 members and with a substantial amount of gear, they had outgrown their existing place. Thanks to the Laurie Brewis Trust and Heathlands, the group has secured a new location at Heathlands on Carlisle's outskirts. On social media, a spokesperson for the charity said: "Mike and the team at Heathlands graciously offered us an area of disused ground within their site, providing a mutually beneficial arrangement for both charities, and giving us a new home. "Their warm welcome and their kind generosity has opened so many doors for us, and we can't thank them enough for this opportunity to take North Cumbria Search and Rescue to the next phase of its growth. "We've got a lot of work to do yet, and we couldn't have got where we are now without the support of @ @pirelli_uk , @storycontracting and @andersonsltd, not to mention the countless hours of work put in by team members to pull this together." The group was also honoured with an award at the High Sheriff's Awards in Kendal in recognition of its services to the community on Tuesday (March 18). The award, presented on Tuesday, came with a donation to the team
