Latest news with #JamesLaing
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Wirral: £12m regeneration works start in Liscard town centre
Work is set to start on the £12m regeneration of a town centre on Merseyside. Up to 100 "affordable and quality" homes, a new community centre and improvements to the high street and shop fronts are planned for Liscard in plans include the demolition of former council offices on Egerton Grove which have been described by councillors as "an eyesore".Wirral Council leader Paul Stuart said the revamp would help "to build a more resilient, prosperous Liscard". The town was one of 55 projects across the country to get cash in the third round of government Levelling Up former Liscard Municipal Building and Community Centre will be demolished over 18 weeks to make way for new homes to be built, with work expected to start in council said the new home development would "offer a unique opportunity to redevelop the disused land and provide much needed affordable, quality housing within Liscard town centre".A decision notice published by the local authority said the disused buildings had been "boarded up for many years" attracting "regular vandalism at a cost to the council". Councillor James Laing said the beginning of the demolition was "excellent news" as it was "an eyesore that attracted antisocial behaviour".Councillor Janette Williamson said it was a positive step after years of pushing for more investment in the town Stuart said the authority would be working with the local community "to build a more resilient, prosperous Liscard and turning the vision we've had for some time now a reality". "It's the latest site in Wirral's ambitious regeneration plan to take a major step forward this year, and demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver on the plans we've so diligently developed," he said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
11-04-2025
- BBC News
Ripon man jailed for rape and sexual abuse of children
A man has been jailed for 18 years for raping and sexually abusing a number of young children. James Laing, 39, of Ripon, was found guilty at trial of two counts of raping a child under 13 and six counts of sexual assault of a child, as well as causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and attempted sexual assault of a child under 13. He was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday to 18 years in prison and was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for staff investigator for North Yorkshire Police, Lorraine Whipp, said: "Laing denied the offences throughout the whole investigation, therefore making his victims face the trauma of giving evidence against him in court." She added: "Laing has taken away the childhood of his victims, abusing them in the worst way possible."In their own words, he has ruined their lives, and although they are glad they are now safe and no-one can hurt them, it has also affected their trust in men."Ms Whipp said the victims had been "incredibly brave" in reporting what had happened to them, and had found the court process "extremely difficult". "I sincerely hope that the children can put this horrendous abuse and the experience behind them with the help of the agencies who are supporting them and live happy lives knowing that their abuser can no longer harm them," she said. She said she hoped this outcome would encourage other victims of abuse to come forward knowing that "they will be believed, listened to and supported". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
