Latest news with #JonathanBrook
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Thug, 31, who racially abused shopkeeper before pouring petrol over him and setting building alight is jailed for nine years
A thug who racially abused a shopkeeper before he poured petrol over him and set the building alight has been jailed for nine years. Jonathan Brook, 31, also told the terrified worker 'you're a little guy, I'll smash your teeth in' during the heinous attack in Huddersfield on February 5 this year. Leeds Crown Court on Monday heard how Brook first punched a shop worker at a Co-Op store in the eye before he turned on the newsagents. After threatening the shopkeeper, Brook then returned 20 minutes later with a petrol can. The hearing was told how Brook poured petrol around the shop and on the man's clothes before he set the building alight. Prosecutor John Hobley told the court: 'He was on bail for earlier offences at the time. 'That day, at around 2.20pm, a man was working at a Co-Op in Huddersfield. The defendant was a regular customer at the store. 'The man saw the defendant and a few seconds later, without provocation, he was punched by him to the right eye. 'He describes being unable to defend himself as he was carrying stock at the time. 'Later that day, around four-and-a-half hours later, he went to a second shop - a newsagents in Huddersfield. 'The complainant was in charge of the shop and recognised him [Brook] as a person previously banned from there.' The court heard Brook went to the man and told him 'you're a little guy, I will smash your teeth in' and knocked his cap off his head. He then added: 'F*** you, what, what, what?' He then left but returned around 20 minutes later, this time carrying a petrol can. Mr Hobley said: 'The complainant was serving another customer when he [Brook] began to throw petrol around the store and counter top. 'Some of the petrol went on the complainant's clothes. The defendant took a lighter and set fire to the petrol, causing it to burst into flames. 'He continued to pour patrol around the shop. The man ran from behind the till and attempted to push the defendant into the street. 'The defendant then ran from the scene. The shop had been engulfed in flames. The customer said she heard the man screaming, "I'm burning, the shop is burning, someone help me".' Before leaving the scene, the court heard Brook subjected the man to a vile racist rant. When he was outside, Brook was heard to say 'You not dead yet?', before throwing more petrol towards the man. Mitigating, Carl Kingsley, said there were questions over Brook's fitness to plead before a psychiatrist determined him able to do so. He went on to admit assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson with intent to endanger life and a racially aggravated public order offence. Mr Kingsley said: 'He saw abuse [as a child] from his father to his mother.... He had to attend at a special needs school and there were behavioural problems throughout and truancy. 'He has never been employed and there has been some evidence of self harm. His medical records refer to a diagnosis of ADHD in 2002. 'He was placed on the child protection register at the age of 13 - no doubt due to the background of violence in the [family] home.' Judge Rayfield jailed Brook for nine years.
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Windermere Gateway development gets £12m for roads and housing
A major project planned for a popular town has received more than £12m worth of funding to deliver roads and housing needed for its Windermere Gateway Project involves the transformation of the Orrest Head Farm site, within the Lake District National Park, for tourism, employment and housing objections, plans were approved and now it has received a £9.95m grant from Homes England to deliver highways works, with an additional £2.5m from Westmorland and Furness Council to build affordable leader Jonathan Brook said the grant would allow it to deliver affordable homes in "one of the most unaffordable areas" of the area. He said it was a "complex project, with many interdependent parts"."It will pave the way for a significant number of affordable homes in one of the most unaffordable areas of Westmorland and Furness, particularly impacted by second homes and short-term holiday accommodation, which puts further strain on housing provision for local residents," he project, which is being built on land owned by the National Trust, aims to tackle traffic flow, redevelop Windermere's railway station, build homes and provide employment opportunities. It forms a partnership between National Trust, the Lake District National Park Authority, Westmorland and Furness Council and housing developer Urban Splash, which, the council says, will work with a registered social housing provider to bring forward affordable include 242 new homes on the site, with 133 proposed to be affordable following the £2.5m grant from the council's Affordable Housing council says the homes will be made available for permanent occupancy - not second homes or holiday lets. Further details are set to be confirmed in an outline planning application, due to be submitted by Urban Splash later this year. The £9.95m Brownfield, Infrastructure and Land Funding from Homes England will go towards highways works for the project, which were approved by the Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA) development control committee in documents submitted to LDNPA said works to the A591 and Thwaites Lane would "unlock" the council said if the application for housing was not granted, then the Homes England-funded highways works would not proceed. Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cumbrian councils pass milestone on path to further devolution
Cumbria has taken a step towards further devolution, and additional powers. Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness councils have passed the Government's statutory devolution tests and can now move forward in the process, which could see the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority for the region. Councillor Mark Fryer, leader of Cumberland Council, said: "This important milestone towards devolution in Cumbria is another step forward in bringing transformational change to our region. "Devolution will unlock more funding and more powers for our area, with decisions being made in Cumbria rather than in London. "We have seen the long-term benefits of devolution for communities and local economies in areas that have directly elected mayors and this announcement is the start of our journey to match the growth we see in other regions." The decision follows a written ministerial statement by MP Jim McMahon, Local Government Minister, who confirmed the Government believes a mayoral authority would improve Cumbria's economic, social and environmental well-being. Both councils will now formally consider whether to move forward with a Mayoral Strategic Authority, with decisions expected in September. Councillor Jonathan Brook, leader of Westmorland and Furness Council, said: "We welcome the agreement to the deferment of an election, if it is required, and confirmation that Cumbria has passed the Government's statutory tests. "It will now be down to local elected members to make a final decision on whether to move forward with devolution. "Before that, and to ensure we reach a decision that is in the best interests of those we represent, we will be engaging with our key partners to understand their perspectives, and carefully considering the public feedback from the consultation." If approved, the new mayoral authority could become a legal entity in early 2026. The Government also confirmed it has agreed to a joint request from the councils to delay a proposed May 2026 election. If the councils do move forward with a Mayoral Strategic Authority, an election would be held in May 2027, alongside elections for the two authorities. A public consultation held earlier this year received more than 1,300 responses from residents, businesses, and organisations. The feedback is set to be considered as part of the decision-making process in September. Last week, the Government published its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill which sets out the powers and responsibilities that would be available for new Mayoral Strategic Authorities. These include transport and local infrastructure, skills and employment support, housing and strategic planning, economic development and regeneration, health, wellbeing and public service reform, and public safety.
Scottish Sun
28-05-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Abandoned English lido forced to delay reopening date after £6.8million restoration
Plus, the UK's best lidos that are open now Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORK to upgrade the Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay began two years ago - but it's now missed its second opening date. The salt-water lido overlooking Lakeland Fells has been closed since 1993 with plans to refurbish it with £6.8million worth of funding starting in April 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay has been undergoing upgrades Credit: West Morland and Furness Council 4 The lido has been closed since 1993 Credit: Alamy When work began on the Grade II listed site at Grange-over-Sands, the project was expected to last 14 months. However the original reopening of summer 2024 was delayed, and it has been set back once again. The first phase of the restoration is to reopen the site with a temporary infill of the pool to create a new multi-use public space. The Westmorland and Furness Council said it was sorry to "disappoint" residents and it would announce a new reopening date in the coming weeks. There is good news though as council leader Jonathan Brook said most of the work on the project had been completed and it looked "fantastic". He added: "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." Completed works at the lido include an upgrade to the pavilion building as well as an accessible entrance from the promenade. The changing rooms have been upgraded, and works to the roof and terraces has been completed, along with security upgrades, cleaning, and external decoration. The lido fell into disrepair in 1993, so significant structural and architectural works have been undertaken - including concrete repairs to the diving board. A new playground area has also been installed on the site. New £4million lido to open in UK next year 4 The lido overlooks Lakeland Fells Credit: Alamy The Grange Lido is one of only four remaining listed coastal lidos in England, it was constructed in 1932 and remained open for 61 years. It was closed in 1993 due to low usage and rising repair costs. It remains the earliest and most complete 20th-century listed sea water lido in England. In 2011, the lido was granted grade II listed status and in the same year, the Save Grange Lido group was formed. The group has grown in strength with 18,000 people signing a petition calling on the council to include reopening of the pool in any plans to restore the lido. During the second phrase of the restoration project, the infill will be removed. The 50m pool will eventually be restored, fitting out changing rooms, and extending the central pavilion. This seafront English lido has been named one of the best in Europe. Here's another Edwardian lido that people say is like 'being in the Med' named one of the best in the UK. And the UK's best outdoor water parks and lidos to visit when the temperatures are set to soar.
The Sun
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Abandoned English lido delays reopening date after £6.8million restoration
MAKING WAVES Plus, the UK's best lidos that are open now Alice Penwill , Travel Reporter Published : 11:51, 28 May 2025 Updated : 11:51, 28 May 2025 WORK to upgrade the Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay began two years ago - but it's now missed its second opening date. The salt-water lido overlooking Lakeland Fells has been closed since 1993 with plans to refurbish it with £6.8million worth of funding starting in April 2023. 4 The Grange Lido in Morecambe Bay has been undergoing upgrades Credit: West Morland and Furness Council 4 The lido has been closed since 1993 Credit: Alamy When work began on the Grade II listed site at Grange-over-Sands, the project was expected to last 14 months. However the original reopening of summer 2024 was delayed, and it has been set back once again. The first phase of the restoration is to reopen the site with a temporary infill of the pool to create a new multi-use public space. The Westmorland and Furness Council said it was sorry to "disappoint" residents and it would announce a new reopening date in the coming weeks. There is good news though as council leader Jonathan Brook said most of the work on the project had been completed and it looked "fantastic". He added: "It is important that we get this right, understanding that the lido project seeks to restore this important structure after more than 30 years of closure and several previous attempts to bring it back to life." Completed works at the lido include an upgrade to the pavilion building as well as an accessible entrance from the promenade. The changing rooms have been upgraded, and works to the roof and terraces has been completed, along with security upgrades, cleaning, and external decoration. The lido fell into disrepair in 1993, so significant structural and architectural works have been undertaken - including concrete repairs to the diving board. A new playground area has also been installed on the site. New £4million lido to open in UK next year 4 The lido overlooks Lakeland Fells Credit: Alamy The Grange Lido is one of only four remaining listed coastal lidos in England, it was constructed in 1932 and remained open for 61 years. It was closed in 1993 due to low usage and rising repair costs. It remains the earliest and most complete 20th-century listed sea water lido in England. In 2011, the lido was granted grade II listed status and in the same year, the Save Grange Lido group was formed. The group has grown in strength with 18,000 people signing a petition calling on the council to include reopening of the pool in any plans to restore the lido. During the second phrase of the restoration project, the infill will be removed. The 50m pool will eventually be restored, fitting out changing rooms, and extending the central pavilion. This seafront English lido has been named one of the best in Europe. Here's another Edwardian lido that people say is like 'being in the Med' named one of the best in the UK. And the UK's best outdoor water parks and lidos to visit when the temperatures are set to soar. 4 The Grange Lido is set to be turned back into a pool during phase two Credit: Alamy
