Latest news with #OwenLawrence
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Locals fight 24/7 booze licence on Otley Run route
Residents have objected to an off-licence near a popular West Yorkshire pub crawl applying for a 24/7 alcohol licence. It is feared that if a Nisa Local shop in Headingley, close to the notorious Otley Run, is allowed to sell alcohol after midnight it would lead to rowdy student parties and "friction" between families and the area's younger residents. However, the shop said there is "no evidence" which links anti-social drinking to the premises, according to Leeds Council. Nisa was told it would receive a decision within five days, following a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on 13 May. The Otley Run is a 19-stop pub crawl finishing in the city centre which draws thousands of revellers every weekend, including many students. However, last month a man injured two women with a crossbow along the Headingley drinking route, raising questions about the event's safety. The man, 38-year-old Owen Lawrence, was arrested and taken to hospital but later died from a self-inflicted injury. Eight letters of objection have been received by the council about the Nisa store's application to extend its licencing laws, alongside concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police, ward councillors and public health officials, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The shop has maintained the 24/7 licence would not add to anti-social behaviour on the pub crawl, and a list of proposed conditions, if granted, included a 'check 25' policy, CCTV and staff training. Nonetheless, the council's licensing officer, Susan Duckworth, remains unconvinced: "I'm concerned that if this premises was allowed to sell alcohol after midnight, that would become an emerging problem." Mrs Duckworth also pointed out that more families had been moving to Headingley, with more student accommodation opening up in the city centre, exacerbating her concerns over any increased access to alcohol. Nisa's existing premises licence allows alcohol sales between 05:00 and 00:00. Residents previously told the BBC they hoped the Otley Run might become a "recognised" event to better protect those taking part. Acknowledging the burgeoning popularity of the event, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley Alex Sobel said: "We need to look at the laws we have and tightening them, bringing more control to the Otley Run." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. 99 object to restaurant asking for alcohol licence Shop plans to sell alcohol on pub crawl route Leeds City Council
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Locals oppose bid by Otley Run shop for 24/7 alcohol licence
Residents have objected to an off-licence near a popular West Yorkshire pub crawl applying for a 24/7 alcohol licence. It is feared that if a Nisa Local shop in Headingley, close to the notorious Otley Run, is allowed to sell alcohol after midnight it would lead to rowdy student parties and "friction" between families and the area's younger residents. However, the shop said there is "no evidence" which links anti-social drinking to the premises, according to Leeds Council. Nisa was told it would receive a decision within five days, following a hearing at Leeds Civic Hall on 13 May. The Otley Run is a 19-stop pub crawl finishing in the city centre which draws thousands of revellers every weekend, including many last month a man injured two women with a crossbow along the Headingley drinking route, raising questions about the event's safety. The man, 38-year-old Owen Lawrence, was arrested and taken to hospital but later died from a self-inflicted injury. Eight letters of objection have been received by the council about the Nisa store's application to extend its licencing laws, alongside concerns raised by West Yorkshire Police, ward councillors and public health officials, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. The shop has maintained the 24/7 licence would not add to anti-social behaviour on the pub crawl, and a list of proposed conditions, if granted, included a 'check 25' policy, CCTV and staff the council's licensing officer, Susan Duckworth, remains unconvinced: "I'm concerned that if this premises was allowed to sell alcohol after midnight, that would become an emerging problem." Mrs Duckworth also pointed out that more families had been moving to Headingley, with more student accommodation opening up in the city centre, exacerbating her concerns over any increased access to alcohol. Nisa's existing premises licence allows alcohol sales between 05:00 and 00:00. Residents previously told the BBC they hoped the Otley Run might become a "recognised" event to better protect those taking the burgeoning popularity of the event, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley Alex Sobel said: "We need to look at the laws we have and tightening them, bringing more control to the Otley Run."Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Telegraph
Crossbow ‘terrorism' suspect shot himself with air gun
A man suspected of carrying out a crossbow attack in Leeds died after shooting himself in the head with an air gun, an inquest has heard. Owen Lawrence, 38, was arrested after two women were seriously injured in an attack on Otley Road, Headingley last month. However, he died three days later after being taken to hospital for a self-inflicted injury. At the 10 minute hearing in Wakefield, Oliver Longstaff, the area coroner for Yorkshire West Eastern, gave the provisional cause of death as an 'air-gun injury to the head'. Mr Longstaff said that a post mortem examination confirmed Lawrence had died at Leeds General Infirmary as a result of the 'self-inflicted gunshot wound'. The coroner said there was a 'deal of investigation' still to be done in the case and adjourned the full inquest into his death to a later date. Detectives said that Lawrence had been the prime suspect in the attack and believed he was acting alone. His social media accounts were examined as an investigation into the violence was undertaken by counter-terrorism police. Two women, aged 19 and 31, were shot with a crossbow and taken to hospital with serious injuries. One of the victims had to have surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries, although both have now been discharged. A crossbow was recovered from the scene, as was a firearm, with police trying to determine how the suspect acquired the weapon. The incident occurred on a sunny Saturday afternoon on April 26 with people out enjoying the Otley Run pub crawl. More than 15 pubs are on the route, which is attempted by groups of students and residents, as well as stag and hen parties, often in fancy dress. Social media posts on accounts that appear to be linked to Lawrence appear to outline his plans for the violence in what he called 'The Otley Run Massacre'. The rambling post sets out plans to commit mass murder and kill people taking part in the local pub crawl, listing 'targets' as 'students, nightclub-goers, pub-crawlers, Otley Run participants, society, humanity, human race, neurotypicals and police, if I need to'. Elsewhere, images on the accounts reportedly show him posing with a gun and makeshift wooden knives. Suspect felt 'underprivileged' Residents in the block of flats off Wood Lane, Leeds where Lawrence lived, a few minutes from the scene of the attack, said that he was a troubled character who felt 'underprivileged'. His next-door neighbour said that Lawrence had struggled with his mental health and had drug issues. He said: 'His thing with students might be a class thing. He felt underprivileged.' Lawrence's former next-door neighbour said that he was ' very far-Right '. Det Ch Supt James Dunkerley, the head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: 'Officers will continue to conduct inquiries and we ask that, if anyone has information that may assist, to pass this to police. 'We understand there are concerns around the incident and questions about how and why this has happened. Our teams are committed to carrying out an in-depth investigation to provide answers to those affected.'
Sky News
12-05-2025
- Sky News
Leeds crossbow attack suspect died from 'self-inflicted gunshot', inquest hears
A man suspected of attacking two women with a crossbow in Leeds died as a result of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound" to the head, an inquest has heard. Owen Lawrence, 38, was taken to hospital last month after two women were injured in Otley Road, in the Headingley area of the city, but he died two days later. Coroner Oliver Longstaff opened and adjourned the inquest into Mr Lawrence's death on Monday and said a post-mortem confirmed he had died at Leeds General Infirmary as a result of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound". The provisional cause of death was "airgun injury to the head", he added. West Yorkshire Police were called to Otley Road on 26 April following reports of a man seen with weapons. Two women, aged 19 and 31, were injured. One needed surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries, but both have now been discharged from hospital, police said. The incident occurred on a sunny Saturday afternoon on a route where people enjoy the Otley Run pub crawl. More than 15 pubs are on the route, which attracts students, residents, as well as stag and hen dos. Police said at the time that a crossbow and a firearm were recovered at the scene. The hearing heard how Mr Lawrence, from Headingley, had changed his name by deed poll 25 years ago from Owen Lawrence Eames, and he was registered disabled. Mr Longstaff said he was identified at the hospital by his mother. He said he was still waiting for a final report from the pathologist but that the cause of death was unlikely to change. The coroner added there was a "deal of investigation" still to be done and he adjourned the hearing to a date to be fixed. He urged people to apply "appropriate restraint" in speculating about the circumstances which led up to Mr Lawrence's death. Police believe he was acting alone and said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the attack.
The Independent
12-05-2025
- The Independent
Suspected crossbow attacker died from ‘self-inflicted airgun injury'
A 38-year-old man who is suspected of attacking two women in Leeds died as a result of a self-inflicted airgun wound, an inquest has heard. Owen Lawrence was taken to hospital last month after two women were injured in Otley Road, in the Headingley area of the city, in a suspected crossbow attack, but he died two days later. An inquest into Mr Lawrence's death was opened and adjourned by coroner Oliver Longstaff on Monday morning in Wakefield. Mr Longstaff said a post-mortem examination confirmed he had died at Leeds General Infirmary as a result of a 'self-inflicted gunshot wound'. The coroner said the provisional cause of death was 'airgun injury to the head'. West Yorkshire Police were called to Otley Road on the afternoon of Saturday April 26 following reports of a man seen with weapons. Two women, aged 19 and 31, were injured. One underwent surgery after suffering life-threatening injuries but both have now been discharged from hospital, police said. The incident occurred on a sunny afternoon where people enjoy the Otley Run pub crawl on Saturdays. More than 15 pubs are on the route and it is attempted by groups of students and residents, as well as stag and hen dos, often in fancy dress.
