Latest news with #SouthYorkshirePolice
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Ben Needham's mother in 'panic' after tip-off about missing toddler sighting
A mystery email triggered a US police probe after a tipster claimed they spotted missing Ben Needham in the 1990s being dropped off by a man to 'meet his grandmother". US police are helping the investigation into missing toddler Ben Needham after his mum received a 'disturbing' anonymous tip claiming her son was seen decades ago. Kerry Needham, 53, who now lives in Turkey, revealed the Help Find Ben website got the email back in November 2024 – but she kept the 'viable' lead secret while a joint probe between UK and American detectives got under way. The tipster claimed he spotted Ben in the early 1990s and has since been grilled for three hours by police in the States. But Kerry, originally from Sheffield, says she is now 'frustrated' as the investigation appears to have 'stalled'. She told the Mirror: 'I don't want to jeopardize the investigation but as far as I'm concerned this information left me feeling overwhelmed, it shook me and I went into a blind panic, because when I started looking at the claim, I could see there was some potential there. "The detail in this email gave me clues to look at and led me to further information about a person of interest, whose name I have come across several times over the years. Now we are waiting for that person to be investigated and that wait has been unbearable.' The email, subject-lined 'Ben Needham sighting', read: 'I believe that I saw ben needham around 1991 or 1992 at the... on... He was brought there by... he was being dropped off to an elderly lady... he was meeting his grandmother for the first time.' Some details have been withheld for investigative reasons. South Yorkshire Police said: 'We are often contacted by people who believe they may have seen Ben and we follow up on all reasonable lines of enquiry. Earlier this year, we received contact from a man in the US who believes he may have seen Ben. "We have asked US authorities to speak with him on our behalf and gather any details. No new lines of enquiry have developed from these conversations at this stage.' Kerry will mark the 34th anniversary of her son's disappearance on Thursday – another painful milestone in her decades-long search. Ben was just 21 months old when he vanished on July 24, 1991, while playing outside a farmhouse on the Greek island of Kos. 'Here I am again, spending another anniversary waiting for answers,' Kerry said. 'We've had this information since November and I'm still waiting for this person to be looked into. It is painful and frustrating. South Yorkshire police have been trying to get a response from this overseas police force but we are still waiting for them to give us an update.' Kerry, who will spend the day with her daughter Leighanna, 31, and two granddaughters, added: 'They keep me busy and distracted at what is the hardest time every year. They are my pride and joy and my reason for living. I can't go down in front of them. I can't allow them to see me in the low points of my life. "As Leighanna has grown up and watched her blossom, I wonder how Ben would have turned out, what he would have been like as a brother and an uncle. They looked very similar when they were small. I've always got questions in my head. I live in hope one day my questions will be answered and Ben found.' South Yorkshire Police said their thoughts are with the Needham family: 'Over the years, our investigation has led us to the conclusion that, on the balance of probabilities, Ben died on the day he went missing. However, we remain absolutely committed to finding the answers that his family so desperately need and deserve. Until those answers are found, our investigation will remain open.'
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Ben Needham's mum Kerry in 'blind panic' after tip-off about missing toddler sighting
A mysterious email has sparked a US police investigation to locate an anonymous tipster who says they saw missing Ben Needham in the 90s being dropped off by a man to 'meet his grandmother' A police force in the US has been helping the Ben Needham inquiry after his mum was sent a 'disturbing' anonymous sighting tip. Kerry Needham, 53, who now lives in Turkey, told how the 'Help Find Ben' website received an email last November about Ben's whereabouts. But the mum kept the 'viable' information a secret for eight months, as officers from two countries launched a joint investigation. The tipster claims he saw Ben in another country and has been quizzed by detectives in the states. But now 'frustrated' Kerry, originally from Sheffield, fears the investigation has 'stalled' as she is still waiting for a crucial update eight months on. Kerry told the Mirror she handed over the original information to South Yorkshire Police who struggled to track the email sender. But eventually US police were able to crack the email and spent three hours quizzing the tipster. The mum does not want to share further information because of the risk to the ongoing investigation but the man claims to have seen Ben in the States in the early 1990s. 'I don't want to jeopardize the investigation but as far as I'm concerned this information left me feeling overwhelmed, it shook me and I went into a blind panic, because when I started looking at the claim, I could see there was some potential there,' Kerry told The Mirror. "The detail in this email gave me clues to look at and led me to further information about a person of interest, whose name I have come across several times over the years. Now we are waiting for that person to be investigated and that wait has been unbearable.' The email sent had the subject listed as 'Ben needham sighting'. It then said: 'I believe that I saw ben needham around 1991 or 1992 at the… on… He was brought there by... he was being dropped off to an elderly lady… he was meeting his grandmother for the first time.' Some details and addresses have been removed at the request of Kerry. South Yorkshire Police said: 'We are often contacted by people who believe they may have seen Ben and we follow up on all reasonable lines of enquiry. Earlier this year, we received contact from a man in the US who believes he may have seen Ben. We have asked US authorities to speak with him on our behalf and gather any details. No new lines of enquiry have developed from these conversations at this stage.' On Thursday, Kerry faces the 34th anniversary of her son's disappearance. Ben went missing on July 24, 1991, when he was 21 months old and playing outside a farmhouse his grandfather was renovating on the Greek island of Kos. That day Kerry was working in a nearby hotel as a waitress after joining her parents and two brothers to start a new life overseas. Since her son vanished Kerry was searched worldwide for Ben, following up thousands of sightings, DNA tests and even trafficking claims. She said: 'Here I am again, spending another anniversary waiting for answers. We've had this information since November and I'm still waiting for this person to be looked into. It is painful and frustrating. South Yorkshire police have been trying to get a response from this overseas police force but we are still waiting for them to give us an update.' The original tip was sent on the evening of November 8th 2024. It was anonymous and claimed Ben was spotted overseas in the early 1990s - but contained 'unusual' information that raised the alarm for Kerry. 'It was a hidden Gmail account and said 'I believe that I saw Ben Needham in 1991 and 1992' - naming an exact location. It went on to say Ben was brought there (by a man) who was dropping him off to 'meet his grandmother for the first time'. For investigative purposes we are unable to name that country at this moment. 'The email sender has now been interviewed, it took three hours. But as yet we still don't have an update as to how the interview went or a transcript. Investigations are continuing. I try and hope that it is taking so long because it is being looked at thoroughly but the wait is excruciating.' As for the anniversary of her son's disappearance, she told how she will be spending it with her daughter Leighanna, 31 and her two granddaughters aged 11 and seven. 'They keep me busy and distracted at what is the hardest time every year. They are my pride and joy and my reason for living. I can't go down in front of them. I can't allow them to see me in the low points of my life. 'As Leighanna has grown up and watched her blossom, I wonder how Ben would have turned out, what he would have been like as a brother and an uncle. They looked very similar when they were small. I've always got questions in my head. I live in hope one day my questions will be answered and Ben found.' Regarding the anniversary of Ben's disappearance on Thursday, South Yorkshire Police said: 'Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the family of Ben Needham as they mark an incredibly difficult milestone - 34 years since Ben disappeared on the Greek island of Kos. Ben was just 21 months old when he vanished, and the pain of that loss continues to be deeply felt. 'Over the years, our investigation has led us to the conclusion that, on the balance of probabilities, Ben died on the day he went missing. However, we remain absolutely committed to finding the answers that his family so desperately need and deserve. Until those answers are found, our investigation will remain open.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Moment driver, 20, inhales laughing gas behind wheel before ploughing into elderly cyclist and leaving him for dead
THIS is the moment a driver inhales laughing gas behind the wheel before ploughing into an elderly cyclist and leaving him for dead. Cain Byrne, 20, was seen holding an inflated balloon moments before he killed 81-year-old Graham Slinn earlier this year. 7 7 7 Byrne jumped a red light at speed and hit Slinn as he crossed the A57 near Todwick, South Yorkshire, on April 4. The cold-hearted driver from Chesterfield then sped off without stopping and was so intoxicated he didn't even realise he had fatally hit a pedestrian. Byrne left members of the public to help Slinn but he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Footage shown in court showed Byrne inhaling nitrous oxide gas from a yellow balloon several times while driving, before and after the collision. Slinn was a retired builder who was a keen singer in a local church and a valued member of the community. He was weeks away from celebrating his Diamond Wedding anniversary with his wife when he was killed. During Byrne's hearing, the courtroom heard he was a disqualified driver, driving without a license and insurance and using a false cloned number plate on the car. South Yorkshire Police were able to identify Byrne as having connections to the car with a false registration plate and he was arrested before being released on bail. Senior Officer in the case Chief Inspector Tom Woodward said: "We spent hours trawling footage to piece together the car's movements, while others were working hard to find the car, which was later found burned out in the Derbyshire area." Shock moment driver ploughs into cyclist on quiet country road before speeding off claiming 'I thought it was a sheep!' A breakthrough came when officers tracked the car from the collision to an an address several miles away. CI Woodward added: "Our aim was to ensure he could never harm anyone in our communities again.' Byrne was re-arrested on April 12 in Derbyshire and brought back to South Yorkshire custody where he was questioned by detectives. Byrne answered "no comment" throughout even when Slinn's family tribute was read aloud to him. However, he knew the evidence was stacked against him and pleaded guilty at a hearing in May. The court also heard how Byrne had convictions for 27 previous offences, including dangerous driving, despite having no driving license. Byrne was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison after admitting causing death by dangerous driving and other offences. CI Woodward said: 'Our thoughts remain with Graham's family and friends, and I hope today's sentencing brings them some further closure knowing Byrne will now face a lengthy time in prison. 'We know those involved in criminality are likely to take greater risks and Byrne's behaviour is a true reflection of this and why the work of our roads policing officers is greatly important." Sentencing Byrne, Judge Richardson KC said inhaling nitrous oxide was an "exceptionally dangerous act while driving", and told Byrne that Slinn had "died of grievous injuries inflicted by your truly appalling driving". Richardson told Byrne: "You are a dangerous offender. "The public must be protected from your deviant, dangerous, and ingrained criminal behaviour." In addition to Byrne's 16 and a half year prison sentence, he was further banned from driving for 17 years and eight months. 7 7
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Human remains found after dad went missing almost six years ago
Human remains have been found following a near-six-year search to find a missing dad. Police say the family of Richard Dyson have been kept informed of developments after the discovery was made in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, last week. Richard, 58, was last seen in November 2019 and his family have issued multiple heartfelt pleas to find him in the years since he first disappeared. READ MORE: 5 games released in 2025 guaranteed to take you back to the good old days of gaming READ MORE: The 10 best mobile games you can play for free - and number 1 will surprise you South Yorkshire Police says human remains were found at a property on Broadcarr Road, in the Hoyland area of Barnsley, last Monday (July 14). Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Three police scenes remain active in Barnsley in connection with the search, while two men aged 72 and 71 have been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, Yorkshire Live reports. Andy Knowles, senior investigating officer at South Yorkshire Police, said: 'We are keeping an open mind following this discovery, and working around the clock to establish the identity of the person involved and the circumstances surrounding this development. 'Richard Dyson and his family remain at the forefront of our minds as we progress our enquiries, and we know how important it is for them to get answers. 'We remain keen to hear from anyone with any information which could assist us, no matter how insignificant it may seem. Please get in touch and tell us what you know.' Formal identification of the remains is yet to take place, South Yorkshire Police said on Monday night (July 21), but Richard's family are aware of the situation. Residents have been warned to expect an ongoing police presence at the three scenes - on Dike Hill, Sheffield Road and Hoyland Common - for the next couple of weeks while enquiries continue. The two suspects were re-arrested last Monday on suspicion of murder and later bailed pending further enquiries. They were previously arrested in connection with Richard's disappearance in March 2021 and re-arrested in July 2023. Richard's last known sighting was at was around 11pm on Sunday, November 17 2019, when he was spotted walking along the A6135 Sheffield Road in Hoyland. He was last seen by his daughter two days earlier. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE His daughter, Bethany Dainty, has issued multiple appeals to find him over the years. She said in December 2021: "I feel like breaking down and crying every second of every day... Every year without him that shock and disbelief just grows." Bethany added: "Every day waking up and not knowing what happened hurts, it feels like I can't get any closure not having any answers. "Somebody must know something, and I just don't understand why anyone would keep anything like that to themselves and would put a family through so much pain." Anyone with information is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police online or by phoning 101, quoting incident number 459 of November 25, 2019. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Re-enacting the Battle of Orgreave is pointless
Oh dear, an inquiry into Orgreave. The name refers to the Yorkshire coking depot where, in June 1984, Arthur Scargill's violent flying pickets failed to prevent delivery lorries leaving the plant with coke to fire the Scunthorpe steel furnaces. It was a turning point in the miners' strike. Scargill's mass picketing of the Saltley coke depot in 1972 had closed the plant, humiliating the Conservative government of Edward Heath. His defeat at Orgreave ensured that history did not repeat itself. The police came out on top. Fuel supplies never failed. Margaret Thatcher's government eventually won. After nearly eight more bitter months, the strike collapsed. Scargill had lost. Ever since, the Left has been obsessed with Orgreave, alleging police brutality and mendacity, and repeatedly called for an inquiry. Some hope to find documents implicating Mrs Thatcher, such as they alleged existed, but did not exist, in the case of the Hillsborough disaster. At Hillsborough, as at Orgreave, the South Yorkshire police were the objects of their anger. It is true that court cases against the pickets collapsed because the police evidence against them was discredited. The fact of that collapse, however, would suggest that justice was done. If police misconduct was not sufficiently arraigned, there is what is now called the Independent Office for Police Conduct to handle this. Why an inquiry, 40 years on? For some strange reason, Theresa May, after becoming prime minister in July 2016, briefed (indirectly) that there would be an Orgreave inquiry. Perhaps her poor relations with the police, when she was home secretary, had something do with it. Anyway, two months after making this suggestion, she wisely dropped it. But the Left kept on complaining and, in Labour's general election manifesto last year, the following promise was made: 'Labour will also ensure, through an investigation or inquiry, that the truth about the events at Orgreave comes to light.' The clear implication of that sentence is that the truth has, until now, been concealed. Labour's version of the truth is that the police, covertly directed by the evil Thatcher, behaved appallingly. Given this highly political background, it will be hard for any inquiry to look at the matter dispassionately. In terms of presentation, the Government seems to be hoping that this is a repeat of the Hillsborough Inquiry. The Hillsborough report, produced by James Jones, the former Bishop of Liverpool, was entitled The Patronising Disposition of Unaccountable Power. It was widely admired for its account of what the families had been through. So the Orgreave report is also to be chaired by a bishop, the Right Reverend Dr Pete Wilcox, Bishop of Sheffield. Episcopal purple is supposed to ward off accusations of political bias, but Bishop Wilcox will be under enormous pressure. He says he looks forward to 'engaging with stakeholders', but I wonder who will qualify for that description. Since the energy supplies of the entire country depended on Scargill's pickets failing wherever they tried to attack, all of us alive at that time are stakeholders. More directly, so were the steelworks, so was the government, so were the police, who had to enforce the law, and so were those miners, more than a quarter of the total workforce at the time of Orgreave, who went on working. They did not agree with the strike and resented Scargill denying his members a ballot on it. Many were victims of NUM violence. The announcement of the inquiry goes against the Government's own current work of looking to see whether inquiries are worthwhile. There are so many nowadays, few leading to recommendations that get implemented, but still costing literally hundreds of millions of pounds. Sir Keir Starmer privately acknowledges that they should be cut back. For an inquiry to begin, the Government now wants to require evidence of 'a clear present public benefit'. It does not want inquiries to be merely public therapy sessions. It wants them only if they can address an issue that needs addressing now. How can anyone say that this intensely political issue of more than 40 years ago fits that criterion? Politeness on all sides Guess what happened in our village last Saturday? Sir Keir and Lady Starmer came. The occasion was the lovely wedding in our parish church of the daughter of a long-standing legal colleague. And guess what happened? Nothing. I think this uneventfulness should be celebrated. First, it was a tribute to the security people, who were very low-key and courteous. Second, it reflected well on the parents of the bride, who had kept the information close. Third, it reflected well on those villagers who did know who was present but did not choose to vent any of their mainly unfriendly current feelings towards the Prime Minister. Finally, the Starmers behaved well, and everyone liked them for it. My wife and I were close witnesses as they sat in the pew behind us, and we can attest that they were unassuming, friendly and demanded no place of honour. They stayed for a flatteringly long time at the reception and seemed to be quietly enjoying themselves. Perhaps none of this needs saying, but I mention it because the age of social media tends to erode the concept of privacy which is so important in civilisation. This was, in all respects, a civilised occasion. Vice-president J D Vance is reported to be heading for a short holiday in the Cotswolds next month. I hope the Vance family will be treated with similar politeness.
