Latest news with #Suffolk
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I cut off my parents at 42 and changed my surname to save my mental health. My life became instantly better: Thousands of adults are walking out on their families - now KATHRYN KNIGHT reveals why
Eight years ago Richard Carnaby handed his parents the set of door keys that gave him access to their Suffolk home. 'I told them I wouldn't be needing them any more,' he says. Then 42, the actor and writer also asked for the return of his graduation photograph, which his parents had proudly placed on display. 'I made it clear I didn't think they were in a position to celebrate any of my successes any more,' he recalls.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Stowmarket man jailed for sexual messages with decoy girls
A man who believed he was talking to young girls when he sent sexual messages online has been jailed for three Gibbs, 33, of Crown Close, Stowmarket, Suffolk, admitted six charges at Ipswich Crown Court, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child. The court heard Gibbs had messaged four Facebook accounts purporting to be young girls aged between10 and 13, but which were actually run by adults acting as decoys. Judge Emma Nash said Gibbs had a "distorted attitude towards children and sex". Prosecutor Mac Brown said Gibbs had added the accounts and engaged in conversation that quickly turned sexual, where Gibbs sent images of himself and asked for photos to be sent to him. The court heard that Gibbs had asked one of the decoys, who told him she was 13, to engage in a sexual Nash said that was the most serious had told some of the decoys he was a swimming coach, when in reality he worked at a recycling centre. He told the girls to delete the conversations as he could "get in to trouble". Gibbs was arrested on 23 April at his home and said to officers "I'm going to prison, aren't I?"He answered no comment when interviewed by police but pleaded guilty at his first crown court appearance. He had two previous convictions for sexual offences against children, committed when he was 15 years old. Defending Gibbs, his barrister Abigail Bright said that he had been "lonely and bored" but admitted he should have stopped all contact when he was told of the girls' ages. The court heard he had "no intention to meet anyone he had contacted" and was "genuinely remorseful".Judge Nash told Gibbs: "You do not consider yourself a danger to children; I disagree with you.""If these were real children, which you intended them to be, they would have been caused significant harm by you," she will be placed on the sex offenders' register for life and a sexual harm prevention order was made for 20 years. Wearing a grey tracksuit with a shaven head, he was told he would serve half his sentence in prison before being eligible for release. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Suffolk split over revised plan for northern bypass
In February 2020, divisive plans to build a northern bypass to ease congestion in Ipswich and the surrounding areas were shelved after years of last week, the project was revived and approved when a Labour councillor's motion received cross-party support at the Conservative-led Suffolk County for the large new road intensified in the wake of the partial closure of the Orwell Bridge for repair works, which caused traffic the decision to put the plans back on the table has unnerved some residents in Witnesham – one of the small villages which the bypass could be built through. Villager Josephine Debnam, 83, said: "If it was direct from Felixstowe, then it might make a difference and stop the town from getting clogged up."But, no, I don't support a northern bypass because we have enough traffic around this area already without adding more to it – it's chaos." Shaun Farrell, who moved to the village two years ago from Ipswich, feared his house would have to be taken away from him if the project went ahead."It would help the town, I suppose, but I wouldn't want it to affect me," the 48-year-old told the BBC."We've just done loads to the house and we are doing it up, and if they were to just give us a set price and tell us to get out, then I wouldn't be very happy - I'd be gutted." Another villager, who has lived in the area for 20 years but did not wish to be named, said a northern bypass would "cause a lot of problems for an awful lot of people".She also raised concerns over the impact it could have on fauna and wildlife in the village."Why don't they build something under the bridge, something simple?" the 60-year-old said."Because this is going to be irreversible once they start putting concrete down and the traffic starts booming through."Nobody gives two monkeys about us, the people who have lived here for donkey's years – we'll just get kicked out basically." Some motorists have been particularly keen for the plans to be revisited since joint repair works started on the Orwell Bridge last scheme has resulted in lengthy delays for drivers going to and from work, and some businesses have also reported suffering financial Highways, however, said the work, costing £6m, was essential, but appreciated that disruption had been caused. "It's really frustrating because at the moment we are prisoners in our own homes [because of the traffic]," said Roger Mayhew, 73, who lives in Ipswich but spoke to the BBC while in Witnesham."This morning, coming here, there were queues all around, and there's all these big developments going on and extra traffic with no infrastructure."So something has got to give soon, but nothing is going to happen overnight." The bypass was welcomed by some business owners who travel to and from the village of Witnesham, and believed it was the best way Michael Hancock, 64, said: "I have been coming from north Ipswich to here and back every day for years, and when the bridge is closed, it is laughable."But you can solve this problem, so I have never understood why they wouldn't do a northern bypass."Roads are built all around the UK and at some point they will disadvantage some people and advantage other people – but you don't want to be in a traffic jam your whole life." Neil Austin, who has been the owner of the village's Barley Mow pub for eight years, also believed the road is needed to put an end to the gridlock."I travel through Ipswich to get to work, and it is an absolute nightmare, and it's only going to get worse, so I think we should have the bypass," the 56-year-old said."People don't want to move with the times, and things are moving fast around here, but wherever they put it, it's going to impact someone somewhere – but that's life." The plan for a northern bypass had been discussed for a number of years, but confidence in it grew when Suffolk County Council seriously considered it several years 2019, the county council launched a public consultation to gauge public interest in the relief road, which it hoped would mitigate traffic possible routes were proposed that would link the A14/A140 and the A12, but, in order to gain government funding, 15,000 new homes needed to be local authorities failed to agree on housing, the plans were the road could still come to fruition, after councillor Sandy Martin put a motion before Suffolk County Council calling for it to be was then amended to include a "suite of options", not just a "binary" northern bypass solution, before it was ultimately approved. "We cannot afford to have Ipswich brought to a complete standstill every time the bridge is shut, we cannot afford as a county to see Felixstowe downgraded," said Martin."We cannot afford as a country to see the expensive delays and disruptions to this nation's major trade route without any mitigation measures taken." What happens next? While the motion has been approved and singles a renewed cross-party commitment to finding a solution to traffic issues in Ipswich, nothing will happen overnight. A new mayor-led authority for Norfolk and Suffolk is in the process of being established as part of Downing Street's local council devolution mayor will not be elected until May 2026, so it is unlikely any progress will be made until after that part of the motion, a letter will also first have to be sent to the government, and it will have to consider whether it is willing to fund the project. A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "We are committed to supporting reliable, safe transport links in Suffolk and beyond, and are investing £24bn over the next four years to maintain and improve roads across the country."While works to improve safety on the Orwell Bridge have increased congestion, some closures remain necessary to protect road users and maintain vital routes.". Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
15 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
New £4.9m Lowestoft seafront complex begins to take shape
A major £4.9m seafront development has begun to take shape after a steel structure was put Suffolk Council is building a new complex at Jubilee Rise, formerly Jubilee Parade, on Lowestoft seafront in Suffolk. Located next to the Eastern Edge beach huts, the new site will include a two-storey restaurant and cafe, three new concession units, public toilets and changing facilities. Photos shared by the council show the steel frame of the complex being built, which Tim Wilson, cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, described as "exciting". The first phase of the construction began in February last year, with the second phase beginning in part of the works, a new lift was also being installed in the complex to improve accessibility along the seafront. It will connect the Upper Esplanade with the Lower work is expected to be completed early next year, according to the council. "This is an exciting stage for Jubilee Rise as the work so far on site has been ground engineering works and therefore mostly unseen," Wilson said. "However, the steel structure is now starting to emerge, and we are looking forward to the completion of this new complex next year, which will further enhance the seafront for the benefit of residents and visitors."Other works were ongoing across the town that formed part of the Towns Fund works at Royal Plain, Royal Green and South Quay Wharf were also under way. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
More than 1,000 pupils take part in safety event
More than 1,000 pupils took part in a safety event designed to equip them with life skills. The Mix in Stowmarket hosted its eighth annual Crucial Crew programme, welcoming Year 6 pupils from 43 primary schools across Suffolk between June 16 and 24. Laura Saville, coordinator at Crucial Crew and part of the front of house team at The Mix, said: "Crucial Crew 2025 was a huge success. "The young people were so engaged with each session. "Over the seven days we delivered over 30 hours of youth work and 686 sessions to local primary schools. "Over 1,000 young people were able to learn about personal health and safety in a new and engaging environment." Crucial Crew aims to prepare pupils for the transition to secondary school through practical workshops led by emergency services and health professionals. Sessions covered topics such as online safety, fire prevention, and drug and alcohol awareness. The scheme is funded by Babergh and Mid Suffolk district souncils and the Suffolk Resilience Forum, a multi-agency partnership that includes the fire service, police, NHS, and environmental agencies.
