Latest news with #Wigan
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ex GP touched victims inappropriately while they attended appointments
A former doctor has been jailed for sexually assaulting three of his patients. Vijay Gaikwad, 44, touched the victims inappropriately when they attended appointments. Gaikwad of St Catherine's Gardens, Lowton was sentenced to six years at Bolton Crown Court for multiple counts of sexual assault. The sentencing follows an investigation in Wigan and the courageous testimonies of the victims. In a statement Greater Manchester Police said: "Gaikwad, a former medical practitioner, was found guilty of sexually assaulting three patients under his care. The offences occurred during medical appointments where he exploited his position of trust to inappropriately touch the victims READ MORE: LIVE M6 and M56 traffic updates as crashes cause severe delays on both motorways as holiday getaway begins READ MORE: Family of teenager killed in alleged e-bike crash murder call for 'peace' as they issue tribute "The offences occurred during medical appointments where he exploited his position of trust to inappropriately touch the victims." Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Detective Constable Lucy Page, said:"Firstly, I would like to extend their gratitude to the victims who supported the investigation who bravely came forward to report the incidents, despite the significant emotional distress they experienced. "Gaikwad abused his position of trust in the most egregious manner, and today's outcome reflects the seriousness of his actions. This sentencing will provide some sense of justice for the victims. 'Time is no barrier when it comes to being sexually abused – no matter how long ago it was, or how old you were at the time, we will listen to you. We will support you, investigate, and act robustly against perpetrators. We will take your allegations seriously and treat you with dignity and respect.' Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, Reports can also be made anonymously through the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available. - Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515. - Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@ - Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Moment e-bike rider who left woman fighting for her life after ploughing into her head-on is chased down by furious bystanders
This is the moment an e-bike rider was pursued by angry witnesses after ploughing down a woman he left battling for her life. Former footballer Kian Monks, 22, was seen cowered and bloodied after causing the injuries to 70-year-old grandmother Margaret Scaldwell in Wigan. She spent time in a coma and suffered life-changing injuries including a broken spine - and has now accused 'selfish' Monks of having 'ruined' her life. Monks has now been handed a 22-month prison sentence, after pleading guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving, dangerous driving and driving with no licence or insurance. He was also found guilty of failing to stop at the scene of a collision, failing to report a collision and failing to provide a specimen for analysis following a serious collision, Greater Manchester Police said. The ex-Wigan Athletic youth prospect was riding a Talaria Sting e-bike in August 2023 when colliding with Ms Scaldwell on Orell Road in the Greater Manchester town. Monks, then aged 19, had hit speeds of 40mph in a 30mph zone on the off-road e-bike that had its speed limiter disconnected. Ms Scaldwell was sent flying through the air by the impact and landed several metres away, with her head smashing off the pavement. She suffered a broken spine, pelvis, arms and 19 broken ribs - and has been left unable to feed herself following the sickening crash. Monks was riding the bike alongside Joel Pilling, 22, and both men fled the scene - leaving behind their victim lying in the middle of the busy A577. Video footage shows members of the public chasing and detaining Monks, while Pilling handed himself in to police later in the day. Monks is seen with blood pouring down his face, pleading innocence as he insisted: 'I wasn't driving, it wasn't me. I've hit my head. I've hurt my head and my jaw.' Monks, who had a provisional licence and no insurance, has now been sentenced for causing serious injury by dangerous driving. Pilling, who owned the motorbike but held no licence, was given a 22-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, and told to complete 250 hours of unpaid work. Both men were banned from driving at Bolton Crown Court - Monks for four years and Pilling for two. In a statement released after sentencing, Ms Scaldwell said: 'These men's selfishness have ruined my life. 'Before the collision I was an independent lady and always had a smile on my face. 'Now my life is dehumanising, reduced to a long list of hospital appointments with no end in sight and I can no longer walk wash or feed myself. 'No sentence will bring back my health. But I will not let them beat me as I am determined to recover the best I can.' The Talaria Sting off-road bike is marketed at a cost of £3,795 and is considered a motor vehicle under the law, requiring an insurance and licence to use on-road - while having a top speed of 47mph, with a range of 63 miles. Det Const Steve Pennington, of Greater Manchester Police, said after the case: 'This was a shocking incident where two individuals recklessly rode an e-bike through one of Wigan's busiest areas with complete disregard for public safety. 'Their dangerous driving resulted in a horrific collision with a grandmother who was simply crossing the road. 'She suffered life-changing injuries and spent weeks in a coma - it's nothing short of miraculous that she survived. 'This incident highlights the severe consequences of operating e-bikes illegally on our roads. 'These aren't toys - they're powerful vehicles that require proper licensing, safety equipment, and responsible handling. 'Riding without these essentials isn't just breaking the law - it's putting lives at risk. 'At GMP we're committed to reducing serious and fatal collisions across our region. 'We actively support national road safety initiatives like the Fatal 4 campaign, targeting the four main causes of serious road incidents: speeding, using mobile phones, not wearing seatbelts, and driving under the influence.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Coronation Street and Emmerdale actor Tony Peers dies aged 78 after decades long career in showbusiness
Coronation Stret actor and local Scarborough legend Tony Peers has died aged 78. The actor, who was born in Wigan, appeared as three different characters on the soap in 1994, 1995, and 1999. He first played the part of a delivery man, then a junk dealer and finally as Gary Malett's father Peter. He later made several appearances on Emmerdale over the years including as the character Bryan Dodds and a contruction worker. Tony went on to become a stand-up comedian and also made appearances in other shows like Heartbeat and Last Of The Summer Wine. His company announced his passing, writing in a statement: 'It is with great sadness that we announce that Scarborough showbiz legend Tony Peers has taken his final bow. 'Our wonderful producer, manager and friend sadly fell asleep for the last time in the early hours of this morning. 'All at Tony Peers Limited are devastated by this news and in Tony's words 'the show must go on. 'We will be continuing to lead all future productions and keeping Tony's pantomime legacy alive across the country for years to come.' Scarborough Spa added: 'Everyone at the Scarborough Spa is saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Peers. 'Tony, who was involved in over 2,500 shows at the Spa as a performer, director, and latterly as producer of the famous Spa summer shows and Christmas pantomimes, passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by family and friends.' Tony previously recalled how his mother took the TV Times around to his neighbours and showed his name in the credits when he appeared on Coronation Street. It marked a change from when she was brought to tears after he quit a well paid job in 1969 to be a Butlin's Redcoat in 1969 in Somerset. Speaking to The Scarborough News in 2018, he said: 'My mum came to see me and cried all the way home from Minehead to Liverpool. She said to my father 'He'll never make a living doing this; he's a big, daft lad and he's got no talent.' But she was later 'proud as punch' years later when he began hosting a Friday night show at the holiday camp. Tony was with his partner Glenda for 35 years, describing her as 'the least showbiz person I know. 'Everyone in this business is an insecure, self-absorbed egomaniac. I would get home from the Spa and start talking about work – after two minutes Glenda would be on to other things,' he said. 'She taught me there is more to the world than dressing up and messing about. Family is what it is all about.'
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street & Emmerdale star Tony Peers dies aged 78 as tributes for ‘legendary' actor pour in
A CORONATION Street actor has tragically died aged 78. Tony Peers appeared in the ITV drama as three different characters during his career. 4 4 He played the part of a delivery man, a junk dealer and later Peter Mallett, Gary Mallett's dad. Born in Wigan, Peers appeared on Corrie in 1994, 1995, and 1999. He went on to become a stand-up comedian and appeared in both films and a number of television shows including Emmerdale. His company announced he has sadly passed away. They wrote: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Scarborough showbiz legend Tony Peers has taken his final bow. "Our wonderful producer, manager and friend sadly fell asleep for the last time in the early hours of this morning. "All at Tony Peers Limited are devastated by this news and in Tony's words 'the show must go on.' "We will be continuing to lead all future productions and keeping Tony's pantomime legacy alive across the country for years to come." Scarborough Spa added: "Everyone at the Scarborough Spa is saddened to hear of the passing of Tony Peers. Tony, who was involved in over 2,500 shows at the Spa as a performer, director, and latterly as producer of the famous Spa summer shows and Christmas pantomimes, passed away peacefully this morning surrounded by family and friends." 4
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Former Wigan Athletic youth player jailed for mowing down pensioner
A former Wigan Athletic youth footballer who mowed down a pensioner on an e-bike after taking cannabis has been Scaldwell, 70, suffered a broken spine, a bleed to the brain and lost all of her teeth, when the e-bike ploughed into her as she crossed Orrell Road in Orrell, Wigan, in August Crown Court was played CCTV of the crash which Ms Scadwell said "ruined her life" and meant she could no longer "walk, wash, or feed" Wigan academy player, Kian Monks, 21, who pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving was sentenced to two years and three months, while e-bike owner and passenger, Joel Pilling, 22, received a suspended sentence. The 22-year-old admitted to dangerous driving and aiding and abetting serious injury by dangerous sentencing is the first of its kind in the UK for a passenger of an electric motorbike. A toxicology report found Monks, who was an academy player from the age of seven and played for Wigan Athletic's under 18's side in 2020/21, tested positive for cannabis at the time of the court heard how Pilling, of Orrell, who was 20 at the time, bought the electric motorbike "from a mate for £3,200".A prosecution examination found the single-seat Talaria e-bike, capable of a top speed of 55mph, had serious road defects, including eroded rear brake pads, with the speed limiter disconnected, the court court was told the two men were driving between 39mph and 41mph before they struck the 70-year-old in the area where the speed limit is men fled the scene, with Monks, of Billinge, arrested at a nearby taxi rank after changing his who was 19 at the time of the incident, repeatedly told the court he "thought was going to die" from injuries he sustained and "wanted to die with his mother".He told the court he had not remembered driving the e-bike until he was interviewed for a second time by police when presented with CCTV footage. Warning: Graphic image below Judge Jon Close rejected Monks' evidence, calling it "unreliable" and "inconsistent" as he tried to shift the blame to Pilling as the defence argued Monks, who has been without a club since July 2022, was simply "a young man who lost his way" after sustaining a career-ending ankle men face a further charge for failing to provide a Jon Close disqualified both men from driving. Monks faces a four year ban while Pilling is banned for two years. The family of Ms Scaldwell are now calling on the government to strengthen the law around a statement after sentencing Ms Scaldwell said: "These men's selfishness have ruined my life."Prior to the collision, "I was an independent lady" and "always had a smile on my face". Now she said "my life is dehumanising... reduced to a long list of hospital appointments" with "no end" in sight and she can no longer "walk wash or feed" herself."No sentence will bring back my health. But I will not let them beat me as I am determined to recover the best I can."Her daughter Michelle Glaister, who was at home looking after her mother during the sentencing, said the "law needs to change and punishment needs to start fitting the crime".In a statement, principal partner of Express Solicitors Robin Patey, who represents Ms Scaldwell, said: "At the minute there is no robust deterrent to these illegal e-bikers to stop them causing havoc on the roads. "Hopefully these sentences can help police crack down on the menace of reckless e-bike riders."The law urgently needs to catch up with these criminals and technology."A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "Dangerous cycling is completely unacceptable, and the safety of our roads is a key priority for this government."That's why the government is proposing new offences and penalties for dangerous cycling, updating legislation that is over 160 years old, to ensure that the tiny minority who recklessly disregard others face the full force of the law." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
