Latest news with #youthSafety
BBC News
2 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Alex Eastwood: Kickboxer, 15, 'fought man, 34, week before death'
A coroner has told an inquest he was "shocked" to learn that a 15-year-old kickboxer who died after a bout had fought a 34-year-old man the week Eastwood, from Fazakerley, Liverpool, collapsed after the third and final two-minute round of a "light contact" kickboxing match against a 17-year-old opponent in a ring at a gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan, on June 29 was taken to hospital but had suffered a serious head injury and died three days took up kickboxing aged nine, trained five times a week and had a "meteoric" rise in the sport, having competed at high levels, the inquest into Alex's death heard. He had grown to 6ft 7in (2.04m), weighed 12.5 stone (80kg) and had just finished his GCSEs when the fight was arranged with another opponent at the gym in Pemberton, assistant coroner for Manchester West, had already raised concerns with the government in March about the safety of children in combat sports and the apparent lack of regulation and safeguarding measures. Ian Hollett, who was Alex's coach and chief instructor at the gym where he trained, Hurricane Combat and Fitness in Liverpool, said he had more than 30 years' experience in martial arts and his gym currently had around 400 child told Bolton Coroner's Court the gym had only had a safeguarding officer in place since 2024 - a member of the club who happened to be a social worker. 'Untouchable' When asked how Alex came to fight a 34-year-old man in a competition the week before the fatal fight, Mr Hollett said "discussions" about Alex competing against adults had started with his father and other coaches the previous continued: "He had not been beat for two years, he progressed rapidly, it is a customary thing that happens in our sport.""That's what worries me," the coroner replied."You have a child fighting an adult. If that happened in the street it would be very serious. How is it acceptable?"Mr Hollett said: "He was untouchable, pretty much. He was exceptionally developed physically, technically excellent."He said Alex had fought adult opponents earlier in the year and although his own club and gym no longer allow such bouts, only one national body, the International Combat Organisation, had outlawed the Hollett added: "Every other governing body would and has and does allow it."The coroner replied: "I'm quite shocked by that, I have to say. I'm not often shocked."The inquest continues on Wednesday. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- CTV News
Police investigating report of suspicious male in Kitchener who asked youths to follow him into a forest
The Waterloo Regional Police Service is investigating a report of a suspicious person who tried to convince three youths to follow him into a forested area. Officers were called to the Zeller Drive and Susan Crescent area around 2:30 p.m. Sunday. They were told an unknown male approached the youths and tried to get them to walk with him. The youths ran off and notified police. When officers arrived, they couldn't find the suspect. The male was described as a 5'10' white male between the ages of 17 and 20. He wore a black sweater with the hood up, black pants, black Nike shoes and had a black mountain bike.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
CPS, CPD warn parents of possible teen takeover at a Chicago beach this weekend
Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Police Department sent a collaborative message to parents this week, warning about a possible "teen takeover" at an unspecified beach this weekend, based on posts found on social media. In a letter to parents, CPS and CPD reminded parents of restrictions in place at Chicago's beaches, along with safety concerns that come with large groups of teens on the beach after hours. Officials asked parents to go over some important reminders with their children, including the fact the official opening of Chicago beaches isn't until Memorial Day. The letter also reminds parents that no lifeguards are assigned to beaches until they officially open, that alcohol is not allowed at beaches at any time, and that any beach visitors are subject to being searched. Officials also reminded parents of the city's 10 p.m. curfew seven days a week for minors over the age of 12. A similar letter was sent to parents almost a month ago after social media posts implied a large gathering was happening in Millennium Park, but that gathering ended up not happening. The letters come after two large gatherings of teens in the Streeterville neighborhood ended in gunfire in March. Jahmal Cole – who runs youth violence preventions programs with My Block My, Hood, My City – said what kids in the community need are more programs instead of restrictions. "CPD is, like, saying what everyone is saying, 'Where are the parents? Where are the parents? Why aren't the parents doing this?' I feel like I want to say, 'Where are the programs? Where the social impact organizations? Where's the counselors? Where's the jobs? Where's the basketball hoops?'" he said. In that letter to parents, police said they will attempt to educate young people who gather at beaches on the rules in place, and have them disperse voluntarily before they enforce any curfew laws by issuing citations or making arrests.
