A teen free climber from Wigan has been handed a suspended sentence after breaching injunction and continuing to risk his life by dangerously scaling tall buildings.
Adam Lockwood, 19 from Wigan – who has been described by a judge as “stupid” and “greedy” – was last week given a suspended sentence and narrowly avoided jail following his breach of an injunction order by which banned him from trespassing and posting the video content online.
His defence said YouTube was partly to blame for the teenager’s behaviour.
In July 2019, Manchester City Council secured a three year anti-social behaviour injunction order against Lockwood – which prohibited him from climbing buildings and cranes, riding on the exterior of buses, trams and trains and entering construction sites in England and Wales – and this was a result of him gaining notoriety online after posting videos of risking his life, and the lives of others, by hanging off the sides of buildings and cranes in Manchester.
Most recently, Lockwood grabbed headlines for scaling Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest on 7th June, and then on 16th June, he dangled from the edge of a 600ft balcony at the Madison Building in London’s Canary Wharf.
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Video footage of both instances was uploaded to the internet.
In mitigation, Lockwood’s solicitor said that “seeking celebrity and financial reward from YouTube” was the goal behind his client’s dangerous stunts.
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He said: “It’s all about YouTube hits – YouTube pay.”
District Judge Lindsay Clarke at Manchester County Court sentenced Lockwood to 12 weeks in prison (suspended for two years) and condemned his “”deliberate, knowing and wilful” breach of his order, especially given the fact that they were clearly premeditated and added that the promoting of his stunts during a pandemic was the “height of stupidity” motivated by “arrogance” and a “greed for celebrity.”
Lockwood was also ordered to pay costs of £255 – subject to an assessment of his means.
This instance is thought to be the first time in which anti-social behaviour legislation has been used to tackle free climbing behaviour of this kind.
You can find out more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
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Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.
Stuart Everett – family of man whose torso was found in Kersal Dale pay tribute to ‘endearing character’
Daisy Jackson
The family of the man whose torso was found in Kersal Dale in Salford have paid tribute to him after his ‘untimely death’.
After the torso of Stuart Everett was discovered on 4 April, further parts of his body were found in four different areas of the city.
GMP launched an extensive murder inquiry and a huge search effort to correctly identify Stuart and notify his family of his death.
It’s thought the 67-year-old died at an address in Winton at the end of March.
His family have now issued a tribute to his ‘endearing character’ and thanked the public for their messages of support.
In a statement issued through GMP, they said: “We as a family are united in our grief over the devastating news of Stuart’s untimely death and the manner in which he died.
“He was a unique and endearing character who always put his family and many friends first.
“He loved his food his garden his music and a flutter on the horses, we have been overwhelmed with the messages of support and are thankful that so many people thought so much of him.
“He did not deserve to die the way he did and will be eternally missed. R.I.P.”
Two men have been charged with the murder of Stuart Everett.
The searches across Salford at sites at Blackleach Reservoir, Linneyshaw Colliery Wood, Bridgewater Canal, and a house in the Winton area of the city, as well as a warehouse in Bury, are continuing.
GMP is continuing to receive details from the public that may assist these searches. Any further information should be given by calling 101 and quoting log number 2695 of 4 April 2024.
If you would like to remain anonymous, details can be shared via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.