News
News
Family of ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum pay touching tribute to her as man is charged with murder

The family of a ‘loving’ Harpurhey mum have paid a heartfelt tribute to her as a man has been charged with murder.
The tribute has been released after Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was called to an address on Queens Road, in the Harpurhey area of Manchester, in the early hours of the morning at 4:07am this Monday just gone (7 April).
Sadly, despite the speed with which officers arrived on the scene, a 51-year-old woman was found dead on arrival.
GMP has now confirmed her identity as Clare Burns.
#TRIBUTE | The family of a “loving mother” have released a tribute as man charged with murder.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) April 9, 2025
Clare Burns sadly died in Harpurhey on Monday morning. Leonard Lee Stewart (8.4.70) of Queens Road, Manchester, has been charged with murder.
More – https://t.co/ETyWYRzADi pic.twitter.com/UMQeefSL5G
Paying tribute to Clare following her passing, her family wrote: “Clare was a loving mother, auntie, sister and daughter. She was funny, outgoing and a very independent person. She was also kind, generous and friendly to anyone she met.
“Clare would always light up the room she entered, and she was a brilliant friend to many. We will miss her dearly.”
With a murder investigation subsequently launched, a 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene, following initial enquiries.

Leonard Lee Stewart, from Manchester, has been charged with murder, and the 54-year-old remained in police custody ahead of his next appearance at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 9 April).
Due to past contact between GMP, and the victim and suspect, it’s been confirmed that the Professional Standards Directorate have made a voluntarily referral to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) – which is now assessing the case.
Read more:
- Murder investigation launched after 84-year-old man is found dead in his Prestwich home
- Human remains found in search for missing woman murdered 12 years ago
- Man named and charged in relation to Manchester van and tram crash that killed three-year-old girl
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact GMP via the case’s major incident portal here, or by calling the incident room on 0161 856 3635.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
News
New driving test cancellation rules introduced by DVSA to reduce waiting times

Learner drivers will now be required to give longer notice periods when they need to cancel their driving tests in a bid to reduce waiting lists.
Up until this week, anyone who had booked a driving test which they could no longer attend had to change or cancel their appointment within three full working days notice, but now, as of yesterday (8 April), the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requires learner drivers to give 10 days’ notice.
If learners fail to provide the 10 full working days’ notice, then they will not be able to redeem their test fee back.
According to the DVSA’s new rules, only Monday to Saturday count as working days, while Sundays and public holidays do not.
But why has the change been introduced?
The short notice cancellation period for car driving tests changes today ⚠️
— Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (@DVSAgovuk) April 8, 2025
You'll now need to give 10 working days' notice to cancel or change your car driving test without losing your fee.
Full details: https://t.co/kryRiMiYim#DrivingTest #LearnToDrive pic.twitter.com/7gSOmLBdJ9
Well, according to the DVSA, lots of people who are not ready to take their driving test leave it until right at the last moment to change or cancel it, and although that appointment then becomes available to other learner drivers, many of them tend to go unused, given the fact it’s so close to the test date and they may not feel prepared enough.
So, the DVSA hopes that by asking learner drivers to give more notice, it should give other people more chance to use the appointment, and ultimately reduce driving test waiting times.

There are, of course, some exceptions to the rule, with some learners still being able to apply for a refund at short notice if they have an illness or injury, have suffered a bereavement, have to take a school or college exam, or have their provisional driving license stolen.
On top of this, the DVSA has confirmed that it will continue to pay out-of-pocket expenses for any car driving tests that it has to cancel with fewer than three full working days’ notice.
Read more:
- Digital driving licences will be introduced across the UK later this year
- Tailgaters and middle lane hoggers warned to change their ‘dangerous’ driving style
- DVSA warns of scam parking fine text messages that threaten to ‘ban you from driving’
The DVSA is urging learner drivers to cancel their driving test if they cannot attend, rather than just not turning up.
Featured Image –