Following the tragic news of the stabbing on a train in Cambridgeshire over the weekend, it’s been confirmed that a number of those injured in the senseless incident included football fans returning home after the match been Nottingham Forest and Manchester United.
A 32-year-old man, who is now said to be the only suspect in the attack, was detained at the scene.
Initially, another man – also British-born and of Caribbean descent – was arrested on suspicion of murder, but he has since been released “in good faith” that he was not involved in the mass stabbing.
A total of 11 people were hurt in the attack at approximately 7:42pm on Sunday evening, 2 November; while nine were said to be treated for serious injuries, five have since been discharged, and one is still in a critical state.
'I hope this results in a broader review of security'
The man who remains in a life-threatening condition has been named as Andrew Johnson, a train driver from Peterborough working on the line from Doncaster to King’s Cross in London.
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His Iraq War veteran’s intervention is already said to have protected multiple lives, with the LNER staff member calmly bringing the carriages to a halt in an appropriate location as soon as he could.
Nigel Roebuck, a regional organiser for the railway drivers’ union Aslef and lead officer with the train operating company, told the BBC: “The driver did everything he was trained to do, at the right time and in the right way.”
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“He brought the train into a station where passengers could disembark safely and where police, fire and rescue, and ambulance crew could get on to the train and attend to the victims and, we believe, catch the culprit.”
Roebuck went on to add: “He showed real courage, real dedication, and real determination in the most difficult of circumstances. Our thoughts tonight are with his colleague, who is still in intensive care.”
Another man who has been praised (following what the authorities have said is not being considered a ‘terrorist act’) is Forest supporter Stephen Crean, who is reported to have confronted the culprit; he was later seen getting off at Huntingdon, having been left visibly injured and needing medical attention.
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Get well soon Stephen Crean, This Forest fan is one of the people who stood up to the attacker on the train yesterday.
A true hero, well done Stephen for putting your life on the line for the safety of others. RESPECT to you.❤️🙏 pic.twitter.com/dl7eUEtj86
Writing on Facebook, his friend Sanj Beri said, “Get well soon, Stephen Crean. We are all thinking of you. One of the very best and a true hero.” It is not thought that any travelling fans in the United away end were on board at the time.
Another post by a group of local NFFC fans from Munster also reads: “On behalf of the branch, I would like to wish a speedy recovery to Stephen Crean. He was stabbed yesterday evening on a train going back to London after the Forest v Manchester United game.
“He bravely put himself in front of some children to protect them from the evil assailant(s) who wounded at least 10 more people in total. He is a longtime friend of the branch, having attended a couple of our Charity Dinners in Killorglin and was indeed a member at one time.
“I have known him for at least 10 years and he is one of the most gentlest souls you could meet. He follows Forest and Ireland home and away, and I have regularly met him at The City Ground over the years, as well as the likes of Luton, Spurs, Wembley, Ipswich and most recently in Seville.”
Both men have rightly been praised for their quick thinking and heroics in deeply distressing circumstances. It goes without saying that we wish those injured a speedy recovery. You can find out more of the latest info on the situation down below.
Sending our thoughts and strength to all those involved in the incident.
Featured Images — Andrew Johnson/Munster Forest (via Facebook)/Walter Baxter (via Geograph)
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Town just outside Greater Manchester named one of UK’s ‘happiest’ places to live
Emily Sergeant
The UK’s happiest places to live for 2026 have been named, and a town just outside Greater Manchester is in the top 10.
Just as it has done for the last 14 years now, Rightmove has published its annual ‘Happy at Home’ index, which explores exactly what it is that makes people feel content about where they live, and highlights the happiest places nationwide ahead of the new year.
This year, thousands of residents across more than 200 locations told the leading property listing platform what they love (or don’t love) about their community – from the friendliness of their neighbours, to job opportunities, access to green spaces, and so much more.
The survey also outlines the differences in happiness in rural, urban, and suburban environments, as well as the way our sense of ‘home happiness’ changes as we age.
So, where do we have in the top 10 then?
Well, Skipton in North Yorkshire – last year’s winner – only ranked seventh in this year’s study, making way for Richmond upon Thames in London to take the coveted stop spot, but looking a little further down the list, you’ll find the Lancashire town of Chorley in sixth place.
Closest to the Bolton and Wigan boroughs, Chorley is about a 40-minute drive outside of Manchester, and sits on a direct train route into the city centre.
The UK’s top 10 happiest places to live 2026
Richmond upon Thames
Harrogate
Cirencester
Monmouth
Hove
Chorley
Skipton
Llandrindod Wells
Horsham
Hexham
With a deep legacy rooted in the Industrial Revolution, Chorley is now a popular place to live full of amenities, good local schooling options, and convenient transport links – with an average property price of £234,387, and average rent costing £1,011 per month.
When it comes to the wider rankings, and the North West ranking as a whole, two Greater Manchester towns made it into the region’s top five, Stockport at number two and Altrincham following right behind at number three.
Other of the region’s inclusions like Bury, Bolton, Wigan, and the Manchester borough itself all ranked towards the bottom.
Speaking on this year’s list, Colleen Babcock – a property expert at Rightmove – explained: “The balance between greenery and everyday convenience runs through the wider findings. Even among people who would ideally choose a rural setting, access to amenities, parks and public transport remains important.
“This year’s results suggest that the places people rate most highly aren’t simply urban or rural, but often bring together some of the best elements of both.”
Featured Image – Matt Baker (via Unsplash)
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Manchester rapist jailed for 22 years after attacking two vulnerable victims
Daisy Jackson
A Manchester man has been jailed for 22 years after raping two vulnerable victims, targeting people in the Gay Village and Sackville Gardens.
Frank Scott, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to three counts of rape.
The offences took place in two separate incidents in 2025, with Scott targeting victims in Manchester’s Gay Village and Sackville Gardens.
The first attack happened in June 2025, when Scott approached a woman who was alone and separated from a friend in the Gay Village.
After offering her drugs and leading her to a secluded area, Scott subjected her to a prolonged and violent sexual assault. He also threatened the woman and prevented her from leaving as she attempted to seek help.
The victim eventually managed to escape, with members of the public coming to her assistance. Scott was subsequently arrested.
In a statement read to the court following sentencing, the woman described the lasting emotional impact of the attack.
She said: “Whenever I think back to what happened on that night I go through different emotions. I go from feeling confused as to how someone could do what he did, to feeling completely numb, to being in tears on the sofa unable to move.
“I’ve struggled so much with trying to understand my emotions and coming to terms with what’s happened to me.
“How am I meant to carry on like everything is normal when he’s done what he has to me?”
Scott committed a further rape in November 2025 in Sackville Gardens.
The male victim reported that Scott gave him an unknown substance, impairing his awareness, and raped him.
The second survivor also shared a statement in court, saying: “Since he has done this to me I have developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). I sometimes feel like I can smell Frank and it takes me back to that moment in the park and I feel sick and I have been physically sick on a number of occasions.
“I am constantly on edge now, if I hear a door slam or any loud noise it makes me jump in way that I would never have done before.
“Frank Scott is a dangerous person, he is dangerous to society and society’s most vulnerable people.
“I will now have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of my life and other victims will as well.”
Scott denied both offences in police interview, claiming any sexual activity was consensual. However, the strength of the evidence led to him pleading guilty at court to two counts of rape relating to the female survivor and one count relating to the male survivor.
DC Coles from GMP’s Central Challenger Team said: “These offences demonstrate a pattern of predatory behaviour, with Scott targeting vulnerable individuals and exploiting situations where victims were isolated or under the influence.
“I’d like to thank both victims for their bravery in coming forward and supporting this investigation all the way through. I know how hard it will have been throughout the proceedings, but their continued strength has allowed us to keep Scott behind bars.
“Their evidence was crucial to securing these convictions and ensuring a dangerous offender has been brought to justice”
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Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website, www.gmp.police.uk. 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 [email protected]
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.
Danny Jones -
3rd November 2025 
