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Former rugby star Rob Burrow has wheelchair accessible van vandalised

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 26th December 2022

Former Rugby League star Rob Burrow has had his wheelchair accessible van vandalised while out for a meal with his family.

The former Leeds Rhinos legend – who was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) back in December 2019, and has been part of a high-profile fundraising campaign alongside his friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield ever since – was out with his family enjoying a meal in Castleford in Wakefield this past Friday (23 December) when the van was targeted.

Rob’s father Geoff Burrow took to Twitter to reveal what happened, and call out the “disgrace of a person” who carried out the act of vandalism.

“Well oh well – my family went out with my wonderful son Rob for a lovely meal at Rockello’s in Glasshoughton in Castleford tonight [but] unfortunately a disgrace of a person decided to scratch all over Rob’s Disability van,” Geoff wrote on Twitter.

“How low are some people hey, sleep well you scum of a person.”

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Geoff told the BBC that the vehicle was parked near the restaurant and was not obstructing any driveways or on any yellow lines, but the vandal made “quite a lot of deep scratches on the back of the van where we wheel Rob in on the ramp”.

“It spoilt a good night out, they’re cowards,” Geoff added.

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“How could someone do it to a disability van? How they sleep is their problem I suppose.”

Rob is believed to have owned the vehicle since around March 2022, and it has been a crucial part of his mobility as his condition has continued to deteriorate.

Rob’s wheelchair accessible van before it was subjected to vandalism / Credit: Geoff Burrow (via Twitter)

Since Geoff spoke out about the incident on social media, the Burrow family said they have been inundated with offers from members of the public to pay for the repairs and businesses willing to carry out the work for free.

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“The outpouring of kindness shows you that there’s more nice people than scumbags like this person,” Geoff added.

“But we could have done without it.

“We’re going through enough without having to deal with this.”

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Just last week, Rob and Kevin Sinfield were both honoured at this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

It comes after the ex-rugby stars turned campaigners have both gone on to become truly inspiring individuals by raising millions for the Motor Neuron Disease Association (MNDA) and other charities in the last few years.

Featured Image – Leeds Council

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This hidden Manchester pasta and dumplings restaurant has just made the Michelin Guide

Georgina Pellant Georgina Pellant

Michelin has just added some new additions to its guide, and one of our favourite Manchester restaurants has finally made the cut.

Loved by locals for its continental pasta and dumplings, gorgeous European wine list and sake collection, The Sparrows in the Green Quarter is something of a hidden gem – tucked in a disused railway arch on Red Bank.

It received rave reviews from local and national critics alike when it first opened in 2019 in a tiny space with room for just 12 covers. Since then, it’s relocated to a bigger home and its following has grown significantly.

After spending years wowing foodies in the know, the restaurant has made it onto the radar of Michelin’s inspectors at last – and we have to say, the accolade is well deserved indeed.

Image: The Manc Eats
Image: The Manc Eats

Front of house is headed up by Polish-born Kasia Hitchcock with her chef partner Franco Concli at the helm in the kitchen. Plates celebrate Franco’s Tyrolean heritage, with their signature dish spätzle, a rustic fresh egg pasta from which the restaurant takes its name, sitting front and centre.

Traditionally made by scraping dough from the wooden board straight into a pot of boiling water, these irregular-shaped delights translate from Swabian-German to mean “little sparrows.”

Served in multiples ways, they can be enjoyed either savoury or sweet – mixed with braised onions into a creamy gruyere and Emmental cheese sauce, as is traditional, or transformed into a pudding with a touch of cinnamon, brown sugar and butter.

Read more: All the Michelin recommended restaurants in Greater Manchester

Joining the now seventeen Manchester restaurants to be featured in the prestigious guide, its description reads as follows: “Nestled under the railway arches in Manchester’s Green Quarter is a restaurant whose name is (almost) the English translation of the word ‘spätzle’ – which gives some clue as to the style of food on offer here.

“The dumplings and assorted pasta dishes are all made in-house and include excellent pierogi. The focus on Eastern Europe carries through to the wine list, which has a leaning towards Polish wines.”

Read more: Life insurance firm apologises for using picture of Manchester serial killer Harold Shipman in ‘disgusting’ advert

A welcome new addition, if you haven’t yet visited then we recommend you book in swiftly. No doubt the news of its conclusion in the Michelin Guide will send reservations filling up pretty sharpish.

Feature image – Google Maps

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New DNA evidence could clear ‘innocent’ man who spent 17 years in prison for Salford rape

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

A man who spent 17 years in prison for a rape he has continued to claim he did not commit has now been granted a fresh appeal after DNA was linked to an alternative suspect.

57-year-old Andrew Malkinson from Grimsby was convicted by a jury verdict of 10-2 of strangling and raping a woman in Little Hulton in Salford back in 2003, and was jailed for life following a trial at Manchester Crown Court in February 2004.

The victim – who had been walking home alone in the early hours of 19 July 2003 – was sexually assaulted after being throttled until the point of unconsciousness, and also suffered a broken neck and a fractured cheekbone during the attack.

There was no DNA or other forensic evidence linking Mr Malkinson to the crime at the time, and the prosecution case relied mainly on identification evidence from eyewitnesses.

This is why he has always maintained his innocence and insisted it was a case of mistaken identity.

New DNA evidence could clear ‘innocent’ man who spent 17 years in prison for Salford rape / Credit: APPEAL

Mr Malkinson had twice been refused an appeal in the past after applying for his case to be reviewed by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) – which is the body responsible for investigating alleged miscarriages of justice – but after being released on license from prison back in 2020, scientific techniques have advanced, and this has potentially lead to some new evidence.

The legal team at the charity APPEAL was able to commission new DNA testing that revealed the presence of unknown male DNA in samples taken from the victim and her clothing, and this “breakthrough” has therefore cast doubt on Mr Malkinson’s conviction.

APPEAL Director Emily Bolton said “the battle for justice is not yet over”, adding that the CCRC “will now form its own view of the fresh evidence and we hope they will agree that Andy’s conviction cannot now be regarded as safe.”

Mr Malkinson says he “finally has the chance to prove his innocence”.

“I am innocent,” Mr Malkinson questioned in a statement provided by his legal representatives.

“Finally, I have the chance to prove it thanks to the perseverance of my legal team at APPEAL. I only have one life and so far 20 years of it has been stolen from me. Yesterday I turned 57 years old. How much longer will it take?”

As well as the case having being referred back to the CCRC this week, in light of new information, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed last month that it had arrested a 48-year-old man from Exeter on suspicion of rape, but he has since been released under investigation.

Addressing Mr Malkinson’s case, CCRC chairwoman Helen Pitcher said: “The new results raise concerns about the safety of these serious convictions.

“It is now for the Court of Appeal to decide whether they should be quashed.

“New evidence can come to light years after a conviction, and in the ever-changing world of forensic science, it is crucial an independent body can undertake these enquiries and send cases of concern back to court.

“Following Mr Malkinson’s application, we used our special powers and expertise to re-examine this case, instructing experts to undertake state-of-the-art DNA testing.”

Read more:

Featured Image – Sophia Spring (via APPEAL)

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