News
GMP officer jailed for trying to lie his way out of a speeding offence
He was trying to dodge a speeding fine and points.
A serving Greater Manchester Police officer has been jailed for four months after it emerged he had lied about a speeding offence.
PC Raja Yousaf, 28, tried to report his number plates as having been stolen, and said that he was in Stockport at the time of the speeding incident.
But a patrol car had recognised him as the driver of a car driving at speed in Oldham.
PC Yousaf’s story quickly unravelled through a police investigation, and he was arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice.
The initial speeding incident occurred on 30 July 2021, around midnight, when the patrol recognised PC Yousaf driving a BMW at speed.
Officers lost sight of the car and then tried to stop it using emergency equipment, but the vehicle drove off, last seen on Greenacres Road.
20 minutes later, PC Yousaf reported his plates as stolen.
In September 2021, he attended Oldham Police Station, and, under caution, denied he had been in the car.
He said that he had been in Stockport at the time that the speeding vehicle was spotted.
Investigations proved that PC Yousaf’s mobile phone had been in Oldham on the night in question – not Stockport – and he was subsequently arrested and later charged with perverting the course of justice.
PC Yousaf, who works in GMP’s Tameside district, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court in June and was sentenced at the same court on 30 August.
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He has been suspended from duty since June 2022 and will now face internal disciplinary proceedings.
Featured image: GMP
News
Everyone in England can now get FREE careers advice as part of a new Government scheme
Emily Sergeant
People all across the country now have the ability to access support from dedicated career advisers completely free of charge.
That’s because, for the first time ever, the full range of support previously offered by the National Careers Service will be available through Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) under the Government, creating a more joined-up service for people at every stage of their career.
Around 500 qualified careers advisers have joined the DWP, it has been confirmed, and they will provide expert careers information, advice, and guidance alongside the existing employment and skills support that are already available through Jobcentres.
But the key is here, the free careers support will be available to everyone – regardless of whether they claim benefits.
The services are set to be accessed either online, over the phone, or through face-to-face appointments at Jobcentres, giving people a single place to access the advice they need to take their next step.
As mentioned, these new services are part of the wider reforms the Government says it is taking to ‘give everyone the opportunity to succeed’.
These reforms include £2.5 billion of youth employment support, and £3.5 billion investment in employment support for disabled people and those with long-term health conditions.
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Support can be accessed online via the Get Careers Information and Advice page HERE, as well as through the freephone service on 0800 072 0288.
Face-to-face appointments will then be available in Jobcentres later this month.
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Beloved Manchester artist Stanley Chow slams Conservative Party for using his artwork
Daisy Jackson
Celebrated local artist Stanley Chow has lashed out at the Conservative Party.
The illustrator, who is famed for his cartoon portraits of famous faces, has discovered that the political party have been using his Andy Burnham illustration at their party conference.
Publicly addressing the usage, Stanley said he would be ‘seeking legal advice’.
He shared a photo of his Andy Burnham portrait that has been placed onto a water bottle with the slogan ‘Bottler Burnham’.
The label also says: “0% strength. Bottled under pressure from Badenoch.”
In another photo, Stanley Chow revealed that the Tory party conference has used his Andy Burnham portrait on pots of sweets, too.
This time, they say: “Andy Panders’ people pleaser pick n mix. Free sweets for everyone, it will only cost you higher taxes.”
Stanley wrote: “It seems like @conservatives have been using my artwork without my permission at their conference party…
“Regardless of whatever your political allegiances are, it’s still copyright infringement… I’ll be seeking legal advice.”
Backing him up in the comments are a number of other local artists, including Mancsy, who said: “As well as the copyright infringement, I expect more of political parties than making gags at the expense of the opposition. It’s alarming on multiple levels.”
Someone else wrote: “Imagine calling a prime minister a people pleaser like it’s an insult… when it’s their job.”
Another person said: “How does that even happen?! Layers of people signing off who go, ‘Sure, let’s not worry about copyright’ (people who’ve presumably never step foot in MCR and seen your artwork, like EVERYWHERE). Drag em, babe. Copyright and reputation, surely.”
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Featured image: The Manc Group
Daisy Jackson -
31st August 2023 
