A couple from Rochdale on a 60-mile lockdown trip had to be rescued from the summit of one of Yorkshire’s three peaks.
The two “ill-equipped” weekend walkers got into difficultly at the summit of Ingleborough on Sunday and lost their way due to low lying fog, ice and snow, meaning they needed to be rescued from the top of the peak by local mountain rescuers.
The worried walkers contacted the police at 4:30pm asking for help as they could not locate the paths due to the failing light and the wintery conditions, and recognising the specialist nature of the job, the police called upon the experience and skill of the Cave Rescue Organisation to assist.
The volunteer rescuers scaled the peak to locate the “cold and shaken couple” and brought them back to ground safely.
Police said the pair’s actions were “not necessary and not acceptable”.
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North Yorkshire Police had previously turned visitors away from the popular beauty spot that weekend, and Superintendent Mike Walker said officers had been “run off their feet” as they dealt with “numerous out-of-area visitors” to the area.
He continued: “This couple were incredibly fortunate to have come through this experience without injury and be able to tell the tale.
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“We very clearly advised members of the public this weekend to stay at home and when taking exercise, stay local to stop the spread of COVID [and] quite simply, driving miles and miles out of your village, town or city to visit an open space is not a necessary journey and is not acceptable.
“Neither is arriving at a challenging walking location, inexperienced and unprepared in treacherous weather conditions.
“By making an irresponsible and ill-informed decision, the safety of others such as the Cave Rescue Organisation volunteers is also put in jeopardy and if any injury resulted, pressure upon already stretched NHS resources.”
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“So again, I would ask people to really consider their actions and the decisions they are making [and] people should only be leaving home to make essential journeys and if taking exercise, staying local.” he added.
Geograph / Karl and Ali
The warnings come after the force confirmed it had issued over 70 fixed penalty notices for breaches of the COVID regulations over the weekend.
Julia Mulligan – Fire and Crime Commissioner at North Yorkshire Police – added: “The rules and regulations are already very clear but there is a significant minority who seem to think they don’t apply to them.
“The message is simple – stay at home apart from for very specific reasons.
“Those reasons do not include taking a day trip to North Yorkshire from elsewhere or travelling to a different part of North Yorkshire if you live here. Exercise should be taken close to your home, not close to other people’s homes far from yours in communities who are doing all they can to stop the spread.”
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For the latest information, guidance and support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the UK, please do refer to official sources at gov.uk/coronavirus.
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Stockport man admits to drugging and raping his wife without her knowledge for more than 20 years
Emily Sergeant
A man in his 60s from Stockport has admitted drugging and raping his wife in a ‘horrific’ 20-year campaign of abuse.
According to Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the man – who cannot be identified in order to protect the life-long anonymity of the victim – previously admitted five counts of rape, three counts of sexual assault, six counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sharing intimate photos or film.
And now, during an appearance at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (14 September), he pleaded guilty to a further 45 charges.
This makes it 60 charges in total the man has now pleaded guilty to.
Some of the charges he pleaded guilty to yesterday include a further 16 counts of rape, nine counts of assault by penetration, seven counts of sexual assault, and four counts of attempted rape, amongst several others.
Speaking following the court appearance yesterday, GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable, Rick Jackson, said: “Our focus remains on supporting the victim of this horrific campaign of abuse through what is a very complex investigation.
“Specialist support continues to be provided to the victim at the centre of this case.
“If you are concerned you or someone you know may be affected by drug-facilitated sexual abuse, please know that you do not need proof, certainty, or a clear memory to be taken seriously.
“You are not expected to understand exactly what has happened or who was involved in order to be taken seriously. If you feel that something has happened, then please report it or ask for help.”
GMP reiterates that anyone who does choose to report sexual abuse does not need a full account or clear memory, can share as much or as little as they feel able, and will be supported by trained officers, as their ‘immediate’ safety and wellbeing will be the ‘priority’.
They may also speak to a support organisation first and decide later whether to involve police.
Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre – Services are available on a 24-hour basis, and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
Greater Manchester Rape Crisis – Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]
Survivors Manchester – Call 0161 236 2182.
Featured Image – Robert Cuts (via Flickr)
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Referees admit Manchester City’s derby-winning goal over Manchester United was a VAR ‘error’
Emily Sergeant
Referees have admitted that Manchester City’s winning goal during yesterday’s Manchester derby was a VAR ‘error’.
In case you didn’t tune into the Manchester derby yesterday – which was held at Manchester United’s home ground, Old Trafford – star striker Erling Haaland’s goal handed Manchester City a 1-0 victory – in the end, even after fellow City player Phil Foden was given a straight red card and sent off in the twenty third minute.
Haaland‘s goal was initially deemed offside on the pitch, before VAR overruled the decision.
New City signing Enzo Fernandez was in an offside position as he attempted to play the ball before Haaland scored.
Fernandez appeared to impact the defending of Manchester United‘s Lisandro Martinez by attempting a diving header, despite not touching the ball.
Erling Haaland has put Manchester City ahead in the derby after a VAR check ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/V0DCwryhFy
Following the full-time whistle, United’s manager Michael Carrick said it was ‘worrying’ that the goal was allowed to stand, claiming that there was no ‘grey area’ when it came to determining whether Fernandez had interfered with play.
“It’s worrying if that’s how the game is seen by those who are officiating it,” he commented.
Pundit and former Manchester United star, Gary Neville, also expressed confusion at the decision, declaring on Sky Sports after the game: “I’m going to need the offside law explaining to me, because that has lost me, I have to say. I do think when they look back on this, they will recognise they got it wrong.”
Neville said he thinks that referee Michael Oliver will be ‘nervous’ about the goal yesterday, as will the rest of the officials.
Pro Ref has admitted an 'error of judgement' in awarding Manchester City's winner at Manchester United in their 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Erling Haaland's goal was initially disallowed for offside on the pitch before VAR overturned the decision. pic.twitter.com/ZF76Qwz4Ib
And now, less than 24 hours after the match ended, refereeing body Pro Ref has since made what Sky Sports is calling an ‘unusual intervention by confirming that a review of the goal will take place.
A spokesperson for Pro Ref said in a statement: “It was established that Enzo Fernandez did not play the ball and therefore that makes any offside offence subjective, however, on this occasion, the VAR did not recognise the likely impact of his position and should have recommended an on-field review.
“Contact has been made with Manchester United to acknowledge what we deem is an error of judgement.
The Manc -
12th January 2021 
