A teen free climber from Wigan has been handed a suspended sentence after breaching injunction and continuing to risk his life by dangerously scaling tall buildings.
Adam Lockwood, 19 from Wigan – who has been described by a judge as “stupid” and “greedy” – was last week given a suspended sentence and narrowly avoided jail following his breach of an injunction order by which banned him from trespassing and posting the video content online.
His defence said YouTube was partly to blame for the teenager’s behaviour.
In July 2019, Manchester City Council secured a three year anti-social behaviour injunction order against Lockwood – which prohibited him from climbing buildings and cranes, riding on the exterior of buses, trams and trains and entering construction sites in England and Wales – and this was a result of him gaining notoriety online after posting videos of risking his life, and the lives of others, by hanging off the sides of buildings and cranes in Manchester.
Most recently, Lockwood grabbed headlines for scaling Arndale Food Court during a Black Lives Matter protest on 7th June, and then on 16th June, he dangled from the edge of a 600ft balcony at the Madison Building in London’s Canary Wharf.
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Video footage of both instances was uploaded to the internet.
Flickr
In mitigation, Lockwood’s solicitor said that “seeking celebrity and financial reward from YouTube” was the goal behind his client’s dangerous stunts.
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He said: “It’s all about YouTube hits – YouTube pay.”
District Judge Lindsay Clarke at Manchester County Court sentenced Lockwood to 12 weeks in prison (suspended for two years) and condemned his “”deliberate, knowing and wilful” breach of his order, especially given the fact that they were clearly premeditated and added that the promoting of his stunts during a pandemic was the “height of stupidity” motivated by “arrogance” and a “greed for celebrity.”
Lockwood was also ordered to pay costs of £255 – subject to an assessment of his means.
This instance is thought to be the first time in which anti-social behaviour legislation has been used to tackle free climbing behaviour of this kind.
You can find out more information via the Manchester City Council website here.
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‘Unsettled week’ of wind, rain, and snow could greet Mancs into the new year
Thomas Melia
A mix of weather conditions could be expected to hit the north across the new year weekend – including wind, rain, and snow.
As Greater Manchester prepares to enter 2025, it looks like we’ll be bringing our usual moody weather along with us too, as starting today and running right through until the end of this week, Mancs can expect some not-so-pleasant conditions to accompany this party season.
The Met Office has described this period as ‘an unsettled week’.
While forecasters are encouraging people to keep checking for further weather updates where possible, thankfully, this turbulent spell of weather is only predicted to stick around until Thursday (2 January) – with no warnings issued for this Friday (3 January) or the weekend so far.
As we move from 2024 to 2025 the week ahead will involve plenty of rain, wind and some snow
If you have any plans over the New Year/Hogmanay period then check out all the important weather details below ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/qllOnV0cDX
In a video shared to the Met Office’s X account, the visual shows that the most severe cases of wet and windy conditions look like on New Year’s Day itself (Wednesday 1 January), where there is even some snow forecasted for certain areas.
“Almost the entire UK is covered by at least one weather warning during the coming week,” warned Andy Page, who is the Chief Forecaster at the Met Office.
He continued: “With lots of celebrations and people on the move over the coming days, we are urging everyone to keep checking the forecast so they can update their plans.”
Picturesque Greater Manchester railway granted £1.3m to restore historic viaduct
Emily Sergeant
One of Greater Manchester’s most picturesque railways has been given substantial funding to restore a historic viaduct along the line.
As part of the Government‘s wider Plan for Change, the Bury-based heritage railway, East Lancashire Railway (ELR), has been awarded more than £1.3 million in grants to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill Viaduct – which is on the edge of Burrs Country Park, in the heart of the stunning Irwell Valley.
Repairs to the historic viaduct, which goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill, were last carried out all the way back in 1932.
But now, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has granted the funding for restoration through its ‘Community Ownership Fund’, alongside three local authorities from Bury, Rochdale, and the nearby Rossendale in Lancashire, all putting in a further £276,000 in match funding.
We’re supporting local treasures across the UK with vital funding
— Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Gov (@mhclg) December 23, 2024
Important supporters of the railway, such as members of the public and local businesses, have also added a few thousand pounds more to the project.
While inspections to the structure and safety of the viaduct are carried out on a regular basis, ELR assures, it was flagged earlier in 2024 that long-term repairs would be required to allow for the “continued level of use” of steam and heritage diesel trains along the line.
Speaking on the funding being granted, Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of East Lancashire Railway, commented: “This is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
“Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy, thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters, as well as local and national politicians.”
Essential maintenance works are due to start next year in the spring.
The Manc -
14th August 2020 
