Tributes are pouring in for a Lancashire dad who has reportedly died fighting Russian invaders in Ukraine earlier this week.
Former paratrooper Simon Lingard, known to close friends and family as ‘Grimmy’, is said to have been killed on 7 November after his unit was attacked in the Bakhmut area of the war-torn nation.
The region has seen almost constant fighting over recent weeks and months, with more than 700 Russian troops thought to have been killed there on Monday alone.
A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign Office said in a statement: “We are supporting the family of a British national who has lost his life in Ukraine and we are in touch with the local authorities in connection with his death.
“Our thoughts are with their family at this difficult time.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Kierren Stokes, who served alongside Lingard in the parachute regiment, paid tribute to the “great soldier” on social media:
The veteran soldier and father of two from Great Harwood near Blackburn travelled to defend Ukraine from Putin’s invasion back in February, having previously served in the British Army as part of the Special Forces Support Group.
ADVERTISEMENT
A vigil was held in his home town shortly after the news of his passing was announced. Friend Mickii Edwards told ITV that everyone “wanted him home but he didn’t want to come”, adding: “He was just courageous. He was like a lion and I loved him to bits.”
Writing via his mother’s Stacey Longworth’s Facebook, Lingard’s 17-year-old son Jackson said: “After years of dedicating his time and effort to protecting our country, my dad still had more fight in him and left the country to protect the people of Ukraine against the Russian army too.
“My heart is broken to announce that Dad has passed away in battle, a true hero and beloved to so many of us. I can’t put into words how much he is and will be missed, but I’m comforted to know that this happened doing what he loved and surrounded by friends.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I love you dad, I’m so proud of you.”
As the post goes on to explain, the Ukrainian military is covering the fee for returning his body to the UK but the family still needs funeral costs.
A GoFundMe page was set up in his honour and with hopes to give the “local hero the send-off he deserves” and the funds have already surged past the £22,000 target, with Jackson insisting that “even the smallest donations mean the world” to himself and his younger brother Keane.
In the description of the fundraiser, the family writes that Lingard was “an inspiration to all who knew him, a real-life hero who died fighting for what he believed in. He was loved and adored by so many a true representation of what a soldier should be.”
They also go on to explain that any additional money raised will go into a trust fund for Jackson and Keane which they can access once they turn 18.
Canal Street cordoned off after ‘suspicious chemicals’ reported at hotel
Daisy Jackson
Canal Street and several other streets in the Gay Village in Manchester have been cordoned off this afternoon.
Greater Manchester Police are attending reported of a smell that’s believed to be chemicals coming from a hotel room in the area.
There’s a huge emergency services presence in the area, including vehicles from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, and the North West Ambulance Service.
Police have confirmed that they have detained a man who is believed to have been the occupant of the hotel room.
The hotel itself has been evacuated while the material is examined.
Thankfully, no one has been injured in the incident that has shut down part of Canal Street today.
Emergency services vehicles at the scene on Canal StreetThe cordon in place on Canal Street
GMP said in a statement: “We are currently searching a hotel room at a premises on Canal Street, Manchester. This follows a report of a smell – currently believed to be chemicals – causing suspicion.
“A man, believed to be the occupant of the room, has been detained and is currently in custody.
“As a precautionary measure, the hotel has been evacuated while specialist resources examine the material and conduct further enquiries.
“No-one has been injured and we are working to establish the full circumstances. We thank people for their patience as we continue with our work.”
England football fans warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of World Cup
Emily Sergeant
England football fans are being warned to remain vigilant, as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup merely weeks from officially kicking off in the North America and Mexico on 11 June, football fans are being urged to guard against scams, as newly-released data from Lloyds has revealed that football ticket scams increased by more than a third (36%) during the current Premier League season.
The findings – which are based on thousands of scam cases between October 2025 and March 2026 – showed that fraudsters focused heavily on popular teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Fraudsters also repeatedly targeted supporters looking for tickets to some of the most in-demand football matches in the UK, which is why, with the upcoming World Cup set to be one of the most speculated sporting events of the year, scam warnings are being issued.
It’s anticipated that fraudsters will target the big-name fixtures and attempt to exploit international demand, according to Lloyds.
England football fans are being warned as ticket scams skyrocket ahead of the World Cup / Credit: Picryl
On average, it was revealed that victims lost £215 during the current Premier League football season, but some fans even paid thousands of pounds for ‘season tickets’ or VIP seats that never existed.
Hopeful football fans are expected to pay much more for expensive World Cup tickets, meaning the potential loss for victims could be ‘devastating’.
As scammers know demand for World Cup tickets will be huge, it’s expected that they will mimic the methods seen in club level scams – including fake listings on social media, pressure to act fast, and requests for bank transfers.
“Fraudsters thrive on urgency and target fans looking for hard to get tickets for big name fixtures,” explained Liz Ziegler, who is the Fraud Prevention Director at Lloyds.
“Most of the football ticket scams we see start on social media, before the criminal moves the buyer onto WhatsApp and insists on a bank transfer to pay. It’s incredibly convincing, and we don’t want fans to lose their money trying to support their team.
“We’re urging supporters to stay alert and stick to official ticketing channels.”
Ahead of the World Cup, Lloyds and the Home Office have teamed up to take action to protect fans by highlighting how criminals will try to exploit the excitement – with Lord Hanson adding: “Our new fraud strategy sets out how we will use every tool at our disposal to disrupt and dismantle criminal operations, bring fraudsters to justice and strengthen support for victims.”
Danny Jones -
10th November 2022 
