UK News

Paedophile Lostprophets frontman Ian Watkins stabbed in prison and left ‘fighting for life’

He was jailed for 29 years for horrific crimes against children.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 6th August 2023

Disgraced Lostprophets musician and convicted paedophile Ian Watkins has been left in critical condition after being stabbed.

Reports say he was ‘taken hostage’ by fellow inmates at HMP Wakefield, where he’s serving a 29-year sentence.

Watkins, 46, was jailed in 2013 for numerous child sex offences, including the attempted rape of a baby.

The Mirror reported that he was taken by three other inmates for around six hours, who left him beaten and with stab wounds.

A source told the paper that he’ll be ‘very lucky’ if he survives the attack.

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Watkins was rushed to hospital from the West Yorkshire jail, where he is reported to be in a critical condition.

Police said in a statement that they are investigating an incident which took place inside the prison on Saturday.

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Prior to his arrest, Watkins had been the frontman of successful Welsh rock group Lostprophets, who released five albums.

His conviction shocked fans and the music industry.

He was described by a senior investigating officer as ‘potentially the most dangerous sex offender’ he had ever seen.

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The investigation found that his password on his computer was ‘I FUK KIDZ’ and that he referred to his offences as ‘mega lolz’ in a phone call to a fan made from prison.

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Featured image: South Wales Police

UK News

The UK looks set for a ’30°C heatwave’ this summer, according to weather expert

Danny Jones Danny Jones UK set for 30C heatwave this summer

It’s been a bit of an up-and-down spring but the warm weather is finally starting to arrive here in Manchester, with temperatures reaching up to 21°C this week and the summery vibes only set to increase over the next month or so as meteorologists are predicting a 30°C heatwave soon enough.

March onwards has been a pure mix of blustery winds, grey skies and flashes of rainfall, with just a few glimpses of sun peeking through and the thermometer has still been struggling to get into double digits – until now anyway.

As we leave April behind, the forecast across the UK is looking a lot brighter and according to the likes of the Met Office, those numbers are going to keep creeping as we head deeper into the month.

In fact, some experts are predicting that Britain could be set for a heatwave with temperatures of 30°C and over in just over a month’s time. It better bloody hurry up, put it that way.

@the.manc What this week’s Manchester weather has been like in a nutshell 🤣 #manchester #weather #viral #trending #april @Tilly Young ♬ original sound – skdjhebe

According to Jim Dale, Senior Meteorologist at British Weather Services, while much of May will be a bit of a mixed bag, “towards the latter stage and into June and July… we will see climbing temperatures well into the 30s in the prone areas.”

As reported by Birmingham Live, while Dale didn’t detail the kind of heat Manchester can expect, specifically, the indication is that the region is beginning to dry and the country as a whole is now heading “in the right direction”.

Although it likely won’t be until the very tail end of May that we start to see the summer as we know rolling in, the trends around the continent are suggesting positive signs, adding that “a lot of Europe is getting the scorching hot temperatures” of late.

The Met Office’s Tom Morgan also warned The Guardian that we get anything close to a heatwave this month, so we’ll have to be patient and wait for the turn come June time, especially up North.

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While we did enjoy a heatwave in September of last year, hitting a top end of 33.5°C, the chances of the country challenging the most recent temperature record sat back in 2022 (40.3°C in July 2023) are still looking slim.

April has been described as a “month of two halves” overall and let’s just say we’re looking forward to a strong showing this May.

Where in Greater Manchester are you most looking forward to heading when summer finally arrives?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Dunk (via Flickr)

UK News

Manchester firefighter surprises partner with proposal during new recruits parade

Danny Jones Danny Jones Manchester firefighter surprise proposal recruit passing out parade

We’re a sucker for a wholesome little video as we know you are, which is exactly why we thought of you lot when we came across this video of a newly graduated Manchester firefighter surprising his partner with a heartwarming proposal.

Just the kind of heartwarming that usually sets us off after a long week at work.

The clip shared by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) on Thursday, 25 April, shows Manc fireman James popping the question to his girlfriend sat unassumingly in the audience at a recent passing out ceremony.

Pass out ceremonies are when trainees go from recruits to fully qualified firefighters after completing their intensive operational training. It’s a long-standing tradition in the emergency services where friends and family gather to celebrate their achievements – it’s almost like it’s the perfect opportunity…

Watch as a Manc firefighter turns his passing out ceremony into a surprise proposal.

As you can see, since the graduates are usually the centre of attention, James couldn’t help but size his moment and instead of walking and lining up normally like everyone else, he decided to head straight over to his wife-to-be and get down on one knee.

You already know the rest.

Welling up immediately and barely able to remove her hands from her face, Melissa nods and says yes as the crowd cheers and the pair share a smooch.

You just love to see it.

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Writing on social media, the GMFRS said: “We managed to capture a VERY special moment at our new recruits pass out parade today… Congratulations to James and Melissa!”, adding, “Certainly one way to start your new career”.

If we don’t see all the groomsmen dressed as firefighters on a random viral video sometime soon we’re going to be gutted.

All the best to the happy couple and if you’ve got any more lovely clips like this to send in so we can make ourselves cry (in a good way), you know what to do.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service

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