News 17/08/26

Double murderer Simon Levy has denied stabbing a Belmarsh prison officer with a pen before attempting to strangle him.

The 41-year-old was given a whole-life sentence last week for killing grandmother Carmenza Valencia-Trujillo and mother-of-four Sheryl Wilkins in 2025. He was also sentenced for raping a third victim left for dead in Tottenham. Levy attacked all three vulnerable sex workers while he was on bail.

A woman who tried to murder a toddler by repeatedly giving her adult medication has been sentenced to an order for lifelong restriction with a minimum of six years in prison.

Laura Docherty, aged 35, gave the young girl antidepressant and painkilling drugs, leaving her needing resuscitation and ventilator support. Judge Michael O’Grady KC described her actions as utterly reckless and breathtakingly wicked.

Train journeys to the continent could soon look very different for travellers, with potential for cheaper fares as rail competition heats up. V

irgin Trains has been granted permission by the Office of Rail and Road to run up to 20 new daily return services linking London with Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam. However, regulator approval means it will still be a while before the operator actively competes with Eurostar for passengers across the Channel.

The oil and gas industry has urged Andy Burnham to approve two controversial North Sea developments as public consultation closes.

The Rosebank oil field, northwest of Shetland, and the Jackdaw gas field, east of Aberdeen, await a formal decision after previous government approval was quashed by Scottish courts. The projects remain a focal point in debates over energy security, climate targets, and the speed of the UK’s energy transition.

American actress Hayden Panettiere, best known for her prominent starring roles in hit television series Heroes and Nashville, has died at the age of 36.

In a statement released to NBC News, her father Skip expressed profound sadness at her passing, describing her as an incredible light and a force of nature who brought immeasurable joy to millions. The family has requested privacy as they process their loss.

Parts of the UK are set to face the most changeable week of weather since June, with cooler temperatures, rain, and thunderstorms forecast following weeks of hot and dry weather.

However, a yellow heat health alert remains extended until nine o’clock tomorrow morning across London, the South East, and the South West. Meteorologists say while rain is not guaranteed everywhere, cooler conditions will break the recent stretch.

Government planning changes taking effect today will give automatic default approval to plans for building homes near train, tram, and underground stations.

Ministers say the move will help drive community growth and allow thousands of people to live closer to work and schools. The policy also grants extra protections to local pubs to prevent licensing challenges from residents moving into newly built nearby housing developments.