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A POLICEMAN killed in the line of duty has been pictured, as former colleagues pay tribute to the “joyful” officer.

PC Faizaan Najeeb, just 24, was hit by a car and critically injured while responding to a road crash, and tragically died a week later.

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A man in his 20s was arrested at the scene of the fatal collision and has been bailed by police pending further investigation.

Chief Constable of Northamptonshire Police Ivan Balhatchet led the tributes, with former colleagues at Bedfordshire Police adding their own condolences.

The Chief Constable said: “Words cannot describe the sadness felt when an officer loses his life serving in the line of duty.

“The entire Northamptonshire Police family wish to pass on our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this truly awful point in time.

“Colleagues from the Serious Collision Investigation Unit are still investigating the collision, and specialist family liaison officers will continue to support Faizaan’s family in the coming days and weeks.

“We are also carrying out an internal health and safety investigation.”

PC Najeeb was responding to a single vehicle collision in Station Road, Raunds, near Wellingborough, on September 19 when he was hit by a blue VW Polo car.

Despite the best efforts of medical staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, he sadly lost his life a week later on September 26.

His former colleagues on the Bedford Community team said: “Those that knew him are absolutely devastated by his death, and he will be sorely missed.

“His ability to lift spirits was infectious, and he was always so happy.

“Faizaan would do anything for anyone, and although he was only with us for a short time, his legacy and impact on those that worked with him remains.

“His memory lives on and will not be forgotten.

“The joy he brought to people that he met can never be replicated, and those on the Community Policing Team, as well as those in other departments will miss him.

“It is with great sadness that PCSO 7001 and PC 1967 has signed off from duty. His memory will live on.

“Thank you, Faizaan, for all the joy and the legacy you brought us.”

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said after the tragedy: “We are very sad to hear about the death of our former colleague, Faizaan Najeeb.

“Faizaan joined us in February 2021 as a PCSO with the Bedford Community Policing Team.

“He then moved onto to become a PC with Northamptonshire Police in May 2022.”

Alaa Abouzanad on behalf of the Northamptonshire Council of Mosques also paid tribute to the young officer.

In a letter to Chief Constable Balhatchet he said: “On behalf of the Northamptonshire Council of Mosques, we wish to extend our deepest condolences on the passing of your colleague, PC Faizaan Najeeb.

“His service and dedication to keeping our communities safe will always be remembered and honoured.

“At this difficult time, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his colleagues, and the wider policing community.

“We stand with you in solidarity and support.

“May Allah grant him forgiveness, mercy, and the highest place in Jannah – paradise – and grant his family patience, strength, and comfort in this time of grief.”

PC Najeeb joined Northamptonshire Police in May 2022 and had served with the Response team in Wellingborough ever since.

In line with tradition for officers who have passed away while in the line of duty, his collar number P1967 will be retired in his memory.

This week the Northamptonshire Police will hold a two-minute silence in memory of their fallen colleague at its Wootton Hall headquarters, where a flag has been flown at half-mast in his honour.

A WOMAN killed by a falling tree branch has been named and pictured as her family paid a heartbreaking tribute.

Jen Higgins, 49, died at the scene in Barlow Moor Road, Manchester, on August 30 following the freak incident.

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In a statement, Jen’s family said: “The family of Jen Higgins are heartbroken to confirm she lost her life in a sudden and tragic accident.

“She was a beloved wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, and aunt – a vibrant and supportive friend to many; and a dynamic and widely respected member of the Manchester business community.

“You will no doubt empathise with the deep and profound shock we are feeling at this moment and ask for privacy while we grieve. A further statement will be issued when we feel able.”

Died at the scene

Emergency services rushed to the road following a call at around 7.15pm but Jen died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said at the time: “At around 7.15pm on Saturday, August 30, we were called to reports a tree had fallen onto a woman on Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury.

“Despite the best efforts of emergency workers, a woman in her 40s was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

“The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

A member of staff at Barlow Moor petrol station, who asked not to be named, described seeing the tree “snap” moments before the tragedy unfolded.

They said: “The tree just snapped, it was a big branch and just fell. A woman was walking underneath.

“The weather was a bit windy but not strong. A few locals came out and some of them were doctors so they were trying to help her.

“Then the ambulance came and police closed the road.

“It is a big tree and it was a massive branch that fell – blocking off all the road. It was two or three thick branches that fell at once.”

An inquest into Jen’s death is due to open at Manchester Coroners’ Court on September 23.

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A TEENAGER who stabbed a 16-year-old boy to death in a street attack can now be pictured for the first time.

L’Avian Peniston was just 14 when he killed 16-year-old Kennie Carter by stabbing him in the chest in Stretford, Greater Manchester, just over three years ago.

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The teen was found guilty in July last year for the “act of revenge” that killed Kennie.

Manchester Crown Court handed Peniston the equivalent of a life sentence, required to serve a minimum of 17 years in prison.

The boy could not be named due reporting restrictions at the time of the murder case as he was still 16.

However, as he has now turned 18, Peniston can be named for the first time.

This is despite applications to lift reporting restrictions following his conviction, which was rejected by the judge.

Young Kennie was walking home while on the phone to his older brother when Peniston – who was with a group of boys – pounced on him.

The boys had travelled three miles ‘looking for revenge’ after an argument with Kennie’s friends the day before.

Four teens reportedly travelled by tram to the block of flats they knew Kennie and his friends typically hang out.

They stole three bikes, where a witness heard them shout: “This is revenge.”

Kennie was inside the block of flats and headed home after hearing the boys were nearby, but passed by them on the road.

One of the boys in the group was heard shouting to Kennie: “You’re the one who had backed that pole innit.”

“Nah nah it weren’t me bro,” Kennie was heard to reply.

Peniston then killed the 16-year-old boy with a single stab wound to the chest, before running away from the scene with the group.

They did not give Kennie medical assistance or call an ambulance, and later abandoned the stolen bikes.

Kennie was found lying face down at 7pm after calling his brother to say: “Oh, they’ve stabbed me in the heart bro.”

Paramedics raced Kennie to Manchester Royal Infirmary but he was pronounced dead at 8.27pm on January 22, 2022.

During the sentencing last year, the judge Mr Justice Goose, said: “This was yet another killing of a young person with a knife against the backdrop of gang violence.

“Young males carrying knives in public in readiness to threaten and kill others is becoming all too common in our cities.

“The tragedy is that not only does it destroy the lives of the victims and their families, but also those who commit the offence.”

Kennie’s mum Joan said she had seen the boy “laugh and smirk” throughout a court hearing.

She said: “This shows me he had absolutely no remorse and broke my heart even more.

“No penalty or what the court can award will ever be enough in my eyes.

A heartbreaking statement was also read out on Joan’s behalf by her sister in court: “My son was chased down in the street and killed on his way home.

“At the time of his death he was just 16.

“For the last seven weeks we have had to listen to evidence of what happened to our son in graphic detail.

“How can we put into words how his death and the last two and a half years has affected us?”

“It is not just Kennie that died on 22 January 2022.

“Our whole family has been destroyed by this mindless violence.”

She added: “They have taken away our Kennie from his loving family and our lives are destroyed forever.”

Three other teens were also jailed after being found guilty of manslaughter.

Latif Ferguson, who already turned 18 but was 15 at the time, was sentenced to five years’ detention in a young offenders’ institution.

Two 16-year-olds were sentenced to four years’ detention following a lengthy trial at Manchester Crown Court.

Six other teenagers, then aged between 15 and 19, were found not guilty of charges related to Kennie’s death

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THE relatives of an 89-year-old woman who was killed in a horror crash involving a council recycling lorry have paid tribute to their “bright, shining light of love.”

Daphne Stallard tragically died on Monday after a collision on Brookes Street, in the popular seaside town of Llandudno, Wales.

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Conwy Council has since confirmed that one of its recycling lorries was involved in the horrific incident.

Daphne was tragically killed when she was hit by the large council recycling collection truck whilst standing on a narrow side street.

Following the crash a man was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, he was then released under investigation.

Daphne studied at Cambridge and was trained as a scientist, she went on to teach at several high schools and was head of Chemistry at a prestigious Birmingham girls school.

Her family have now offered a heartbroken tribute to her as she is pictured for the first time since the tragic collision.

Her family said: “Our Mum, Daphne, was a bright shining light of love at the centre of our family. She was a caring Mam-gu who was always full of concern and pride for her children and her grown-up grandchildren.

“A woman of faith who gave so much of her time to looking after others, she has always been an active volunteer at church.

“Daphne was a member of many community groups and spent much time visiting and writing to anyone she thought might appreciate support.

“She cared for people of all ages and especially enjoyed helping with small children at the church Sunday school, and visiting “the elderly” who often included those younger than herself!

“She was incredibly hard-working. Her children remember her juggling being a full-time mother, helping at church and teaching by correspondence-course late into the night when they were small.

“She always had a very strong work ethic and this attitude continued even into her retirement.”

Daphne was mother of Mary Stallard, Bishop of Llandaff and a former Assistant Bishop of Bangor.

Her husband, who sadly passed away five years ago, was the Reverend Charles Stallard.

The couple remained active together and reportedly spent Daphne’s 80th birthday climbing Snowdon together.

The couple are survived by their three children, Mary, Andrew and John.

Daphne’s grieving family added: “Her sudden loss has come as such a shock to us all.

“It is a comfort to us that we believe that she is reunited now with her beloved Charles, and both are safe in God’s care.”

An investigation into the horror collision that killed Daphne is underway.

North Wales Police is probing the incident and are asking anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

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A SUSPECTED murder victim found in a pool of blood at the infamous Burning Man festival has been identified as a 37-year-old Russian.

Vadim Kruglov was discovered on Saturday night inside the festival grounds in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

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On Wednesday, organisers confirmed his identity and said they were working with the Pershing County sheriff’s office, which is leading the investigation.

In a statement, Burning Man said: “Our hearts go out to Vadim’s family and friends, and we grieve the loss of a community member.

“Burning Man Project is doing everything we can to assist the sheriff’s investigation so the perpetrator can be caught and brought to justice.”

The festival added that it was donating to a programme allowing witnesses to share information anonymously and urged anyone with knowledge to come forward.

Friends said Kruglov had been missing for four days before his body was found.

His pal Sofiia Shcherbakova wrote on Instagram: “His tent and belongings were left at camp, but he never returned.”

She later confirmed his death, calling him a “true hero of Burning Man”.

“He poured his soul into our community: building the camp, creating an art installation, always ready to help others, and being kind and responsive to everyone,” she wrote.

“His energy and contribution will forever remain part of the Burn’s history.”

In a follow-up post, Shcherbakova said she was raising funds to bring his body back to his hometown of Omsk, Siberia.

“Now we want to honour his memory and support his family,” she said.

“We are raising funds to bring him home to Omsk, so that his parents can say their last goodbye and lay him to rest with his loved ones.”

As of Thursday, the GoFundMe had collected $4,063 of its $15,000 goal.

The sheriff’s office has condemned the killing, calling for information that could lead to the arrest of “any person who would commit such a heinous crime against another human being”.

They have so far declined to release further details about how Kruglov died.

Burning Man — famous for its giant effigies, art installations and eccentric camps — attracts tens of thousands of revellers every year, including tech billionaires and celebrities.

About 70,000 people from 102 countries attended this year’s gathering.

The festival was already rocked last week by intense dust storms that left some attendees injured.

It also saw the shock birth of a baby in an RV after a woman who did not know she was pregnant went into labour on site.

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THE first child victim of the Minneapolis Catholic school shooting has been named as eight-year-old Fletcher Merkel.

Fletcher was one of two children killed during mass at Annunciation Catholic School on Wednesday as his father paid a heartbreaking tribute.

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In a heartbreaking statement dad Jessie said: “Fletcher loved his family, friends, fishing, cooking, and any sports that he was allowed to play.

“While the hole in our hearts and lives will never be filled, I hope that in time, our family can find healing.”

The devastated father added that Fletcher was “on the path to becoming to a wonderful young man”.

Sick lone gunman Robin Westman, 23, fired over 100 bullets at defenseless kids and teachers in the horror attack.

He later turned the gun on himself before police could arrive.

Jessie didn’t say Robin’s name as spoke today but instead referred to him as a “coward”.

He blamed him for taking away Fletcher’s loved one’s ability to “hold him, talk to him, play with him, and watch him grow”.

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A TRAGIC three-year-old girl has been pictured after her mum was charged with murder.

Hope McGrath was discovered by police at home in Leeds, West Yorkshire, following a concern for welfare report.

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Tragically the youngster could not be saved and was declared dead at the scene on July 30.

Her mum Pippa McGrath today appeared at Leeds Crown Court charged with murder.

The 47-year-old spoke only to confirm her name, date of birth and address during the hearing.

Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl KC said:”A post mortem on Hope has not taken place. It is to take place tomorrow.

“The heart of the issue will be a toxicology report.”

The court heard psychiatric reports would be prepared to establish McGrath’s fitness to plead.

A provisional trial date was set for February 24, with a further hearing set to take place on September 3.

McGrath is accused of murdering her daughter between July 26 and July 30.

McGrath, was understood to have moved with Hope to Austhorpe Close, in Leeds, just weeks before the tragedy.

Neighbours suggested that the youngster had suffered with a disability and required the use of a wheelchair, but was often heard playing in her back garden.

McGrath was taken to hospital before later being remanded into custody on suspicion of murder.

West Yorkshire Police previously said it was treating Hope’s death as an “isolated incident”.

Detective Chief Inspector Stacey Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “We are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Hope’s death.  

“A photograph of the three-year-old has been released by her family. I would ask that people respect their privacy at this extremely difficult time.”  

A childhood friend of Lucy Letby has revealed the serial baby killer attended her wedding day while she was on police bail after being granted ‘special permission’ to go

A childhood friend of Lucy Letby made a shocking revelation after showing off pictures of the baby killer at her wedding – while she was on police bail.

Letby was first arrested in July of 2018 on suspicion of murdering eight babies. She was officially charged in November 2020 before being found guilty across two trials of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven more. Dawn Howe, who went to Aylestone Secondary School in Hereford with Letby, brought out a stash of photos during a new ITV documentary called Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt?

And some pictures showed Letby smiling and dancing at Dawn’s wedding, which took place while Cheshire Police investigated whether the neonatal nurse at Countess of Chester Hospital was possibly Britain’s most prolific child killer.

Speaking on the documentary, Dawn said: “Definitely got some holiday snaps, birthdays, holidays I’ve forgotten we even had. The wedding photos are definitely my favourite.”

Laughing, she added: “There is Lucy at my wedding. I am just so glad she could be there because it was while she was on bail, she had to get special permission to be allowed to come from the police.”

The shocking photo shows Letby, wearing a red top and grey skirt, beaming while others alongside her clap on the dance floor.

Another image shows a just-married Dawn walking past Letby, who is throwing confetti in the air.

Dawn and Lucy met as teenagers and reflecting on the wedding snaps, she said: “Shortly after this she was held in custody so… I don’t think Lucy has seen these.”

Speaking about how she reacted when her friend was arrested before her big day, she said: “I watched it all unfold every step of the way. I just couldn’t believe it. It was beyond belief that this could be happening.”

And later in the programme, Dawn features once again. She is seen driving to Letby’s former school, where they spent most of their adolescence together.

Out of their friendship group, she said Letby was the only one who had a clear career path, and during her A-levels, she was eager to one day “be a nurse and deal with really poorly babies”.

And speaking on camera, she said: “We were here and then university and then a few years after university is when she is supposed to have gone off on this killing spree…”

Dawn was working when Letby’s guilty verdict was announced in August 2023 and she described being “dumbfounded” when she heard the news.

Her immediate thought was what happened next. She remembered thinking: “She can’t just spend the rest of her life in prison.”

Letby lost two attempts last year to challenge her convictions at the Court of Appeals. Her legal team meanwhile, led by barrister Mark McDonald, also submitted evidence from a panel of international experts to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in April, in an attempt to have her convictions overturned.

Dawn supported Letby throughout the trial and is continuing to do so now, but she said she felt guilt for being free while her friend was serving 15 whole-life sentences.

She concluded: “I am living a life Lucy should be living beside me in parallel. We should both be having families and we both bought our houses and we were looking forward to the next chapter of our lives and then all this happened.

“It is just… there is so much guilt that I am sort of living a life that Lucy should also be living.”

Cheshire Police were contacted regarding claims made in this story but they chose not to comment.

Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? will air on ITV1 at 10.20pm on Sunday August 3.

Michelle Ryan has been spotted back filming on the EastEnders set for the first time just weeks after her character Zoe Slater made a surprise return to the soap

Michelle Ryan has been spotted back on the set of EastEnders for the first time since making her surprise return to the BBC soap just weeks ago.

Viewers were left in shock when Zoe made her return to the soap after 20 years, although she scarpered once again after a close run in with her mother Kat. During her brief stint earlier this month, Zoe was seen away from the Square in Stacey Slater’s (Lacey Turner‘s) flat as Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) came to help.

Zoe then fled to Barcelona after a close run in with her mother Kat, as she revealed she was hiding a big secret that everyone would “hate her” for if they found out. Currently, Alfie is in Barcelona to try and bring Zoe back. It’s known Zoe will be returning to the Square later this year, with the first pictures of the star on set released.

In the pictures, Michelle could be seen filming on set with Sonny Kendall, who plays Kat Slater’s (Jessie Wallace) son, Tommy Moon. Zoe has never met her half-brother Tommy, but from the pictures, it looks like their first meeting could be happening very soon. As well as Tommy, Zoe also has half brothers Bert and Ernie, who she’s also yet to meet.

Fans can expect drama to go down when Zoe eventually does reunite with her mum Kat. The pair had a turbulent relationship, with which included revelations about Kat’s past and the truth about Zoe’s parentage. Despite a reconciliation, the pair’s relationship became fractured again and they now remained estranged.

However, Alfie hopes to bring the two back together by bringing Zoe back from Barcelona, although we could see dramatic scenes if his plan backfires. Keeping Zoe’s return a secret from his wife, Alfie told Kat he was off to Australia, as his brother Spencer needed help.

Kat is already becoming suspicious, as she was heard telling Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) that she hadn’t spoken to Alfie since he left – and Spencer had been acting weird when she called.

Prior to Alfie leaving, Kat was heard telling him that their relationship would be over for good if she found out he was lying about his whereabouts. Will Kat be able to forgive him? And how will her reunion with her daughter Zoe go down?

Zoe’s return marked the first episode for new Executive producer Ben Wadey, but it’s not the only legendary return we’ll be seeing. This week, it was announced that Karen Henthorn would be reprising her role as Julie Bates, as Nigel’s dementia gets progressively worse.

Speaking on Michelle Ryan’s return to the soap, Wadey said: “Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as although we haven’t seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.

“I was absolutely delighted when Michelle agreed to return, and I’m thrilled to welcome her back to Walford. Whilst I can’t say too much at this stage, Zoe’s return is just one of the many exciting storylines we have planned.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads .

THIS is the butter knife that led cops to pepper-spray and Taser a tragic amputee as he sat in his wheelchair, a court heard.

PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto are accused of assaulting Donald Burgess at Park Beck Residential Care Home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

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The officers had been called to the residence after the 92-year-old poked a worker in the stomach with a butter knife, jurors heard.

A picture has now been released of the knife, which was specially adapted so the pensioner could eat his food.

Bodycam showed Donald clutching the blade while sat in his wheelchair when Smith and Comotto entered his room.

PC Smith can be heard saying: ‘Put it down mate. Come on, Donald, don’t be silly.

“We can solve it without having to resort to this…Do as you’re told.”

He then “emptied all or almost all of his canister” of pepper spray in Donald’s face, Southwark Crown Court was told.

The footage also showed Smith making his way towards the pensioner with his baton extended before striking him.

Comotto then deploys her Taser as Donald screams out in pain before the officers took the knife from him.

Jurors heard the pair used “unjustified and unlawful” force just 83 seconds into entering the one-legged pensioner’s room.

The officers were later seen joking about the shocking incident, it was said.

In separate bodycam, Comotto is seen laughing and asking Smith: “Oh my God, is there any left in your can?”

Smith replies: “Probably not.”

The court heard Donald suffered from multiple health conditions including diabetes and carotid artery disease.

He was taken to hospital after the incident and died 22 days later after contracting Covid.

Jurors heard police had been called to the care home on June 21, 2022, after Donald was seen poking a care worker in the stomach with a knife after flicking food at her.

He allegedly threatened staff with the blade and told them he would take plasure in murdering them.

Managers wheeled him back to his room and tried for 30 minutes to calm him down before calling 999.

The officers were dispatched under a grade one call, meaning it was treated as the highest level of emergency.

Jurors were told the care home specialised in support for people with dementia but Donald had been diagnosed with the disease.

Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC said: “I want to make it clear – these defendants are not responsible for his death.

“He was an elderly gentleman who was unwell.”

But he added: “The force used was unnecessary and excessive in the circumstances.

“The defendants assaulted Mr Burgess, causing actual bodily harm.”

Smith, 51, denies two counts of assault by using Pava spray and a baton, and Comotto denies one charge of assault by discharging her Taser.

The trial continues.

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