Latest news with #Heysham
BBC News
12-07-2025
- BBC News
Drug smuggler jailed for importing £49k cocaine to Isle of Man
A drug smuggler who travelled to the Isle of Man with large quantities of cocaine and cannabis stashed in a hidden compartment in his van has been jailed for six years and four Green, 33, was stopped by customs and excise officers after he arrived on the ferry from Heysham in March claiming he was a subcontractor travelling for work.A search of the vehicle revealed packages containing £49,755 of cocaine and £10,466 of Courthouse heard, after admitting to smuggling the drugs, he had lied to a probation officer about the death of his son to get sympathy from the court, which Deemster Graeme Cook said was an "absolutely disgusting attempt at deception". Green, from Kirby in Merseyside, had arrived on the Manxman's sailing from Heysham at 06:00 GMT on 21 March, the court initially told customs and excise officers he was a subcontractor who was due to start work on a shop, but no items relating to that project were found in the was arrested after he could provide no proof he had made the trip for work drugs were found in a specially created "hide" within the black Ford Transit Connect Van when a further search was carried out at police headquarters. 'Beyond comprehension' In a prepared statement he told police he was a gambling addict and had agreed to smuggle cannabis to the island, and had been given the ferry fare with the promise of £1,000 on his said he was told to park the van on a road overnight before collecting it the following day to drive it to the ferry port, the court was pleaded guilty to importing cocaine and cannabis, and possession of both drugs with intent to defence advocate said he had made a "wholly disastrous error of judgement" in what were "very poor financial circumstances".The court heard Green had told a probation officer, who was compiling a social enquiry report ahead of his sentencing hearing, that one of his twin sons had recently died from leukaemia at the age of he later admitted he had lied and the child had in fact died 16 weeks into the pregnancy Cook said Green had "exaggerated" the situation in order to get increased sympathy from the court but that had "rebounded" on him."I find the whole suggestion completely distasteful, disgusting and beyond comprehension," he was also handed an exclusion order, which bans him from returning to the island for five years after his release. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
12-07-2025
- BBC News
Heysham explosion: 'Help us create memorial garden for George'
The family of a two-year-old boy who died in a gas explosion are working to create a memorial garden tribute to him - and are appealing for help from the Hinds died was fatally injured in the blast at a neighbouring house on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham in May 2021, with four adults also left injured and a man later family home was severely damaged and his grandmother Janice Studholme said that she and her family have decided to turn the land into George's Forget Me Not Wilson from Kev Wilson Builders and his team have now volunteered to lead on the project free of charge but the family are calling on more people to come forward and get involved. In October 2022, Darren Greenham was jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter, damaging a gas meter and theft of gas following the Crown Court heard he had used an angle grinder to cut the pipe at his home to sell for scrap, causing the parents were among those injured in the explosion. Ms Studholme said: "Creating George's Forget Me Not Garden means a lot."At the moment this land is derelict and I feel so sorry for the children walking past it on their way to school."We want George's garden to be used and loved."The nurse said the garden, which would include an area for the family to come to reflect, was a fitting memorial to George as "he loved being in the garden and outdoors"."He had a little bike with no pedals which I've still got in my loft and he would go round the garden on it and round Happy Mount Park in Morecambe," she said."George was an angel. He was so placid and was one of those little boys that would have been asking 'are you okay?'"He was the most fun loving and really happy little boy and wasa lovely little man. He was just a joy." 'Nice to give back' Claire Wilson, from Kev Wilson Builders, said "it's just nice to give something back" and they hoped to begin work on the footings for the garden in the next three appealed for anyone keen to help to get in touch or to go to the George's Forget Me Not Community Garden page on for the fully accessible garden, include a large table for schools to use, a water feature, sensory garden and artwork by local the community for their support, Ms Studholme said "they have been amazing. They have kept us going really". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- BBC News
Coach service for Manx ferry passengers during Lancashire port works
Passengers disembarking from Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ferries in Lancashire have been warned of changes over the upcoming fortnight as they will be picked up by coach to take them to the maintenance work to an adjustable ramp at the port will see foot passengers transported to and from the Heysham Port Manx ferry firm confirmed the Peel Ports Group, the UK's second largest port operator, was undertaking the maintenance on its number 1 linkspan."We have been informed that this work will only take two weeks," it added. The BBC has contacted Peel Ports for a comment. The change comes after the linkspan was damaged when the Manxman vessel entered the Heysham facility during stormy conditions in August returned to use in April following that period, foot passengers also has to board coaches to travel between the second berth at the port and the terminal. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Heysham: £10m investment plan for container and passenger port
A £10m investment will "future-proof" a key port which links Lancashire, the Republic of Ireland and the Isle of Man, its operator has Ports Group, the UK's second largest port operator, claimed its "substantial investment" would boost Heysham's operations and work is also intended to create additional capacity at the Lancashire said the work would begin in coming weeks. The operator said the investment would benefit all operators at Heysham Port, "with Isle of Man Steam Packet, CLDN and Stena Line all set to gain from improved efficiency, increased capacity and enhanced terminal operations".It said extra space created by reconfiguring the site's trailer park would accommodate future growth, including Stena Line's deployment of two new-build "NewMax" ferries at the port, which will boost freight capacity by 40% compared to previous said the new gate operating system would result in a "better experience for hauliers by improving reliability, reducing congestion, [and] creating additional space". 'Additional traffic' The new terminal operating system is designed to make it easier for arriving hauliers to identify trailers at the group's Mersey ports director Phil Hall said the investment was "hugely positive news for Heysham Port and the local community". He added: "We believe this work will future-proof our operations here for decades to come."Stena Line's regional trade director Paul Grant said: "With the first of our new hybrid ships due to begin on the route later this year, the improved efficiency and extra space at the terminal will help facilitate the additional traffic and ensure a reliable service for our customers."Isle of Man Steam Packet Company's managing director Brian Thomson added: "This investment is a significant step forward for the port, enhancing efficiency and capacity for all users." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
