Latest news with #Spar
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Moment bungling Scheme star is caught with fingers in the till before ransacking shop for cigarettes in botched robbery
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the jaw-dropping moment a former star of The Scheme turned to crime once again — caught on camera looting his local corner shop. Christopher Cunningham, once known for his wild antics as a teenage tearaway on the BBC's fly-on-the-wall docu-series, was snared on CCTV as he tried to dip into the till before helping himself to a mountain of cigarettes. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Chris Cunningham desperately tries to force open the till but fails 4 The hapless thief drops his loot on the way to escape the store 4 Videograbs of cctv showing Chris Cunningham, who featured in BBC show The Scheme, robbing a local Spar store, See Lisa Hodge story 4 "Scheme" star Chris Cunningham arrives at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for a previous hearing The 36-year-old thug had aggressively demanded a terrified shop worker open the til before fleeing from the Spar store in the notorious Onthank estate in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. The shocking footage, captured on June 8 last year, shows the Scheme star wearing his hood up and jacket zipped up over the bottom-half of his face, frantically trying to claw open the till before bundling up cigarettes in his arms. He then tries to flee the shop but drops some of his loot on the way out and has to stop to pick them up. He is then seen escaping, walking down the street away from the store. While some of his telly co-stars have turned their lives around, Cunningham seems to have spiralled into a life of crime. Cunningham was found guilty of the Spar raid plus a string of other crimes, including shoplifting booze from Tesco on the same day last year. He was also convicted at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court of stealing clothing from JD Sports on June 9 this year and cosmetics from Boots on June 10. Cunningham was jailed for a total of 28 months for all of the offences. The Scheme burst on to TV screens 15 years ago in May 2010 and quickly became the Scots telly sensation of the decade. The unlikely cult hit followed the lives of the residents of the Onthank and Knickinlaw estates in Kilmarnock. errifying CCTV captures moment MMA world champ is shot five times Fans couldn't get enough of the stars like Chris Cunninham and his pals Marvin Baird, and his girlfriend Dayna McLaughlan. Cunningham's mother Annie Caddis, also starred in the show but later had both legs and her right arm amputated after contracting blood poisoning. The mum was fitted with false limbs following her triple amputation in 2018. Millions tuned into the Scottish Bafta award-winning show every week to see the exploits of the show's real-life characters as they navigated hardships. However the show was branded "poverty porn" by critics who felt the stars of the show were being exploited.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Food prices remain 'stubbornly high' in Northern Ireland as inflation rate rises
There will be "no respite for the consumer" in Northern Ireland as a grocery business warns food prices will remain stubbornly high this comes as official figures show food and drink prices rose by 4.5% in the 12 months to June. That is the highest rate since February 2024 but is well below the peak seen in early retail side of the Henderson Group was set up in 1897 and has brands like Spar and Vivo. It has grown to include wholesale and foodservice and now employs almost 6,000 people across Northern financial officer Neil Gamble said: "There is no respite for the consumer in this environment - it's a tough environment." Mr Gamble said he expects the rate at which food prices are rising could pick up slightly throughout the rest of the year."We think we are going to see that trend of rising prices continue, which is a real disappointment to us. We could see that trend going as far as 5% between now and the end of the year."He said that has changed how consumers in Northern Ireland are shopping by reducing footfall, but not the size of their basket."The consumer is visiting the store less often, but buying more," he said."That's typical of a cost conscious and waste conscious consumer, living through a cost of living crisis." What factors impact prices on the shelves? There are a myriad of global and local challenges pushing up costs for Gamble said: "We've seen trends across cocoa, coffee and butter that have led to direct price increases on shelf edges - the consumer will notice that."Unfortunately for us, food price inflation remains stubbornly high."The latest company results showed group turnover was up but there were also signs of inflationary example, the company's wages bill jumped to almost £150m after the government increased national minimum wage and employers' national insurance contributions in April in a move that has made taking on staff more said: "Sitting here as we look at the rising cost base, we are re-evaluating the investments that we are wanting to make. Those costs bases have real consequences."He added that energy costs have gone up substantially in recent years and are still "significantly elevated" compared to 2022 levels. How do you keep prices low when costs are rising? The retail market is highly competitive which means the business reviews prices weekly and has invested in prices and promotions and Gamble said: "It's a very difficult balance to strike - we are looking at a combination of macroeconomic trends which are out of our control and what growth is forecast in the grocery market and what we believe is an acceptable return to re-invest back into our business."We review our prices on a regular basis, in conjunction with our suppliers, to ensure we are passing through the right costs to the consumer so they will come into our shop and buy more." What do people in Northern Ireland think of food prices? Pat Marshall said: "I used to do a weekly shop and sometimes twice a week, but now it's every fortnight or once a month, because it's too dear, and I can't afford it. "What used to say cost you £10 now costs £12. "It all adds up - especially when you're a pensioner." Eve Cottell said: "As a student, it's hard to budget with prices going up and as a result, I won't be doing a full grocery shop as often."She added: "If there are different options available, I'll always go for the cheapest option." Jack Maginn said: "I'm finding it more and more difficult to make my own budget stretch."I'm trying to find ways of making it stretch across a week to account for lunches to take into work and am maybe buying meals that aren't of the same quality that they were in the past." As the mother of two young children, Emma O'Brien is "shopping nearly every day"."I have to be very careful and shop around and not buy from convenience stores as they are too dear," she told BBC News NI."It never used to make much of a difference, but now that I have much less disposable cash to spend, I'm definitely looking more at the price of things." Cahin Brolly said: "The rise in prices means I would probably do a once-a-week shop and keep it to the bare essentials and not buy anything unnecessary."
Wales Online
13-07-2025
- Wales Online
Now an amazing sea view dream home and a far cry from what it used to be
Imagine living in a dream home by the sea with exceptional coastal views and access to one of Wales' most special spots as well as owning an award-winning holiday let that can earn you extra income. For many people this scenario sounds like bliss but even if you have the budget to make this dream a reality then this combination can be a challenge to find. Welcome to Ysbryd y Mor, meaning 'spirit of the sea', located on the stunning Isle of Anglesey coastline in a secluded spot with uninterrupted views across the magnificent landscape. But this stunning dream home can also boast the bonus of Ysbryd y Mynydd – an award-winning holiday let that has been delighting guests and earning money for years. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here . READ MORE: Bungalow comes with a whole lot more than you'd expect in pretty market town Once a collection of derelict barns belonging to the neighbouring farmhouse, which is not part of this property package but may be available under a separate negotiation, the site has been completely transformed into a duo of luxury living and guest visiting by Sam Measom who visited Anglesey on holiday, fell in love, and made it her new home. Find out more about Sam's property renovation story here. The two former barns are situated in a stunning and dramatic location on Anglesey's west coast, within an area of outstanding natural beauty, boasting south-west facing views over their own land, the surrounding countryside, the coast, and out to sea with the Llyn Peninsula and Bardsey Island visible in the distance. The island is renowned for its picturesque coastline and numerous sandy beaches and directly from the property there are stunning walks around South Stack and Holyhead Mountain, much of which is an RSPB Nature Reserve teeming with various species of sea birds. The South Stack Lighthouse, a spectacular landmark and visitor attraction, offers access to its tower and museum for most of the year and nearby Holyhead offers a marina and several golf courses while windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts can head to Rhosneigr and Newborough. The surrounding waters of Anglesey offer a plethora of marine activities including sailing, fishing, lobster potting, water skiing, paddle boarding, diving, and the chance to explore the magnificent coastline and marine life. Trearddur Bay, just a couple of miles away, provides a wide range of amenities and sandy beaches as well as a popular sailing club and RYA training centre plus a Spar, Post Office, and several pubs/restaurants including The Stores, Seacroft, Sea Shanty, and Ocean's Edge. Ysbryd y Mor and Ysbryd y Mynydd are on the market for offers in excess of £2,250,000 with Jackson-Stops, Chester. Call 01244 328361 to find out more. For more property stories and home content join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here.
Sunday World
11-07-2025
- Sunday World
Prolific shoplifter granny began crime spree just 24 hours after release from custody
Deirdre McKeown, a one-time diagnosed kleptomaniac who has 134 previous convictions, almost half of which are for theft. A recidivist thief with more than 100 previous convictions, began a spree of thefts less than 24 hours after she was released from police custody, a court has heard. Ballymena Magistrates Court also heard on Thursday, that Deirdre Anne McKeown used two different BMWs to commit the thefts in Ballymena and Ballymoney. Appearing in the dock 58-year-old McKeown, from the Ballymoney Road in the town, confirmed she understood the eight charges against her, committed between 29 April and 2 July this year. McKeown, a one-time diagnosed kleptomaniac who has 134 previous convictions, almost half of which are for theft, was charged with three counts of theft, four counts of going equipped for theft and one of careless driving. Giving evidence during a contested application for bail, a police officer said he believed he could connect McKeown to each of the charges, adding that police were objecting to bail due to the risk of further offending. Deirdre McKeown News in 90 Seconds - July 11th Highlighting that McKeown was only freed from police custody on 28 April over an alleged theft a few days earlier, he told the court it was the following day when she drove to the Spar on the Milltown Road in Ballymoney. Carrying a large shopping bag, she put various items in the bag and then left without making any effort to pay. Having dumped those items into her BMW, 'she went back into the Spar and committed the same offence, in the same way' before leaving again. The next day, she was back at the Spar but this time, she was using a leather shopping bag to steal 'mostly BBQ meats and other grocery items.' McKeown left but as she tried to drive away in her car, the manager stopped her and after a conversation, she made as if she was pulling over but she then cut across several lanes of traffic 'before driving off at speed.' On May 23, the court heard, officers stopped her driving a different BMW and a search of the vehicle uncovered six 'security de-tagging hooks' but she was allowed to go on her way. There were further, similar thefts at Poundland in Ballymena and after McKeown was arrested at her home on Wednesday, she admitted the theft and the driving offence. Applying for bail, defence counsel Craig Patton revealed that at one point, McKeown had been diagnosed as a kleptomaniac but that diagnosis has since been rescinded. He highlighted however that clearly, 'there is a significant mental health background' and although he submitted that conditions could be put in place to address police concerns, District Judge Nigel Broderick disagreed. Remanding McKeown into custody, the judge said 'in my view, there is a high risk of reoffending and I am not satisfied that that imposition of conditions will address those risks.' McKeown will appear again on 7 August.
Irish Examiner
11-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Limerick shop manager punched and bitten by woman 'under the influence'
A Limerick shop manager had to be taken to hospital after a woman 'under the influence' bit him and punched him several times. The manager of Gleeson's Spar shop on Catherine Street in the city centre, Seaghan Gleeson, was assaulted during a 'public order incident', which occurred on July 9 at approximately 4pm. Gardaí attended the scene and a spokesperson said the woman, aged in her 40s, was arrested and conveyed to a Garda station in Limerick city. She has since been released without charge and investigations are ongoing. Mr Gleeson, who was brought to University Hospital Limerick by an ambulance, told the Irish Examiner the incident was 'traumatic'. ' She had taken a bottle of Coke and put it in her pants. I confronted her and asked her to take it out and then leave. She refused to give it to me and eventually, opened it and began to pour it on the ground,' he recalled. Mr Gleeson told his employees to call the gardaí and not to get involved, as he tried to keep the woman away from everyone else. At that point, the shop's doors were closed, with customers and staff watching the incident unfold. Mr Gleeson said the woman bit him about four times, before claiming she was HIV positive. He said the woman also spat at him. Despite anti-social incidents occurring often in the shop, he said this one was 'on a whole different level'. 'It's pretty traumatic. I asked my staff to stay away and to ring the gardaí. I tried to deal with it myself because it's just very hard to keep staff. Most of my staff are very good, so it's just important that I try and deal with it myself, and show that I am willing to be the person to deal with it,' he added. Video of the incident at the store in Limerick. Mr Gleeson was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, where he said he was advised to get tested for HIV. He is waiting for the results to come back. Mr Gleeson, who got engaged last weekend, said the ordeal 'put a bit of a downer on the move'. His father and the shop's owner, Shane Gleeson, said the woman was barred from the shop for anti-social behaviour. 'She has been intimidating and bullying us for some time," Shane said. "She's not allowed in because of her behaviour." He said the woman bit his son on the face and punched him 20 times in the space of one minute. "I just stopped counting at 20." The video, sent to the Irish Examiner, shows the woman trying to take items as Mr Gleeson tries to stop her. The footage shows her being verbally abusive towards Mr Gleeson.
