Latest news with #Toxteth
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Toxteth fire: Residents tell of 'shock' after two houses torched
The home of a couple and their young child was gutted by fire along with the house next door in a suspected arson attack. Merseyside Police said petrol had been poured into the front porch of one of the properties, in the Toxteth area of Liverpool, to ignite the blaze, which then spread to the second house.A relative of the woman living in the house said she was out of the country on holiday with her family but was "in shock" after the attack in Carlingford Close, just before midnight on Saturday night. It is the second serious house fire believed to have been deliberately started in Liverpool within just over 24 hours after a man also escaped a property in Everton. The second property is also believed to have been empty at the time according to neighbours, with the family also understood to be on holiday. Both houses had suffered visibly extensive damage throughout, with charred and blackened furniture piled into the front gardens by forensic investigators. The relative, who did not wish to be named, lives close by but said he was at his father's house when his wife called with news of the fire. He said: "I think the whole close was out, everybody was in shock."I can't think why anyone would do this, there is no logic to it at all."He said both families had been "very lucky" not to be at home, although his relative had been informed and was "in shock". He added: "This close is normally very nice and peaceful, all the kids who live here all go out and play and it's very peaceful, very multi-cultural with people from all around the world. "Nobody expected for this to happen, it's shocking." Merseyside Police said no injuries had been reported. The investigation comes after another attack on Roxburgh Street in Everton on Friday evening. The force has also recently charged a man with murder after an elderly couple, Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson, died in a fire in St Helens on 15 July. Det Insp Victoria Lanceley: "We all know too well the devastation and fatal consequences such an incredibly dangerous act can cause and puts the lives of residents in the street at risk. "It's only down to sheer fortune that no one was injured in this incident and clearly it could have been a lot worse." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram, and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
BBC News
27-06-2025
- BBC News
Liverpool garage fined after car crushes worker as he prayed
A mechanic has been left "unable to do simple daily tasks" after a car suspended from a vehicle lift fell on top of him as he prayed, a court heard. The 56-year-old victim, named as Mohammed Hamad by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), suffered a broken leg, three fractures to his spine, five broken ribs and a broken pelvis and spent four months in hospital. The HSE prosecuted the garage, Car Spa & Tyres Ltd in Liverpool, after the accident on 23 November 2022. The firm, based in Marvin Street, Kensington, was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £20,000 in costs at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday after being convicted of breaching health and safety rules by a jury. The HSE said Mr Hamad, from Toxteth in Liverpool, was working on a car raised up on a two-post lift when he took a break to pray. An investigation concluded that two swivel arms on one of the columns were not locked into position, and the vehicle fell onto Mr Hamad. Inspectors found the garage had failed to put in place a safe system of work, or to sufficiently train their staff in the safe operation of lifting than two years on, Mr Hamad is still "highly dependent" on his wife, is unable to carry out simple daily tasks and is unlikely to be ever able to work again, the HSE inspector David Bellis said: "This was a very serious incident, and it is fortunate nobody was killed as a result."If Mr Hamad had been suitably trained in the use of the two-post lift, the company had a suitable system of work in place and the swivel arms had been positioned correctly and locked into place this incident would have been avoided." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
24-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Liverpool 'Welsh Street' dad relieved as eviction threat dropped
A family living on one of Liverpool's most famous streets have spoken of their relief after plans to evict them from their home were dropped. Andy Johnson was served with a no-fault eviction notice earlier this year which could have forced him, his wife and their six-year-old son out of their Voelas Road house in Toxteth's Welsh Streets within days."It's been a year of uncertainty and this result has come as a massive relief," said the 43-year-old. "We love living here and there's a real community that has been built." Housing management company Placefirst said it had "voluntarily settled" with Mr Johnson and had agreed to compensate them for "the mistake and the inconvenience" caused. Mr Johnson and his wife Ithalia, 46, moved into their terraced house six years months ago, the family received an email from Placefirst, notifying them that they were being given a "no-fault" eviction Johnson said that while they had fallen behind with their rent during the pandemic, they had paid their £2,500 arrears off in full earlier this Mr Johnson's pleas, however, the company refused to revoke the eviction a result, they faced a showdown in court last of the hearing, though, an agreement was reached between no-fault eviction notice was deemed invalid due to "an administrative error" that had been made in said: "Since serving notice, the resident has taken positive steps to clear the arrears, and has demonstrated a consistent commitment to meeting their rent obligations going forward." Beatles attraction Mr Johnson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the settlement was "really good news". "It shows what you can do when you stand up for yourself," he Welsh Streets in Toxteth are one of the few remaining "original" tourist attractions for Beatles fans in include the birthplace of Fab Four drummer Ringo Starr, who grew up in Madryn Street, which is three streets away from Voelas former home and hundreds of others in the area were built by Welsh workers in the late 19th properties were facing demolition eight years ago before members of the local community rallied to save late father Chris, a well-known journalist in Liverpool, was among their vocal supporters. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
22-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Five inner-city gardens in Toxteth show off their colours
Gardens nestled behind Georgian homes and back alleys in an inner city area of Liverpool have been opened up to show off their character and colour to the five urban gardens in Toxteth, some of which have been created by local residents, have been made accessible for tours as part of the national Open Gardens annual of the spaces is an alleyway between two derelict homes that was transformed into a winter garden and recently featured on Gardeners' World on include a private garden behind a Georgian terraced home, and a classically designed Spanish garden at St Philip Neri said the gardens were a "fascinating group, all within the historic heart of Liverpool". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luke Littler and Natasha Jonas recognised in King's Birthday Honours
Darts phenomenon Luke Littler and boxing world champion Natasha Jonas are among those named in the King's Birthday Honours. Both the PDC world champion, from Warrington, and the Toxteth fighter, are awarded MBEs in the honours list. Jonas, a two-weight champion of the world, followed a glittering amateur career with success in the professional ranks. The 40-year-old has also won World and European Championship medals. READ MORE: Campaigning dad 'cartwheeling in the garden' at King's Birthday Honour READ MORE: Police hunt for rape suspect who failed to attend court She recently highlighted the impact of growing up in Liverpool on her life and career, and said: "Your environment and the people that you surround yourself with are big factors in how successful you can be. In this city, we are driven. If there's one thing that we do well, it is we create athletes and sports stars." Littler, 18, has taken the darts world by storm, reaching the last two PDC finals and winning the 2025 event. His rivalry with Luke Humphries at the top of the sport is reflected in both men receiving MBEs. Elsewhere, figures from the worlds of science, policing and academia were among local names to make the list. Among them were Merseyside Police Constable Mark Hobin, whose charity efforts were recognised with an MBE. Outgoing Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said: "Mark is one of those incredible people who has dedicated a huge portion of his life and service to supporting others through his charitable work." PC Hoban said: "I am incredibly proud and deeply honoured to have been awarded an MBE in His Majesty The King's Birthday Honours list. "Over the last 22 years, policing has taught me the values of teamwork, camaraderie, respect, discipline, compassion and inclusion. It has helped me overcome challenges, deal with tragedy and celebrate success. Above all it has taught me about the power of community spirit and cohesion." Hazel Fothergill, executive assistant to the Chief Constable, was awarded an MBE for services to policing. Lancashire & Merseyside ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Elizabeth Dean. Lately Executive Director, Corporate Development and Delivery, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. For services to Transport. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Zoe Erin Gascoyne. Deputy Director, Offshore Corporate and Wealthy, HM Revenue and Customs. For services to Complex Tax Investigations. (Wirral, Merseyside) Mark King. Founder, Oliver King Foundation. For services to Public Health. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Richard Telford Perry. Head of Northern Engagement, Department for Transport. For services to Transport in the North of England. (Wallasey, Merseyside) Catherine Ann Williams. Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and to Leaseholder. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) The Reverend Peter Martin Abrams. Hospital Chaplain and Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Manager, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside and West Lancashire. (Southport, Merseyside) Robert Gregory Davies. Governor, Bank View High School, Merseyside. For services to Children and Adults with Special Educational Needs. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Hazel Fothergill. Police Staff, Executive Assistant, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Janet Green. For services to Alder Hey Children 's Kidney Fund in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Rachel Sharon Hancocks. Founder, Your Space. For services to Autism in North Wales. (Wirral, Merseyside) Dr Justin Charles David Hill. Lately Chief Executive Officer, YMCA St Helens. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Southport, Merseyside) Mark David Hobin. Police Constable, Merseyside Police. For services to Policing. (St Helens, Merseyside) Amy Hannah James. Intelligence Manager, Home Office. For services to the Protection of Vulnerable People. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Natasha Paula Jonas. For services to Boxing and to the community in Liverpool. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Mohan Singh Kundi. Chair, Sefton Carers Centre. For services to Charity. (Formby, Merseyside) Arthur Roberts. Lately Chair, Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside and Trustee, Community Foundation for Lancashire. For services to the community in Lancashire and Merseyside. (Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire) Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) Dr Christopher Alan Goddard. Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Ormskirk, Lancashire) Dr George Peter Bramham. Acute Care Common Stem Doctor, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Raymond Guy. Passenger Carrying Vehicle Driving Instructor, Arriva, North West and Wales. For services to Road Safety for Heavy Vehicles. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Karyn Denise Hannaway. For services to Sport and to the community in Sefton. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Martin Johnson. Operating Department Practitioner, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in North West England. (Southport, Merseyside) Elizabeth Helen Louise Parsons. Theatre Practitioner, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Southport General Hospital. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Paul Smith. Senior Paramedic Team Leader, North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Southport, Merseyside) Catherine Anne Stanley. Chief Executive, Huntington's Disease Association. For services to People with Huntington's Disease. (Liverpool, Merseyside) Lisa Marie Vint. For services to Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention in Merseyside. (Prescot, Merseyside) THE ROYAL VICTORIAN ORDER CVO Mark Francis Whitlock Blundell. Lord-Lieutenant of Merseyside. (Merseyside) Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Arthur Roberts. Lately Chair, Community Foundations for Lancashire and Merseyside and Trustee, Community Foundation for Lancashire. For services to the community in Lancashire and Merseyside. (Poulton-Le-Fylde, Lancashire) Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) Dr Christopher Alan Goddard. Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care, Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. For services to the community in Merseyside. (Ormskirk, Lancashire) Cheshire ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) Nicholas Michael William Smallwood FREng. Lately Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure and Projects Authority. For services to Infrastructure and Project Delivery. (Malpas, Cheshire) Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) Lisa Fathers. Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Bright Futures Educational Trust. For services to Education. (Warrington, Cheshire) Katie Kendrick. Councillor, Cheshire West and Cheshire Council and Co-Founder, National Leasehold Campaign. For services to Housing and Leaseholders. (Ellesmere Port, Cheshire) Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Jack Adrian Caine. UK Lead Volunteer for People, Scouts UK. For services to Young People. (Crewe, Cheshire) Sue Graves. Children's Author. For services to Children with Special Educational Needs. (Chester, Cheshire) Luke Humphries. For services to Darts. (Crewe, Cheshire) Jane Kenyon. Founder, Girls Out Loud. For services to Gender Equality for Women and Girls. (Knutsford, Cheshire) Luke Littler. For services to Darts. (Warrington, Cheshire) Dr Vicki Bryony Livesey (Vicki Bryony Worswick). Director, UK Research and Innovation. For services to Industrial Decarbonisation, Carbon Capture and Storage and Net Zero. (Chester, Cheshire) Ian John Potts. District Commissioner, South West Cheshire Scouts and Group Scout Leader, 26th South West Cheshire Scouts. For services to Young People. (Nantwich, Cheshire) Michael Llowarch Warburton Flower Viscount Ashbrook. For services to Charity and the community in Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire) Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM) Kathryn Burgess. Founder, Cheshire Girls Football League. For services to Girls Football in Mid Cheshire. (Northwich, Cheshire) Paul Kinnersley Nixon. For services to Ukrainian Refugees. (Macclesfield, Cheshire) Stuart Campbell Plaskett. Crew Manager, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. For services to Charity. (Knutsford, Cheshire) HOME OFFICE KING'S POLICE MEDAL (KPM) David Mark Thomason. Detective Sergeant, Cheshire Constabulary. (Cheshire) ALSO Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) Marjorie Dutton. Lead Volunteer Akela, Dane Valley Scout Group. For services to Young People and the community in Congleton, Cheshire. (Liversedge, West Yorkshire)
