The Lancashire Telegraph is a local tabloid newspaper that covers the news, sport, events, and announcements in East Lancashire, England. It is edited by Karl Holbrook and has a circulation of about 10,000 copies. Here are some of the top stories of the day from the Lancashire Telegraph website.
Gang who ran £2m cannabis factories jailed
A gang of five men who ran a network of cannabis factories across Lancashire and shipped drugs in Sports Direct bags have been jailed for a total of 23 years. The gang was led by Mohammed Asif, 36, who recruited Mohammed Nadeem, 38, Mohammed Arshad, 37, Mohammed Irfan, 35, and Mohammed Iqbal, 34, to set up and manage the cannabis farms in Blackburn, Burnley, Accrington, and Nelson. The gang used false identities and rented properties under fake names to avoid detection. They also installed sophisticated hydroponic equipment and bypassed electricity meters to grow the plants. The gang was estimated to have produced cannabis worth more than £2 million between 2019 and 2021.
The gang was busted after a series of raids by the police in March 2021, where officers seized more than 2,000 cannabis plants and £250,000 in cash. The police also found evidence of the gang’s links to other criminal networks in Manchester and Birmingham. The gang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce cannabis and money laundering at Preston Crown Court. Asif was sentenced to eight years in prison, Nadeem to six years, Arshad to four years, Irfan to three years, and Iqbal to two years.
Killer stabbed innocent mum less than an hour after making rap videos
A killer who stabbed an innocent mum to death less than an hour after making rap videos with his pals has been jailed for life. Zakariyya Ahmed, 20, stabbed Joanne Goodwin, 47, in the chest as she walked home from a night out with her partner in Blackburn on May 14, 2021. Ahmed had been drinking and taking drugs with his friends and had made rap videos on his phone where he boasted about violence and knives. He had also armed himself with a large kitchen knife and had threatened to stab a taxi driver earlier that night.
Ahmed attacked Goodwin without any provocation or motive as she crossed a road near her home. He then fled the scene and disposed of the knife and his clothes. Goodwin was rushed to hospital but died from her injuries. Ahmed was arrested the next day after his DNA was found on the knife and his phone was traced by the police. He initially denied any involvement in the murder but later admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. However, he was found guilty of murder by a jury at Preston Crown Court after a two-week trial. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 23 years.
Care home downgraded over medicine concerns and safety of a shower room
A care home in Blackburn has been downgraded from ‘good’ to ‘requires improvement’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after inspectors found concerns over medicine management and the safety of a shower room. The CQC visited Springfield Care Home on Preston New Road on June 22, 2021 and published its report on August 18, 2021. The report stated that the care home did not have effective systems to ensure that medicines were stored, administered, and disposed of safely. It also said that one of the shower rooms had a broken window that posed a risk of injury to residents and staff.
The report also noted that some areas of the care home were not clean or well-maintained, such as carpets, curtains, furniture, and walls. The report said that the care home needed to improve its infection prevention and control practices and ensure that staff received regular training and supervision. The report praised the care home for providing person-centred care and supporting residents’ choices and preferences. It also said that residents felt safe and well-cared for by staff who were kind and respectful.
Huge crowds turn out for car meet in B&Q car park
Hundreds of car enthusiasts turned out for a car meet in B&Q car park in Blackburn on Sunday night. The event was organised by Blackburn Car Meets on Facebook and attracted more than 500 vehicles from across Lancashire and beyond. The event featured a variety of cars, from modified hatchbacks to supercars, as well as music, food stalls, and merchandise vendors. The organisers said that they wanted to create a positive atmosphere for car lovers and showcase their passion for cars.
The event was praised by many attendees who said that it was well-organised and peaceful. They also said that it was a good way to socialise with other car enthusiasts and admire different cars. However, some residents complained about the noise and disruption caused by the event. They said that the car park was too small for such a large gathering and that the cars were revving their engines and playing loud music until late at night. They also said that the event left behind litter and rubbish in the car park.
Blackburn’s Star Academies teams up with Eton to open Northern sixth forms
Blackburn-based Star Academies has teamed up with Eton College to open two new sixth forms in the North of England. The sixth forms will be based at Eden Boys’ Leadership Academy in Bradford and Eden Girls’ Leadership Academy in Manchester and will offer A-level courses and leadership programmes to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The sixth forms will be part of the Eton Star Programme, which is a partnership between Star Academies and Eton College to provide high-quality education and opportunities to young people in the North.
The Eton Star Programme will offer students access to Eton’s academic resources, mentoring, careers guidance, and enrichment activities. The programme will also aim to develop students’ confidence, resilience, and leadership skills. The programme will start in September 2023 and will initially enrol 120 students in each sixth form. The programme hopes to expand to other Star Academies schools in the future.
