Nottingham

Highways England said Clifton Bridge "remains safe" despite it being closed to check for damage.

The eastbound carriageway of the A52 over the bridge is shut while they survey a "defect" on the underside of the road.

Adrian Oulds, from Highways England, said: “Safety is always our top priority and we’ve taken the decision to close the road while we carry out further tests on the defect which we have found underneath the road."

Highways England

Diversions are in place from the Queen's Drive junction to the Wheatcroft Island.

A major road in Nottingham has been closed while engineers inspect a "defect".

Highways England said they closed the A52 eastbound as it heads towards the A453, and one lane of the road in to the city, at 15:30.

This is so their repair team can inspect the "defect" under the bridge.

A man charged with child cruelty after a police stand-off at a coffee shop has appeared in court.

Mohammed Othman, of no fixed address, appeared before Nottingham magistrates today where he was remanded into custody.

The 35-year-old was arrested after the Costa coffee shop in Friar Lane was cordoned off for more than five hours on Monday.

BBC

The child was unharmed but Mr Othman was charged with willfully assaulting, mistreating, neglecting, abandoning or exposing a child in a manner that was likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 4 March.

A war memorial statue has been decapitated in what police described as a "disgusting and shocking" case of vandalism.

The Tommy Silhouette has stood outside a shared police and fire building in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, since it was donated by the county council in 2018.

But police said it was damaged at some point over the weekend. The fire service said their crews are "truly appalled".

Nottinghamshire Police

Labour councillor Meredith Lawrence said: "It's disgusting. They've ripped off his arm and head, they've put some force into it. What's wrong with people?"

Police have asked for anyone with any information to contact 101.

A 27-year-old man suffered multiple facial fractures in what police have called a serious assault in Mansfield.

Nottinghamshire Police want to speak to the two men pictured in connection with the attack on the corner of Bath Lane and Watson Avenue in the town at about 04:15 on 24 November.

The force said the injured man was treated at King's Mill Hospital.

Nottinghamshire Police

Police have released CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to after someone rifled through a woman's handbag in a KFC and stole jewellery.

Two rings, house keys and a pair of earrings - which were of sentimental value to the victim - were taken from the Alfreton Road eatery on 19 January, Nottinghamshire Police said.

The force has asked anyone who recognises the woman to contact them on 101.

Nottinghamshire Police

Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood has called on the government to do more to help benefit claimants following the starvation death of a man who had his payments stopped.

Errol Graham, 57, was found dead by bailiffs weighing just four-and-a-half stone (28.5kg).

An inquest found the sudden loss of his income - and the subsequent threat of eviction - would have "caused huge distress".

Family handout

Mr Graham's case was previously raised in the Commons by Debbie Abrahams MP, who called for an independent inquiry into cases where people had died following Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reviews of their care.

Addressing prime minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday, Labour MP Ms Greenwood said: "The first priority of government is to keep its citizens safe - how many more vulnerable benefit claimants will have to die before his government starts to value their lives?"

In response, Mr Johnson said Mr Graham's death was a "tragic case", adding £36m had been allocated to improve the DWP's safeguarding and decision-making, including the introduction of a serious case panel to review its work.

A man has been charged with child cruelty over a police stand-off at a Nottingham coffee shop.

Officers cordoned off Costa, in Friar Lane, at 12:20 GMT on Monday and a man was arrested about five hours later.

BBC

Mohammed Othman, of no fixed address, is due to appear before Nottingham Magistrates' Court later.

Police said Mr Othman is aged 35, not 26 as they previously stated.

A two-year-old child was unharmed but was taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident.

Early fog should clear to give a cool, clear day with highs of 8C (46F).

Nottinghamshire Police say they have successfully applied for their first Stalking Protection Order (SPO) in the county.

The force said a 38-year-old man from Newark has been prohibited from contacting two girls he approached in a public space and contacted on social media.

The order was granted by magistrates in the city on Monday, and will last for five years.

The man has not been charged with a criminal offence, but an investigation is ongoing.

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New legislation, which came into effect on 20 January, allows courts to impose SPOs on those suspected of stalking.

Lecturers at 74 universities - including several in the East Midlands - are due to take part in 14 days of strike action this month and next.

Members of the University and College Union are unhappy about pension arrangements, pay and conditions.

PA Media

Lecturers at the University of Nottingham, Loughborough University and the University of Leicester will all be involved in the walkouts, which start on 20 February.

De Montfort University academics will also be striking, but only in relation to the pay and conditions part of the dispute.

It will be breezy and blustery with the odd shower, leading to a cold night with possible frosts.

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Heart-shaped tokens have been scattered around part of Nottingham to get people engaged in their community.

Clifton's craft fair organiser Alice Johnson said she wanted people to search for the tokens in the area, where she has left 200 of them scattered around.

Some were stuck to lamp-posts and other street furniture.

Alice Johnson

Prizes were given out at the fair on Saturday.

Ms Johnson said: "It encourages people to get out there."

Alice Johnson

A Costa coffee shop in Nottingham city centre has been cordoned off following a "domestic incident".

Emergency services were called to the premises in Friar Lane, near the Old Market Square, at about 12:20.

BBC

A photograph taken at the scene shows three officers guarding the entrance to the shop, while in another picture an ambulance and two police vehicles are seen parked off the square.

BBC

A veterinary practice has warned the public following the deaths of three dogs linked to Leptospirosis.

Minster Veterinary Centre, in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, said it believes the discovery of the water-borne disease is related to recent flooding in the area.

Two dogs that were confirmed with having Leptospirosis, also known as Weil's disease, have died in the past six weeks, while another was suspected of having it.

Another case has yet to be confirmed in a laboratory.

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The Leptospirosis bacteria can survive for months in water and moist soil.

Rats are the usual host of the bacteria, but other mammals like dogs and cats - and even humans - can become infected.

The vet centre said pets must be treated early if they are suspected of having the disease.

It has urged pet owners to make sure they are up to date with their animal's vaccinations.

The MP for the Cambridgeshire village of Stilton is campaigning to get the rights to make the blue cheese in the area.

Currently, under European Union law, the cheese can only be called Stilton if it's been made in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, or Leicestershire.

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But Conservative MP Shailesh Vara says the village has become "caught up in the European bureaucracy".

He argued the cheese should now be made in Stilton due to Brexit.

"There was a big campaign to get Stilton made in Stilton," he said.

"A local historian has found the cheese was made here in the past.

"I want to see our cheese made in Stilton and become a world product."

A 20-year-old man has been charged with possession of a bladed article following a stabbing in Nottingham.

The attack took place in Trevino Gardens, Top Valley, at about 20:30 on Friday.

Top Valley

A man was taken to hospital but his injuries are not life-threatening.

The suspect, who is from the area, is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court later.

An e-fit has been released of a suspect in a "vile" serious sexual assault in Nottingham.

The attack took place on Forest Recreation Ground in Mansfield Road, Nottingham, at about 00:00 on Sunday 22 December.

Nottinghamshire Police

Officers also appealed to two people seen on CCTV who walked past the suspect and appeared to look twice at him.

Police said the roads were busy, even at that time of night, and asked for any drivers with dashcam footage to come forward.

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The first headline acts have been announced at Nottingham's Splendour Festival.

Supergrass are set to take to the main stage in Wollaton Park in July, alongside James, best known for songs like Sit Down and She's a Star.

Supergrass

American 80s star, Belinda Carlisle, will be performing on the Confetti stage at Wollaton Hall.

Organiser George Akins said the artists are the first of more than 40 acts to be announced for the summer fesitval, with the others due to be revealed over the next few months.

Splendour Festival

It will be sunny and mild, but with a sharp wind making it feel colder.

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A taxi driver has been praised for helping police catch a drink-driver who made off after crashing into a lamp-post in Nottingham.

Rayhan Islam was driving along Tollhouse Hill in the early hours of 21 December when he saw the crash on the other side of the road.

Nottinghamshire Police said the driver, 21-year-old Brendon Cassidy, got out the car and ran away. He was chased by two officers but failed to stop.

Mr Islam turned his taxi around and offered special constable Amy Sutton a lift so she could catch up with the driver.

Nottinghamshire Police

SC Sutton arrested Cassidy, of Ropewalk, Nottingham, after he was found to be more than twice the legal drink-drive limit.

He was later charged with driving with excess alcohol and failing to stop after an accident.

Nottinghamshire Police

Cassidy appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Thursday where he pleaded guilty to the offences.

He also admitted to driving with excess alcohol the previous day.

He was given a 12-week sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £122 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

He was also banned from driving for 30 months, to be reduced by 228 days if he completes a course.

Speaking of Mr Islam's actions, SC Sutton said: "It was a great example of how support from members of the public can be vital in helping us to tackle crime and catch offenders."

Airport staff have raised concerns over a lack of protective equipment as fears surrounding the coronavirus outbreak heighten.

The GMB union, which represents staff at East Midlands Airport, said employees at the airport - and Liverpool and Stansted airports - have reported insufficient equipment.

National officer Nadine Houghton said: "The coronavirus is spreading across the world and everyone needs to do what they can to stop it.

"Surely protecting airport staff is the most basic requirement to keep us all safe?"

Two cases were confirmed in the UK on Friday, and at least 213 people in China have died from the virus.

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A drowning dog who was rescued after her lead was tied to a rock in in the River Trent "has medical issues" but is "doing well".

Bella was rescued by dog Jane Harper, who spotted the Belgian shepherd struggling near Long Lane in Farndon, Nottinghamshire, on 6 January.

The 10-year-old dog, whose name was recorded as Bella on her microchip in 2010, was taken to a vet and a few days later, moved to the RSPCA's Radcliffe Animal Centre in Nottingham.

Joanne Bellamy

Centre manager Ella Carpenter said: "Bella continues to do well in our care. She does have some medical issues which we are carefully monitoring.

"She is enjoying plenty of fuss and attention from staff who have really taken to her. Once we are happy with her progress we will place her in an appropriate foster home."

The centre has been inundated with good wishes and offers to rehome her.

Ms Carpenter added: "She is currently unavailable for rehoming but we would encourage people interested in adopting a dog to visit our Find A Pet page."

A 31-year-old woman and a 32-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty offences and released under investigation.

Stress levels among British people dropped after Boris Johnson's election victory, a Nottingham health firm has claimed.

Medichecks has spent the past two years monitoring cortisol levels in the saliva of more than 2,000 volunteers.

It said detected levels of the stress hormone peaked last spring during Brexit uncertainty in the build-up to Theresa May's resignation but dropped significantly following Mr Johnson's win in December.

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Dr Sam Rodgers, who analysed the findings, said: "The data from these spring 2019 readings is significant, because it mirrors what the testers were feeling at the exact time the UK was facing considerable political uncertainty.

"From June 2019 onwards, high stress levels average at around 24% of testers but we see a massive decrease in those reporting high stress in December, with levels dropping to 15% - the lowest of the year.

"This is unusual because December is generally a stressful time of year - and that is backed up by our 2018 figures.

"The fact that the Christmas period of 2019 bucked the trend could again be attributed to Brits taking a sigh of relief after the election, or it could be down to them taking some well-needed rest over the festive season."

Cannabis plants, thought to be worth more than £80,000, have been seized from a house in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police found 87 plants inside the house on Alfreton Road on Thursday following a report of suspicious activity. The plants are due to be destroyed.

Nottinghamshire Police

Officers also found electricity had been bypassed in order to power growing equipment.

No-one has been arrested but police said they "will be exploring several lines of inquiry".

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