Your trusted source for local London, UK news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A finance manager in Essex, Anita Mirmohammadi, was sentenced to five years and ten months for stealing £189,000 from her employer. She used the stolen funds for luxury purchases, including vacations and high-end shopping, before being apprehended at Gatwick Airport.
Normal service has resumed on most London Underground lines after a power failure caused major disruptions. The National Grid resolved the fault quickly, but a voltage dip affected local power supplies and led to a fire at an electrical substation in Maida Vale. Passengers on the Metropolitan line still face severe delays due to ongoing engineering works.
Transport for London (TfL) announced that a third of London's boroughs, including Wandsworth, now participate in e-scooter trials. The trials, which began in June 2021, have recorded over five million trips, with a focus on safety and sustainability, while private e-scooters remain illegal on public roads.
Graham Linehan, co-creator of Father Ted, pleaded not guilty to charges of harassment and criminal damage against transgender activist Sophia Brooks. The 56-year-old comedian faces accusations of online harassment and damaging Brooks' phone during a conference in London. A trial is scheduled for September.
A construction company and four individuals face manslaughter charges related to the death of Michaela Boor, who was struck by falling bricks in March 2018. The Crown Prosecution Service charged Higgins Homes PLC with corporate manslaughter, while the four men face gross negligence manslaughter charges. They are set to appear in court on June 16.
The Dusty Knuckle Bakery in east London won a King's Award for Enterprise for its youth training program, helping young people, many with criminal backgrounds, transition into stable employment. Sixty percent of program graduates secure jobs or further education after completing the 12-week course. The bakery's focus on social mobility aims to empower those often overlooked by society.
The Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester Square has been designated an asset of community value by Westminster City Council, allowing locals to potentially bid for the venue if it goes up for sale. The cinema's landlord seeks to raise the rent as its lease nears expiration in September, prompting concerns about its future. Over 160,000 supporters have signed a petition to preserve the cinema.
Chelsea Pensioners, a group of 300 British army retirees aged 66 to 103, commemorate VE Day by sharing their World War Two experiences. The oldest pensioner, John Morris, reflects on his service during the Blitz and his time in the Special Air Service. Younger veterans express their admiration for the sacrifices made by their predecessors.
A 23-year-old British student nurse, Elizabeth Odunsi, was fatally stabbed in Texas, leading to the arrest of her roommate, Chester Lamar Grant, 40. The incident occurred just days before Odunsi was set to graduate, prompting an online fundraising appeal that raised over £65,000 for her return to the UK.
Vapes have caused a significant rise in fires in the UK, with incidents quadrupling since 2020. Sean Holness, a loader at a waste management company, reported two fires in six months due to improperly discarded vapes. Experts urge the public to recycle battery-operated items responsibly to prevent further dangers.