themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Further 30 people discharged from Tameside Hospital after beating COVID-19

Another 30 people have been discharged from Tameside Hospital after beating coronavirus .
The patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were able to leave the hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne in the last seven days .
This takes the total number of people to have been deemed well enough to return home from the hospital to 187 .
In a post on Facebook , the hospital thanked staff for their 'dedication and care ' .
The post on the Tameside Hospital , Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Facebook page said : `` We are delighted to share with you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients who were admitted to the hospital with COVID in the last seven days .
`` Thanks to the dedication and care of all our teams across the hospital , community and our colleagues in primary and social care . ''
The Bury and Rochdale Care Organisation , which runs Fairfield Hospital , also announced on Monday morning that another 26 people have been discharged after recovering from coronavirus .
This comes after more than 140 patients were discharged from hospitals in Manchester after beating coronavirus .
16 patients at Stepping Hill Hospital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unit to continue their recovery at home .
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Manchester 's hospitals currently stands at 1,366 .
On Sunday ( May 3 ) , NHS trusts across the region confirmed a further 15 people had died in their hospitals .
This was a fall from 25 in the previous 24-hour period , however experts and politicians say figures must be treated with caution as there are fewer NHS staff working at weekends and so fewer deaths tend to be recorded .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up to the MyTameside newsletter here to keep abreast of what's happening in your neighbourhood
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up to the MyTameside newsletter here to keep abreast of what's happening in your neighbourhood
Another 30 people have been discharged from Tameside Hospital after beating coronavirus.
The patients who tested positive for COVID-19 were able to leave the hospital in Ashton-under-Lyne in the last seven days.
This takes the total number of people to have been deemed well enough to return home from the hospital to 187.
In a post on Facebook, the hospital thanked staff for their 'dedication and care'.
(Image: MEN MEDIA)
The post on the Tameside Hospital, Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust Facebook page said: "We are delighted to share with you that we have discharged an additional 30 patients who were admitted to the hospital with COVID in the last seven days.
"That's 187 patients discharged in total."
"Thanks to the dedication and care of all our teams across the hospital, community and our colleagues in primary and social care."
The Bury and Rochdale Care Organisation, which runs Fairfield Hospital, also announced on Monday morning that another 26 people have been discharged after recovering from coronavirus.
This comes after more than 140 patients were discharged from hospitals in Manchester after beating coronavirus.
16 patients at Stepping Hill Hospital were also able to leave the COVID-19 unit to continue their recovery at home.
The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Greater Manchester's hospitals currently stands at 1,366.
On Sunday (May 3), NHS trusts across the region confirmed a further 15 people had died in their hospitals.
This was a fall from 25 in the previous 24-hour period, however experts and politicians say figures must be treated with caution as there are fewer NHS staff working at weekends and so fewer deaths tend to be recorded.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Man admits spitting blood at police officers while shouting about coronavirus

A man has admitted assaulting police officers by spitting blood at them while he shouted about coronavirus .
Samuel Konneh , 38 , pleaded guilty to five offences when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link from Forest Bank prison this morning .
Konneh admitted four offences of assaulting an emergency worker , after police were called to an address on Yew Tree Road in Withington on March 26 .
He also admitted one count of stalking .
As they were responding to the incident , a spray of blood and spit from Konneh went into the mouth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit in the face as four officers went to arrest him .
The case was adjourned until June 29 , when Konneh will be sentenced .
Judge Anthony Cross QC ordered a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to be prepared for that hearing .
Judge Cross told Konneh : `` You will be sentenced , I hope , on June 29 .
`` By that stage , there should be a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to assist the judge .
`` All sentencing options are open to the sentencing judge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a court heard Konneh , of Easthorpe Close , Withington , was arrested days after the UK went into lockdown .
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food , basics and other support .
Many of them are self-isolating , often in fragile health and alone .
Public services have been working hard to find and help them , but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock .
So the Manchester @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help , from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels .
The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester 's charity .
You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here .
He had been stalking a woman who rebuffed his attentions and police were called to an address on Yew Tree Road , Withington , south Manchester .
As police broke down a door it hit Konneh , stood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to bleed .
He then popped his head through the gap and spat at the officers .
During the incident Konneh was shouting about the coronavirus , the court heard .

newsdesk@men-news.co.uk (Pat Hurst, Andrew Bardsley)

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Don't miss out on the big stories from Manchester's courts with our weekly newsletter
A man has admitted assaulting police officers by spitting blood at them while he shouted about coronavirus.
Samuel Konneh, 38, pleaded guilty to five offences when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court via video link from Forest Bank prison this morning.
Konneh admitted four offences of assaulting an emergency worker, after police were called to an address on Yew Tree Road in Withington on March 26.
He also admitted one count of stalking.
As they were responding to the incident, a spray of blood and spit from Konneh went into the mouth of one policeman.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Another was also hit in the face as four officers went to arrest him.
The case was adjourned until June 29, when Konneh will be sentenced.
Judge Anthony Cross QC ordered a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to be prepared for that hearing.
Judge Cross told Konneh: "You will be sentenced, I hope, on June 29.
"By that stage, there should be a pre-sentence report and a psychiatric report to assist the judge.
"All sentencing options are open to the sentencing judge."
At an earlier hearing, a court heard Konneh, of Easthorpe Close, Withington, was arrested days after the UK went into lockdown.
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone. Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock. So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels. The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester's charity. You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.
He had been stalking a woman who rebuffed his attentions and police were called to an address on Yew Tree Road, Withington, south Manchester.
As police broke down a door it hit Konneh, stood behind it, in the mouth causing him to bleed.
He then popped his head through the gap and spat at the officers.
During the incident Konneh was shouting about the coronavirus, the court heard.
Konneh was remanded in custody.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Ince urges Man United to sell Pogba for the good of the team

Paul Ince says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must sell Paul Pogba this summer for the greater good of Manchester United .
The French midfielder has experienced an injury-ravaged season at Old Trafford and had been expected to potentially leave the club in the coming months .
Pogba admitted last summer he wanted a 'new challenge ' in his playing career while MEN Sport reported earlier in the season that he had already informed teammates of his desire to leave .
Solskjaer recruited Bruno Fernandes in January to bolster his midfield and Ince believes the Portugal international has set the standard with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ What ’ s disappointing is the way he ’ s acted , his behaviour and performances reflect that he ’ s been unsure about his decision , ” Ince told Paddy Power .
“ You compare that to Bruno Fernandes , and his arrival at United , and it ’ s crazy .
He ’ s come in and hit the ground running fairly instantly , winning over the fans in the process .
“ Pogba never did that , and his performances have been inconsistent to say the least .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ border of diabolical , and occasionally they ’ ve been brilliant .
When you cost that kind of money as a player , fans expect you to be consistently great , especially when you ’ re playing for Man United .
Their expectations are very high .
“ The on the pitch performances , plus his behaviour off the pitch , with his agent and generally acting up , isn ’ t good for the club .
“ If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take the club forward , to build and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back into the team , then Pogba ’ s actions don ’ t reflect that .
“ The way he ’ s been acting and behaving recently , he just isn ’ t good for the club .
“ If you want the right attitude and mentality , and high standards , then sorry , but that doesn ’ t fit in with Paul Pogba .
“ There ’ s been too many distractions , too many reports around him and his behaviour , so his time for me is up .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and done as well as he has done , maybe Ole might try and keep Pogba .
But now , he might be thinking if I can get the right money for Pogba , then I can let him go .
“ It ’ s a shame , because he could ’ ve been a great player for the club , but he isn ’ t a great player at the moment .
“ Ultimately , he ’ s a distraction and his behaviour impacts and damages the rest of the team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing out of his skin every week and changing games , you could forgive him for his behaviour even when he ’ s being a nightmare , but he isn ’ t , so why bother ?
If he ’ s not performing , just let him go , get rid .
“ The decision needs to be made , and quickly , because we can ’ t have another season of the Pogba circus .
He wouldn ’ t even get in the side at the moment .
”

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Paul Ince says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must sell Paul Pogba this summer for the greater good of Manchester United.
The French midfielder has experienced an injury-ravaged season at Old Trafford and had been expected to potentially leave the club in the coming months.
Pogba admitted last summer he wanted a 'new challenge' in his playing career while MEN Sport reported earlier in the season that he had already informed teammates of his desire to leave.
Solskjaer recruited Bruno Fernandes in January to bolster his midfield and Ince believes the Portugal international has set the standard with his approach compared to Pogba's.
“What’s disappointing is the way he’s acted, his behaviour and performances reflect that he’s been unsure about his decision,” Ince told Paddy Power.
“You compare that to Bruno Fernandes, and his arrival at United, and it’s crazy. He’s come in and hit the ground running fairly instantly, winning over the fans in the process.
“Pogba never did that, and his performances have been inconsistent to say the least.
“Sometimes they’ve been on the border of diabolical, and occasionally they’ve been brilliant. When you cost that kind of money as a player, fans expect you to be consistently great, especially when you’re playing for Man United. Their expectations are very high.
“The on the pitch performances, plus his behaviour off the pitch, with his agent and generally acting up, isn’t good for the club.
“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take the club forward, to build and to instil the ‘United Way’ back into the team, then Pogba’s actions don’t reflect that.
“The way he’s been acting and behaving recently, he just isn’t good for the club.
“If you want the right attitude and mentality, and high standards, then sorry, but that doesn’t fit in with Paul Pogba.
“There’s been too many distractions, too many reports around him and his behaviour, so his time for me is up.
“Perhaps if Fernandes hadn’t come in and done as well as he has done, maybe Ole might try and keep Pogba. But now, he might be thinking if I can get the right money for Pogba, then I can let him go.
“It’s a shame, because he could’ve been a great player for the club, but he isn’t a great player at the moment.
“Ultimately, he’s a distraction and his behaviour impacts and damages the rest of the team.
“Now, if he was performing out of his skin every week and changing games, you could forgive him for his behaviour even when he’s being a nightmare, but he isn’t, so why bother? If he’s not performing, just let him go, get rid.
“The decision needs to be made, and quickly, because we can’t have another season of the Pogba circus. He wouldn’t even get in the side at the moment.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Locked up in 2020: The Bolton criminals put behind bars so far this year

It is a third of the way through the year and hundreds of people from Bolton have had run-ins with the justice system .
From a conniving fraudster who pretended to have cancer to fleece a widower out of his cash to a drugs gang caught shipping 'high-quality ' cocaine across the country , we take a look at some of the biggest cases to come out of the borough this year .
Like many other parts of society , the courts have been hit by the coronavirus crisis and one story in particular reflects that .
Louise Adam was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to risk through the virus .
Others were involved in much more serious cases , such as a paedophile caught by police trying to meet up with a teenage girl for a second time .
These are just some of the court cases covered by the Manchester Evening News since the beginning of 2020 .
A fraudster with a string of convictions for trying to pass off `` funny money '' has been jailed .
Jamie O'Brien , 31 , from Bolton , was caught again when he visited an Asda store in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ buy goods with a fake Bank of Ireland £50 note .
But a cashier immediately became suspicious as it `` felt like photograph paper '' .
It was checked by staff in store .
“ There were no ultra-violet marks , no water marks , no security strip , ” said Mr Bentley .
Two Bank of Ireland notes were found next to O ’ Brien ’ s feet when police stopped him outside .
He first gave a false name , asked officers whether they would search his house and told them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He finally conceded : “ I will admit they are mine but I didn ’ t know they were fake.
” O ’ Brien , of Viking Street , Bolton , admitted passing a counterfeit note in Carlisle , and possessing five others in Chester .
Jailing O ’ Brien for a total of two years , Judge Nicholas Barker said : “ The passing of counterfeit notes is a very serious matter , and will only be met by custodial sentences .
“ The whole of our social and economic life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was awash with people presenting counterfeit money in this way . ''
The paedophile caught by police driving Audi TT to meet '13-year-old girl ' he 'd groomed for sex - he was bailed before being stung by undercover cops AGAIN A paedophile caught by police driving in an Audi TT to meet a '13-year-old ' girl he 'd groomed for sex has been jailed - having been bailed and stung by undercover cops AGAIN .
James Davidson , from Stockport , was stopped by officers near Bolton Wanderers ' stadium in Horwich @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 53-year-old , whose mugshot has now been released , told police : `` This is ridiculous .
I do n't know what all this is about .
`` I just pulled in there because I did n't feel well . ''
Davidson had actually arranged to meet a '13-year-old girl ' after 'grooming ' her online .
The child was actually an undercover officer .
After being arrested and released under investigation , Davidson began sending messages to another '13-year-old girl ' - in reality , another undercover officer .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with one 'girl ' , he said 'age does n't matter ' .
Jailing him for two years , Judge Mark Savill told Davidson , who was previously cautioned for exposing himself to a child via a chat room webcam : `` You tried to fob them off with a quite ludicrous excuse .
`` You had had a shot across your bows .
That did n't deter you . ''
Davidson , of Mendip Close , Stockport , pleaded guilty to four offences .
They included two counts of attempting to sexually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act ; and one count of attempting to meet following sexual grooming .
He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years .
Woman who 'pretended to fall over ' at Superdrug store jailed for 'exposing ' people to 'risk ' during coronavirus crisis A woman has been jailed after 'pretending to fall over ' at a Superdrug store and 'exposing the emergency services and members of the public to risk ' during the coronavirus crisis .
Louise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hauled before the courts for assaulting a nurse and two security guards at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday , April 4 .
She was spared prison for that behaviour following a hearing the following day , but was back out offending on Tuesday , April 6 , and Wednesday , April 7 .
Now she 's been locked up for 22 weeks .
Adam , of Haydock Street , Bolton , pleaded guilty to one offence of causing a public nuisance .
'Evil ' woman preyed on lonely widower looking for love @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cancer .
Instead , she was stealing £80,000 from him A fraudster from Bolton was sent down after pretended to be dying from cancer to fleece a lonely widower out of £80,000 .
Phyllis Woods , 67 , a gambling addict , also stole precious family heirloom jewellery from the victim after meeting him through an online dating website in 2017 .
The man , in his early 70s , thought he had found true love , when in reality Woods had quickly started to manipulate him , Carlisle Crown Court was told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bolton , admitted three fraud charges , stealing two watches and witness intimidation .
Jailing for her 40 months judge Nicholas Barker told her `` What deception is wrought in your path you have no care for .
I certainly conclude that you are determined , deceitful , and that you have not a shred of concern for others . ''
The drugs gang caught with 20kg of cocaine worth more than £600k A drugs lord who shipped huge quantities of 'high purity ' cocaine to the north of England has been jailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Yasser Shah used a series of couriers and distributors to move the class A drugs across the country .
More than 20kg of cocaine with a street value of more than £600,000 was seized by police during their investigation .
One distributor , found with 1kg of cocaine in his car , was arrested in a Tesco car park in Halifax .
Shah , 31 , of Thornbank , Bolton , controlled a number of couriers who collected , transported and delivered the drugs on his behalf .
The couriers then passed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the drugs down the supply chain until they eventually got to the street dealers who would sell the drugs to cocaine users .
But the gang was eventually brought down by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit .
At Bradford Crown Court Shah was jailed for 17 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A-controlled drugs .
Benefit fraud scam where women pretended to work as cleaners cost the taxpayer £1m A benefit fraud scam in which women pretended to be cleaners at schools cost the taxpayer almost £1m , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 66 , and Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi , 43 , have been jailed for eight and five years in their absence respectively after fleeing the country .
And 21 women from Manchester 's Somalian community were also in the dock , following five crown court trials and a prosecution which a judge estimated may have cost another £1m in lawyers and translators fees , as well as court time .
Manchester Crown Court heard that the women were employed as 'cleaners ' at two schools set up on Claremont Road , in Rusholme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iftiin Educational and Skills Centre Ltd , set up in a converted terraced house , and Hilaal Child Care , also known as Sherwood Education and Training Centre , established in a former pub .
Up to 20 'cleaners ' were employed at both sites , in a staff size which Judge Anthony Cross QC said would have been more fitting for Manchester town hall , rather than businesses in a 'two up two down ' properties .
Goth , formerly of Howcroft Street , Bolton , now thought to be in Somalia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street , Rusholme , whose whereabouts are not known , were convicted of conspiracy to defraud and both received jail terms which will start if and when they are arrested .
All 21 women appeared in court for sentence .
The majority of the defendants had to sit in the area of court usually reserved for juries as the dock was already full .
All of the women , who live within Manchester 's Somalian community , were spared jail and ordered to carry out unpaid work .
Mohamed Goth , 66 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ absence .
Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi , 43 , formerly of Dunworth Street , Rusholme , was jailed for five years in his absence .
Both were found guilty after a trial of conspiracy to defraud in their absence .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
It is a third of the way through the year and hundreds of people from Bolton have had run-ins with the justice system.
From a conniving fraudster who pretended to have cancer to fleece a widower out of his cash to a drugs gang caught shipping 'high-quality' cocaine across the country, we take a look at some of the biggest cases to come out of the borough this year.
Like many other parts of society, the courts have been hit by the coronavirus crisis and one story in particular reflects that. Louise Adam was handed a prison sentence after exposing people to risk through the virus.
Others were involved in much more serious cases, such as a paedophile caught by police trying to meet up with a teenage girl for a second time.
These are just some of the court cases covered by the Manchester Evening News since the beginning of 2020.
Useless 'funny money' fraudster is jailed. Again
A fraudster with a string of convictions for trying to pass off "funny money" has been jailed.
Jamie O'Brien, 31, from Bolton, was caught again when he visited an Asda store in Carlisle in February.
He tried to buy goods with a fake Bank of Ireland £50 note.
But a cashier immediately became suspicious as it "felt like photograph paper".
Prosecutor, David Bentley, told Carlisle Crown Court: “She felt it wasn’t real."
It was checked by staff in store. “There were no ultra-violet marks, no water marks, no security strip,” said Mr Bentley.
Two Bank of Ireland notes were found next to O’Brien’s feet when police stopped him outside.
He first gave a false name, asked officers whether they would search his house and told them he wouldn’t reveal his address.
He finally conceded: “I will admit they are mine but I didn’t know they were fake.”
O’Brien, of Viking Street, Bolton, admitted passing a counterfeit note in Carlisle, and possessing five others in Chester.
Jailing O’Brien for a total of two years, Judge Nicholas Barker said: “The passing of counterfeit notes is a very serious matter, and will only be met by custodial sentences.
“The whole of our social and economic life would simply fall apart if our system was awash with people presenting counterfeit money in this way."
The paedophile caught by police driving Audi TT to meet '13-year-old girl' he'd groomed for sex - he was bailed before being stung by undercover cops AGAIN
(Image: GMP)
A paedophile caught by police driving in an Audi TT to meet a '13-year-old' girl he'd groomed for sex has been jailed - having been bailed and stung by undercover cops AGAIN.
James Davidson, from Stockport, was stopped by officers near Bolton Wanderers' stadium in Horwich, the Manchester Evening News previously reported.
The 53-year-old, whose mugshot has now been released, told police: "This is ridiculous. I don't know what all this is about.
"I just pulled in there because I didn't feel well."
Davidson had actually arranged to meet a '13-year-old girl' after 'grooming' her online. The child was actually an undercover officer.
After being arrested and released under investigation, Davidson began sending messages to another '13-year-old girl' - in reality, another undercover officer.
During some of Davidson's 'filthy' conversations with one 'girl', he said 'age doesn't matter'.
Jailing him for two years, Judge Mark Savill told Davidson, who was previously cautioned for exposing himself to a child via a chat room webcam: "You tried to fob them off with a quite ludicrous excuse.
"You had had a shot across your bows. That didn't deter you."
Davidson, of Mendip Close, Stockport, pleaded guilty to four offences.
They included two counts of attempting to sexually communicate with a child; one count of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act; and one count of attempting to meet following sexual grooming.
He was also made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
Woman who 'pretended to fall over' at Superdrug store jailed for 'exposing' people to 'risk' during coronavirus crisis
A woman has been jailed after 'pretending to fall over' at a Superdrug store and 'exposing the emergency services and members of the public to risk' during the coronavirus crisis.
Louise Adam, 58, had already been hauled before the courts for assaulting a nurse and two security guards at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Saturday, April 4.
She was spared prison for that behaviour following a hearing the following day, but was back out offending on Tuesday, April 6, and Wednesday, April 7.
Now she's been locked up for 22 weeks.
Adam, of Haydock Street, Bolton, pleaded guilty to one offence of causing a public nuisance.
'Evil' woman preyed on lonely widower looking for love...he thought she was dying from cancer. Instead, she was stealing £80,000 from him
A fraudster from Bolton was sent down after pretended to be dying from cancer to fleece a lonely widower out of £80,000.
Phyllis Woods, 67, a gambling addict, also stole precious family heirloom jewellery from the victim after meeting him through an online dating website in 2017.
The man, in his early 70s, thought he had found true love, when in reality Woods had quickly started to manipulate him, Carlisle Crown Court was told.
Woods of Smithills Croft Road, Bolton, admitted three fraud charges, stealing two watches and witness intimidation.
Jailing for her 40 months judge Nicholas Barker told her "What deception is wrought in your path you have no care for. I certainly conclude that you are determined, deceitful, and that you have not a shred of concern for others."
The drugs gang caught with 20kg of cocaine worth more than £600k
A drugs lord who shipped huge quantities of 'high purity' cocaine to the north of England has been jailed - alongside three members of his gang.
Yasser Shah used a series of couriers and distributors to move the class A drugs across the country.
More than 20kg of cocaine with a street value of more than £600,000 was seized by police during their investigation.
One distributor, found with 1kg of cocaine in his car, was arrested in a Tesco car park in Halifax.
Shah, 31, of Thornbank, Bolton, controlled a number of couriers who collected, transported and delivered the drugs on his behalf.
The couriers then passed the drugs onto 'distributors' who sent the drugs down the supply chain until they eventually got to the street dealers who would sell the drugs to cocaine users.
But the gang was eventually brought down by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
At Bradford Crown Court Shah was jailed for 17 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A-controlled drugs.
Benefit fraud scam where women pretended to work as cleaners cost the taxpayer £1m
(Image: DWP)
A benefit fraud scam in which women pretended to be cleaners at schools cost the taxpayer almost £1m, a court heard.
Ringleaders Mohamed Goth, 66, and Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi, 43, have been jailed for eight and five years in their absence respectively after fleeing the country.
And 21 women from Manchester's Somalian community were also in the dock, following five crown court trials and a prosecution which a judge estimated may have cost another £1m in lawyers and translators fees, as well as court time.
Manchester Crown Court heard that the women were employed as 'cleaners' at two schools set up on Claremont Road, in Rusholme.
Goth and Sadi were directors of Iftiin Educational and Skills Centre Ltd, set up in a converted terraced house, and Hilaal Child Care, also known as Sherwood Education and Training Centre, established in a former pub.
Up to 20 'cleaners' were employed at both sites, in a staff size which Judge Anthony Cross QC said would have been more fitting for Manchester town hall, rather than businesses in a 'two up two down' properties.
Goth, formerly of Howcroft Street, Bolton, now thought to be in Somalia, and Sadi, formerly of Dunworth Street, Rusholme, whose whereabouts are not known, were convicted of conspiracy to defraud and both received jail terms which will start if and when they are arrested.
All 21 women appeared in court for sentence.
The majority of the defendants had to sit in the area of court usually reserved for juries as the dock was already full.
All of the women, who live within Manchester's Somalian community, were spared jail and ordered to carry out unpaid work.
Mohamed Goth, 66, was jailed for eight years in his absence.
Feisal Aw-Isse Sadi, 43, formerly of Dunworth Street, Rusholme, was jailed for five years in his absence.
Both were found guilty after a trial of conspiracy to defraud in their absence.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Couple who met as wartime re-enactors have had to cancel their wedding on VE Day

It 's not every couple who can say they met on the 'battlefield ' - but it was Glenise and Ken 's passion for wartime re-enactment that brought them together .
Glenise Walton , 71 , and Ken Taylor , 79 , from Oldham first crossed paths at the Yanks event at Upper Mill 15-years-ago .
Such is their devotion to honouring the heroes of the Second World War , they were due to get married on Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day - when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces on May 8 , 1945 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had hired military vehicles and all 180 guests at Chadderton Town Hall were to donwartime uniform or civilian dress , with Churchill-era music to be played at the reception .
But in a time of coronavirus - and with the country once again at war albeit with a silent enemy - their plans were scuppered after Oldham council cancelled all weddings .
Instead , the thoughtful pair plan to involve their local community in a commemoration of VE day .
Their quirky wedding plans have made way for a social-distancing doorstep party @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Failsorth .
Glenise said : `` Any wedding being cancelled is a shame but this was special to us because it the was the 75th anniversary and we ca n't get that day again .
`` The street party started off as just me and Ken wanting to do something to celebrate but then we told the neighbours we 'd be playing music , just to warn them .
But the couple soon found an army of willing recruits excited to dress in 1940s attire and help them commemorate the date .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Union Jack bunting , a VE day picnic with spam , sandwiches and cake - and Ken 's wartime jeep .
Glenise added : `` Most of the neighbours are elderly and they all thought it was a smashing idea . ''
The couple 's passion for wartime came about after both their parents served in the Second World War .
Glenise 's mum Susan Jones , who helped beat the Nazis by building Lancaster bombers , sadly died three-years-ago .
The former factory girl was known to residents in Failsworth as 'Rosie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the famous US was poster .
She was among the hundreds of local women who sweated long hours in unforgiving circumstances to suppor the British war effort .
Ken 's dad , meanwhile , was in the Royal Navy .
Between them , Glenise and Ken have an array of uniforms including Royal Navy , RAF and Land Army .
Ken paid up to £500 to get kitted out .
Glenise is keen to stress that their hobby is not about glorifying war - but honouring the heroes who fought them .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ memories - sad memories but also happy ones , '' she added .
`` We pay tribute to our parents who served in the forces and at home and we pay tribute to the many veterans who have joined us to have their stories told . ''
The pair , who are both great-grandparents , got engaged five years ago on the 70th anniversary of VE day .
They had met 15 years ago when Glenise and her pals used to ride on his wartime truck in parades .
She added : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us did anything about it for fives years - it just shows how slow we were .
`` This is just going to be our way of getting people together , safely , for the 75th anniversary of VE day after six weeks of lockdown . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
It's not every couple who can say they met on the 'battlefield' - but it was Glenise and Ken's passion for wartime re-enactment that brought them together.
Glenise Jones, 71, and Ken Taylor, 79, from Oldham first crossed paths at the Yanks event at Upper Mill 15 years ago.
Such is their devotion to honouring the heroes of the Second World War, they were due to get married on Friday to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day - when Nazi Germany surrendered to the Allied Forces on May 8, 1945.
With a full 1940s theme, they had hired military vehicles and all 180 guests at Chadderton Town Hall were to don wartime uniform or civilian dress, with Churchill-era music to be played at the reception.
But in a time of coronavirus - and with the country once again at war albeit with a silent enemy - their plans were scuppered after Oldham council cancelled all weddings.
Instead, the thoughtful pair plan to involve their local community in a commemoration of VE day.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Their quirky wedding plans have made way for a social-distancing doorstep party with their neighbours on Greystoke Lane, Failsorth.
Glenise said: "Any wedding being cancelled is a shame but this was special to us because it the was the 75th anniversary and we can't get that day again.
"The street party started off as just me and Ken wanting to do something to celebrate but then we told the neighbours we'd be playing music, just to warn them."
But the couple soon found an army of willing recruits excited to dress in 1940s attire and help them commemorate the date.
The 'doorstep' party will involve decorations, Union Jack bunting, a VE day picnic with spam, sandwiches and cake - and Ken's wartime jeep.
(Image: M.E.N.)
Glenise added: "Most of the neighbours are elderly and they all thought it was a smashing idea."
The couple's passion for wartime came about after both their parents served in the Second World War.
Glenise's mum Susan Jones, who helped beat the Nazis by building Lancaster bombers, sadly died three years ago.
The former factory girl was known to residents in Failsworth as 'Rosie the Riveter' after the woman depicted in the famous US war poster.
She was among the hundreds of local women who sweated long hours in unforgiving circumstances to support the British war effort.
Glenise's dad was in the Royal Navy, while Ken's father was in a Reserved Occupation working on Lancaster Bombers and the Horsa Gliders.
(Image: ABNM Photography)
Between them, Glenise and Ken have an array of uniforms including Royal Navy, RAF and Land Army get-ups.
Ken paid up to £500 to get kitted out.
Send a heart to our #NHSheroes and donate to our NHS frontline fundraiser It is something that has touched all our lives. From cradle to grave, the National Health Service is a part of British life. Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. Click HERE to drop a heart on the map and you can also donate to our frontline fundraiser for the chance to win weekly prizes.
Glenise is keen to stress that their hobby is not about glorifying war - but honouring the heroes who fought them.
"For many people it brings back memories - sad memories but also happy ones," she added.
"We pay tribute to our parents who served in the forces and at home and we pay tribute to the many veterans who have joined us to have their stories told."
The pair, who are both great-grandparents, got engaged five years ago on the 70th anniversary of VE day.
They had met 15 years ago when Glenise and her pals used to ride on Ken's wartime truck in parades.
She added: "We always liked each other but neither of us did anything about it for five years - it just shows how slow we were.
"This is just going to be our way of getting people together, safely, for the 75th anniversary of VE day after six weeks of lockdown."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Manchester restaurant sends heartfelt letters thanking takeaway customers

With hospitality operators warned they 'll be the last to leave lockdown , restaurants are relying on takeaway trade more than ever .
And the owners of one Manchester restaurant are going the extra mile to make sure their customers know how much they value them - by sending out heartfelt hand-written letters with every delivery .
Sweet Mandarin opened in the Northern Quarter in 2004 and won the title of the nation 's best local Chinese restaurant on Gordon Ramsay ’ s F Word .
But now , like hospitality businesses across the country , it 's fighting to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ honest , this time is critical for us so you have literally just helped us to survive , '' co-founder Helen Tse wrote to one customer named Alice .
In another letter to a customer named Laura , she wrote : `` Thank you for your order .
Are you doing okay ?
In the Northern Quarter , it feels as if life has run away .
But we know and hope everyone is safely tucked up at home .
`` We open because we owe it to our resident customers to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will celebrate birthdays with people who are alone .
We will cook for everyone who is hungry and we will give virtual hugs and lockdown letters of love and hope .
We are in it together . ''
Another customer named Adam received a letter that said : `` Sweet Mandarin is my home .
Home is a feeling of happiness - where ever you are .
Tonight you made my home light up . ''
Customers have been delighted with the notes and have been sharing them on social media .
Adam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the lovely message , it made the food taste even nicer ! ''
Another happy customer named Liam received the following note : `` Cooking for an empty restaurant , overlooking empty streets is weird ... sometimes sad .
But your order is my highlight .
Please enjoy the meal and a massive thank you . '
Posting a picture on Instagram , he replied : `` Times are tough right now and it 's all a little bit weird , keep your head up and we 'll get through it in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you for the note and amazing food . ''
Helen , who runs the restaurant with her twin sister Lisa , told the M.E.N writing the letters was making her feel less alone - and hoped customers would feel the same way .
`` I 've never , ever felt like this before - how lonely it can be , '' she said .
`` Business is always tough but my goodness , no one one the street for days , you can hear a pin drop .
You 're twiddling your thumbs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still do n't know whether we can make it viable and survive ourselves .
What has got us through and strengthened us is to know we are needed by our customers . ''
The restaurant reopened for Deliveroo orders in the second week of lockdown , initially to serve the NHS staff living in the apartment block above it on High Street , as well as residents of the wider Northern Quarter .
`` They were begging us to open because they could n't get any food , '' she said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of people who ca n't go anywhere and they are literally on their own .
`` People were telling us it was their birthday and they had nobody to celebrate with , so we 'd give them a little birthday cake and a bottle of beer on the house to make them feel a little more human .
`` I love writing the messages because I 'm making the dinner personal for someone .
It 's almost like I 'm recreating the restaurant at home , how I would treat my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'd ask how they are , how is your day .
By my letters I 'm trying to evoke the restaurant experience through a takeaway . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Subscribe to our daily What's On newsletter to keep up with what's happening around Greater Manchester
With hospitality operators warned they'll be the last to leave lockdown, restaurants are relying on takeaway trade more than ever.
And the owners of one Manchester restaurant are going the extra mile to make sure their customers know how much they value them - by sending out heartfelt hand-written letters with every delivery.
Sweet Mandarin opened in the Northern Quarter in 2004 and won the title of the nation's best local Chinese restaurant on Gordon Ramsay’s F Word.
But now, like hospitality businesses across the country, it's fighting to stay afloat.
"If I'm honest, this time is critical for us so you have literally just helped us to survive," co-founder Helen Tse wrote to one customer named Alice.
In another letter to a customer named Laura, she wrote: "Thank you for your order. Are you doing okay? In the Northern Quarter, it feels as if life has run away. But we know and hope everyone is safely tucked up at home.
"We open because we owe it to our resident customers to help them if they need help. We will celebrate birthdays with people who are alone. We will cook for everyone who is hungry and we will give virtual hugs and lockdown letters of love and hope. We are in it together."
Another customer named Adam received a letter that said: "Sweet Mandarin is my home. Home is a feeling of happiness - where ever you are. Tonight you made my home light up."
Customers have been delighted with the notes and have been sharing them on social media.
Adam replied on Facebook: "Thank you for the lovely message, it made the food taste even nicer!"
Another happy customer named Liam received the following note: "Cooking for an empty restaurant, overlooking empty streets is weird... sometimes sad. But your order is my highlight. Please enjoy the meal and a massive thank you.'
(Image: Sweet Mandarin)
Posting a picture on Instagram, he replied: "Times are tough right now and it's all a little bit weird, keep your head up and we'll get through it in the end. Stay safe and thank you for the note and amazing food."
Helen, who runs the restaurant with her twin sister Lisa, told the M.E.N writing the letters was making her feel less alone - and hoped customers would feel the same way.
(Image: Shoot The Moon)
"I've never, ever felt like this before - how lonely it can be," she said.
"Business is always tough but my goodness, no one one the street for days, you can hear a pin drop. You're twiddling your thumbs wondering what will happen.
"I still don't know whether we can make it viable and survive ourselves. What has got us through and strengthened us is to know we are needed by our customers."
The restaurant reopened for Deliveroo orders in the second week of lockdown, initially to serve the NHS staff living in the apartment block above it on High Street, as well as residents of the wider Northern Quarter.
"They were begging us to open because they couldn't get any food," she said.
"What we've realised is there's a lot of people who can't go anywhere and they are literally on their own.
"People were telling us it was their birthday and they had nobody to celebrate with, so we'd give them a little birthday cake and a bottle of beer on the house to make them feel a little more human.
"I love writing the messages because I'm making the dinner personal for someone. It's almost like I'm recreating the restaurant at home, how I would treat my customer in the restaurant.
"I'd ask how they are, how is your day. By my letters I'm trying to evoke the restaurant experience through a takeaway."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Four Manchester United players could get new squad numbers

That Roy Keane was 'not bothered ' about inheriting a Manchester United squad number synonymous with George Best , Bryan Robson , and Eric Cantona was about as surprising as the government 'hitting ' their test target .
Sir Alex Ferguson offered Keane the number seven after Cantona 's sudden retirement in 1997 , anxious to deny David Beckham the honour months after he had started dating a Spice Girl .
Keane was not entirely dismissive of the significance of squad numbers ; he received the '16 ' when he joined United in 1993 and it 'kept me on my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' to `` 11 '' ' .
The same summer that United signed Keane Premier League players received fixed squad numbers and the obsession over what is stitched onto a signing 's back intensifies with every year .
Parents , eager to appease children in the summer holidays , fret over a name and number coupled together in pre-season fixtures without confirmation from the club .
A young United fan sported 'Pogba 6 ' on Wembley Way before the 2016 Community Shield and 90 minutes before kick-off the club confirmed Pogba would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ' in Oslo for United 's friendly with Kristiansund days before United secured an £80million deal for their incumbent captain .
Anthony Martial asked to regain the number nine after Romelu Lukaku was sold .
Antonio Valencia had broad enough shoulders to beat any teammates in bench pressing yet the number seven weighed so heavily on him in Sir Alex Ferguson 's final season he requested a change to his old '25 ' under David Moyes .
Early squad number submissions double as a political football .
Jose Mourinho gave Eric Bailly - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in ' 3 ' so the six was left vacant for Pogba to occupy .
Mourinho also downgraded Marcos Rojo from five to 16 in a passive aggressive move to gain a new centre-back in 2018 .
It was eventually occupied by one of his targets in Maguire - only Mourinho had been sacked eight months earlier .
Eleven , 19 , 27 , 30 , and 34 are all currently vacant .
United might just revoke Rojo 's number altogether after his recent transgressions in Argentina , and something would have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alexis Sanchez to don the seven again for United .
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bumped up Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood to 26 and 28 in the summer and more academy graduates are in line for more befitting numbers .
Brandon Williams , the unexpected success story of the season , did not make the programme 's squad list until a month after his debut .
The 19-year-old received '53 ' - once assigned to Jesse Lingard - and Lingard , Rojo , Chris Smalling , and Phil Jones might all be elsewhere in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is anything like Louis van Gaal Williams could keep a ' 3 ' in his squad number .
Van Gaal enforced a squad number change on Wilson from 47 to 49 in 2014 , convinced a centre forward should have a ' 9 ' in their number .
Wilson was upgraded to 19 for 2015-16 until it was rescinded and reassigned to Marcus Rashford by Mourinho .
Smalling 's la dolce vita in Rome could become permanent and Axel Tuanzebe , a fellow centre half , deserves to be bumped up nearly five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Selhurst Park with '38 ' .
Now Tahith Chong has committed , he could join Gomes and Greenwood in the 20s , or replace Gomes .
The 19-year-old 's contract expires next month .
From Nicky Butt to Rashford , via Gerard Pique , Danny Welbeck and Wilson , 19 has mainly become an academy number ( lest we forget Dwight Yorke and Eric Djemba-Djemba ) .
Scott McTominay has stuck with 39 since his debut at Arsenal three years ago but has more than earned a more flattering squad number , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michael Carrick received Keane 's number 16 and wore it with distinction for 12 years , just as Keane had , before Rojo went from single to double digits .
McTominay would be a worthier 16 than Rojo .

Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
That Roy Keane was 'not bothered' about inheriting a Manchester United squad number synonymous with George Best, Bryan Robson, and Eric Cantona was about as surprising as the government 'hitting' their test target.
Sir Alex Ferguson offered Keane the number seven after Cantona's sudden retirement in 1997, anxious to deny David Beckham the honour months after he had started dating a Spice Girl. Keane was not entirely dismissive of the significance of squad numbers; he received the '16' when he joined United in 1993 and it 'kept me on my toes, being outside the "1" to "11"'.
The same summer that United signed Keane Premier League players received fixed squad numbers and the obsession over what is stitched onto a signing's back intensifies with every year. Parents, eager to appease children in the summer holidays, fret over a name and number coupled together in pre-season fixtures without confirmation from the club.
A young United fan sported 'Pogba 6' on Wembley Way before the 2016 Community Shield and 90 minutes before kick-off the club confirmed Pogba would be back. A Norwegian sported 'Maguire 5' in Oslo for United's friendly with Kristiansund days before United secured an £80million deal for their incumbent captain. Anthony Martial asked to regain the number nine after Romelu Lukaku was sold.
Antonio Valencia had broad enough shoulders to beat any teammates in bench pressing yet the number seven weighed so heavily on him in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season he requested a change to his old '25' under David Moyes.
Early squad number submissions double as a political football. Jose Mourinho gave Eric Bailly - a centre-back - a left-back's number in '3' so the six was left vacant for Pogba to occupy. Mourinho also downgraded Marcos Rojo from five to 16 in a passive aggressive move to gain a new centre-back in 2018. It was eventually occupied by one of his targets in Maguire - only Mourinho had been sacked eight months earlier.
Eleven, 19, 27, 30, and 34 are all currently vacant. United might just revoke Rojo's number altogether after his recent transgressions in Argentina, and something would have to go awry for a busted flush like Alexis Sanchez to don the seven again for United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer bumped up Angel Gomes and Mason Greenwood to 26 and 28 in the summer and more academy graduates are in line for more befitting numbers. Brandon Williams, the unexpected success story of the season, did not make the programme's squad list until a month after his debut.
The 19-year-old received '53' - once assigned to Jesse Lingard - and Lingard, Rojo, Chris Smalling, and Phil Jones might all be elsewhere in a year's time. If Solskjaer is anything like Louis van Gaal Williams could keep a '3' in his squad number.
Van Gaal enforced a squad number change on Wilson from 47 to 49 in 2014, convinced a centre forward should have a '9' in their number. Wilson was upgraded to 19 for 2015-16 until it was rescinded and reassigned to Marcus Rashford by Mourinho.
Smalling's la dolce vita in Rome could become permanent and Axel Tuanzebe, a fellow centre half, deserves to be bumped up nearly five years on from warming the bench at Selhurst Park with '38'. Now Tahith Chong has committed, he could join Gomes and Greenwood in the 20s, or replace Gomes. The 19-year-old's contract expires next month.
From Nicky Butt to Rashford, via Gerard Pique, Danny Welbeck and Wilson, 19 has mainly become an academy number (lest we forget Dwight Yorke and Eric Djemba-Djemba). Scott McTominay has stuck with 39 since his debut at Arsenal three years ago but has more than earned a more flattering squad number, with or without a '9'.
Michael Carrick received Keane's number 16 and wore it with distinction for 12 years, just as Keane had, before Rojo went from single to double digits. McTominay would be a worthier 16 than Rojo.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Costa announces new rules for who can use its drive thrus

Over the past couple of weeks , many of the nation 's favourite food and drink places have reopened for delivery and drive thru services .
As well as KFC , ( and soon ) McDonald 's , Costa has also opened a select amount of stores in the UK , with some offering drive thru services .
However , as stores opened this weekend , social media was flooded with people complaining of long queues in several Costa Drive-Thrus .
One annoyed social media user , Nicola Jane Sharp , said : `` @ CostaCoffee is it essential that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Sittingbourne drive thru encouraged people to make unnecessary journeys and caused horrendous congestion . ''
Responding to Nicola , Costa has now set the record straight , and confirmed that Drive-Thrus are meant for key workers only .
It said : `` Hey Nicola , our number one priority is the safety of our store teams and customers .
`` In line with the re-opening of a small number of drive-thru lanes and delivery stores this weekend , we ’ ve ensured strict measures have been put in place aligned to Government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to reinforce that our-drive thru lanes are open to offer key workers the chance to enjoy a Costa on essential journeys , whilst our delivery stores allow customers the opportunity to order a Costa from the comfort of their own home . ''

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Over the past couple of weeks, many of the nation's favourite food and drink places have reopened for delivery and drive thru services.
As well as KFC, (and soon) McDonald's, Costa has also opened a select amount of stores in the UK, with some offering drive thru services.
However, as stores opened this weekend, social media was flooded with people complaining of long queues in several Costa Drive-Thrus.
One annoyed social media user, Nicola Jane Sharp, said: " @CostaCoffee is it essential that a drive thru coffee should be open? Sittingbourne drive thru encouraged people to make unnecessary journeys and caused horrendous congestion."
Responding to Nicola, Costa has now set the record straight, and confirmed that Drive-Thrus are meant for key workers only.
It said: "Hey Nicola, our number one priority is the safety of our store teams and customers.
"In line with the re-opening of a small number of drive-thru lanes and delivery stores this weekend, we’ve ensured strict measures have been put in place aligned to Government guidelines.
"We’d like to reinforce that our-drive thru lanes are open to offer key workers the chance to enjoy a Costa on essential journeys, whilst our delivery stores allow customers the opportunity to order a Costa from the comfort of their own home."


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Man City academy don't need trophies for cancelled season to be a success

By their own admission , Manchester City 's academy sides aim to win as many trophies as possible at youth level .
So where do they go now after the news that all academy football has been cancelled for this season ?
The Premier League announced last week that academy activity up to under-23 level has been curtailed for the 2019/20 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic .
The news will , understandably , come as a blow to staff and players at the CFA who have worked so hard to put themselves in position for an impressive under-18 treble @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first team .
City are perhaps an exception to the rule in academy football as they openly prioritise winning trophies and titles to prepare players for the demands they will face if they are good enough to represent the first team .
It 's a polar opposite attitude to neighbours Manchester United , for example , who would prefer more academy products reaching the first team than their under-23 side gaining promotion or their under-18s winning a trophy .
City under-18 's boss Gareth Taylor explained this mindset when speaking to MEN Sport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I always find that if you ’ re getting to finals and competitions when it becomes a knockout , whether it ’ s quarter-finals or semi-finals or finals , these are the experiences you want for the players in their development .
`` Around academy football , 'winning ' can sometimes be a dirty word , but for me it ’ s a massive part of the lads ’ education .
By winning and getting through to a further round it creates the next part for the players , development-wise .
So there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . ''
So now the season has been ended prematurely , Taylor and his fellow academy staff will have to look elsewhere for a way to assess the development of their talented young players .
At under-23 level , City would have to admit they had a disappointing campaign .
The side sat eighth in the Premier League 2 , firmly in mid-table with no chance of winning the top tier of youth football .
The under-18s will be more disappointed to see the season curtailed , though , as they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U18 Premier League North section before the season was ended .
They may still be awarded the title , but they would have preferred to finish the job themselves .
They already had one trophy in the bag after destroying Stoke in the U18 Premier League Cup final by six goals to nil .
A decision is yet to be taken as to whether the FA Youth Cup will be finished , with City due to face Blackburn in the semi-finals in the third part of what would be an impressive U18 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that City only get one trophy to measure their success this season .
Now , they may have to take a lesson from neighbours United to review the campaign in terms of player development rather than the silverware collected .
In that sense , there are plenty of positives to take .
In the U23s , top-scorer Jayden Braaf has been the standout performer with his flair and eye-catching goals .
He 's a confident player , and another season showing the same progress could see him trouble the first team before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , five assists ) , Tommy Doyle ( two goals , three assists ) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have also used first-team experiences to continue to develop in the youth team .
For a club with so much talent in the senior squad , it is a credit to these players that they have looked so comfortable among Pep Guardiola 's superstars .
Then there is striker Morgan Rogers , who has adapted to the City way after arriving last summer to register three goals and three assists for the U23s .
It may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but there is no reason to suggest the EDS can not improve on eighth place next season .
To do that , they could be bolstered by some free-scoring talent in the U18s .
Captain Cole Palmer led the side to their sole cup win so far , bouncing back from his missed penalty in last season 's FA Youth Cup final defeat to Liverpool in style , and he has an impressive 15 goals and five assists in the league .
James McAtee ( 10 league goals , six assists ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assists ) were also on target in that cup final win and their league record is equally as impressive .
If the U23s need strengthening at both ends of the pitch , then they could do worse by promoting some U18 squad members .
Time will tell whether City get any more trophies to show for their efforts in the academy this season , but that decision should n't define whether 2019/20 was a success .
Instead , the progress of the under-18s and breakthroughs of Doyle and Harwood-Bellis should show that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ group of players into future professionals at the highest level .
If the U18 league title and FA Youth Cup follow , that would be an added bonus .

By their own admission, Manchester City's academy sides aim to win as many trophies as possible at youth level. So where do they go now after the news that all academy football has been cancelled for this season?
The Premier League announced last week that academy activity up to under-23 level has been curtailed for the 2019/20 campaign due to the coronavirus pandemic. The news will, understandably, come as a blow to staff and players at the CFA who have worked so hard to put themselves in position for an impressive under-18 treble, while providing under-23 players for the first team.
City are perhaps an exception to the rule in academy football as they openly prioritise winning trophies and titles to prepare players for the demands they will face if they are good enough to represent the first team.
It's a polar opposite attitude to neighbours Manchester United, for example, who would prefer more academy products reaching the first team than their under-23 side gaining promotion or their under-18s winning a trophy.
City under-18's boss Gareth Taylor explained this mindset when speaking to MEN Sport earlier this year, saying: "I always find that if you’re getting to finals and competitions when it becomes a knockout, whether it’s quarter-finals or semi-finals or finals, these are the experiences you want for the players in their development.
"Around academy football, 'winning' can sometimes be a dirty word, but for me it’s a massive part of the lads’ education. By winning and getting through to a further round it creates the next part for the players, development-wise. So there’s a little bit more on it."
So now the season has been ended prematurely, Taylor and his fellow academy staff will have to look elsewhere for a way to assess the development of their talented young players.
At under-23 level, City would have to admit they had a disappointing campaign. The side sat eighth in the Premier League 2, firmly in mid-table with no chance of winning the top tier of youth football.
The under-18s will be more disappointed to see the season curtailed, though, as they were 12 points clear at the top of the U18 Premier League North section before the season was ended. They may still be awarded the title, but they would have preferred to finish the job themselves.
They already had one trophy in the bag after destroying Stoke in the U18 Premier League Cup final by six goals to nil. A decision is yet to be taken as to whether the FA Youth Cup will be finished, with City due to face Blackburn in the semi-finals in the third part of what would be an impressive U18 treble.
It may be, though, that City only get one trophy to measure their success this season.
Now, they may have to take a lesson from neighbours United to review the campaign in terms of player development rather than the silverware collected. In that sense, there are plenty of positives to take.
In the U23s, top-scorer Jayden Braaf has been the standout performer with his flair and eye-catching goals. He's a confident player, and another season showing the same progress could see him trouble the first team before long.
Adria Bernabe (three goals, five assists), Tommy Doyle (two goals, three assists) and Taylor Harwood-Bellis have also used first-team experiences to continue to develop in the youth team. For a club with so much talent in the senior squad, it is a credit to these players that they have looked so comfortable among Pep Guardiola's superstars.
Then there is striker Morgan Rogers, who has adapted to the City way after arriving last summer to register three goals and three assists for the U23s. It may have been a frustrating league campaign, but there is no reason to suggest the EDS cannot improve on eighth place next season.
To do that, they could be bolstered by some free-scoring talent in the U18s.
Captain Cole Palmer led the side to their sole cup win so far, bouncing back from his missed penalty in last season's FA Youth Cup final defeat to Liverpool in style, and he has an impressive 15 goals and five assists in the league. James McAtee (10 league goals, six assists) and Liam Delap (seven goals, six assists) were also on target in that cup final win and their league record is equally as impressive.
If the U23s need strengthening at both ends of the pitch, then they could do worse by promoting some U18 squad members.
Time will tell whether City get any more trophies to show for their efforts in the academy this season, but that decision shouldn't define whether 2019/20 was a success.
Instead, the progress of the under-18s and breakthroughs of Doyle and Harwood-Bellis should show that the academy is continuing to develop a talented group of players into future professionals at the highest level.
If the U18 league title and FA Youth Cup follow, that would be an added bonus.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Blood donation guidelines are excluding gay and bi men from coronavirus trials

Medical experts at Guys and St Thomas ’ s hospital in London are trialling the use of donated blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients on those who are not producing enough antibodies to fight the virus .
However , these medical trials are excluding blood plasma from gay and bisexual men in the UK due to existing guidelines set by the Government .
Set by the Department of Health , the guidelines state that any man who has had sex with another man within the past three months is excluded from donating blood .
While these guidelines , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ service , do not automatically prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood , they are in place as part of safeguarding measures .
The guidelines state that `` men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of acquiring certain infections through sex '' , which could then be passed on during a transfusion .
Critical care manager Andy Roberts told ITV News that he decided to sign up to the plasma trials after testing positive for Covid-19 .
During a 20 minute phone call with an operator , Andy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told he would not be able to donate plasma due to being in a same-sex relationship .
Andy ’ s partner Keith Ward said he felt angry about the exclusion .
Read more of today 's top stories here '' We have been together in a monogamous relationship for more than 30 years and I previously didn ’ t know of this outrageous three month rule , ” Keith told the news outlet .
`` It only goes to show that in the UK being gay is still thought as a form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ straight and sleep with a different person every weekend it ’ s safer according to [ the rules ] . ''
The three month deferral , which applies to all forms of blood donation and are not specific to these medical trials , was set in 2017 .
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food , basics and other support .
Many of them are self-isolating , often in fragile health and alone .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ find and help them , but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock .
So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor 's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help , from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels .
The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester 's charity .
You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here .
Prior to that , there was a 12 month wait after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to donate blood .
Other deferrals , based on tattoos , travel , health and medication reasons , also exist .
'It 's really upsetting that gay and bi men who want to help in the fight against coronavirus are being prevented from doing so , ” Laura Russell , Director of Policy at LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall said .
“ The decision on whether people should be able to give blood or plasma should be based on individual risk assessments , not on people 's sexual orientation.
” A NHS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ potential donors are asked the same questions , regardless of circumstances or personal background , and they follow the guidelines set by the Government .
“ We will be using the current donor selection guidelines , ” the spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News .
“ The Government has set the three month deferral based on expert advice from a Department of Health and Social Care expert committee called SABTO .
“ We appreciate that any deferral is disappointing if you want to save lives by giving blood , platelets or plasma .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be considered as individuals as much as possible .
Separately to the convalescent plasma trial , we are already working collaboratively with LGBT+ groups on blood donation , through the FAIR steering group .
“ The FAIR group is using an evidence-based approach to explore if a more individualised blood donation risk assessment can be safely and practically introduced , while ensuring the safe supply of blood to patients .
“ We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to donate whilst continuing to ensure the safety of patients remains @ @ @ @ @ @

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox
Medical experts at Guys and St Thomas’s hospital in London are trialling the use of donated blood plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients on those who are not producing enough antibodies to fight the virus.
However, these medical trials are excluding blood plasma from gay and bisexual men in the UK due to existing guidelines set by the Government.
Set by the Department of Health, the guidelines state that any man who has had sex with another man within the past three months is excluded from donating blood.
While these guidelines, which are implemented by the NHS Blood and Transplant service, do not automatically prevent gay and bisexual men from giving blood, they are in place as part of safeguarding measures.
The guidelines state that "men who have sex with men are at an increased risk of acquiring certain infections through sex", which could then be passed on during a transfusion.
(Image: Loughborough Echo)
Critical care manager Andy Roberts told ITV News that he decided to sign up to the plasma trials after testing positive for Covid-19.
During a 20 minute phone call with an operator, Andy was asked about his sexuality and then told he would not be able to donate plasma due to being in a same-sex relationship.
Andy’s partner Keith Ward said he felt angry about the exclusion.
"We have been together in a monogamous relationship for more than 30 years and I previously didn’t know of this outrageous three month rule,” Keith told the news outlet.
"It only goes to show that in the UK being gay is still thought as a form of contamination, so if you’re straight and sleep with a different person every weekend it’s safer according to [the rules]."
The three month deferral, which applies to all forms of blood donation and are not specific to these medical trials, was set in 2017.
Covaid-19 - helping those who need it most in Greater Manchester The coronavirus outbreak has left many people across Greater Manchester struggling for access to food, basics and other support. Many of them are self-isolating, often in fragile health and alone. Public services have been working hard to find and help them, but we know they are over-stretched and working round the clock. So the Manchester Evening News and the Greater Manchester Mayor's Charity have launched Covaid-19 - a fundraiser aimed at supporting those who most need help, from elderly people with no support network to homeless families living in hotels. The money will be distributed via the mayor of Greater Manchester's charity. You can donate by visiting our JustGiving page here.
Prior to that, there was a 12 month wait after sex for gay and bisexual men to be able to donate blood.
Other deferrals, based on tattoos, travel, health and medication reasons, also exist.
'It's really upsetting that gay and bi men who want to help in the fight against coronavirus are being prevented from doing so,” Laura Russell, Director of Policy at LGBT+ rights charity Stonewall said.
“The decision on whether people should be able to give blood or plasma should be based on individual risk assessments, not on people's sexual orientation.”
(Image: PA)
A NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson said that all potential donors are asked the same questions, regardless of circumstances or personal background, and they follow the guidelines set by the Government.
“We will be using the current donor selection guidelines,” the spokesperson told the Manchester Evening News.
“The Government has set the three month deferral based on expert advice from a Department of Health and Social Care expert committee called SABTO.
Follow reporter Adam Maidment on social media To follow Adam on Twitter click here. Or to like his Facebook page click here. Here's a link to the M.E.N.'s main Facebook page where we share our latest stories.
“We appreciate that any deferral is disappointing if you want to save lives by giving blood, platelets or plasma.
“We recognise that people want to be considered as individuals as much as possible. Separately to the convalescent plasma trial, we are already working collaboratively with LGBT+ groups on blood donation, through the FAIR steering group.
“The FAIR group is using an evidence-based approach to explore if a more individualised blood donation risk assessment can be safely and practically introduced, while ensuring the safe supply of blood to patients.
“We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to donate whilst continuing to ensure the safety of patients remains our number one priority.”


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Star Wars family quiz - 25 questions for fans of the films

If there 's one thing Star Wars has a lot of , it 's fans - and fans who know their stuff .
The very first film was released back in 1977. so generations of families are united in their love of George Lucas ' creations .
And the new batch of Star Wars films released a couple of years ago has only increased their popularity .
So to celebrate all things Star Wars , we 've chosen the official Star Wars Day - May 4th - to test your knowledge with our family quiz .
The questions were put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so adults have no excuse not to get them all correct .
Here 's our full set of 25 questions , with the answers below .
Let us know how you get on by sharing your result on our social media channels .
Round One - Guess the character from the three clues given 1 .
He is green .
He is an alien .
He has a laser pistol .
2 .
He is hairy .
His best friend has died .
He is brown .
3 .
She gets a yellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She does n't know who her family is .
4 .
He can shoot lightning out of his hands .
He gave Darth Vader his name .
He always wears a black cloak .
5 .
Her parents died .
She died in the same film .
She was saved from jail in Rouge One .
2. Who keeps himself warm by wrapping himself in the dead body of a taun taun ?
3. Who was captured in a spaceship in the newest film The Rise of Skywalker ?
4. Who does Rey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Rise of Skywalker ?
5. Who ends up with the map to find Luke Skywalker ?
6. Who is C-3PO ’ s best friend ?
7. Who was on the ship with Finn when when they crashed into a sink hole ?
8 .
What is the monster called that Luke Skywalker gets attacked by in Jabba the Hut 's dungeon ?
9. Who are the only two characters that appear in every Star Wars film ?
10 .
What is Darth Vader 's real name ?
1 .
What is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Leia ?
2 .
Which planet does Chewbacca come from ?
3 .
Name the character whose name begins with M that can perform dark and light force and has a purple lightsaber ?
4 .
Which planet do you first see Rey in The Force Awakens ?
6 .
In which movie does Luke find out that Darth Vader is his father ?
8 .
How old was Yoda when he died ?
9 .
Where do Luke and Obi-Wan meet Han Solo and Chewbacca ?

The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel
We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Get the M.E.N.'s Manchester Family newsletter for all the latest from back to school news to ways to entertain the kids
If there's one thing Star Wars has a lot of, it's fans - and fans who know their stuff.
The very first film was released back in 1977. so generations of families are united in their love of George Lucas' creations.
And the new batch of Star Wars films released a couple of years ago has only increased their popularity.
So to celebrate all things Star Wars, we've chosen the official Star Wars Day - May 4th - to test your knowledge with our family quiz.
The questions were put together by children - for children - so adults have no excuse not to get them all correct.
Here's our full set of 25 questions, with the answers below. Let us know how you get on by sharing your result on our social media channels.
(Image: Lucasfilm/Disney)
Round One - Guess the character from the three clues given
1. He is green. He is an alien. He has a laser pistol.
2. He is hairy. His best friend has died. He is brown.
3. She gets a yellow lightsaber. She knows the force. She doesn't know who her family is.
4. He can shoot lightning out of his hands. He gave Darth Vader his name. He always wears a black cloak.
5. Her parents died. She died in the same film. She was saved from jail in Rouge One.
Round 2 - Name the character
1. Who is Luke Skywalker's dad?
2. Who keeps himself warm by wrapping himself in the dead body of a taun taun?
3. Who was captured in a spaceship in the newest film The Rise of Skywalker?
4. Who does Rey see as ghosts at the end of The Rise of Skywalker?
5. Who ends up with the map to find Luke Skywalker?
6. Who is C-3PO’s best friend?
7. Who was on the ship with Finn when when they crashed into a sink hole?
8. What is the monster called that Luke Skywalker gets attacked by in Jabba the Hut's dungeon?
9. Who are the only two characters that appear in every Star Wars film?
10. What is Darth Vader's real name?
(Image: Mirrorpix)
Round 3
1. What is the name of the actor that plays Princess Leia?
2. Which planet does Chewbacca come from?
3. Name the character whose name begins with M that can perform dark and light force and has a purple lightsaber?
4. Which planet do you first see Rey in The Force Awakens?
5. Who is Bobba Fett's father?
6. In which movie does Luke find out that Darth Vader is his father?
7. Who built C-3PO?
8. How old was Yoda when he died?
9. Where do Luke and Obi-Wan meet Han Solo and Chewbacca?
10. Who created Star Wars?
(Image: Publicity Picture)
Answers
Round 1
1. Greedo
2. Chewbacca
3. Rey
4. Emperor Palpatine
5. Jyn Erso
(Image: Mirror Screen Grab)
Round 2
1. Darth Vader
2. Luke Skywalker
3. Chewbacca
4. Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa
5. R2-D2
6. R2-D2
7. Poe Dameron
8. Rancor
9. C-3P0 and R2-D2
10. Anakin Skywalker
Round 3
1. Carrie Fisher
2. Kashyyyk
3. Mace Windu
4. Jakku
5. Jango Fett
6. The Empire Strikes Back
7. Anakin Skywalker
8. 900 years old
9. Planet Alderaan
10. George Lucas


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Taxi drivers are being targeted by dodgy 'loan sharks'

Taxi drivers are being told not to use illegal loan sharks to borrow money during the coronavirus pandemic .
It comes as pressure increases on self-employed people who can not get out to work because of the lockdown .
According to Bolton council , there has been an increase in the number of private hire and hackney cab drivers calling up asking for help .
The town hall urging people not to turn to illicit money lenders offering what may seem like a short-term loan .
It could lead to serious consequences , including threats of violence or intimidation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet member for environmental service delivery , said : “ Loan sharks are a blight on our communities , causing misery to lots of families .
“ Private hire and taxi drivers are a particular group being targeted during this pandemic .
“ If you think you ’ ve borrowed from a loan shark please get in touch with the Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence so they can help you.
” The England Illegal Money Lending Team ( IMLT ) is a national Trading Standards squad set up to prosecute loan sharks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sharks are unregulated , often give cash loans without any paperwork and usually charge extortionate interest rates .
They often use threats and violence against those who fall behind with their payments , forcing many victims into crime .
One case covered by the IMLT involved a money lender who preyed on taxi and private hire drivers and lent money at excessive interest rates .
Drivers were typically paying back at least £100 per week .
To ensure loans were repaid , the loan shark took different forms of collateral , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ card from one customer .
In most cases , victims are introduced to these people either through a friend , family member or because they are known in the community .
They believe the loan shark is offering them a service , but their behaviour can quickly change if repayments are not met .
Some of the offences these individuals have already prosecuted for include illegal money lending , blackmail , threatening behaviour , violence , kidnap , drugs offences and even rape .
“ Drivers have been threatened , intimidated , some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact that these loan sharks have had in charging exorbitant rates and then demanding the money back , '' said Tony Qugley , head of the IMLT .
`` I urge anyone affected by illegal money lending to get in touch for confidential support . ''
Bolton council is offering its own support to self-employed drivers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme ( SEISS ) .
Coun Warren added : “ Undoubtedly times are tough for the self-employed and this includes the private hire and hackney carriage trade .
“ We ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers and we wanted to remind people that there is help out there .
“ Please make the most of the support available.
” For more information on the SEISS , click here .
To get in touch with the Illegal Money Lending Team ’ s 24 hour helpline confidentially call 0300 555 2222 , email reportaloanshark @ stoploansharks.gov.uk or complete an online report form at www.stoploansharks.co.uk .

Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
Taxi drivers are being told not to use illegal loan sharks to borrow money during the coronavirus pandemic.
It comes as pressure increases on self-employed people who cannot get out to work because of the lockdown.
According to Bolton council, there has been an increase in the number of private hire and hackney cab drivers calling up asking for help.
The town hall urging people not to turn to illicit money lenders offering what may seem like a short-term loan. It could lead to serious consequences, including threats of violence or intimidation, they say.
Coun Adele Warren, cabinet member for environmental service delivery, said: “Loan sharks are a blight on our communities, causing misery to lots of families.
“Private hire and taxi drivers are a particular group being targeted during this pandemic.
“If you think you’ve borrowed from a loan shark please get in touch with the Illegal Money Lending Team in confidence so they can help you.”
The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) is a national Trading Standards squad set up to prosecute loan sharks and support their victims.
It warns that sharks are unregulated, often give cash loans without any paperwork and usually charge extortionate interest rates.
They often use threats and violence against those who fall behind with their payments, forcing many victims into crime.
One case covered by the IMLT involved a money lender who preyed on taxi and private hire drivers and lent money at excessive interest rates. Drivers were typically paying back at least £100 per week.
To ensure loans were repaid, the loan shark took different forms of collateral, including spare car keys and an electricity payment card from one customer.
In most cases, victims are introduced to these people either through a friend, family member or because they are known in the community. They believe the loan shark is offering them a service, but their behaviour can quickly change if repayments are not met.
Some of the offences these individuals have already prosecuted for include illegal money lending, blackmail, threatening behaviour, violence, kidnap, drugs offences and even rape.
“Drivers have been threatened, intimidated, some have even considered suicide because of the impact that these loan sharks have had in charging exorbitant rates and then demanding the money back," said Tony Qugley, head of the IMLT.
"I urge anyone affected by illegal money lending to get in touch for confidential support."
Bolton council is offering its own support to self-employed drivers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).
Coun Warren added: “Undoubtedly times are tough for the self-employed and this includes the private hire and hackney carriage trade.
“We’ve had quite a few calls from worried drivers and we wanted to remind people that there is help out there.
“Please make the most of the support available.”
For more information on the SEISS, click here.
To get in touch with the Illegal Money Lending Team’s 24 hour helpline confidentially call 0300 555 2222, email reportaloanshark@stoploansharks.gov.uk or complete an online report form at www.stoploansharks.co.uk.


themanchestereveningnews--2020-05-04--Tributes to teaching assistant who died after contracting coronavirus

School leaders have led the tributes to a teaching assistant who has died after contracting coronavirus .
Sandra Martin , who worked at All Saints CE Primary School in Farnworth , Bolton , died on Sunday , May 3 .
The school 's headteacher , Katie Hague , and chair of governors , Anthony Slack , has written to parents to break the sad news .
The letter reads : `` Mrs Martin had an enormous heart , and will leave an enormous gap at All Saints .
`` We are of course devastated to lose a special member of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Martin had worked with year two pupils , but had not been in school since March 18 due to pre-existing health conditions .
She had since contracted Covid-19 and had been receiving treatment in hospital for the last two weeks .
Mrs Martin started at the school in 2001 and went on to work with hundreds of children , including the parents of current pupils .
She had also been the school 's staff governor for a number of years and was a key part of its church community and choir .
Paying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on : `` She was an integral part of the All Saints family .
`` She supported a number of our staff when they were new to our school community .
`` She was very caring and maternal and looked after us all . ''
The school said it had been in contact with Mrs Martin 's family to pass on their condolences .
The school plans to come together as some point to celebrate her life , while support has been offered to children who may need it .
Pupils have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by sending a card or note to the school , which will then be passed on to the family .

We have more newsletters
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
We have more newsletters
Thank you for subscribing!
Something went wrong, please try again later.
Sign up for the free MyBolton newsletter to get the top stories direct to your inbox
School leaders have led the tributes to a teaching assistant who has died after contracting coronavirus.
Sandra Martin, who worked at All Saints CE Primary School in Farnworth, Bolton, died on Sunday, May 3.
The school's headteacher, Katie Hague, and chair of governors, Anthony Slack, has written to parents to break the sad news.
The letter reads: "Mrs Martin had an enormous heart, and will leave an enormous gap at All Saints.
"We are of course devastated to lose a special member of our All Saints family."
(Image: Google Street View)
Mrs Martin had worked with year two pupils, but had not been in school since March 18 due to pre-existing health conditions.
She had since contracted Covid-19 and had been receiving treatment in hospital for the last two weeks.
Mrs Martin started at the school in 2001 and went on to work with hundreds of children, including the parents of current pupils.
She had also been the school's staff governor for a number of years and was a key part of its church community and choir.
Paying tribute to Mrs Martin, the letter went on: "She was an integral part of the All Saints family.
"She supported a number of our staff when they were new to our school community.
MyBolton To get all the latest Bolton news, events and information, go to our MyBolton news channel. We also have a dedicated Facebook page, and you can follow us on Twitter.
"She was very caring and maternal and looked after us all."
The school said it had been in contact with Mrs Martin's family to pass on their condolences.
The school plans to come together as some point to celebrate her life, while support has been offered to children who may need it.
Pupils have been told they can express their condolences by sending a card or note to the school, which will then be passed on to the family.