Sam Hall

London, Norwich

News Reporter at PA Media

News Reporter @PA

Articles

Teacher banned after drinking cider in classroom and walking into door

3 weeks ago | lancs.live | Sam Hall

A teacher who walked into a door after drinking cider in his classroom from cans and a school-branded water bottle has been banned from teaching. Jon Downs, 36, was prohibited from teaching indefinitely with a review period of two years after he admitted consuming alcohol at Westhoughton High School. In advance of a panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency on April 25, Mr Downs admitted unacceptable professional conduct and provided a statement of agreed facts.
'Irishman', 87, who died after being robbed ‘would do anything for anyone’

4 weeks ago | breakingnews.ie | Sam Hall

An 87-year-old "Irishman" who died after being robbed near a children’s playground in north London “would do anything for anyone”, a neighbour has said. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Goodchild Road, Manor House, to a report of a robbery at about 5.53pm on Tuesday. London Ambulance Service also attended the scene and the elderly man was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police said the man died on Thursday and his family have been informed.
Vandalised Leyland church hides 'revolting' graffiti with plants to host Easter wedding

1 month ago | lancs.live | Sam Hall

A church that was vandalised on Good Friday has been forced to hide obscene graffiti with plants as it hosts a wedding over the Easter weekend. Lewd images and offensive phrases were daubed on the walls of St James Church in Leyland as well as on dozens of gravestones. Lancashire Constabulary said the “disgraceful act of vandalism” was “being treated as a hate crime”. Rev Marc Wolverson said a Good Friday service went ahead at the church, with a wedding due to take place on Saturday.
Tributes as police name four university students killed after car hits building

Feb 2, 2025 | chroniclelive.co.uk | Sam HallPa |Sam Hall

The identities of four students who tragically lost their lives when a car crashed into a building in Colchester have been released by Essex Police. The force reported that a vehicle, carrying three men and one woman, collided with a structure on Magdalen Street just before 4.40am on Saturday. Makyle Bayley, 22, Eva Darold-Tchikaya, 21, Anthony Hibbert, 24, and Daljang Wol, 22, were all pronounced dead at the scene. According to police, all four were studying at the University of Essex.
Farmer Tony Martin known for 1999 shooting of teenage intruder dies aged 80

Feb 2, 2025 | chroniclelive.co.uk | Sam HallPa |Sam Hall

Tony Martin, the Norfolk farmer infamous for shooting and killing a 16 year old burglar, has passed away at the age of 80, as confirmed by a close acquaintance. Martin spent three years behind bars for the 1999 incident, in which he shot Fred Barras at his Emneth Hungate home. Initially convicted of murder, his sentence was later reduced to manslaughter upon appeal.
Essex man 'fought off Sainsbury's Argos warehouse knife attacker with fire extinguisher'

Jan 24, 2025 | essexlive.news | Sam Hall |Matt Lee

A man from Essex has described fighting off an alleged knife attacker at a Sainsbury's Argos warehouse by hitting them on the head with a fire extinguisher. Joseph Denton, 29, from Rayleigh said he fought off the attacker who had "sliced my finger open". The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to Marlowe Way in Croydon, south London, on Thursday morning to reports of a stabbing at a warehouse.
Date confirmed for disposable vapes ban as businesses given deadline

Oct 24, 2024 | chroniclelive.co.uk | Sam Hall |Catherine Swan

The Government has confirmed that disposable vapes will be banned from sale by next summer in a bid to put an end to "throwaway culture" in the UK. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed on Wednesday, October 23 that the new legislation has been laid out in Parliament to ban the sale of single-use vapes from June 1, 2025.
Family of Chris Kaba ‘devastated’ over acquittal of Met Police marksman

Oct 21, 2024 | mylondon.news | Sam Hall |Lucy Williamson

The family of Chris Kaba have said they are “devastated” and feel “the deep pain of injustice” over the acquittal of a police marksman who fatally shot him. They said the verdict at the Old Bailey was a failure “for all those affected by police violence”, adding that “no family should endure the unimaginable grief we have faced”. In a statement issued by campaign group Inquest, Mr Kaba’s family said they would “continue fighting for Chris, for justice, and for real change”.
Sunbury Lock search continues after rowing boat got into 'difficulty'

Oct 14, 2024 | mylondon.news | PAChris Ballinger Head |Sam Hall |Chris Ballinger |Chris Head

The search for a man who went missing after a rowing boat capsized on the River Thames remains ongoing. Emergency services were called to Sunbury Lock, in Sunbury-on-Thames, at about 8.50am on Friday (October 11) to reports of people in the water. It is now believed only five people went into the water, instead of six as Surrey Police initially reported.
Boy, 7, left with 'life-changing' injuries after being hit by bus

Oct 13, 2024 | dailyrecord.co.uk | PAGemma Ryder |Sam Hall |Gemma Ryder

A seven-year-old boy has been left with “life changing” injuries after being hit by a bus in Manchester. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said it was investigating the collision which occurred at 6.20pm on Saturday in north Manchester. The bus had been travelling on Moston Lane East before colliding with the pedestrian, police said.