BREAKING: Duo charged with suspicion of Sarah Brierley murder
By Yasmin Stretton, Lauren Chaloner, Hannah Jackson and Josh Barron
A man and a woman both from Woodhouse are due to appear in Sheffield Crown Court tomorrow after they appeared in the Magistrates Court on the 25th and were remanded in custody.
The duo are identified as David Scott, aged 39, and Zoe Clarke, 38.
Police arrested two more suspects last Monday but they were later released on bail.
Sarah Brierley, aged 49, was found dead after police officers forced entry to a flat in Skelton close shortly after 8am on 20 February.
An autopsy has since revealed the victim died of serious head injuries.
The pair from Sheffield were arrested on suspicion of murder on 22 February.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire police said: "Our investigation is continuing at pace and we continue to urge anyone with any information about Sarah's death to get in touch."
South Yorkshire Police say an investigation is still ongoing, but anyone with information should contact 101 quoting incident number 145 or Crimestoppers.
More updates to follow.
“You will be wedded to it”: Sheffield school goes viral for controversial job advert
A Sheffield school has received backlash online for posting a job advert in which they said their assistant headteacher should work “ridiculously hard”.
Mercia School, an academy in Carter Knowle, Sheffield, has come under fire for the unreasonable expectations posted in the advert.
It said: “We want a like minded individual who will work ridiculously hard to deliver for our pupils.
“When I state ridiculously hard, I mean it.”
The advert has now been deleted following the criticism.
According to the job description, the new assistant head would be expected to come in on Saturday mornings to supervise detentions, as well as always being available between the hours of 7am and 6pm.
Simon Kidwell, the Vice President for the National Association of Head Teachers, said: "Sadly, I think many Teachers and School Leaders will recognise a similar working pattern.
"Working routines that put considerable pressure on family life are common in our sector.
"The working practices we currently experience will lead to poor long term health conditions."
The new assistant head at Mercia school will, according to the post, “feel the pressure” of the role, allowing it to “dominate their life on occasions.”
Toby Mallinson, the district secretary for the National Education Union, condemned the language used.
He said: "The attitude displayed in the advert highlights an approach that will likely lead to untenable pressures not just on the new post-holder, but on the people they manage.
"Unfortunately, some workplaces suffer from a culture of fear.
"One red flag in the advert is the use of the first person, as if the writer owns the school."
The headteacher of Mercia School has declined to comment at this time.
Sheffield United raise £5,000 for Prostate Cancer Research Fund
More than £5000 has been raised for the Sheffield Hospitals Charity and their Prostate Cancer Research Fund, by one of the city's football clubs.
Shirts worn by Sheffield United footballers, including Billy Sharp and Iliman Ndiaye, were placed into an online auction after their game against Swansea earlier this month.
Gareth Aston, CEO of the Sheffield Hospitals Charity, said: “It’s really great that the Sheffield teaching hospitals have the ability to conduct this pioneering research that could potentially change many thousands of lives across South Yorkshire and many thousands and possibly millions of lives across the world.”
The shirts from the auction have come from the charity’s United in Love for our NHS weekend, which took place during the Sheffield United vs Swansea match.
The charity's logo was displayed on the Sheffield United shirts for the game against Swansea.
Mr Aston said the funding was a necessity.
He added: “I think more than ever, it’s important that we are able to get behind and support the patients and staff at this time.
“It’s an extremely difficult time for everyone. So, if we raise a few pounds, that’s great.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all the Sheffield United fans and all the team at Sheffield United.
"We really couldn’t have done it without it being a big team effort.”
2023 marks 75 years since the NHS was founded and any contributions to the health service remain invaluable. As of November 2022, the waiting list for hospital treatment rose to a record 7 million people across England.
To represent the anniversary, Sheffield United published the names of supporters' loved ones in the celebratory edition programme after a £5 donation to the Sheffield Hospitals Charity.
The auction ends on the 22 February.
Popular Rotherham beer festival back for 2023
One of England’s largest beer festivals is about to open its doors after months of “hard work” from organisers.
The Rotherham Real Ale and Music Festival will start this Thursday at the Magna centre, with 8,000 people expected to attend.
Matthew Ridsdale, part of the event’s media team, said: “We’re hoping that it will be a memorable three days.
“A lot of time, love and effort goes into organising a festival of this type. It’s the culmination of six months of hard work by the festival’s organising committee, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes.
“It’s always a great feeling when the doors of the festival open and the first guests walk through the door.”
The event, which began in 1992, has become a staple of the Yorkshire brewing scene, and helped to launch ale brands such as Black Sheep.
Activities at the festival include Championship Beers of Yorkshire, a taste-testing competition with winners in different categories.
One of the breweries looking for success is Abbeydale. Laura Rangeley, a spokeswoman for the brewer, said: “The festival not only allows us to showcase a wide range of our beers to attendees but also engage with and support the wonderful beer community.”
The event will also feature live music, with the ukulele band the Everley Pregnant Brothers headlining this Thursday.
For Mr Ridsdale, the wide range of activities is key to the event's success. He said: "From 18 years old to 80 there really is something for everyone.”
The festival will run from 23 to 25 February, with proceeds going to Rotherham Cancer Care Centre. More details can be found here.
Police release image of man connected to Rotherham bus interchange sexual assault
Rotherham Police have released an image of a man they believe may be connected to an ongoing sexual assault investigation.
A man in his 20s was reportedly sexually assaulted inside the toilets of Rotherham's bus interchange last month.
The alleged assault took place at approximately 7:25pm on Sunday 15 January.
The victim was able to push the suspect away from him inside the toilets but the attack did not end there.
Despite pushing the man away initially, the allegedly persisted with his attempted assault.
A Rotherham Police statement said: "It is understood the suspect followed him before leaving towards the train station."
Police are calling for anyone who can identify the man to contact them at 10, quoting crime reference 14/18487/23.
If you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crimestopper's UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111
Anti-immigration protesters face counter demonstration outside Rotherham hotel
Anti-immigration protesters were met with resistance from hundreds of activists outside a hotel in Rotherham housing asylum seekers on Saturday.
Members of far-right organisations Patriotic Alternative and English Constitution Party gathered outside the Holiday Inn Express in Manvers, which is currently homing more than 100 asylum seekers.
Demonstrators from Stand up to Racism, Unite Against Fascism and Sheffield Trade Council turned up to oppose the far-right groups.
Anti-racism protester, Rachel Harris, 43, said: "You only need to look back at history to know why it's important to challenge groups like those.
"We've seen a lot divide in this country recently. There's a lot racism and homophobia on the rise and it's just going to get worse unless people stand up to it."
Many of the protesters travelled by coach from Sheffield to spread the message that Yorkshire does not tolerate hate.
They chanted "From the Pennines to sea, Yorkshire will be fascist free!" while police escorted them away from the anti-immigration protesters.
The counter protesters engaged in a number of other chants throughout the day, including: ''Say it louder, say it clear. Refugees are welcome here'' and "No borders, no nations. Stop deportation."
During this demonstration, young children inside the hotel were seen waving at the crowds and holding up posters with the words 'Thank you.'
Phil Ward, activist, 70, said: "I'm here because I'm an anti-racist and I think it's really important to stand up to racism and combat both the fascists and the government.
"Fascism can only be stopped by active opposition."
The protests lasted for approximately two hours, as police presence increased when bystanders shouted at the anti-racism protesters from across the road.
A group of anti-immigration protesters spilled into the hotel car park to challenge the counter demonstrators, resulting in an exchange of insults between the two sides.
Ruby Midgley, 29, said: "I think everybody has the right to live safely and free of harm and injustice.
"We're all citizens of planet earth, not a nation or a country so I believe we should make these people feel welcome."
Two people were arrested during the protest, one of whom has been bailed pending further enquiry.
Steelers marginally snatch victory from Flyers to secure third place in league
The Sheffield Steelers secured a much-needed win against the Fife Flyers last Saturday, winning 1-0 in their second game of the week.
The goal was scored by Brandon Whistle in the 12th minute, which secured the Steelers an extra two points in the Elite Ice Hockey League.
The win moves the Steelers up to the third spot in the table as the Guildford Flames also won against the Cardiff Devils on Saturday.
This league game comes after the Fife Flyers knocked the Steelers out of Challenge Cup at the Semi-Final stages at Utilita Arena Sheffield on Wednesday 15 February.
Steelers' coach Aaron Fox said: “We needed a win tonight and that was the most important thing. I liked our start, but I feel as if we could have gotten another two or three [goals] after the first period.
“It wasn’t our prettiest effort, I actually thought we were better on Wednesday than we were tonight, from a scoring chance and offence-created side of things, but we did win and that’s all that matters.”
Fans roared with excitement after Whistle scored, giving them the much-needed morale boost after the Challenge Cup game loss.
Despite the Steelers attacking with full force, the Fife Flyers defended well, the second period was goalless, even though the Steelers had the opportunity for two goals while the Flyers were a man down.
The Steelers felt the pressure in the third period as the Flyers heightened their attack, but Steelers goalkeeper Matthew Greenfield made some impressive saves, stopping 19 goals overall with a 100% save rate.
Greenfield was named Man of The Match, skating the circumference of the rink in his celebratory parade.
The goalkeeper spoke to Sheffield Wire about the game and the Steelers performance in the league.
The Steelers’ next game is away against Manchester Storm at Altrincham Ice Rink, kicking off at 7.30pm.
Image credit: Dean Woolley
New woodland in Dinnington created in bid to tackle climate crisis and pay tribute to the Queen
A new community woodland is set to be created in Dinnington in a tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Over 7000 trees will be planted on former grazing land off Athorpe Road in a project supported by the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership.
It is part of the Queens Green Canopy scheme and it will be named the Queen Elizabeth II Woodland. The scheme is designed to plant a million trees from March 2021 to March 2023 as a living tribute to the Queen.
This woodland will form part of Rotherham Council’s plans to meet a net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Council aims to plant 10,000 trees each year for the next decade and beat last year's target of 20,000.
Councillor David Sheppard, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion at Rotherham Council, said: “Climate change is an important issue and as a council we are taking steps to respond to the climate emergency.
“The Queen Elizabeth II Community Woodland forms part of our efforts to create a greener and cleaner local environment for residents.
“There will be lots of opportunities for people to get involved in this exciting project, including a planting day, which is set to take place later this month.”
A community planting day will take place on Saturday 25 February from 10.30am to 3pm and gloves and spades will be provided.
The woodland has been designed to be community friendly and has designated sledging areas.
Matt North, Programme Manager at the South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership said: “We work with public and private landowners to develop and fund woodland creation that’s of benefit for people and wildlife.
“We really enjoyed working with council officers designing a woodland that will be a home for nature that the public can enjoy.
“It’s fantastic to see the local community being able to take part in helping create and care for this significant project in Dinnington.”
This woodland also forms part of the Northern Forest initiative which aims to plant 50 million new trees by 2043 from Liverpool to the Yorkshire Coast.
Alex Evans, South Yorkshire Woodland Senior Project Officer said: "The South Yorkshire Woodland Partnership are working within the Northern Forest, supporting the four South Yorkshire Local Authorities, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and other partners with their current tree planting targets as part of their approach to tackling the Climate Emergency.
"As well as tacking carbon emissions, tree planting and woodland creation projects have a multitude of other benefits. This includes benefits to nature, improving and linking up habitats for wildlife as well as improvements to soils, air and water quality,"
Contact woodlandenquiries@wildsheffield.com to find out more about how you can be involved with woodland creation projects.
University of Sheffield Students’ Union marks historic LGBT+ anniversary
A plaque to commemorate fifty-years of LGBT+ representation has been unveiled at the University of Sheffield Students' Union.
The plaque was revealed in an event last Friday by Gerry Firkins, who was the Chair of the University’s Gaysoc from 1973 to 1975, and Jamie Shipp, the SU’s LGBT+ part time Officer.
The unveiling took place in Interval Bar in the Students’ Union and was organised by Grace Clearly, the SU’s Liberations Officer.
Mr Firkins said: “What I was concerned about, which started this whole process, was that I didn’t want this to be forgotten.”
The plaque commemorates the passing of an historic motion that was debated at the SU, a motion which Mr Firkins spoke in favour of which was: 'This house supports Gay Rights.'
For Mr Firkins, though, the 50th anniversary is threefold; the founding of Gaysoc, the passing of this motion and the first Gaysoc disco which he organised as chair of the society.
He added: “It was thanks to Grace [Clearly] that this is all happening. She has been wonderful, she has been powerful, she’s taken it and made it what it is.”
The unveiling took place after a screened interview with Mr Firkins, where he spoke about his time at university and the formation of Gaysoc.
Ms Clearly said she was glad to have the opportunity to celebrate this anniversary. She added: “We wanted to plan as much as we could because Gerry was asking for so little. All he wanted was just for it not to be forgotten.”
Mr Firkins said: “I really do wish Gaysoc all the best. And I’ve reminded them that they need to come back in 50 years for the 100th anniversary. These are moments when you can take the measure of what you have done and what you have achieved.”
There is also an exhibition in the Information Commons at the University, which has the interview showing on silent, a curated book collection and various artefacts.
This will be running until the end of February.
Dan Walker “battered and bruised” but alive after being hit by car
Popular news presenter and Sheffield alumni Dan Walker is out of hospital and "glad to be alive" after he was hit by a car earlier today.
The Channel 5 anchor, who lives in the city, was riding his bike when the accident happened.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Bit of an accident this morning.
"Glad to be alive after being hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but don't think anything is broken."
Fans of Mr Walker replied with their best wishes, including "Get well soon" and "Sending you all our love Dan."
Six hours later Mr Walker posted an update. He said: "Just got home from hospital. Battered and bruised but - amazingly - nothing broken.
"The helmet I was wearing today saved my life, so if you're on a bike get one on your head."
He also thanked those around him and the NHS for their help.
Friends of Hi5s charity launch new youth club for disabled young people in Hackenthorpe
A charity supporting disabled young people in Sheffield is set to launch a new youth club tomorrow.
The group, Hi 5s Juniors, will offer youths aged 13 to 19 a safe space to relax, meet new people and take part in a range of activities from pancake making to crafting.
The club’s youth worker, Ruth Langrick Evans, 33, from Norton, said: “We want to offer a nice, friendly place for disabled young people to be with their friends as they deserve to have access to the same spaces as everyone else.
“There’s just not enough provision out there for young people with disabilities.”
The decision by the charity, Friends of Hi5s, to start the new club came after they wanted to create a more tailored space of activities for teenagers away from the main Thursday group, which has remained popular with original members who are now getting older.
Ms Langrick Evans said: “I started volunteering with Hi5s 12 years ago and even then the group was full of people that had been there for years before I joined the team.
“The group is so welcoming that nobody wants to leave - we’re like one big family.”
Friends of Hi5s was founded by Mosborough Councillor Gail Smith, 69, from Waterthorpe, after she visited a local youth group and became concerned about the cuts to services for disabled youngsters across the city.
Councillor Smith said: “People don’t always realise but the parents and carers of disabled people have to fight for everything they’ve got.
“Groups like this are very important, not just for meeting up with friends, but it supports the parents and carers as we’re here to help and give advice.”
As Lord Mayor of Sheffield last year, Councillor Smith managed to help raise £15,000 for the charity and hopes the group will continue to have a massive impact on children’s lives.
Ms Langrick Evans said: “I’ve never known a group that’s so accepting.
“I get such a real sense of pride seeing their confidence grow and this group will be no different.”
The Hi 5s Juniors club launches on 21 February and will be available every Tuesday from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Lodge in Hackenthorpe for £4.
The first session is a free taster and anyone who wants to attend or find out more should contact Hi 5s here.
Morning Briefing – Stories to come throughout the day
Anti-Immigration protests in Rotherham
Two arrests have been made during a protest in Rotherham last weekend, with members of anti-immigration groups Patriotic Alternative and English Constitution Party arguing against asylum seekers living in a Holiday Inn Express.
A counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism, Rotherham Trades Council and Unite Against Fascism were also present, with the two groups showing aggression towards each other.
Tree of Remembrance is being set up to commemorate children who have died during the Russia-Ukraine War
A tree of remembrance is to be set up in the Winter Gardens on the 24 February, which marks one year since the Russia-Ukraine War started.
The tree is designed to pay tributes to the children who have died because of the conflict.
Sheffield ranks seventh in a list of UK cities with the highest utility bills, according to a new study
A study by Solar Panel Installation found that the average bill in Sheffield was nearly £3000, higher than the likes of Exeter and Manchester.