Doncaster police seize Cannabis chocolate bars
Fifty cannabis-infused chocolate bars were found by Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team during a raid at a residence in Rossington.
The raid, which took place on 16 April, was part of a crackdown on drugs-related activities.
Police also found over £5,000 in cash and large quantities of cannabis.
Three people have been arrested.
Doncaster drug raid uncovers ‘Daily Milk’ chocolate bars laced with cannabis
In a recent crackdown on drug-related activities, officers from the Doncaster South Neighbourhood Policing Team executed a warrant at a residence in Rossington, and seized cannabis chocolate bars and arrested three people.
The officers conducted a raid on 16 April and found large quantities of cannabis, over £5,000 in cash and 50 chocolate bars infused with edible cannabis.
Sgt Chris Rogers, of Doncaster South NPT, emphasised the importance of underlining the serious implications of such illicit products circulating in the community.
He said: "We were able to execute a warrant under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act thanks to vital intelligence received concerning activities happening at a property in the Rossington area.
"If these were to end up in the hands of a child, the consequences could have been disastrous."
The raid also unearthed additional incriminating evidence, including a knuckle duster and burner phones suspected to be used in drug dealing operations.
Following the operation, two men, aged 28 and 18, along with a 59-year-old woman, were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled Class B drug with intent to supply. However, they have since been released on police bail pending further investigation.
Sgt Rogers reiterated the police's commitment to combating drug-related offenses, emphasising a zero-tolerance stance.
"We will not tolerate the supply or presence of drugs in our neighbourhoods.
"If you are dealing drugs in Doncaster, please know that we will find you and endeavour to bring you before the courts."
The seizure of cannabis-infused chocolate bars underscores ongoing efforts by the police to disrupt drug networks and safeguard communities from the harmful effects of substance abuse.
Sheffield Utd 1-4 Burnley: Another afternoon to forget for Championship-bound Blades
Sheffield United succumbed to another embarrassing Premier League defeat on Saturday in a 4-1 home defeat to relegation rivals Burnley that all but confirms the club’s demotion to the Championship.
With a win for both sides a necessity in the race for survival, it was Burnley who seized their chances in an afternoon of lacklustre defending and wasteful finishing from United.
A well-taken goal from Gustavo Hamer was not enough as two goals either side of half time for the visitors means the Blades remain bottom of the league and ten points from safety with just five games remaining.
United manager Chris Wilder questioned the leadership of his team after the loss, saying: “I look around on that pitch and there aren’t many that are stepping forward to drag the team through it.
“I don’t want to name names but there were a few players that wanted to get off the pitch pretty quickly after the fourth goal went in, which you just can’t have, I can’t accept it.”
The Blades should have taken the lead several times in the first half hour, with stand-in captain Oli McBurnie failing to score from close range after a James McAtee cross left the striker with only the keeper to beat.
Ben Brereton-Diaz and Vinicius Souza also had efforts on goal as United worked the ball well in their opponent’s half without producing anything to show for it.
Any early momentum was undone after 38 minutes when a long-range effort from Burnley forward Wilson Odobert was blocked into the path of team-mate Jacob Bruun Larsen, whose deflected volley trickled past goalkeeper Ivo Grbic into the net to give Burnley the lead.
The Clarets doubled their advantage two minutes later when right-back Lorenz Assignon dribbled past Brereton-Diaz and slotted the ball into the bottom right corner from ten yards, with Grbic again expected to do better with what was a tame strike.
Eager to avoid another heavy defeat in front of their home fans, United started the second half on the front foot, as McAtee’s high effort from the edge of the box forced a save out of opposing keeper Arijanet Muric on the 50 minute mark.
McAtee continued to be the side’s driving force going forward and eventually was rewarded for his efforts when the England U-21 international won the ball on halfway and put Gustavo Hamer through on goal, with the midfielder able to keep his composure and curl into the far right corner to give United hope with 40 minutes to play.
A golden opportunity to equalise was squandered minutes later when Brereton-Diaz intercepted a wayward Muric pass high up the pitch but selfishly chose to shoot from a tight angle rather than pass to the unmarked McAtee, with his effort being saved.
The Blades were punished for their wastefulness on 58 minutes when Assignon was again given too much freedom to run at United’s left flank and picked out striker Lyle Foster in the box, who was afforded enough space to convert first time into the bottom right corner and restore Burnley’s two-goal cushion.
The game was then put to bed 13 minutes later when substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson’s strike from the edge of the box found the bottom left corner to make it 4-1 just 17 seconds after the Icelandic winger had come on.
United remain 20th on 16 points and have a league-worst -57 goal difference, with a trip to Old Trafford to take on FA Cup final-bound Manchester United awaiting Wilder’s men on Wednesday.
Burnley stay 19th but move to 23 points and just three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest as Vincent Kompany’s side desperately fight to avoid relegation.
Sunak: “No ifs, no buts – the flights are going to Rwanda.”
The Prime Minister said the first flights to Rwanda would leave in 10-12 weeks at a press conference at Downing Street.
The bill will be voted on in the Commons later today until the bill passed through.
According to Rishi Sunak, an airfield is already on standby.
He said: "The only way to stop the boats is to eliminate the incentive to come."
The Supreme Court previously ruled the bill as unlawful.
Two sentenced for drug offences after police found £100,000 of cannabis in Rotherham
A 37-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman have now been sentenced after South Yorkshire Police seized around 20 kilograms of cannabis from an address in Rotherham last year.
The cannabis was seized from Bridgewater Way on 27 April 2023 after the property was searched and both pleaded guilty to drug offences at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 12 April.
Dale Banks, of Rufford Road in Doncaster, pleaded guilty to Possession of Class B drugs with intent to Supply and Emma Wilmot, of Bridgewater Way in Rotherham, pleaded guilty to permitting premises to be used for the supply of cannabis.
Banks had been on remand since the day the drugs were found, and at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday 12 April 2024 he was jailed for another 18 months on top of the almost one year of time served.
Wilmot was handed a 12-month community order and was ordered to attend 15 rehabilitation sessions.
OIC DC Jennifer Guest from the forces Armed Crime Team said: “I am pleased both defendants pleaded guilty, and I am pleased with the positive outcome.
“Illegal drugs have a devastating impact on our community and we will not tolerate it in South Yorkshire.”
Sheffield saves university archery tournament from cancellation
Warwick University took home the gold at an archery tournament in Sheffield this weekend after the event was saved from cancellation at the last minute.
With the British University Team Championships (BUTC) seemingly destined to not go ahead, The University of Sheffield stepped in to host the tournament for the first time in the competition’s history.
Jack was proud of the team at his last BUTC. Credit: Tom Burton
Jack Wells, 27, Competition Leader for Sheffield Archery and a PhD student, said: “We swooped in with an offer of a venue a little bit last minute, and a bit unconventional to how the event has been hosted previously, but we seemed to have pulled it off successfully.
“We’ve proved we can run this event with a smaller venue, which will give more options for hosting in the future.”
Sheffield were unable to reach the final, which proved to be a hard-fought battle between Warwick and Lancaster, with the former winning the top prize for the second time in the last three years.
Wills Chiu, 21, the winning captain and Economics student, said: “It was great. It’s my third time doing this. We won the first year and last year we got close, but we’ve come back this year feeling strong.
“I’m glad it’s done and now we’re off to moving outdoors as the indoor season is finished and I’m looking forward to that, but today feels amazing.”
In attendance was Ian McGibbon, one of the founders of BUTC and a former archer who represented Northern Ireland at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, and he has watched the competition grow from its first tournament in 2003.
He said: “I think the biggest change we’ve seen over the 20 years is the level of professionalism from the archers. When we first did this a lot of people had never seen it before, they’d never seen the format, they had no experience.
Ian McGibbon has been with the tournament since it began in 2003. Credit: Ian McGibbon
“We’ve done things with the event that the wider tournament circle do all the time, but when we did it, it was a first, so we’ve really seen it mature and develop over the years. The archers and the students particularly have grown with it, so it’s great to see that people have progressed along with the event.”
After the medals were distributed and the targets were taken down, Ian confirmed it would be his last event and the arrow would be passed on to someone else in the future, but he gave some advice for any future archers.
He said: “Archery is a sport that really is accessible to all, you can do whether you’re tall or short, whether you’re in a wheelchair, whether you have different abilities. Everybody can do archery, but to get good at it takes persistence and practice, and really perseverance.
“So I would say to anybody starting out, whether they’re in first year, or a novice, or whatever they are, just keep trying, keep practising, and it can take a bit of time to come but it’s worth it when it does, and to shoot in something like this is a lot of fun.”
Now the indoor season draws to an end and the archers look to move outdoors, Sheffield has saved the tournament from the brink and will look to host future competitions again.
Sheffield Hatters suffer defeat to London Lions
Sheffield Hatters were defeated after losing to the invincible London Lions.
The Hatters took on London Lions in Canon Medical Arena, at Sheffield Olympic Legacy Park.
The Lions were on a high after their EuroCup victory when they beat Besikatas 149-145, leading them to become the first ever British winners of a European trophy in one of the season's most dramatic games.
Late scores from Holly Winterburn and Megan Gustafson brought home the trophy for the Lions at the Copper Box Arena at the beginning of the month.
Their success continued when they beat Sheffield Hatters 92-45.
This loss comes not long after Sheffield Hatters took on London Lions on their home turf in January.
Before this, Sheffield Hatters were unbeaten at home in the league, but this streak was broken when London Lions beat them 72-60.
Hatters player, Georgia Gayle, 26, from Sheffield, said ahead of last weekend's game: "I'm excited to play them. We've had close games previously and we have to beat everyone to win the championship so it's a good test for us.
"They are a strong team even with a couple of players leaving early for WNBA so we are still going to need to bring our A game to get the win.”
It was Georgia's grandmother, Betty Codona OBE, who created the Hatters over 60 years ago.
Georgia said: "It was clear I was born to be a Hatter and follow in my mum's footsteps.
"I used to hate it growing up because everything was basketball. I couldn't get away from it! But as I got older and matured, I started to embrace the opportunity given to me.”
Sheffield Hatters will face Leicester Riders at Loughborough University for their next game in the WBBL Championship.
Sheffield’s Utopia Theatre aims to create a “safe space” for young people of African and Caribbean heritage
A Sheffield theatre wants to create a safe space for the young African community in Sheffield and "bring people together” through a joint love of drama.
Utopia Theatre is an African theatre company that aims to highlight the history, culture, and heritage of Africa.
Since coming to Sheffield in 2016, the theatre has formed a partnership with Sheffield Theatres and has a residency at the Crucible.
Mojisola Kareem, 60, founder and CEO of the Utopia Theatre, said: “It brings people together and creates community.”
The theatre offers a range of activities including African dance classes and the youth programme which has now been running for two years. It also offers free drama classes for young people looking to go into an arts career.
As a mother herself, Ms Kareem explained that having had young boys inspired her to set up the youth academies as she understands the difficulties of getting children into to drama schools, especially with financial constraints.
She said: “I don't know if there’s anything like it which exists in Sheffield.
"Its a safe space for young people of African and Caribbean heritage. It’s a safe space somewhere where they can come and speak to people.”
The youth academy runs every Thursday from 5 to 8pm and young people can play games in an environment away from school. It’s free to attend and offers a flexible environment with the theatre paying for travel expenses, and food and drinks for the children.
Ms Kareem said the sessions are largely run by the young people themselves and are designed to “create the leaders of tomorrow”.
She added that she hopes that the youth academies will inspire young people to “think about the community a bit more,” and, should they be in positions of power in the future, they will “understand what this kind of environment can mean to people”.
The theatre is currently working on a production called Death and the King’s Horseman. This will be the largest production the company has ever done and will be at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for a week in February 2025.
More information about Utopia Theatre and how to get involved can be found here.
Sheffield Site Gallery hosts exhibition by artist Freya Dooley
A gallery in Sheffield is hosting a free exhibition by Freya Dooley, recipient of the Artes Mundi Wales Venice 10 commission and former Creative Wales fellow at the British School at Rome.
“False Note” is Freya’s latest solo exhibition, combining writing, film, sound, music, and performance.
Freya began researching her exhibition whilst in Rome in 2021, and later produced the exhibition over 18 months.
She was invited to Site Gallery to develop her exhibition last year, supported by a commission by Artes Mundi and Wales Venice 10 in 2022.
When asked about why she was interested in Site Gallery as the home for her work, Freya said: “I think Sheffield has a great community of artists and there’s a lot going on, especially in relation to sound and music.”
Freya first encountered Sheffield’s arts scene in 2017 during a year-long peer-led alternative learning programme, Syllabus.
She has also worked with Arts Catalyst, an arts organisation based on The Moor which focuses on environmental and social projects.
Freya has also previously worked with a number of local artists, including Ashley Holmes and current Bloc Projects artist Chris Alton.
“False Note” explores themes of replacement connection through the main protagonist’s experiences of work.
Freya uses spatial sound mixing, architectural installation and accessible seating to amplify how the work will be experienced and encountered.
She said: “When developing the work and the space it occupies, comfort (or discomfort), fluctuations of attention, and accessibility are all creative considerations which inform how things come together.
“I quite often work in an iterative way: where works begin as texts, sound installations or performances, and then later become films.”
Freya’s inspiration comes from varied influences including music, books, films and conversations. When asked about the wider context of her work, Freya said: “The explicit subjects of my work are often small-scale and domestic, underpinned by more expansive themes and concerns.
“My reference points are really varied. The work never takes shape in a straightforward way. Sound design is an important aspect of my art practice, so I often go to live and electronic music and film scores for inspiration. Another thing that influenced False Note is my ongoing involvement with my trade union. I’m interested in our collective and individual experiences of work and how we establish a sense of value within the systems we operate under.”
The exhibition will conclude with a live performance in collaboration with musician Emma Daman Thomas, supported by PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music on May 30.
Freya said: “We’ll be composing some new music together which expands on the film scores. The dynamics of performing live, and working with other people, always feels refreshing and keeps things interesting and unpredictable. We’re not sure what shape the performance will take yet - but it’ll be an experiment, and it’s fun to work on.”
“False Note” is on display at Site Gallery from 7 March until 26 May.
To find out more about Site Gallery and their upcoming events, visit their website.
Swiping left on love during the cost of living crisis
Dating has become too expensive for young people as the cost of living crisis leaves them struggling to afford the expense of going out.
The Valley Dating Index found “66% of 18-34-year-olds agreed dating has become too expensive" and The Student Room found 88% of prospective undergraduates were concerned about the rising costs of living.
This is despite the fact Society 19 found 20% of British students meet the love of their life on campus.
Sheffield Wire spoke to students across the city about how they have navigated the cost of dating while managing a tight budget.
Chloe, 23, a University of Sheffield, student, says: “I think it definitely can take the enjoyment out of meeting someone new. When you’re dating, especially if you really like someone, you want to do everything and it’s exciting, but when you don’t have much disposable income and the price of everything has drastically increased, it can taint the whole experience."
Lizzy, 24, also a student at the University of Sheffield, spoke to SheffieldWire about her experience of dating.
Karen Perkins, a business, career, social media & life coach, explained the dating landscape in the current climate is difficult to navigate, but she explains there are ways to use dating during the cost of living crisis to your advantage. “It provides the opportunity to learn about someone’s kindness and learn how creative they are with no money.”
The life coach, based in Sheffield, says she always encourages people to discuss their lifestyle and financial situation with their partners because avoiding these issues can result in difficulties within a relationship.
Ms Perkins also explained there are many things to think about as a young person when considering moving in with a partner including whether can you afford somewhere for the two of you to rent, or if a couple choose to move in together, how will this impact your housemates and landlord?
Ultimately, she emphasised: “You have got to work together as a couple and you don’t want to fall out over money if you can afford it.”
Valley Dating Index found on average it will cost Brits £1,900 to find the person they want to settle down with, including £400 in dates with their chosen partner, before making it official. Along with tuition fees and living expenses for students, this can prove challenging.
The Office for National Statistics stated: “In the UK, prices of consumer goods and services rose by 9.6% in the year to October 2022 – the fastest rate in four decades." The data also shows: “Private rental prices continued to grow at a record high rate in the UK, rising by 6.2% (provisional estimate) in the year to January 2024, unchanged for the second consecutive month. This remains the highest annual percentage change since this UK data series began in January 2016.”
Demi Koutouzi, 22, a journalism student at the University of Sheffield, explained after COVID restrictions were lifted and there was an opportunity for her and her boyfriend to go on dates, the cost of living began - acting as another limitation to dating life. “I don’t remember a time we were comfortably going out and not looking at the prices or for the cheapest place to go because we couldn’t really afford to spend £30-40 on a meal,” she says.
Demi explained her boyfriend feels he is not “fulfilling his role as a boyfriend”. She said they want to treat each other but it is difficult to balance the costs involved with seeing friends along with putting money aside for dates. She said ultimately this puts a strain on the relationship.
Luke, 24 a University of Sheffield, also talked to Sheffield Wire about his thoughts on dating.
Marina, 23, a teacher, originally from Spain but now living in Sheffield says: “My boyfriend and I wanted to live together but we have to live with one of his friends because of the cost of living crisis”. The couple wanted to live by themselves but a friend will join them to reduce costs. “Sometimes I want to spend time with my boyfriend but his friend will also be at home - it’s not the same, it’s not as romantic,” she says.
Similarly, Josephine, 24, who is currently studying for her PGCE at the University of Sheffield, would like to live with her boyfriend but due to financial constraints, it is more affordable to house-share with friends. “We do struggle but we find ways to date because I think it’s important,” Josephine said.
James, 21, an MA Journalism student at the University of Sheffield explained how he has navigated the financial costs of relationship.
“You can’t let that go without some kind of opposition”: Hallam UCU votes on strike action
Union members at Sheffield Hallam University have begun voting on whether they will continue their recent industrial action.
According to the University and College Union (UCU), more than 140 staff have left the university under the voluntary severance scheme, with 120 more placed at "risk of redundancy."
The union says that the university has “prioritised buildings over people”, and that they are now “paying the price for their poor decision making."
Martin Smith, a UCU member and senior lecturer in journalism at the university, said: “The university has spent a ton of money on buildings - I think £40 million on a shiny new building you see as you come out the station and a new campus in London - but they’re getting rid of staff.
“Obviously they planned the buildings years ahead, probably when the interest rates were 0% and now they’re 4 or 5% - so there’s a problem there, and the first thing they do is to cut staff.
“I do have mixed feelings about what we’re doing as a union, but you can’t let that go without registering some kind of opposition."
The action has caused large-scale disruption to teaching in the past, with similar strikes last year seeing hundreds of university staff taking part.
However, the university itself disputes many of the claims made by the union.
A spokesperson from Sheffield Hallam University said: “Sheffield Hallam remains one of the largest and most popular universities in the country, with Gold-rated teaching and award-winning research.
"But, like many other universities, we are having to make tough decisions about the way we operate due to pressures that are largely out of our control – such as the decade-long flat UK undergraduate fee, rising pension costs and changes to visa rules that restrict international student recruitment.
“We are disappointed that UCU has chosen to ballot members for industrial action, despite our engaging thoroughly with trade union representatives on plans that support maintaining a healthy financial position and keeping redundancies to a minimum, in light of the well-documented challenges that universities across the UK face.
“Our mission to transform lives will continue to shape all that we do, and we will work to ensure that any changes we make over the period ahead are consistent with this ambition.”
Remembering the Hillsborough Disaster: 35 Years Later
On 15 April 1989, during an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium, a tragic crush killed 97 and left hundreds injured.
The causes of the Hillsborough tragedy are deeply rooted in a series of systemic failures and poor decisions. Overcrowding, inadequate stadium design and a lack of effective crowd control measures contributed to the fatal crush in the Leppings Lane end of the stadium.
The aftermath saw a prolonged battle for justice as families of the victims sought accountability and truth, challenging the initial narrative falsified by South Yorkshire Police which blamed Liverpool supporters for the tragedy.
Debbie Caine, of The Hillsborough Law Now Campaign, said: “The pain and suffering of the past 35 years have not diminished. Today, we pay tribute to all 97 supporters, they will never be forgotten, and we fight on in their memory and for all those who have suffered such injustice at the hands of the state."
Investigations and inquiries revealed a pattern of negligence, cover-ups, and scapegoating, highlighting the failures of authorities, including the police and emergency services.
In 2016, a jury finally concluded that the 97 (96 at the time) victims were unlawfully killed, and subsequent inquiries have led to criminal charges against individuals and organisations responsible for safety and security at Hillsborough Stadium.
Ms Caine said: “The truth of what really happened on that dreadful day was not revealed for decades because public authorities and officials concealed the truth in their own interests.
"Yet, 35 years on, the experiences of Hillsborough families have been repeated countless times, currently with the Post Office scandal. Little has changed.”
This week Labour Party leader Keir Starmer confirmed a Labour government would prioritise bringing The Hillsborough Law into being a parliamentary bill.
This would introduce a legally enforceable, positive “duty of candour” for police and all public authorities to assist investigations into a major incident, and equal public funding for legal representation of bereaved families at inquiries and inquests.
The bill, drafted after the 2016 verdict, is aimed at ensuring that other people do not suffer police cover-ups and mistreatment, as the Hillsborough families did.
Pete Weatherby, the solicitor who represents 22 of the affected families and co-writer of the first draft of the proposed Hillsborough Law, said: “The fact that he [Keir Starmer] has come out publicly in support to the bill is good news.
“Hillsborough Law is the legacy project of the Hillsborough families after establishing their loved ones have been unlawfully killed.”
Mr Weatherby compared Hillsborough to other tragedies that has struck the nation in more recent years. He said: “You can substitute Grenfell, COVID, the post office, whatever you like, for Hillsborough. It is an issue that goes on in every single investigation and inquiry.
“The Hillsborough Law is an attempt to make practical and effective changes to the law to prevent public servants and others from covering up wrongdoing or hiding error.”
As we honour the memory of the 97 lives lost in the Hillsborough disaster, let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of fans at sporting events. May their legacy serve as a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of justice, accountability, and solidarity in the football community and beyond.