North west news update 30 Nov 2023: Dawn raids as police probe football fighting

Digital reporter Lucinda Herbert with today's top north west news headlines and weather

Transcript

00:00 I'm Lucinda Herbert for the Blackpool Gazette and these are your headlines for the North West.

00:05 An inquest has opened into the death of a resident at a Blackpool nursing home

00:11 that led to the care provider being fined over £140,000.

00:17 The four-day inquest will expect to hear evidence from people who were involved in Mary Fallon's care

00:24 leading up to her death on the 14th of July 2019.

00:29 A pre-inquest review held at Blackpool Town Hall heard how the family of Mrs Fallon

00:35 were keen for an inquest to resume despite the successful prosecution of DM Care Ltd

00:44 and care home manager Rebecca Tucker.

00:47 The family's barrister Marcus Coates Walker told the court that despite the guilty pleas

00:54 there were no exploratory details as to how 86-year-old Mary came about her death

01:01 while she was resident at Highbury House care home.

01:08 Two men who brandished replica guns in a Wild West street fight have been jailed at Preston Crown Court.

01:17 Adrian Preston, 39, and 30-year-old Ashley Steele both admitted possessing imitation firearms

01:24 along with charges of violent disorder during a terrifying clash between two groups

01:30 on a quiet residential street in broad daylight.

01:34 Preston was sent to prison for two years and three months by Judge Simon Medland, KC.

01:41 Steele was given two years.

01:44 Three other men, Paul, Danny and David Stafford also admitted their part in the fracas

01:50 which took place on Rothesay Road in Blackburn.

01:56 A kind Morecambe Cafe owner has launched a heart-warming project to help the homeless.

02:03 The owners of the Bay Double Bubble Cafe are hoping customers will choose to pay it forward this Christmas

02:11 and buy a prepayment drink or snack for a homeless person.

02:17 Magdalena Sherpa, who owns the cafe on Marine Road, is hoping that other cafes and shops

02:24 in the area will follow her example.

02:29 £2 million will help desperate people through the cost of living crisis this winter.

02:34 The Cadent Foundation has launched its first Winter Support Fund

02:39 and will provide energy and food support to vulnerable people in East Lancashire.

02:46 It will be distributed through a network of 10 charity partners

02:51 including Burnley Citizens Advice and Groundwork.

02:57 Sleeping residents at more than a dozen properties had a rude awakening as police carried out

03:02 dawn raids in Wigan and Bolton, leading to 12 arrests.

03:08 Around 50 officers from Greater Manchester Police were involved in the early morning raids on Thursday.

03:18 It was part of an investigation into fighting after a match between Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic

03:25 on Saturday, August 19th.

03:28 12 men, aged between 16 and 58, were arrested on suspicion of violent conduct

03:35 and are now being questioned in custody.

03:39 Now for the weather.

03:40 Another cold and frosty day but with bright blue skies and crisp winter sunshine.

03:47 There could be some winter flurries over the hills

03:50 and temperatures could get down to -3 degrees Celsius, so wrap up warm.