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Health worker who exposed Rochdale child sex abuse ring awarded MBE

Between 2005 – 2011, Sara Rowbotham made nearly 200 referrals detailing the sexual abuse and grooming of young people

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@RochdaleCouncil / Twitter

A former health worker has been awarded an MBE for the role she played in exposing a child sex abuse ring in Rochdale.

Sara Rowbotham worked as the Rochdale Crisis Intervention Team co-ordinator from 2004 to 2014, where she repeatedly raised concerns about dozens of young girls who she believed to be at risk.

Sara was concerned that girls as young as thirteen were being plied with drink and drugs and ‘passed around’ by older men who used them for sex, and subsequently made hundreds of referrals detailing the abuse and sexual grooming of young people. 

She became an integral part of the prosecution of nine men, who were each convicted of sex trafficking and other offences including rape, trafficking girls for sex and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with a child. 

Rochdale Borough Council

In 2017 a drama on the scandal, Three Girls, was released by the BBC and saw Maxine Peake portray the role of Sara. Following this, there were overwhelming calls for her to be formally recognised for her services to the Rochdale community.

And on Tuesday, March 15th, Sara was appointed MBE for services to young people at a ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Speaking to PA News Agency about receiving the prestigious award, Sara said: “I’m quite emotional really, it’s been an exciting and really lovely day.

“It’s quite emotional to think things have come so far, and to receive this honour is really important. It really reminds me of those times and it’s almost a bit of a trigger after coming to the end of such a horrible situation.

“To be recognised for the hard work and energy and effort of not only myself but the rest of my team is really important.”

She went on to stress the importance of people understanding the complexities of exploitation, saying it is a ‘really difficult phenomena’.

She said: “I did feel as though I was kind of being pushed aside – for then everybody else to recognise that I did the right thing is validation really. The energy and effort that was put in, the anger and the frustration that I felt is acknowledged.

“I think it [abuse] probably is still happening but what our work did was allow victims to come forward.”

Sara now works as a Labour Councillor for North Middleton Ward.

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Oasis announce huge reunion tour as Liam and Noel Gallagher ‘make peace’

The news we’ve all been waiting for!

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After years of will-they-won’t-they speculation, Oasis are officially BACK together for a reunion tour.

The Gallagher brothers have put aside their differences in the name of music, making thousands of fans extremely happy in the process.

The band teased the news on their socials over the weekend, posting a video on Sunday morning with today’s date (Tuesday, August 27th) and the time 8am.

And now shows have been announced for multiple dates in the UK and Ireland, with tickets going live this Saturday, August 31st.

The legendary Mancunian rockers will take to the stage next summer, with gigs in Cardiff, London, Edinburgh, Dublin and, of course, Manchester.

15 years after splitting, the band confirmed they would be back for 14 shows, saying: “The guns have fallen silent. The stars have aligned. The great wait is over. Come see. It will not be televised”.

The gigs will be Oasis’s ‘only shows in Europe next year’, with tickets on sale this Saturday at 8am in Ireland and 9am in the UK.


The Oasis 2025 tour dates in full:

July

4th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium

5th – Cardiff, Principality Stadium

11th – Manchester, Heaton Park

12th – Manchester, Heaton Park

19th – Manchester, Heaton Park

20th – Manchester, Heaton Park

25th – London, Wembley Stadium

26th – London, Wembley Stadium

August

2nd – London, Wembley Stadium

3rd – London, Wembley Stadium

8th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

9th – Edinburgh, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium

16th – Dublin, Croke Park

17th – Dublin, Croke Park

You can grab your tickets HERE.

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Stagecoach hiring over 100 new bus drivers for Bee Network with £31k salaries

Fancy a career change?

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Stagecoach

Stagecoach Manchester is hiring over 100 new bus drivers to work from its Oldham depot, following the second phase of the Bee Network launch in March.

You can apply for a range of roles, from positions with no experience required to fully qualified bus drivers.

Successful applicants will receive full training as part of the job, and trainees will get paid to train. Then after only 12 months’ service at Stagecoach, drivers can expect to earn up to £16 per hour, which equates to £31.6K per year, before overtime.

As well as that, drivers that already hold a PCV licence may be eligible to receive a £1,200 joining bonus.

Stagecoach

There’s also a host of other benefits available to all Stagecoach employees, like 28 days paid holiday, generous pension and free Stagecoach bus travel for successful applicants and a companion.

Rob Jones, Managing Director at Stagecoach Manchester said: “Expanding our offering in Oldham means we’ll be investing more in the economy and supporting our local community, as well as strengthening our workforce.

“Whether you’re looking for a career change or you’re a fully qualified, experienced bus driver, there’s a role for everyone here in Oldham.

“We’re looking for personable and dedicated drivers who are ready to help us build on the success of the Bee Network and connect the people of Oldham and Greater Manchester with the places and people that are important to them.”

Stagecoach

Phil Cornwall, bus driver at Stagecoach Manchester, said: “I’ve been a driver at Stagecoach for 25 years and I couldn’t recommend it more.

“From the perks to the people to the passengers, it really is a great place to work.”

To apply, head to the Stagecoach website HERE.

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Two men charged with murder after torso discovered in Salford nature reserve

BREAKING:

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Greater Manchester Police

Two men have now been charged with murder, following the discovery of a human torso in Kersal Dale.

As well as that, more suspected human remains were also discovered this morning, Monday April 29th, in an alleyway close to the railway lines off Worsley Road, Eccles.

This follows earlier discoveries of human remains over the past three weeks, at Kersal Dale, Blackleach Reservoir and Colliery Wood, all in Salford.

Greater Manchester Police


Michal Jaroslaw Polchowski (25/04/1956) and Marcin Majerkiewicz (10/04/1982) both of Worsley Road, Eccles, have been charged with murder.

They are set to appear at Tameside Magistrates Court this afternoon.

While formal identification is still ongoing, the remains found at Kersal Dale are believed to be of a local man in his 60s. The remains found at the other three locations are still to be tested, but police are confident they belong to the same victim.

ACC Sarah Jackson said: “We have had large numbers of officers, staff and specialists working diligently on this investigation over the last three weeks. It has been very much a large, collective effort, with the victim and family at the heart of it from the outset.

“We have specially trained officers deployed to support the family as they come to terms with this tragic news. They are aware of this morning’s further discovery and will continue to be kept up to date with how we are progressing.

“Despite the charges brought today, our work is far from over.

“The scenes we already have established in Bury and Salford will remain in place for much of this week whilst our searches and enquiries continue. Local officers will continue to patrol the impacted areas to provide reassurance.

“We will continue following every line of enquiry to recover and reunite the victim with his family, bringing a dignified end to this terrible scenario.

“I’d like to thank the communities of Salford and beyond for their cooperation throughout this investigation. I know this incident has come as a shock, and the support we’ve had from those in the area is very much appreciated.”

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