Got a TV Licence?

You need one to watch live TV on any channel or device, and BBC programmes on iPlayer. It’s the law.

Find out more
I don’t have a TV Licence.

Live Reporting

Kat Harbourne

All times stated are UK

Get involved

  1. Today's top stories Monday 24 October

      Today's top stories from Sheffield and South Yorkshire:  

    1. A Sheffield man who attacked a woman police officer with an axe, leaving her with a string of injuries, has been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
    2. The officer who was attacked, PC Lisa Bates has thanked those who've helped her.  
    3. A man's been charged with murder following the discovery of a dismembered and burnt man in a suitcase in a lay-by near the Peak District.
    4. A new supermarket's opened in Barnsley, but it's not your usual megastore.
    5. The ink dries on a £16m deal for the very first celebrity tattooist, started nearly a century ago.

    Thanks for your company today - I'll leave you with this lovely picture of Misterton sent to us by one of our Weather Watchers. We're back tomorrow from 08:00.

    Miserton
  2. Sheffield sneak-in burglar jailed

    A sneak-in burglar who targeted almost 40 properties in the Ecclesall Road area of Sheffield has started a six-year prison sentence.

    Gareth Daniel Ward, 36, of Holland Road in Sheffield, stole phones, game consoles and laptops, as well as cash and bankcards, which he used to buy goods and withdraw cash from victims’ accounts.

    Ward was convicted of six burglaries and has asked for 33 other offences to be taken into consideration by the court.

    Gareth Daniel Ward

    Ward entered homes through open doors and windows between December 2015 and March 2016 but was caught after police recognised him from CCTV stills.  

    He was convicted of six burglaries and has asked for 33 other offences to be taken into consideration by the court.

    During the raids, Ward picked up victim’s keys and drove off in a Vauxhall Corsa from Stalker Lees Road, a 125cc Honda motorbike from Alderson Road and a Mercedes C350 Sport from Meadow Terrace.

  3. New blood technique could help solve cold case crime investigations

    A new method of detecting faint traces of blood in finger marks and stains could aid cold case crime investigations, say scientists from Sheffield Hallam University.

    It may also speed up police work and help avoid miscarriages of justice according to the experts.

    The advanced mass spectrometry technique looks for protein building blocks called peptides that are unique to human blood. 

    Fingerprint under a large black magnifying glass

    Crucially, the analysis can be carried out without destroying fingerprints that may provide vital evidence in a police investigation. In tests, blood proteins were detected in nine-year-old palm prints and 30-year-old stains.

    The project has been part-funded by the Home Office's Centre for Advanced Science and Technology.

    Quote Message: This intelligence can be crucial in high profile crimes such as homicides as it could help to steer the investigation in the right direction and therefore result in a speedier and correct course of justice." from Dr Simona Francese Sheffield Hallam University's Biomolecular Research Centre (BMRC)
    Dr Simona FranceseSheffield Hallam University's Biomolecular Research Centre (BMRC)
  4. Ink dries on £16m deal

    The ink has dried on a deal to sell a business founded more than a century ago by Britain's first celebrity tattooist.

    Barber of Sheffield - a leading supplier of inks, needles and hygiene products to the tattoo industry - has been bought by private equity investor RJD Partners in a deal understood to be worth around £16m. 

    Barber traces its roots to the 1900s when George Burchett-Davis who was also known as the "Professor", carved out an illustrious career tattooing the aristocratic elite and European royalty.

    Tattoo shop

    His clients included King Alfonso VIII of Spain and King Frederick IX of Denmark. He is also thought to have tattooed King George V.

    His firm - Davos Tattoo Supplies (DTS) - was later passed on to his sons, before being bought in 2006 by Barber of Sheffield, a medical supply business which moved into the tattoo industry. 

    Barber employs 45 people in Barnsley and supplies products to 30,000 accounts across 67 countries worldwide under the Barber DTS name.

    The famous tattooist continued for many years after the war
    Image caption: The famous tattooist continued for many years after the war
  5. Barnsley's Egghead won't be extradited

    Former Eggheads star CJ de Mooi will "continue to co-operate with the Dutch authorities" after a failed attempt to extradite him to the Netherlands over an alleged killing.

    The ex-quiz show panellist, 46, originally from Barnsley, is accused of manslaughter, murder, assault and battery in Amsterdam in 1988.

    He was detained under a European arrest warrant at Heathrow Airport last month.

    Dutch authorities reportedly abandoned a bid to bring him to the Netherlands.

    CJ de Mooi
  6. Axe attack:PC Lisa Bates thanks the public

    PC Lisa Bates has thanked the South Yorkshire Police investigation team, her police colleagues and the public for their "constant support and kind messages during what has been a very difficult time".

    During the attack PC Bates suffered a deep wound to the back of her head, a fractured skull, multiple breaks to her ankle, and her right index finger was almost severed.

    Despite her serious injuries, she was able to call for help on her police radio as Nathan Sumner fled, followed by the another officer. A member of the public who lived in the block of flats witnessed what happened and pulled PC Bates to the safety of his flat, where they waited until paramedics and police arrived.

    PC Lisa Bates
    Quote Message: I would also like to make special mention of the surgical assessment unit at Northern General Hospital, who provided such outstanding care. They went above and beyond in their duty to care for me and my family and it meant so much.” from PC Lisa Bates South Yorkshire Police
    PC Lisa BatesSouth Yorkshire Police
  7. Axe attack: Officer 'unable to return to work'

    Nathan Sumner from Gleadless has been found not guilty of attempted murder, but guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent.

    Thirty-two-year-old PC Bates who was based at Woodseats Police Station in Sheffield, is still recovering from her injuries and remains unable to return to work. 

    The force remains hopeful she will make a full recovery but say this will take some time due to the severity of her injuries.  

    Nathan Sumner
    Quote Message: Sumner not only violently attacked a police officer, but he went on to threaten staff at a local store, smashing bottles around and screaming at them; they undoubtedly must have thought they were in great danger and his behaviour would have caused serious distress. They, along with the member of public who so bravely helped the injured PC, showed great courage in the face of a very dangerous and upsetting situation and I commend them all for their actions." from DI Paul Wilson South Yorkshire Police
    DI Paul WilsonSouth Yorkshire Police
  8. BreakingPC Lisa Bates: 'Finger almost severed'

    A Sheffield man who attacked a woman police officer with an axe, leaving her with a string of injuries, has been found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

    Nathan Sumner, 35, has been convicted today by a jury following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court following the incident in Gleadless, Sheffield, earlier this year.

    Police in Sheffield

    The court heard how PC Lisa Bates and another officer responded to a domestic incident at Sumner’s flat in Plowright Close at around 19:50 on Wednesday 13 April.

    When they got there, Sumner was armed with an axe and was behaving erratically. A member of the public saw Sumner use the axe to inflict heavy blows to PC Bates’s head and body.

    She suffered a deep wound to the back of her head, a fractured skull, multiple breaks to her ankle, and her right index finger was almost severed.

  9. BreakingPC Lisa Bates: Attacker not guilty of attempted murder

    A 35-year-old man from Gleadless in Sheffield's been found not guilty of the attempted murder of a South Yorkshire Police officer in an attack in April. 

    However, Nathan Sumner who was armed with an axe, has been found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court of grievous bodily harm with intent. 

    PC Lisa Bates suffered a fractured skull, broken leg and one of her fingers was almost severed whilst trying to arrest Sumner following a domestic incident. 

    Gleadless
  10. AI predicts outcome of human rights cases

    An artificial intelligence system has correctly predicted the outcomes of hundreds of cases heard at the European Court of Human Rights, researchers have claimed.

    The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield and the universities of Pennsylvania and College London.

    The AI predicted the verdicts to an accuracy of 79%, according to the scientists involved.

    wigs
  11. BreakingSheffield police officer axe attack verdict

    35-year-old Nathan Sumner has been found not guilty of attempting to murder PC Lisa Bates with an axe in Sheffield.

    More to follow.

  12. Barnsley man prosecuted for Sheffield station cannabis factory

    A 41-year-old man who ran a cannabis factory from rented premises inside railway arches at Sheffield station has received an 18 month suspended sentence following a British Transport Police investigation.

    Martin Lee Kemp, of Ridings Avenue, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to cannabis production and was also ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

    The court heard how in December last year, officers found four large hydroponics tents and 16 plants.

    A search of his car produced cannabis seedlings and cocaine with a street value of more than £600.

    British Transport Police logo
    Quote Message: Despite Kemp’s best efforts to run a covert cannabis cultivation unit from Network Rail premises, a chance safety check uncovered his illicit operation and has landed him with a criminal record." from DC Ian Grice British Transport Police
    DC Ian GriceBritish Transport Police
  13. Attempted armed robbery

    At about 07.30 on Saturday 22 October two men walked into Colley Road News and Booze in the Parson Cross area of Sheffield, and demanded cash from a shop worker.  

    One of the men is said to have been carrying a pen knife, although no-one was injured. 

    The suspects left empty handed, running from the shop towards Barnsley Road, and behind the medical centre towards Sicey Avenue.   

    South Yorkshire Police say both were wearing thick, light grey shell suit material type jackets with their hoods pulled over their faces. Detectives believe the men are both aged around 25-years-old and spoke with local accents.   

    Colley Road
  14. Take That and party (in Sheffield!)

    Take That have announced they'll be coming to Sheffield next year, as part of their Wonderland tour.

    Gary, Mark and Howard will play Sheffield Arena on the 29 and 30 May 2017, supported by All Saints.

    You might have to raid your piggy bank though - tickets start at £60!

    Take That
  15. Your photos: Autumn

    Kat Harbourne

    BBC Local Live, Sheffield

    Keats called it the "season of mists and mellow fruitfulness", and it certainly seems autumn is putting on a spectacular show in South Yorkshire.

    If you'd like to add your picture, send me an email!

    Thanks to all our Weather Watchers for these glorious pictures.

    Brincliffe
    Image caption: Brincliffe
    Stannington
    Image caption: Stannington
    Hoyland Nether
    Image caption: Hoyland Nether
    Stannington
    Image caption: Stannington
    Owston Ferry, near Doncaster
    Image caption: Owston Ferry, near Doncaster
    Thorne
    Image caption: Thorne
  16. 'The only quality of life I could see was by having the amputation'

    Amputated leg

    There are a growing number of people in South Yorkshire having limbs amputated because of diabetes.

    Figures uncovered by the BBC show an increase of 18% in three years, with 13 amputations taking place every week.

    Andrew Bateson from Doncaster has had Type 1 diabetes since he was a teenager. 

    Twelve years ago he chose to have his right leg amputated after getting a chronic infection in his foot that left him with constant pain.

  17. Fire service warn of 'man cave' fire risk

    South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue have issued a warning after log burners caused two sheds to burn down this weekend.

    Maltby, Aston and Edlington firefighters first dealt with a garage fire on Greenland Avenue, Aston at about 11:30 on Saturday.

    Wood and cardboard stored next to the log burner had ignited and set fire to the garage and its contents.

    Then, at about 06:00 on Sunday, firefighters tackled another shed fire caused by a log burner which had been left unattended on Lismore Road, Sheffield.

    View more on twitter
  18. Your afternoon weather forecast

    Abbie Dewhurst

    Weather Presenter, BBC Look North

    It will be a dry day for most with some sunny spells developing. Winds will be light, and staying rather cool.

    It will remain dry overnight, with clear spells and light winds. This will allow temperatures to fall, with frost and locally dense fog patches developing.

    weather forecast
  19. 'Wood' you believe it?!

    Mick Lunney

    BBC Local Live, Sheffield

    I've been to Grenoside Woods, just north of Sheffield, to find out why people love it there so much.

    View more on twitter
  20. BreakingTravel: Dearne Valley Parkway disruption continues

    A6195 South Yorkshire - A6195 Dearne Valley Parkway in Hoyland is still closed.

    Traffic is queuing in both directions between Birdwell Roundabout and the Upper Hoyland Road junction, because of an overturned lorry and recovery work. 

    Congestion on A61 Sheffield Road to the Rockley Avenue junction.