Jonny Humphries
@jonnybbc.bsky.social
Journalist for BBC News North West. Formerly crime reporter at Liverpool Echo. jonny.m.humphries@bbc.co.uk. Views my own
Major problem at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral as hundreds of elective surgeries cancelled due to a shortage of equipment. Trust bosses have declared a critical incident. Full story here:
Critical incident at Arrowe Park Hospital as surgery 'paused'
A problem with machinery used to sterilise surgical equipment has led to a major shortage.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Major problem at Arrowe Park Hospital in Wirral as hundreds of elective surgeries cancelled due to a shortage of equipment. Trust bosses have declared a critical incident. Full story here:
For years these children endured appalling conditions at their home in Stockport, despite the family being on the radar of social services for a decade. Full story:
Children lived in 'horrific' filthy Stockport house for years
Seven children were removed after police found them in a property with no running water or heating.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 17, 2025 at 10:20 AM
For years these children endured appalling conditions at their home in Stockport, despite the family being on the radar of social services for a decade. Full story:
Two serious arson attacks in just over 24 hours in Liverpool - and less than two weeks after a third which killed an elderly couple. More here:
Toxteth fire: Residents tell of 'shock' after two houses torched
Police said petrol had been poured into the front porch of one of the homes before it spread next door.
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July 27, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Two serious arson attacks in just over 24 hours in Liverpool - and less than two weeks after a third which killed an elderly couple. More here:
A shopkeeper described as friendly and hardworking was stabbed to death in front of customers and children yesterday. Story here:
Bootle shopkeeper stabbed in front of children say eyewitnesses
Merseyside Police say a man has been arrested after the 44-year-old woman died in hospital.
www.bbc.co.uk
June 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A shopkeeper described as friendly and hardworking was stabbed to death in front of customers and children yesterday. Story here:
BREAKING: Peter Sullivan has been acquitted of the brutal 1986 murder of Diane Sindall thanks to fresh DNA evidence, and will be freed after 38 years in prison
Peter Sullivan: Man jailed for 1986 murder acquitted after 38 years
Peter Sullivan is believed to have suffered the longest miscarriage of justice involving a living prisoner in British legal history
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May 13, 2025 at 12:15 PM
BREAKING: Peter Sullivan has been acquitted of the brutal 1986 murder of Diane Sindall thanks to fresh DNA evidence, and will be freed after 38 years in prison
The mum of an autistic boy with complex health needs said she believed he “could’ve died” after he was locked on a school bus alone for more than 2 hours. Full story below:
Knowsley: Autistic boy left on locked schoolbus for hours
Bus company Supreme Executive Travel said it had sacked the staff member it held responsible.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The mum of an autistic boy with complex health needs said she believed he “could’ve died” after he was locked on a school bus alone for more than 2 hours. Full story below:
NEW: For five years a grieving dad had claimed Merseyside Police should have arrested his son's killer months before the murder. Now the IOPC has told him it agrees and concluded a detective has a case to answer for misconduct. Full story here:
Killer 'should have been arrested before murder', watchdog finds
Mikey Rainsford, 20, was killed in his family home by a gang member searching for revenge against rivals.
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May 8, 2025 at 7:02 PM
NEW: For five years a grieving dad had claimed Merseyside Police should have arrested his son's killer months before the murder. Now the IOPC has told him it agrees and concluded a detective has a case to answer for misconduct. Full story here:
The mother of two toddlers mauled by the family dog has spoken of her gratitude to the neighbours who helped save her boys from far worse injuries
Prescot: Mum of toddlers mauled by dog 'so thankful' to rescuers
The woman said the two boys, aged two and three, are expected to make a full recovery.
www.bbc.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
The mother of two toddlers mauled by the family dog has spoken of her gratitude to the neighbours who helped save her boys from far worse injuries
It’s five years since Mikey Rainsford was shot dead through the kitchen window of his family home. His dad, Michael Rainsford snr, spoke of his pain and his family’s firm belief that Mikey’s murder should have been prevented
Father of murdered Mikey Rainsworth shares on-going pain
Michael Rainsford Snr says he still has unanswered questions about his son's murder five years on.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 21, 2025 at 11:11 AM
It’s five years since Mikey Rainsford was shot dead through the kitchen window of his family home. His dad, Michael Rainsford snr, spoke of his pain and his family’s firm belief that Mikey’s murder should have been prevented
The Joanne Sharkey case is quite unlike anything I've covered before. Here is a look back at the 25 year journey to the truth about the death of Baby Callum
Mum who killed her baby 'haunted' by secret for 25 years
Joanne Sharkey waited a quarter of a century for
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April 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The Joanne Sharkey case is quite unlike anything I've covered before. Here is a look back at the 25 year journey to the truth about the death of Baby Callum
NEW: A handgun used in one of the Dale Cregan murders in 2012 has been found in the hands of a rapping crime gang 12 years later
Murder weapon used by Dale Cregan accomplice found 12 years on
The gun was one of two used in the murder of David Short who was shot and blown up with grenades.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 4, 2025 at 2:35 PM
NEW: A handgun used in one of the Dale Cregan murders in 2012 has been found in the hands of a rapping crime gang 12 years later
BREAKING: Joanne Sharkey, who killed her newborn baby boy in 1998 while the grip of severe post-natal depression, has been given a suspended sentence after a judge said the case "called for compassion"
Joanne Sharkey: Mother who killed baby in 1998 sentenced
Joanna Sharkey was only identified as the mother of Baby Callum in July 2023.
www.bbc.co.uk
April 4, 2025 at 10:18 AM
BREAKING: Joanne Sharkey, who killed her newborn baby boy in 1998 while the grip of severe post-natal depression, has been given a suspended sentence after a judge said the case "called for compassion"
Joanne Sharkey killed her baby son in the grip of severe post natal depression, a court heard, and lived with the secret for 25 years. Her defence have argued for any prison sentence to be suspended. Full story here:
Baby Callum's mother killed infant in midst of depression
Joanne Sharkey hid what she had done from everyone for more than a quarter of a century.
www.bbc.co.uk
March 21, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Joanne Sharkey killed her baby son in the grip of severe post natal depression, a court heard, and lived with the secret for 25 years. Her defence have argued for any prison sentence to be suspended. Full story here:
The decision to impose an (experimental) parking zone around Everton stadium has caused fury in the communities surrounding the Blues’ new £500m home. This is how seriously some of those affected are taking it:
Everton's Bramley-Moore Dock: 'Blanket parking ban floored us'
An experimental parking zone has spiralling into a major row between local business and the council.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The decision to impose an (experimental) parking zone around Everton stadium has caused fury in the communities surrounding the Blues’ new £500m home. This is how seriously some of those affected are taking it:
Two children saw the aftermath of a shooting which killed their dad Rikki Berry in Kirkby - even worse, those bullets passed directly through their home. Three men have been jailed for life, the full story is here:
Boy asks dad's killers 'how does it feel that I had to watch him die?'
Boy asks dad's killers 'how does it feel that I had to watch him die?'
www.bbc.co.uk
February 18, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Two children saw the aftermath of a shooting which killed their dad Rikki Berry in Kirkby - even worse, those bullets passed directly through their home. Three men have been jailed for life, the full story is here:
An anonymous whistleblower's complaint has led to the closure of an inpatient ward for people with autism and learning disabilities www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Hospital ward closed after CCTV reveals 'staff misconduct'
Byron Ward in Hollins Park Hospital assesses and treats vulnerable patients.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 15, 2025 at 3:15 PM
An anonymous whistleblower's complaint has led to the closure of an inpatient ward for people with autism and learning disabilities www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A government review has found Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s case was closed too early by Prevent
Anti-terror Prevent scheme missed chances to stop Axel Rudakubana
A Home Office review identified a series of failings with the counter-extremism programme.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2025 at 4:45 PM
A government review has found Southport killer Axel Rudakubana’s case was closed too early by Prevent
NEW: A Merseyside Police inspector with 27 years on the force is sacked - for using slurs against disabled people to attack Just Stop Oil on Twitter/X. Full story here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Merseyside Police inspector sacked over Just Stop Oil slurs
Ross Meredith used slurs against disabled people to insult the climate activism group.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 15, 2025 at 9:33 PM
NEW: A Merseyside Police inspector with 27 years on the force is sacked - for using slurs against disabled people to attack Just Stop Oil on Twitter/X. Full story here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
I’ve spoken to the mother and daughter of Sabrina Lyttle, who lay dead in a Blackpool restaurant toilet for two days yards from customers eating their meals: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Woman lay dead in Blackpool restaurant toilet for two days
Sabrina Lyttle's body was just yards from where customers were enjoying their meals.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I’ve spoken to the mother and daughter of Sabrina Lyttle, who lay dead in a Blackpool restaurant toilet for two days yards from customers eating their meals: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
That’s it, getting my one-year-old a set of arrows tomorrow. Project Littler is on
January 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
That’s it, getting my one-year-old a set of arrows tomorrow. Project Littler is on
A lot of people will be starting the new year in a mess this morning thanks to the deluge overnight. Some grim scenes across the North West www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Flats flooded and travel chaos as heavy rain batters North West
The weather has also caused major road closures and severe disruption to train services.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 1, 2025 at 11:34 AM
A lot of people will be starting the new year in a mess this morning thanks to the deluge overnight. Some grim scenes across the North West www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
A man who was pepper sprayed in the face from close range while lying motionless by a Merseyside Police officer has won £22k in damages and an apology. However, the special Constable remains on the force, full story here:
Man held in Liverpool pepper spray arrest wins £22k damages
Police apologised to Owen Andrews after accepting liability for false imprisonment and assault.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 11, 2024 at 7:45 PM
A man who was pepper sprayed in the face from close range while lying motionless by a Merseyside Police officer has won £22k in damages and an apology. However, the special Constable remains on the force, full story here:
Faulty lithium batteries are quite literally a lethal risk. In this case Luke Albiston-O’Donnell lost his life at just eight years old when one burst into flames in his home. Merseyside fire and rescue service have been sharing urgent warnings about the devices
www.bbc.co.uk
December 6, 2024 at 6:05 PM
Faulty lithium batteries are quite literally a lethal risk. In this case Luke Albiston-O’Donnell lost his life at just eight years old when one burst into flames in his home. Merseyside fire and rescue service have been sharing urgent warnings about the devices
Ayshea Malik was sacked from a job she loved, a job she held for a decade, in large part because she was a Muslim of Pakistani heritage. As stunned and upset as she was, she did not take it lying down. This is her story:
'I was sacked by my new bosses for being Muslim'
Cafe worker Ayesha Malik said she had decided to speak out after winning an employment tribunal.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 5, 2024 at 5:00 PM
Ayshea Malik was sacked from a job she loved, a job she held for a decade, in large part because she was a Muslim of Pakistani heritage. As stunned and upset as she was, she did not take it lying down. This is her story:
Former hospital chief executive Tony Chambers has denied stalling the police and seeking to ruin the careers of doctors who blew the whistle about Lucy Letby. More here 👇
Lucy Letby inquiry: Hospital boss denies 'stalling' police
Tony Chambers was accused of
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2024 at 1:05 PM
Former hospital chief executive Tony Chambers has denied stalling the police and seeking to ruin the careers of doctors who blew the whistle about Lucy Letby. More here 👇