THE YORK BRIEF ⏰ Monday, February 2, 2025
📍 Fare-dodging passenger attacks York train driver in terrifying incident, AI expert speaks at networking event, magistrates hand down sentences, royal scandal deepens, and chef Tommy Banks battles for hospitality's survival.
✨ Good morning, York! February's kicked off with a bang. From a shocking train attack that's left staff traumatised to big ambitions for our arts scene, plus vital tax tips before Thursday's deadline - here's everything you need to know this Monday.
Cloudy with rain and hill snow expected today, with winds strengthening along the coast. Temperatures will remain chilly, with a minimum of 1°C and a maximum around 5°C. For February overall, York can expect highs around 9°C and lows near 3°C . Bundle up and keep that umbrella handy—it's proper winter weather out there! (Met Office)
📰 NEWS
👑 York MP Demands Andrew Testify in Epstein Investigation; York Central MP Rachael Maskell called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify before US Congress about Jeffrey Epstein links. Speaking on BBC Radio 4, Maskell said "powerful men" must not exploit vulnerable women, and police should investigate regardless of titles. Her comments follow the latest Epstein files release. PM Keir Starmer has also urged Andrew to cooperate.
🏛️ Flood Defence Mission Continues for York; The Environment Agency and City of York Council continue flood resilience work following devastating 2015 floods affecting 453 properties. York Flood Alleviation Scheme focuses on 10 communities along Rivers Ouse and Foss, with Foss Barrier improvement receiving £38m investment. Current flood risk remains very low.
🚧 Tower Street Closes for Surveying Works; A major city centre road closes for surveying works. Tower Street will close between Eye of York and Paragon Street junctions on consecutive mornings Tuesday-Thursday, February 3-5, midnight to 5am. Includes War Memorial roundabout and Piccadilly junction. Alternative routes via York Inner Ring Road. Current Temporary Road Closures.
🎖️ York Man Honoured After 50 Years in Rail Industry; Alex W Brown, 67, received long service award after 50+ years in rail. Starting as 17-year-old British Rail apprentice at Poppleton Road in 1975, he spent 20+ years at York's Holgate Road Carriage Works as quality manager. Celebrated by Alstom at Derby alongside colleague Nigel Freeman (55 years service). Both invited to drive Aventra EMU on test track. (York Press)
🚨 CRIME & SAFETY
🚂 ,York Passenger Attacks Train Driver in 'Terrifying' Incident; A fare-dodging passenger tried to drag a train driver from his cab before lying on tracks and hurling rocks at the windscreen, causing nearly £20,000 damage. Richard Disbury, 37, had just been released from York Magistrates' Court when he boarded a York-bound train without a ticket. At Hammerton Station, he tried to pull the driver out by his arm, then trespassed on the tracks, causing 87 minutes of delays. The train manager said she was "absolutely terrified" and had to take the next day off. Disbury, with 63 previous convictions for 128 offences, was jailed for two years and four months.
🚔 Speeding Crackdown in Spofforth Village; North Yorkshire Police checked over 1,000 vehicles in Spofforth on Sunday following resident concerns about speeding. Nine drivers were caught exceeding limits between Harrogate and Wetherby, with registered keepers to receive notifications in the coming days. The operation included parking enforcement.
“We are planning to attend Spofforth again in the next couple of weeks and would like to remind all residents to ensure they are parking in a safe position away junctions and to stay withing the speed limit of the village,” the police spokesperson said.
🔥 Deliberate Fires Hit Knavesmire and Acomb; Firefighters tackled two deliberately started fires on Saturday evening. Crews responded to a grass fire in Knavesmire Road at 5:40 pm, then to Old School Walk in Acomb at 8:40 pm, where they extinguished a 1m fire of paper and wood materials. Both were treated as deliberate. (York Press)
⚖️ Defendants Sentenced at York Magistrates Court; Recent sentencings included Craig Cheney, 43, jailed 14 days for stealing from Wild & Westbrooke and Tesco Low Ousegate. Damon Brolly, 36, of Bramham Grove, Chapelfields, jailed 16 weeks for breaching a non-molestation order. Jamie Middleton, 38, of Knaresborough, was banned from driving for three years and fined £1,056 for drink driving in Sherburn-in-Elmet.
💼 BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY
🤖 AI Expert: "Using AI is Like Training a Horse"; IT expert Peter Spayne told York businesspeople that artificial intelligence requires the same approach as horse riding at a networking event organised by York Press, York St John University and York College on Saturday. The former Royal Navy engineer, who specialised in lethal autonomous weapon systems and "wrote the book on how to trust a killer robot," now freelances for the defence industry. He explained that trained AI is like animal intelligence - you have to talk to it, and whether it's good depends on its training. The next networking event is Thursday, April 30.
🎨 £3m Creative Chrysalis Could Transform York's Arts Scene; City bosses unveiled plans for the Creative Chrysalis, a 1,000sqm arts centre requiring £3 million investment. Part of the York Prospectus, analysis suggests it could generate £124 million in social value and return nearly £38 for every pound invested. The facility would support festivals, nurture talent, and strengthen York's UNESCO City of Media Arts status.
“York will be recognised as the beating heart of culture and creativity in the region, cementing its status as a home for artists of all backgrounds.”
🏘️ York Prospectus Promises £12.1bn Social Value; The comprehensive growth plan includes a world-leading Centre for Heritage, Bio-Yorkshire research campus, business enterprise zone, and construction skills centre. Combined projects could require £1.2 billion investment but deliver massive returns. Proposals go before council Tuesday, February 3.
💰 MONEY MATTERS
💷 5 HMRC Investigation Triggers to Avoid; With the self-assessment deadline Thursday, accountants reveal five key triggers that spark HMRC investigations: unexplained wealth increases, consistently round numbers, claiming all business expenses as personal, significant cash transactions, and lifestyle not matching declared income. Ensure your return is accurate to avoid scrutiny. (York Press)
📋 Don't Miss This Self-Assessment Tick Box for £2k Tax Rebate; HMRC warns taxpayers could miss out on up to £2,000 in rebates by overlooking a crucial self-assessment tick box. The marriage allowance box allows eligible couples to transfer unused personal allowance, potentially saving £252 annually or backdated up to four years. Check before Thursday's deadline.
🏥 HEALTH
💊 Brits Warned of Looming Paracetamol Shortage; Pharmacists warn of potential paracetamol shortage affecting UK households. The common pain reliever may become harder to find as supply chain issues impact availability. Stock up sensibly if you regularly use paracetamol, but avoid panic buying which could worsen shortages.
🍽️ FOOD & DRINK
🔪 Tommy Banks Demands VAT Cut to Save Hospitality; The award-winning chef behind The Black Swan at Oldstead and Roots in York is calling on government to slash VAT to around 13% to prevent widespread closures. Banks says National Insurance rises have already sparked significant closures and job losses, warning "we're only at the tip of the iceberg." York Central MP Rachael Maskell says current government measures aren't the "lifeline" the high street needs.
⚽ SPORT
🏆 Maynard Declares Pride as City Return to Top with Solihull Victory; Stuart Maynard declared he was "proud of the group" after York City secured a 2-0 victory at Solihull Moors, extending their unbeaten run to 18 matches and reclaiming top spot in the Enterprise National League. Alex Hunt and Alex Newby scored the crucial goals, though they didn't come easily on a boggy pitch that made conditions difficult. York now sit top until at least Tuesday when Rochdale play, with just one point separating the promotion rivals.
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See you tomorrow, York.
