City News In 250 Words: Wednesday 3 August

NURSE REBECCA LEIGHTON has been suspended by the nursing regulator over the deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital. The 27-year-old faces seven charges including criminal damage with intent to endanger life. Ms Leighton, of Heaviley, Stockport, is alleged to have tampered with saline ampoules, saline bags and medical equipment. She has been suspended for 18 months.

MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL has lost an appeal over costs after failing to provide care for a teenager with learning difficulties. The 18-year-old, with a mental age of two, had had his care removed after a period of false allegations against his carer. A High Court judge described the decision as ‘deplorable’. The Court of Appeal has ruled that the payment order will stand.

A SECOND MAN has been arrested over the raid on a florists in Old Trafford, which saw 30-year-old Gary Mullings fatally stabbed. The latest arrested man, 24, was detained in Stafford. He is due to be taken to Greater Manchester for questioning. Cecil Coley, the shopkeeper, is on bail until September 9 pending further inquiries. Another man has been charged with robbery.

TRAFFORD COUNCIL staff have been warned they must pick up the phone within four rings or face being ‘named and shamed’. Bosses will now monitor how quickly town hall workers respond to calls after removing voicemail from almost its entire workforce of about 8,000. Council chiefs believe the new policy will give the public a better and more consistent service. Furious staff have accused their bosses of ‘Big Brother tactics’.

Fact of the day: This week in 1876:  Manchester’s Knott Mill Fair - the city's big annual celebration with origins as far back as the 1200s - and described as having ‘glaring evil on every side’, was abolished by order of the Home Secretary

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