City news in 250 words: Thursday 12 August

BEZ IN BOTHER: Former Happy Mondays dancer Mark Berry - better known as Bez - has been convicted of assaulting his ex-girlfriend at their home after a row. Manchester Magistrates' Court heard how Bez accused Monica Ward of stealing cash before throttling her at their flat in Whalley Range in May. Bez, who had denied the charge, will be sentenced on 25 August.

MEMORIAL PLAQUES STOLEN: Two hundred and five brass plaques have been stolen from Highfield Cemetery in Bredbury, Stockport. The plaques, which relatives paid £100 each for, are believed to have been stolen to sell for scrap metal. Councillor John Smith, of Stockport Council, said: "The people that do that are the lowest of the low. The value of the scrap is quite low compared to the damage, cost and upset caused." Families have been advised to replace stolen plaques with granite or slate versions.

RAMADAN APPS: There’s an app for everything these days and the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is no exception. Mobile phone applications such as ‘iPray’ and’ iKoran’ offer services such as the ‘mosque finder’ to help travellers find the nearest place to pray and a beep reminder of prayer times.

HOSEPIPE BAN BENEFITS: The North West hosepipe ban has saved more than three billion litres of water, according to United Utilities. The ban, which was introduced on 9 July because of low reservoir levels, will stay in place until the reservoirs have fully recovered. Those who flout the ban face a £1,000 fine.

Out of the window weather forecast: Hard to gauge. Don’t let those blue patches of sky between the clouds lure you into a false sense of summer security.