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Campaigners welcome decision not to jail Stansted 15

Human rights campaigners have welcomed a decision not to jail 15 protestors who were convicted over the grounding of a plane at Stansted chartered to carry 60 deportees to Ghana, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. The protestors had chained themselves to the aircraft after breaking through an airport fence and were convicted of aviation security offences. An appeal to overturn the convictions is pending. Sheffield Live reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Rosie Huzzard, organiser of the Right to Remain campaign.

Missing 16 year old found after 50 day search

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that 16 year old Pamela Horvathova, who was reported missing seven weeks ago, has been found safe and well after a a major search operation and a series of public appeals. Her family were told of the news on Tuesday and are reported to have been delighted and relieved. Officers had searched rivers and canals and sent out appeals in the UK and overseas. One man has been arrested in connection with the incident. Azz Mohammed reports for Sheffield Live!

Campaigners call for end to pensions investment in arms trade

A campaign led by councillors and community activists is calling on South Yorkshire local authorities to stop investing pension money in arms companies. Campaigners say South Yorkshire’s Pension Authority has invested £30m of council workers’ pensions into companies who sell defence equipment to Saudi Arabia and some of those arms are being used to kill civilians in the continuing war in Yemen. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Jessica Ennis-Hill launches sports education programme

Olympic gold medallist, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, has launched a new sports education programme to fast track 16-18 year olds into sporting careers. The Institute of Sporting Futures will be open from September 2019 at schools and colleges in Sheffield, Hull and Leeds. The scheme will offer a UCAS recognised Level 3 Diploma in sport and physical activities as an alternative to A Levels and will include three days a week in a sports-based work placement. Sheffield Live! reporter Azz Mohammed spoke to Jessica Ennis-Hill at the launch event at Notre Dame High School and to Rob Brown director of the Institute of Sporting Futures programme.

Tree campaigners awarded over £24k in damages

Seven Sheffield campaigners have been awarded more than £3,000 each in damages by South Yorkshire Police after an independent watchdog ruled they were wrongfully arrested during a tree-felling protest. The Independent Office for Police Conduct found South Yorkshire Police had no grounds to make the arrest. The seven were arrested and charged between November 2016 and February 2017. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Three Sheffield pharmacies closed in 12 months

Sheffield Council has called on the government to take urgent action to assist local pharmacies follows news that Lloyds Pharmacy will close their branch at Sainsbury’s Crystal Peaks store. The closure will mean, three pharmacies have shutdown in Sheffield in the last twelve months with closures already of Day Lewis Pharmacy, Crookesmoor and Bradway Pharmacy. Sheffield Live! reporter Baillor Jalloh spoke to Councillor Chris Peace, cabinet member for health and social care.

Sheffield Council sues Barclays over high cost loans

Sheffield Council has joined with six other local authorities to launch a legal action against Barclays over high cost private sector loans, known as LOBOs, which they claim were mis-sold. The councils argue that Barclays manipulated the interest rates on the Lender Option Borrower Option products, which are typically sold as long term finance with financial penalties for early exit. According to campaign group Debt Resistance UK, Sheffield has borrowed over £300m in LOBO loans with Barclays and other providers on repayment terms ranging over 35 to 70 years. Baillor Jalloh reports for Sheffield Live!

Olive Grove gets defibrillator after public fundraising campaign

A new public defibrillator has been installed in the Olive Grove area of Sheffield after a fundraising campaign led by highways supervisor Carl Padgett who became inspired after attending a first aid course. Councillors and local community members welcomed the new life saving device to respond to incidences of cardiac arrest. Padgett told Sheffield Live! that more are needed and awareness should be improved. Azz Mohammed reports.