Local authorities are looking at ways to crackdown on flags placed on public buildings and lamposts.

Deborah and Ian Day, from Bentilee, would rather go to prison than pay the Stoke-on-Trent City Council fine

The council takes action following "nuisance and distress" to residents in Bentilee.

Today, we headed out to support one of Stoke-on-Trent’s most treasured traditions: the 47th Star Bikers Charity Toy Run. We began at the Britannia Stadium before heading over to Bentilee to watch the huge procession ride past, and I honestly don’t think I have ever seen as many bikes take part. The turnout was incredible, and the atmosphere was amazing! For anyone who doesn’t know the history, the Star Bikers Toy Run is a Stoke-on-Trent institution. The very first ride took place on 17 December 1977, organised by two groups based at the Star Inn on Marsh Street in Hanley, the Harley Riders and the Star Bikers. Around 200 bikes set off that day to deliver toys to children at Penkhull Homes. It is believed to be the first event of its kind in the UK. From those humble beginnings, the Toy Run and the Egg Run have become two of the city’s most loved annual events, now attracting thousands of bikes and drawing national attention. Over the years, the route has changed many times, ranging from Hanley Forest Park to Chatterley Whitfield, and finishing at legendary venues such as the Queens Theatre, Trentham Gardens Ballroom, and now Kings Hall. What has never changed is the purpose: to collect toys and Easter eggs for underprivileged children across Stoke on Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, to support children’s charities and to promote motorcycle awareness and safety. The event simply wouldn’t exist without the support of the biking community, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Police, local shops and the public. Thanks to everyone involved, thousands of children have received toys, equipment, holidays and even medical help over the years. If you would like to learn more about the Star Bikers and the history of the Toy Run, you can visit their website at www.starbikers.co.uk If you enjoy my videos and want to support my work in local history, photography and community storytelling, you can join me on Patreon. Every subscription helps me keep creating more content across Stoke on Trent and Staffordshire. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theredhairedstokie

Ten men have been jailed for a combined 130 years following a house fire and violent disorder in Stoke-on-Trent. Staffordshire Police confirmed the sentences followed an 11-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, which concluded earlier this year. ### On December 16, 2021, a fight broke out involving four men, during which one men was stabbed. After the altercation, a group of men then went to a house on Beverley Drive, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent, demanding to speak to Naveed Hussain, who was involved in the fight. ### TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say ### The men smashed the downstairs windows and poured petrol into the hallway and outside the living room window. A 31‑year‑old woman inside the property was struck on the head and set alight. She suffered life-threatening injuries but survived, remaining in a coma for over two months and continues to receive lifelong medical treatment due to her injuries. A 13‑year‑old girl also suffered burns to her right arm. ### ### ### To escape the flames, both victims smashed an upstairs window and jumped from the bedroom. The woman sustained a broken pelvis, broken ribs and a lacerated liver, and later had to relearn how to walk. Both were taken to specialist hospitals in Birmingham. Detective Constable Howard Davies, from our Major Investigations Department, said: “These sentences mark the conclusion of a lengthy and complex investigation into an extremely serious and violent series of events that left a mother with life‑changing injuries. “The level of violence displayed that evening was truly shocking, culminating in a deliberate and reckless act that put lives at grave risk. ### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS: * Vandals deface 4,500-year-old ancient standing stones in 'heritage crime' * Man drove tractor into a house after homeowner desecrated his father and brother's grave * Alleged rapists and paedophiles released by Labour to ease prison overcrowding crisis ### ### ### “Thanks to the dedication of our investigation team, including extensive CCTV analysis, digital enquiries and specialist forensic work, we were able to build a clear picture of the roles played by those involved and present compelling evidence before the court. “I want to acknowledge the incredible strength and resilience shown by the victims, who have endured unimaginable physical and emotional trauma. “My thoughts remain firmly with them as they continue their recovery. “We hope these sentences send a strong message that this kind of violence will not be tolerated, and that those responsible will be held to account.” ### ### The 10 men were charged as follows: * Shakil Uddin, 23, of Oldham, was sentenced to 34 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of one count of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life. * Ali Abbas, 23, of Normacot, Stoke‑on‑Trent, was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment after admitting two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life * Haris Mahmood, of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 24 years-and-nine-months’ imprisonment after admitting two counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life * Riyadh Iqbal, 23, of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent to endanger life. * Lukman Khan, 25, of Normacot, Stoke‑on‑Trent, was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent and arson with intent to endanger life * Muhammad Sufyaan‑Shah, 25, of Oldham, was sentenced to 11-and-a-half-years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent * Tayyeb Majeed, 24, of Longton, Stoke‑on‑Trent, was sentenced to ten-and-a-half-years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of Section 18 – grievous bodily harm with intent * Kashif Ahmed, 26, of Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, was jailed for 48 weeks after pleading guilty to violent disorder * Naveed Hussain, 32, of Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place * Bilal Ahmed, 27, of Normacot, Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder. ### ** ** ** ** **Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**

A benefits cheat from Stoke-on-Trent who swindled £29,000 in Universal Credit has managed to avoid jail. Jordan Emery of Winchester Avenue, Bentilee, dishonestly failed to notify a change of circumstances which affected his entitlement to Universal Credit. ### The dad lawfully claimed Universal Credit in March 2019 and, in July 2020, updated his claim to state that his two children had moved into his home. North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard how the Universal Credit team requested additional information to support his claim in September 2020. ### TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say ### Emery, 33, uploaded a letter from Stoke-on-Trent City Council confirming the children were in his care, reports The Sentinel. However, in January 2024 the National Benefit Fraud hotline received an anonymous tip-off that both children had not been living there since January 2021. Prosecutor Alicia Collins told the court: "The defendant received an overpayment of Universal Credit, which he was not entitled to between January 13, 2021, and May 12, 2025. "The total amount of that claim was £29,944.87. The claim was not fraudulent from the outset." ### ### Paige Morgan, mitigating, said Emery, who has no relevant previous convictions, would have been entitled to some benefits. She told the court: "There was a breakdown in the relationship. "The children were initially in his care. He accepts he should have notified them of his up-to-date position, but he did not. "He was living quite a chaotic lifestyle at that point. He accepts he should have notified them." ### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS * Universal Credit claims SOAR as one in five Britons on DWP benefit, research claims * DWP alert: Benefit cheats could face softer sanctions under Labour reforms * PIP claims SOAR as number of Britons on DWP sickness benefits hits record high ### ### She continued: "He was entitled to a benefit. It was the incorrect one he claimed for. "It is not the case he was not entitled to benefits. He was not living a lavish lifestyle. "He was homeless during that time. He is now residing with his mother. He is no longer with his ex-partner. He has not committed any offences since." Emery pleaded guilty to dishonestly failing to notify a change of circumstances affecting his entitlement to benefits between January 13, 2021, and May 12, 2025. Magistrates at the Newcastle-under-Lyme court sentenced Emery to an 18-month community order with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement. He was fined £40 and ordered to pay £400 in costs and a £114 surcharge. ### **Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**

In a disturbing incident of armed robbery, two Co-op employees faced a terrifying ordeal when a knife-wielding assailant targeted their store in Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent. The incident occurred at approximately 8:00 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the Co-op store located on Devonshire Square. Details of the Armed Robbery The perpetrator, described as a tall individual standing at approximately 6 feet with a slim build and dressed in dark clothing, threatened staff members with a knife and demanded access to the store's safe.