In a heartfelt tribute to the victims of last summer's tragic mass stabbing in Southport, nearly 100 community members came together to donate blood at St John Stone Church. The event, organized by Jenni and Dave Stancombe through their charity Elsie's Story, aimed to honor their daughter Elsie and the other young victims by fostering a legacy of love and hope. The seven-year-old was one of three girls killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, an event that shocked the seaside town.

The blood donation session not only served as a memorial but also highlighted the critical role of blood transfusions in saving lives during the aftermath of the attack. NHS Blood and Transplant delivered 10 emergency blood supplies to hospitals treating the injured, a swift response that was crucial for many survivors. 'Although the outcome for Elsie was tragically different, we know that blood transfusions were crucial for many of those injured that day,' Jenni Stancombe remarked, emphasizing the importance of giving back.

Among the attendees were two members of the NHS Blood and Transplant transport team who had responded to the Southport attack, underscoring the deep community ties and collective effort to support one another in times of need. The Stancombes expressed their desire for Southport to be remembered for its community's warmth and generosity, rather than the tragedy. 'Today has been a wonderful example of that,' Jenni added, reflecting on the uplifting atmosphere of the event.

The initiative also saw the participation of individuals like Stephen Kuypers and Dave Oxton, who were part of the team that made emergency blood deliveries on the day of the attack. Their presence at the donation drive symbolized the ongoing commitment to saving lives and supporting the community. Through Elsie's Story, the Stancombes hope to continue organizing similar events, reinforcing the message of hope and the importance of blood donation in saving lives.

A former Northumbria Police detective, Sue Thorpe, has been given a suspended prison sentence after a court found her guilty of stalking her ex-boyfriend and misusing police computer data to harass him. The 44-year-old bombarded surfing instructor Barry Henderson with abusive messages and falsely accused him of serious crimes, including being a paedophile, in a year-long campaign following their breakup.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Thorpe's actions were part of a deliberate attempt to damage Mr. Henderson's reputation and his surfing business. She not only sent abusive voicemails, texts, and emails but also used the Police National Computer to illegally access information about him. Thorpe's false allegations were spread to his friends, family, and new partner, and she even set up fake social media accounts and email addresses to further her campaign.

The court sentenced Thorpe to two years in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered her to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity days. A 10-year restraining order was also imposed, prohibiting any contact with Mr. Henderson. The judge highlighted the seriousness of Thorpe's misuse of police resources, noting the potential to erode public trust in law enforcement.

In a victim impact statement, Mr. Henderson described how Thorpe's actions had left him feeling 'physically sick' and as though she was 'on a mission to destroy' him. The case sheds light on the severe consequences of stalking and the abuse of power by those in positions of authority, underscoring the importance of accountability and the protection of individuals from such malicious campaigns.