Oli Constable
Verified
As seen in:
BBC,
Facebook,
Bottom LINE,
MSN,
MSN Malaysia,
MSN Singapore,
Yahoo Entertainment,
Yahoo Life,
BBC News,
Terra,
Yahoo Canada
and
Covers:
Breaking news and on-the-day
Journalist for @BBCNews in Yorkshire oli.constable@bbc.co.uk
Articles by Oli Constable
Killed baby's funeral 'important moment' for family
The funeral of a newborn baby who was stabbed to death has been described by a parish priest as "an important moment" for the family as they try to rebuild their lives. Maria Skopova was found dead at a house in Holywell Heights, Sheffield, on 30 August, the day she was born, having suffered 33 wounds.
PM urged to intervene over helicopter disaster
A Huddersfield man whose father was killed when an RAF helicopter crashed in Scotland in 1994 has called on the prime minister to support a new independent inquiry into the disaster. The crash on the Mull of Kintyre killed 25 intelligence experts and four special forces crew, including RUC officer Det Ch Supt Maurice McLaughlin Neilly. The victims' families challenged Andy Burnham to meet with them within his first 100 days in office - which he will reach next week.
Rugby league fans in Wakefield for bus parade
Thousands of Wakefield Trinity fans came out to celebrate their team Thousands of rugby league fans turned out to watch an open-top bus parade, after Wakefield Trinity were crowned Super League champions. Trinity beat Warrington Wolves 23-10 in Saturday's Grand Final at Old Trafford - their first title win since 1968, long before Super League was established.
Early-release prisoners 'desperate', warns charity
A homeless charity said it faced a night of "chaos" after seeing an influx of people released early from prison as part of the government's efforts to ease overcrowding. Becky Joyce, director and co-founder of Homeless Street Angels in Leeds, said some of those leaving prison had "come out to nothing" and had told her they were considering re-offending to avoid homelessness.
Woman's 'shock' at private baby scan clinic experience
A pregnant woman has criticised her experience at a private ultrasound clinic after being told her baby's heartbeat could not be detected at an early scan. Mireia Colomer booked the appointment at Precious Glimpse Roundhay in Leeds at eight weeks, but claimed the sonographer did not examine her properly. She was referred to the NHS for another scan days later, where staff were able to reassure her that she was still carrying her baby.
'My confidence has grown due to guide dog Isha'
Lee Roberts says he has grown in confidence since being paired with Isha A man who lost his vision in both eyes has credited his guide dog with changing his life, calling her his "best furry friend". Lee Roberts, 46, from Barnsley, contracted a bacterial infection in 2020 which turned to sepsis, causing sight loss "literally overnight", he said.
Travelodge staff gave domestic abuser key to his victim's room
A domestic violence victim has told BBC Breakfast how she was attacked in her hotel room after Travelodge reception staff gave a key to her abuser. The woman, whom the BBC is calling Lucy, said she was "failed" by the chain and described it as one of the "most traumatic nights of my life" after the man kicked the door off its hinges. She contacted the BBC after hearing about the sentencing of Kyran Smith , who sexually assaulted a woman in her bed at a Travelodge in Maidenhead in 2022.
Pregnant woman jumped from ninth floor - inquest
A heavily pregnant woman died when she jumped from the ninth floor of a tower block but did not intend to take her own life, an inquest has found. Emma Atkinson, 38, exited the window of a flat in Shakespeare Towers, in the Burmantofts area of Leeds, on 22 October 2024. Her baby daughter was delivered in hospital and has since made an "unexpected and much welcomed" recovery.
'When it's a water rescue, every second counts'
As the school summer holidays begin, fire services say they are gearing up for a rise in water rescues. Since mid-May, there have been at least 29 deaths in open water across the UK and crews are keen to reinforce the importance of staying safe around water. Sliding off the bright orange boat, the water rushes up my nose as I squeeze my eyes closed. The water is cool around my neck, but the dry suit does its job and keeps my body warm, as the life jacket brings me back to the surface.
Fans back Cougars' owners after abuse exit
Keighley Cougars' fans show their support for the club's owners at the match against Swinton Lions earlier Fans have turned out in force to show their support for a rugby league club's owners, after they announced they were leaving due to being subjected to homophobic abuse "week in, week out". Kaue Garcia and Ryan O'Neill have owned Keighley Cougars since 2019, with the aim of making it more inclusive to the LGBT+ community.
Roast dinner off the menu as care home keeps cool
Follow Roast dinner off the menu as care home keeps cool Care home staff have been offering additional fluids to residents [BBC] Extreme heat is expected to continue into the weekend, but how are some of the most vulnerable - and those who care for them - coping? Westhill Care Home in Kettering said it had taken a range of measures to ensure the wellbeing of its residents, with the Met Office warning of temperatures of up to 38C.
German team join 60th anniversary bed race
Friends from Knaresborough's twin town of Bebra in Germany were among those who took part in the 60th anniversary of the market town's annual bed race on Saturday. Known as one of Yorkshire's most eccentric spectacles, the event sees teams pushing decorated beds through the town before a swim across the River Nidd to the finish line. "We like adventures," Lisa Krapf said of the group's decision to travel to North Yorkshire to take part for the second year in a row.
Broadway shopping centre sold to European developer
The Broadway opened in 2015 at a cost of £260m [BBC] The Broadway shopping centre in Bradford has been sold to a European property developer, with the new owner promising to invest £10m in the site. Eurofund Group has bought the retail and leisure space, which had been placed on the market in September for £74m. The centre currently has 56 stores advertised on its website including major retailers Primark, JD Sports, Boots, Superdrug and Next.
Mum to meet MPs over cerebral palsy campaign
The mother of a young boy born with a form of cerebral palsy is meeting with MPs later as part of a campaign for more support for children diagnosed with the condition. Natalie's six-year-old son Samuel was diagnosed with hemiplegia in 2020 after he had a stroke inside the womb, affecting the right-hand side of his body.
Hundreds take part in Easter coal-carrying race
Hundreds of people have put their strength to the test in a quirky West Yorkshire Easter tradition. The annual World Coal Carrying Championships in the village of Gawthorpe, near Ossett, saw 240 entrants haul sacks of coal across a distance of 3,320ft (about 1,000m). Men carried 7st 12lb (50kg) sacks of coal, with women racers shifting 3st 2lb (20kg) bags, from the Royal Oak pub to the village's Maypole Green.
'Solving a cold case rape from 1985 was such a proud moment'
Rachel Morton and Dave Stopford from South Yorkshire Police's major incident review team worked on the cold case [BBC] For decades, David Hill thought he had escaped justice for the rape of a woman at knifepoint in an underground car park in Sheffield. He was never arrested or interviewed about the 1985 attack, but more than 40 years later the 75-year-old is beginning a 15-year prison sentence after modern DNA testing linked him to the crime scene.
Rapist jailed after case from 1985 solved with DNA
A rapist who attacked a woman at knifepoint in 1985 has been jailed for 15 years after modern DNA analysis placed him at the scene. David Hill, 75, of Rotherham, was only identified after samples from the victim's clothing were retested using new methods. The 27-year-old victim had been returning to an underground car park in Sheffield when she was raped with a knife being held to her neck, the city's crown court heard earlier.
Lost nuclear bunker rediscovered in castle grounds
The entrance shaft, which would have had a ladder, has been carefully exposed, showing the bricks around subterranean concrete bunker [Oli Constable/BBC] A Cold War nuclear bunker has been rediscovered after laying almost forgotten in the grounds of a castle in North Yorkshire for well over half a century.
Businesswoman died after intestine twist - inquest
Dame Julie Kenny was a well-known businesswoman who helped to save stately home Wentworth Woodhouse [Supplied] A well-known businesswoman and philanthropist was in "excruciating pain" from a twisted intestine not flagged up to clinicians before she died, an inquest has heard. Dame Julie Kenny, who was known for her work with charity SAVE Britain's Heritage to buy and restore Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham, was admitted to hospital in February 2025 after complaining of abdominal pain.
Law firm closure leaves staff and clients in limbo
PM Law has its headquarters in Shepcote Lane, Sheffield [Simon Thake/BBC] Hundreds of staff and clients at a major law firm say they have been left in limbo following its sudden closure. Sheffield-based PM Law, which runs firms across Yorkshire, Cumbria and Berkshire specialising in personal injury, wills and conveyancing, shut on Monday without warning.
Drivers' fear 'dangerous' tram track bed potholes
Residents have complained about the condition of the roads on tram routes in Sheffield [BBC] Potholes along parts of Sheffield's tram network are posing a danger to drivers and pedestrians, it has been claimed. One business owner in Hillsborough said the road outside his shop was like a "patchwork quilt" after repeated efforts to patch up the route.
Homeowners 'scared' by 'aggressive' freeholder
Oli Constable Wed, December 17, 2025 at 11:00 AM UTC 5 min read Chaunsey Marshall is one of the homeowners affected in Sheffield [Oli Constable/BBC] Letters sent to homeowners in Sheffield threatening High Court legal action after a solicitor bought the freehold for their houses have been described by recipients as "scaremongering" and "aggressive".
Mum of murdered schoolboy welcomes knife arch
Search query Mum of murdered schoolboy welcomes knife arch Steve Jones; Oli Constable - Yorkshire Wed, November 19, 2025 at 6:36 PM UTC Caroline Willgoose has welcomed the installation of a knife arch at The Sheffield College [BBC] The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed at school has welcomed the installation of a knife arch at a nearby college where a pupil was arrested on suspicion of possessing a blade.
Mum of murdered schoolboy welcomes knife arch
Steve Jones; Oli Constable - Yorkshire November 19, 2025 at 12:36 PM Caroline Willgoose has welcomed the installation of a knife arch at The Sheffield College [BBC] The mother of a 15-year-old boy who was fatally stabbed at school has welcomed the installation of a knife arch at a nearby college where a pupil was arrested on suspicion of possessing a blade.
Energy club set up to share renewable power
Residents of a North Yorkshire village have formed the first renewable energy club in the region in a bid to cut their costs and carbon footprint. The Settle Energy Local Club (SELC) takes excess energy produced from solar panels on a local furniture business and passes it on to members at a discounted price. Launched in August the club currently has six consumers and one generator, but is looking to expand within the area around Settle, Giggleswick and Langcliffe.
Energy club set up to share renewable power
Simon Robinson of Slow Sofa is a generator for the Energy Club through his solar panels [BBC] Residents of a North Yorkshire village have formed the first renewable energy club in the region in a bid to cut their costs and carbon footprint. The Settle Energy Local Club (SELC) takes excess energy produced from solar panels on a local furniture business and passes it on to members at a discounted price.
On-the-road carers lose out on thousands - campaign
Half a million care workers who deliver in-home support are being underpaid by thousands of pounds a year because many do not get paid for their travel, a campaign group has said. Some companies only paid staff when they delivered care but not when travelling between people's homes, according to a survey carried out by Fairer Carer Pay, which advocates for better pay conditions for home care workers.
'I thought he was dead' - mum of boy mauled by dog
Roman and his mum Joanne were going for a walk in the park when the attack happened [BBC/Oli Constable] Warning: This article contains some distressing images The mother of a five-year-old boy who was mauled by a dog in his local park said if the bite had been any lower on his face it would have "killed him on the spot".
Show More
loading
Actions
Get in touch with Oli
Contact Oli, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack