HERE are the top five most popular stories from our website last week:
1. RESIDENTS in Shepley were left wondering: Have we a lion loose in the village?
The big cat, thought to be a cub, had been spotted three times in the space of a few hours by three different people.
And their reports were taken deadly seriously by police who mounted a huge hunt for the cat.
That ended as a cold darkness descended on the village but police confirmed inquiries were continuing.
At one point during the drama rail passengers were not allowed to get off at Shepley station after one report suggested the lion had been seen on the line.
2. A MAN appeared in Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court accused of making indecent images of his stepdaughter and two children in his care.
The 45-year-old was charged with recording a person doing a private act without their consent for the purpose of sexual gratification on several occasions.
The man, who did not then enter a plea, also faced charges of making indecent pictures of a child.
The alleged offences were dated between January 1, 2010, and April 24, 2011, in Huddersfield.
3. A COMMUTER route to Manchester closed after a 17-year-old boy died and three others were injured in a crash in Saddleworth.
The group were travelling in a Peugeot 307 in the early hours when their car collided with a telegraph pole in Denshaw, Saddleworth. All four casualties were taken to hospital but Mohammed Zain, of The Coppice, Saddleworth, died from his injuries.
Police said the three other casualties injuries were not life threatening. An 18-year-old man was arrested in relation to this incident.
4. A HUDDERSFIELD councillor has been accused of benefit fraud.
Clr Tony Brice appeared at Huddersfield Magistrates’ Court.
The 67-year-old was charged with three counts of making dishonest representations to obtain benefits.
5. A TODDLER was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries after allegedly being stamped on, a court was told.
The two-year-old boy had to undergo major surgery at Leeds General Infirmary after he was found to have suffered tears in his bowel.