Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.
Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.
Congestion on the M62 eastbound has now cleared following two lanes being closed earlier this morning.
We'll continue to bring you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.
And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.
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If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on Facebook here .
Key Events
Railway 'flasher' sought by police
Police have received “numerous reports” of a man indecently exposing himself near a disused railway over the past three weeks.
The incidents occurred near a disused railway line off Vernon Road in Heckmondwike when a man was seen by passers-by exposing himself to them.
The man is described as white, aged between 20 and 30, slim and around 6ft.
He was wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey hooded top which was dark on the bottom half.
PC Philip Miller from Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Clearly these were distressing incidents for the public who witnessed this man exposing himself and it is possible that there may have been other people who may have seen him who may have information that may help with our enquiries.
“This is a well-travelled path in the area and officers have been conducting increased patrols in and around the vicinity.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Batley and Spen Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101 quoting 13170111567 or alternatively pass any information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Rush Hour Round-up
Slow moving traffic at the following spots:
- A62 Leeds Road heading towards Three Nuns roundabout
- A644 Wakefield Road coming off the M62 at junction 25 (Brighouse) towards Three Nuns roundabout and heading towards Brighouse town centre
- A6107 Bradley Road heading towards Bradley Bar roundabout
- A616 Lockwood Road, Lockwood heading south
- A641 Bradford Road heading out of Huddersfield town centre
Boy injured in road accident update
We’re hearing that the boy injured in a road accident in Mirfield town centre is conscious - but he may have suffered an injury to his leg.
Reports say it happened outside Speights Lighting.
The boy is conscious and speaking to police, witnesses have said.
If you’re driving, Huddersfield Road, Mirfield, is best avoided at the moment.
M1 delays
All lanes open, broken down vehicle removed on M1 Northbound at J39 A636 (Wakefield / Durkar).
Boy injured in road accident
A child has been injured in a road traffic collision in Mirfield.
It is believed he was hit by a vehicle on Huddersfield Road as its junction with Station Road shortly after 4pm today.
Police said they were contacted by the ambulance service 4.17pm.
The boy has suffered a leg injury and is being treated at the scene.
Slow traffic is two places; easing in another
- Very slow traffic on A62 Manchester Road in both directions at B6432 St Thomas’ Road. In the roadworks area.
- Very slow traffic on A629 Wakefield Road in both directions at B6432 Firth Street (New Wharf Traffic lights). In the roadworks area.
- Traffic easing on A640 New Hey Road in both directions around Moor Hill Road.
Love your mum but only have £1?
Well, Huddersfield Poundland has a variety of gifts for a quid.
And they’re surprisingly good.
Have a butcher’s at our £1 gift guide.
Slow traffic through Ravensthorpe
Very slow traffic on Huddersfield Road through Ravensthorpe this afternoon.
Congestion is in both directions between Queens Street and Calder Road.
Couple dragged from their beds by robbers in "targeted attack"
A couple were threatened by robbers after being dragged from their beds in their Calderdale home, police have said this afternoon.
A band of armed thugs forced their way into the property on Hebble Vale Drive in Wheatley at 1.30am on Saturday before dragging them out. A 28-year-old man was seriously injured in the violent and sustained attack, and a large quantity of cash was stolen.
The suspects were described as being black makes in dark clothing, and are believed to have fled the scene in a silver Mercedes saloon car.
Detective Inspector Craig Lord of Calderdale CID said; “This has understandably been a terrifying experience for the couple who were dragged from their beds in the middle of the night by suspects threatening them with weapons in what I strongly believe to have been a targeted incident.
“The male victim was seriously assaulted during the violent attack and needed hospital treatment for his injuries. The female victim was threatened and also assaulted.”
Enquiries are currently ongoing. Anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who has information is urged to contact Calderdale CID via 101 quoting 13170112152. Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Man charged after reports of injuring police officers at Sainsbury's
A suspected shoplifter allegedly lashed out and injured police officers trying to arrest him last night, police have revealed.
The man was being detained at a Sainsbury’s store on Halifax Road, Batley, when a struggle began and he caused “visible injuries” to them. The officers were forced to hit the emergency button requesting assistance.
A post on the Batley & SPen neighbourhood team’s Facebook page said the suspect was arrested and “spent a night at her majesty’s leisure” before being charged for theft from shop and assault of two police officers.
Woman found guilty over retweeting ISIS speech
A Batley woman has been found guilty of encouraging terrorism by retweeting an ISIS leader’s speech.
Mary Kaya reposted the tweet containing an audio clip from Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to her 30 followers. She later denied retweeting the link, but a jury at Leeds Crown Court today found her guilty by majority verdict of distributing a terrorist publication likely to encourage people to participate in terrorism.
Kaya, who sat in the dock wearing black clothing and a pale blue and pink headscarf, wept after the jury returned the verdict following nearly five hours of deliberations. The week-long trial heard that Kaya’s Twitter account was monitored after her husband was arrested during a raid by counter terrorism police at a previous address in Dewsbury.
Kaya will be sentenced on March 27.
Helicopter spotted hovering over Holme and Colne Valleys
And on the subject of helicopters, have you seen one flying around in the Holme and Colne Valley areas today?
This may be why...
Local company raise cash for high-tech night vision helmets for Air Ambulance
A Calderdale company announced funds for three night vision helmets for Yorkshire Air Ambulance aircrew.
Caravan Guard raised £6,000 for the charity, and announced the funds would go towards the specialist helmets designed to fit with night vision goggles. The company, who specialise in insurance for motorhomes, are keen supporters of Yorkshire Air Ambulance and donate sums from their policies sold.
Now does this look like a prop from Ghostbusters, or what?
People with children "live longer life spans" scientists say
Being a parent can help you live longer - according to scientists.
Research published today claims the benefit of having children persists even when people reach the age 80 and over. The study tracked life spans of men and women from the age of 60 between 1911 and 1925 in Sweden, and found men and women who had at least one child experienced lower death risks than childless men and women.
But is a shorter lifetime of weekend lie-ins better than a longer one having to sit through swimming lessons at 9am on a Saturday? Here lies the question of the century...
Search team rescue woman after injuring back
A woman is recovering today after a fall in which she had to be rescued near Hebden Bridge yesterday.
The Calder Valley Search & Rescue Team were called to popular walking spot Hardcastle Crags, after she injured her back and was unable to walk.
The woman was put onto a vacuum mattress and stretchered to the lower car park and handed over to the ambulance crew for onward journey hospital.
Calderdale DJ jailed for Bali beach murder of police officer
A Calderdale DJ has been jailed for six years for killing a police officer with a beer bottle in Bali.
David Taylor, originally from Halifax, was charged with attacking traffic officer Wayan Sudarsa whose bloodied body was found on a beach near the popular tourist destination of Kuta.
Taylor, 34, and his girlfriend Sara Connor, who has denied being an active participant in the crime, were charged with committing violence which led to the man’s death. The DJ, who goes under the name DJ Nutzo, reportedly got into a fight with Mr Sudarsa while drinking on the beach with Connor, after she realised her handbag was missing and Taylor accused him of being a fake officer.
What's going on on the M62?
Well, things are looking much clearer.
The two lanes were re-opened about an hour ago and all traffic has now cleared. If you’re heading onto the motorway you’ve got the green light for now.
Three arrested after man stabbed in Fartown
We have a little more clarification on what’s going on in Fartown this morning.
Police are now saying they were called to reports of a stabbing yesterday afternoon, which may be the reason for an air ambulance seen around that time.
Officers were called by an ambulance at 4.40pm to a report that a male had been stabbed behind a bank on Bradford Road.
The victim had approached three or four suspects who are reported to have attempted to steal money from his son at around 4.30pm on Pollard Street.
The suspects then assaulted the man, aged 41, and he was taken to hospital where he remains in a stable condition. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
Three men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and remain in custody. Just to clarify, this incident is not thought to be connected with a serious sex assault which happened on Spaines Road in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Detective Inspector Mark Walker, of Kirklees CID, said: “This is a horrific assault which has left a man with serious injuries. The incident happened in broad daylight on a busy road. I would appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area between 4.30pm and 5pm to please get in touch.
“I would also urge anyone who witnessed the attempted robbery or the assault itself to contact police.” Anyone with information should call 101.
Fire service called to old mill
Fire services say they attended a small fire at an old mill building on Old Leeds Road earlier.
The crew from Huddersfield Fire Station were called to the scene at 6.45am. It doesn’t sound too serious, luckily. We’ll be finding out more on this later as the crew are currently off shift.
Denise North sent us this photo taken from Kilner Bank.
Pictured: Police scene off Bradford Road, Fartown
Here is the scene behind Bradford Road (just off the junction with Fartown Green Road) which has been cordoned off by police.
An officer is currently stood guard.
M62 traffic update: still slow!
Traffic is still heavy on the M62 around J25 after the earlier breakdown.
The lorry, which broke down eastbound between J25 and J26, was recovered at 9.30am however traffic is still congested.
Police update on incident in Fartown last night
A small update on the incident in Fartown last night.
West Yorkshire Police say Yorkshire Air Ambulance landed on playing fields in Fartown and conveyed a person to Leeds General Infirmary. A back street off Bradford Road remains cordoned off.
Enquiries are ongoing this morning. Police are currently unable to tell us anything further at this moment.
M62: Breakdown scene now recovered
Recovery at the scene of the broken down lorry on the M62 is now complete. Don’t expect to be dashing off in a hurry just yet, it’s still pretty bottleneck further back...
Here’s the scene near Brighouse.
Police incident in Fartown last night
We are receiving reports of an air ambulance and police incident which happened in Fartown last night.
It’s not yet known whether it is connected to a sex attack on Spaines Road over the weekend. An air ambulance landed on playing fields around teatime yesterday and a police car and cordon remains in place this morning.
We are currently expecting an update from police.
Heavy traffic on New Hey Road
Our reporter Robert Sutcliffe says there is currently two to three miles of stop-start traffic on New Hey Road heading down from Salendine Nook towards the town centre, which may be an affect of the strikes.
Do avoid the road if possible.
Pictured: Broken down lorry recovered
Beginning to see why there is so much congestion...
Two lanes are still closed, according to Highways England.
M62 congestion is several miles long
Here’s an overview of the current state of the traffic on the eastbound carriage of the M62.
Congestion is stop start all the way back from the junction for the M606 past Ainley Top. Driving into work this morning it was clear drivers weren’t going anywhere in a hurry, with some at complete standstill. The congestion has likely been made worse by more people on the roads due to the rail strikes.
Thanks heavens for trains, eh...
