BBC News York & North Yorkshire

A man who groomed and sexually abused a 15-year-old girl has been jailed for six-and-a-half years.

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

Malcolm Peter Barwick, 68, committed the offences in Harrogate between April 2014 and 2015.

His victim, now in her 20s, reported the abuse last June, and Barwick was charged with seven counts of sexual activity with a child.

Barwick, 68, of Edens Way, Ripon, admitted the offences and was jailed at York Crown Court on Wednesday.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register for life.

A largely dry and cloudy start to the day.

However, heavy thunderstorms will develop for many later, especially during the afternoon.

There will be a risk of local surface water flooding:

BBCCopyright: BBC

CCTV images of a man police want to speak to after a customer was set alight in an "unprovoked" attack in a bar have been released.

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

The victim's hair was deliberately burnt at about 01:00 on Monday in Mist, St Thomas Street, Scarborough.

He suffered hair loss but did not have serious injuries after he was helped by bystanders, said North Yorkshire Police.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the attack near the club's front door.

PC Liam Cromack said: "This was a highly unusual and completely unprovoked assault on another man who was simply trying to enjoy his night out.

"Thankfully, due to the quick thinking of some nearby bystanders, no permanent injury was caused to the victim."

Storms could bring flooding to parts of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire at the end of the week and over the weekend, forecasters have warned.

Met officeCopyright: Met office

A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office covering both Friday and Saturday.

Forecasters say: "Homes and businesses could be flooded quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater."

They also warn: "Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures."

A yellow warning means you should plan ahead thinking about possible travel delays, or the disruption of your day to day activities.

The Met Office says it's monitoring the developing weather situation and is urging people to "keep an eye on the latest forecast" and be aware the weather may "change or worsen, leading to disruption of your plans in the next few days."

A huge environmentally friendly artwork has been created in a West Yorkshire field by Kaiser Chiefs lead singer Ricky Wilson.

ArlaCopyright: Arla

The work is 25m by 25m and was created using reusable materials suck as milk cartons, wellies, soil, leaves and grass. It was produced to mark the launch of a new type of environmentally friendly milk carton.

Ricky also had some help from children at Settle and Kirby Primary Schools, who made paper flowers to add to the art.

ArlaCopyright: Arla

Ricky said: "It was a great day out, we created the planet Earth, used a lot of blue paper and it was interesting to see how switched on kids are when it comes to the environment. They've got it nailed on."

Plans for a statue of the Queen to be installed at York Minster have been approved by the council, which says the sculpture will "enhance" the cathedral.

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It will be installed in an empty niche at the west front of the Minster to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022.

Although approved, the council wants to see the final design once it has been selected by the Queen.

Reuters/Toby Melville/Pool/File photoCopyright: Reuters/Toby Melville/Pool/File photo

The details of the sculpture are a closely guarded secret and will be revealed at a public event next year.

It will be carved by York Minster's own stonemasons and has been described as a "symbol of hope" in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.

Leeds Rhinos have called for the postponed Rugby League World Cup to come back "bigger and better".

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

News that the competition had been put back to 2022 following the withdrawal of champions Australia, and New Zealand was confirmed earlier.

The tournament, featuring men's, women's and wheelchair events, was set to start in Newcastle on 23 October, with matches due to be played at venues in Leeds, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and York in the following weeks.

The Rhinos were due to host three matches at their Emerald Headingley Stadium, including two featuring New Zealand men's team.

Writing on social media the club said: "Our challenge now is to make the tournament even bigger and better in 2022 for all our men, women and wheelchair athletes but also every single RL fan."

After a dry, bright and sunny start, it will cloud over with heavy, showery rain, pushing in later in the afternoon.

This evening, the rain should gradually clear away with only a few showers lingering in places:

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This year's Rugby League World Cup in England has been postponed until 2022 after the withdrawal of champions Australia, and New Zealand.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

The two countries pulled out of the tournament citing "player welfare and safety concerns" related to Covid-19.

The World Cup, featuring men's, women's and wheelchair events, was set to start in Newcastle on 23 October, with further events due to take place in Leeds, Huddersfield, Sheffield, Doncaster, Hull and York in the following weeks.

"It became unfeasible and irresponsible for us to carry on," said Jon Dutton, chief executive of the tournament.

"I think it will take some time for international rugby league to recover from this. I hope we can be a beacon of light.

"Certainly we've prioritised player voice and player choice, we know the players want to play, we took our responsibilities very seriously, and we are determined to stage the biggest and best ever rugby league World Cup.

"It's a real shame that it cannot be this year but leadership is about making tough decisions, it's about being responsible, and we've done this in the best interests of not just the tournament but of the sport of rugby league."

Thirty organisations have joined forces to warn people of the dangers of swimming in open water after recent hot weather led to a spate of tragic incidents in Yorkshire.

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Six people died in drowning incidents across Yorkshire in one week last month.

Organisations including the county's fire, ambulance and police services, local resilience forums, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency, are all backing a campaign to increase awareness of the dangers of open water swimming for inexperienced people.

Richard Flinton, chair of North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, said: "Open water can look very tempting, particularly on warm summer days, but it will often hide a multitude of hazards we cannot possibly see from above.

"Understanding those risks and taking a few simple steps, like knowing where is safe, sticking together, not jumping into cold water and making a point of reading any warning signs, could be the difference between life and death."

Dave Walton, from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and co-chair of West Yorkshire Prepared, said: "Seeing that hot weather is coming actually makes me feel quite apprehensive.

"Some days it feels there's almost an inevitability that crews will be called to some sort of water rescue.

"If you're in any doubt about how safe water might be don't do it - if in doubt, stay out."

The family of a North Yorkshire police officer who died in a collision involving two cars and a motorbike have described him as a "wonderful son and brother".

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

Patrick Casey, 29, who lived in Hull, died following a crash on the B1222 between Sherburn in Elmet and Cawood on 18 July.

The collision happened at about 12:00 BST and involved Mr Casey's black Suzuki Gsx 1300 motorbike, a white Ford Fiesta and a grey Seat Leon, police said.

Paying tribute to him today his family said: "Pat was our rock. We were, and always will be, incredibly proud of him.

"He'd just started out his career in policing having joined North Yorkshire Police in September 2020, after 10 years with the Army.

"Since losing him, we have been absolutely heartbroken and lost without him."

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

Major collision investigator Laura Cleary of North Yorkshire Police added: "This was a tragic incident which has taken the life of a motorcyclist and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this incredibly sad time.

"Our investigation remains ongoing as we work to establish the circumstances leading up to the collision."