As the New Year approaches, we reflect on some of the most tragic and shocking news stories of the year:
17. Electric scooter rider dies after suffering ‘serious head and chest’ injuries in crash
Police were called to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Middle Walk near the Grand Hotel in Blackpool at around 12.40pm on June 25. The rider of the e-scooter – Andrew Hughes, 39, from Blackpool – suffered serious injuries and sadly died in hospital a short time later. Mr Hughes, who worked at Genting Casino on Queen’s Promenade, was described as a "much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend" by his family. Photo: Lancashire Police
18. Large fire breaks out at Jaguar Land Rover car dealership
Nine fire engines along with two aerial ladder platforms attended a commercial building fire in Bluebell Way at around 1am on Friday (April 7). The Jaguar Land Rover car dealership was engulfed in flames when crews arrived, sending large plumes of smoke into the sky. At 6am, the incident was scaled back, with four fire engines and an aerial ladder platform remaining at the scene. No one was injured but damage to the dealership was so severe that the building has had to be partially demolished. Some people suspected an electric vehicle sparked the blaze, but this was ruled out by Inchcape, who told the Post that "the likely cause was a non-vehicular electrical fault at the premises". Photo: @LancashireFRS
19. Mastermind of one of UK's largest tax frauds sentenced to 20 years in jail
Sock manufacturer Arif Patel, formerly of Preston, and his gang tried to steal £97m through VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and phones. The 55-year-old also, who now lives in Dubai, also sold counterfeit clothes that would have been worth £50m if genuine. The proceeds were used to buy property across Preston and London through offshore bank accounts. HMRC said Patel's Preston-based company, Faisaltex Ltd, was at the heart of his criminal dealings. Following a 14-week trial at Chester Crown Court, Patel was found guilty of false accounting, conspiracy to cheat the public revenue, the onward sale of counterfeit clothing and money laundering. Mohamed Jaffar Ali was also found guilty of conspiracy to cheat the Revenue and money laundering. Patel was sentenced in his absence to 20 years behind bars on Thursday, May 25. Co-accused Mohamed Jaffar Ali, 59, also of Dubai, was sentenced in his absence to 11 years in jail. Photo: HMRC