2021 has had no shortage of news and Warrington is no exception.

With 2022 just around the corner, we thought we would take a look back at some of our biggest stories of the year.

From crime to Covid cases, there is not much that we haven't seen in 2021.

As we reflect on our most popular headlines of the year, we would like to wish you a very happy new year.

Top 7 most read stories in Warrington in 2021

7. Gangsters jailed for nearly 40 years over cannabis farm torture

MEMBERS of a gang who tortured two men during a horrific ordeal lasting around five hours have been jailed.

Shawn O’Malley, Billy McColl and David Scurfield – from Orford, Latchford and Burtonwood respectively – were locked up for a combined total of 37 years over the brutal attack today, Friday.

The victims were threatened at gunpoint, tied up and attacked with weapons including an axe and hammers during the sickening attack.

Read more here >>

6. Eddie Stobart now Logistics Development Group after name change

A SHAREHOLDER of a leading logistics firm based in Appleton Thorn has officially changed its name.

Eddie Stobart Logistics plc, which has a minority interest in the trading entities of Eddie Stobart, headquartered at Stretton Green Distribution Park in Langford Way, will now trade as Logistics Development Group.

The firm became known as Logistics Developments Plc on Wednesday.

Read more here >

5. Ex-Padgate Academy teacher Craig Ward banned from teaching

A TEACHER who sent vile and unwanted sexual messages to a pupil has been banned from the profession indefinitely.

Craig Ward was working as a PE teacher at Padgate Academy, which at the time was named University Academy, when the messages were sent.

They referenced sexual activity he wished them to engage in, while he also gave the pupil unsupervised lifts in his car, encouraged him to drink vodka while in the car and asked him to buy items from a shop for him.

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4. Three women sexually assaulted along Trans Pennine Trail

THREE women were sexually assaulted on a popular walking and cycling route over the weekend.

Cheshire Police received reports of a sexual assault along the Trans Pennine Trail in the Lymm area on Saturday, March 6, and two more the following day.

On each occasion, the victim was approached from behind on a man riding a mountain bike who ‘touched them inappropriately’ as he passed.

Read more here >>

3. Solicitor dies from blood clot after receiving AstraZeneca vaccine

A WARRINGTON Borough Council worker has died from a blood clot on the brain after being given the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

Neil Astles died aged 59 in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital on Easter Sunday, having suffered 10 days of ‘worsening headaches’ and a loss of vision in the 10 days following his first Covid-19 jab on March 17.

The married WBC solicitor is the first named person in the UK who is suspected to have passed away as a result of side effects.

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2. Video shows moment pensioner was kicked into Mersey

A SHOCKING video showing the moment a youth kicked a pensioner into the Mersey has been revealed - while police have now made an arrest in connection with the incident.

As previously reported by the Warrington Guardian, the 74-year-old man was attacked as he stood on the banks of the river on Wharf Street, near to Riverside Retail Park, at around 2.30pm on Sunday, April 25.

Now footage of the disgraceful incident has been unearthed.

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1. Warrington student lands dream job in London

A WARRINGTON student has been offered his dream job just 10 minutes after sending a message to a marketing guru showcasing the businessman’s new Wikipedia page.

Nathan Bickerton is a Masters student in digital business at Liverpool John Moores University and after learning about Steven Bartlett, founder of Social Chain, as part of his studies, a quick Google search showed that he didn’t have a profile on Wikipedia.

Nathan quickly got to work creating a new page and thought the page might help Steven promote his new book Happy, Sexy Millionaire, which is due out later this month.

Read more here >>