Last week, we brought you Part 1 which revealed how Vanderbilt McIntosh, a former paint maker who lost his 12-year career as a result of the Windrush scandal was then awarded £1,147 for loss of employment.

We are working to ensure that this horrific scandal is not forgotten and the stories of Black people affected are told. Through journalism, we aim to continue shedding a light on the dark and holding power to account.

With the support of our loyal paid subscribers, we have been able to produce this four-part series which we believe is incredibly important and deserves the public’s attention.

We’d like to welcome all the new subscribers who have joined us since we released Part 1. We appreciate your support.

If you value the work we do, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. It’s needed now more than ever.

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Without further ado, here is the trailer for Part 2.

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On Sunday, part one revealed how Vanderbilt McIntosh, a former paint maker who lost his 12-year career as a result of the Windrush scandal was then awarded £1,147 for loss of employment. He was written to about the award in February this year after five years of being denied a penny of compensation.

Here’s a snippet of Vandebilt recalling how he was informed of the amount.

Now, the Home Office has responded to our request for comment a week after we sent it stating that they are “committed righting the wrongs of the past.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Office Windrush Scandal is one of the most shameful events in this country’s history, and we are committed to righting the wrongs of the past, to ensure the grave injustices victims faced never happen again.

“As at the end of February, the Windrush Compensation Scheme has already paid over £125 million across 3,913 claims, and in January major reforms to the scheme came into effect, offering greater compensation for victims and faster decisions for over 75s.

“This government also established a £1.5 million Advocacy Support Fund, giving trusted community groups the funding they need to help people with their claims.”

Since releasing the first episode of our series, the public response has been intense. If you follow me on Twitter & Threads @melissasigodo or @TheCommunityreporter on Instagram, you will have seen the countless comments and the strength of feeling in response to the Vanderbilt’s story.

The public response truly highlights the importance of the work we are doing to shed a light on the dark and to hold power to account. These stories cannot go unheard and it is fundamental that we ensure they don’t. The Windrush scandal and the issue of citizenship should matter to all of us.

Part two of our four-part series drops this Sunday so be sure to look out for that.

In the meantime, if you would like to support this work which has been made possible through our paid subscribers, please upgrade to become a paid subscriber.

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Vanderbilt McIntosh lost a 12-year career as a paint chemist at the hands of the UK Home Office’s Windrush scandal. His life fell apart and he was forced to move to another country with his wife Hetticia and their three children. Now in his 70s, after battling half a decade to get compensation and having been denied several times by the Home Office scheme – Vanderbilt was finally awarded compensation. A figure which left him in disbelief.

This is part one of their story.

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With the current debate on immigration, the rise of racism and the far-right’s influence on politics - the Windrush scandal which saw mainly Black people stripped of their British citizenship should be on the forefront of the news. Despite being a gross injustice and a dark forewarning of the potential future of minorities in the UK, the stories of those affected by the scandal are often overlooked.

But with the support of our loyal paid subscribers, we have been able to produce a four-part series where we spoke to Hetticia and Vanderbilt McIntosh, a couple who lived in the East End of London and have faced an ongoing five-year battle for compensation for the scandal which tore their lives apart, even forcing them to leave the country. You’ve helped cover petrol costs, editing software and some of the critical necessities needed to make this possible. As a result, we’ve produced an important and pertinent series which takes a look at the couple’s story and asks the question - is the Windrush compensation scheme a scandal within a scandal?

The stories of Black people who continue to be affected by the scandal should never be forgotten and with your help, we are making sure of that and holding power to account.

Thank you for your support and if you would like to help us continue this important work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber. It’s needed now more than ever.

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So without further ado, here is the trailer.

Windrush Compensation: A scandal within a scandal?

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“I survived an unprovoked attack by a stranger - now the kindness of strangers is helping me recover”

Tharel arrived in the UK on holiday from Barbados when a brutal attack changed his life.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

MAY 3, 2026

After two and a half weeks in an induced coma, holidaymaker Tharel Thompson woke up to the sound of organ support machines and a life he didn’t recognise.

What should have been an enjoyable night out at the Walkabout Bar in Reading, ended with him being stabbed in the head in a brutal unprovoked attack that doctors doubted he would survive.

After getting the news of her son being in critical condition, his mother Yvonne rushed to take the first flight from Barbados to be at his bedside along with his father.

As Tharel slowly woke up and asked, “what happened to me?” - both parents braced themselves to explain.

British Army soldier Krisma Anthony, 23, was sentenced to 27 years in prison for attempted murder following the horrific attack but since then, keen jet skier Tharel has been forced to relearn the basics of how to walk again without access to NHS funding for his expensive and vital treatment.

Although Tharel has remained determined to regain his independence, the 31-year-old has suffered 10 seizures in the two years since the life-changing incident in February 2024.

“It’s scary”, his mother told the Community Reporter.

“The first seizure I saw was very scary because I didn’t know what was going on.

“I have to make sure he’s lying on his side, so his passageway is open and he doesn’t choke.

“I have to make sure he doesn’t have any objects around him that could hurt him.”

Tharel says he doesn’t remember the seizures when they last for more than five minutes but he hopes they’ll eventually stop.

He said: “If the seizure is long, more than five minutes, its confuses me. I don’t even remember my clothes getting changed.

“My mum will say she had to change my clothes, but I don’t remember. I don’t remember what’s happened.

“The doctors told me I have to take the medication as long as I need to. That’s the clearest answer I’ve gotten. I’ll have to take it as long as I need to. I’m hoping it goes away.”

Tharel and his mother have had to adjust to the reality of their “new normal” in a foreign country away from family in sunny Barbados.

They’ve been fortunate to find new friends and a place to stay in the last two years while Tharel awaits a critical surgery.

But till an operation date is confirmed, Yvonne says they are making the most of their time but that it feels as though they are simply “existing.”

Yvonne said: “We haven’t been sightseeing or anything like that because Tharel gets motion sickness.

“But we recently discovered a nature trail. We’ve been going there recently to get out of the house now the sun is out, but we haven’t been able to do any sightseeing. And we don’t really have the funds to get around like that.

“On a typical day, we get up, say grace, have breakfast, have a shower, go for a walk, have lunch, take a rest and go for another walk. Tharel exercises in between as well.

“We’re existing. We’re not living our life. We need the surgery for some kind of normalcy.”

The 31-year-old needs a titanium plate fitted on his skull to protect his brain, and the deposit for that alone is £10,000.

But through the family’s journey, the kindness of strangers has raised £58,000 on GoFundMe which has paid the deposit for Tharel’s key surgery and his rehabilitation.

When the amount was reached, speaking to the Community Reporter at the time, Yvonne shared how she got down on her knees to give thanks.

With still over £100,000 needed to cover the full bill for his medical expenses, more people including a local church community and a sky diving enthusiast are stepping up to support the family.

Jonathan who has completed over 300 jumps for charity recently took to the skies for Tharel in April.

“I said to myself, ‘I have to do this for this young man’, Jonathan recalled.

“That could have been my family. That could be my brother, my cousin. He’s young. He’s got the world ahead of him. No one should have gone through that.”

A local church in Reading has also been moved to hold a service to give thanks for Tharel’s life and to raise funds for his medical bill.

The service held by Reverand Josh Wilson, Reverand Polly Falconer and Reverand Lapompe took place at Reading Minister Church on February 8 where residents came together to support the 31-year-old.

Now, a Give Tharel Five campaign has been launched in the hopes that people will donate £5 towards his GoFundMe and to share his fundraiser with five people in a bid to help him reach his goal and start living again.

Two years since Tharel woke up in hospital feeling “glad to be alive” he has come a long way his mother says.

After doctors telling her he wouldn’t make it, she believes it was a complete “miracle.”

“I was just telling Tharel the other day, because we were going through some of the messages that I was sending back and forth with my family at the time - it brought back a big rush of emotions”, Yvonne said.

“He came far from the state he was in. I remember when I first saw him, the incident happened on the Sunday, and I first got to England on the Monday - seeing his head swollen so big like that.

“On Tuesday morning, they took out his skull. The doctors kept saying, they don’t know if he’s going to make it.

“That was a miracle that he survived to be honest.”

Over the last two years, the 31-year-old has remained positive and hopes to get better with each day that comes.

Although he was brutally attacked by a stranger which changed his entire life, Tharel says he’s been reminded through the charitable acts of people he never knew before that “there is still kindness in the world.”

For more information about the GoFundMe and to give Tharel five, click here.

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“We continue to feel the absence of our father’s kindness, his humour and his guidance”, his family said.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 29, 2026

A man who brutally killed a “kind and gentle” pensioner in an unprovoked attack has been sentenced to life in jail.

Phillip Fraczek pleaded guilty to murdering 79-year-old Franklin Agbotui who had retired from a long and successful career in the Merchant Navy.

Fraczek entered a block of flats in West Ham, east London, on May 15, 2024 at around 1.30pm, where he tried to enter multiple properties before he fell asleep on the floor.

At around 2.55pm, he was woken and asked to leave by Franklin, but 10 minutes later, neighbours heard banging noises and screaming coming from his flat.

Metropolitan Police were called and found the pensioner horrifically injured and oficers performed emergency CPR before he was taken to hospital by London’s Air Ambulance where he sadly died five days later on May 20.

On Monday April 27, 2026, after pleading guilty to murder and assault of an emergency worker, Fraczek has now been sentenced to life with a minimum 20 years and fours months.

In a victim impact statement, Franklin’s family expressed how the death of their “deeply present” father had left a void in their lives.

They said: “Our father lived a quiet, humble life grounded in integrity, respect, perseverance, education and faith. He instilled these values in us consistently and led by example.

“Despite his modest nature, he was deeply present in our lives - offering guidance, checking in regularly and sending daily messages. He was a constant, steady source of support. Beyond our immediate family, he was an active and valued member of his church community, where his absence has also been keenly felt.

“We continue to feel the absence of our father’s kindness, his humour and his guidance. The regular contact and reassurance he provided are no longer there, leaving a void in our daily lives.

“His death has had a profound and far-reaching impact on our wellbeing, our sense of stability and our family as a whole. The consequences - emotional, practical and long term - remain ongoing, and we continue to navigate life without the presence and support that defined his role in our lives.”

A neighbour whose door Fraczek had knocked on hours earlier, spotted him trying to flee the scene and alerted officers who chased him on foot.

He was then caught and arrested two streets away on Geere Road with his knuckles and Nike trainers covered in blood which forensic scientists were later able to confirm was Franklin’s.

As the two officers restrained him, he attacked them and headbutted one in the jaw.

Detective Superintendent Kelly Allen, whose team led this investigation, said: “Franklin was known to friends and neighbours as a kind and gentle man, often seen tending the flowers in their shared garden. He had a long and successful career in the Merchant Navy and had earned a happy retirement.

“This was horrifically taken from him by Fraczek - whose unprovoked and savage attack has rocked this community.

“I would like to thank the Met officers who put themselves in harm’s way to chase down Fraczek and detain him, bringing him immediately into custody and preserving vital evidence.

“Our thoughts remain with Franklin’s family and friends, and hope the lengthy sentence can bring them some degree of peace.”

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The Black bookshop faced a “critical moment” to help save the platform for Black authors.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 26, 2026

An award-winning bookshop specialising in books by Black authors has now reached its target surpassing it by over 500 books.

Afrori Books faced a “critical moment” to sell 1,000 books before the end of April with only four days to go.

But now, the campaign which launched three weeks ago has reached its goal ahead of schedule as founder Carolynn Bain says they are now “safe” from closure.

In a video on Instagram she said: “We have hit our target, in fact we have smashed our target.

“We have done over 1500 books so in fact we’re going to keep going. We are safe now and you have saved us from imminent danger.”

The independent bookshop located in Brighton began online in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests which saw a huge demand for books by Black authors.

Since then, Afrori books has received several awards as well as being a finalist for British Bookshop of the Year every year since opening.

But after experiencing a decline in sales in the last six months as well as “rising costs” and a “challenging economic climate”, the shop launched a campaign to secure its future.

But to continue the work Afrori does, Carolynn added in her social media video that the shop now has a Patreon account to help keep the business sustainable.

Carolynn said: “I want us to keep being able to do the work that we do.

“We have started a Patreon page. If you are abroad, you can join the Patreon which starts at £5.

“It will give you access to all our online events and make you a bit more of the Afrori family.”

The campaign received support from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, best-selling author Kit de Waal and the UK’s first National Reading Hero, Selina Brown.

As well as authors, members of the public joined in to help save the Black bookshop.

In her video, Carolynn expressed her gratitude to all who purchased a book or shared the campaign in order to prevent Black authors from losing a platform for their books.

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BBC apologises after N-word airs twice in one day

The BBC says the N-word was played in “error.”

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 26, 2026

The BBC has apologised after airing the N-word twice in one day on Radio 1.

During a Newsbeat package earlier this month, a song by the rapper Childish Gambino which featured the N-word was used as a backtrack during a segment about his new film - The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

According to The Sun, a clip of the song was played on Newsbeat at 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

Now, we understand that the correct process of selecting the censored version of the song was not followed and the BBC has told the Community Reporter that the N-word was broadcast in “error”.

The incident comes weeks after the Bafta Film Awards where Tourette’s campaigner John Davidson shouted the N-word in an involuntary outburst while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage.

The BBC aired the word leaving Black viewers outraged and the two actors visibly uncomfortable.

As well as broadcasting the slur, it was also left in the iPlayer version of the ceremony for hours.

The BBC apologised for failing to edit out the N-word and an internal review found that “the production team did not hear the N-word at the time it was said and therefore no decision was taken to leave the word within the broadcast.”

Director General Tim Davie added that the word was not left in intentionally.

Now, following the Newsbeat segment, a BBC spokesperson said: “We are very sorry this was broadcast.

“We should not have included this clip in this news report, and we removed the clip from Sounds when we realised the error.”

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Andrew Dill went missing in 2003 and when friends and family tried to call him, their calls were declined.

Police have issued an appeal to help find a man in one of their longest-running missing person’s cases.

Andrew Dill, 38, went missing from Birmingham more than 20 years ago and this week marks the anniversary of his mysterious disappearance.

The Birmingham City fan lived by the waterside near the city centre and on April 28, 2003, he was dropped off at Hednesford Train Station by his then-girlfriend as he headed home towards New Street.

But a day later, after speaking to a friend on the phone, he was never heard from again and when relatives and friends tried to call him numerous times - their calls were declined.

Now, West Midlands Police have used age progression technology to create an image of Andrew as they hope that anyone who has information can come forward so that his family ‘can get the answers they deserve.’

PC Rob Jones said: “Andrew, who would be 61 now, was not the kind of person to just drop off the radar like this.

“He had a lot of family and friends who he had been in regular contact with, so going missing in this way would have been out of character.

“We’re hoping someone who knew Andrew back in the early 2000s might remember something about him and his life which could help us piece together what happened to him.”

Police say that Andrew also went by other names including using the surname, Dillon.

Officers are also urging anyone who remembers finding a Sky Blue Nokia 3310 with dark blue trim in the city centre in late April to early May 2003 to come forward.

In May 2003, Andrew’s father reported him missing and the police then launched their investigation.

When officers searched Andrew’s flat, they say nothing unusual was found, with the place still looking like he was due to return.

The canal near his flat was also searched, but nothing was found.

Later in 2003, an appeal for information about Andrew was put in the programme for a Birmingham City vs Wolverhampton Wanderers match.

Now, officers from our Missing Person Review Team have re-launched their appeal to find Andrew.

Anyone with any information, however insignificant, can call 0121 626 7003 to speak to the

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Owner Carolynn Bain says Black authors face losing a platform.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 26, 2026

An award-winning bookshop specialising in books by Black authors is facing a “critical moment” to sell 1,000 books before the end of April - with only four days to go.

Following a campaign launched three weeks ago, Carolynn Bain, founder of Afrori Books hopes to reach the goal to prevent Black authors from losing a platform for their books.

The independent bookshop located in Brighton began online in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests which saw a huge demand for books by Black authors.

Since then, Afrori books has received several awards as well as being a finalist for British Bookshop of the Year every year since it opened its doors.

But now, the store faces a “critical moment” to remain open as Carolynn says it has experienced a decline in sales in the last six months as well as “rising costs” and a “challenging economic climate.”

Carolynn said: “I’m asking people to buy books, because I don’t want them to throw money at us and then forget us.

“Afrori is books on a shelf, but it’s also an opportunity to change the way people think - and to change the world. Books can do that and Black representation needs to be part of that.”

Afrori Books opened a physical shop in 2021 after a crowdfunding campaign which reached its target in just four weeks.

But Carolynn says she chose not to crowdfund this time around and is instead calling for customers to support her shop by purchasing books in order to prevent Black authors from ‘losing a platform.’

She said: “It’s so important that people can go online and find books where they can see themselves - or a wider world.

“If we close, thousands of Black authors lose a platform for their books…”

The campaign has received support from award-winning illustrator Dapo Adeola, best-selling author Kit de Waal and the UK’s first National Reading Hero, Selina Brown.

As well as authors, locals have stressed the importance of the shop to the community and those looking for a “safe space.”

The bookshop owner said: “Afrori isn’t just a bookshop - it’s a community.

“It’s the choir that meets here, the Black hair education workshops, the foster carers who visit for a cup of tea, and the people who come in looking for a safe space.

“All those people who find a sanctuary with us.”

People can support the campaign by buying a book, purchasing a gift card, signing up for a subscription box for £16.20 a month, or sharing the campaign on social media.

For more information on how to support Afrori, click here.

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The case was set to be heard at a tribunal next week.

Black TV presenter Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije has withdrawn allegations against her former Channel 5 co-anchor after reaching a mutual agreement with the broadcaster and ITN.

Ms Vanderpuije had accused her ex co-host Dan Walker of “bullying, misogny against a Black woman and sexism”, according to the Mail on Sunday, but has now withdrawn the claims against him.

Ms Vanderpuije had also filed claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment against Paramount, the owner of Channel 5 as well as ITN, according to reports.

A tribunal was set to formally begin next week, but now, an agreement has been reached and claims made against Mr Walker have been withdrawn.

Ms Vanderpuije’s lawyer said: “Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije can confirm that a mutual agreement has been reached with ITN and Channel 5 in respect of the matters subject to tribunal proceedings.

“Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.”

On social media, Walker released a statement saying: “Channel 5 and ITN have reached an agreement with the claimant. I firmly feel that I should never have been pulled into this; however, I was fully prepared to go to tribunal and defend the allegations which were levelled at me.”

He added that he had ‘always been concerned’ for Ms Vanderpuije’s ‘wellbeing’ and that he hopes ‘she finds peace.’

An ITN spokesperson told the Community Reporter : “We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.”

A Channel 5 spokesperson told us: “We strongly reject the claims that were made and are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that all the allegations relating to Dan Walker have been withdrawn.”

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The report also found that when reporting incidents of racism to employers, Black people faced negative consequences.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 24, 2026

Black workers continue to face structural barriers in progression and “unsafe” working conditions, an alarming new report has found.

The Trades Union Congress’s report No Worker Left Behind which tracks the progress of Black workers - found that racism, discrimination and harassment remain widespread and, in several areas, have worsened since 2020.

Black workers continue to feel “unsupported” as racism is often dismissed as “jokes” and “banter”, and furthermore, there has been a worrying rise in the percentage of Black workers who have experienced physical violence, threats and intimidation at work going from 19% in 2020 to 26% in 2026.

To add to the incidents of racism, the report also found that when reporting incidents of racism to employers, Black people faced negative consequences including workplace isolation, transfers to different roles, or even disciplinary action against them for raising concerns.

Now, the TUC is urging unions to challenge racism in order to retain the confidence of its members stating that racism towards Black employees “devalues and minimises” their daily contributions.

The TUC said: “Experiencing unfair treatment, racism and harassment inevitably has a clear negative impact.

“It leaves workers feeling less confident, stressed and embarrassed. It also drives workers into wanting to leave their jobs, and in some cases doing so.”

The report highlighted disturbing examples of the unfair treatment experienced by Black people at work.

In its survey, the TUC examined the difference in experiences between Black men and Black women.

The report found that Black women are more likely than Black men to report being kept on temporary contracts at 44% compared to 37%.

It also found Black women were more likely to have requests for training turned down, development opportunities denied at 38% compared to 34% and being given harder or less popular tasks at 46% compared to 43%.

Whereas Black men are more likely than Black women to report being singled out for redundancy at 31% compared to 22% and being passed over for or denied promotion at 40% compared to 35%.

Black workers also reported experiencing racist content in workplace social media groups and exclusion from work-related social events.

In 2024, the government announced plan for pay gap reporting to include ethnicity and disability.

Proposals would also see employers required to publish mandatory pay gap action plans to address pay disparities.

The TUC asked whether more government action against racial and ethnic discrimination in the workplace was needed and Black women in particular supported more action at 64%.

The TUC said: “While progress has been made in raising awareness and encouraging reporting, structural inequalities remain deeply embedded.

“Whether these are individual or institutional, racism towards Black employees devalues and minimise the day-to-day contributions made in the workplace by Black people.

“In turn, this has wider repercussions within communities, social and cultural cohesion through the creation of divisions and distrust that is easily exploited by those stoking hatred locally and nationally.

“Creating fair and safe workplaces requires coordinated action from government, employers and trade unions.

“Through stronger legal protections, transparent accountability and collective workplace action, meaningful progress toward racial equality at work can be achieved.”

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Man feared dying after being struck by car and claims incident was “targeted”

Artist Tosin says he had to ‘run for his life’ as he claims the car attempted to strike him multiple times before sending him “flying.”

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 23, 2026

A man who was hit by a car in what he believes was a “targeted attack” has spoken for the first time since the incident we reported on last week.

Tosin, 30, an artist from London says he felt his “life was at risk” when a car allegedly drove head-on into his lane as he cycled in east London in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, April 12.

The master’s student claims the car attempted to hit him multiple times and that a witness told him he “flew” into the air after eventually being knocked off the public Santander bike he was riding.

Now, the 30-year-old has revealed that he doesn’t recognise himself and avoids leaving home after losing several teeth which he is raising money to fix urgently as replacing them could take six months on the NHS.

Police say a 23-year-old man has been arrested for multiple driving offences and grievous bodily harm and that he has since been bailed until July.

They added that the incident was not being treated as racially aggravated.

Speaking exclusively to the Community Reporter, Tosin said he was left in “shock” and “disbelief” after what began as a sunny day and ended with him in hospital.

The 30-year-old who is currently completing a master’s degree in arts says he was on his way to film in London’s Victoria Park for a project before he was hit.

He said: “I knew it was going to be quite a sunny day, so I was cycling and was quite appreciative of the day and the moment. There weren’t many people on the road, so it was quite a free place.

“I was feeling really kind of liberal just kind of letting the air blow.”

The student claims he then saw a car ahead which swerved into his lane and then swerved out moments before it could have struck him.

He said: “That really shook me. I was really shaken.

“As it was coming towards me, it suddenly swerves into my path, then, all of a sudden, coming at speed, it swerves out my path at the last moment.

“I really had to just kind of pause for a moment. I almost was trying to take myself off the road.

“I’m like, ‘What’s just happened? Was it real? Does anyone see that?’ I was looking around, but there was no one because it was just kind of early.”

Tosin claims that he “dodged” the vehicle which came at him again multiple times but that it “tired him out” and eventually struck him.

He says he believes it was “targeted.”

The student said: “I think I was 100% targeted. They left the scene and came back. I think it was clear that they wanted to hit me. I was running from my life. So in that moment, I was 100% targeted.”

But eventually, he says that the car struck him and that it was only when a stranger approached him as he rushed to get to safety - that he realised what had happened.

He said: “I was more focussed on the safety of my [filming] equipment, trying to get out of the space as soon as they had left the scene and getting home to safety.

“I was freaking out. That had never happened to me before.

“Just hearing that stranger's voice say, ‘ you went flying’, kind of put things in perspective because I was like, ‘Oh, that really did happen.’

For days afterwards, Tosin says he was still in shock and that the incident impacted his studies and his finances.

He said: “I’m someone who’s quite athletic so it’s a shock to the system. You have legs that are at 10% now.

“I’m struggling to walk. I’m struggling to sit down. The transition between sitting down and standing is really difficult.

“Everything’s just had to take a massive pushback. Everything’s been cancelled. I’ve had to delay the masters.

“There’s a lot of freelance work I was doing on the side, so I’ve lost a lot money from that.”

The 30-year-old added that he’s worried about the surgeries he’ll have to endure.

He said: “It was horrible because I was then confronted with a loss of teeth. I had teeth loose.

“It’s hard to eat. I just have struggled to eat every day since. I was told it could take six months [to have them fixed] if I were to wait for the NHS.

“The emergency service was only able to do part of the operation, and they encouraged me to pursue other dentists to complete the operation.

“They were talking about the different types of operations that were needed and it got me really scared.”

Tosin has now launched a GoFundMe to pay for his teeth to be fixed urgently so that he can return to living a normal life and begin stepping out of the house without feeling self-conscious.

So far, it has raised £1,541 out of its £2,000 target which he says shows how “kind” people can be and that it made him feel “loved.”

He says he also wants to raise awareness about road safety.

Tosin said: “It’s really kind. I think the support from communities made me feel loved and that I can kind of get through this, and we can move forward.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “A 23-year-old man was arrested on Sunday, 19 April for multiple driving offences and grievous bodily harm following a road traffic collision in Globe Road, E2 on Sunday, 12 April. He has since been bailed until July.

“The victim, who was cycling at the time, reported the collision after he visited hospital. His injuries were confirmed as non-life changing.

“The incident is not being treated as a racially aggravated hate crime.”

For more details about the GoFundMe, click here.

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The report comes more than five years since the case of Child Q, a Black 15-year-old student who was strip-searched by Metropolitan Police officers

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 22, 2026

Black children are almost eight times more likely to be strip-searched than their white counterparts in worsening racial disparities in England and Wales, a new report suggests.

In a new report on strip-searching and the use of force, Children’s Commissioner for England, Rachel de Souza says that compared to her 2024 findings which suggested racial disproportionally of strip searches was improving, the latest data suggests a “reversal of this trend” for Black children.

Summarising the report, the Commissioner detailed a “humiliating” and “distressing” account of one 19-year-old’s experience and how they felt that officers had treated their strip-search as a “joke.” The race of the teenager was not disclosed.

As well as the damning findings on strip-search, Black children were overrepresented when police used force, with their “size or build” given as “justification.”

The report comes more than five years since the case of Child Q, a Black 15-year-old student who was strip-searched by Metropolitan Police officers while on her period at school without an appropriate adult present.

The incident sparked protests from the Black community and after a misconduct hearing, the officers were dismissed.

Now, following the Commissioner’s latest report, she warns that “insufficient justification” was “eroding children’s trust in the police.”

Rachel de Souza said: “I will never forget what a young adult told me about his experience of being strip-searched by police, [he said], ‘They told me to get naked. They told me to bend over.

‘I think there were about three officers present.The police never really looked mortified at doing it. It almost felt a bit of a joke to them. From that really was just a terrible start of a relationship with the police.’”

The Commissioner says she worked to investigate strip-searches after the Child Q case was exposed, but although there were signs of change in the reduction of overall numbers, it ‘masked unsafe and underreported’ strip-searches.

She said: “We must not lose sight of the fact that, as a practice, strip searching is an intrusive and traumatic experience and should only ever be used as a last resort when there is an immediate risk of serious harm.

“Too many children are being let down by systemic failures and treated as adults while they are still children – with Black children most consistently and disproportionately subjected to these searches, and having force used against them based on their ‘size, gender or build’.”

The vast majority of strip searches were carried out on the suspicion of drugs possession, yet nearly half of all searches resulted in no further action.

The Commissioner added that the process of strip-search was “humiliating and traumatising” and that a higher threshold needed to be met before using it.

She said: “The insufficient justification for many of these searches will only erode children’s trust in the police, which is essential for ensuring their safety.

“A much higher threshold should be met before a child is subjected to a humiliating and traumatising strip search.”

In 2024 almost 3,400 strip searches were conducted on children, with the youngest child being just eight.

Where data was recorded, no searches happened in schools, but more than a quarter of search locations were not recorded, some searches were still conducted in public view, and for some searches there was no appropriate adult present.

The Commissioner has called on the Home Office to urgently update police codes governing interactions with children to ensure that children are only ever strip searched if there is an immediate risk of significant harm and that an appropriate adult is present in all but the most exceptional circumstances.

Furthermore, she urged the Home Office to work with police to improve data transparency and recording standards across all forces and to pilot the use of new and alternative technology to reduce the need for invasive strip searches of children, including the use of X-ray body scanners and similar technologies.

In response to the report, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Stop and Search, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Mariner, said: “Since the Children’s Commissioner’s first report, policing has made changes to policy about strip searching and has been working closely with the College of Policing to update Authorised Professional Practice (APP) on stop and search, which is currently out for public consultation.

“While there are positive signs in that the number of strip searches have been falling over time, we continue to work with policing partners, stakeholders and academics to understand and address the disproportionate use of stop and search, which we understand can undermine trust between policing and communities.

“Minimum standards have been set nationally whereby officers should take into account multiple factors in their decision making, and record them, to ensure the fairness and effectiveness of their actions.

“We are committed to increasing transparency around our use of stop and search, including strip search, which is a legitimate and useful policing tool to help us in removing dangerous weapons and drugs from the streets, but we know that when it is used inappropriately, it can damage our relationships with affected communities.”

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The Community Reporter was at the tribunal in London to cover the hearing. Here is the latest update from us.

REPORTING BY ARIKE IDRIS AND MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 20, 2026

Former Channel 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije appeared at a tribunal today following allegations she made against her ex co-anchor Dan Walker.

Ms Vanderpuije left the channel in 2024 after more than five years presenting their news programme as the first Black lead anchor.

In the last 12 months of her role, she presented alongside the former BBC host who joined the channel.

Now, she has accused Mr Walker of “bullying, misogny against a Black woman and sexism”, according to the Mail on Sunday.

An internal investigation into claims against him was not upheld and no misconduct was found. Mr Walker denies the claims made by Ms Vanderpuije in full, according to MoS.

An ITN spokesperson told us: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”

Ms Vanderpuije was present at the hearing and briefly stood for photographers before heading into the building.

Prior to her arrival, a legal representative told press outside the tribunal that the hearing was set to take the entire day and that there would be a case management meeting on Friday.

They added that the trial would officially begin next Monday.

Mr Walker did not attend the tribunal but instead took to Instagram posting a photo of himself with a caption: "Good morning. Exciting day today... @classicfm this morning and then off to the @royalalberthall to present Classic FM Live alongside the brilliant @myleeneklass Can’t wait but that does mean no @c5news for me tonight. You can still join the team at 5 on 5 and I will be back on telly tomorrow. Have a cracking Monday.”

After a closed door hearing which took over two hours, the Comunity Reporter was told that the trial will likely to reconvene on Thursday or Friday.

As Ms Vanderpuije left the tribunal, the Community Reporter asked if she had anything to say, to which she replied, “no, I can’t. I’m afraid.”

Ms Vanderpuije who is of Ghanaian and Dutch descent grew up on an estate in West London.

She went on to study history and journalism at Queen Mary University of London and then completed a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Since then, the former news presenter has had a career spanning over 15 years working with some of the biggest broadcasting channels in the UK including the BBC, Sky News and others.

The tribunal is set to last for five weeks.

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“She told my daughter that she had beautiful dark skin on national TV”, one supporter said.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 19, 2026

Former Channel 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije has accused her ex-co-anchor Dan Walker of “bullying, misogny against a Black woman and sexism”, according to the Mail on Sunday.

Ms Vanderpuije left Channel 5 in 2024 after more than five years of presenting their news programme as the first Black lead anchor.

In the last 12 months of her role, she presented alongside the former BBC host who joined the channel.

Now, following her time working with him, Ms Vanderpuije has brought claims against Mr Walker which he denies in full, according to the Mail on Sunday.

An ITN spokesperson told the Community Reporter: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”

Now, those who have admired Ms Vanderpuije’s work as a journalist are rallying ahead of the trial and calling for others she inspired to gather outside the London held tribunal in a show of support.

Serlina Boyd, a writer who was once interviewed by Ms Vanderpuije says that the former presenter has told “unreported stories particularly from the Black community.”

Speaking exclusively to The Community Reporter she said: “She was the first person to tell my daughter that she had beautiful dark skin on national TV. My daughter Faith has never forgotten that experience.

“In recent years, Claudia-Liza became known for her commitment for telling unreported stories, particularly those affected Black communities in the UK.”

Ms Vanderpuije who is of Ghanaian and Dutch descent grew up on an estate in West London.

She went on to study history and journalism at Queen Mary University of London and then completed a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Since then, Ms Vanderpuije has had a career spanning over 15 years working with some of the biggest news channels in the UK including the BBC, Sky News and others.

The tribunal set to begin on April 20 and is listed for five weeks. It will be held at Central London Tribunal Centre, 7 Newgate Street, London EC1A 7NX.

In a flyer circulated on Instagram, supporters are set to gather tomorrow at 9am.

Both Ms Vanderpuije and Dan Walker have been contacted for comment.

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Stop talking about Black women’s hair

The latest internet spectator sport is talking about Black women, especially our hair.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 18, 2026

For what feels like an eternity, online discourse has been filled with opinions, advice and criticisms of Black women’s hair. But the straw that might break the camel’s back is a recent Vogue article “redefining” an Afro as a “cloud bob.” According to HelloBeautiful, the article featured the description which was used in a different article back in 2025 that had nothing to do with Afros. But for some reason, Vogue apparently decided to seemingly troll Black women by placing a picture of actress Tracee Ellis Ross with her hair styled in an Afro alongside the label which has since been removed. But as I said, it’s been a long minute of Black women’s hair being made a point of discussion, but quite frankly, it needs to stop.

From Black women being accused of self-hate or poor hygiene for donning a wig or braids for long periods of time, the unsolicited comments telling us which hairstyle people prefer us to wear, podcasts featuring men telling us they love “their women” with natural hair, men telling us they don’t like “their women” with natural hair, the hard wig discourse around “soft life” aspirations, the braid-tucked-behind-the-ear discourse that apparently determines you’ll date white men, the podcasts and blogs exploiting vulnerable Black women for clicks about hair washing with Fairy washing up liquid, the ‘good hair’, the ‘bad hair’, the ‘bald’ and now a Vogue article “redefining” an Afro as a “cloud bob”. After all that has been said about us, I now have to ask, for the love of all things holy, can we stop talking about Black women’s hair.

Black women have been critiqued, objectified, fetishised and told how we should feel or behave and present ourselves as if we are property belonging to society. And now, via the internet, our worth is supposedly determined by anyone other than ourselves and instead, the beholder of our beauty is anybody online with working phone camera and a social media account. And in the last few months, the discussions have been relentless and exasperating.

As much as I’ve tried to steer clear of this particularly nasty flavour of rage-bait content, the algorithm has ensured that it finds its way to me if only for a few seconds of angry engagement in the hopes of generating cash. Like the meme of football coach José Mourinho taking off his headphones, I promptly switch off in disgust, because as much as people don’t regard Black women as human, I am a Black woman looking to unwind on the internet after an exhausting day of living in this callous world, and instead, I am forced to feel this vitriol directly aimed at me.

I say this world is exhausting simply because we are not only navigating this hell online - we deal with people who hold these views on us in real life. Black women are the most disrespected people in the world and that’s no exaggeration. From having to brace ourselves for our colleagues reactions in the workplace when we get a new hairstyle, not having our edges “perfectly laid enough” to fit a certain beauty standard and being supposedly required to fulfil every man’s misogynistic “aesthetic preference” - the world is a pretty unhinged place we inhabit. Our hair products aren’t even well regulated and end up either being counterfeit or toxic to our health. And yet, no other group is under as much scrutiny as we are and not only by our counterparts, but by each other.

And so, I have a request. I hope anyone reading will oblige. My request is for everyone to simply stop talking about our hair. To avoid that itch to start analysing the strands that grow naturally out of our scalps or the ways we choose to maintain, cover or adapt them. To stop adding fuel to an already uncontrollable bin fire of isms where many keep their hands warm off our objectification.

For a moment, can you imagine what could be achieved if we did? If the world fell silent about us for a day or two? How we could doomscroll on social media without being verbally assaulted, how we could finally be the ‘extraordinary’ girl bosses shape wear business founder Emma Grede desperately wants us to be showing up as our real selves in the office without judgement, how Michelle Obama could have worn braids as the First Lady of America without feeling that her country wasn’t ready for it? The possibilities would be endless.

So, here’s the deal. We are not anyone’s property. The way we wear our hair is not up for debate. It is up to us and us alone. Our hair is not a talking point for clickbait. It is not your preference, and we are not inanimate objects floating emotionless through the sky. We are human beings. Human beings who feel and deserve the freedom to say, stop talking about my hair.

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Multi-award-winning presenter Leah Charles-King says she missed warning signs of the condition as she details her story in her new book, Thriving with bipolar: A Personal and Practical Guide to Living Well’.

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 18, 2026

TV presenter Leah Charles-King is sharing how living with undiagnosed bipolar nearly ‘cost her everything’ after spending a year in a manic episode that went unrecognised by medical professionals.

Best known for hosting the Channel 4 property programme, A Place in the Sun, Leah says that the mental health condition left her spiralling without the support or life-saving intervention she desperately needed.

Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood changes that can last for days or weeks at a time and over 1 million people in the UK live with the condition making it the most common severe mental illness.

But Leah says she experienced a manic episode for “at least a year” and that she almost succeeded in taking her life more than once.

Now, since being diagnosed and becoming a Bipolar UK Ambassador, she is sharing her ‘honest journey’ in her new book about the reality of living with the condition.

Leah said: “I almost succeeded in taking my life, more than once. I genuinely believe earlier intervention could have saved me sooner.

“I was having a manic episode for at least a year, and no one clocked it. Not even my GP.

“Looking back, the signs were there but they were missed. And when bipolar goes unchecked, it can escalate fast.”

According to research by Bipolar UK, people with the condition wait nine and a half years on average for a diagnosis and 50% of people will attempt suicide at least once.

1 in 5 people die by suicide and despite global rates falling, those related to bipolar have not declined.

Leah says she had a period of “extreme instability, confusion and loss of control” where outwardly she appeared functional but internally she was unravelling.

The TV presenter said: “People don’t always see what’s really going on.

“You can be smiling, working, showing up and still be desperately struggling behind the scenes. That’s the danger.”

Leah hopes her book, Thriving with bipolar: A Personal and Practical Guide to Living Well, will provide the “honesty” she needed when she was first diagnosed.

As an ambassador for Bipolar UK, she also hopes it will raise awareness for people to notice the warning signs and access potentially life-saving treatment.

Leah said: “This is the book I needed when I was first diagnosed. Something real. Something honest. Something that says, ‘Yes, this is hard, but you can recover and rebuild your life.

“‘You can regain stability. You can still thrive.’”

Leah says the book combines lived experience with practical tools and its aim is to help readers rebuild trust in themselves after crisis.

Each chapter shares her personal journey alongside “clear, actionable guidance” for others navigating bipolar or supporting someone who is.

‘Thriving with bipolar: A Personal and Practical Guide to Living Well’ will be available for pre-order from 4 May 2026 via Amazon, all major bookstores and www.thrivingwithbipolar.co.uk, ahead of its official release on 11 May 2026, marking the start of Mental Health Awareness Week.

If you have been affected by this story, please visit Samaritans.org

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Noah was placed to sleep in a way that “severely restricted his ability to breathe and move”

STORY BY MELISSA SIGODO

APRIL 17, 2026

A nursery worker has been sentenced over the death of a 14-month-old boy who she restrained in “reckless and dangerous” sleeping practices.

Noah Sibanda died after he was placed face down on a cushion in a tightly wrapped sleeping bag and a blanket over his head by nursery worker Kimberley Cookson, 23, in December 2022.

During sentencing, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Cookson had placed her leg over the toddler for seven minutes and that he was unable to escape at Fairytales Day Nursery in Bourne Street, Dudley.

Now, Cookson has been jailed for three years and four months for the gross negligence manslaughter of the 14-month-old.

Deborah Latewood, the owner of Fairytales Day Nursery has been sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years.

In a tribute to Noah, his parents said: “Our son Noah died at just 14 months old because of the gross negligence of someone who was trusted to care for him.

“When your child is taken from this world, the loss is immeasurable. It affects every part of your life, every relationship, and every day that follows.

“After he was born, we truly felt he was a prayer answered. He was always our calm, mild little boy, and as his personality grew, he became more confident, intelligent, but always kind, and he often looked at us with a sense of patience and gentleness.

“Noah deserved to live. He deserved to be protected. And we deserved to watch him grow up.”

Following an inspection by Ofsted, the nursery along with a second linked nursery on St James Road was closed and police launched an investigation into Noah’s death.

Officers reviewed hours of CCTV footage and uncovered the extent of the nursery’s unsafe “sleeping practices with children.”

In the events leading up to Noah’s death, his key worker, Kimberley Cookson, wrapped Noah tightly in a blanket and placed him face down on a cushion with a blanket over his head. He could not free himself so slid off the cushion onto the floor.

After only being awake 30 minutes, Noah was put down ready for another sleep. He was again wrapped up and placed face down in a tepee with a blanket over his head at around 12.45pm. Despite Noah’s wriggles, Cookson continued to pat him to sleep and put her leg over him for several minutes.

Noah wasn’t physically checked on until 3.15pm, when staff realised, he wasn’t breathing and rang paramedics.

On 16 December 2022, Cookson, aged 23, was arrested in relation to Noah’s death.

Following further enquiries into the nursery’s safety procedures, the owner of Fairytales Day Nursery, Deborah Latewood, was then also arrested on January 4, 2023.

Sleep records were not maintained by nursery staff and Latewood was unable to establish what training baby room staff had completed.

During interview, Cookson said she wasn’t aware that placing a child on their back was safer and she also placed bedding over the children’s faces as the nursery curtains were poor and some preferred sleeping in the dark.

Following a lengthy investigation, the two women were subsequently charged.

Cookson admitted gross negligence manslaughter at a hearing last June.

Last month, Latewood admitted to failing to comply with general duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Fairytales Nursery Limited has also admitted to corporate manslaughter and failing to comply with a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Today, during the sentencing hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the judge said dangerous sleep techniques were used, and each and every child in the baby room in November and December 2022 was at some risk of death.

The judge also commented, nothing can compensate Noah’s parents for their unimaginable loss.

Detective Inspector Carla Thompson, senior investigating officer, said: “This has been a truly distressing and tragic investigation.

“Noah was just a little boy, whose life was only just beginning but has been lost at the hands of those who were meant to care for him.

“Cookson was obsessed with getting Noah to sleep despite him showing clear signs he just wanted to play.

“She showed little care for Noah, even restraining him to get him to settle.

“Latewood was not aware of the unsafe sleep practices going on in her nursery and as the owner she should have known.

“No outcome will ever be enough to replace the pain and loss experienced by Noah’s family and his loved ones, but I want to thank them for their support during this investigation and their courage to get justice for Noah.”

Fairytales Day Nursery Limited admitted one count of corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence with Director and business owner Debbie Latewood, 55, also admitting a Health and Safety at Work Act offence on the basis that “she did not know children were being put down to sleep in this dangerous way, though should have known.”

Fairytales Day Nursery Limited was fined £240,000 and also ordered to pay £56,000 in costs.

In a statement, Senior Specialist Prosecutor Alex Johnson highlighted that medical findings showed Noah was placed to sleep in a way that “severely restricted his ability to breathe and move” and that the 14-month-year-old was “unable to escape.”

The statement read: “This case has been deeply distressing and represents every parent’s worst nightmare whenever they leave their young child at a nursery.

“Noah Sibanda should have been safe in the care of professionals entrusted with his wellbeing. He lost his life as a result of reckless and dangerous sleeping practices which posed an obvious and serious risk of harm.

“The evidence in this case, including CCTV footage and expert medical findings, showed that Noah was placed to sleep in a way that severely restricted his ability to breathe and move. The prosecution case was that these practices created a suffocating environment, from which a 14-month-old child, was clearly unable to escape.”

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The One Voice Network, a collective of Black-led community organisations will be on hand to provide sexual health support in a “discreet and judgement‑free way”

Black beauty founders are uniting to celebrate Black women with complimentary makeup and wellness services to raise health awareness.

As part of a string of events by the HIV prevention programme, Do It London - Black women are being invited to come along to the organisation’s Glam Squad pop-ups where free makeup and nail appointments will be available, as well as personal styling consultations.

Alongside the beauty treatments, community nurses will offer “quick, friendly and simple” on‑the‑spot health checks including blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes screening and HIV testing.

The One Voice Network, a collective of Black-led community organisations aim to provide sexual health support in a “discreet and judgement‑free way” in response to data which shows that despite progress in HIV prevention, Black Londoners remain disproportionately affected by the virus.

In 2024, nearly 1,000 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in the capital, a significant proportion of whom were Black women.

Marc Thompson, Lead Commissioner for the London HIV Prevention Programme, said: “Too many women are still missing out on timely HIV testing simply because it isn’t available in the places they naturally spend time.

“By placing beauty, wellness and HIV testing side‑by‑side, we’re creating an environment where women feel comfortable, informed and empowered. When we normalise testing, we protect lives - and we move London closer to its goal of ending new HIV transmissions by 2030.”

The events will be held in north and south London where “Black women can step into their power.”

Stylist and founder of Potential U, Joy Odunsi who is lending her business’s services to the event said: “For me, styling has always been about helping Black women step into their power.

“When you sit in my chair, it’s not just about clothes or colours, it’s about confidence. The Glam Squad pop‑ups celebrate that.

“We’re creating spaces where women can feel fabulous, connect with community and take a moment to check in on their wellbeing too.”

As well as Joy, Rochelle from Zah_Nails and Founder of BeatbyFlo, Flo both say they believe that by giving women a chance to be pampered and have “open chats” about sexual health, it gives a “real purpose” to their work.

Flo said: “Makeup is my way of reminding Black women how radiant they already are.

“Being part of this campaign means I get to help women feel beautiful while encouraging them to look after themselves inside and out.

“The Glam Squad pop‑ups are such a powerful idea - a space filled with love, culture and good energy, where you can get glammed and feel supported in your wellbeing. That’s the kind of beauty community I’m proud to be part of.”

The pop-ups will bring be held at The Mall in Wood Green, Bernie Grant Arts Centre in Tottenham, Morley’s Department Store in Brixton, and Peckham Palms.

All Glam Squad pop‑ups will run from 11am to 4pm across the last two weekends in April.

Event Locations:

· The Mall Wood Green – Sat 18 April

· Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham – Sun 19 April

· Morley’s Department Store, Brixton – Sat 25 April

· Peckham Palms – Sun 26 April

For more information on HIV prevention in London, visit Do It London

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