Oxford News
Beckhams facing battle for upgrades at Cotswolds home
Posh Spice and David Beckham have submitted plans to build a new oak balcony at Maplewood Barn, in the 44th application they’ve made since renaming the home they bought a decade ago.
In that time David and Victoria Beckham have been embroiled in numerous rows with neighbours and accused of ‘drip-feeding’ development there.
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And the latest scheme has raised accusations of ‘hypocrisy’ after they had previously accused a neighbour wanting a balcony at their London home of spoiling their privacy.
Documents submitted on behalf of the Beckhams said the latest scheme involved replacing the “Crittall-style screen and doors” and installing an “oak balcony to the western elevation.”
They wrote: “The proposed replacement Crittall-style screen and doors, together with the new oak-framed balcony to the west elevation, have been carefully designed to consider the character and significance of Maplewood Barn and its listed setting.
“The works are to the modern west range constructed as part of the approved barn conversion and will not result in the loss of, or harm to, any historic fabric associated with the original Grade II listed buildings.
“The replacement glazing will match the existing design, proportions, and colour, ensuring visual continuity with the existing barns, while the oak balcony introduces a simple and sympathetic addition that reflects existing timber detailing within the development.
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“Given the small scale of the proposals, and their location within a later addition to the dwelling, it is considered that the works preserve the special architectural and historic interest of the listed buildings and their setting.”
No public comments have so far been submitted but it comes six years after the Beckhams fought a furious planning battle with neighbours at their Holland Park home in London over renovation plans – including their desire for a balcony.
In 2020 they eventually lost the battle to stop the neighbour drastically updating a posh property close to their £31million townhouse.
The celebrity couple had expressed concerns that the neighbour’s architect was creating a whole new patio area including a balcony on the first floor, which may have overlooked their back garden.
Amended plans were approved when a council officer’s report dismissed any privacy fears.
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At the time they stated: “There are no concerns with the impact of the proposal on the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in terms of light, sense of enclosure, noise or privacy.”
The couple have also been involved in multiple rows over work at their Grade-II listed country house at Maplewood Barn, near Great Tew in Oxfordshire
Since buying the three listed barns for £6,150,000 in 2016, they have added a new driveway and gates, an additional garage outbuilding, tennis court, treehouse, security hut, extension to the garage outbuilding and a landscaped pond.
Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them.
The software allows users to watch premium content from providers such as Sky, TNT Sport, Disney+ and Netflix for free.
The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.
Man jailed for 6 years for sale of illegal streaming service
Milan Ibrahim, 68, of Chorley, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on Thursday, August 27, after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud at Preston Crown Court.
He made nearly £1 million (£980,812) over three years by selling illegal IPTV services that gave customers unauthorised access to premium television content.
His business, which operated from 80 servers, redistributed broadcasts from major rights holders, including:
- BBC
- ITV
- Sky
- Premier League
- Motion Pictures Association
The content was converted into IPTV-friendly formats and sold as subscriptions to customers in the UK and abroad.
Investigation officer at the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police, Emma Slater, said: “It is important that PIPCU pursues criminals who seek to profit from the supply of illegal IPTV services.
“These offenders show complete disregard for rights holders and the actors, creative artists, technical specialists, and support staff involved in producing the content they unlawfully distribute.”
Ms Slater said illegal IPTV is not a victimless crime and that the financial harm caused by these services impacts the entire creative industry.
She said: “PIPCU will continue to pursue those involved in the provision of illegal IPTV services, both in the UK and internationally.
“We work closely with industry partners and law enforcement agencies around the world to identify, disrupt, and prosecute offenders.”
All 80 servers were seized and shut down during enforcement action, disrupting the illegal service.
Ibrahim will now face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover his criminal earnings.
Director of Legal- Enforcement at the Premier League, Stefan Sergot, said: “This is a significant outcome against one of the UK’s most prominent and long-standing suppliers of pirate services.
“Milan Ibrahim repeatedly sold content belonging to the Premier League and other rights holders for his own financial gain.
“His sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and sends a clear message that those who profit from piracy will ultimately be held accountable.”
Users of illegal streaming devices warned they face “serious consequences”
The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has warned others using or supplying illegal streaming devices/service that they face “serious consequences”.
Investigations manager at FACT, Nick Sumner, said: “Illegal streaming services undermine the broadcasters and rights holders that invest in creating and distributing that content.
“This outcome sends a clear message: running an illegal streaming service is a criminal offence with serious consequences.”
Sky issues new warning on illegal streaming devices as Premier League season begins https://t.co/t1jGBkJkat
— Irvine Times (@irvinetimes) August 26, 2026
Head of business and legal affairs, IP protection at BBC Studios, Diane Hamer, said piracy has real-world impacts.
She explained: “Piracy is not a victimless crime.
“Those responsible contribute nothing to the creation or broadcast of television programmes.
“Their actions not only deprive the UK’s creative industries of vital revenue, impacting creators, businesses, and professionals who rely on the protection of intellectual property rights, but also impacts licence fee payers.
“This conviction sends a clear message that such activity has real consequences.”
The dangers of using illegal streaming devices
“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeStreamWise explained.
Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:
- Viruses and malware
- ID theft, scams, and fraud
- Inappropriate content
Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.
The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.
What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?
Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.
Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.
It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.
A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of around five years.
Have you ever used an illegal streaming device? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
The broadcaster confirmed last week that the popular show will return to TV four years after it was put on pause when co-host Andrew Flintoff was injured in a crash during filming.
The long-running motoring programme launched former presenter Jeremy Clarkson into his current status of stardom, hosting him first as a slot presenter and then as the face of the programme in the 2000s, alongside co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May.
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The trio were replaced by broadcaster Chris Evans and Friends star Matt LeBlanc in 2015, before Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris took over in 2018.
But it was put on hold indefinitely when former cricketeer Flintoff suffered serious facial and rib injuries after being dragged face-down under an open-topped, three-wheeled Morgan Super 3 car for about 50metres at the show’s test track in December 2022.
The BBC apologised and paid compensation to Flintoff after the accident.
Now, the broadcaster has confirmed the show will return, and although the line-up for the comeback has not been announced, some famous faces have been named the bookies’ favourites.
William Hill’s betting said comedian Jimmy Carr and former England rugby star Joe Marler are the two favourites to get behind the wheel as the new show’s hosts.
Carr is the even-money favourite to become one of the new presenters, following reports linking the comedian and known car enthusiast with the role, while Marler is next in the betting at 6/4, with his profile having risen considerably since his appearance on The Celebrity Traitors.
Jodie Kidd is the only other candidate priced in single figures at 4/1, with the model and motoring presenter having previously appeared on Top Gear.
Gordon Ramsay (10/1) is the next best-backed name, while Rowan Atkinson, John Bishop, Bernie Collins, Naomi Schiff and Jamie Chadwick are all 16/1.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “The BBC may be keeping its cards close to its chest when it comes to the new Top Gear line-up, but the betting already has a couple of clear favourites.
“Jimmy Carr is the obvious frontrunner at even-money, particularly given the reports linking him with the role and his previous appearance on the show, while Joe Marler at 6/4 would certainly bring a very different flavour to the driving seat.
Jodie Kidd is also an interesting contender at 4/1 given her experience in motoring television, while there’s no shortage of big names further down the market, from Gordon Ramsay and Rowan Atkinson to John Bishop and Jamie Chadwick.”
The BBC’s director of entertainment Ed Havard broke the news at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday, August 27, confirming the that ‘Top Gear is coming back’ but refusing to discuss potential hosts.
He said more information will be coming ‘shortly’.
Liam, whose surname has not been released, is missing from Carterton in West Oxfordshire.
The 27-year-old was last seen in the Snowberry Court area of the town near near Witney, on Sunday, August 31.
Thames Valley Police has issued an appeal asking anyone who sees him to call 999 immediately and not to approach him.
Liam is described as a white man, about 6ft tall, with a medium build, who has dark hair, a shaved head and a beard.
He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt, black jogging bottoms and black trainers.
An image of Liam was released to help people identify him, and police said he is known to frequent Carterton and Oxford.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said: “We’re concerned for Liam’s welfare, so if you see him, please don’t approach him but call us immediately on 999 quoting reference 43260452711.”
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