SIX people are now being treated in hospital after an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits today.

Contractors were draining and cleaning three diesel tanks at the back of the Batley factory on Wednesday morning when a spark caused one to catch fire.

Eyewitnesses described how a burst of flames was seen coming from the site, followed by clouds of thick smoke.

Aneela Zaman, who lives opposite the yard, said she saw people running from the factory, screaming.

One man was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital with burns to his legs, and five other people were taken to Dewsbury and District Hospital as a precaution.

Keep checking this website for updates, and video footage of the aftermath of the explosion.

Check out this week’s Batley and Birstall News, out tomorrow, for the full story.

A SCHOOL teacher from South Elmsall pretended to be a woman in an internet chatroom before discussing sexual assaults and attacks upon young children.

John Hardcastle, 52, was arrested after West Yorkshire Police received a tip-off from officers in the USA about his behaviour and seized computers at his home on Palmers Avenue.

Investigators then discovered indecent images of children and “extreme” pornography.

Prosecutor Tony Kellbrick told Leeds Crown Court the offences came to light when police in Texas began investigating a man in the US state who had been in contact with someone in England who used the name Wendy. Conversations between the two involved talking about the sexual abuse of children.

West Yorkshire Police were informed and were able to identify Hardcastle as the man posing as Wendy. Officers then seized his computers and discovered the images. They involved girls aged between 12 and 14.

Hardcastle, who worked as a teacher at Primrose High School, in Burmantofts, Leeds, pleaded guilty to three counts in relation to possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing extreme pornography.

Mr Kellbrick said: “The defendant is a man in his fifties. He has no previous convictions. He was a headmaster of a school but is no longer.”

Mitigating, Andrew Walker said the images were at level one - the least serious kind - and were on his computer as a result of a malfunction. He said the images had been sent to him from the man in the USA. Mr Walker said the case had had a devastating impact upon his family.

Sentencing Hardcastle to a three-year community supervision order, Judge Christopher Batty told Hardcastle: “It is a very sad day for you today. You do not need me to tell you why.

“Happily the images are such that they do not lead to an immediate custodial sentence when looking at the guidelines for offending of this sort.

“This is just the sort of offending that will place a strain on your home life and you are taking steps to ensure nothing like this will happen again.”

Hardcastle was also ordered to go on a sex offender programme, placed on the sex offenders’ register for five years and banned from working with children.

THREE people have been injured in an explosion at Fox’s Biscuits in Batley.

Emergency services were called to the Wellington Street factory this morning, after reports there had been an explosion involving a storage tanker in a yard.

Two of the three people injured were described as ‘walking wounded’ by a fire service spokesman.

The Health and Safety Executive has sent a team to the site to begin enquiries.

No-one from Fox’s Biscuits has been available to comment so far.

Keep checking back for updates and see tomorrow’s News for the full story.

- Did you see the incident? Call the newsroom on 01924 472121 or email batleyeditorial@ywng.co.uk.

A GRANDMOTHER whose home was burgled while she sat unaware in her living room is urging residents to lock their doors and avoid becoming victim to sneak-in thieves.

Dawn Goodwin, 58, of Westfield Lane, South Elmsall, was terrified after she realised thieves had entered her bungalow on Monday night and taken her jewellery box and money box full of cash and door keys.

Miss Goodwin said she thought she had heard the door, which was unlocked, open, but assumed it was her grandson who lives with her.

After a few minutes he still had not come into the living room so she got up to see where he was.

But she went into her bedroom and found her jewellery box, which contained a gold ring, and the money box had been stolen.

She said: “I was so frightened when I realised what had happened.

“Who knows what they could have done to me if I had got up sooner and interrupted them. I dread to think.

“I’m scared to be in the house on my own now. I just want to warn people to keep their doors locks so it doesn’t happen to them.”

Miss Goodwin is saving up to help pay for her nine-year-old granddaughter, Kennedy, to swim with dolphins when she goes on holiday in the summer.

She said: “I am devastated for her. I really wanted her to be able to do that, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will just have to start saving again.”

Her locks have been changed and she said she will keep them more secure in future.

Inspector Jackie Turton, of the South East neighbourhood policing team, said: “We are investigating the burglary and would urge people to ensure that their doors and windows are secure even when they are at home to reduce the opportunity for thieves to strike.”

Anyone with information should contact the police on 101.

Generous pupils at Carlton J&I School brought tinned food into school last Friday to donate to elderly and vulnerable residents.

There were countless tins of soup, beans, and other heart-warming food to make the cold season a little easier for those who really need it.

Ann Foster, the school’s business manager, said: “The children brought in so many tins, there are at least 100.”

The collection was held for the SESKU Outreach, which aims to make food and warm clothing available to old people who would otherwise struggle to make ends meet.

Mrs Foster said: “We wanted to get involved as it is helping our community.”

The scheme has drop off points at Moorthorpe Recreation Club, Langthwaite Lane, South Elmsall, the Church House, Barnsley Road, South Kirkby, and the Wrangbrook Club, Wrangbrook Road, Upton.

Anyone who does not live in a neighbourhood usually associated with elderly residents can request a pack by calling Joanne Speight on 07799 117093. For more information, e-mail sesku-outreach@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.facebook.com and search for SESKU Outreach.

A DARING but caring son will plummet 160 feet to the ground to raise money for a bereavement group which has helped his mum cope after the loss of his father.

Raymond Morris, 48, of Richmond Road, Upton, has taken on the challenge to donate the money to The Young at Heart Group, based at The Grove, South Kirkby, which offers support, and friendship to those who have lost a loved one.

His mum Sylvia Morris has been a member for the past four years since his dad, Barry, died.

He said: “My mum was at a total loss. But since going to the group she has been a different woman.

“So I just thought it was my turn to try and help them.

“I am nervous but it’s for such a great cause, I will just have to get on with it.”

He will leap from the Transporter Bridge, in Middlesbrough, on June 17.

Mrs Morris, 72, of said: “I’m apprehensive about Raymond doing it but he knows how much the group has helped me.

“I am really proud of him for doing something so out of the ordinary to help the group.”

The money will pay for a meal or day trip depending how much he raises.

Anne Bond, 67, set up the group after finding everyday life difficult after her husband, Colin, died in 2000.

There were originally only six members but this has risen to 80.

Mrs Bond, of Brooksfield, South Kirkby, said: “I am over the moon that Raymond is doing the jump, I am really grateful to him.”

She said the group is something for people to look forward to and builds their confidence.

She said: “We are all going through the same thing which is a comfort.

“We share experiences and try to help each other. It has taught me, and hope many of the members, that it is possible to smile and laugh again.”

The group meets on Thursdays from 10.30am until noon.

For more information, or to sponsor Mr Morris, contact Mrs Bond on 01977 643247.

AN UNEMPLOYED Hemsworth man who was caught growing more than 40 cannabis plants in his home has escaped a jail sentence.

Dean Andrew Dickens, 41, of Willow Drive, was caught by police growing the class B drug at his home on December 12 last year.

Amanda Harris, prosecuting, said police visited the house and were overwhelmed by the strong smell of cannabis. They found 44 plants.

Dickens admitted growing the plants to officers and was arrested.

He pleaded guilty to producing the drugs at Pontefract Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Mitigating, Chris Morton, said that it was a significant number of plants, but that it was relatively small scale in comparison to other instances of cannabis production.

Mr Morton said: “The plants were cultivated for the defendant’s own use.

“He is a single man living alone. He suffers from ADHD and was only diagnosed as an adult. It effects him significantly.”

“Cannabis smoking is the only thing that gives him respite from the symptoms that have ruled his life.”

A report to assess Dickens for a suitable punishment stated the condition had not been medically diagnosed, and was based on what Dickens had read in self help books.

Sentencing him to a 12-month community order and 100-hours unpaid work, chairman of the magistrates John Fisher said the punishment was a direct alternative to custody.

He said: “Prison is always an option when you get to this stage.”

Dickens was also ordered to pay costs of £85.

All plants were ordered to be destroyed.