GEORGE Street ground to a halt yesterday when a fugitive climbed onto a roof in an attempt to escape police.

Both ends of the road were sealed off, at the Pozition nightclub and Bond Street, after the man was spotted on rooftops.

He is believed to have scaled the building around 4am yesterday but was brought down safely soon after 9am.

Matt Lapping, the owner of street tattoo parlour Creative Vandals, said he heard the man was cornered by police early in the morning and scrambled onto the roof in an effort to escape.

Mr Lapping said: "It was full-on weird.

"We got to the end of the street before work and it was all taped off.

"It was quite quiet – the police were at both ends directing people around."

A negotiator was called in to talk to the man while he was standing on the roof of Browns bookstore.

He had also been on neighbouring rooftops.

It is understood the man was not threatening to harm himself.

A large crowd had gathered to watch as the drama unfolded while people headed through the city to work until police officers, aided by firemen, brought the man down from the roof.

He was seen limping into a waiting ambulance, where he was treated for minor injuries.

Despite the police cordon, most businesses on the street were open by 9.30am.

Paul Johnson, a manager at Quattro Recruitment, said his offices were able to open as usual.

He said: "It didn't have any effect on us at all – he came down shortly after we opened up.

"We were able to get into work easily because we have a back door entrance."

Mr Lapping said the fugitive had created a stir.

He said: "I think everyone has been talking about it.

"We had a few messages on Facebook this morning saying people had gone past the shop and somebody was on the roof.

"We weren't really sure what to expect when we got to work."

As the Mail went to press, the man was under arrest and was still being questioned by officers.

THIS year's Brid Bash has been cancelled after difficulties surrounding the confirmation of the headline act.

JLS had been announced as the likely headliner at the Viking FM event at The Spa Bridlington next month (August).

"It has been a difficult and frustrating few weeks, having had the headline act confirmed and announced to the press, only to then subsequently discover issues further up the supply chain; resulting in the confirmation being rescinded and at a point when it was too late to prevent the story appearing in newspapers and online.

"I would like to assure customers that we are continuing to work hard to bring great music to the heart of the Yorkshire coast."

People who bought advanced tickets have either been offered tickets to see Joe McElderry's concert on Saturday, July 27, saving £3 per adult and £2.50 per child, or a full refund.

A WOMAN defrauded her family out of more than £13,000 by claiming her dead brother's estate contained no money.

Caroline Woodhouse, 51, told her two older sisters that her late brother, Ian Woodhouse, had no assets, but, in reality, he had over £13,000 of savings and insurance policies.

It was only when her sisters made their own inquiries that they discovered the fraud.

They discovered that Woodhouse, of Beverley, had cleared out his bank accounts and put the money in her own.

Recorder Nick Barker has sentenced her to a four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He told her: "Your brother sadly passed away and it seems from that date on you resolved, quite determinedly, to ensure that all the money in his estate came to you and was not shared between you and your sisters.

"You deliberately sought to hide information and told them that you would deal with his affairs and you kept them at arm's length.

"It would be of great pain to them that the behaviour by you was coming only days after the funeral.

"It was an abuse of trust. While not sophisticated, it was determined and preplanned.

"The money appears to have been frittered away and not spent on anything of value."

Woodhouse spent the money on internet purchases and groceries and paid £2,500 into her daughter's trust fund account.

Her brother died on May 29, last year.

Within days of his funeral, she had cleared out his bank accounts and redeemed his insurance policies.

Woodhouse pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud at Hull Crown Court.

Prosecutor Charlotte Baines told the court she had claimed in her police interview that her brother had intended his money to go to her.

Ms Baines said: "She said he was going to make a will and leave it all to her."

Woodhouse forged her sisters' signatures on the documents to release his funds from the banks.

In a victim impact statement, her sisters said they were very angry and upset by her actions because they had placed all their trust in her.

A BURNS victim attacked a burglar with a pickaxe handle after he threatened to set fire to his home.

Jason Arro, 23, has been terrified of fire since he suffered life-threatening burns when a barbecue exploded in his back garden six years ago.

He acted "on impulse" when he confronted a man trying to break into his shed.

After the burglar threatened to "burn his house down", Arro chased him through the streets of the Great Thornton Street estate, west Hull, with the pickaxe handle.

He was later seen on CCTV hitting the victim on his legs with the weapon inside a block of flats, before running outside into the path of two police officers.

Arro's barrister, Patricia Doherty, said: "He saw somebody trying to break into his shed, which is why he went out with that particular item.

"The trigger for this was when he said about burning his house down.

"He has numerous scars on him as a result of that barbecue. He does have a fear of fire because of the injuries he has suffered."

Police officers, who were passing the scene, saw Arro running from the flats with the weapon.

Prosecutor John Thackray said: "He started to run away and the officers gave chase.

"He then turned around and held the weapon up to the officers.

"Worried and scared, the female officer began taking steps back before the man ran away."

Police searched his home two days later and found the pickaxe handle.

Arro told officers: "It's not like he was a law-abiding citizen."

The victim, whose identity is not known, did not make any complaint to police and it is unknown whether he was injured in the attack.

Arro has had nine operations to treat the burns, which covered 65 per cent of his body, and is awaiting further surgery at Pinderfields Hospital's specialist burns unit.

He almost died when the barbecue exploded in the garden of his home in Wellsted Street in 2007. It is believed a form of accelerant was used to light the barbecue.

Ms Doherty said: "He is truly sorry and remorseful. He has 65 per cent burns to his body and, although that is nobody's fault but his own, that is something he has to live with.

"He has numerous scars on his body and has had nine operations and is awaiting another.

"He wasn't thinking rationally and acted on impulse. He has suffered since his accident, he is disabled and can't work.

"He regrets very much the fact the female officer who happened to come on the scene was scared.

"His mother has asked for him to engage with an anger management course to address his issues around fire."

Arro admitted affray and possessing an offensive weapon on April 13 when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.

He was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year.

Judge Simon Jack said: "This was completely unacceptable behaviour.

"I have read about the injuries you suffered and anybody can understand that must have been very distressing and there may be psychological consequences that make it difficult to cope in certain situations.

"However, the sort of behaviour you indulged in cannot be tolerated.

"We can't have people running around in public with weapons and threatening people.

"There has to be a prison sentence for this but, in the circumstances, I can suspend that sentence."

Judge Jack also ordered Arro to take part in the Chance to Change programme, run by Humberside Probation Trust.

TWO doctors who quit East Yorkshire to live their dream of opening a new hospital in India have been devastated by the kidnap and murder of their eight-year-old son.

Ishan Rawal was kidnapped during a ceremony to celebrate the opening of his parents' hospital in India.

The little boy's body was discovered in woodland after his parents and their friends searched in vain for him before calling in police. He had been strangled.

Now, Ishan's parents – Dr Nikita Rawal and Dr Arvind Rawal, who worked at Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital – are calling on the British Government to help bring their son's killers to justice.

Nikita, 42, who lived in Beverley with her family before they moved to India last year, said: "How can someone do such a thing?

"He was such a talented boy – he played tennis and was getting on very well at school.

"We are missing a very big part of our lives that we will never get back."

Ishan, who used to attend Molescroft Primary School with his older brother Rusheek, 11, went missing on the day of the inauguration ceremony at Royal Shanti Hospital in Indore, central India, on June 22.

The ceremony was attended by about 2,000 people, who were milling around the hospital when he disappeared.

Arvind, 43, said: "Rusheek said Ishan had gone – so we spent an hour looking all over the hospital.

"There were people everywhere so it was very hectic.

"When we couldn't find him, we reported it to the police.

"We had our suspicions that he had been kidnapped."

Ishan had been spotted leaving with Shaan Das – a man employed by one of the hospital's financial backers.

Das knew both boys well and had often helped them download games to play on their computer.

Nikita said: "He had said he was going to take Ishan for an ice cream on his bike.

"He had been at the ceremony but then left with Ishan.

"The police tried calling his phone, but he didn't answer.

"When he got back to the ceremony, everyone was asking him where Ishan was.

"He denied it at first then he said he took him for a bike ride and left him somewhere."

Das was taken into police custody and, hours later, confessed to kidnapping Ishan and taking him to wood about 8km away from the hospital.

Reports in India reveal Das has since claimed to police he killed Ishan because the child's parents wouldn't give him a job.

However, Ishan's parents refuse to accept someone could murder their child over a job and believe there is more to their son's killing.

They think it could have been the work of more than one killer, orchestrated by their enemies in an attempt to halt their work and force them back to Britain.

Nikita said: "In March, it was decided he wouldn't work for the hospital.

"But he already had a job so he wasn't unemployed and it was months ago. We've requested an inquiry into what happened – it was so well planned, we know there is more to it."

Arvind says the Indian police are satisfied with the arrest of Das as the prime suspect and are not concerned about looking for anyone else in connection with Ishan's murder.

The family have now invited the British High Commission to meet authorities in Delhi in an attempt to widen the murder investigation.

Arvind said: "We'd like our friends in East Yorkshire to help us and campaign for a proper enquiry.

"We need justice for our son."

The family are urging people to email the British High Commission in New Dehli at web.newdelhi@fco.gov.uk to support their quest for answers.

WELCOMING in June, the promise of warmer weather echoed a promise of sunny days ahead for a Hull FC team on a five-match winning streak.

The dizzy heights of a seasonal high fourth in the table, as well as a Challenge Cup quarter-final place, was rich reward for a run of nine wins from 10 games.

Four weeks later and the KC is cast in a gloomy shadow.

Winless since ending a memorable May with a home win against Leeds, the manner of Hull's performances, as much as the results, have soured the taste of summer.

The eternal problem of raising expectations is the unavoidable fall that follows.

The key is to make sure when those trip-ups arrive they are just that, and not a plummet of potentially harmful proportions.

Three straight defeats, albeit two of those by narrow margins, feel like a heavy fall for a Hull side that has no option but to dust itself down and get up fighting.

Confidence can be the most frustrating of traits. Wonderful when you have it, but so easy to lose. Trudging off the field on Monday after being beaten by Wakefield, Hull looked a side bereft of confidence.

The key ingredient to their ascent up the table was a squad playing some of their best rugby, with a team littered with in-form players.

Their descent has unsurprisingly followed with those same players nowhere near the levels they were achieving just weeks ago.

Errors in attack, combined with ill discipline, have put too much pressure on a defence now buckling under the weight of possession being thrown at them.

Individual errors in defence have also proven costly, while the intensity and structure without the ball has also fallen away.

Fixing the problem won't be easy, but respecting the ball better is key. Handing teams simple possession within sight of their own try line is killing Hull and the mistakes are proving more costly because of the areas of the field they are made.

Beaten up through the middle by Catalan and Castleford and cut to shreds on the edges by Wakefield, Hull need to improve defensively.

It's encouraging FC are trying to play with width, something which brought success during their impressive run of results. But as one commentator pointed out against Wakefield, with strong running back row forwards such as Danny Tickle, Ben Galea and Gareth Ellis, Hull could do to simplify their approach by playing on the edges of the ruck and sacrificing width for a go forward.

With an all-important cup tie looming large, addressing their form is even more imperative. And yet, maybe that same cup tie has contributed to the problem.

The closer the cup game looms, the more Hull's form has been erratic.

Peter Gentle and Adam Pearson have made it clear the importance they've placed on the tie.

The league has almost become a sideshow, but with a home tie in the play-offs slowly slipping from their grasp, Hull's focus cannot afford to be on anything but beating Huddersfield on Sunday.

It's no easy task given the Giants' form, yet the Black and Whites have the talent to succeed.

Therein lies the frustration. Hull are a far better side than they are showing, and now they must win six of their last seven to match last season's points total.

Too many senior players are not performing, and that will be Gentle's biggest concern.

AT the start of the season, Rovers made it clear they wanted to improve on last season.

Let's face it, there was no alternative.

A return of 21 points and 10th place in Super League wasn't the record rookie coach Craig Sandercock wanted to start his coaching career.

But with seven games left this year, Sandercock has already taken Rovers past their points tally from last season.

Whatever happens, this has been a great season for Rovers and their coach.

With his first goal of improvement achieved, Sandercock can set his sights on finishing in the top six and giving the play-offs a really good go. They are currently sixth and such lofty ambitions could hardly have been imagined when KR slumped to a 38-34 defeat at Salford, despite holding a 20-point lead.

Since then, they have turned their fortunes around thanks to an incredible belief in the squad, including four wins from four in the month of June.

Plenty of coaches would have crumbled given the adversity thrown at Sandercock this season.

Financial uncertainty and star players leaving has made life uncomfortable for the 44-year-old coach.

But he has got the best out of his players to become Super League's in-form side with 10 points from a possible 12. Realistically, it should have been more had it not been for Steve Ganson's bad call in the Etihad derby.

Since then Rovers have swept past all before them, including difficult trips to Toulouse and St Helens.

They are a team with momentum and in form at the right time.

Credit goes to Sandercock and his players for rolling their sleeves up and digging deep for one another to turn potential negatives into massive positives.

Look through the squad and you will find positives everywhere.

At full-back, Greg Eden could have gone into his shell after his misjudgment in the Etihad derby helped Hull steal the points. Since then he has shown great character to come back stronger. His 300 metres in Toulouse was the first time in 10 years anyone had racked up that many metres.

Feeding him the ball more often than not is stand-off Travis Burns who is showing tremendous form alongside Michael Dobson. He has shown leadership qualities that will make him an early favourite to take the skipper's armband off the departing Dobson.

It's no coincidence that when Burns plays, Rovers are meaner in defence. His competitiveness equates to Rovers conceding an average 14.9 points fewer per game when he plays.

Burns and Dobson can only unlock defences and create chances if their forwards are winning the battle in the middle.

The pack have been immense with Mickey Paea showing he intends to leave the Robins on the highest possible note. Anyone who doubted his commitment after announcing he was joining Hull has been made to eat their words. Paea has made over 100 metres in 16 of the 20 league games he has played this season and averages 8.22 metres a carry.

Those are the numbers every prop should be striving towards and while Rovers will miss Paea next season, they will benefit greatly from the form he is showing now.

On the back of these three performers, Rovers can finish in their highest position since 2009.

The visitor attraction's managers have submitted an official objection to proposed free parking next to the recently opened £7m footbridge over the River Hull.

They say allowing motorists to park for free at the car park in nearby Tower Street could "affect the financial stability" of The Deep, which operates its own pay-and-display car park.

The objection, which will be considered by city councillors next week, says the free car park could lure some visitors away from using The Deep's own car park, giving them only a limited time to enjoy the aquarium's facilities.

Planning permission was granted for the Tower Street car park with a condition that free parking was provided for two hours.

A report for next week's meeting admits other car parks where charges currently apply will be hit by the new free facility.

Hull City has praised football fans for "exposing West Yorkshire Police's flawed decision-making process" in imposing sanctions on supporters travelling to the Huddersfield match in March.

West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson has called for a review after internal emails cast doubt over the decisions made by the force.

The emails, viewed by the Mail, show senior police officer were warned by their own legal team they risked being seen to be "acting irrationally" by imposing the sanctions on Tigers' fans, when football intelligence revealed "no reported issues".

In an official club statement, Hull City said today: "It has become abundantly clear that West Yorkshire Police were pursuing a specific agenda in their unwarranted imposition of the travel 'bubble'.

"Indeed, their internal legal advisors recognised this in the run-up to the match.

"We are delighted the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner has acknowledged the concerns raised with him in advance of the match were justified and is now conducting a comprehensive review of the decision-making process that effectively led to Hull City fans being inappropriately labeled as hooligans."

City supporters travelling to the match in March were ordered by the police to either catch an official coach from Hull, or rendezvous at an M62 service station, to be transported to the stadium by coach.

Police also restricted the number of tickets for City fans to 1,700, despite a capacity for away supporters of 4,000.

The Hull City statement added: "The diligence of both the Football Supporters' Federation and Reds Away in pursuing this matter alongside supporters' groups representing both Huddersfield Town and Hull City is to be commended.

"Without their perseverance it is likely West Yorkshire Police's counter-intuitive approach to this game would have simply been swept under the carpet.

"Thanks to the fans' continued indignation over a lack of consideration for away supporters, this has not happened, and West Yorkshire Police's flawed decision-making process has been exposed.

"We look forward to the outcome of the review with interest and hope that, in future, West Yorkshire Police takes a commonsense approach when planning for football matches."

MARK Hateley has told Hull City supporters they have landed one of the "top five goalkeepers of the modern era" in new £1.8m signing Allan McGregor.

Hateley, who was player-manager of the Tigers between 1997 and 1998, has tracked McGregor's career closely as an SPL pundit and witnessed the keeper's progression up through the ranks at Rangers.

A move away from Ibrox last summer brought a free transfer to Turkish side Besiktas, but City's invitation for a first tilt at the Premier League proved too good to resist when McGregor signed a three-year deal this week.

The 31-year-old will start afresh when teaming up with the Tigers for pre-season training on Monday and, according to Hateley, City will enjoy the services of a world-class keeper.

"Hull City are getting a very, very good keeper," Hateley told the Mail.

"Everybody is now looking for a keeper who is 6ft 5in, 6ft 6in, and if Allan was a three or four inches bigger, I'm sure he'd have got a move to one of the big clubs in English football, that's how good I think he is.

"At 6ft 1in I think people perhaps have judged him unfairly but he's a proven goalkeeper.

"I think he's been unfortunate not to have earned a big move as I would have him in my top five goalkeepers of the modern era, I really would.

"He makes incredible saves and commands his box so I'm sure he'll be a terrific addition for Hull."

McGregor returns to the British game where he enjoyed rich success with Rangers up until his exit in 2012.

As well winning three consecutive SPL titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011, named in the top division's PFA Team of the Year on each occasion, City's new signing also boasts eight cup medals with the Gers from a glittering spell.

Hateley added: "I saw Allan for the first time a long time ago and everything he did as a young lad was good; his movement, his quick feet, he's always been a very confident boy in the box. Hull are getting him at a good age.

"Every Rangers fan would speak highly of him I'm sure. He played a massive role in some big years for the club, you can't underestimate that.

"There's been some fine keepers at Rangers like Andy Goram and Stefan Klos but most people would put Allan in that bracket."

McGregor's stint was not without controversy.

In 2009 he was dropped from the Scotland side by then manager George Burley for a breach of team discipline that famously became known as "Boozegate" among tabloid reports.

A return to the international set-up has since followed, however, leaving Hateley believing the keeper has learned from his mistakes.

"He's matured in the last few years," he added. "I've worked with some crazy keepers in my time, it's often a trait of theirs.

"He fits that bill but he's got a family now with his good lady and playing abroad in Turkey will have changed him I'm sure.

"I know myself it's not easy playing in a different country but it will have been a great experience for him."

PAUL Duffen last night launched a resolute defence of his tenure as Hull City chairman, denying any wrong-doing during his controversial two and a half years at the KC Stadium.

Although Duffen was the chairman famous for guiding the Tigers into the Premier League with a historic first promotion through the Championship play-off final at Wembley in 2008, his reign ended under a cloud when departing East Yorkshire 16 months later.

Legal action launched against Duffen by City in the High Court in January 2010, alleged he used money for his own personal use and that his company received payments from agents in return for using those agents to deal with transfers.

Duffen denied those charges from the outset but the action was only dropped when he and City, led by then owner Russell Bartlett, agreed an out-of-court settlement in February 2010.

Three years on from that resolution Duffen has been invited back into the City fold by current owners the Allam family to "assist" in matters relating to historic financial issues.

In an interview with BBC Radio Humberside, Duffen believed his recent reintegration should stand as proof of his innocence.

"When the Allam family came in and bought Hull City they walked into a financial ambush to the extent that they had agreed a set of parameters they thought they were inheriting," he said.

"When they opened the door to the treasury, they found it was much, much worse. To their eternal credit they stepped up and financed the club. I don't think anyone would be surprised to find they used extensive resources, lawyers, accountants to understand how on earth they were now in a position they were.

"Clearly as part of that backdrop they heard all the urban myths about my role in the financial misfortunes of the club and they were concerned about where that sat.

"The outcome of that situation is that they've completely embraced me, making it quite clear I am a friend of the football club.

"I don't think anyone would think that would be the course of action if they thought I had taken one penny from this club."

One part of the legal action taken against Duffen focused upon use of a company credit card, but he stressed a £1m bonus owed to him by City following promotion in the summer of 2008 explained the expenses on "personal items."

Asked if he had ever stolen money from the club, he said: "The answer is clearly and emphatically no.

"I never had any ability to. The only instrument I had to do that was my company credit card.

"In the application for the freezing order against me there was some creative narrative.

"When we were promoted in 2008 my contract entitled me to an eye-watering bonus, seven figures.

"The club wasn't able to pay me the bonus until the money from the Premier League came in August but my contract said I was entitled to that within two weeks.

"The club was in breach of contract so during the summer, when we had a party planned for my 50th birthday in the south of France, I would use the company credit card.

"That was agreed to account for certain expenses until I was paid my bonus. The club owed me money.

"That meant my company credit card was used for all sorts of expenses. I took my wife to New York, brought some jewellery, I paid an expensive hotel bill in the south of France, all agreed.

"When they presented this litany to the judge, they presented my company credit card statement only showing the money spent on personal items."

Although Duffen's departure in October 2009 preceded City's dramatic descent into financial trouble, much of the blame has been levelled at a perceived mismanagement during his time at the KC Stadium, most notably a £5m transfer for Jimmy Bullard.

Duffen distanced himself from any financial culpability and said: "I didn't secure the finances of the football club. I never wrote a cheque the whole time I was at the football club.

"I was a second signatory on a cheque-book. I had no influence to arrange finance, incur debt or arrange mortgage funds. I was running the business, I was not financing the business.

"That's why, at every stage, the board of directors approved everything that happened."

Successor as City chairman, Adam Pearson declined to comment on last night's revelations but Bartlett fought back with accusations of his own.

In reactionary statements the former owner claimed Duffen made "unilateral decisions, including a commitment to sign a player for 3milion Euros, without his knowledge or consent."

As well as claims of handing an extended deal to a player who had a serious injury at the time, believed to be former captain Ian Ashbee, Bartlett also said Duffen "exceeded his responsibility when signing Jimmy Bullard to a four-year contract when Bartlett claimed he had sanctioned a three-year, and contracted the player to more money per week than agreed."

Bartlett claimed those actions formed the basis for action against Duffen in the High Court.

Current vice chairman Ehab Allam also released a statement outlining Duffen's involvement with the club over the last six months.

It read: "We have recently been working with the Inland Revenue to clarify some historic tax enquiries which date from before we bought Hull Tigers, and we are grateful to Paul Duffen for his assistance with this matter. His input has enabled us to resolve the situation successfully and to the satisfaction of all parties.

"Mr Duffen is also continuing to assist us with our dispute with the bank regarding an outstanding mortgage on the leasehold of the KC Stadium which we inherited when we bought the club. We value his continued input in relation to this issue."

When asked if he had plans for future involvement with the Tigers, Duffen said: "I'm not involved in the structure. There's no formal relationship at this moment in time."

HULL KR fans would welcome a return to the club by former fans favourite Ben Cockayne if both parties can agree terms.

As exclusively revealed by the Mail yesterday, the Robins have approached Cockayne's current club Wakefield in a bid to bring him back to MS3 Craven Park for next season.

And despite his troubled past, the majority of Robins fans would love to see him back in a red and white shirt, given his huge commitment on the field.

Rob Chadwick, commentator for HullKR.TV and the moderator on the Robins' Internet fans forum, said Rovers would be getting a more mature player than the one which left under a cloud two years ago.

"There was a lot of furore when he left the club, but enough time has lapsed since then and he has ironed out his issues," said Chadwick.

"He went to Featherstone and Wakefield and showed just how good a player he still is.

"Whenever we had events with the players, Ben would always be the last to leave, making sure everyone got their photo or autograph."

Cockayne, who can play anywhere in the back division as well as hooker, is believed to be holding talks with the Wildcats after becoming aware of the Robins interest.

Since leaving Rovers in July 2011 following an alleged police chase in Castleford, Cockayne has been one of Wakefield's most consistent performers and earned a call-up to Steve McNamara's England set-up earlier this season. Former Rovers chairman Colin McNicol has also given his backing to Cockayne's possible return.

McNicol, who along with his wife Lesley, sponsored Cockayne when he went to Featherstone after being released by KR, says it's time to leave the past behind.

"Ben won't be dwelling on his past," McNicol said.

"He has moved on from that and grown up to be an older and wiser player.

"The fans loved him during his time at Rovers and he still wears his red and white gum-shield.

"Rovers fans would love to see him back playing as whole-hearted as he did the first time."

Mark Broadbent, vice chairman of Rovers' community trust and a player sponsor, hopes Cockayne has learned his lesson and would welcome his spontaneity back in the side.

"Ben is a very dynamic player whose unpredictability becomes an asset," Broadbent said.

"He is Rovers through and through and when he plays for a club he gives 100 per cent. Hopefully he has learned his lessons as he is now two years older than when he left us.

"Wakefield rate him very highly and it's no surprise because he is a class player."

Adge Cutler, former chairman of Rovers Supporters Group, said he would love to see Cockayne scoring tries for the Robins rather than against them, as he has done on a regular basis for the Wildcats.

"Ben has done very well at Wakefield and it's clear to see he has matured into a better player and a better individual too," Cutler said.

"He has never lost his love of Hull Kingston Rovers and the supporters. I would have no problem with a return to Rovers for him as he has that passion for rugby for the game that should be encouraged."

Whilst most fans appear in support of a return for Cockayne, some have expressed concern.

Fan Richard Gotts said: "I must admit to mixed feelings. Ben could be a real asset but the fact he let the club he supposedly loves down so badly at times raises question marks over the success of any return."

HULL City will hope to find a breakthrough in negotiations for top target Charlie Austin in the next 48 hours after leaving Burnley to mull over a final "take it or leave it" offer.

The Tigers returned for pre-season testing this morning with manager Steve Bruce still searching for a new attacking threat to spearhead their Premier League return next month.

Burnley striker Austin and Celtic forward Gary Hooper have both been the subject of failed bids in recent weeks, but City are still pushing hard to prise Austin out of Turf Moor.

Sources have told the Mail that City have returned with an improved offer this week, believed to be in excess of £4m, and will not be pushed higher.

Burnley, who have valued their prized asset Austin at £7m this summer, are yet to respond to the Tigers' latest approach, but City will hope their persistence finally pays off.

Bruce's frustration means he will not discount a fresh move for Hooper, but if he is able to land Austin his search for a second striker will be focused primarily on the loan market.

JAMES Chester will begin a first season in the Premier League next month with no bounds to his potential, according to Hull City team-mate Liam Rosenior.

Two and a half years after leaving behind boyhood club Manchester United, Chester is in line for a long-awaited top-flight debut when the Tigers begin a new campaign at Chelsea on August 17.

A chance to test himself against English football's attacking elite is just reward for the 23-year-old after a near faultless spell in the Championship.

And Rosenior, who joined Chester in committing his future to the Tigers last week, believes City have a future star of the Premier League within their ranks.

"Tying Chezzy to a new three-year deal was massive news for the club," Rosenior told the Mail, who himself inked a two-year contract.

"I spoke with him on the day I found out he signed and I joked 'I see the club has got its priorities right, signing you up before me!'

"I don't want to put any undue pressure on him but I've played with a lot of top centre-halves and he's the best I've played with. I've told him that.

"Football is a game of opinions and that's mine, he can do whatever he wants in the game if he sticks at it.

"He's a brilliant talent and I'm delighted that he's here."

Coming from Rosenior, who has previously played in the Premier League with Fulham and Reading and international football with England under-21s, it is high praise heaped upon Chester.

The pair are among the longest serving players remaining at the KC Stadium and Rosenior has witnessed Chester's rapid progression at first hand since welcoming the defender to East Yorkshire in January 2011.

Playing in 109 of the 113 Championship games since arriving from Manchester United for just £300,000, Chester has been a constant figure in the Tigers' climb back to the Premier League.

A freshly-signed three-year deal guarantees his place in manager Steve Bruce's long-term plans and also fends off reported summer interest from Aston Villa.

Chester's biggest challenge yet lies in store when the Tigers bid to upset the relegation odds heavily stacked against them, but Rosenior has no doubts over his team-mate's suitability.

"He just needs to keep his feet on the ground and keep on improving," he added.

"He's a great age to do that and he's the type of character that won't get carried away.

"He doesn't just look after himself, he looks after all the other lads that hang around with him.

"It's the little things that might not get seen that show the type of lad he is.

"He's got his head screwed on that's for sure.

"The Premier League will suit his game too.

"He reads the game well and doesn't dive into challenges.

"It's less physical than the Championship and that will allow him to play his natural game."

A FAMILY whose son was kidnapped and murdered are hopeful the British Government will step in to help them.

Yesterday, the Mail revealed UK-born Ishan Rawal, eight, was kidnapped from a hospital opening celebration and strangled in a secluded woodland.

Ishan lived in Beverley with his doctor parents Arvind and Nikita and 11-year-old brother Rusheek before the family moved to India to set up a hospital.

The boys had attended Molescroft Primary School, while Dr Arvind Rawal was a surgeon at Hull Royal Infirmary and Dr Nikita Rawal was a clinical fellow at Castle Hill Hospital. Molescroft Primary headteacher Michael Loncaster is holding a special assembly this morning, so the school can join together in memory of Ishan. He has also spoken to the children in year four – the year group Ishan would have been in, had he stayed at the school instead of moving with his family to India. However, he did not give the full circumstances of Ishan's death. Mr Loncaster said: "I broke the news that Ishan had died, though I did not mention the circumstances, as I will leave that to the parents' discretion. "We shared thoughts about him, had time for reflection and said prayers for him and his family. "Ishan was a lovely boy with a great personality and many talents." He said the entire school community has been shocked by Ishan's murder. Mr Loncaster said: "We were very sad to lose the family when they returned to India, as they had been great supporters of the school. "This news is totally shocking and we can't imagine the pain the family must be going through. "They remain in all our prayers."

Ishan was snatched at the inauguration ceremony at Royal Shanti Hospital in Indore, India, on June 22.

Nikita, 42, said: "We aren't satisfied with what the police have done – they have arrested someone but we think there is more to it than that.

"The kidnap was so well-organised, we think other people were involved.

"A team are coming from the British High Commission to meet the police officers here today and, hopefully, we can get a full inquiry.

"We need the highest level of investigation to find out what happened."

Ishan was taken from the celebration day by Shaan Das.

He took the little boy to a woodland a few miles away from the hospital where he strangled him.

At first, he denied murder, but eventually confessed to police officers later that day.

The reason he gave for the horrific murder was that the Rawals had refused to employ him at their hospital.

But the family are convinced there is more to the murder, as they do not believe someone would kill a child over a job.

This is why they are now calling on the British Government to step in and help.

Nikita said: "We want to make this public so we can get as many people to help as possible.

"I can't get my son back, but I can fight for justice and for the future of other children.

"Since the article in the Mail, we've had lots of contact from people in the UK wanting to help.

"We are so pleased people want to support us."

When the Rawals worked at Hull Royal and Castle Hill, they were employed by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust.

A trust spokesman said: "We would like to offer our condolences to the couple at this very difficult time."

The family are urging people to email the British High Commission in New Dehli at web.newdelhi@fco. gov.uk to support their quest for answers.