York Guides

Paul Jeeves (Yorkshire Post)
THE family of a motorist who died when his car ploughed into an archway at a Yorkshire stately home believe he may have taken his own life to escape a prison term he faced.

Lawrence Koppert, 23, was killed when his silver Peugeot 306 crashed into the stone arch over a road leading to Castle Howard earlier this week, hours before he was due to appear at York Crown Court to face a charge of wounding.
The day before the crash it is understood that Mr Koppert, who was known as Loz, sent a text message to his brother, James, expressing his grave concerns over the possible custodial term.
James Koppert, who lives in Sherburn to the east of Malton in North Yorkshire, said: "Loz was really turning his life around. But people were prejudiced against him and he couldn't cope with that.
"The day he died he was due in court because it was alleged he had attacked someone. Lawrence was scared that they would make him go back to prison."
Mr Koppert, who had served a sentence for burglary, was accused of wounding 22-year-old Daniel Davis during an incident in St Thomas Street, Scarborough, earlier this month.
Mr Koppert's body was found by a passing motorist who contacted North Yorkshire Police at about 6.30am on Monday.
The crash happened on an unclassified country road between Barton-le-Willows and Slingsby, and Mr Koppert was certified dead at the scene by paramedics.
Traffic diversions were put in place for three-and-a-half hours while police accident investigators examined the road and the car.
Before his death, Mr Koppert went to see his girlfriend, Katrina Lawson, hugged her and asked: "Will you always remember me?"
Miss Lawson, 17, of York, said: "At the time I didn't realise what he intended to do. But I will always remember Loz.
"Loz was wonderful to me, but so many people never got to see the real him. They just saw him as a criminal and never gave him a second chance.
"He just couldn't cope with people thinking badly of him."
Mr Koppert, a York University student and Leeds United fan, lived with his mother, Pam Koppert, 53, and brother Oliver, 22, who also have a home in Sherburn.
James Koppert added: "As soon as the police broke the news, we suspected he had taken his own life.
"The text message, the things he said to his girlfriend and the fact that he left his belongings at his friend's house, make us think he'd decided to end it.
"The police have said the marks on the road show Loz had headed straight at the wall – there was no braking, no swerving or anything."
His mother added: "He had changed since he came out of prison, but no-one would give him a chance.
"His family could see how hard he was trying – but others just saw the criminal record."
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police yesterday confirmed an inquiry was continuing into the crash.