Driver Killed After Exiting Car On M'way

A driver died when he got out of his car in the middle lane of a motorway and was struck by a number of vehicles.

It happened on the southbound carriageway of the M18 near Doncaster shortly after 7am on Friday.

The 53-year-old, from Gilberdyke, Humberside, was believed to have got out of his blue Ford Escort after it stopped in the middle lane between junction three and two.

A 26-year-old in a green Ford Transit tried to avoid a collision but clipped the Focus, then hit the man, South Yorkshire Police said.

Two lorries collided with the van, then one of the trucks hit the man.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman said the 53-year-old suffered "fatal injuries" and five people in other vehicles received whiplash.

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Horsemeat: Schools And Hospitals To Be Tested

Meals in schools and hospitals will be tested for horsemeat as part of a nationwide probe into processed beef products, the Environment Secretary has told Sky News.

Speaking ahead of an emergency summit with food producers, supermarkets and health officials, Owen Paterson, when asked if it was likely that school and hospital meals contained horsemeat, said: "We will be testing those as well, alongside products in retailers."

The Government has been unable to guarantee that state-provided food does not contain horsemeat.

The talks came as the retailer Aldi confirmed some of its ready meals contained 100% horsemeat, while Findus has admitted that it knew its products were affected more than a week ago.

Mr Paterson told Sky News that horsemeat in food labelled as beef-products was "completely, totally unacceptable".

He said he was "determined to get to the bottom" of the matter and to see if "it is gross incompetence or a serious criminal conspiracy".

The Environment Secretary added that "retailers are ultimately responsible for what they sell".

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) also attended the meeting on Saturday. It has ordered all British retailers and processors to test all their processed beef products to make sure they are what they say they are within a week.

Mr Paterson said they would examine how the existing system works and how horsemeat got into the food network at the summit.

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is holding emergency talks

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh told Sky News Labour hoped the meeting would produce "some clarity from Government about what consumers should be doing and whether the Government's testing regime was going to work".

She added that, according to the food industry, the testing regime put in place by ministers was "completely unworkable".

With only six laboratories in the UK that can do the necessary DNA tests, testing hundreds of product lines in every supermarket would not be possible, she warned.

Meanwhile, the Aldi supermarket chain has confirmed that two of its ready meal ranges produced by Comigel, the French supplier also used by Findus, were found to contain between 30% and 100% horse meat.

The dishes affected are Today's Special frozen beef lasagne and Today's Special frozen spaghetti Bolognese.

The company said it felt "angry and let down" by Comigel and that anyone who had bought the affected products was entitled to a full refund.

Comigel, the company at the centre of the latest scare, whose headquarters are based in Luxembourg, has told the AFP news agency that the horsemeat originated in a Romanian abattoir.

The meat was supplied to Comigel by a meat-processing company called Spanghero, based in southwestern France.

The scandal has spread across continental Europe, with Findus withdrawing various frozen meals from both France and Sweden.

Swedish firm Findus has also pledged to sue an unidentified party over the matter, saying it was "deceived". 

Speaking from Luxembourg, Sky News Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White said authorities now faced a "complex and very difficult investigative process" to trace the contaminated meat.

Testing of Findus beef lasagne showed some contained 100% horsemeat

He said authorities had acknowledged that the meat may have come from more than one source.

"The French and the Luxembourg authorities say they have traced the contaminated meat to a supplier in France, but it's not as simple as that.

"They say there are multiple other suppliers into this French company and tracing them back to the source is proving much more problematic."

Politicians and food safety experts have played down the risk to human health, with Prime Minister David Cameron saying it was not about food safety, but about accurate food labelling.

He said the industry would have to work hard to restore consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, Labour MP Tom Watson has published a letter on his website which he claims was sent by Findus to retailers on Monday, warning that a France-based supplier had told it there may be problems with raw materials delivered since August 1 last year.

In it, the firm claimed raw materials delivered to a French contractor since August 1 were "likely to be non-conform and consequently the labelling on finished products is incorrect".

The letter added: "The supplier has asked us to withdraw the raw material batches."

Responding to the claims, Findus said they did not know about problems back in August and that they first suspected an issue on January 22, when they ordered the initial tests.

The product recall was ordered on February 2 after further tests had been conducted.

In a statement the company said they were only made aware of a possible August 2012 date through a letter dated February 2 this year, by which time it was "already conducting a full supply chain traceability review and had pro-actively initiated DNA testing".

Findus said it had not been invited to the Government summit but they were aware that the Food and Drink Federation, of which they are a member, was attending.

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Brit Charged Over Threats To Kill US Students

Detectives have charged a British man in connection with alleged threats to shoot dead 200 children at a US school.

Sky Tyne and Wear reported Northumbria Police arrested Reece Elliott, 24, from South Shields, on Friday on suspicion of making threats to kill.

An anonymous post made on Wednesday on a Facebook memorial page set up for a deceased student threatened a mass killing spree, saying: "I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Elliott has been charged with making threats to kill, and was remanded in custody after appearing before South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

He entered no plea, and offered to visit the local police station every day to avoid being remanded in custody.

When magistrates decided against this, he puffed out his cheeks and shook his head.

The prosecuting solicitor had earlier told the court: "I am not so sure this defendant knows just how serious this case is."

Homeland Security in the US was informed of the comments, and the threats led schools in Warren County, Tennessee, to tighten security.

Some reports said as many as 3,000 students did not attend classes the next day.

The post said: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster. Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast.

Warren County Schools tightened security following the threats

"I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself."

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesperson Kristin Helm said its cyber crime agents are helping in the investigation and the source of the post had not been identified.

It is not yet known whether any potential prosecution will be brought in England or the US, or both.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "At 2.12pm on Friday February 8, police received notification that a man had posted threatening information on Facebook.

"A 24-year-old man from South Shields has been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill and is currently in custody.

"The message is believed to have been posted on Wednesday. There is nothing to suggest it posed any physical threat to any school either here or in America."

Bobby Cox, director of Warren County Schools in Tennessee, said: "As most of you are aware we received notice of violent threats directed at Warren County High School late Wednesday evening, February 6.

"We put an action plan together with the local authorities to ensure the safety of our schools and our campuses across the system.

"We wanted to make sure that we had all the facts before we sent a mass message out via our calling system to you.

"Currently the Sheriff's Department is working with the TBI and Homeland Security to trace down the person who posted this message.

"We have increased the presence of Police and Sheriff's Deputies in our schools today and tomorrow and all schools will limit access into each building to ensure the safety of our staff and students."

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reported police officers were posted to 11 schools in the area.

In December, gunman Adam Lanza killed 27 when he opened fire at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

He died at the scene and the body of his mother, Nancy Lanza, was found at his family home. She had been shot in the face.

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Policewoman Killed In Londonderry Crash Named

A 27-year-old policewoman killed in a road crash involving a suspected stolen car has been named as Philippa Reynolds.

The officer - who had only been in the PSNI force for two years - was travelling in a police car on routine patrol at the time of the smash in Londonderry.

Two other officers in the patrol car were hurt in the crash, which happened at around 3.40am on Saturday morning, but their injuries are not life-threatening.

Police have arrested two men in connection with the crash on the Limavady Road in the Ebrington area of the city.

The Limavady Road has remained closed at its junction with Glendermott Road and Clooney Terrace while investigations were carried out.

The crash happened on the Limavady Road in Londonderry

PSNI Chief Constable Matt Baggott said: "It is with great sadness that I learned of the death of our colleague. This is a personal tragedy for her family and also for the whole Police Service.

"She was out on duty, working to keep people safe, when she died. My thoughts and prayers are with her family at this time.

"I and my colleagues will ensure that no stone remains unturned as we work to bring to justice those who perpetrated this crime."

Ulster Unionist member of the Northern Ireland Policing Board Ross Hussey said he was "shocked and saddened" by the officer's death.

Forensic officers examine the scene of the fatal smash

"I would like to pass on my heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of this officer," he said.

"We can only imagine the pain that they must be feeling. I hope that her injured colleagues make a speedy recovery.

"This young woman's death in the line of duty serves to re-emphasise the dangers faced by the officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland on a daily basis, as they put themselves in harm's way to protect the whole community. They deserve our full support."

The Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman's office has been informed.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

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Sex Assault Suicide: Police Defend Handling

Greater Manchester Police has defended its care of Frances Andrade, who killed herself after giving evidence against her abusers.

The violin teacher's testimony was central to the case against choirmaster Michael Brewer and his ex-wife Kay, who were found guilty of sexually assaulting their victim more than 30 years ago.

In a statement released after the verdicts, Mrs Andrade's son Oliver said his mother had praised an officer assigned to look after her, but that police had "heavily advised" her not to receive therapy until the end of the case.

He said: "She was forced to cope on her own with only the support of her family and very close friends.

"This meant that even after several attempts at her own life she did not get the help she needed. The state of mental healthcare in this country needs reform."

Greater Manchester Police say it is the force's policy to encourage victims to seek support.

Victim Frances Andrade has been described as "an amazing person"

GMP's head of public protection Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: "I would firstly like to extend my sympathies to the family of Frances Andrade.

"Our thoughts remain with them at this desperately difficult time and it is tragic she is not able to see she has been vindicated for the bravery she consistently showed throughout the investigation.

"I want to make it clear that it is Greater Manchester Police's policy and practice to encourage victims to seek whatever support they need.

"The advice to Frances not to seek support may have been given by another party but it was not the advice of Greater Manchester Police. Victims who have suffered sexual abuse have every right to seek whatever help they need.

"As Frances' son Oliver said in his very moving statement, the GMP officer who was assigned the case did everything he could to help Frances."

The body of Mrs Andrade, 48, was found less than a week after she gave evidence in the trial at Manchester Crown Court.

The Crown Prosecution Service decided to continue with the trial and Judge Martin Rutland ruled that news of Mrs Andrade's death should be kept from jurors until after they reached their verdicts.

After sending the jury out, the judge said: "Tragically a lady has lost her life during the course of these proceedings. She took her own life. She left no note. We do not know the circumstances in which she took her own life."

Mrs Andrade was visibly agitated on occasions as she gave her evidence over two days on January 16 and 17.

She chose to take to the witness box in full view of everyone in the courtroom, including the two defendants in the dock.

The jury heard that the police investigation was sparked by National Youth Choir teacher Jenavora Williams after Mrs Andrade, her friend, told her about her time at Chetham's.

Mrs Andrade told the court she wanted it to be dealt with internally but she said Mrs Williams went to the police in 2011 without telling her.

She then agreed to co-operate with the police and help the prosecution.

The mother-of-four, from Guildford, Surrey, who was married to acclaimed viola player Levine Andrade, was supported from the public gallery by one of her sons.

At one point she complained about Brewer smiling as she gave her evidence, but she chose to press on without drawing a curtain to block off the dock.

Judge Martin Rudland remarked that she was "clearly undergoing a cathartic experience, whatever the source" while giving evidence.

He said she was "combative" during cross-examination by Kate Blackwell QC, representing Brewer, and she had taken personal issue with some of the barrister's questions but the judge indicated that Ms Blackwell had acted professionally.

During the cross-examination, Mrs Andrade told the barrister: "You are hugely insulting, even though it's your job."

The judge told the defendants a jail sentence for both of them was "inevitable" as he remanded the pair in custody.

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Aamir Siddiqi Hitmen Jailed For 40 Years

Two hitmen who stabbed an innocent schoolboy to death by mistake have been jailed for a minimum of 40 years.

Ben Hope, 39, and Jason Richards, 38, both from Cardiff, were each paid £1,000 in "blood money" to murder a middle-aged family man who owed money to a shady businessman.

But the "hit" went wrong when the balaclava-clad killers, who were high on drugs, went to the wrong address in Roath, Cardiff, in April 2010 and murdered teenager Aamir Siddiqi by mistake.

The 17-year-old's frantic parents, Iqbal and Parveen, fought to save their son but were also knifed by the killers, who let out chilling howls.

Both men had protested their innocence throughout the four-and-a-half month trial at Swansea Crown Court and attempted to blame each other.

Aamir Saddiqi had won a place at Cardiff University

But a jury unanimously found them guilty of Aamir's murder and the attempted murder of his parents.

In sentencing, Mr Justice Royce said he had no choice but to "significantly increase" the minimum term of 30 years the prosecution had asked for.

"Aamir Siddiqi was the youngest child and only son of Sheikh Iqbal and Parveen Ahmed," he said.

"He was a bright, gentle and courteous boy who was much loved by his family. He had secured a place to study law at Cardiff and his future was brimming with promise.

"He was awaiting the arrival of his Koran teacher when he rushed past his parents to open the door.

Aamir's parents, Sheikh Iqbal and Parveen Ahmed

"You two came in, wearing balaclavas and making a terrible wailing sound. Your attack on him was brutal, savage, callous and cruel.

"You hacked him to death in front of his parents, who fought in vain to save Aamir.

"It was simply good fortune that they were not killed. It was your intention that they should die too. The aggravating features of this case mean the starting point should significantly increase.

"The starting point is 40 years. If you die in jail, few will shed a tear and many will say it will be more than deserved."

During their trial, the court heard Hope and Richards had been paid by a businessman, angry over a collapsed property deal, to kill a father-of-four who lived in a neighbouring street.

The teenager was set upon on the doorstep of his home

But they went instead to a similar looking red brick, end-of-row house just around the corner in Ninian Road in the leafy suburb of Roath.

Aamir had run down the stairs to answer the door expecting to see his imam, who was due to give him a Koran lesson. Instead, he opened the front door to two masked killers high on heroin.

Hope and Richards wielded daggers over their heads and howled as they set upon the helpless A-level student.

The teenager desperately tried to run back into the house but they chased him and repeatedly lashed out.

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Horsemeat Scandal: 'Criminal Activity' Blamed

Who's In Charge Of Keeping Food Safe?

Updated: 1:38pm UK, Friday 08 February 2013

There are a number of different agencies responsible for food labelling and safety in the UK.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is responsible for food standards legislation in England that is principally non-safety, and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) monitors standards that are safety based.

Food Standards Agency:

The FSA, a non-ministerial government department, is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food.

This includes food safety and hygiene, labelling for safety and allergies and food law enforcement.

It aims to:

1) make sure foods produced or sold in the UK are safe to eat

2) ensure imported food is safe to eat

3) make sure food producers and caterers give priority to consumer interests in relation to food

4) give consumers the information and understanding they need to make informed choices about where and what they eat

5) make sure regulation is effective, risk-based and proportionate, is clear about the responsibilities of food business operators, and protects consumers and their interests from fraud and other risks

6) ensure enforcement is effective, consistent, risk-based and proportionate and is focused on improving public health.

In the wake of the horsemeat scandal the FSA announced it is demanding a more comprehensive testing programme from food businesses.

Chief executive Catherine Brown said: 'Following our investigations into Findus products, the FSA is now requiring a more robust response from the food industry in order to demonstrate that the food it sells and serves is what it says it is on the label.

"We are demanding that food businesses conduct authenticity tests on all beef products, such as beef burgers, meatballs and lasagne, and provide the results to the FSA. The tests will be for the presence of significant levels of horsemeat."

There are separate FSAs for Scotland, Wales and the Irish Republic.

Defra:

In July 2010 food labelling was transferred from the FSA to Defra.

Food standards legislation sets out specific requirements for the labelling, composition and, in some cases, safety parameters for specific high value foodstuffs which are potentially at risk of being misleadingly substituted with lower quality alternatives.

The legislation makes sure consumers are not misled as to the nature of food products when it is sold to them.

It also makes the playing field level for food producers, so they have established standards they can work to when producing well known or traditional foodstuffs.

Most legislation on food standards is developed in Europe, with full involvement from UK Government officials.

Secondary legislation is then used to either implement the requirements or put in place enforcement powers, depending on the nature of the European legislation

Meat:

For a range of meat products there is legislation setting out specific compositional and labelling requirements.

The rules set out minimum meat content requirements for certain meat products sold using reserved descriptions such as sausages, burgers, corned beef, meat pies, pasties, etc.

In addition, there are very specific labelling rules for certain meat products that look like a cut, joint, slice, portion or carcass of meat.

Where any added water over certain limits as well as any added ingredients of different animal species to the rest of the meat must be mentioned in the name of the food.

Department of Health:

The DoH takes the lead on nutrition labelling police in England.

In October 2012 it announced proposals for front-of-pack nutrition labelling that displays how much fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and calories foods contain.

This is colour-coded and shows a guideline daily amount.

The advertising of food is regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority.

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HMV Boss Trevor Moore Made Redundant

The boss of HMV is one of the latest 60 people to be made redundant at the collapsed chain, Sky News has learnt.

Trevor Moore, who became the chain's chief executive in September last year, used to be the head of Jessops - which also called in administrators last month.

HMV's administrators Deloitte confirmed a further 60 people had been made redundant at the company's head offices.

It comes after 930 job losses were announced on Thursday, as a result of over planned 60 store closures over the next two months.

Before collapsing last month, HMV - which was founded in 1921 - employed around 4,000 people.

Joint administrator Nick Edwards said: "Following our announcement of the closure of 66 stores yesterday, it has been necessary to consider the head office support required for the reduced store portfolio. 

"As a result of this review, a number of redundancies at the head office have been made. 

"This has been a difficult decision, but a necessary one in restructuring the business. 

"We would like to express our gratitude to staff for their continued support during the administration."

Last month, Mr Moore told Sky News he was "absolutely confident" about the future of the HMV and its place on the high street.

The chain had struggled to compete with increasing competition from online retailers, supermarkets and online streaming websites.

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Malala: Schoolgirl Shot By Taliban Discharged

The Pakistani schoolgirl who was shot in the head by the Taliban has been discharged from hospital.

Malala Yousufzai has made a good recovery from a five-hour operation she underwent on her skull and ear at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Medical staff said she was well enough to be discharged as an in-patient following the surgery last weekend.

The hospital said the 15-year-old will now continue her rehabilitation at her family's temporary home in Birmingham and will visit occasionally for outpatient appointments.

It said her family had asked for the media to respect their privacy and dignity at this time.

Islamist gunmen said they attempted to assassinate Malala because she promoted girls' education and "Western thinking".

She was shot on a school bus in northwestern Pakistan on October 9 last year, with the bullet entering just above her left eye and running along her jaw, "grazing" her brain.

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Choirmaster Michael Brewer Guilty Of Sex Abuse

The woman at the centre of sex abuse allegations involving top choirmaster Michael Brewer is thought to have killed herself during the trial, it has been revealed.

Former national youth choir music director Michael Brewer and his ex-wife have been found guilty of indecently assaulting the former music student more than 30 years ago.

The 68-year-old was convicted of sexually abusing the victim in his office at Chetham's School of Music in Manchester when she was aged 14 and 15.

His ex-wife, Kay Brewer, 68, was also convicted of indecently assaulting her when she was an adult at their former family home.

The jury at Manchester Crown Court is still deliberating on charges that Brewer raped the same victim when she was aged 18 and that Mrs Brewer aided and abetted the attack.

Brewer was cleared of one charge of indecently assaulting the victim as a child in his home.

One of the defendants' four daughters audibly gasped in the public gallery when the jury returned its verdict on Kay Brewer.

The sole complainant in the case said she was abused by Brewer as she visited his office. The jury was told she did not consider it sexual abuse at the time and did not make an official complaint.

In a separate incident, Brewer quit Chetham's in 1994 after an inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

The court heard she regularly visited his office and recalled he would persuade her to take off her top and bra and he would fondle her.

Giving evidence, Brewer admitted the 1994 affair. The full extent of the relationship was covered up as he resigned.

Brewer went on to become the artistic director of the National Youth Choirs of Britain and has directed the World Youth Choir.

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Mother Killed In Hinckley Shooting Named

A mother-of-two killed in a shooting in Leicestershire has been named by police.

Hayley Pointon, 30, died from a single gunshot wound at an address in Hinckley on Sunday night.

Police leading the investigation have appealed for witnesses who may have seen two hooded men nearby at the time of the shooting.

Detective Superintendent Tom Davies said: "Hayley's death has left two young children without a mother and it is vital that those involved are dealt with.

"We are still keen to speak to anyone who saw two men in the area at the time.

"The men both had their hoods up and were said to have left the scene in a dark car that was parked in the street.

"If you were in the area or you have any information about the incident or the events leading up to it, please come forward."

Three men have so far been arrested in connection with the shooting, including a 26-year-old man who has been released without charge.

The other two, who are aged 29 and 36, have been released on bail pending further investigation. Ms Pointon was from the Coventry area.

:: Anyone with information is urged to call Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Stuart Hall Vows To Fight 'Callous' Sex Charges

Veteran BBC broadcaster Stuart Hall has vowed to fight sex offence charges and "regain my reputation".

He said he had been through a "living nightmare" and questioned why the allegations had taken so long to surface.

The 83-year-old was speaking after a brief appearance at Preston Magistrates Court.

He told reporters: "The allegations are pernicious and callous and cruel and, above all, spurious. I'm not guilty and I will be defending (myself against) the accusations.

"Like a lot if other people in this country today, I'm wondering why it's taken 30 and 40 years for the allegations to surface.

"The last two months of my life have been a living nightmare. I've never gone through so much stress in my life and I'm finding it difficult to sustain.

"Fortunately I have a very loving family and they're very supportive and I think but for their love I might have been constrained to take my own life.

"But they've encouraged me to fight on and fight the charges, regain my reputation and good name, whatever I've represented to this country down the years.

"I was a healthy 83-year-old but I'm now incubating a heart complaint and I'll be very lucky to survive another couple of years.

"But I hope to survive those two years and regain my honour and reputation and more than ever, my life."

Hall faces one charge of raping a 22-year-old woman in 1976 and a further 14 charges of indecently assaulting 10 girls aged nine to 16 between 1967 and 1986.

Hall, of Prestbury Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, appeared at the same court last month to face separate charges of historic sex offences.

He pleaded not guilty on January 7 to three indecent assault charges dating between 1974 and 1984.

At today's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address and was bailed to appear at Preston Crown Court on March 1.

Hall has been a familiar face and voice in British broadcasting for half a century and was last year awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours.

His eccentric and erudite football match summaries have made him a cult figure on BBC Radio 5 Live.

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Weather: More Snow Forecast To Fall Across UK

Generally Bright But Cold For Most

Updated: 11:52am UK, Thursday 07 February 2013

By Nazaneen Ghaffar, weather presenter

A bright but cold start across the UK and Ireland with a widespread frost for most.

Scattered hail/sleet/snow showers continuing across northern Scotland and eastern coasts of England as well as western parts of Britain.

Throughout the morning it will turn increasingly cloudy from the West as a band of rain moves eastwards across Ireland.

There will be some snow across the hills and mountains of Northern Ireland and eastern areas of the Republic of Ireland, but rain at lower levels.

By the early afternoon the rain band will reach western Scotland, Wales and western England and as it does it becomes lighter and patchier.

Sleet and a little snow is possible to begin with, especially from north Wales northwards, but it should generally fall as rain.

Central and eastern parts of Britain should remain mainly dry and bright with hazy sunshine and the odd snow shower near Norfolk.

Tonight will be mainly dry with clear spells across eastern counties of England leading to a widespread frost.

There is the chance of some patchy light sleet or snow across some central and eastern areas of England giving a local dusting in places.

For western England, Scotland and most of Wales it will be a cloudy night with outbreaks of rain and sleet.

Over the hills and mountains of Wales and the Midlands northwards into northern England and Scotland there is the risk of snow falling at times giving slight accumulations.

Ireland and western Scotland will have mainly rain or drizzle overnight.

Friday will be another bright but cold day for most after a frosty start.

Wintry showers are expected, mainly across Wales, southwest England, East Anglia, southeast England and northern Scotland.

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Man City's Meppen-Walter Admits Crash Charge

A Manchester City youth player has admitted causing the deaths of a brother and sister by careless driving.

Courtney Meppen-Walter crashed his Mercedes into a Nissan Micra in September, killing Kulwant Singh and Ravel Kaur and injuring Ms Kaur's two sons who were sitting in the back of the car.

Meppen-Walter, 18, who also played for England at under-17s level, admitted the charges at Manchester Magistrates Court and left without answering questions.

He will be sentenced by a judge at the city's Crown Court on February 28.

The prosecution told the bench how a police investigation had found the footballer had been speeding in a 30mph zone when the crash happened.

He was said to have been travelling at an average of 56mph in the moments before he collided with the Micra.

The court heard how Meppen-Walter, of Middleton Road, Blackley, tried to swerve around the car as it pulled out of a side street.

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Dale Cregan 'Shot Cops Until Gun Was Empty'

The Defendants And Charges

Updated: 1:23pm UK, Thursday 07 February 2013

This is the list of all ten defendants and the charges they face. All of the defendants deny the charges.

Dale Cregan, 29 - Accused of the murder of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, and Mark and David Short, the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time, the attempted murder of a woman called Sharon Hark on the same day, and a single charge of causing an explosion

Leon Atkinson, 35, from Ashton-under-Lyne – Accused of the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time

Luke Livesey, 27, from Hattersley - Accused of the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time

Damian Gorman, 38, from Glossop - Accused of the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time

Ryan Hadfield, 28, from Droylsden - Accused of the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time

Matthew James, 33, from Clayton - Accused of the murder of Mark Short and the attempted murders of three others in the pub at the time

Francis Dixon, 37, from Stalybridge – Accused of the murder of David Short, the attempted murder of Sharon Hark on the same day, and a single charge of causing an explosion

Anthony Wilkinson, 38, from Manchester – Accused of the murder of David Short, the attempted murder of Sharon Hark on the same day, a single charge of causing an explosion, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life

Jermaine Ward, 24 – Accused of the murder of David Short, the attempted murder of Sharon Hark on the same day, and a single charge of causing an explosion

Mohammed Ali, 32, from Chadderton, Greater Manchester, is accused of assisting an offender

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Gull Shot Through Neck With Crossbow

A herring gull has been shot in the neck with a crossbow in an attack which has been condemned as "sickening".

The young had to be put down after it was discovered in Inverness with a bolt through its neck.

Animal campaigners in the city said it had been hit at close range in the attack on Tuesday morning.

Scottish SPCA chief inspector Iain Allan said: "This was a sickening incident which would have caused this bird a great deal of pain and suffering.

"We suspect this was a deliberate attack with the intention of causing harm to a defenceless animal."

Last month police were called in to investigate after a duck at a country park in Barnsley was shot through the neck with a crossbow.

The Scottish SPCA is appealing for anyone with information about the attack on the herring gull to contact them.

They should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline number, which is 03000 999

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Alan Greaves: Funeral For Attacked Organist

The widow of a man who was killed on his way to midnight mass has told how her thoughts turned to those responsible as she sat by his body on Christmas Day.

Church organist Alan Greaves, 68, was attacked on Christmas Eve as he made the short walk from his home to his church in Sheffield.

Speaking at his funeral, Maureen Greaves said: "Alan bought me my last bunch of flowers on Christmas Eve morning. When I went to thank Alan and give him a kiss, he said to me 'I love you so much Maureen, and I'm so glad that I married you."

She added: "On Christmas Day when I sat beside Alan's bruised and battered body, it was only natural that my thoughts would turn to the men who had so cruelly and brutally attacked him.

"But even then, I could hear Alan saying to me 'Maureen, don't give yourself permission'.

"I am so truly thankful to have loved and been loved by Alan. I am so proud of the man he was, and of the life that he lived.

"As my husband and my best friend, Alan loved me really well.

"He did so many little things that showed me every day how much he cared for me and supported me in all that I did."

Earlier, Mrs Greaves told Sky News that her husband's death was a "very great shock".

The couple were married for 40 years

The couple both worked for the Church Army and devoted a lot of time to helping and supporting others.

Just weeks before his death, Mr Greaves had helped establish a new food bank project for people in South Yorkshire.

Mrs Greaves said: "Obviously the house is full of memories. One of the saddest memories is that the piano has fallen silent.

"It is not something I'm going to get rid of, I will keep it and Alan's two daughters can play the piano and one day one of them might inherit it."

The couple got married in Sheffield in 1972 and had four children together.

Since the murder, the family has been touched by the huge support from people affected by his death.

Mrs Greaves said: "It has been very overwhelming and humbling.

"Whenever I have walked on the streets people have come to me to give me a hug to say how sorry they are and especially to ask if they can do anything for me.

"Some people that have done that I know well - others have been complete strangers."

Two men have been charged with Mr Greaves murder. Jonathon Bowling, 22, and 21-year-old Ashley Foster are in custody awaiting trial.

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Mid Staffs Hospital Report: Bosses Slammed

Victims' Families Speak Of Failures

Updated: 7:20am UK, Wednesday 06 February 2013

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

The families of three patients that died at Stafford Hospital have spoken of the neglect and failings there.

It was March 2010 when 61-year-old Alan Nash walked into Stafford Hospital for a routine colonoscopy.

Inquiries were already underway into a scandal, which suggested that between 2005 and 2008 up to 1,200 patients may have died needlessly.

As a result the Nash family believed the standards of care would be high. But Mr Nash's bowel was perforated and he died the same day.

His daughter Marie Hillman said: "We felt that all eyes would be on Stafford Hospital so there would not be any mistakes. Obviously it is one of the biggest regrets I have that we talked him into going."

His wife Jenny Nash: "I don't exactly know where the room is where they do the colonoscopy. But I was just sitting in the waiting room and it is not a big area anyway.

"I did hear. It was just like somebody had been punched in the stomach where you get that gasp, if you like and it was quite loud. I think that is when they actually perforated it."

Ms Hillman said: "He had gone into hospital for a routine diagnosis. It was just like a nightmare. A nurse said to me, you will probably find that this happened at home. This happened before he came in.

"And I thought there is no way. Dad walked into the hospital, there is no way this happened at home."

The family thought that they were trying to blame Mr Nash and "pass the buck".

His wife said: "I wasn't with him at the time, I was outside. I didn't know he was going to die."

Ms Hillman maintains that there has been no apology at all.

She said: "We would like more answers. We would like reassurance that steps have been put in place that would prevent this from happening to somebody else. But we haven't had that as of today."

In the case, the hospital did not accept that it had breached its duty of care.

Doreen Duff had already suffered a stroke before she moved to Stafford and came under the care of the local hospital.

She developed asthma and other complications and used the Accident and Emergency on a number of occasions before she was admitted. Doreen was 64 when she died in 2008.

Her husband James Duff said: "The A&E department was just chaotic. You couldn't get a doctor. If you did see one they would go off once they had seen you and they wouldn't come back until they had time again. Short staffed, rude, very, very dirty.

"At one time she was discharged from A&E and was back in A&E within an hour. She suffered more strokes and was eventually paralysed from the neck down and couldn't speak.

"When Doreen went in she was quite a bubbly person and had quite a good quality of life. She had lost the use of her left side but she had still got all the right side and she was as bright as a button.

"When she came out she was paralysed from the neck down, couldn't speak and everything had just gone. That was just because of the care she received in Stafford Hospital, a lack of care. Not giving her medication, not given the proper fluids and left in a bed that is wet, in your own faeces.

"After what we have all been through, the relatives of these, the care still isn't as it should be. They are still getting complaints coming through."

Deb Hazeldine suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder because of her 67-year-old mother Ellen's death from the hospital superbug C-difficile at Stafford Hospital.

"I will never get over it," said Ms Hazeldine who admits that she still struggles to cope more than six years after her loss.

She said: "My mum was diagnosed with bone cancer in March of 2006. She had some aggressive chemotherapy and unfortunately she suffered a fall at home.

"She didn't sustain any injuries at that point and she was taken into Mid-Staffs where she was told she would need physio and rehabilitation just to get her back on her feet."

Her mother was put onto an open ward despite a family request for her to have a side room or an isolation wing.

"She very quickly contracted C-diff and MRSA. She died from C-diff. She was sitting in a bed in a ward and I was sitting opposite her. We were chatting and faeces fell and covered half of the floor. Obviously it was at visiting time and other people were looking across. My mum just started to quietly cry.

"She was mortified that she was in this state. I looked for a nurse and pressed the buzzer and after about five minutes nobody came.

"I got down on my hands and knees and I started to clean it. I couldn't let my mum sit there like that. 

"When she died we had a call from the undertakers that stated that mum had so many hospital infections that the hospital said she had to be buried in a sealed body bag because she would contaminate the ground she went into.

"Even now we are hearing of complaints that there is lack of support on the wards, these families are still raising the same concerns as I was raising six years ago, of having to go in and support their loved ones.

"I don't understand that six years on, I really don't understand that."

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Spurs Fans Attack: Three Held In Rome Raids

Three men have been arrested after nine homes were raided in Rome as part of a probe into an attack on Spurs fans last year.

The suspects - aged between 25 and 30 - are accused of wounding and aggravated damage at the Drunken Ship pub in the city centre in November before a Europa League match between Lazio and Tottenham Hotspur.

Ashley Mills was badly hurt in the violence

Violence broke out when 50 assailants stormed the bar where Spurs fans were gathered.

Their faces were masked with motorbike helmets and scarves and they were armed with knives, baseball bats and knuckle dusters.

Seven people were injured, including an American and a Bangladeshi, and the pub was left in tatters, with windows broken and chairs and tables overturned.

Two of the men being held are Lazio fans. Another six are being questioned but have not been formally arrested.

Sky sources said they all have links with extreme right Lazio fans known as 'ultras'. Another 20 raids are expected.

Ashley Mills, a Tottenham fan who was in Rome to watch the Lazio game, suffered serious injuries to his skull and thigh.

Other Spurs fans hurt in the attack included Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen.

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RBS Hit With £390m Fine For Fixing Libor

Hourican: Right That I Give Up £4m

Updated: 2:50pm UK, Wednesday 06 February 2013

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Attempts by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) traders to manipulate interbank borrowing rates were "a disgrace" and had "brought shame on our company", the departing head of its investment bank said today.

In a memo to staff, which has been obtained by Sky News, John Hourican said he bore "some responsibility for the continuing actions of all our employees" despite having no involvement in or knowledge of efforts to rig Libor submissions by RBS staff.

The taxpayer-backed bank has announced that it is to pay £390m in fines to UK and US regulators and that it has struck a two-year deferred prosecution agreement with the US Department of Justice.

Confirming his intention to step down in April after nearly five years in charge of one of the world's largest investment banks, Mr Hourican said it was "with some sadness" that he would be leaving.

The RBS executive confirmed Sky News' disclosure that he would give up millions of pounds of deferred share awards and receive no bonus for 2012.

"I will forfeit all unvested compensation awarded to me in respect of prior years that is subject to clawback and I will take no bonus in relation to 2012. It is the right thing to do," he told staff. "The jobs that many of us do are well paid and with high reward comes a greater responsibility."

RBS's markets and international banking arm, which Mr Hourican heads, employs more than 16,000 people around the world. The disgracing of the bank was, it said today, the result of actions by 21 employees who have since been sacked or been subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Hourican told staff that the Libor manipulation had been of the utmost seriousness.

"These settlements arise because of the misconduct of some of our former colleagues who engaged in improper and unauthorised attempts to manipulate interest rate data submissions between 2006 and 2010," he wrote.

"The effect of this behaviour, sometimes acting in concert with individuals at other firms, has been to undermine the integrity of Libor, a key international metric used to price many financial instruments."

Mr Hourican added that the continuation of the misconduct even as RBS's management fought to keep the company alive had made the situation even more intolerable.

"The conduct of those involved was disgraceful and has brought shame on our company. Although the attempts to influence Libor submissions started before I took this job, it continued whilst I was in charge of the division.

"The continuation of this behaviour during the company's darkest hours, when so many of us were fighting to ensure its survival, makes it all the more shameful.

"The people involved have left RBS and there is no place for that kind of behaviour in this company."

The investment bank chief also paid tribute to his staff, saying he had been "very pleased to play my part in the rehabilitation of this company and I have been humbled, at every turn, by the commitment, energy and faith that each of you have shown".

During the last four-and-a-half years, he said, RBS had achieved much, reducing the investment bank's balance sheet by £500bn, closing its operations in 14 countries and delivering more than £12bn of profits to shareholders.

"Regrettably, we saw thousands of our colleagues lose their jobs," Mr Hourican said.

Signing off, he said he was confident that the business was in safe hands.

"[You have] the resources and the leadership to re-establish the value of this business for all its stakeholders. Keep up the good work. Be honest. Earn trust every day that you come to work," he wrote.

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Savile Police Arrest Man, 65, In South London

Police investigating allegations linked to Jimmy Savile and others have arrested a 65-year-old on suspicion of sexual offences.

The unnamed man was detained at a house in South London.

The allegations are not directly related to any of Savile's offences, police said.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "He falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'. We are not prepared to discuss the matter further."

Scotland Yard is leading a national investigation, called Operation Yewtree, into allegations against disgraced television presenter Savile and a number of other high-profile figures.

They have separated the inquiry into three strands: claims against Savile, those involving Savile and others and those involving others.

Most of the allegations relating to "others" have been made against people associated with the entertainment industry, including ex-glam rocker Gary Glitter and comedian Freddie Starr.

So far, 589 people have come forward with information relating to the scandal, with 450 saying they were sexually abused by former Top Of The Pops presenter Savile.

Of those making complaints about the late DJ, 73% were children at the time of the alleged offences.

A report released last month revealed that Savile's victims included an eight-year-old boy and children who were seriously ill.

Branded one of the UK's most prolific known sexual predators, Savile now has 214 criminal offences recorded against his name, including 34 rapes.

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Huhne's Ex-Wife Declared 'I Want To Nail Him'

Chris Huhne's wife revealed to the press that she had taken his speeding points in revenge for his affair with another woman, a court has heard.

Vicky Pryce was warned by a journalist that the revelation would inflict "maximum and perhaps fatal damage" on the senior Liberal Democrat.

But the economist and mother of three replied: "I have no doubt as I definitely want to nail him. More than ever actually and I would like to do it soon."

The declaration was contained in an email between Pryce, a former government adviser, and Isabel Oakeshott, a reporter for The Sunday Times.

Their exchanges before the story broke were revealed on the first day of Pryce's trial at Southwark Crown Court in London.

The case went ahead 24 hours after Huhne pleaded guilty to lying to police about the speeding offence, which was committed in 2003.

After repeated denials, the former energy secretary finally admitted his then wife had taken the points for him so he could avoid prosecution.

Huhne has now officially resigned as an MP after switching his plea to guilty and being warned he faces a likely prison sentence.

Pryce denies perverting the course of justice, claiming she was coerced into taking the points, and is now being tried alone.

Chris Huhne and girlfriend Carina Trimingham leaving court on Monday

Prosecutor Andrew Edis QC said the points swap came to light only in 2011 because the defendant had wanted to ruin her former husband's career.

The jury heard she was furious after Huhne abruptly ended their 26-year marriage and left her for PR consultant Carina Trimingham.

Pryce was told the bombshell news of the MP's affair - and that he had been rumbled by the press - as she watched a World Cup football match.

A year later, in March 2011, she tipped off the Sunday Times about their points swap and started considering the best way to destroy her ex via the press.

"Her revenge in the end was to pass the story of the 2003 points to the newspaper so they would publish it and destroy his political career," Mr Edis said. "It was Pryce's plan that she would get her revenge by putting an end to all that.

"She would publish what she and he had done together without complaint in 2003 so she would get her revenge for the undoubtedly very bad way he had treated her."

Ms Oakeshott recommended that the paper ran several pieces, including a front page story and news features.

"This is what I strongly recommend you do, given your dual objectives of bringing Chris down ... without seriously damaging your own reputation in the process," she said.

She later warned about the risk of criminal proceedings, after which Pryce wrote: "I would need some reassurance that it would bring Chris down."

Ms Oakeshott replied: "The bottom line is that this story will bring Chris down if you are prepared to go on the record, with the minor risk this carries.

"I think you can make yourself out to be very much the honourable one, saying it has very much been on your conscience ever since, saying you knew it was wrong but you were bullied into it."

Attempts by Pryce and the newspaper to elicit a confession from Huhne by recording phone calls were played to the court.

The jury heard the politician urging his ex-wife to "stop telling ridiculous stories" and "maliciously briefing the press" in a bid to blacken his name.

Pryce, at times angry and swearing as the MP continues to deny the crime, insisted she was not behind the newspaper speculation.

"Why would I tell anyone about me taking your points? It's not in my interests. Are you a moron?", she said.

Huhne repeatedly warned her not to talk to journalists and said the story would not come out if they do not "stand it up".

During the calls, Pryce also made several digs at Huhne's new partner Ms Trimingham, calling her "your f****** man".

In the four conversations, she told Huhne she did not want to "perjure" herself by denying the story, saying: "It's one of the things that always worried me when you made me take them in the first place."

Mr Edis said: "You might come to the conclusion that these telephone calls are two manipulative people trying unsuccessfully to manipulate each other."

The QC explained that the marital coercion defence could only apply if Pryce was made to feel that she had no choice but to take the points.

He said the jury would have to decide whether she was "weak-minded" and forced to help her husband, or a "strong-minded and manipulative" woman acting of her own free will.

"From the emails, she is certainly quite a subtle, clever person," he said.

He also pointed out that, in 2003, Pryce was a very senior civil servant and an economist with a good career in her own right who was free to support herself if her marriage ended.

The case has now been adjourned and will resume on Thursday.

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One Million Dollar Bionic Man Makes Its Debut

A million-dollar bionic man - complete with artificial organs, synthetic blood and robot limbs - is set to go on display at the Science Museum in central London.

Costing almost £640,000 ($1m), it is cheaper than the Six Million Dollar Man from the cult 1970s TV series, but the 6ft 6in (2m) humanoid nonetheless has a lot in common with the screen version.

The artificial man was assembled by a team of leading robotics experts for a new Channel 4 documentary, How To Build A Bionic Man.

It incorporates some of the latest advances in mechanical limbs, as well as an artificial pancreas, kidney, spleen and trachea, and a functional blood circulatory system.

The bionic man with robotics expert Rich Walker (L)

The man's head features a pair of retinal implants behind his brown irises, to allow him to sense objects in front of him, cochlear implants to allow him to hear and is covered with artificial skin.

He even has artificial intelligence and a speech synthesis system allowing him to understand simple statements and respond to questions.

The finished "man" can walk and talk, and apparently says his name is Rex and informs people that he likes Ralph Lauren and rap music.

Lee Majors played The Six Million Dollar Man in the US TV show

All of his components could theoretically be welded to a human body to replace missing or worn out parts.

The aim was to show how close medicine has got to what seemed like pure science fiction only a couple of decades ago.

Although the bionic man was built for Channel 4, it is going on display at the Science Museum to allow people to see close up how quickly the science of bionics is progressing.

Clare Matterson, of the Wellcome Trust, which is supporting the exhibition, said: "Throughout history people have always sought to enhance themselves to overcome disabilities or to become 'bigger, better, stronger and faster'.

"Science is making aspirations and even fantasy ever more possible. We only have to look back at last summer's Paralympics to see how transforming technology has become."

The 1970s show The Six Million Dollar Man featured a former astronaut whose body was largely rebuilt with artificial parts after he suffered a near-death accident.

Lee Majors played Colonel Steve Austin, whose bionic left eye allowed him to see miles into the distance. His bionic left arm allowed him to lift bulldozers and his bionic legs allowed him to run at 90mph. The show's catchphrase was: "We can rebuild him."

The Science Museum exhibit opens on Thursday and aims to explore how perceptions of human identity change as progress is made in bionics.

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Snow Falls Again As Wintry Weather Returns

Fresh snowfalls and gale force winds are again causing disruption in parts of the UK, just weeks after severe weather caused transport problems and closed hundreds of schools.

A band of snow, which hit Scotland on Tuesday morning, is expected to continue moving down the country and is predicted to reach East Anglia before the end of the day.

Falls of up to 10cm (3.94in) were expected in places by this afternoon, along with 60 to 70mph winds.

Earlier Tuesday, the snow caused gridlock in northern parts of the country, with traffic in Sheffield reduced to a standstill.

Sky North of England Correspondent Mike McCarthy said the city was brought to an "absolutely grinding halt" for a number of hours.

"Just before rush hour, the rain came very heavily and washed away the grit. That then froze on the ground and then there were very sodden and intense blizzards in Sheffield," he said.

McCarthy said it was a very difficult time for people trying to get to work.

"Hundreds of people were stuck in the snow. Journeys that would normally take half an hour took between two and three hours."

He added schools in Sheffield closed or opened late because of the snow.

Snow showers cover Selkirk in the Borders and Southern Scotland

To the northwest, Manchester Airport was forced to suspend runway operations for a period on Tuesday morning to clear snow.

Two flights were cancelled, while another was diverted to Liverpool, as flurries made their way south.

The snow is also expected to hit the South East later in the day but is more likely to fall as rain in London. Strong winds mean blizzards are likely.

The Met Office has issued a yellow warning - to "be aware" - for severe weather in large parts of the country.

The Highways Agency has urged caution on the roads but said motorways and A-roads were running well.

A spokesman said the A628 Woodhead Pass, in Derbyshire, was closed following visibility problems.

The cold weather is expected to cling on during the next few days with temperatures dipping to -4C overnight.

Snow showers are expected to ease off in many regions on Wednesday, largely affecting the North Sea coastal areas and the western fringes of England and Wales. They are likely to stay put over Scotland all week.

Wintry conditions brought parts of the country to a standstill at the end of January.

Hundreds of drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars on the M6 in Lancashire after more than a foot of snow fell.

The cold snap was followed by widespread floods caused by melting snow and heavy rain.

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Tia Sharp: Neighbour Charged Over Murder Hunt

A neighbour of the grandmother of murdered schoolgirl Tia Sharp has been charged with wasting police time.

Paul Meehan, 40, from Croydon, south London, will appear at Croydon Magistrates' Court on February 28.

He lived next door to Tia's grandmother Christine Sharp in New Addington.

Stuart Hazell is charged with the schoolgirl's murder

Ms Sharp's boyfriend, Stuart Hazell, has been charged with Tia's murder and has been remanded in custody ahead of a trial later this year.

The disappearance of the schoolgirl sparked a huge search around the Croydon area with family members leading the campaign.

Police officers had previously visited Christine Sharp's home, but it was only days into the search that Tia's body was discovered hidden in the loft.

More follows...

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Blackpool Stabbing: Accused Man In Court

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

A 22-year-old man has appeared before magistrates in Blackpool charged with the murder of a teenager whose body was found in an alleyway.

College student Sasha Marsden, 16, had been stabbed in the head and face before attempts were made to set her on fire.

During the brief hearing, David Minto, who is from Blackpool, spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth.

He stood in the dock wearing jeans and a black and grey jumper as the murder charge against him was read out.

He was remanded back into custody and is due to appear and Preston Crown Court on Tuesday.

The alley where Sasha's body was discovered

Sasha's family were not in court. On Sunday they made an emotional visit to the murder scene in the town.

A post-mortem examination found the teenager's body was set on fire after she had died.

Sasha was in the first year of a childcare course at Blackpool and The Fylde College and lived with her parents in nearby Staining.

The police have issued a statement on behalf of the teenager's family.

Her parents, Jayne and Gary Marsden, said: "No words can express how we feel.

The 16-year-old was described as 'cheeky and friendly'

"Our beautiful daughter has been taken from us. She was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, great granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and girlfriend. She was very much loved and her loss has left a huge gap in all our lives, a gap that can never be filled.

"Sasha was your typical teenager, a fun-loving girl who enjoyed spending time with her friends and boyfriend, with her parents being last on the list unless she wanted something or needed a lift somewhere.

"We would ask that we be left alone in private to allow us to come to terms with losing our beautiful precious daughter."

Sasha's brother Mark Brett, 24, said: "She was my little sister and I was so proud of her going to college to do her childcare course. She will be missed by all her family and friends."

Her sister, 21-year-old Katie Brett, described her as "a gorgeous little lady", adding: "She was an expert wind up merchant and although you might be annoyed with her, you couldn't stay mad with her for long."

Sasha's oldest sister, Gemma Aitchison, 26, said: "Cheeky, friendly and stubborn are all things that make Sasha as special as she is and make her overcome anything. She is a beautiful sister and a wonderful and caring aunty too."

And her brother Thomas Nicholl, 21, said: "Sasha was an adorable little sister and was never afraid to put her opinions across no matter what the situation was.

"She always knew how to make us smile, especially after winding us up. She gave the most amazing cuddles and we will miss her so much."

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Paul Gascoigne 'Relapse': PFA Vows Support

Paul Gascoigne still believes he can "get back on track" after his latest "relapse", according to players' chief Gordon Taylor.

Gascoigne, who has spoken about alcoholism problems in the past and was sectioned five years ago under the Mental Health Act, appeared to be unwell and trembling at a charity appearance in Northampton on Thursday.

His agent Terry Baker said the 45-year-old had been drinking and needs immediate help, suggesting Gascoigne's life is "always in danger".

The Professional Footballers' Association has vowed to continue giving the former England midfielder as much support as possible - and having been in contact with Gascoigne over the weekend, the union's chief executive Taylor said: "He still feels he is capable of getting back on track and [that] it is a relapse he has had.

Gascoigne leapt to the world's attention during World Cup 1990

"I can only say, whatever help he needs, he must come on [board] and we will help to provide it.

"I think he does need specialist care and a very strong 24-hour support system, but again, it needs him to be part of that."

Match Of The Day presenter Gary Lineker admits he is struggling to see a positive outcome for his former England and Tottenham team-mate Gascoigne.

He tweeted: "I can only hope he finds peace somehow, but fear those hopes may be forlorn."

Mr Taylor has expressed his concern that the case could be comparable with that of George Best, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland winger who died aged 59 in 2005 after a long struggle with alcoholism.

However, he is adamant the PFA will not be giving up on Gascoigne - and after ex-Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel commented on Twitter that the organisation needed to "step up" their efforts to help the troubled star, Mr Taylor has also stressed how much work they have already put in.

He said: "I can't think of a player who has had more support and constant help over the number of years that we have been there for Paul.

"It is quite ironic - it is nice that people like Peter Schmeichel care about him, but they don't appreciate the work we have done for him, a lot of which has to be confidential.

"If anything, I have been criticised at times for keeping faith and trying to keep going with him."

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Weather: Heavy Snow As 80mph Winds Blow In

After a brief respite from winter weather, freezing temperatures and gale force winds will be felt in many parts of the UK in the coming days.

Scotland will experience gusts of 70mph to 80mph and up to four inches (10cm) of snow will spread from the north to many parts.

Areas of higher ground in the south will also see accumulations.

Sky News weather producer Christopher England said: "There will be drifting in the stiff wind and blizzard conditions are likely at times. The blustery winds will be a hazard to high-sided vehicles too, with north-south routes most at risk.

"Snow showers will extend to most parts overnight, although they will tend to die back towards western coasts later, and with a widespread frost developing, there will be a risk of ice."

Men take photos on the Scottish border in Northumberland

The Met Office has issued a yellow "be aware" snow warning from 4pm to midnight. It said the wintry showers will turn to snow inland and there is a 70% probability of low temperatures and icy conditions.

Temperatures will drop to -2C overnight but the wind chill factor will make it feel much colder.

Further snow showers are expected on Tuesday as temperatures will continue to fall through the week, mainly in the north, bringing a risk of ice to untreated surfaces.

Snow storms brought parts of the country to a standstill at the end of last month.

On January 25 hundreds of drivers were forced to spend the night in their cars on the M6 in Lancashire after more than a foot of snow fell.

The snow was followed by widespread floods caused by the thaw and heavy rain.

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Dale Cregan Trial: Extra Security At Court

Armed officers are on duty around a court building where the trial of a man accused of murdering two police officers is due to start.

Dale Cregan, 29, is accused of the murder of PCs Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes, and of father and son David and Mark Short, last year.

The trial, at Preston Crown Court, will get under way later although the jury will not be sworn in until Tuesday and the opening remarks are not expected until Thursday.

Cregan arrived at the courthouse this morning after being driven to Preston in a police convoy.

PC Hughes, 23, and PC Bone, 32, are alleged to have been murdered as they responded to a report of a burglary in Hattersley, Greater Manchester, on the morning of September 18 last year.

Former amateur boxer Mark Short is alleged to have been killed at the Cotton Tree pub in Droylsden, Manchester, on the evening of May 25.

His 46-year-old father was found dead on August 10 after an explosion at a house in nearby Clayton.

Cregan has pleaded not guilty to the offences.

Up to 150 officers are in the precincts of the court and inside the building in preparation for the start of the trial, which is expected to last 12 weeks, with a week's break for Easter.

As part of the stepped-up security, a portable cabin has been built on the steps of the court entrance so all visitors can be searched.

Lawyers, media and other court users will have to pass through airport-style metal detectors, watched by police and security guards.

Further checks will take place inside the courthouse for those seeking access to Court One, where the trial will be held.

Once a jury has been selected, the trial, presided over by Mr Justice Holroyde QC, will begin with Nicholas Clarke QC putting the case for the prosecution.

Simon Csoka QC will defend Cregan.

Seats in the public gallery have been set aside for relatives of the police officers and the Short family, and also the detectives who worked on the murder inquiries.

A handful of seats have been reserved inside for the media, but most of the 50 members of the press and broadcasters who are expected to cover the trial will watch the case unfold via TV screens in an annexe inside the courthouse.

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Richard III: Car Park Skeleton Is Dead King

Remains found beneath a council car park in Leicester have solved the 500-year-old mystery about the final resting place of King Richard III, archaeologists say.

Researchers said they had concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that the skeleton, which showed evidence of an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine, was the monarch.

There were cheers at the University of Leicester as the announcement was made.

The remains were found on the first day of a three-week dig

Bone specialist Jo Appleby said a study of the bones provided "a highly convincing case for identification of Richard III".

"The analysis of the skeleton proved that it was an adult male but was an unusually slender, almost feminine, build for a man. This is in keeping with historical sources which describe Richard as being of very slender build," she said.

DNA samples from a Michael Ibsen, a Canadian-born furniture maker who is a direct descendant of Richard's sister, Anne of York, provided further certainty.

Richard III was the last Plantagenet monarch

Dr Turi King, the project geneticist, said: "There is a DNA match between the maternal DNA from the descendents of the family of Richard III and the skeletal remains we found at the Greyfriars dig.

"In short, the DNA evidence points to these being the remains of Richard III."

The skeleton, with severe trauma to the skull and an arrow in the back, was unearthed on the first day of a three-week dig at the site of what is believed to have been the choir of Greyfriars Church.

Michael Ibsen provided DNA for comparison

Historical records show the long-lost church was the burial site of the monarch, following his brutal death at the battle of Bosworth Field in 1485.

The skeleton was found in good condition with its feet missing at a depth of 68cm. Its hand were crossed over the front of the pelvis and there was no evidence of a coffin or shroud found with it.

The king's remains will now be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral, the nearest consecrated ground, in keeping with archaeological practice.

The car park where the skeleton was found

Shakespeare portrayed Richard III as a hunchbacked tyrant but modern historians argue that the king was the victim of Tudor propaganda. His brief reign from 1483 saw liberal reforms, including the introduction of the right to bail and the lifting of restrictions on books and printing presses.

Richard III was the last Plantagenet monarch, a Yorkist defeated by Henry Tudor, who became Henry VII.

"It will be a whole new era for Richard III," the Richard III Society's Lynda Pidgeon said. "It's certainly going to spark a lot more interest. Hopefully people will have a more open mind toward Richard."

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Special Forces: 600 Support Posts To Go

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Around 600 posts could be cut from the support network for Britain's special forces after the military pull-out from Afghanistan.

The Special Forces Support Group is expected to be restructured as Britain's role in the Afghan conflict draws to an end.

The Ministry of Defence thinks the extra support and logistics will no longer be necessary.

The unit is primarily made up of paratroopers from 1 Para and a contingent of Royal Marines.

It was bolstered around five years ago to cope with the demands of fighting in Afghanistan.

These personnel, although some of the UK's most exceptional armed forces, do not complete the same training as SAS or SBS soldiers, neither do they apply the same rules of anonymity.

Their role is to provide logistical support, intelligence gathering and force protection.

The Government does not comment on the special forces, but senior defence sources have stressed this should not be seen as an attack on the special forces.

Of the posts that will be closed, 156 will be from the support group itself, the remainder from a wider network that assists the SAS and SBS.

It is understood that none of the personnel affected will actually lose their jobs because both the Royal Marines and paratroopers are exempt from the latest redundancies.

In the case of the marines, this is because the Navy has pretty much made all the cuts it needs to. The paras are deemed exempt because they are a specialist regiment.

The posts will be closed and those affected will go back to their original jobs.

Paranoia about redundancies in the Armed Forces was revived last month when the latest tranche of job losses was announced. The third round will mean 5,300 soldiers learning they have lost their jobs in June.

The Ministry of Defence defends the cuts as necessary to "meet the challenges of the future".

Former Liberal Democrat leader and Royal Marine Lord Ashdown told Sky News: "My guess is this is a redeployment - it will not cut back on special forces numbers, though it may have an impact on capacity."

Confusion also persists over the defence budget post-2015.

On his recent trip to Algeria, Libya and Liberia, Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters that defence spending would start to rise again beyond 2015, but Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he thought this only applied to equipment spending.

Jim Murphy, shadow defence secretary, said: "This seems senseless and serious.

"These very specialised, high-end forces, which the UK now needs more than ever, may lose their roles at the same time as ministers hail their importance."

He added: "The country will demand an explanation as to why at a time when more is being demanded of Special Forces these roles may be lost."

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Malala: Shot Teen's Surgery 'Successful'

A schoolgirl who was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in Pakistan has had successful surgery, doctors have said.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham confirmed that Malala Yousufzai, 15, underwent cranial reconstruction and cochlear implantation procedures on Saturday.

A hospital spokeswoman said Malala's medical team were "very pleased" with her progress following the operations, which lasted for some five hours.

Commenting on the surgery, the spokeswoman said: "Both operations were a success and Malala is now recovering in hospital.

Malala was shot by a Taliban gunman

"Her condition is described as stable and her medical team are very pleased with the progress she has made so far. She is awake and talking to staff and members of her family."

Malala has been receiving treatment at the hospital since she was flown to Britain in October after being shot in north-west Pakistan for promoting women's rights.

Doctors at the hospital said on Wednesday that Malala was set to undergo surgery for what they hoped would be the last time.

The teenager required the fitting of a custom-made titanium plate to repair damage to her skull, as well as a cochlear implant to help her recover hearing in her left ear.

Malala has been in hospital since October

Speaking earlier this week, Dr Dave Rosser, medical director at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, said both procedures were routinely carried out at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Dr Rosser described Malala as a "remarkable young woman" who had made great progress in her recovery.

He also said she was fully aware of the threats the Taliban had made against her life.

Addressing a media briefing on Wednesday, Dr Rosser said: "She's not naive at all about what happened to her and the situation in terms of her high-profile.

"She's incredibly determined to continue to speak for her cause."

Dr Rosser said it could take "between 15 and 18 months" for any hearing to recover in her left ear but added that in time she would have almost normal levels of hearing, thanks to the surgery.

Dr Rosser also credited the surgeons who operated on Malala in Pakistan soon after she was shot with saving her life.

Malala escaped death by a matter of inches when she was shot on October 9 last year - as the bullet entered just above her left eye and ran along her jaw -"grazing" her brain.

In a statement, the hospital said Malala would continue her recuperation as an inpatient until she was well enough to be discharged.

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Blackpool Stab Death Teen's Family Pay Tribute

The parents of a teenager found stabbed and burned in Blackpool have spoken of their sorrow at the loss of their "beautiful" daughter.

A post-mortem examination found 16-year-old Sasha Marsden's body was set on fire after she had died from stab wounds to the head and face.

Police, who continue to question a  22-year-old man who was arrested nearby, issued a statement on behalf of the teenager's family.

Her mother, Jayne and Gary Marsden, said: "No words can express how we feel.

"Our beautiful daughter has been taken from us. She was a loving daughter, sister, granddaughter, great granddaughter, auntie, niece, cousin and girlfriend. She was very much loved and her loss has left a huge gap in all our lives, a gap that can never be filled.

The alley where Sasha's body was discovered

"Sasha was your typical teenager, a fun-loving girl who enjoyed spending time with her friends and boyfriend, with her parents being last on the list unless she wanted something or needed a lift somewhere.

"We would ask that we be left alone in private to allow us to come to terms with losing our beautiful precious daughter."

Sasha's brother Mark Brett, 24, said: "She was my little sister and I was so proud of her going to college to do her child care course. She will be missed by all her family and friends."

Her sister, 21-year-old Katie Brett, said: "She is a gorgeous little lady and knows how to make an impression and when you meet her. You would never forget her.

"She was an expert wind up merchant and although you might be annoyed with her, you couldn't stay mad with her for long."

The 16-year-old was described as "cheeky and friendly"

Sasha's oldest sister, Gemma Aitchison, 26, said: "Cheeky, friendly and stubborn are all things that make Sasha as special as she is and make her overcome anything. She is a beautiful sister and a wonderful and caring aunty too."

And her brother Thomas Nicholl, 21, said: "Sasha was an adorable little sister and was never afraid to put her opinions across no matter what the situation was.

"She always knew how to make us smile, especially after winding us up. She gave the most amazing cuddles and we will miss her so much."

It comes after her friend, Stephanie Kyle, told Sky News that Sasha had recently received a death threat via email.

Sasha, whose body was discovered in an alley, was in the first year of a childcare course at Blackpool and The Fylde College and lived with her parents in nearby Staining.

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Halal Products Withdrawn After Pork DNA Found

The company which supplied halal food found to contain traces of pork DNA has removed all halal products from the manufacturer.

Food distributor 3663 carried out its own tests on the products after initially fearing five of its halal products may have contained horsemeat. But tests found it was pork DNA traces.

The firm identified McColgan Quality Foods Limited, a Northern Ireland-based company, as the source of "the very small number of Halal savoury beef pastry products" affected.

In a statement the company said: "3663 withdraws McColgan Quality Foods Limited halal pastry products from distribution to Ministry of Justice."

Islamic law forbids the consumption of pork.

3663 has not been suspended, but the "sub-contractor" McColgan has been suspended, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) said.

On an Invest Northern Ireland-backed website, McColgan Quality Foods - based in Strabane, County Tyrone - is said to be "approved for the preparation of Halal product".

The website lists McColgan's customers to be popular supermarket brands including Lidl, Nisa, Spar and Costcutter.

The pork DNA was found in pies and pasties

It states McColgan's specialises in "a wide range of chilled & frozen, sweet & savoury convenience foods for retail and food service".

In a statement it said it was "proactively co-operating" with the Food Standards Agency.

"McColgan's has already taken swift measures to identify, isolate and withdraw all of the products which are supplied to The Prison Service while an investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding this deeply regrettable and unforeseen incident takes place.

"McColgan's is keen to stress that at no point has pork of any kind been included in the recipes of any of the halal-certified products it supplies."

The row comes after traces of horsemeat were found in burgers sold by some UK supermarkets, including Tesco.

3663 - the numbers in the name corresponding to the letters "FOOD" on a telephone number pad - said in a statement its sentiments echoed those of the Ministry of Justice, and said it was a situation that "we deeply regret".

It added that the beef pastry products were only distributed to prisons.

A spokesman for the MoJ said that following the discovery of non-halal meat and the traces of pork, all prisons were informed and the Food Standards Agency (FSA) immediately informed.

Justice minister Jeremy Wright said: "This is an absolutely unacceptable situation, and one which we regret greatly. Clearly this must be distressing for those affected and they can be reassured we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation. The Prison Service is investigating this as a matter of urgency."

On Thursday Burger King dropped the Irish food processing plant which supplied burgers contaminated with horse DNA.

The Silvercrest plant in Co Monaghan, part of the ABP Food Group, has lost contracts with the major fast food chain and also supermarkets Tesco, Aldi and the Co-operative Group.

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Mini Drones: Army Deploys Tiny Helicopters

British troops are using a nano drone just 10cm long and weighing 16 grams on the front line in Afghanistan to provide vital information on the ground.

They are the first to use the state-of-the-art handheld tiny surveillance helicopters, which relay reliable full motion video and still images back to the devices' handlers in the battlefield.

The Black Hornet Nano Unmanned Air Vehicle is the size of a child's toy, measuring just 10cm (4 ins) by 2.5cm (1 inch), and is equipped with a tiny camera.

The 16g helicopters are used to assess enemy threat

Soldiers use the mini drone to peer around corners or over walls to identify any hidden threats and the images are relayed to a small screen on a handheld terminal.

Sergeant Christopher Petherbridge, of the Brigade Reconnaissance Force in Afghanistan, said: "Black Hornet is definitely adding value, especially considering the light weight nature of it.

"We used it to look for insurgent firing points and check out exposed areas of the ground before crossing, which is a real asset. It is very easy to operate and offers amazing capability to the guys on the ground."

The nano helicopter has been developed by Prox Dynamics AS of Norway as part of a £20m contract for 160 units with Marlborough Communications Ltd (MCL), Surrey.

The tiny drones send video and still images back to a handheld screen

Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, said: "Black Hornet gives our troops the benefits of surveillance in the palm of their hands. It is extremely light and portable whilst out on patrol.

"Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems are a key component in our 10-year equipment plan and now that we have balanced the defence budget we are able to confidently invest in these kinds of cutting-edge technologies."

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Blackpool Stab Death: Teen 'Received Threat'

A 16-year-old girl whose body was found burning in an alley had recently received a death threat in an email, a friend of the teen has told Sky News.

Sasha Marsden's body was set on fire after she had died from stab wounds to the head and face, a post-mortem examination has found.

Herr friend, Stephanie Kyle, told Sky News of a threat received by Sasha, which she said police had been told about.

"She got an email saying her time was going to come very soon," she said.

"Obviously this happened, and she's gone and ... we don't know why."

Police released this image of Sasha

Police cordoned off the area in South Shore, Blackpool, after her body was discovered at 9pm on Thursday.

A 22-year-old man was arrested nearby and police have been granted more time to question him.

A woman aged 20 was also held but later released without charge.

A police spokesman said: "Following the death of Sasha Marsden, a Home Office post-mortem examination has been carried out and has found that Sasha died as a result of receiving significant stab wounds to the head and face.

"It also showed that attempts were made to set the body on fire and this was after Sasha had died.

The teenager was on a childcare course at college

"The results have been shared with the family, and specially trained officers are continuing to support them."

On Friday, crime scene investigators carried out forensic searches of the alley behind Kirby Road and at the Grafton House bed-and-breakfast hotel on the same road, which is a few streets off the Promenade.

Carl Evans, owner of the nearby Kimber Guest House, told Sky News he spotted the fire when he walked out into his back garden on Thursday evening.

"I heard the alarms going and saw the smoke, but I thought it was just someone burning rubbish," he said.

The crime scene in Blackpool has been cordoned off by police

He added that some residents had attempted to put out the flames before realising it was a body on fire.

"The lass two doors up said someone seemed to have put something out - like a mannequin - but it turned out to be the body of a 16-year-old girl."

Sasha was in the first year of a childcare course at Blackpool and The Fylde College and lived with her parents in nearby Staining.

Paying tribute, Mandy Pritchard, head of the college's school for society, health and childhood, said she was "a friendly, considerate individual who cared about her fellow students".

Numerous tributes were paid to the youngster on a Facebook page set up in her memory.

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Special Forces: 600 Support Posts To Go

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Around 600 posts could be cut from the support network for Britain's special forces after the military pull-out from Afghanistan.

The Special Forces Support Group is expected to be restructured as Britain's role in the Afghan conflict draws to an end.

The Ministry of Defence thinks the extra support and logistics will no longer be necessary.

The unit is primarily made up of paratroopers from 1 Para and a contingent of Royal Marines.

It was bolstered around five years ago to cope with the demands of fighting in Afghanistan.

These personnel, although some of the UK's most exceptional armed forces, do not complete the same training as SAS or SBS soldiers, neither do they apply the same rules of anonymity.

Their role is to provide logistical support, intelligence gathering and force protection.

The Government does not comment on the special forces, but senior defence sources have stressed this should not be seen as an attack on the special forces.

Of the posts that will be closed, 156 will be from the support group itself, the remainder from a wider network that assists the SAS and SBS.

It is understood that none of the personnel affected will actually lose their jobs because both the Royal Marines and paratroopers are exempt from the latest redundancies.

In the case of the marines, this is because the Navy has pretty much made all the cuts it needs to. The paras are deemed exempt because they are a specialist regiment.

The posts will be closed and those affected will go back to their original jobs.

Paranoia about redundancies in the Armed Forces was revived last month when the latest tranche of job losses was announced. The third round will mean 5,300 soldiers learning they have lost their jobs in June.

The Ministry of Defence defends the cuts as necessary to "meet the challenges of the future".

Former Liberal Democrat leader and Royal Marine Lord Ashdown told Sky News: "My guess is this is a redeployment - it will not cut back on special forces numbers, though it may have an impact on capacity."

Confusion also persists over the defence budget post-2015.

On his recent trip to Algeria, Libya and Liberia, Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters that defence spending would start to rise again beyond 2015, but Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said he thought this only applied to equipment spending.

Jim Murphy, shadow defence secretary, said: "This seems senseless and serious.

"These very specialised, high-end forces, which the UK now needs more than ever, may lose their roles at the same time as ministers hail their importance."

He added: "The country will demand an explanation as to why at a time when more is being demanded of Special Forces these roles may be lost."

22.11 | 0 komentar | Read More