Police Issue Appeal Over Businessman's Murder

Police keen to solve the murder of a diabetic businessman are making a renewed push to trace his killers.

John Luper, 57, was attacked by four or five masked men as he returned from a midnight walk with his dog in the Alwoodley suburb of Leeds in 2004 and dragged back inside his family home.

The house in Alwoodley that Mr Luper shared with his wife and daughter

His wife and daughter were tied up with masking tape while the gang stole jewellery - including a platinum and diamond watch, clothes and cash, totalling £100,000.

The inquest into his death heard the robbers became concerned about his health during the raid and fed him marmalade; possibly in an attempt to boost his sugar levels.

When his family freed themselves they found him unconscious on the kitchen floor and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed he died from asphyxia.

The stolen Cartier watch was one of only four sold in the UK at that time and police have asked anyone who may have been offered such an item to get in touch.

Detective Superintendent Simon Atkinson said he remained committed to bringing Mr Luper's killers to justice.

"The fact that 11 years have passed since John Luper's death has not lessened how determined we still are to get justice for his family," he said.

"The scientific techniques available to us are developing all the time and we remain hopeful that they will yet provide us with the evidence we need.

"We are convinced that there are people out there who have the information we need to know about who was responsible.

"It is likely that those answers lie within the criminal fraternity who will have been aware of the murder at the time and will have discussed it over the years.

"Allegiances often change over the years and it may be that people are in a better position now to come forward and tell us what they know."

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CBI Upgrades Economic Growth Forecast For 2015

The Confederation of British Industry has upgraded its economic growth forecast for 2015, after inflation fell to a record-equalling low in December.

According to the group, Britain's economy will expand by 2.7% this year - up from its previous prediction of 2.5%.

It said living standards were improving, with strong levels of job creation and wage growth beginning to gain momentum.

The CBI also believes the future looks rosier for businesses, as lower energy prices cut operating costs and free up more cash for investment.

However, it warned political uncertainty ahead of May's General Election - when coupled with Greece's economic turmoil and the Ukrainian conflict - could make it difficult for exporters to secure new orders.

And, as the price of oil has fallen by around 50% since last summer, North Sea oil companies have taken a hit - stymying jobs and investment in the industry.

Katja Hall, the CBI's deputy director-general, said: "UK growth continues to outshine its counterparts in Europe and progress is 'steady as she goes'.

"Now is not the time for complacency, but falling unemployment coupled with improving wage growth and rock-bottom inflation should mean that people see more money in their pockets."

Although the CBI's forecast is now in line with the International Monetary Fund, the Bank of England is predicting economic growth of 2.9% this year.

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Rail Passengers Frustrated By Poor Service

By Katie Spencer, Sky News Reporter

Rail travellers on busy commuter routes say they are frustrated by delays and bad service, with less than half of passengers on some lines saying they are satisfied with their journeys.

A survey carried out by the consumer group Which? found services from England's South East into London are the most likely to be delayed.

Travellers on the Southern train company reported experiencing the most delays, while those least satisfied with their service were customers with the Thameslink and Great Northern / First Capital Connect routes.

Only 44% of customers with Southeastern said they were satisfied with their journeys, and Southern and Abellio Greater Anglia scored only 46%.

The results were based on responses from 7,309 travellers who were asked about journeys they had taken in the 12 months ending in November 2014.

Areas covered included availability of seating, cleanliness of toilets and carriages, as well as punctuality and value for money.

Travellers were also asked if they had experienced a delay on the last journey they had taken with their train company.

It comes as official figures show rail passengers are paying more for services, while Government funding is falling.

A report by the Office of Rail Regulation shows commuters are contributing an increasing amount to the cost of running the railways.

Official figures show the amount passengers are contributing to the funding of the railways stood at £8.2bn in 2013/14 - an increase of more than 6% on the previous year.

In the same period, the level of Government funding was just £3.8 billion, a fall of 8%.

Funding per passenger journey works out to be far less in England than it is in Scotland and Wales.

In England it works out to be £1.88 per passenger journey, whereas in Scotland it's £7.77, and £9.18 in Wales.

Alex Neill, director of campaigns for Which?, told Sky News: "We found commuters are really unhappy with the service they're getting.

"Seven of the 21 providers that we looked at scored less than 50%, which is a pretty poor result.

"People are fed up with overcrowded trains that are dirty, generally late and that are not good value for money."

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Son Arrested Days Before Parents Found Dead

A convicted rapist who was recently released from prison is believed to have killed his parents before being found dead.

Ashraf Amrani, 30,  was found unresponsive then pronounced dead on the roof of a flat in west London on Friday afternoon.

Police say he had been arrested for affray on 10 February and was due to answer bail on Wednesday.

The next day officers went to a flat in the same street to inform his next of kin, but discovered the bodies of a man and woman - believed to be Amrani's parents Hassan and Zara. 

Police are treating Ashraf Amrani's death as unexplained but the couple are believed to have died in suspicious circumstances and police have launched a murder investigation.

A court official confirmed that in June 2010 the 30-year-old had been jailed for seven years and two months after being found guilty of rape at Southwark Crown Court.

A neighbour who lives in the same street - Westbourne Park Road near the Portobello Road Market - said police had been called to the couple's flat on Thursday but a man, believed to be the couple's son, had tried to block them from going inside.

She said: "My brother told me that police had been round and they were looking for the son and opened the door.

"He got the impression he was in there and not letting them in.

She added: "The last time I saw the wife was on Thursday and she didn't look happy. She looked a bit fed up and sad.

"We were walking into the estate together and she said she wanted to go back to Morocco. She was a bit fed up.

"She said her husband had called her and said there was some trouble in the house."

The neighbour, who asked not to be named, said the couple doted on their grandson, who is believed to be around seven or eight years old.

"They were just a really nice couple. I'm just so shocked. They were always so nice," she said.

"She would always go and see her daughter and grandson. The husband was a very quiet man. They had an extremely beautiful house. She kept everything immaculate."

Forensics officers wearing light blue protective clothing and white masks are continuing to search the flat.

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Miliband: Apprenticeships For School Leavers

Ed Miliband has announced plans to make sure every school leaver who makes the grade is given an apprenticeship.

Setting out Labour's economic vision, the Labour leader promised to create 80,000 new apprenticeships for 18-year-olds who achieve two A-Levels or a similar vocational qualification.

He said the public sector would provide thousands of places, while firms awarded major government contracts or those who recruit from outside the EU would be required to deliver apprenticeships.

Mr Miliband pointed out that the number of apprenticeships in the UK was falling with only one in 10 firms offering places - six times fewer than in Germany.

Mr Miliband and Mr Balls at the Jaguar Land Rover factory, Wolverhampton

He said: "Nothing more symbolises the current Government's failing plan than seeing the tax gap - between what should be paid and the revenue received - widening, while the number of apprenticeships available for young people is falling."

The announcement was the centrepiece of a speech in Birmingham in which Mr Miliband set out a "better plan" for an economy that would succeed for "working families of Britain as a whole".

Video: Chuka Backs Ed Over Tax Receipts

He said: "We need a better plan to replace an economy where tens of billions are lost in tax avoidance with an economy where tens of thousands more of our young people are doing apprenticeships and we help more businesses grow, succeed and create wealth."

Mr Miliband unveiled a 79-page document outlining proposals to generate investment and cut taxes for small businesses in a bid to restore his relationship with firms.

He guaranteed that corporation tax would be the "most competitive in the G7" and promised increased competition in energy and banking to bring down bills.

Mr Miliband also said he would introduce a ban on zero-hours contracts and promised to stay in a reformed European Union.

The proposals were welcomed by John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce.

He said: "It is encouraging to see Mr Miliband set out some positive policies for business, notably around access to finance, infrastructure and encouraging long-term investment.

"Mr Miliband is right to focus on the importance of high quality apprenticeships, and collectively we can work harder to deliver more of them. We also favour giving employers more control over funding, so that companies can train apprentices with the skills to suit their needs."

Conservative chairman Grant Shapps said Mr Miliband had "never run a business in his life" and was the "last person in the world we should be listening to on this".

Mr Miliband's speech came as the shadow business secretary dismissed the row over Ed Balls' suggestion people should collect receipts from gardeners and cleaners as a "storm in a teacup".

Speaking to Sky News, Chuka Umunna said the shadow chancellor was not demanding everyone must collect written notes in respect of all minor cash-in-hand jobs.

Mr Balls made his comments at the weekend in the middle of the row between the Tories and Labour over tax avoidance and the handling of HSBC's Swiss dealings.

He said he always asked for a receipt, even if it was for £10 to trim a hedge, because it was the "right thing to do".

Work and Pensions Secretary Iain Duncan Smith branded the comments as "absurd".

Speaking in Birmingham Mr Miliband said: "We're all clear the Hedge Funds are more important than the hedge cutters."

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NHS Patients 'Feel Ignored And Sidelined'

The NHS is failing some the country's most vulnerable patients by ignoring complaints and failing to show compassion, according to a new report.

The Patients Association says many are left "uninformed" about their treatment, but are scared to complain because they fear recriminations.

Called 'Why our NHS should listen and be human', the report warns says most patients who raise grievances are driven by a desire to improve the system for others rather than punish staff.

The charity also says patients and their families understand doctors and nurses are not always able to answer their questions, but should be kept informed about their care.

Katherine Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association, said: "Today's themes report demonstrates that too often patients and their families are treated without compassion, are uninformed about treatment and next steps, feel ignored and sidelined when they raise concerns or complaints.

Video: Hunt On NHS Whistleblowers Review

"In our report, Why our NHS should listen and be human, we have identified that patients are still being shown a lack of care, compassion and dignity.

"We have also reported that openness and transparency are key themes that patients and the public are concerned about.

"The NHS is failing many of the most vulnerable members of society and patients and the public have told us about inconsistencies in the provision of care, poor standards of care and compassion, and a lack of openness and transparency in communication between healthcare staff, patients and their families.

Video: NHS To Probe Patient Deaths

"These themes can be summed up as a desire to be treated in a humane and caring way with compassion, dignity, openness and honesty."

The association said the NHS must improve its complaints procedures and the support it gives patients.

Ms Murphy added: "It is now time to stop the rhetoric; be honest with your patients and place them central to everything you do, patients and the public deserve nothing less."

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Al Fayed Rape Allegation To Be 'Reassessed'

A rape allegation made against Mohamed al Fayed is being reassessed after "new information" about the case emerged.

The claims were first reported to the Metropolitan Police in October 2013.

Following an investigation by officers at the time, no further action was taken against the businessman, who is the former owner of Harrods.

However, the case against the 86-year-old will now be reviewed.

Mr al Fayed, who strongly denies the allegation, has expressed his "dismay" at the decision.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "We can confirm the MPS investigated an allegation reported to us in October 2013. The matter was not proceeded with at the time.

"However, we are reassessing the original investigation as a result of new information."

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Catch Me If You Can: Fugitive's Facebook Taunt

A criminal on the run has used Facebook to taunt police officers trying to track him down.

Logan Rhys James, of Caerphilly, South Wales, was in prison for a street knife attack but was released early.

Gwent Police, who are hunting him because he breached the terms of his release, issued the 19-year-old's mugshot on Facebook as officers tried to track him down.

The comment posted on Gwent Police's Facebook page

But a comment appeared, apparently sent from James' profile, which said: "Haha catch me if you can wont (sic) see me slipping."

Officers said they remain confident of catching the teenager, who is known to have contacts in Caerphilly and Barry.

A spokesman said: "Logan received an eight-month sentence for affray after being convicted on 31 July 2014.

"Due to the fact that Logan, who was released on licence, breached his licence conditions he has been recalled to prison."

:: Anyone with information should contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111, quoting log 294 11/02/15 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Abuse Inquiry May Probe Crimes Back To 1945

The offical inquiry into alleged child sex abuse may be extended to investigate crimes committed as long ago as 1945, according to Justice Lowell Goddard.

The New Zealand judge took over the inquiry after two other senior figures were forced to step down over establishment links.

The investigation is expected to focus on allegations of alleged wrongdoing dating back to 1970, but Justice Goddard says this could be extended.

The 66-year-old told The Mail On Sunday that fixed cut-off points for inquiries are "artificial".

"The terms of reference talk about going back to 1970, but there is a push from certain quarters to take it back to about 1945," she said.

Video: NZ Judge To Head Abuse Inquiry

"A cut-off point is always a bit artificial - someone who falls on the wrong side of it is aggrieved."

The newspaper said Home Secretary Theresa May supports Justice Goddard's position on the possibility of extending the terms of reference.

Justice Goddard said she "wouldn't shrink" from summoning prominent people to give evidence at the inquiry.

"I don't feel intimidated. Nobody should be beyond the reach of the law," she said.

"Sexual abuse of little children has never been anything short of a serious crime and that does not alter through religious or cultural mores or a different era or time.

"If criminal offending is evident it will be handed to police. There are people who need to be given a voice about what has happened to them."

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Two Killed In Crash Involving Bus And Lorry

Two people have died in a crash involving a minibus and a lorry.

Six others were hurt in the collision, which happened near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

One man is in a critical condition with "serious head injuries" at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.

Both victims who died were pronounced dead at the scene on the A511 in Tutbury.

Emergency crews were alerted just before 7am on Sunday.

West Midlands Ambulance Service said four people suffered minor injuries, while another is being treated for chest pain in Queen's Hospital in Burton.

Staffordshire Police said the investigation into how the collision happened was "likely to take some time".

It comes after two women died in a three-car collision close to a roadside diner on the southbound A11 in Besthorpe, southeast of Norwich.

A 46-year-old woman died at the scene, police said, while a 30-year-old died later in hospital after the collision at 11.30pm on Saturday. Occupants of a third vehicle suffered minor injuries.

Earlier on Saturday, four people died in two separate tragedies on two of the country's busiest motorways.

Three men died after a coach hit their stationary vehicle on the M1 in Bedfordshire, while another man was killed in a pile-up involving dozens of cars on the M40 in Bicester, Oxfordshire.

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