Author: xaurav

Man ‘shot girl and then himself’

Sophie TaylorSophie Taylor’s family said she was a beautiful daughter
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A teenage trainee gamekeeper accidentally shot his girlfriend and then turned the gun on himself, it has been reported.

The pair – named as Sophie Taylor, 16, and 18-year-old Calum Murray – died at a cottage just off the A939 road near Tomintoul on Tuesday.

Ms Taylor’s family said they had been left “completely shocked” by the death of their “beautiful” daughter.

A Grampian Police investigation is continuing into the double shooting.

Officers are not looking for anyone else over the deaths.

It is understood one of the bodies was found inside the cottage and the other in the grounds.

In a statement, Sophie’s parents David, 41, and Katie, 44, and brother David, 18, said: “Sophie was bright and bubbly and loved spending time with her family and friends. We are immensely proud of her.

“We are a close family who will miss her very much and are completely shocked to have lost her so prematurely.”

The teenager was in her fourth year at Speyside High School in Aberlour and due to sit her Standard Grade exams in a few weeks’ time.

Police at scenePolice are investigating the deaths of the two teenagers

She was working towards becoming a social worker.

Ella Grant, depute head at Speyside High School, said Sophie had been working hard to prepare for her exams.

She said: “The news of this tragic loss has deeply shocked and saddened us all.

“Sophie was well liked, both by her fellow pupils and by the staff and she will be sorely missed.

“She was a credit to herself, her family and the school. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Sophie’s family at this very sad time.”

Locals said Mr Murray had been working on the Glenavon estate as a trainee gamekeeper.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Farage death threat pilot guilty

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A pilot has been convicted of threatening to kill UKIP leader Nigel Farage following a plane crash.

A jury found Justin Adams guilty of making threats relating to Mr Farage and crash investigator Martin James after the accident in May 2010.

Oxford Crown Court heard a telephone call between a police handler and a man calling himself Justin Adams who claimed to have a 9mm pistol.

Mr Adams, 46, of Faringdon, Oxfordshire, denied the five charges.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

BP meeting sparks angry protests

Crews fight the deadly fire aboard BP's Deepwater Horizon rigThe rig exploded last April and sank off the coast of Louisiana, killing 11 workers

BP could face a wave of protesters and angry shareholders at its first annual general meeting since a disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

It is almost one year since 11 workers were killed when a drilling rig leased by BP exploded, unleashing millions of barrels of oil.

Fishermen from the US are set to be among protesters at the AGM in London.

Meanwhile, BP is trying to save a £10bn alliance with the Russian state-owned oil company, Rosneft, from collapse.

The share swap deal would have resulted in both companies jointly exploiting potential vast new energy reserves in the Russian Arctic Circle.

It was a key part of BP’s turnaround strategy and aimed at delivering future growth.

But it was put on hold after Russian partners in its current Russian joint venture won an injunction.

BP had until Thursday to complete the deal. If it is to be saved, they will need to secure more time.

The handling of the deal with the Russian oil company is likely to stir up anger at the AGM, already set to be a noisy, angry affair.

On top of shareholder ire over boardroom bonuses, some fishermen and women, whose livelihoods were affected by the oil spill on 20 April 2010, will be at the meeting as shareholders.

They will be joined by indigenous communities angry at BP’s involvement in extracting tar sands – a heavily polluting form of oil – in Canada.

Outside, a protest is set to be staged by environmentalists, with more planned over the next week across London.

And workers involved in a dispute at a BP-owned biofuels plant near Hull will also demonstrate, some dressed as an oil slick, linking their row with the firm’s behaviour in the Gulf.

They say they have been “locked out” of the contract to build the new plant at Saltend, near Hull, after the project fell behind schedule.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Labour offers Wales ‘fresh hope’

Carwyn Jones at the Welsh Labour conferenceCarwyn Jones is looking to form a Labour-only administration in Cardiff

Labour will set out plans to make sure devolution delivers when it publishes its Welsh election manifesto.

The party will promise “fresh hope” for Wales and to “fight for jobs” on Thursday.

Having led the assembly government for the first 12 years of devolution, Labour has promised to make devolution its watchword if it regains power.

The manifesto will contain 400 “action points” and follows Welsh Labour’s biggest ever consultation exercise.

Labour has set out its five key election pledges and is campaigning under the slogan “standing up for Wales”.

The focus on “delivery” follows Mr Jones’s speech to the Welsh Labour conference in February where he promised to make it his watchword.

Under Labour, the assembly government will launch a commission to look at the way all public services are delivered.

There will be a first minister’s delivery unit, similar to one created by Tony Blair, to ensure a “whole government” approach to improving services.

Labour intends the first minister to take direct control over some policy areas, including energy.

“At the heart of our work, Welsh Labour will fight for jobs and we will campaign for recovery”

Carwyn Jones Welsh Labour leader

There will be a review of the way the civil service in Wales operates, with the suggestion of a training college for elite officials.

The direct law-making powers handed to the assembly by last month’s referendum would be used in a social care bill.

Labour will look at whether a not-for-profit company can be set up to take over the Wales and the Borders rail franchise when it is up for renewal in 2018.

Labour will press for “fairer funding” of the assembly government by the Treasury, but will not seek powers to vary income tax.

In his foreword to the manifesto, Mr Jones says: “We will provide Wales with a beacon of hope that stands in contrast to the cuts of the Tory-led UK coalition government.”

He says the party’s values “lead us to support the development of a more equal society”.

“At the heart of our work, Welsh Labour will fight for jobs and we will campaign for recovery.

Labour’s five key pledgesMore apprenticeships and training opportunities for young peopleAccess to GP surgeries in the evenings and SaturdaysMore funding for schools.An extra 500 PCSOsDouble the number of children benefiting from free childcare and health visiting

“Welsh Labour is on the side of our communities. We represent the values of ordinary families right across Wales. Wales is safe with Labour.”

In his manifesto introduction, shadow welsh secretary Peter Hain says the election is an opportunity for voters to send a message to David Cameron and Nick Clegg “that Wales is being treated unfairly and their deep and savage cuts are hurting but not working”.

He says flagship policies from the first decade of devolution – such as free bus passes for older people and free prescriptions for all – “are at risk under the Tories”.

“You must vote for Carwyn Jones and Welsh Labour if we are to keep these safe,” Mr Hains says.

The document will be launched in the target seat of the Vale of Glamorgan.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

G20 demo ‘kettling’ not justified

Metropolitan police officers on duty in the City of London during clashes between police and protesters at the time of the G20 summitProtesters were kept within a tight police cordon for more than four hours
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A High Court ruling on whether police in London acted lawfully when they used “kettling” tactics at the G20 protests two years ago is expected later.

Chris Abbott, Hannah McClure and Josh Moos have challenged the Metropolitan Police’s (Met) containment strategy.

They are accused of unlawful restraint and using unacceptable violence to break up the camp in Bishopsgate.

The Met said they feared trouble-seekers leaving a nearby violent protest would hijack the camp.

During the protests in April 2009 police officers enforced a tight cordon around demonstrators outside the European Climate Exchange for more than four hours.

The police said they imposed the kettle at about 1900 BST because people were being dispersed from the Royal Exchange demonstration where violence had broken out.

They said they feared trouble-seeking individuals leaving the Royal Exchange would hijack the climate camp.

While mostly peaceful, the police said there had been incidents at the camp throughout the day including damage to police carriers as well as bottles, coins and other items thrown at the police lines.

During the three-day hearing, the legality of the use of riot shields to hit individuals in so called “shield strikes” was also questioned.

The police said a shield was part of an officer’s protective equipment and could be used to the extent “that use of force is reasonable and proportionate”.

Sir Anthony May and Mr Justice Sweeney are expected to deliver their judgement later.

If he rules in favour of the protesters they could be awarded damages.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Rail tragedy boy’s call to father

Ryan QuinnRyan Quinn telephoned his father for help minutes before being struck by a train
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A 14-year-old boy trapped on a railway line in front of an oncoming train, made a frantic mobile phone call to his father moments before he was killed.

Ryan Quinn died when his knuckle became jammed in a cattle grid and he was struck by the Coleraine to Portrush train in January 2009.

An inquest was told by his father, Ivan, the boy was chased onto the line after being attacked at a Portrush bar.

He said his son became hysterical, begging him to come quickly.

The coroner heard that Ryan Quinn was three times over the legal limit for alcohol when he was killed.

A pathologist’s report said he had bruising to his left hand consistent with being stuck in a cattle grid.

A train driver said he had seen a figure running away from the lines minutes before the boy was struck.

The coroner found that Ryan had died from multiple injuries after being hit by a train.

He expressed concern about the amount of alcohol in his system and said he believed there were people who knew what happened that night who had not come forward.

Outside the court, police said they were still investigating the death and treating it as murder.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Rapist jailed for attack in 1988

James John RobertsonJames Robertson was described as a depraved and dangerous man
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A Lancashire man has been jailed for life for a rape in Canterbury more than 20 years ago after latest scientific techniques helped to find a DNA match.

James John Robertson, of Spring Street, Rishton, was convicted and jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for the attack on a 20-year-old woman in 1988.

Jurors heard he offered her a lift home, but instead drove her to a rural area where he attacked and raped her.

The 58-year-old was ordered to serve at least seven and a half years.

Sentencing, Judge Adele Williams told him: “You are a depraved and dangerous man. You acted in a cold and calculated manner.

“You have perverted tendencies and you have shown no remorse.

“You will remain in prison until it is considered you no longer remain a danger to women.”

The court heard the woman had been out in Canterbury on 19 August.

She had an argument with a friend, and Robertson approached her later in the evening and offered her a lift home.

“The young woman went through a terrible ordeal 22 years ago. Supported by her family, she has bravely relived that ordeal”

Det Insp David Withers

Instead of taking their agreed route, he drove out of the city to Littlebourne and then Nackington Road.

In the early hours of 20 August, he assaulted and raped her in an ordeal lasting more than two hours and then left her in the city centre.

Police investigated the crime in the 1980s, but no-one was charged.

By the time a cold case investigation team reopened the case last year, Robertson had been convicted, jailed and released for causing grievous bodily harm in another attack and had moved to the north west.

Experts re-examined DNA taken from the victim in 1988 and found it matched Robertson’s DNA which was on the database.

Cold case scientist Sally Hill said the advances in DNA techniques helped the Forensic Science Service to provide Kent Police with a new lead.

After the hearing, Det Insp David Withers said: “The young woman went through a terrible ordeal 22 years ago.

“Supported by her family, she has bravely relived that ordeal by giving evidence before a jury over two days.”

The court heard Robertson had previously been convicted of murder and assaulting a police officer in Scotland in the 1970s.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Data leak police officer jailed

Police officerHowie admitted two charges of perverting the course of justice and breaching the Data Protection Act
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A former police constable who admitted leaking sensitive information has been sentenced to 27 months in jail.

Karen Howie, 34, of Carnoustie, gave the data to her lover, who then tipped off a suspect in a criminal investigation.

She was working at Kirriemuir police office when the crime was committed, but has since resigned from the force.

Howie had admitted two charges of perverting the course of justice when she appeared at Dundee Sheriff Court.

She also admitted breaching the Data Protection Act by accessing police computer systems in August 2009, to uncover details of an ongoing investigation into a counterfeiting operation.

Her co-accused, Neil Hand, 44, admitted one charge under the Data Protection Act.

The court heard he had contacted a suspect in the counterfeiting investigation following calls from Howie, who had accessed crime reports.

Procurator fiscal Catriona Dalrymple said: “The circumstances came to light with the apprehension of an individual in Arbroath in relation to counterfeit currency.

“He gave specialist information regarding a serving police officer.

“It was clear that he was trying to use this information as leverage.”

The suspect identified Howie and an investigation by the force discovered she had looked at information relating to him on “several occasions”.

Speaking after the sentencing, Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Scobbie, in charge of professional standards for Tayside Police, said corrupt officers had “no place” in the force.

“It’s disappointing that on occasion we find ourselves with individuals who want to discredit the reputation of the force and their colleagues,” he added.

“Criminal behaviour of this nature is exceptionally rare and the vast majority of our police officers and police staff act with integrity and honesty day in and day out.

“Our collective dismay at this case is only tempered by our resolve to ensure that we continue to investigate every allegation of wrongdoing and retain public trust and confidence.”

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Tunisia’s Ben Ali faces charges

Demonstrators attend a protest in central Tunis on 1 April 2011Tunisians still take regularly to the streets, urging interim authorities to act against the former regime

Tunisian authorities say they want to try former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on 18 different charges, including voluntary manslaughter and drug-trafficking.

Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said the charges were among 44 to be made against Mr Ben Ali, his family and some former ministers.

An international warrant for Mr Ben Ali’s arrest is in force.

He was ousted in January amid a popular uprising and fled to Saudi Arabia.

Authorities said at the time they had arrested 33 members of his family, reportedly on suspicion of plundering the country’s resources.

In an interview on state TV late on Wednesday, Mr Chebbi said 18 legal cases had been prepared against Mr Ben Ali, including ”conspiring against the state, voluntary manslaughter and drug use and trafficking”, reported Tap state news agency.

Mr Chebbi said authorities had issued a request to Interpol to freeze the assets of Mr Ben Ali and his family, and said a delegation was being sent to Interpol headquarters in Lyon, France, to try to speed up the enforcement of the request.

Mr Ben Ali is accused of ordering security forces to crack down on the revolt that began in mid-December.

The UN calculates 219 people died during the Tunisian uprising – including 72 in the country’s jails – a far higher toll than that provided by Tunisian authorities.

Caretaker authorities have appointed a new government and the notorious and extensive secret police service has been dissolved.

Correspondents say the authorities are under pressure to establish their legitimacy in the eyes of protesters.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Briton dies in Dubai police cell

A British man has died while in police custody in Dubai, the Foreign Office has confirmed.

Lee Bradley Brown died this week and Dubai police are investigating his death.

The FCO did not confirm how he died or comment on British media reports about the circumstances around the death.

The FCO said it had spoken to his family and was providing consular assistance, but it was not releasing any further personal details.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

O’Sullivan sought World pull-out

Ronnie O’Sullivan attempted to pull out of the forthcoming World Championship last week only to change his mind a day later, World Snooker confirms.

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Third arrest in hacking inquiry

News of the World signNews of the World issued an apology to some victims last week
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News of the World journalist James Weatherup has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking.

His arrest comes less than a week after the paper apologised to eight victims and set up a compensation fund.

Chief reporter Neville Thurlbeck and ex-news editor Ian Edmondson were arrested last week on suspicion of having unlawfully intercepted voicemail messages.

The News of the World said it was not commenting on the latest arrest.

Mr Weatherup has also worked as a news editor with the Sunday tabloid.

Since January, the Metropolitan police have been re-examining the phone hacking scandal after receiving “significant new information” about activities at the News of the World.

In 2007, the first police investigation led to the convictions and imprisonment of the then NoW royal editor Clive Goodman and private investigator Glenn Mulcaire, who was employed by the paper.

Mr Thurlbeck and Mr Edmonson were released on bail until September.

Mr Weatherup was arrested early on Thursday and was being questioned at a London police station.

“He remains in custody for questioning after being arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to unlawfully intercept communications,” a police spokesman said.

“The Operation Weeting team is conducting the new investigation into phone-hacking. It would be inappropriate to discuss any further details regarding this case at this time.”

Mr Weatherup’s profile on LinkedIn describes his 25 years in the media.

It says: “As well as breaking exclusive stories, managing huge budgets, I also advised stars on PR and media related matters.”

It lists “crisis management” as a speciality.

He joined the News of the World in 1987, and left the paper in 1999 but rejoined as news editor in 2004.

The BBC understands that about October 2005 he stood down to become a senior reporter at the paper, with the title associate news editor. That title changed in 2006 to assistant news editor although he remained a reporter.

Following the News of the World’s unreserved apology and admission of liability on Friday to eight victims, its owner News International wrote to another nine claimants asking for further evidence that journalists intercepted their voicemail.

The BBC understood that News International was ready to settle claims with eight people, including former Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, her estranged husband, lawyer David Mills, designer Kelly Hoppen, sports broadcaster Andy Gray, and Joan Hammell, a former aide to ex-Deputy Prime Minister Lord Prescott.

Actress Sienna Miller was continuing with her legal action against the paper, despite the apology and admission, her lawyer said last week. Publicist Nicola Phillips also rejected the offer.

There are 24 active claims against the paper being heard by High Court judge Mr Justice Vos, with a meeting scheduled for Friday.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Uganda politician wounded by army

Uganda's Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Kizza Besigye (C) is arrested by anti-riot policemen at Kasangati suburb of the capital Kampala, 11 April 2011Dr Besigye was arrested on Monday, charged with inciting violence and later released
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Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been injured after the military opened fire to disperse protesters in the capital, Kampala.

His close aide told the BBC it was not clear if his hand had been shot with a rubber bullet or live ammunition.

At least six other opposition politicians were arrested in the walk-to-work protest against high prices.

There were then angry demonstrations in several towns where the police used tear gas and fired into the air.

Dr Besigye was defeated by President Yoweri Museveni in February’s presidential election but says the poll was rigged.

Before the vote, he had called for Egypt-style uprisings in case of fraud.

The police responded by banning public demonstrations.

For the second time this week, the opposition asked people to walk to work to protest against rising fuel and food prices.

Police had tried to arrest Dr Besigye but hundreds of his supporters surrounded him.

Eyewitnesses say the army then stepped in and during the effort to arrest him he was shot in the hand.

“He was definitely shot I don’t know if it was with live or rubber bullets. He is receiving medical treatment and x-rays show he has broken bones in two fingers on his right hand,” a close aide of the opposition leader told the BBC.

Opposition supporters tried to set up barricades and the police have also sealed off many roads in Kampala.

The recently elected mayor of Kampala, Erias Lukwago, was among the opposition leaders arrested on Wednesday

The BBC’s East Africa correspondent Will Ross says the opposition started the walk-to-work campaigns on Monday, aware that any attempt to demonstrate in one place would be swiftly broken up by police.

Those who participated were small in number.

But our reporter says Mr Museveni’s government was clearly very worried about the possibility of demonstrations spreading and so opposition politicians, including Dr Besigye, were arrested.

They were charged with inciting violence and later released.

Monday’s police action was widely condemned by human rights groups and foreign embassies.

The Uganda Law Society said restrictions on constitutional freedoms were turning Uganda into a police state.

Dr Besigye has been defeated by Mr Museveni in three presidential elections, gaining 26% to the president’s 68% in February.

The pair used to be allies – Dr Besigye was once Mr Museveni’s personal physician.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Japanese police search no-go zone

A police officer searches through rubble in Minamisouma on 13 April 2011Police have been working their way closer to the crippled nuclear plant

Japanese police have begun searching for victims of the 11 March earthquake and tsunami within a 10km zone around the damaged Fukushima nuclear plant.

Up to 1,000 bodies are thought to be in the area, but their retrieval has been delayed because of radiation fears.

Staff are working to bring the nuclear plant under control, after cooling systems at three reactors were knocked out by the quake.

More than 300 police in protective gear are searching for bodies.

It is the first time an operation to find those killed by the earthquake and tsunami has been carried out in the 10km (six-mile) zone around the plant.

Police said falling radiation levels had made it possible.

“The search started around 1000 and will continue until sunset,” a police spokesman said. “It’s difficult to estimate how many people are still missing in the area. We have to go and find them as soon as possible.

“If we find bodies contaminated with high levels of radiation, we will wash the remains before we take them to a morgue.”

The earthquake left 13,456 people dead and another 14,851 missing. More than 150,000 have been made homeless.

The government has promised to improve its communications after remarks by a government adviser angered evacuees from the plant area.

The adviser quoted the prime minister as saying evacuees would probably be unable to return home for 10 or 20 years – a remark the prime minister denied making.

”We are looking into how we can properly convey the information” to evacuees, top government spokesman Yukio Edano said.

”As communication has not been sufficient, we need to take this seriously.”

On Monday, the government said it would expand the evacuation zone around the plant. Currently a 20-km (12-mile) evacuation zone and a 20-30km “stay indoors” zone are in place.

The government now plans in the coming weeks to evacuate residents in villages outside the 20km zone where elevated levels of radiation have been found.

Work to stabilise the nuclear plant is continuing. Engineers are pumping water into three reactors to cool fuel rods after cooling systems were damaged by the earthquake.

They have discharged waste water with low levels of radioactivity into the sea to make room to store more highly contaminated waste water on site.

Water needs to be removed from the basements of reactors 1, 2, and 3 before vital work on the cooling systems can begin.

But on Thursday operator Tepco (Tokyo Electric Power Company) said that water levels in the basement of reactor 2 were continuing to rise, even as some was being pumped to storage.

BBC map

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