A 101-year-old man convicted of child sex offences has been jailed for 13 years. Ralph Clarke, a retired lorry driver, was told that before he could be considered for parole he would serve at least six years for 30 offences including indecent assault, attempted serious sexual assaults and indecency with children, one of whom was aged four. The judge at Birmingham crown court said that he had shown no remorse.
Ruling preserves setting of castle
The owner of a grade I listed castle in Suffolk has won a High Court battle to stop the development of neighbouring historic barns. Michael Lyndon-Stanford, who lives at Wingfield Castle, challenged planning permission that was granted by Mid Suffolk district council after “significantly misleading” reports. He said that changes would harm the visual setting of his castle, which dates back to 1385.
Rabbi Lionel Blue dies aged 86 Rabbi Lionel Blue, who achieved fame delivering Thought For the Day on BBC Radio 4 and who was the first British rabbi to come out as gay, has died at the age of 86. Gwyneth Williams, the controller of Radio 4, said: “He seemed to understand and welcome all human foibles and during his ‘Thoughts’ he smiled on us, making the days that followed just a little easier, a little richer.”
Ticket reselling inquiry
Music and sports fans should be warned that they may not be admitted to events if they buy tickets second hand, the Competition and Markets Authority said yesterday. Many tickets are sold on even if doing so renders them invalid. Although resale websites such as StubHub and Viagogo promised to improve ticket information, there have been lapses, the CMA said. It has now launched an investigation into the ticket sales industry to ensure consumers are protected.
Apology over arrest
A man arrested for murder after he tried to save the life of a gangland shooting victim has received £15,000 and an apology from the Metropolitan police. Nathan O’Brien, 23, from south London, performed CPR on Marcus Innocent but was mistakenly arrested at the scene. After a four-year legal battle he has received a letter of apology and a thank you from the police.
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Gene clue to arthritis
Women are nearly four times as likely as men to develop autoimmune diseases such as arthritis because of a genetic switch. A study at the University of Michigan, published in Nature Immunology, suggests that women may be more at risk because of a gene that acts like a control tower for the immune system, causing the body’s defences to turn against cells.
Refugee found stabbed
A Kurdish Syrian refugee who came to Britain two years ago after fleeing Aleppo has been stabbed to death outside a bar in Birmingham. Abraham Ismail, 23, a former economics student, was found slumped outside the bar at about 3.30am on Saturday. A friend said that he had become involved in a row between some men. An appeal has been set up to pay for his funeral.
RSPB ‘has got it wrong’
Putting out food for birds in the spring can harm them, according to a study by Reading University that contradicts RSPB advice to feed all year round. Researchers found that feeding in the breeding season made it much more likely that nearby nests would be raided by predators. Mark Fellowes, an author of the study, said that the RSPB should consider revising its advice.
Glastonbury ‘on move’
The Glastonbury music festival could become a roving event and a new location has been identified “towards the Midlands”, its founder, Michael Eavis, announced. He said that he was arranging to hold the festival at a location away from his land at Worthy Farm, Somerset, once every five years. At present the festival is not held in “fallow” years to help his land to recover.