Court reverses asbestos ruling
Thousands of people who are at risk of developing lung disease because of exposure to asbestos have been dealt a blow after the Court of Appeal blocked their right to claim damages (Frances Gibb writes). A majority of judges headed by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, reversed an earlier High Court ruling that allowed sufferers of pleural plaques — lung scarring — to claim compensation.
Verdicts overruled
Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that manslaughter convictions against Claire Carey, 19, and two girls aged 17 and 15, must be overturned because the death of Aimee Wellock was “unforeseeable”. Aimee, 15, collapsed and died from an unknown heart condition after being attacked in Bradford last year.
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Burglary killings
An elderly couple who were killed in their cottage put up a courageous fight, police said. Terence and Vera Martin, aged 72 and 78, tried to defend themselves before being killed in Faversham, Kent, in what may have been a distraction burglary. Police said that the attack was probably carried out by one person.
Doctor apologises
A consultant radiologist accused of breast-screening errors that left 17 women with significantly reduced chances of surviving their cancer has apologised to his patients in Manchester. Amjad Husien said he deeply regretted the distress he caused. He was suspended by Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust.
Murder charge
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Adam Briggs, 20, has been remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of a Carolyn Lemm, 16, who was found dead in a field near the village of Woodsetts, South Yorkshire, on December 13. Her body was close to that of her former boyfriend Lee Smith, 20, who had also been shot dead.
Atlantic Race row
The organisers of the Atlantic Rowing Race face controversy when they name the winners in March. James Cracknell, a double gold Olympian, and his partner were the first pair to complete the 2,900-mile race, but other competitors say they must be handed a large time penalty for using emergency fresh water in their boat.
Cricket death
A young batsman was hit so hard on the chest with a cricket ball that it stopped his heart. Tim Melville, 18, of Birkenhead, Wirral, died shortly after the ball was bowled at him during a game in Hyde, Greater Manchester, last July. John Pollard, the Stockport Coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death.
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Guilty of ‘happy slapping’ drowning’
Jonathan Lawson, 20, of Southend, Essex, was found guilty of manslaughter after a man pushed into a lake in a “happy slapping” incident at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Thurrock drowned. Sydney Quirke, 18, pleaded guilty to the same charge at Chelmsford Crown Court. Danielle Bacon, 20, and James Cramer, 21, had admitted assisting an offender. All will be sentenced on February 22. A boy aged 17 was cleared of manslaughter.
Killing admission
Three teenagers who admitted killing a father of four because he did not have a light for a cigarette were told at Manchester Crown Court that they face substantial custodial sentences. Guy Richardson, 18, and two 17-year-olds who cannot be named, admitted the manslaughter of Mugilan Sutherman, 43, last June.
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ID card radio fear
Identity cards could be fitted with radio transmitters, the Home Office said. The transmitters, which will also feature in e-passports, to be introduced next month, allow cards to be read by a scanner at a distance of an inch. However, critics fear that new technology may allow details to be read from up to 90ft.
New art prize
A video artist who has yet to sell any works has won the first MaxMara Art Prize for Women, set up to promote emerging talent in Britain. Margaret Salmon, 30, an American who lives in Harrogate, proposed to make three films on motherhood. She wins a six-month residency in Italy to create her work.
Benefits fraudster
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A businessman claimed more than £38,000 in benefits while living the high life, Leeds Crown Court was told. Roger Tate, 67, who lives in an expensive barn conversion in Bramhope, Leeds, owns luxury cars, a flat and a boat in Spain. He admitted dishonestly obtaining benefits and will be sentenced on Monday.
Moon dust auction
A phial of moon dust from the first moon landing, by Apollo 11 in 1969, has been withdrawn from a Bonhams’ auction after a journalist called the London company to say that the dust was the property of the US Government. The moon dust was believed to have been offered for sale by a laboratory technician.
Encouraging signs
A deaf collie has been taught to recognise sign language by the RSPCA in an attempt to find him a home. Blue’s deafness meant that he was often overlooked by potential adopters at the Little Valley Animal Shelter in Exeter. Among the signs eight-month-old Blue has learnt is thumbs up for “good boy”.
Deficient doctor still in practice
A doctor who incorrectly diagnosed epilepsy in 618 children has been allowed to continue practising medicine. The General Medical Council ruled that the professional performance of Andrew Holton, 52, who was suspended from Leicester Royal Infirmary in 2001, was “seriously deficient”, but that he can continue to practise with conditions. About 400 sets of parents are suing Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Civil service strike
Civil servants at Jobcentres and benefit offices began a two-day strike over job cuts at the Department for Work and Pensions. PCS, the Civil Service union, said that 80,000 people had taken part but the department put the number at 40,000. It has laid off 15,000 workers and intends to cut 15,000 more by 2008.
Death driver jailed
A motorist was jailed for five years and given a fifteen-year driving ban for causing the death of a driver by racing at up to 140mph in Hampshire. Winchester Crown Court was told that after Kenneth Harding, 69, crashed, Michael Harris, 45, sped off, telling his two children, who were in the car, to keep quiet about it.
Boy hit by train
A schoolboy was killed after apparently lying down on the railway track in front of a train. The body of Jonathan Reynolds, 15, from Bridgend, South Wales, was found at Pencoed station on Wednesday after he was hit by the 8.01pm Arriva Trains Wales service from Cardiff, British Transport Police said.
£6m drugs haul
Cocaine valued at £6 million was seized by police as they smashed an international drug ring in Operation Sayville. Three men and a woman were being held at a police station in South London after 50kgs of “high purity” cocaine was seized outside the capital. Police believe that it was shipped to an East Coast port.
City’s starring role
Filming in London increased by 18 per cent in the past year, underlining its position as the third busiest production centre in the world. Film London said that the total number of shooting days was 12,655 in 2005, compared to 10,683 in 2004. Westminster was the busiest area, with 2,231 crews shooting in the year.
Heated clothes
A body warmer and gloves with “central heating” are to go on sale at Maplin Electronics. The battery-powered garments are made from a new type of fabric that contains wire that heats up to about 40C (104F) in five minutes. The zip on the body warmer is also a compass.