More domestic violence courts
Men or women who kill or attack their partners are more likely to be successfully prosecuted under plans announced yesterday to double the number of specialist domestic violence courts in England and Wales.
The Government wants to increase the number from 28 to more than 50 by July. Tony Blair said that he wanted victims to “get the best possible care from criminal justice agencies”.
Police merge cost
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Police forces spent £6 million preparing for the aborted merger plan, a survey of 27 of the 43 forces has suggested. Forces had to create units to prepare cases on amalgamation for the Home Office to consider and to start drawing up plans. The mergers were dropped by the Government two months ago.
Control orders set
Fifteen suspected international terrorists are living under restrictions set by control orders, Tony McNulty, the Home Office Minister responsible for the police, said. Six of the men are British. Between June 11 and Sunday, nine control orders were made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.
Blood test hope
A new genetic blood test that could save thousands of lives by avoiding mis-matches in transfusions will be available in the next few months, scientists say. The Bloodchip test will transform treatment for patients with conditionssuch as sickle cell anaemia, haemophilia and leukaemia, who need blood transfusions.
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Musical house call
The cellist Julian Lloyd Webber heads a list of musicians who are to perform at the homes of those who cannot reach concert halls. “Musicians On Call” will involve professionals from 29 of Britain’s leading orchestras performing in living rooms and care homes. The project is supported by BBC Radio 3.
New needles plan
Richard Brunstrom, the Chief Constable of North Wales, has backed plans for a vending machine outside Colwyn Bay police station that will dispense needles to drug addicts, and for a steel bin for used needles. The charity Drugscope welcomed the initiative, which will be paid for by the Welsh Assembly.
Darwin book theft
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An amateur book collector has been fined £3,000 after stealing a first edition of The Origin of Species from Charles Darwin’s former home near Bromley in southeast London. Amir Ladak, of Ealing, West London, was also ordered by a judge at Croydon Crown Court to carry out 100 hours of community work.
Therapist jailed for five years
A therapist who told an alcoholic patient that she would die if she stopped drinking and then tricked her out of nearly £250,000 has been jailed for five years at Dorchester Crown Court. Judge John Beashel said that Mary McCullagh, 59, had used “breath-taking dishonesty” to strengthen her hold over Nicole Anderson and plunder her family fortune. He said: “You took advantage of your position as her counsellor.”
Child road death
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A policewoman investigating reports of children playing on a busy road saw a 7-year-old boy run across a dual carriageway and die after being hit by a car. The officer had stopped on the side of the A47 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. Police believe that the youngsters scattered at the sight of her police car.
Activists detained
Two animal rights activists who were handing out leaflets have been arrested during a demonstration against Oxford University. Amanda James, 42, from Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire, was arrested in connection with a previous protest. An unnamed 23-year- old from Gloucester was released on police bail.
Kidnap hearing
Two men who abducted an 11-year-old boy and planned to demand a ransom are facing jail. Dwayne Chatrie, from Derby, and Jordan Serrant, from Nottingham, both 23, were told that they face up to seven years after admitting child abduction at Derby Crown Court. They will be sentenced on October 3.
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Spectator killed
A spectator at a drag car track has been killed by flying debris during one of the races. The 64-year-old man, from Norwich, was watching the finals of the FIA European Drag Racing Championship, at the Santa Pod Raceway in Podington, Bedfordshire, when he was struck by an object that flew into the crowd.
Stars’ insurance
The television stars Ant and Dec have taken out insurance in case the other one dies. The two entertainers, who have worked together since meeting on the BBC children’s television drama Byker Grove, told Radio Times that one of them would receive a “massive payout” if his television partner was struck down.
Fake nest eggs
A council is to increase the number of fake eggs it places in seagull nests after finding that the ploy is reducing their population. Gloucester City Council has discovered that if a gull’s egg is replaced with a plastic one the parents will continue to sit on it all season and make no attempt to lay again.
Blind motorist given road ban
A blind Iraqi Kurd who was caught by police driving for half a mile was given a suspended 12-week prison sentence and a three-year driving ban. Omed Aziz, of Darlaston, West Midlands, denied dangerous driving at Warley Magistrates’ Court.
His passenger, Dlear Ahmed, is expected to enter a plea at Wolverhampton Crown Court next Tuesday to a charge of dangerous driving.
£3.3m jewel raid
An armed gang stole jewellery with an estimated value of £3.3 million during a raid on a high street shop. Three men, who carried crowbars, threatened staff at Hancocks, in Manchester, before fleeing. A fourth man is understood to have stood guard outside with a machete.
Boxing damage
Amateur boxers may be at significant risk of brain damage despite the safeguards that are in place to protect them, according to a study by Gothenberg University. Amateur boxers fight for only three rounds instead of up to ten, and wear headguards to protect them from injury.
Heckling by law
A former Director of Public Prosecutions was almost drowned out by “boorish behaviour” when he addressed a dinner hosted by the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association. Sir David Calvert-Smith was “subjected to a barrage of drunken noise”, a guest said.
Grids not humps
Cattle grids should replace ugly and obtrusive “street clutter” such as speed humps in picturesque communities, the RAC Foundation has said. The foundation has formed an alliance with the Campaign to Protect Rural England to try to restore character to villages.