Police Hunt Pair Over Cadet Beheading Threat

Police are searching for two men after female army cadets reported they were threatened with beheading outside an Army Reserve centre.

Officers have released a photograph of the men in a silver Opel Zafira outside the centre in Gateshead.

The occupants of the car are thought to have asked the two teenagers "Are you in the Army?", before shouting threats as they drove past in Alexandra Road.

The alleged reference to beheading has chilling echoes of the murder of Fusilier Lee Rigby who was attacked in Woolwich, London, in May 2013.

Northumbria Police have stepped up patrols in the area, following the threats at 9.15pm on Wednesday, 21 January.

They have also warned other Army Reserve centres - formerly the Territorial Army - to be on their guard.

Police have traced the car, which is left-hand drive and appears to have foreign plates.

Lee Rigby was murdered near an Army barracks in Woolwich

The driver is described as black or Asian, in his 40s, and of plump or muscular build with a black bushy beard and wearing dark clothes.

The passenger is also said to be black or Asian, in his 30s, and had short black hair and stubble.

Gateshead Superintendent Richie Jackson said: "The men made no attempt to make any physical contact with the girls or get out of the car, and shouted the comments while driving away from the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the exact nature of what was said during the incident and we have spoken to the two teenage girls, viewed CCTV footage from the area and have identified the vehicle and inquiries are ongoing to trace the driver.

"As a precaution we have notified staff at other Army Reserve centres in the area and have had extra officers on patrol in Alexandra Road to reassure residents.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were jailed for Lee Rigby's murder

"Although this is concerning, it is an isolated incident and if anyone has any information that could help us with the investigation I'd ask that they contact us on 101."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident allegedly involving members of the Army Cadet Force - this is a matter for the police and we cannot comment further.

"Any witnesses are urged to contact the police.

"We understand the girls were not in uniform at the time of the incident."

Fusilier Rigby was killed near the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich, while off duty.

Killers Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale set about him with knives and a cleaver, hacking him to death.

The pair were found guilty of murder and sentenced to life in jail.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ex-Children's Doctor Guilty Of Sex Assaults

A former children's doctor has been found guilty of assaulting young girls in the same hospital as Jimmy Savile.

Michael Salmon preyed upon girls at Stoke Mandeville Hospital at a time when Savile also prowled the wards - though there is no suggestion of a link between the pair.

The 79-year-old was convicted of nine indecent assaults and two rapes carried out between 1973 and 1988.

His six victims, one of whom was raped at his home, were aged 11 to 18 at the time.

Jurors at Reading Crown Court had been told how Salmon, a father, carried out many of his attacks behind a screen in his consulting room at the Buckinghamshire hospital.

Often the victim's parents were waiting nearby, believing the consultant paediatrician was completing a medical examination.

The court heard how Salmon thought he was "bomb-proof" because no one would believe a child over him.

"On some of the occasions he handled the breasts of some of the young girls, with the pretence of listening to their heart, and he also on occasions carried out internal vaginal examinations, something for which there was no medical need whatsoever, without a nurse present and without wearing surgical gloves," the court was told.

Salmon raped one girl, 16, when she turned to him believing she was pregnant.

After confirming the pregnancy, the doctor took her to a bedroom at his home and raped her.

"One favour deserves another," he told her.

Salmon raped her again after luring her back by saying she might be pregnant with twins.

Jurors took just over 15 hours to reach their verdict.

The former paediatrician was cleared of carrying out an illegal abortion on his rape victim, as well as a separate rape and indecent assault.

No date for sentencing has yet been set.

Thames Valley Police said other women had come forward with allegations against Salmon since the beginning of the trial last month.

Stoke Mandeville, in Aylesbury, entered the spotlight following disclosures about Savile's abuse in 2011.

An NHS report into the now-deceased TV personality's crimes there was delayed last year to gather new evidence. It has yet to be published.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Can And Should Do More In IS Fight, Say MPs

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Britain can and should be doing more in the fight against Islamic State, a group of MPs has said.

A report by the Commons Defence Select Committee also found the UK is contributing less than its NATO partners and that the British military lacks a strategy for defeating IS, also known as ISIS.

The report comes after the father of a Jordanian pilot murdered by IS denounced the group as "wild beasts".

The committee's chairman, Rory Stewart, said: "The UK should be focused much more on Iraq. It should be a higher priority.

Defence Committee chairman Rory Stewart urges a focus on Iraq

"That doesn't mean combat troops on the ground. That means, to begin with, just understanding what is going on.

"That means putting military and civilian personnel on to the ground to start mapping who is the enemy, who are these people in ISIS or Da'ash?

Video: Islamic State: The New Terror

"Who are our allies? How do we work with the Sunni tribes? How do we work with the neighbours? What is the US campaign plan? What is the Iraqi campaign plan?

"Once we answer those questions, and we need to answer them urgently, we're not going to begin to play a constructive role fighting ISIS."

Britain only has three military personnel stationed outside northern, Kurdish Iraq.

They have not yet made any specific pledges to send more. That number compares to 3,000 Americans, 300 Spanish personnel and 280 Italians.

Britain has so far contributed 40 heavy machine guns, but Germany is offering a vast arsenal of weapons, including 16,000 assault rifles, 10,000 hand grenades and 8,000 pistols.

RAF aircraft, confined to bombing Iraq and not Syria, have only contributed to 6% of the total strikes against Islamic State positions.

Video: Pilot's Father: IS Are 'Beasts'

General Sir Richard Shirreff, former deputy supreme commander of NATO forces, is unimpressed with the UK effort, considering it is one of the P5 - permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

He said: "What we need to see from our political leaders is leadership and a preparedness to say, 'This isn't going to be easy, this isn't going to go away, this does affect us dramatically and domestically and internationally'.

"We have a role to play, we have responsibilities as a member of the P5, we have responsibilities in the area, we have history in the area, we have an understanding of the area and we need to be prepared to put our shoulder to the wheel."

The committee emphasised it was not calling for British combat troops to be deployed but saw a need for a strategy which is currently absent.

It also said it was "shocked  by the inability or unwillingness of any of the service chiefs to provide a clear and articulate statement of the UK's objectives or strategic plan in Iraq".

:: Watch the special report - IS: The New Terror - at 8.30pm on Sky News, skynews.com and our mobile apps - channels Sky 501, Virgin Media 602, Freesat 202, Freeview 132.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Jihadi Held Severed Head In Video

By Mark White, Home Affairs Correspondent

A court has been shown the moment a British jihadi held up the severed head of a Syrian soldier.

Those inside the courtroom were warned about the extremely graphic nature of the video they were about to see, which was shot in Syria in April last year.

In the footage, Imran Khawaja, from west London, is seen delving into a bag of severed heads and lifting one out.

The 27-year-old can be heard saying: "Heads, kuffars (non-believers). Disgusting."

Khawaja pleaded guilty last month to preparing acts of terrorism, attending a terrorist training camp in Syria and receiving weapons training and is now facing a lengthy prison term.

Video: Faked-Death Jihadi Admits Offences

Khawaja and his two co-defendants are expected to be sentenced later today.

On Thursday, the first day of a two-day sentencing hearing, Woolwich Crown Court was told how the defendant had faked his own death in Syria in order to sneak back into Britain last summer.

However, the authorities arrested him at Dover in June last year - six months after he travelled to the Middle East - as he tried to re-enter the UK in a vehicle driven by his cousin, Tahir Bhatti.

Bhatti, a taxi driver, is in the dock alongside Khawaja, and faces sentencing for assisting an offender.

A third defendant, Asim Ali, will be sentenced for terrorism funding, after he admitting giving £300 to Khawaja.

Prosecutor Brian Altman said Khawaja had been a frontman for the extremist organisation Rayat Al Tawheed, which has close ties to Islamic State.

In dozens of images, he was seen posing with weapons and encouraging other young British Muslims to travel to Syria for jihad.

The court also heard about the determined efforts of Khawaja's family back in London to persuade him to return home.

In one message, his sister Azmeena accused him of breaking his parents' hearts and begged him to head back.

She wrote: "Book your ticket and return home, or I'll come and get you."

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rotherham Council Branded 'Not Fit For Purpose'

Rotherham Council's Cabinet is to resign after being branded "not fit for purpose" and "in denial" about its shortcomings by an independent government inspection.

They will leave their posts "as soon as transitional arrangements can be put in place", according to a statement.

The political leadership, branded "wholly dysfunctional" by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, will be replaced by government commissioners, who will be tasked with improving standards at the authority.

Early elections will also be held.

The inquiry was set up to assess Rotherham council's ability to handle revelations that 1,400 girls were subjected to sexual abuse over a period of 16 years.

It found that: "In particular, it is failing in its duties to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm."

Louise Casey's report was published as it was claimed a police officer and two local politicians have been accused of having sex with underage girls in Rotherham. 

The Independent Police Complaints Commission would not confirm that it had received an allegation of sexual abuse by a police constable but said that so far there had been 20 complaints against ten South Yorkshire officers in relation to their handling of the child sexual exploitation investigation in the South Yorkshire town.

Rotherham's entire council cabinet has resigned

The National Crime Agency also refused to say if it was investigating two councillors but said it was expanding its investigation in light of the new findings.

The report described an "unhealthy" culture within the South Yorkshire authority, with evidence of sexism, bullying and suppressing bad news.

1/7

1. Gallery: Who's Who in The Rotherham Abuse Scandal

   Roger Stone - Leader of Rotherham Borough Council from 2003 to 2014. Resigned when the report was published in August last year.

Shaun Wright - Former Police & Crime Commissioner and Cabinet Member for Children's Services until 2010. Resigned following intense pressure, three weeks after the report was published.

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10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Can And Should Do More In IS Fight, Say MPs

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

Britain can and should be doing more in the fight against Islamic State, a group of MPs has said.

A report by the Commons Defence Select Committee also found the UK is contributing less than its NATO partners and that the British military lacks a strategy for defeating IS, also known as ISIS.

The committee's chairman, Rory Stewart, said: "The UK should be focused much more on Iraq. It should be a higher priority.

"That doesn't mean combat troops on the ground. That means, to begin with, just understanding what is going on.

Defence Committee chairman Rory Stewart urges a focus on Iraq

"That means putting military and civilian personnel on to the ground to start mapping who is the enemy, who are these people in ISIS or Da'ash?

"Who are our allies? How do we work with the Sunni tribes? How do we work with the neighbours? What is the US campaign plan? What is the Iraqi campaign plan?

Video: Islamic State Are 'Wild Beasts'

"Once we answer those questions, and we need to answer them urgently, we're not going to begin to play a constructive role fighting ISIS."

Britain only has three military personnel stationed outside northern, Kurdish Iraq.

They have not yet made any specific pledges to send more. That number compares to 3,000 Americans, 300 Spanish and 280 Italians.

Britain has so far contributed 40 heavy machine guns but Germany is offering a vast arsenal of weapons, including 16,000 assault rifles, 10,000 hand grenades and 8,000 pistols.

RAF aircraft, confined to bombing Iraq and not Syria, have only contributed to 6% of the total strikes against Islamic State positions.

General Sir Richard Shirreff, former deputy supreme commander of NATO forces, is unimpressed with the UK effort, considering it is one of the P5 - permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

He said: "What we need to see from our political leaders is leadership and a preparedness to say, 'this isn't going to be easy, this isn't going to go away, this does affect us dramatically and domestically and internationally'.

"We have a role to play, we have responsibilities as a member of the P5, we have responsibilities in the area, we have history in the area, we have an understanding of the area and we need to be prepared to put our shoulder to the wheel."

The committee emphasised it was not calling for British combat troops to be deployed but saw a need for a strategy which is currently absent.

It also said it was "shocked  by the inability or unwillingness of any of the service chiefs to provide a clear and articulate statement of the UK's objectives or strategic plan in Iraq".

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

One In Two Britons Will Get Cancer, Say Experts

By David Bowden, Senior Correspondent

One in two people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lives, according to the latest forecast by experts.

Cancer Research UK announced the new figure - which replaces the longstanding previous estimate of one in three - as it warned the country faces a "crisis" if it does not plan ahead.

The charity says the increase in cases is largely attributed to people living longer, but that the number of people surviving the disease has never been higher.

Professor Peter Sasieni, from Queen Mary University of London, is the author of the study published in the British Journal of Cancer that produced the figure.

"Cancer is a disease of old age," he said.

Video: 25 Cancer Treatments Cut In England

"The longer you live the more likely you are to get cancer and we think two thirds of the increase is because of increased longevity, the other third is because cancer rates are actually increasing."

While Cancer Research UK said there will "never be one single magic bullet" to cure all cancers, it called for a boost to public health and the NHS to meet looming demands for better diagnostics, treatments and earlier diagnosis.

The country's cancer survival rate has doubled over the last 40 years and around half of patients now survive the illness for more than 10 years.

The lifetime cancer risk for women (47.55%) is lower than that of men (53.5%), while the combined lifetime risk is 50.5%.

In 1980 the combined risk was 27.2%, in 1990 it was 32.7%, in 2000 it was 37.1% and in 2010 it was 41.8%.

Video: Most Cancers Down To Bad Luck

Harpal Kumar, Cancer Research UK's chief executive, said: "We're living longer and that means we're more likely to develop a range of age-related health issues.

"We need to plan ahead to make sure the NHS is fit to cope. If the NHS doesn't act and invest now, we will face a crisis in the future - with outcomes from cancer going backwards.

"There will never be one single magic bullet that treats ... cures all cancers.

"I cannot foresee a time when that's going to be the case. But already we're able to cure a number of cancers now."

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

Man Shot Dead On West London Street

A murder investigation has been launched after a 38-year-old man was shot dead on a street in Uxbridge, west London.

Police were called by London Ambulance Service to Vine Lane following reports of a shooting shortly before 7pm.

The victim, found with gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene an hour later.

Officers are in the process of informing next of kin and a post-mortem examination will be held in due course.

Scotland Yard said no arrests have been made and inquiries are ongoing.

Local road closures remain in place.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0208 358 0300 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

10.19 | 0 komentar | Read More

MPs To Decide If Babies Can Have Three Parents

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

Britain could today become the first country in the world to legalise the creation of IVF babies with DNA from three different people.

MPs will debate the controversial technique that involves changing the genetic material passed down the generations.

The new regulations MPs will debate "make provision to enable mitochondrial donation" under the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act.

It would allow women to have children without passing on serious and incurable diseases of the mitochondria, tiny power generators found in almost every cell.

Opponents question the technique's safety and warn it could lead to "designer" babies.

Video: 3-Parent Embryos: How Does It Work?

But Prof Dame Sally Davies, England's Chief Medical Officer, says the technique would prevent great suffering.

"The 37 genes in the mitochondria are for energy making. They do not make us who we are or what we are.

"Yet children born with defective ones often don't live a year or two.

"Others get gradual deterioration of muscles, heart, kidneys, vision and brain and die in their late teens and early 20s."

Mitochondrial donation has been pioneered by scientists at Newcastle University.

Video: Home DNA Test Goes On Sale

They propose using standard IVF techniques to fertilise an egg from an affected woman and another from a donor.

They would then remove from the affected embryo the nucleus, which contains 99.9% of the parents DNA, and leave behind the defective mitochondria.

At the same time they would remove the nucleus from the donated embryo.

Finally they would transplant the nucleus containing the parents' genes into the donated embryo, which would then be implanted in the mother's womb.

It's estimated that 2,500 women in the UK are affected by mitochondrial diseases and could use the technique.

Video: Three-Parent Baby Hurdle Overcome

But David King, of Human Genetics Alert, urged MPs not to allow the technique.

"This is not about protecting embryos but about protecting children from the severe health risks of these unnecessary techniques and protecting everyone from the eugenic designer baby future that will follow from this.

"These diseases can be prevented through conventional egg donation - a reliable method that doesn't risk the child's health. All that these dangerous experimental techniques add is that that they allow the mother to be a genetic parent, which is not a medical benefit for anyone."

The technique has already been cleared by scientific and ethics watchdogs. The public have also been consulted and broadly supported its use.

Dr Jeremy Farrar, director of the Wellcome Trust, the UK's biggest research charity, said: "The Government is right to ask Parliament to support regulations that will allow the law to catch up with public and scientific opinion, and we urge MPs and peers to vote for them."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rory McIlroy To Tee Off In £13m Legal Battle

By David Blevins, Ireland Correspondent

Rory McIlroy is preparing to tee off in a £13m legal dispute that could see the world number one cross-examined in a Dublin courtroom.

Fresh from winning the Dubai Desert Classic, the Northern Irish golfer is suing his former management company, Horizon Sports Media, and being countersued by them.

In a bid to prevent McIlroy's finances being made public, the judge sent both sides to arbitration last October but they failed to reach agreement.

Barring a last-minute out-of-court settlement, the case could last six weeks, with the 25-year-old in the witness box for up to 10 days.

It is expected to open with McIlroy's lawyers outlining why they believe the original contract he signed with Horizon Sports Management in 2011 was "unconscionable".

He claims he was coerced into the signing with the company, which also represented Graeme McDowell, shortly before a Christmas party and without legal representation.

He later came to the conclusion that the arrangement was detrimental to his interests and had cost him £4.5m in exorbitant fees to Horizon.

McIlroy also alleges Horizon made an unauthorised donation of £166,000 to UNICEF and used a first-class ticket fight to Abu Dhabi in his name.

But Horizon argue that their involvement enhanced the golfer's career and financial security and that he owes them £1.6m in unpaid fees.

The company, which negotiated his lucrative Nike deal and other endorsements - worth an estimated £95m over five years - is countersuing him for £13m.

Horizon claimed to have discovered that McIlroy had wiped up to eight different mobile phones between 2011 and 2014, which might have contained relevant information.

Lawyers described it as "incredible for a person in his position", but the judge accepted McIlroy's argument that he changes phones to protect his privacy. 

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Alan Barnes Meets Woman Behind £250K Campaign

A disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home has met the campaigner who raised more than £250,000 to support him.

Alan Barnes, 67, said it felt "magic" to meet beautician Katie Cutler, who set up an online fundraising page after reading about the attack.

The 21-year-old's campaign went viral and has raised more than 500 times its original £500 target in just three days.

Mr Barnes said: "I didn't expect anything - it's hard to figure out what to think really."

The fundraising campaign passed the £200K mark on Sunday

Ms Cutler said: "It's like a dream."

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

People were moved to help after hearing that Mr Barnes - who is 4ft 6ins tall and weighs less than six stone - was too afraid to return to his home in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel.

"We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameron's 'All-Out War' On Mediocre Schools

Headteachers at coasting primary and secondary state schools face being sacked in an "all-out war on mediocrity", David Cameron is to announce today.

In a speech in London later, the Prime Minister will say that any English school assessed as requiring improvement by Ofsted will be put under new leadership unless it can show it has plans in place to bring about rapid change.

Coasting schools will also automatically be considered for academy status.

The country's best headteachers, backed by high-performing neighbouring schools or expert sponsors, such as philanthropic trusts, will take over the running of the schools.

They will be expected to introduce reforms to boost results that could involve new discipline policies or changes in personnel, such as removing headteachers.

The move comes as part of a Conservative manifesto commitment to give all children a good start in life, regardless of where they are from.

Video: Morgan: 'Stop Worrying Parents'

Mr Cameron said: "As parents we're hardwired to want the best for our kids. No one wants their child to go to a failing school - and no one wants to them to go to a coasting school either.

"So this party is clear. Just enough is not good enough. That means no more sink schools - and no more 'bog standard' schools either. We're waging an all-out war on mediocrity, and our aim is this: the best start in life for every child, wherever they're from - no excuses."

Eton-educated Mr Cameron has previously insisted he wants to spread the advantages he enjoyed to "every child in Britain" and pledged to end the education "lottery".

Video: Ofsted's Secondary Schools Warning

The reforms build on existing powers that allow failing schools to be converted into academies.

Around 1,200 schools have been turned into made the transition, mostly under the coalition.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Missing Mum: Body Suffered 'Violent Assault'

The body of a woman believed to be missing mother-of-four Samantha Henderson was violently attacked around the head and neck, a post-mortem examination has shown.

Detectives say they are "confident" the body, which was found in a lake at Ham Common in Poole, Dorset, on Friday, is that of Ms Henderson.

The 25-year-old, who has children aged six, four, two and one, was last seen leaving Corfe Castle Primary School on 21 January at 3pm.

She was reported missing the next morning.

Police still want to hear from anyone who saw Ms Henderson's car

Ms Henderson's boyfriend Dominic Isom, 27, of Corfe Castle, has pleaded not guilty to her murder.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to stand trial in July.

Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team, said: "This afternoon a post mortem was carried out on the body recovered in Hamworthy.

"It confirmed that the victim had suffered a violent assault that appears to have been focused on her head and neck.

"Detectives are confident the body is that of Samantha Henderson, the 25-year-old mother-of-four from Corfe Castle missing since last week.

"The coroner is aware of the death and formal identification by her next of kin is expected to take place this weekend.

"Although we have recovered a body and a man is charged with murder, it is still vital that people come forward with any information that could help us build a picture of exactly what happened."

Police still want to hear from anyone who saw Ms Henderson's blue Peugeot 307 estate car with the registration HV04 ZFM in the Corfe Castle or Ham Common areas from 3pm on the day she was last seen.

Mr Devoto, who is leading the inquiry, said: "Samantha's death has understandably shocked local people, who have rallied around her family, friends and neighbours in both Corfe Castle and her original home town of Poole.

"Her close family are being supported and regularly updated by specially trained family liaison officers.

"They have asked for privacy at this sad time.

"I would like to thank the public for their ongoing support to officers carrying out this investigation and their patience while we conduct searches.

"Their continued caution on social media is also appreciated and important, as inappropriate comments could cause further hurt to her family or potentially prejudice future criminal proceedings."

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More

Viral Campaign Raises £190K For Mugging Victim

Donations for a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home have reached more than £190,000.

After reading about the mugging of 67-year-old Alan Barnes, beautician Katie Cutler set up an online fundraising page that went viral and has raised almost 400 times its original £500 target in just two days.

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

People were moved to help after hearing that Mr Barnes was too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel.

"We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all."

One online contributor, Lorraine Susan, said: "I really hope this fund helps him get settled somewhere nice & safe.

"At least he knows there are literally thousands on his side."

Mr Barnes is a well-known figure in Low Fell and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate how many days old someone is from their date of birth.

10.18 | 0 komentar | Read More