Man Dragged Down Road As Car Thief Drives Off

A man has been seriously injured after being dragged down the road as he tried to stop a thief from stealing his car.

The 48-year-old victim grabbed hold of his red and silver Mitsubishi pick-up, packed with boxes of apples, as it was driven away on busy Bird Street in the West Midlands town of Dudley.

Police said he suffered serious leg injuries after being dragged along the road a few hundred metres before letting go. He is being treated in hospital.

Officers were called to the scene just after 2.30pm on Monday following a report of a collision. The 4x4 was seen being driven towards Brook Street.

Detective Constable Caroline Morris said: "This happened at a busy time of the day and on a busy road.

"We are still trying to piece together the circumstances around the collision and theft and are currently trawling CCTV and making inquiries to establish any further leads."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Care Home Murder Arrest: Employee Held

A man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a 73-year-old private care home resident in Manchester.

Ivan Campbell died in hospital

Ivan Emmanuel Campbell was admitted to hospital on April 16 last year from Victoria Nursing Home in Rusholme.

He died from "internal injuries" the following day, according to a Home Office post-mortem examination.

A 34-year-old staff member was arrested in connection with his death and in relation to another assault on a resident at the home, which cares for people with complex mental health needs.

Officers were called by staff to the home on March 19 and found a 72-year-old man with a fractured rib.

The arrested worker has been suspended.

Senior Investigating Officer Andy Tattersall said: "Due to the complex needs of those at the care home this has and continues to be an extremely difficult and protracted investigation.

"From the outset we were determined to establish what happened to Ivan and who was responsible for causing his injuries and that remains as true today as it did then.

"We are continuing to work closely with partner agencies in health as well as the home and I want to reassure the relatives of residents there that their welfare is, collectively between us and our partners, a top priority."

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Abu Qatada Stays As Theresa May Loses Appeal

Timeline: Qatada Legal Battle

Updated: 1:54pm UK, Wednesday 27 March 2013

Abu Qatada has challenged and ultimately thwarted every attempt by the Government to detain and deport him since 2001.

Here is a timeline of the legal battle.

1993: Abu Qatada claims asylum when he arrives in Britain on a forged passport.

1994: Allowed to stay in Britain.

1995: Issues a "fatwa" justifying the killing of converts from Islam, their wives and children in Algeria.

1998: Applies for indefinite leave to remain in Britain.

1999: April - Convicted in his absence on terror charges in Jordan and sentenced to life imprisonment.

October - Speaks in London advocating the killing of Jews and praising attacks on Americans.

2001: February - Arrested by anti-terror police over involvement in a plot to bomb Strasbourg Christmas market. Officers find him with £170,000 in cash, including £805 in an envelope marked "For the mujahedin in Chechnya".

December - Becomes one of Britain's most wanted men after going on the run from his home in west London.

2002: Arrested by police in a council house in south London and detained in Belmarsh high-security jail.

2005: Freed on conditional bail and placed on a control order but arrested again in August under immigration rules as the Government seeks to deport him to Jordan.

2008: April: Court of Appeal rules deportation would breach is human rights because evidence used against him in Jordan might have been obtained through torture.

May - Granted bail by the immigration tribunal but told he must stay inside for 22 hours a day.

June - Released from Long Lartin jail in Worcestershire and moves into a four-bedroom house in west London.

November - He is rearrested after the Home Office tells an immigration hearing of fears he plans to abscond.

December - Qatada's bail is revoked by the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (Siac) after hearing secret evidence that the risk of him absconding has increased.

2009: Five Law Lords unanimously back the Government's policy of removing terror suspects from Britain on the basis of assurances from foreign governments and it is ruled he can be deported to Jordan to face a retrial on the terror charges.

He is awarded 2,800 euro (£2,500) compensation by the European Court of Human Rights after the judges rule that his detention without trial in the UK under anti-terrorism powers breached his human rights.

2012: January - European judges rule he can be sent to Jordan with diplomatic assurances but not while "there remains a real risk that evidence obtained by torture will be used against him".

February - He is released on strict bail conditions.

April - Rearrested as the Government prepares to deport him after Jordan gives assurances it will "bend over backwards" to ensure he receives a fair trial.

March - Qatada's legal team loses its bid to have the case heard by the Europe's human rights judges, clearing the way for deportation proceedings to continue.

May and August - Siac rejects Qatada's applications for bail.

October - Siac holds appeal hearing.

November - His appeal is granted and he is granted bail.

December - Qatada is moved to a larger residence in the greater London area.

2013:

:: March 9 - It emerges Qatada has been arrested for allegedly breaching his bail conditions. He is ordered to stay in custody and sent to Belmarsh.

:: March 21 - Police reveal the cleric is being investigated over extremist material.

:: March 27 - Home Secretary Theresa May loses her appeal over Siac's decision to allow Qatada to stay in the UK. The Home Office vows to appeal.

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Elveden: Officials Jailed For Selling Stories

A former police officer has been jailed for 10 months and a prison officer for 16 months for selling information to The Sun.

Ex-Surrey PC Alan Tierney was sentenced at the Old Bailey after admitting two counts of misconduct earlier this month.

Prison officer Richard Trunkfield was sentenced at the same court for selling information on James Bulger killer Jon Venables.

He had also admitted misconduct in public office.

Tierney, from Hayling Island, Hampshire, pleaded guilty to two counts - one between March 26 and April 3, 2009, and a second between December 2 and 7, 2009.

He sold details about Sue Terry and Sue Poole, the mother and mother-in-law of Terry, both being arrested on suspicion of shoplifting in Surrey.

One of the stories sold was about Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood

He also sold details about the arrest of Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, 65, on suspicion of beating up his Russian lover Ekaterina Ivanova, who is in her 20s.

He received £1250 for the information which was paid by cheque to his brother-in-law.

Terry, Poole and Wood all accepted cautions over the matters.

In mitigation, the court heard that most of the details that Tierney had passed on would have eventually become public, and that their leak had not undermined any investigation.

The witness in the Terry case had also approached two other newspapers to try to sell his story.

Trunkfield has since resigned from Woodhill prison and Venables is no longer being held there, the court heard.

New father Trunkfield had contact with a journalist at The Sun between 10 and 15 times and received £3,500 for information.

Mr Justice Fulford told him: "It's for those in authority to decide on the extent to which, if at all, it's in the public interest to reveal the details concerning a particular defendant, balancing a wide range of factors.

"It is most assuredly not for individual prison officers to take it upon themselves to contact the press to reveal information about a defendant in circumstances such as those before the court today, still less to enrich themselves in the process."

In mitigation, the court heard that Trunkfield had no direct contact with Venables and passed on minor details such as what he was eating, including burger and chips.

After he saw the stories that were being published, he assigned his journalist contact a different ringtone so he could ignore the calls, the court heard.

It was also claimed that information was being leaked by another, unidentified source at the prison.

Tierney and Trunkfield were arrested as part of the Operation Elveden, the Metropolitan Police Service's probe into payments to officials.

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Domestic Abuse: Victim Shows Graphic Images

A victim of domestic violence has released images of the horrific injuries she suffered from her abusive former partner.

Derrick Robinson has been jailed for 13 years after he attacked Sinead Noone at their Coventry home last February.

Ms Noone, who suffered a fractured cheek, broken nose and black eyes, has chosen to release the pictures through police to help others leave abusive relationships.

"Don't let this happen to you," was the message from the 26-year-old.

Leicester Crown Court heard that on February 14, 2012, Ms Noone quizzed Robinson after he returned home late and spoiled their romantic dinner plans.

"He came home late and drunk … the next day I asked where he'd been and he exploded, repeatedly hitting and kicking me," she said.

Ms Noone was hospitalised after the attack

"I curled up in a ball on the floor and tried to protect myself."

After the attack, police said Robinson bullied Ms Noone into saying she suffered the injuries after falling on their coffee table.

But with the encouragement and support of officers and her family, she reported the attacks and Robinson was charged.

Robinson, who has a previous conviction for manslaughter, denied grievous bodily harm, but was found guilty.

Speaking after the hearing, Ms Noone, who now works for domestic violence services, said she wished she had left Robinson earlier.

"I'd brushed previous incidents under the carpet: he put emotional pressure on me and each time convinced me it wouldn't happen again or that I was somehow to blame.

"I wish I'd walked out then and moved on but it's easy to say in hindsight.

"I'd urge anyone caught in a violent relationship to look at the photos of my injuries and understand that unless they report abuse there's a chance that could one day be them.

"It's hard to push charges against someone you love and hope will change … but the time comes when you have to move on as life is too short."

Elaine Yates, from the women's support centre Coventry Haven, said: "Many women don't seek help because they feel they're to blame - this is not the case.

"What's happening is not their fault and they can do something to change the situation."

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Missing April Jones: Police To End Search

By David Crabtree, News Correspondent

Police are preparing to call off their search for the body of missing April Jones by the end of next month.

The five-year-old vanished while playing on her bike near her home in Machynlleth, Wales, on October 1 last year.

Since then a massive search operation has been under way with police scouring some 300 points in a 60sq km area.

Mark Bridger denies murdering the schoolgirl

A Dyfed Powys spokesperson said: "The terrain is extremely challenging. The mountains, gorges, streams and waterfalls in the area mean extra care has to be taken and specialist safety equipment has to be worn.

"The force made a commitment to search until all viable lines of enquiry were complete.

"During April officers will searching specific areas of land with a view to all search areas identified being completed by the end of April."

Police added that a reactive team of specialist officers would be available to respond to any new information.

Mark Bridger, 47, is facing trial charged with abducting and murdering the schoolgirl and of unlawfully disposing of and concealing her body with intent to pervert the course of justice.

He pleaded not guilty on January 14, when his barrister Brendan Kelly QC told Mold Crown Court that Bridger is "probably responsible" for her death.

On the day she went missing, Mr and Mrs Jones had allowed April to play out late as a treat after she received a glowing report from school.

Bridger was arrested the following day.

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Dog Attack: 'No Warnings' Before Jade Killed

There were no previous complaints about dangerous dogs at a house where a 14-year-old girl is thought to have been killed by a pack of "aggressive and out-of-control" dogs, police said.

Jade Lomas-Anderson's body was discovered with wounds consistent with a dog attack shortly after 2pm on Tuesday, following reports she was unconscious.

Superintendent Mark Kenny of Greater Manchester Police said: "The most likely scenario is that Jade was attacked by four dogs, that is still part and parcel of the investigation. That clearly is the most likely scenario of what's happened but we're looking obviously at all options."

He said the attack would have happened between 1pm and 2pm.

Jade was described as 'shy' by friends (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

A post-mortem examination is due to take place later.

The teenager was visiting the house in Chaucer Grove, Atherton, near Wigan, and was alone with the dogs, believed to include two bull mastiffs and two Staffordshire bull terriers.

Four animals were shot dead by police marksmen and a fifth was contained.

Supt Kenny said: "We have had no contact or reports, Greater Manchester Police, regarding reports for example of dangerous dogs at this location. We've certainly not had any incidents here.

Two dogs were believed to be Staffordshire bull terriers (file picture)

"This is the first incident of this nature we have attended at this location."

Officers have spoken to the owner of the dogs, the owner's family and neighbours since Jade was found.

Friends have paid tribute to the "quiet" and "timid" teenager, who is thought to have returned to the property from the shops with a meat pie when she was attacked.

Flowers were laid at the backyard where Jade was attacked. A sign on the gate read: "Beware of the Dog."

Locals said Jade was there to see a friend, Kimberley Concannon, 16, who lives there with her twin Catrina and mother Beverley Concannon.

One 15-year-old said of Jade: "She goes to my school in the year below.

"She's shy, quite timid, if you didn't know her you wouldn't recognise her around and about. It's horrible what's happened.

"She picks her little sister up Sienna from school, every day and walks past my house.

"She had a pie in her hand and has gone to bite it, she moved the pie and the dog's gone for her throat and then they have all gone for her."

Another friend said the dogs at the house were large and aggressive animals.

Friends are said to be 'deeply shocked' (Pic: Facebook tribute page)

"Every time you walk past the house they would be barking and barking and going mad," she said. "You would jump out of your skin."

Jade was a pupil at Fred Longworth High School in Tyldesley, which open to help pupils affected by the death.

Headteacher Janet Garretts said: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by Jade's tragic death. She had only been a pupil at the school since the summer but had made a real impact in that short time.

"Jade was a lively student who always had a smile on her face. She loved music and dance and was a regular at our after school dancing club.

"At what turned out to be her last day at school, Jade was given a progress report by her teachers and told everyone was delighted with the progress she was making."

More than 11,000 people joined a Facebook group created to pay tribute to Jade, including the aunt of a four-year-old boy who was killed by a banned breed of dog.

A policeman stands guard outside the house in Atherton, near Wigan

John-Paul Massey died at his grandmother's house in Liverpool after suffering "massive injuries" inflicted by a pitbull.

Tricia Massey wrote on Jade's page: "Such a tragic thing to happen. I know what your poor family must be going through and how they are feeling, I lost my four-year-old nephew three years ago.

"He was killed by a dangerous dog in Liverpool. Something needs to be done about these aggressive animals.

"Sleep tight Jade, I'm sure my John-Paul will look after you."

Natasha Hunt posted: "RIP my beautiful baby girl! Don't know what I'm going do without you!

"Love you loads, you will never be forgotten, you will always be in my heart."

Norman Bradbury, a local councillor, told Sky News the whole community was in shock.

He said: "We need to establish what occurred with this horrible incident and how it an be avoided in future but we have to wait for the police to investigate what happened, how Jade died and the circumstances."

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Stephen Seddon Guilty Of Parents' Murder

A man who tried to kill his parents by driving them into a canal has been found guilty of shooting them dead four months later.

Stephen Seddon, who had an "insatiable thirst for cash", carried out the cold-blooded "execution" to get his hands on his inheritance.

The 46-year-old convicted fraudster had once before tried to murder his father, Robert Seddon, 68, and mother, Patricia, 65, in a staged car accident.

Strapped in the back seats of a hires car, Seddon drove the pair into a canal on March 20, last year, in a faked road accident.

He then "played the hero" in the aftermath of the "accident" when he was forced to abort his plot to kill them after bystanders went to their aid in the submerged BMW.

On July 4 - four months later - he shot the couple dead with a sawn-off shotgun at their home in Clough Avenue, Sale, Greater Manchester.

His elderly and caring parents had made him sole beneficiary of their £230,000 estate in their will - if they both died - and paid with their lives.

They had already gifted the father-of-three £40,000 in cash and bought him his home in Benevente Street, Seaham, in Co Durham.

After a five week trial, a jury at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday found him guilty of two counts of attempted murder and two counts of murder.

There were cried of "Yes!" from the victims' family in the public gallery who burst into tears and hugged each other when the verdicts were announced.

During the trial, Peter Wright QC, prosecuting, described Seddon as the ultimate "ungrateful son".

Seddon, who now faces life in prison for the killings, will be sentenced on Thursday.

More follows...

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Burglar Jailed Over Street Cleaner Murder

A burglar has been jailed for the murder of a Polish street cleaner who tried to stop him with his broom.

Roger Buckingham was sentenced to a minimum of 27 years at the Old Bailey.

Piotr Mikiewicz, 40, was stabbed through his heart as he tackled Buckingham as he was leaving a house in west London with a stolen laptop. Flowers have remained outside the property ever since the Polish national was killed at the end of August last year.

Buckingham, 31, of Shepherd's Bush, London, was found guilty of murder and jailed for life.

The Recorder of London Judge Brian Barker said "cowardly" Buckingham must serve at least 27 years.

Buckingham, a petty criminal and drug addict with 25 previous convictions for 51 offences, had taken the life of an exceptional man, he said.

The judge said: "He was a brave man who acted beyond the call of duty. He ignored his own safety and he paid for his actions with his life.

"He was a truly exceptional man. He was a valued member of the community."

Buckingham had acted "in frustration and temper", said the judge. "On any view, it was cowardly and selfish."

Buckingham stood with his hands behind his back as he was sentenced. His family had earlier shouted abuse at the jury.

Mr Mikiewicz's sister Anna told the court in a statement that her brother had been living in London for nine years and considered it his home.

She said: "He was a wonderful man, full of compassion for others. He did not tolerate lies and theft. He was a believer and lived according to these principles."

Busie Mikiewicz said her husband was a "brave and selfless man who wasn't frightened to stand up for what he believed was right".

She added in a statement: "He was someone who represented everything that is good about decent people and was prepared to fight for what was right.

"Anyone who knew Piotr knew he was a truly good and honest person. He had a strong sense of what was right and wrong.

"He wasn't just a road sweeper, he was part of the community that genuinely cared for him.

"Piotr was a truly good person who was immensely proud of the job he did.

"A cruel and thoughtless act can take away his life, but not the inspiration that he brought to so many people."

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Bonner said: "Piotr Mikiewicz demonstrated extreme courage when he spotted Buckingham leaving a house he had burgled moments earlier.

"He acted on pure instinct to right a wrong but unfortunately paid for his brave act with his life."

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Cancer Detection: DNA Study Brings 'New Era'

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

Scientists have revealed a major leap forward in cancer detection after finding dozens of common genetic changes that can increase the risk of the disease.

Tests on 250,000 patients found 83 inherited variations in the DNA code that could either raise or lower the chances of developing breast, ovarian or prostate cancer.

Together the cancers affect almost 100,000 people a year in the UK. More than 26,000 of them die.

The findings will allow doctors to identify women with a near 100% chance of developing breast cancer, and men with a one in two risk of prostate cancer.

Scientists have hailed the research as the dawn of a new era in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Professor Ros Eeles from The Institute of Cancer Research said: "These results are the single biggest leap forward in finding the genetic causes of prostate cancer yet made.

"They allow us, for the first time, to identify men who have a very high risk of developing prostate cancer during their lifetime through inheritance of genetic variants.

"If we can show from further studies that such men benefit from regular screening we could have a big impact on the number of men dying from the disease."

This is the largest study of its kind, involving around 1,000 scientists around the world. They analysed DNA for tiny changes that could change the way genes work, altering cancer risk as a result.

It was the largest study of its kind, involving experts around the world

In the near future patients could be asked to spit into a tube by their GP who could then run a £30 test on their DNA in the surgery.

They would then have an individual risk profile for some of the most common cancers.

The most immediate practical use of the research could be in women who carry the inherited breast cancer gene BRCA1. On average they face a 70% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime.

But the new genetic variants can give women much more detail on their risk. If they also inherit several of the newly identified high risk changes to their DNA their chances of developing the disease are raised to between 90 and 100%.

But if they inherit the protective DNA changes, their risk drops to below 30%.

Scientists say it could help women with the BRCA gene decide whether to have a preventative mastectomy. Sharon Osborne had her breasts removed last year because she carried the gene.

Professor Montse Garcia-Closas, another of the researchers, said the study was a "huge step" in understanding the causes of breast cancer.

"These findings will help us to predict who is at increased risk of developing the disease and who could benefit most from prevention strategies, such as lifestyle changes and chemo-prevention, and early-detection strategies, such as regular screening," she said.

Around 57% of cancer risk is set by genetic factors, with lifestyle making up the rest.

Scientists believe there could be thousands of genetic variations that affect cancer risk. Patients with lung and colorectal cancers are to be tested as part of a study starting this summer

The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust. The results are published in a series of papers in journals including Nature Genetics, PLOS Genetics, and the American Journal of Human Genetics.

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