Dale Cregan: Police Call-Handler's 'Help'

A police call-handler fed secret information to her boyfriend during the manhunt for his friend Dale Cregan, a court hears.

Kathryn Smith, 25, allegedly accessed files outlining the movement of firearms officers and confidential calls from the public concerning the case.

She is then said to have passed on the sensitive information to her boyfriend Sean Booth, 31, a close friend of Cregan.

At one point her information is said to have enabled Cregan's mother Anita to identify and confront a member of public who had called the police.

Smith was arrested in September 2012 after her mobile phone and computer records were examined by detectives.

Cregan had already murdered father and son Mark and David Short. Days after Smith's arrest he went on to murder Greater Manchester police officers Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

Manchester Crown Court has been told that the call handler frequently sent text messages to her boyfriend with details of police operations.

At the time Greater Manchester Police had mounted their biggest ever manhunt. A £50,000 reward had been offered for information leading to Cregan's arrest.

The court heard that after Smith passed information to her boyfriend, he in turn passed it to Cregan's family.

A microphone hidden by the police at (Dale's mother) Anita Cregan's house as part of their search for her son picked up conversations in which she discussed the confidential information.

In one she is alleged to have said: "I've just text somebody saying we've got a grass in the street ... it's surprising what fifty grand will solve innit. I can't f*****g believe it."

Booth is then said to have texted his girlfriend saying:  "U can't get in trouble don't worry. I would not put u in a position where u could b."

Smith allegedly replied: "Well I do worry how are u going to explain how u know things to anita? I'm scared, I hate it that you're an associate."

Smith denies a charge of misconduct in a public office. Cregan and Smith deny aiding and abetting the call handler.

The trial is expected to last six days.

More follows...

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Dog Attack: Arrest After Leeds Mother Dies

Police have arrested a 33-year-old man after his two American pit bulls mauled a mother-of-four to death.

Emma Bennett died on Tuesday evening after suffering serious bite injuries in an incident at a house in Dawlish Avenue in the Osmondthorpe district of Leeds.

It was reported that the attack, on Monday afternoon, happened while the 27-year-old was suffering an epileptic fit.

The man arrested was held on suspicion of offences under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

Detective Superintendent Simon Beldon, who is leading the investigation, said: "Early indications are that the two dogs seized from the address are American pit bull terriers although tests are still ongoing to establish their exact make up.

"Dogs of this type are subject to restrictions under the Dangerous Dogs Act and our enquiries are focused on this aspect.

"We are continuing to appeal for anyone with information about the incident or the dogs involved in it to contact the investigation team."

Ms Bennett's neighbour, Chris Roebuck, said he was surprised the dogs were vicious enough to carry out the attack.

"I've seen one of them, which I have stroked and it seemed soft, really soft," he said.

"It wanted to lick you at all times - that's the big dog - but I never saw the other dog."

Mr Roebuck said the dogs "seemed calm" and only ever barked occasionally.

Earlier, police said the injured woman had been taken to Leeds General Infirmary for treatment.

Officers responded to reports that a woman was "in distress" at the address in Dawlish Avenue.

The force added: "One dog which got loose from the property was contained by officers in Back Dawlish Road and recovered. Another was safely removed from the address a short time later."

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Fog Causes Heathrow Flight Cancellations

Heavy fog in southern and eastern England has disrupted flights and created hazardous driving conditions for commuters.

Heathrow Airport cancelled 52 incoming and outgoing flights on Wednesday morning.

The Met Office had warned of visibility of less than 50 metres on some of the region's roads.

A murky view over Westminster and the Houses of Parliament

Sky News' Harriet Hadfield, in west London, said there were reports of "almost no visibility" during the rush hour on motorways such as the M25.

London's City Airport also experienced disruption to inbound and outbound flights, with eight out of 10 flights cancelled or delayed.

By late morning, sunshine began to break through the London fog

Among the services axed were British Airways flights to Zurich, Glasgow and Dusseldorf.

Gatwick operated normally but there were delays and cancellations at Southampton Airport, with no aircraft able to land.

The flight problems follow last Saturday's major disruption at all airports after difficulties at the headquarters of air traffic control company Nats.

The Met Office issued a 'yellow' fog warning

Ferry services were also affected by the fog, with delays to Wightlink Ferries - which operates routes between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Customers are being advised to check company websites to get the latest information before travelling.

The statue of Nelson Mandela in thick fog from Westminster Bridge

The fog, which extended to the East Midlands and East Anglia, was thinning in most places by late morning with sunshine breaking through in parts of Kent, Suffolk and London.

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Sian Green Sues Over New York Taxi Accident

A British tourist who lost part of her leg when a taxi jumped a kerb and hit her in New York has launched a $27.5m (£16.7m) damages claim against the city.

Sian Green filed a notice of claim in November over the incident, which happened at the Rockefeller Center. 

The 24-year-old's lawyer Daniel Marchese said other parties could also face lawsuits.

Ms Green's city claim says the taxi driver's yellow cab licence should have been suspended before the August 20 accident because he had prior driving violations.

New York's Taxi and Limousine Commission has claimed a computer problem, which has since been fixed, was to blame.

Doctors had to amputate the lower part of Ms Green's left leg after she was hit while sightseeing with a friend.

Ms Green was "dismayed" that the taxi driver would not be facing charges

She spent four weeks in a New York hospital following her accident, also sustaining cuts to her right leg.

Immediately after the crash, quick-thinking plumber David Justino used his belt as a tourniquet, tying it around Ms Green's leg, earning praise from medics.

He was also recognised by US celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz, who had been filming scenes for his television show nearby and rushed to help.

In November, Ms Green was "incredibly dismayed" to learn that cabbie Mohammed Fasyal Himon, who has said the accident was not his fault, would not be facing criminal charges.

The city's Law Department said it would review her damages claim.

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Scientology: Woman Wins Chapel Wedding Right

A woman who wanted to marry in a Church of Scientology chapel has won a legal battle in the UK's Supreme Court.

Scientologist Louisa Hodkin took her fight to the court after a High Court judge ruled that services run by Scientologists were not "acts of worship".

Five Supreme Court justices analysed the case at a hearing in London in July and ruled in her favour today, announcing that the Scientology church was a "place of meeting for religious worship".

Miss Hodkin wants to marry fiance Alessandro Calcioli in a Church of Scientology in central London.

She took legal action after the registrar general of births, deaths and marriages refused to register the London Church Chapel for the solemnisation of marriages under the 1855 Places of Worship Registration Act - because it was not a place for "religious worship".

Supreme Court justices said religion should not be confined to faiths involving a "supreme deity".

They unanimously allowed Miss Hodkin's appeal against the High Court ruling.

Miss Hodkin said she hope to get married to Mr Calcioli in the next few months.

She: "I am really excited. I'm really glad we are finally being treated equally and can now get married in our church."

Mr Calcioli added: "I think the court's definition of religion is excellent. I think it's what most people today would understand 'religion' to be."

But local government minister Brandon Lewis said his department would now take legal advice following the ruling over concerns about religious exemption from business rates for Scientology premises.

He said: "Hard-pressed taxpayers will wonder why Scientology premises should now be given tax cuts when local firms have to pay their fair share."

In 1970 the Church of Scientology launched a similar case.

Then the Court of Appeal ruled that Scientology did not involve religious worship because there was no "veneration of God or of a Supreme Being".

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Ofsted: Schools Ignoring Bad Behaviour

Schools where behaviour is a problem will be subjected to spot checks by inspectors for the first time in a bid to drive up education standards, the Ofsted chief inspector has said.

Sir Michael Wilshaw has said that teachers were too often ignoring low-level disruption and "horseplay" leading to a culture of "casual acceptance" of misbehaviour that is holding schools back.

In his second annual report, he sharply criticised teaching standards, saying there was too much mediocre teaching - particularly of primary children - and schools suffered from weak leadership.

He said that from January inspectors would be carrying out "no notice" inspections of schools where behaviour was an issue.

And he called on the Government to bring back tests in English and maths at the age of seven to ensure children are mastering the basics, saying Ofsted inspectors found "worrying inconsistencies" in teachers' assessments. 

He said it had been a "mistake" to scrap them.

The call will trigger concerns among some sections of the education community who have previously suggested that children are tested too much.

Sir Michael Wilshaw warns against the tolerance of bad behaviour in class

Currently, pupils sit national curriculum or Sats tests in reading and maths at age 11, as well as one on spelling, punctuation and grammar. Writing skills are assessed by teachers. A reading check has also been brought in for six-year-olds.

Pupils previously sat externally marked tests at the age of seven, but this system was phased out from 2004.

Sir Michael pin-pointed three factors preventing English schools from improving their standing in international league tables: too much mediocre teaching and weak leadership, regional differences in education quality and underachievement of poor white children.

He said that in an attempt to make the regional differences less apparent, strong teachers and leaders would be given incentives to move to parts of the country where standards were low and high quality staff were needed.

An estimated 700,000 children are being taught in schools where behaviour is not up to scratch.

A major report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), published last week, found that the UK's teenagers were lagging far behind those in East Asian countries such as Singapore and Japan in reading, maths and science.

Presenting his report, Sir Michael said: "Too many of our schools suffer from poor behaviour and high levels of disruptive behaviour."

He called on school leaders to create a "calm and respectful culture essential for learning" and said lessons should not be undermined by "background chatter, inattention and horseplay".

However, there have been improvements and overall, eight in 10 state schools were now rated as good or outstanding by Ofsted - the highest proportion in the watchdog's 21-year history.

A Department for Education spokesman said: "Sir Michael is right - bad classroom behaviour is hugely disruptive to children's education. It means teachers can't teach and pupils can't learn.

"That is why a key part of our reforms is restoring discipline in schools and why we have strengthened teachers' powers to put them back in charge."

Malcolm Trobe, deputy general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said: "School leaders recognise that good behaviour in their schools is essential in creating a good learning environment.

"It was pleasing to note that, of the large number of secondary schools inspected last term 27% were graded outstanding for behaviour - a clear indication of the importance that teachers place on good student behaviour."

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Lloyds Fined £28m For Sales Incentive Scheme

Lloyds Banking Group has been fined £28m for "serious failings" which rewarded sales staff with 'grand in your hand' bonuses, even when products they sold consumers were deemed unsuitable.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said the penalty was the biggest it had imposed against a retail banking operation, which took in behaviour at Lloyds TSB, Bank of Scotland (BoS) and Halifax between 2010 and March 2012 - a period when it became clear that Lloyds was particularly exposed to the separate payment protection insurance mis-selling scandal.

The regulator said the bonus schemes at the heart of its inquiry put pressure on sales staff to hit targets relating to investment products such as stocks and share Isas and insurance protection products.

In one instance, an adviser was found to have sold insurance products to himself, his wife and a colleague to prevent himself being demoted.

The FCA said the bonus schemes had worrying "higher risk" features, which offered the potential of an automatic promotion and pay rise or salary cuts of up to 50% if targets were not met.

Lloyds Banking Group is run by Antonio Horta-Osorio

Lloyds TSB also offered a so-called "champagne bonus" that could see an adviser land a windfall worth 35% of their monthly salary, while Halifax and BoS paid one-off monthly prizes, such as a "grand in your hand."

The investigation found that 70% of advisers at Lloyds TSB and 30% at Halifax still received their monthly bonus, even though a high proportion of their sales were found - by the firms themselves - to be unsuitable or potentially unsuitable.

A further 229 advisers at Lloyds TSB received a bonus even when all of their assessed sales were deemed unsuitable or potentially unsuitable; and 30 advisers received a bonus in the same circumstances on more the one occasion.

Tracey McDermott, the FCA's director of enforcement and financial crime, said the fine was increased as Lloyds ignored repeated industry warnings from regulators over incentive schemes.

She added: "The findings do not make pleasant reading.

"Financial incentive schemes are an important indicator of what management values and a key influence on the culture of the organisation, so they must be designed with the customer at the heart.

"The review of incentive schemes that we published last year makes it quite clear that this is something to which we expect all firms to adhere. 

"Customers have a right to expect better from our leading financial institutions and we expect firms to put customers first - but firms will never be able to do this if they incentivise their staff to do the opposite.

"Both Lloyds TSB and Bank of Scotland have made substantial changes, and the reviews of sales and the redress now being made should right many of these wrongs," she concluded.

Lloyds Banking Group - which has since split the TSB operation into a separate brand - responded to the penalty by apologising.

Its statement said: "The Group has already commenced a review to address potential customer impacts that may have occurred as a result of these failings.

"We are already contacting customers, and will continue to contact potentially affected customers over the coming months. Customers do not need to take any action at this stage to be included in the review and they will be contacted in due course.

"The Group recognises that its oversight of these particular schemes during the period in question was inadequate and apologises to its customers for the impact that they may have had.

"We are determined to ensure that any customer impacts are dealt with quickly and fully."

It concluded: "The cost of the enforcement and the review is not expected to have a material impact on the Group."

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Damien Hirst Works Of Art Stolen From Gallery

Two signed Damien Hirst works of art worth more than £30,000 have been stolen from a gallery in London.

The pieces were stolen from the Exhibitionist Gallery in Notting Hill in the early hours of Monday morning.

Police say a suspect forced open the front doors of the gallery and drove the items away in a dark-coloured hatchback-type vehicle towards Ladbroke Grove.

The stolen pieces feature the artist's recognisable multi-coloured dots and are signed.

The larger of the two is called Pyronin Y. It was created in 2005 and is worth £15,000.

The second work is entitled Oleoylsarcosine and was created in 2008. It is worth £18,000.

Hirst first came to fame with his formaldehyde shark

"It appears the suspect has specifically targeted the two pieces," said Detective Sergeant Jon Lightfoot, from Kensington and Chelsea Borough.

"The items would have been visible in the back of the car and we are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with information to please come forward."

Hirst was awarded the Turner Prize in 1995.

His more recent works include Verity, a 66ft bronze-plated statue of a pregnant, naked woman wielding a sword, unveiled on Ilfracombe harbour in north Devon last October.

The artist rose to fame first as part of a group known as the Young British Artists and is probably best known for a series of works in which he preserved animals in formaldehyde, including a shark and a sheep.

Pyronin Y is 103cm x 116cm and valued at £15,000

His solo show at Tate Modern last year was the most popular in the gallery's history, with around 463,000 visitors queuing to see exhibits including a diamond-encrusted human skull called For The Love Of God.

Hirst's commercial success is not always matched by critical acclaim and he has been criticised by other artists, including fellow Turner Prize winner Grayson Perry who described Hirst's work as "hackneyed" and "tatty".

The potter, known for his cross-dressing, said the "phenomenally successful" Hirst was playing "a good game".

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit at Notting Hill Police Station on 020 8246 0230 or, to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Killer Who Strangled Partner And Son Jailed

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A killer who strangled his ex-partner and her baby son in their beds has been sentenced to life in prison.

Wesley Williams, 29, pleaded guilty last week to the "shocking and senseless" murders of university graduate Yvonne Walsh and her seven-month-old son Harrison at their home in Billesley, West Midlands.

He will serve a minimum term of 29 years.

Judge Mr Justice MacDuff lifted a reporting restriction to reveal that Williams was the former partner of Rebecca Shuttleworth, 25, who was found guilty in June of murdering her two-year-old son Keanu Williams in a totally separate case.

He said: "It is clear that you could not accept being rejected by Yvonne Walsh when you were proposing or intending to propose marriage.

"She wanted no further part in a relationship with you. And you decided to kill her, in fact to execute her.

"It was your decision, casually taken that she had to die. Then you killed Harrison as well."

West Midlands Police said officers were unable to determine which of two was killed first.

Ms Walsh, who had split from Williams two days before she was last seen alive on May 31, was found in her bed. Her baby son was found in his cot with the curtains drawn.

A post-mortem revealed they had both died as a result of pressure to the neck.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarbjit Johal, of West Midlands Police, said: "Wesley Williams has pleaded guilty to the shocking and senseless murders of his partner Yvonne and her baby Harrison who both had their whole lives ahead of them.

"Yvonne's family described her as a warm and loving person who was a dedicated professional and absolutely devoted to her two young children."

Birmingham Crown Court heard that after the killings, Williams changed his Facebook status to single and wrote: "Sometimes you just have to do somethings you shouldn't."

Williams had previously served a jail term for causing actual bodily harm with intent after carrying out an attack involving a hammer and samurai swords.

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Cameron: 11% MPs' Pay Rise Is Unacceptable

David Cameron has said an 11% pay rise for MPs is unacceptable and even hinted he might scrap the parliamentary watchdog if it did not reconsider the proposal.

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, Mr Cameron warned that if Ipsa forged ahead with its plans for the increase he was "ruling nothing out".

His comments suggested that if the parliamentary watchdog, which was brought in following the MPs' expenses scandal and which has responsibility for setting politicians pay, did not "think again", he would be willing to consider abolishing the body.

Ipsa is expected to recommend on Thursday that MPs' pay goes up by £7,600 to £74,000. The rise would come into effect in May 2015. It comes as all other public sector workers have seen their pay capped at 1%.

Mr Cameron said: "First, the idea of an 11% pay rise in one year at a time of pay restraint is simply unacceptable.

"Secondly, Ipsa do need to think again and unless they do so, I don't think anyone will want to rule anything out. No-one wants to go back to MPs voting on their own pay but we have got to have a process and an outcome that can build public confidence.

"Third, in my view, I think this should all be accompanied with a cut in the cost of politics."

Cameron warns Ipsa to rethink its suggestion of an 11% pay rise

When pressed on whether the Prime Minister was suggesting scrapping the parliamentary watchdog, Downing Street responded that Mr Cameron was "not ruling anything out". Another option could be to strip Ipsa of its powers to set MPs' pay.

The recommended pay rise will be subject to a statutory review by Ipsa after the 2015 General Election.

But  Downing Street source said: "There's no final decision until 2015. A statutory review is planned after the 2015 election to look at whatever is published tomorrow so probably best to let that process go forward. But I think the PM has been crystal clear what his view is."

However, Ed Miliband called for an urgent meeting with Mr Cameron, Nick Clegg and the chairman of Ipsa, Sir Ian Kennedy, to prevent the pay rise ahead of that.

A senior Labour source said: "That meeting should take place as soon as possible. The three party leaders should jointly make clear this package is unacceptable to the public and cannot go ahead."

At the weekend shadow chancellor Ed Balls told Sky News the suggested rise was "preposterous" when there was a cost-of-living crisis.

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