Domestic Abuse Charities May Not Cope At Xmas

By Isabel Webster, West of England Correspondent

Cuts to domestic abuse charities are "putting victims at risk" as organisations warn they are expecting more cases than ever during the festive period.

The Association of Chief Police Officers reports a much higher volume of 999 calls from women over the Christmas holiday.

Gwent Police Chief Constable Carmel Napier said: "Normal life is not going on. The children aren't at school. People aren't at work.

"The expectation of a good time adds pressure and alcohol can be an aggravating factor.

"This combination of factors seems to cause a combustion of tensions that are already there."

According to the charity Refuge, one in four women in England and Wales experience domestic abuse in their lifetime and two women a week die.

Carol, a mother-of-four from Bristol, managed to escape her abusive relationship with the help of the grassroots charity, Survive.

Over several years her partner physically and mentally abused her, sometimes in front of her young children.

"The first night anything happened he just took his belt off and started whipping me. I was so shocked as I'd never seen him violent before," Carol said.

"He hit me with his mobile phone, so hard it left an imprint on my chest. He said he was going to kill me and threatened to throw me out the window - picking me up by my throat. He said he was going to rip my head off.

"But the worst part was the mental abuse. I had to walk behind him, I was timed if I went out to pick up the kids and had to ask permission to leave the room to go to the loo.

"I thought if I just did what I was told, if I was better, I could make it right for everyone, but I was never going to win."

Survive chief exec Anna Smith says charity is under increasing pressure

Carol is now safe and rebuilding her life, but the effect on her and her children remains.

Breaking down in tears, she sobbed: "If I'd known what I know now - what a bad effect it would have on my kids I would have got out sooner.

"I tried to protect them physically but you can't protect someone mentally from what they hear, what they see."

Carol maintains that Survive is the one good thing that came out of her ordeal.

But the charity, which supports women in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, is under growing pressure.

It has seen a 76% increase in high risk cases in the last year.

Over the Christmas period it estimates it will have to turn away 15% of the women and their families who need emergency refuge.

Chief Executive Anna Smith said: "We've been cut, yet we're seeing more women and children than ever.

"I am seriously concerned about it. Vulnerable people won't necessarily be able to get access to the help that they need this Christmas."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Rain Sparks Christmas Travel Misery

Britons leaving for the great Christmas getaway are battling travel problems as rail failures and floods stall journeys for millions.

Heavy rain has sparked flood warnings that are hampering the road network and train services have been crippled.

Further downpours on Saturday as many start their holiday are heightening the flood risk, with Christmas Day looking set to be a washout.

Helston in Cornwall has already been evacuated after rising river levels threatened to overtake homes with the Environment Agency warning widespread flooding was "imminent".

The group has a severe flood warning in place for the River Cober, and more rain is expected on Saturday - raising fears some families may not be back home for Christmas.

Another 90 flood warnings have been issued, with the South west and Midlands the worst affected, and there 269 flood alerts.

Flooding between Taunton and Exeter St Davids and a signalling problem is causing disruption in the South West.

There are no trains between Plymouth and Tiverton Parkway or Taunton, and a replacement bus service is running from Exeter St Davids to Tiverton Parkway and Taunton.

Water rising on the River Severn in Bewdley

Further road replacements are being organised to run between Plymouth and Exeter St Davids, but this is expected to add another 90 minutes to journey times.

First Great Western and CrossCountry services are accepting each other's passengers, National Rail said.

A major signalling problem caused by a fire yesterday that affected electrical cables and railside signalling equipment at Preston Park is also causing major disruption near Brighton.

Diversions are in place, with trains between Brighton and Gatwick airport travelling half-hourly and buses laid on for some passengers.

There are also signalling problems affecting some Cross Country and London Midland routes in and around Birmingham

Flooding near Rhoose Cardiff International Airport is causing disruption on Arriva Trains Wales.

And there remain problems on all London Midland routes because of driver shortages that have been an issue since October.

Replacement bus services are also in place between Bedford and Bletchley because of a lack of crew and in Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall due to flooding.

A landslip has caused rail problems in the Glazebrook area near Warrington, affecting some First TransPennine Express services and links to Manchester.

On the roads, the A38 from Bodmin towards Exeter is currently closed because of flooding. The northbound exit slip road on the A19 in Cleveland at the junction with the A139 is also shut.

There are also delays on the A27 eastbound between B2144 and A285 near Chichester because of flooding.

Britons attempting to get to Heathrow have been hit by changes to the Heathrow Express service, which on Friday forced thousands of passengers onto the Underground.

Trains are running normally on Saturday but are due to start later on Sunday and will then not run at all on Christmas Day and Boxing Day because of engineering work.

British Airways alone is set to handle nearly 31,000 passengers on Christmas Day as an estimated four million Britons travel abroad for the rest of the holidays.

There was some good news after two main line rail strikes that threatened to cause travel chaos over the Christmas period were called off.

But the train drivers' union Aslef is still striking on Boxing Day in a move that will hit the Underground and has already forced the cancellation of the Arsenal-West Ham United football match.

The other main train problem for the festive period is likely to be engineering work on the West Coast Line.

There are no direct services from London Euston to Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow on December 23 and 24.

Direct services resume on December 27 but with two of the four lines closed up to and including New Year's Eve.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

CRB Check Rules To Be Relaxed By Home Office

Millions of employees and volunteers will no longer have to apply for a new criminal records check every time they apply for a job, the Home Office announced today.

Individuals will only need to apply once to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a certificate and then organisations will be able to use a new online service for an instant check to find out whether the document is still valid.

Unpaid workers will be able to use the online service for free when they apply for different opportunities, while paid employees will have to pay an annual subscription fee.

Individuals who require a DBS check, which can take up to 28 days to complete, currently have to re-apply for a certificate every time they change jobs or move workplace.

The move is part of an overhaul of the criminal checks process by the Government.

The service will be managed by the DBS, which launched at the start of the month when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) were merged.

It is part of a first wave of public services to be moved online by the Government by 2015, which will also include the National Apprenticeship Service, tax self-assessment and registering intellectual property.

Moving services online will save taxpayers up to £1.2bn by 2015 and around £1.7bn a year thereafter, the Cabinet Office said.

Volunteering England (VE), which led a campaign against charging unpaid workers to use the new online criminal checks system, said making the service free for volunteers would give them a "hugely important boost".

VE chief executive Dr Justin Davis Smith said: "This is particularly significant when charities and public services are looking to sustain the enthusiasm for volunteering created by the Olympics and Paralympics."

Junior and locum doctors who need a new check every time they move hospital, agency workers registered with a multiple agencies and volunteers working with more than one organisation are among those who could use the service when it launches next spring.

Criminal information minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said: "It is a 21st century service that will deliver real benefits to employers and volunteers without compromising on public safety."

However, Nick Pickles, director of civil liberties campaign group Big Brother Watch, said the need for reform goes "far beyond" making services available online.

He said: "Safety by database still seems to be the popular mindset across Whitehall and far more needs to be done to restore the system to a common sense balance.

"Until there are legal protections against the over-zealous use of CRB checks and proper reform so cautions and information not tested in court does not ruin people's careers, the CRB system will continue to undermine civil liberties."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Weather: Flooding Ahead Of Xmas Getaway

Britain has been warned it faces further flooding in some areas as more rain is set to sweep in over the next few days.

So far southern and south western England have been the worst affected, with deluges in Devon, Cornwall and Hampshire leading to more than an inch of rain in some places.

Forecasters have warned that up to an inch could fall over Cornwall tonight, with south east Wales, the Midlands and the north east of England also at risk as successive bands of rain sweep across the country.

Residents in Wallington, Hampshire, were told to leave their homes over fears the River Wallington could burst its banks.

The weather is also forecast to remain unsettled for up to seven days.

Friday is expected to be the busiest of the festive period for travelling

The Environment Agency has nearly 300 flood alerts in place across the UK, and nearly 100 flood warnings - the higher level, which means flooding is expected.

It comes as the great Christmas getaway is set to begin, with airports, ports and the transport network braced to cope with high demand.

Some 123,000 passengers are expected to leave through Heathrow Airport today, with thousands more heading across the English Channel by ferry or through the Channel Tunnel.

On the roads, the Highways Agency said more than 250 miles of roadworks will have been completed before Christmas.

A further 57 miles of works will be suspended between today and January 2.

But busy sections of the M4, M25 and M5 will still have works taking place.

Engineering work is also affecting a number of train lines, although strike action over the Christmas period has been called off.

VisitEngland said that as many as 12 million Britons intend to take at least one trip over the festive period, generating around £2.1bn for the economy.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cancer Charity: Elderly Being Refused Treatment

Cancer patients are being refused treatment because they are too old, a leading charity has warned.

The poll by Macmillan Cancer Support found that ageism in the NHS is stopping some older cancer patients getting the best treatments.

And 45% of 155 GPs, oncologists and specialist cancer nurses surveyed said they have dealt with a cancer patient who has been refused treatment on the grounds that they were too old.

Macmillan said the UK has some of the worst cancer survival rates in Europe for older people.

Ciaran Devane, chief executive at Macmillan Cancer Support, said: "Health professionals' concerns about the prevalence of age discrimination in cancer care mustn't be ignored.

"Unless staff are given the time and training to carry out a proper assessment of a patient's overall physical and mental wellbeing, some patients will be unfairly written-off as 'too old' for treatment.

"The number of older people (aged 65 and over) living with cancer in the UK is set to rocket in the next 20 years from 1.3 million to 4.1 million.

"Unless the barriers to timely treatment are tackled now, many older people could die unnecessarily from cancer and services will become unaffordable."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "It is shocking and wrong to deny people treatment just because of their age, which is why we have made it illegal.

"However, we agree that more still needs to be done to improve treatment for cancer patients over 70 - which is why we worked with Macmillan on this report to understand how to address this."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Energy Bill Breakdown Demanded By MPs

Energy firms should be forced to inform every customer what proportion of their bills will contribute to the supplier's profits, MPs are demanding.

The cross-party Energy and Climate Change Committee called for householders to be given a breakdown of their gas and electricity bills.

Their proposal would see annual statements provided by energy companies, featuring details of their operating costs, wholesale prices and profits.

It would also show firms' contributions to environmental levies, the costs of smart meters and investments.

Members of the committee say the shake-up would ensure customers are better informed and help improve competition in the widely-criticised energy market.

Conservative MP and committee chairman Tim Yeo said recent reports of wholesale price-fixing had reinforced the need for greater transparency.

"Trust in energy companies is at rock bottom and consumers don't have the right information to hand to make informed choices about where they get their energy," he said.

"Most consumers simply don't know how to interpret their energy bills and this puts them off attempting to switch suppliers.

"The Government should be doing all it can to increase competition in the energy market and must make it easier for new entrants to join the market."

There are concerns that many energy customers are paying more than they need to because of the bewildering array of tariffs available.

The Government recently announced plans to simplify the options and force energy companies to give their customers the cheapest deal available to them.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Newsnight Savile Report: Inquiry Findings Due

The findings of an inquiry into Newsnight's shelving of a report into sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile are due to be published.

Top BBC executives and journalists on the flagship current affairs show have given evidence, some under questioning from a QC, into why a planned news report on the DJ did not go ahead.

It has been claimed the show was axed because it clashed with planned tributes to Savile - who died in 2011 - an allegation the BBC has repeatedly denied.

Witnesses including director of news Helen Boaden, Newsnight editor Peter Rippon and former director-general Mark Thompson are reported to have been questioned for the review, which is overseen by ex-Sky News executive Nick Pollard.

Mr Rippon stepped aside from his role after the BBC said his explanation as to why the show dropped its investigation into the late DJ and TV presenter was "inaccurate or incomplete in some respects" and corrected his statement.

George Entwistle stepped down as director general in November

The publication of the review - accompanied by a separate report by Ken MacQuarrie into how Newsnight reported an incorrect story implicating Lord McAlpine in child abuse allegations - caps a bad end to a year for the BBC.

The corporation managed to shake off criticism over how it covered the Diamond Jubilee and was widely praised for its coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics.

But it has paid out £185,000 in damages to Lord McAlpine this week and lost two director generals in the space of less than two months.

George Entwistle, who was head of BBC television at the time the investigation was dropped, took the top job in September only to resign after just over 50 days in charge as the Savile scandal developed.

Another review led by Dame Janet Smith, looking at the culture and practices of the BBC during the years in which Savile worked there, is expected next year.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hillsborough Inquests Set To Be Quashed

By Nick Martin, Sky News Correspondent

An application to quash the original Hillsborough inquest verdicts is due to be heard at the High Court today.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve, who will put forward the application, said the main basis for the move was new medical evidence, made public in the Hillsborough Independent Panel report published in September.

Ninety-six Liverpool supporters died in the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium on April 15, 1989, when their team met Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final.

The report revealed a widespread cover-up by police who altered witness statements to put officers in a favourable light and deflect blame for the disaster on to Liverpool fans.

Mr Grieve is expected to rely on new medical evidence from the report that revealed 41 of the 96 fans had the "potential to survive" if the police response been more effective.

Margaret Aspinall, whose 18 year-old son James died in the disaster, was hopeful that new inquests would be ordered.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel revealed a widespread police cover-up

She said: "This is the time now for the 96 to get the justice they deserve and, most importantly, for those families who are left behind.

"So many have died (and) they've been absolutely tortured because they knew the truth but they didn't hear it.

"We have never believed their deaths were an accident, we have never accepted the death certificates and I will hope the judges quash the inquests so we can press ahead with new ones."

Three High Court judges will be asked to make a decision based on the Attorney General's application.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group has organised a coach to take more than 30 families, while the Hillsborough Justice Campaign has arranged train travel for about a dozen people.

Liverpool and Walton MP Steve Rotherham said: "The families have been campaigning for two things; for truth and justice.

"The truth came out with the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report and now they want justice.

"Part of justice (is) that they get the correct verdict recorded on the death certificate of their loves ones ... They have never believed that to be the case."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

HMIP Care Report: 'Distressing' Findings

Up to 3,000 vulnerable children are being failed by a care system that has seen abuse victims placed with sex attackers and a third of children moved 100 miles from home, inspectors say.

A report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) has found that children are "shipped" out of their home areas, leaving them to face "extremely poor" futures.

Basic checks are not being made by children's services when placing these "vulnerable and potentially dangerous" children into homes, HMIP warns.

Around a third of children in the study were placed more than 100 miles from home and nearly two thirds more than 50 miles away.

In one example, a 16-year-old boy was moved 31 times since being taken into care at the age of three - including one placement that lasted less than 24 hours.

Liz Calderbank says the report's findings are "distressing"

In another, a 13-year-old girl, a victim of sexual exploitation, was found having sex with a 15-year-old boy in the children's home.

Sexual videos of her were later found on his mobile.

The findings come at a time of intense focus on the treatment of vulnerable children following the Jimmy Savile scandal and revelations about horrific sex abuse in North Wales children's homes like Bryn Estyn.

Chief inspector of probation Liz Calderbank said she is shocked by the "distressing" findings, saying that "shipping" children over 50 miles away makes offending "inevitable" in some cases.

Revelations about the Bryn Estyn home in Wales highlighted abuse issues

"The system is failing in terms of how it is trying to look after them," she said.

The inspectorate, along with education watchdogs Ofsted and Estyn, looked at 60 children in six regions in a joint inspection into the work of youth offending teams (YOTs) with children placed away from home.

A fifth of the children had themselves been a victim of crime while under supervision of the YOT and just over half the children inspected had offended within the care environment.

In one area a host YOT was unaware a 13-year-old girl, who previously set fire to a children's home, was in its care until two weeks after she arrived. It then took three weeks to obtain assessments.

Paedophile ex-BBC star Jimmy Savile preyed on vulnerable youngsters

The HMIP report makes several recommendations, including for the Department for Education (DfE) to strengthen regulations and local agencies to work together more effectively.

A Department for Education spokesperson said three expert groups are developing proposals to improve the care provided by children's homes.

They said: "It is completely unacceptable that some local authorities and homes are letting down children by failing to act as a proper 'parent'.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hospital Surgery At Weekends Under NHS Plans

By Becky Johnson, Sky Correspondent

Routine operations, scans and consultations could be set to take place on weekends under new proposed changes to the NHS.

The plans are part of a raft of measures being discussed by the new NHS Commissioning Board which will take over day-to-day control of the health service from April 2013.

A spokeswoman said: "We are looking at options to provide a greater seven-days-a-week service."

The plans are designed with convenience for patients in mind.

Quality of care and patient safety are also factors behind the proposals after research carried out by University College London earlier this year found patients admitted on a Sunday are 16% more likely to die than those admitted mid-week.

The Alexandra Avenue Clinic in London is already open seven days a week.

Dr David Lloyd told Sky News: "It means patients don't have to go two days without seeing a doctor and it means acutely ill patients can be seen in a setting that isn't a hospital and hopefully we can prevent a log-jam in A&E.

"It's one of the adages of the world in hospitals that you admit for seven days a week, and yet everything grinds to a halt at the weekends.

"In fact if you work a seven day week it means that you can get all the tests done much more quickly, it means that patients have to spend less time in hospital, so in fact you might be able to save some resources."

Patients at the clinic told Sky News it would be more convenient if they could also book hospital appointments on Saturdays and Sundays too.

One said: "I don't want the doctors to work too long hours because that would mean our care is in jeopardy.

"Maybe they could hire more people, in that way it could be good."

Sir Richard Thompson, president of the Royal College of Physicians, said: "For some years we have known, particularly with evidence from North America, that the care of patients at weekends seems to lead to a greater death rate.

"They need all the services, there's some quite good evidence that for instance X-rays and other procedures are not done as frequently at the weekends as in weekdays.

"It may well be the lack or delay to those screening procedures at the weekend is the thing that causes the slight increase in the mortality of patients admitted at the weekend."

NHS bosses are in discussion with doctors about how the changes would affect the way they work.

It is thought no doctor would be forced to work at weekends so incentives may need to be agreed to make weekend working attractive.

The NHS Commissioning Board will oversee expenditure of England's £95.6bn NHS budget from April next year.

It has also allocated £64.7bn for 211 local clinical commissioning groups (CCGs), which are led by GPs and will take responsibility for local secondary, community and mental healthcare services.

The NHS Commissioning Board will monitor standards. It has said any referral to treatment wait of more than 52 weeks should attract financial penalties and indicated there should be zero tolerance of MRSA.

Sir David Nicholson, the NHS Commissioning Board's chief executive, said: "The NHS can be justly proud of its achievements. 

"People wait less, they are diagnosed and referred quicker and our hospitals have fewer infections. But everyone in the NHS knows we must continue to improve. 

"We want to make the NHS the best customer service in the world by doing more to put patients in the driving seat."

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Bradley Wiggins Is Sports Personality Of Year

Tour de France champion and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 32-year-old cyclist was presented with the trophy by the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, who was making her first public appearance since being treated in hospital for severe morning sickness.

Wiggins picked up the most public votes after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour - known as cycling's ultimate prize - in July.

Then he followed up his victory days later by taking the Olympic Time Trial on the streets of Surrey.

Team GB Heptathlon gold medal-winner Jessica Ennis was second at the ExCel ceremony in London, with US Open tennis winner and Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray third.

Wiggins said: "I'm not going to swear tonight so I am just going to say 'thank you' to everyone that picked the phone up and voted.

The Duchess of Cambridge presented the award to Bradley Wiggins

"We have had all that jungle stuff (I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!) and X Factor the last couple of weeks, so for people in half an hour to pick up and pay £1.50 to vote, thank you very much.

"And my nan: the cheque is in the post because you pressed redial God-knows how many times."

He also paid tribute to fellow riders plus the performance director and coach who have guided British cycling to a new high.

He said: "I'd like to thank my team-mates, Dave Brailsford and Shane Sutton. I'd like to thank British Cycling and Sky for paying me."

Speaking about Wiggins' latest triumph, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins -a truly inspirational winner, after an incredible year for British sport."

Dave Brailsford was named Coach of the Year

Cycling chief Brailsford, who helped deliver a large chunk of Team GB's success this year, was named coach of the year at the awards.

Under his leadership, Britain won 15 cycling medals in London and he also headed the Team Sky outfit which guided Wiggins to victory in the Tour de France.

Brailsford, who beat Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello and rowing coach Paul Thompson to the award, said: "It's a huge privilege to win this because it was a fantastic summer of sport. There is a great team behind me at British Cycling and Team Sky.

"They did a brilliant job. I would like to thank head coach Shane Sutton and all the team for the work they have done. They did such a good job. Our opponents thought our wheels were rounder than theirs.

"It's great because everyone sniggered when we said we would win the Tour de France in five years with a clean British rider."

Lord Coe received the lifetime achievement award

Team Sky tweeted: "Bradley Wiggins has won Sports Personality of the Year!!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who voted!!! It really is appreciated."

The Team of the Year award went to Team GB and Paralympics GB for their successes in the Games during the summer.

The lifetime achievement award, also presented by the Duchess of Cambridge, went to London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe.

He was given his prize for his athletics career and in recognition of his role in bringing the Olympics and Paralympics to London and their success.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Kate In First Public Engagement Since Hospital

Wiggins Sports Personality Of Year

Updated: 11:40pm UK, Sunday 16 December 2012

Tour de France champion and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins has won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 32-year-old cyclist was presented with the trophy by the pregnant Duchess of Cambridge, who was making her first public appearance since being treated in hospital for severe morning sickness.

Wiggins picked up the most public votes after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour - known as cycling's ultimate prize - in July.

Then he followed up his victory days later by taking the Olympic Time Trial on the streets of Surrey.

Team GB Heptathlon gold medal-winner Jessica Ennis was second at the ExCel ceremony in London, with US Open tennis winner and Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray third.

Wiggins said: "I'm not going to swear tonight so I am just going to say 'thank you' to everyone that picked the phone up and voted.

"We have had all that jungle stuff (I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!) and X Factor the last couple of weeks, so for people in half an hour to pick up and pay £1.50 to vote, thank you very much.

"And my nan: the cheque is in the post because you pressed redial God-knows how many times."

He also paid tribute to fellow riders plus the performance director and coach who have guided British cycling to a new high.

He said: "I'd like to thank my team-mates, Dave Brailsford and Shane Sutton. I'd like to thank British Cycling and Sky for paying me."

Speaking about Wiggins' latest triumph, Prime Minister David Cameron tweeted: "Congratulations to Bradley Wiggins -a truly inspirational winner, after an incredible year for British sport."

Cycling chief Brailsford, who helped deliver a large chunk of Team GB's success this year, was named coach of the year at the awards.

Under his leadership, Britain won 15 cycling medals in London and he also headed the Team Sky outfit which guided Wiggins to victory in the Tour de France.

Brailsford, who beat Ennis' coach Toni Minichiello and rowing coach Paul Thompson to the award, said: "It's a huge privilege to win this because it was a fantastic summer of sport. There is a great team behind me at British Cycling and Team Sky.

"They did a brilliant job. I would like to thank head coach Shane Sutton and all the team for the work they have done. They did such a good job. Our opponents thought our wheels were rounder than theirs.

"It's great because everyone sniggered when we said we would win the Tour de France in five years with a clean British rider."

Team Sky tweeted: "Bradley Wiggins has won Sports Personality of the Year!!! Thank you SO MUCH to all of you who voted!!! It really is appreciated."

The Team of the Year award went to Team GB and Paralympics GB for their successes in the Games during the summer.

The lifetime achievement award, also presented by the Duchess of Cambridge, went to London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe.

He was given his prize for his athletics career and in recognition of his role in bringing the Olympics and Paralympics to London and their success.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Royal Prank Call Nurse's Family 'Shattered'

The children of the nurse found dead days after taking a prank call say they are "shattered" by their loss.

Jacintha Saldanha was discovered in a nurses' accommodation block close to King Edward VII's Hospital, London, where the Duchess of Cambridge was treated for severe morning sickness.

The 46-year-old answered a phone call from Australian radio presenters Michael Christian and Mel Greig, who pretended to be Prince Charles and the Queen and asked for an update on the duchess's health.

Jacintha Saldanha worked at the hospital where Kate was treated

A service for Ms Saldanha, a mother-of-two, was held at Westminster Cathedral on Saturday.

Outside, her daughter Lisha said: "We will miss your laughter, the loving memories and the good times we had together.

"We are shattered and there is an unfillable void in our lives.

"We love you mum. Sleep in peace and please watch over us until we meet again in heaven."

Benedict Barboza read a tribute to his wife, Jacintha Saldanha

Ms Saldanha's husband Benedict Barboza said his wife was "the light of my darkness who always showed me the way forward".

"From the day we met, you always stood by me, in times of hardship and happiness," he said.

"Nineteen years of togetherness, with a strong bond of affection and understanding, will be cherished forever in my life."

Mr Barboza's son Junal added: "In times of difficulty, you showed us the way forward to happiness and success."

On Friday, John Lofthouse, chief executive of King Edward VII's Hospital, said staff had stood by Ms Saldanha and insisted the nurse was the "victim of a cruel trick".

Writing in reply to a letter sent by Keith Vaz MP, Mr Lofthouse said: "Jacintha believed that the call was genuine, and she felt it appropriate to put the call through. We stand by her judgement.

Australian DJs Michael Christian and Mel Greig made the prank phone call

"Jacintha was reassured on a number of occasions by senior management that no blame was attached to her actions and that there were no disciplinary issues involved, because she had been the victim of a cruel trick."

Ms Saldanha's funeral will be held at a church in India on Monday.

An inquest into her death, which opened on Thursday, heard Ms Saldanha had hanged herself. She left two notes in her room and another among her personal possessions.

A provisional date of March 26 has been set for the next inquest hearing.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More

Hampshire Robbery And Kidnap: Police Appeal

Police have appealed for a suspected armed robber to give himself up after a woman was kidnapped and driven around in her own car.

The man approached a house in Rookes Lane, Lymington, Hampshire on Saturday morning, and pointed a gun to threaten the people who live there - the woman, who is in her 60s, and a man in his 70s.

The man received a minor head injury during a confrontation with the suspect inside the house, where money was demanded. No shots were fired, and about £100 in cash was stolen.

The robber then stole the couple's car, a silver/grey Peugeot 207 convertible, which was driven erratically at speed around the local area.

The woman was forced to travel as a front passenger seat of the car, but was not injured and was returned home around 15 minutes later.

The suspect drove away into Newenham Road, where he abandoned the car at the end of the cul-de-sac.

Chief Inspector Tony Rowlinson said: "I am appealing directly to the suspect to consider the consequences of his actions.

"From our initial inquiries, we understand you might be facing personal and painful circumstances in which you feel trapped and desperate for money.

"However, think long and hard about the distress and fear you are causing. I am imploring you to explore your conscience and do the right thing by contacting police to tell us where you are before you make any more reckless choices, which could hurt innocent people. Please phone us on 101.

"My appeal extends to any family or friends who think they may know this person or their current whereabouts. Please contact the police with what you know about this man."

He added: "This was a shocking crime committed against a couple who were subjected to an unprovoked, terrifying attack in their own home and car. I would like to praise their immense courage in dealing with the robber, who was violent towards them."

Police said they were linking the incident to a robbery on December 5 at Brockenhurst railway station.

Chief Inspector Rowlinson said: "I am calling on the community to be alert in spotting and reporting any suspicious behaviour or any information about the suspect's identity or location.

"We cannot confirm at this time whether the gun seen by the couple was real or an imitation firearm, but my advice to members of the public is to phone police on 999 immediately if you see someone matching the suspect's description. Do not approach him; his behaviour is unpredictable, and he could become distressed and agitated if approached."

He also appealed for help from the driver of a 4x4 car, saying: "We remain particularly keen to trace and speak with the driver of a sandy-coloured 4x4 car.

"This motorist is an important witness as it is reported the 4x4 car stopped in West Lane in Lymington to allow the Peugeot 207 to drive past while the robber was at the wheel.

"The woman has told police she waved at the 4x4 driver, who waved back, but did not appear to realise the reality of the situation inside the Peugeot."

The suspect was described as white, 35-55 years old, 5ft 10in, of average build, with dark hair.

The suspect, witnesses or anyone with information have been asked to contact CID at Southampton Central police station by phoning 101 and quoting Operation Prenton. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by phoning Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

14.43 | 0 komentar | Read More