Jail For Mortgage Gang

A fifth member of a mortgage fraud gang who made £6million in six weeks has been sentenced. Anthonia Akinyele, who pleaded guilty to her part in the false mortgage scam was this week sentenced to four years in prison at Southwark Crown Court. Another woman and three men were sentenced for their involvement on the 23 March, and this latest hearing at court brings the total number of years they will spend in prison to more than 19.

Julie Killers Tracked

Detectives have been to Kenya as part of a new inquiry into the unsolved murder of a British woman almost 22 years ago, Scotland Yard has said. The remains of Julie Ward, from Bury St Edmunds, were found in 1988 but no-one has ever been convicted of her killing. The team of six detectives and a forensics officer have visited the country to help Kenyan police follow up leads including possible DNA evidence. The team spent 11 days in the African country.

Cop Denies Death Drive

A South Yorkshire police officer has denied causing the death of a pedestrian by dangerous driving. Pc David Allen's patrol car hit Ian Hambrey, 49, on Doncaster Road, Denaby Main, Doncaster, in March 2009. Mr Allen, 34, denied the charge at Leeds Crown Court and was granted unconditional bail until his trial at the court on 21 June.

Cardiff Airport Bus Halted

A shuttle bus linking Cardiff Airport with its nearest railway station may be withdrawn at the end of next month. Airport managers say they can no longer afford the £100,000 for the service, which started in 2005 following the opening of a new station at Rhoose. The Welsh Assembly Government said it would work with all parties to see if the two-mile bus link could be saved but, the airport said it cost more than £100,000 a year to run but carried fewer than 1,000 passengers a week.

NI Policing Era Begins

As the NI Policing Board welcomed devolution of the last powers to Stormont yesterday, the newly installed NI Justice Minister David Ford has said that his appointment heralds a new era. He said that, for the first time in 38 years, a locally elected and accountable Minister has responsibility for policing and justice powers, including civil justice. The new Department of Justice Minister vowed to get down to work immediately with Mr Ford commenting: "This is a day of huge opportunity for all the people of Northern Ireland, marking a new era for the justice system. "The transfer of policing and justice powers from Westminster to the Northern Ireland Executive allows local people to shape the justice system so that it meets local needs in the future," he said. It was roundly welcomed by the Acting Chair, Brian Rea, of the Northern Ireland Policing Board, who said: "This is an historic day for the people of Northern Ireland and marks another milestone for the peace process and policing."

(BMcC/GK)