14/06/2010
Other UK News In Brief
Jail Reforms Welcomed
It is thought that prison reformers will welcome the Justice Secretary's claim that short prison sentences are ineffective in cutting reoffending rates. They are looking at what appeared to be a major shift in the approach to penal policy outlined by Ken Clarke, over the weekend. The Lord Chancellor questioned why the prison population – at 85,000 – was nearly double what it was when he was Home Secretary in the early 1990s. Clarke confirmed that he is looking for cuts in the £2.2bn prison budget and seemed to indicate that he did not regard short prison sentences as effective.
Bird's Twin Buried
The funeral of the twin brother of Derrick Bird, who killed 12 people and wounded 11 during a gun rampage in west Cumbria, has taken place. David Bird, 52, the first of his brother's victims, is believed to have been shot in bed at his home in Lamplugh on 2 June. More than 500 mourners gathered at St Michael's Church in the village. Among the mourners were his estranged wife Susan, their daughters Rachel, 28, Tracey, 26, and Katie, 19, and the twins' older brother Brian Bird, said the BBC.
MI5 Bomb Suspect Held
There has been a fresh arrest over the Real IRA bomb attack on Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down. The bomb exploded outside the Army base which houses MI5's Northern Ireland headquarters on 12 April, within minutes of policing and justice powers being devolved from Westminster. Police arrested the 45-year-old man in north Belfast on Monday morning.
Trimble To Probe Gaza Ships Deaths
Although it has still to be officially confirmed, the former Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble has been asked by Israel to oversee an investigation into the Gaza aid controversy. The news comes after international outcry when, last month, a total of nine Turkish activists died when Israeli soldiers boarded a cargo of ships carrying aid to Palestine. It is being reported that an independent public commission is to include two foreign observers - Lord Trimble and a retired Canadian general, Ken Watkin.
(BmcC/GK)
It is thought that prison reformers will welcome the Justice Secretary's claim that short prison sentences are ineffective in cutting reoffending rates. They are looking at what appeared to be a major shift in the approach to penal policy outlined by Ken Clarke, over the weekend. The Lord Chancellor questioned why the prison population – at 85,000 – was nearly double what it was when he was Home Secretary in the early 1990s. Clarke confirmed that he is looking for cuts in the £2.2bn prison budget and seemed to indicate that he did not regard short prison sentences as effective.
Bird's Twin Buried
The funeral of the twin brother of Derrick Bird, who killed 12 people and wounded 11 during a gun rampage in west Cumbria, has taken place. David Bird, 52, the first of his brother's victims, is believed to have been shot in bed at his home in Lamplugh on 2 June. More than 500 mourners gathered at St Michael's Church in the village. Among the mourners were his estranged wife Susan, their daughters Rachel, 28, Tracey, 26, and Katie, 19, and the twins' older brother Brian Bird, said the BBC.
MI5 Bomb Suspect Held
There has been a fresh arrest over the Real IRA bomb attack on Palace Barracks in Holywood, Co Down. The bomb exploded outside the Army base which houses MI5's Northern Ireland headquarters on 12 April, within minutes of policing and justice powers being devolved from Westminster. Police arrested the 45-year-old man in north Belfast on Monday morning.
Trimble To Probe Gaza Ships Deaths
Although it has still to be officially confirmed, the former Ulster Unionist party leader David Trimble has been asked by Israel to oversee an investigation into the Gaza aid controversy. The news comes after international outcry when, last month, a total of nine Turkish activists died when Israeli soldiers boarded a cargo of ships carrying aid to Palestine. It is being reported that an independent public commission is to include two foreign observers - Lord Trimble and a retired Canadian general, Ken Watkin.
(BmcC/GK)
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14 August 2006
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
Prison officers suspended over corruption claims
Fourteen prison officers have been suspended from HMP Pentonville following allegations of corruption. A spokesperson for the Prison Service confirmed that the prison officers had been suspended over allegations which concerned trafficking and "inappropriate relations" with prisoners.
03 April 2006
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
Prisons face overcrowding crisis
Prisons in England and Wales are under "enormous pressure" and are facing a "looming overcrowding crisis", according to a charity report. The Prison Reform Trust reported that prison numbers have crept up again since Christmas rising to over 77,000 again.
30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
01 March 2011
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
Northern Ireland Prison Service Facing Reform
As many as 500 prison officers could be made redundant as part of a major, fundamental reform of the prison service in Northern Ireland. There is a severance package being proposed as one of the recommendations in an interim report published by a review team.
19 August 2010
Car 'Ringers' Used Creeper Burglaries
A ten-strong criminal network who were stealing high value vehicles in so-called 'creeper burglaries then 'ringing them' and selling them on to innocent members of the public have been jailed for a total of over 20 years at Croydon Crown Court.
Car 'Ringers' Used Creeper Burglaries
A ten-strong criminal network who were stealing high value vehicles in so-called 'creeper burglaries then 'ringing them' and selling them on to innocent members of the public have been jailed for a total of over 20 years at Croydon Crown Court.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.