Other UK News In Brief

Student Jailed For String Of Firearm Offences

An 18-year-old student found with a firearm and ammunition at Kingston College, has been jailed for five years at Kingston Crown Court. Adamo Kizey, 18, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, possession of a silencer and possession of cannabis. The judge Recorder Oliver said he believed Kizey to be a "danger to the public" and therefore must serve at least 2.5 years of his sentence before being eligible to appear before a parole board. A public protection order was also issued for Kizey to remain on licence for the rest of his life. Detective Chief Inspector Peter Beyer, from the Metropolitan Police Service's Central Task Force, said: "This student was carrying a firearm on college property which posed a significant safety risk to students and teaching staff, as well as the wider community. Officers from the MPS's Central Task Force carried out a successful, targeted and discrete operation which has removed another gun from the streets of London."

Home Office Defend Migrant Cap

The Home Office will strongly defend a High Court challenge by a campaign group against its decision to impose a cap on migrants. The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) says the policy imposed in June is "disproportionate". However Damian Green, Immigration Minister, said he is committed to getting net migration back to 1990s levels. He said: "The government has been clear; we will introduce our permanent annual limit on economic migrants from outside the EU from April 2011." The current interim cap on skilled migrants from outside the EU will be followed by a permanent yearly cap. Some businesses fear the cap could stop them from filling vacancies, while others say it could have a damaging effect on higher education, which is dependant on income from foreign students. The legal challenge brought by the JCWI is expected to be heard in October.

Kier Fined After Man Falls To His Death

A major construction firm has been fined £160,000 after a labourer fell to his death while building Premier League side Everton FC's new training academy. Karl Davis, who was married and lived in Wallasey, was working on the first floor of a building on the Finch Lane site in Halewood when a guard-rail gave way and he fell out of an open window frame. Kier North West, part of the Kier group which has an annual turnover of more than £2.4bn, was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after the incident on 27 February 2007. Mr Davis remained in a coma for three months before he died on 29 May, less than a week after his 43rd birthday. Liverpool Crown Court heard that a rubbish chute had been attached to a temporary guard-rail at the window frame, leading to a skip below. Kier North West's site management team had failed to ensure that the guard-rail could withstand the weight of the chute and materials being thrown down it. The company pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act for failing to ensure the safety of workers. Kier North West, which is based in Bedfordshire, was ordered to pay £43,993 costs in addition to the fine.

(BMcN)