Rapist Jailed For 'Public Protection'

A man, who raped a 17-year-old girl, has been jailed for "public protection".

Reid Collins, 21, of no fixed address, threatened the teenager, before forcing her into a tent in Cheshunt Park, in Hertfordshire in May. The court heard, how the 17-year-old girl tried to stop a fight between Collins and his then girlfriend, before the attack. The Judge heard, how he offered her a drink and cannabis before hitting her with an empty vodka bottle. Admitting the offence, Collins was jailed indeterminately. He cannot apply for parole for three years. Judge John Plumstead described Collins a "very dangerous young man". He added: "I do not think I can be sure that you will be safe for release in a set period of time. An experienced probation officer believes you have an anti-social personality disorder and that you are on the borderline of being a psychopath."

Re-appeal Following Powell Murder

Detectives investigating the fatal shooting of Wayne Powell in Chingford in July are re-appealing for information and witnesses. Mr Powell, 39, was discovered in Higham Station Avenue in East London on Monday 5 July after being shot a number of times by a lone gunman. Enquiries by officers continue and the investigation team is using the three month anniversary of Mr Powell's death as an opportunity to encourage people to come forward with fresh information about the incident. Mr Powell's leaves behind his partner Anne Boriel and five children, as well as his unborn son. Police were called around 11.15pm on Monday 5 July regarding a man collapsed in Higham Station Avenue. Mr Powell, was discovered suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken by ambulance to Royal London Hospital where he was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination gave cause of death as gunshot wounds. It is believed Mr Powell was in his car when the gunman approached the vehicle. An incident room opened under Detective Chief Inspector John Crossley, Trident. He said: "We are looking for a lone gunman who was wearing dark clothing. The suspect is believed to have left the scene of the shooting along a footpath in the direction of Coningsby Gardens, and I would implore anyone who believes that they have information that could help this investigation to speak to police."

Skegness Firm Prosecuted Over Fatal Fall

A Skegness caravan park operator has been fined £15,000 for safety failings after a worker fell to his death in a hay barn near Doncaster. Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd, of Chapel St Leonards, pleaded guilty to a breach of Health and Safety at Doncaster Magistrates Court and was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive. Clifford Hartley, 59, from Skegness, was re-roofing a fire-damaged barn in Armthorpe, with a colleague when the incident occurred in September 2008. A stack of hay bales had been positioned inside the barn to provide a working platform and to try and break any falls, but when Mr Hartley fell from the roof he landed 18 inches to the side of them onto a concrete floor, sustaining fatal head injuries. The Health and Safety Executive brought charges against Blue Anchor Leisure Ltd and fined them £15,000. The company was also ordered to pay £4,964 in costs.

(BMcN/CD)