30/04/2013

Other News In Brief

Woman Charged With Acid Attack

A 21-year-old woman has been charged over an acid attack in east London.

Naomi Oni, who is also 21, has also acid thrown in her face after getting off a bus in Dagenham on 30 December.

She was attached on her way home from work.

Mary Konye has been charged with throwing or casting a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do grievous bodily harm.

Ms Konye will now appear before Redbridge Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

Damaris Lakin, CPS London Senior Crown Prosecutor, said: "I have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Mary Konye in relation to the throwing of sulphuric acid on to Naomi Oni on 30 December 2012 in Dagenham.

"I concluded that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and that it is in the public interest to charge Ms Konye with throwing or casting a corrosive fluid with intent to burn, maim, disfigure, disable or do grievous bodily harm."

Miss Oni suffered burns to her face and lost her hair and eyelashes in the attack.

Police Trace Car In M9 Death

Detectives believe they have traced the car and driver involved in an accident on the M9 last week.

The accident killed 13-year-old Michael Easton.

The teenager's body was discovered at 5.40am on Saturday morning close to the motorway's Cadgers Brae interchange, and Police Scotland think he had crossed the eastbound carriageway before being struck by a vehicle.

Police have also appealed for anyone with information, particularly drivers who were on the motorway between 9.50pm and 10.15pm on Friday.

Prisoners Escape As Prison Van Ambushed

Two men have escaped from a prison van in Salford after the vehicle was ambushed.

It is understood armed men wearing balaclavas ambushed the vehicle.

The prisoners were being taken from HMP Altcourse in Fazakerley, Merseyside, to Manchester Crown Court.

Shortly after 9.00am, witnesses reported seeing a car ram the side of the van at Regent Road and men with axes left the van with its windows smashed.

One man was seen without a helmet on the back of a motorbike as it sped off from the scene.

The escaped prisoners are Ryan MacDonald, 20, and Stevie McMullen, 31. Both men are from Salford.

MacDonald was on his way to court for sentencing for robbery, while Mr McMullen is facing charges of kidnapping, arson, robbery and possession of a firearm.

A man and woman have been arrested in Ordsall, Salford, in connection with the escape.

Police forensics officers are at the scene and a search for clues is being carried out.

In July 2011, a similar attack on a prison van was carried out in the same area.

(JP/CD)

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