Man Jailed For Series Of Sexual Offences

A West Sussex man has been sentenced to a total of 20 years imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against three women.

Jason Burgess, 42, unemployed, of no fixed address, appeared for sentencing at Lewes Crown Court, having been found guilty the previous day of all 10 offences with which he had been charged.

These were four rapes, one attempted rape, one sexual assault, one common  assault, one assault by beating, one indecent exposure and one sexual assault by penetration. The offences, involving three women aged from their mid-20s to early fifties, took place between April 2011 and June 2013.

One of the rapes took place in Petworth, but all other offences happened in the Haywards Heath area.

Detective Constable Steve Shaw said: "Burgess wormed his way successively into the womens' lives over a period of time and then abused the trust they had placed in him. He then moved on to his next victim when it suited him. He showed all the traits of a sexual predator.

"All the victims gave evidence in court, and this clearly helped ensure that no other women would fall victim to Burgess in the foreseeable future."

Police Appeal For Missing Yorkshire Brothers

Police in East Yorkshire are appealing for help in tracing three brothers who are wanted by Humberside Police in connection with an assault.

Jason Baker, 25, Martin Baker, 24 and 20-year-old Troy Baker - all from Bridlington, East Yorkshire - are currently wanted by Humberside Police following a recent incident in the town and police believe they are evading capture by being harboured by an associate and keeping a very low profile, possibly in the Coventry area.

Police are appealing to anyone with information to contact them.

1,000 Homes To Be Built In Islington

Plans to build almost 1,000 homes in Islington have been approved by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

The Mayor 'called-in' the City Forum development on City Road in December 2013 after officers from Islington Council refused the application.

Since then, City Hall planners have been working closely with developer Berkeley Homes and the council to bring forward a scheme that can alleviate some of London's pressing housing needs and regenerate a part of London that is in need of improvement.

The scheme comprises a 42-storey tower block and a 36-storey tower block in an area already designated by Islington Council as suitable for locating a cluster of tall buildings. The development will include 995 homes, 30 per cent of which will be affordable. There will also be a 190-room hotel, a crèche, retail and office space. It is expected that the development will lead to the creation of more than 1,000 jobs.

(CVS/CD)