Three In Court Over Ben Kinsella Murder

Three men have appeared in court today charged with the murder of 16-year-old Ben Kinsella. Ben, the brother of former Eastenders actress, Brooke Kinsella, was stabbed to death in York Way, Islington, north London in June. Juress Kika and Michael Alleyne, both aged 18 and 19-year-old Jade Braithwaite have all been charged with murder. The three, who appeared today at the Old Bailey, pleaded not guilty. All three, from north London, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear in court again on 21 April 2009.

Armed Forces Hard Drive Reported Missing

A computer hard drive containing details of people, who had enquired about joining the armed forces, has been reported missing. EDS, a firm contracted to the Ministry of Defence last week reported the drive missing. It is understood around 1.7 million peoples details could be missing. Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth told MPs the information was "unlikely" to have been encrypted. An investigation into the incident has been launched. The hard drive went missing at an EDS site in Hampshire.

Man Dies In 'Severe' House Fire

A man has died following a house fire in Worcestershire. Four other people managed to escape the terraced property in The Glade, Malvern at around 1.30am, however one man was found dead in a bedroom. The four others have been treated for smoke inhalation. Around 30 Hereford and Worcester Fire were called to the scene, and tackled the "severe and intense" fire for an hour.

Man Dies In Motorcycle Incident

A 38-year-old man has died in a motorcycle accident, in Scotland. The man died following a collision on the A90 near Dalmeny, after he lost control of the Harley Davidson bike he was on at a bend near the M9 underpass at 8.30am on Sunday. A Lothian and Borders Police spokesman has urged anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact them.

Crackdown On Persistent Offenders Announced

Marking the start of 'Not In My Neighbourhood Week', Home Secretary Jacqui Smith today warned persistent offenders in the North West that there is nowhere to hide as local agencies will be stepping up the pressure on troublemakers. As part of a programme of regional visits the Home Secretary is looking at how better co-operation between local authorities and other public agencies is helping to expose wider criminal activity. Better information sharing between agencies can expose television licence evasion, benefit and council tax fraud, and vehicle insurance dodging, highlighting wider criminal behaviour. The Home Secretary announced that a new anti-social behaviour squad would soon visit the East of England to work with local ASB experts to tackle offending and ensure police and local agencies make full use of the powers available to them.

Chief Executive At HM Revenue & Customs Appointed

Mike Clasper, the Chairman of HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced today that the Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Lesley Strathie as the Chief Executive Officer of HM Revenue & Customs. Lesley Strathie, who is currently Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus and Second Permanent Secretary at DWP, will take up her new post in early November. Mike Clasper also announced that the Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Dave Hartnett as the new Permanent Secretary for Tax at HMRC. The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP said: "This Chief Executive role at HMRC is one of the biggest delivery jobs in Government and Lesley Strathie is very experienced in delivering quality customer services. She has a first rate proven record in the public sector."

(JM)