Other News In Brief

Man Jailed For Caravan Rape

A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for repeatedly raping a nine-year-old girl in a caravan. Stuart Cairnes, a van driver of Harford Street in Middlesbrough, was ordered to serve a minimum of 10 years behind bars before being considered for parole. He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely. At an earlier hearing he had been found guilty of four specimen charges of rape and one of assault. Teeside Crown Court heard he had used the girl as a 'sex object' in 2007.

Man's Body Found In Search

Police investigating the disappearance of a 54-year-old man who has not been seen since 6 June, have recovered a body. It is believed the body is that of Robert Rose, 54, from Orkney. Northern Constabulary said the remains of a man were found by specialist search officers in the Conninghole area of Sanday late on Thursday night. A man has appeared in court charged with his murder. John Campbell, 59, was charged with murder at Kirkwall Sheriff Court on Monday. He made no plea and was remanded. Mr Campbell and Stephen Crummack, both of Sanday, were also both charged with attempting to defeat the ends of justice. Mr Crummack, 50, made no plea and was also remanded.

Man Set Alight

A 37-year-old man has suffered serious burns to his back after he was set on fire as he lay on a grass embankment in Merseyside. Police said the man was attacked after he fell asleep at the junction of Stanley Road and Commercial Road in Kirkdale on Thursday evening. It is understood he was attacked by a gang of four youths who set his clothes alight before running off. The man was taken to hospital where he needed surgery, but it is not thought his condition is life threatening. The offenders are described as male and are believed to be aged between 14 and 16. One of them was wearing a dark top and the others were wearing light coloured clothing.

Decline In House Price Slows

The latest figures from Land Registry show the rate of decline in annual house prices is easing in England and Wales. In May an annual movement of -15.9% took the average house price to £152,497. As in April, monthly house prices fell again by 0.2% in May compared to a fall of 0.5% in March. Wales had a positive monthly rise with a movement of 1.2%, making it the region with the greatest monthly change and an average property value of £119,990. All regions in England and Wales experienced a decrease in their average property values over the last 12 months. The region with the most significant annual price fall was the North East with a movement of -17.2%. Manchester metropolitan district experienced the greatest annual price fall with a movement of -23.8%. The most up-to-date figures available show that during March 2009 the number of completed house sales fell by 43% to 33,161 from 57,929 in March 2008.

Police Appeal Over Leeds Sexual Assault

North West Leeds police are appealing for witnesses following a sexual assault on a 40-year-old woman in Kirkstall. At about 11pm on Tuesday the woman was walking along Bridge Road towards Bramley when a man at the bus stop in front of BHS shouted to her and exposed himself. He then followed the woman across the bridge onto Wyther Lane and into Victoria Park Avenue where he grabbed her and sexually assaulted her. The woman managed to escape and raise the alarm. She was not physically injured but was left badly shaken. He was described as white, aged 20 to 24, about 5ft 11ins tall, slim, athletic build, with short blond hair with a fringe. He was described as having a slim face, with blue eyes and very big eyebrows. He was wearing navy blue sports clothing and white trainers.

(JM/BMcC)