Blackpool 'Methadone' Toddler: Two Charged

A man and a woman have been charged in connection with the death of a two-year-old girl found to have ingested methadone.

Barry Jones, 41, and Michelle King, 29, have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Blackpool Magistrates Court today.

They have both been charged with causing or allowing the death of a child by means of an unlawful act contrary to Section 5 of the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004.

An ambulance was called to Jameson Street on Tuesday night

Sophie Jones was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital from a house in Jameson Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, on Tuesday night but later died.

Toxicology tests have confirmed Sophie ingested the synthetic heroin substitute methadone but a post-mortem examination has failed to ascertain the cause of death.

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Clare's Law Rolled Out To Expose Abusers

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

New measures to protect victims of domestic abuse come into effect today.

Clare's Law, which enables people to check the police records of partners, has been launched across England and Wales after being piloted by four police forces.

The father of murder victim Clare Wood, whose name has been given to the scheme, has welcomed its introduction, describing it as "a bitter-sweet moment".

Michael Brown discovered five years ago that his daughter had been raped and strangled at her Salford home by ex-boyfriend George Appleton, who set fire to her body before going on the run. He was found hanged several days later.

Appleton, who Clare met on Facebook, had a history of violence against women, including knife-point kidnapping.

Mr Brown told Sky News: "When you lose a family member in these circumstances it is always with you. To realise that the last moments of your daughter's life were kicking and screaming in a room in Salford sticks with you."

Michael Brown has fought for a new law to help women like his daughter

The 70-year-old stressed that Clare's Law was "not a panacea for domestic violence", but said: "If it can help others - just one - I and all the other campaigners will have succeeded. 

"This is just another piece of armour plate for people to put on when they are in trouble."

The launch coincides with International Women's Day and also marks the introduction of Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs), which are designed to provide support for victims in the immediate aftermath of violent incidents.

DVPOs can last for up to 28 days, during which time a perpetrator can be prevented from having contact with the victim.

Speaking about Clare's Law, Home Secretary Theresa May said: "What we saw from the pilots is that it's been a real benefit for women who have been able to go to the police where they've had suspicion of the behaviour of their partner.

"As a result of that, of course, they've been able to make a decision whether to stay with that partner or whether to leave."

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Network Rail Slammed Over Crossing Safety

By Emma Birchley, East of England Correspondent

A target of zero deaths at level crossings by the end of the decade should be set by rail regulators, according to a report by MPs.

The House of Commons Transport Committee criticised Network Rail (NR) for showing "callous disregard" for bereaved families and urged the organisation to offer apologies for the way it had handled tragedies in the past.

The report also warned that there may be many hundreds of crossings "which exceed Health and Safety Executive guidance on the acceptable level of fatality risk to the public".

Committee chairman Louise Ellman said: "The number of deaths on level crossings must come down and Network Rail must aim for zero deaths by 2020.

"NR has lowered the risk of death at a level crossing by 25% since 2008, but when suicides and trespass are excluded, level crossings still account for one half of all fatalities on the railway in recent years including nine people who died in 2012-13.

"Every one of those deaths was a personal tragedy which could have been averted. Yet looking back it's clear that on too many occasions Network Rail showed a callous disregard for the feelings of the families of people killed or seriously injured in accidents at level crossings."

The chief executive of Network Rail, Mark Carne, responded by issuing "a full and unreserved apology on behalf of Network Rail to all those whose life has been touched by a failing, however large or small, made by this company in managing public safety at level crossings and in failing to deal sensitively with the families affected".

Those families include the relatives of Olivia Bazlinton, 14, and Charlotte Thompson, 13, who were killed at Elsenham in Essex in December 2005.

Network Rail has closed nearly 800 crossings since 2010

They have always argued that key documents were withheld at the inquest and that they faced "a conspiracy of silence".

Mrs Ellman said the lack of transparency around safety concerns at the Elsenham crossing "was particularly shocking and raises profound questions about Network Rail's internal culture and accountability".

The committee's comments have been welcomed by Olivia's father Chris.

"It totally vindicates our view that NR have not done enough in the past to improve safety on level crossings, and that they treated us very badly - not just us but other families who lost relatives in accidents.

"Other families shouldn't have to go through what we have experienced, and we welcome the fact that the committee wants to see NR transform the way it which it treats families, the way it handles legal issues and that bereaved families should be entitled to legal support at inquests."

The MPs also made it clear that they would be concerned if Network Rail executives were to receive bonuses after being prosecuted and fined £500,000 last year over safety failings at a crossing in Beccles, Suffolk.

But the company has stated that if targets are met, bonuses of as much as 60% of salary will be paid.

And that has infuriated Mr Bazlinton.

He said: "I think bonuses are wrong and until the safety issue is resolved and until the safety record is much better, they should not be paid bonuses."

Network Rail says significant progress is being made across the network.

It has closed nearly 800 crossings since 2010 and spent £130m on safety. A further 500 will be shut by 2019.

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Tree Populations Ravaged By Winter Storms

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

The winter storms that battered the UK have resulted in the greatest loss of trees in a generation in some areas, according to the National Trust.

Surveys of more than 50 woodlands, parks and gardens managed by the trust have revealed that many have suffered the worst damage in more than two decades.

On some properties, the last time so many trees were uprooted was during the 'Great Storm' of 1987.

At least a dozen storms swept in from the south west between December and February, with the west of England, Wales and Northern Ireland hit particularly hard.

But National Trust properties at Tatton Park near Manchester, Nymans in Sussex and Scotney Castle in Kent have also been affected.

Many trees were blown over rather than being snapped at the trunk, because the ground was so saturated.

Killerton Estate in Devon suffered some of the biggest losses, with more than 500 trees felled, including 20 that were significant to the landscape of the estate.

A fallen tree covering a railway line in Farnham after storms in October

In Stourhead, Wiltshire, 400 trees were lost, including an oak which could have been 200 to 250 years old.

Nature and wildlife specialist at the Trust Matthew Oates said: "People love and need trees, and the loss of specimen trees in gardens and parks, and of ancient beeches and oaks in the woods and the wider countryside, hurts us all and damages much wildlife.

"Increased storminess, and the increased extreme weather events generally, are likely to stress trees further, especially veteran trees.

"We will have to think carefully about where we establish trees and what species to plant."

It is likely that nature will restore areas of damaged woodland.

The October 1987 storm brought down 15 million trees across southern England.

But the gaps in forests created new habitats for wildlife, and were eventually closed in by the growth of new trees.

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Building Homes On Flood Plains 'To Be Blocked'

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

Developers could be blocked from building homes on flood plains under a shake-up of planning law due to be revealed today.

Planning minister Nick Boles is expected to announce changes that will mean councils are no longer forced to take other local authorities' housing allocations if it conflicts with national policy.

That would mean less pressure to build on flood plains for planners, who have long been expected to help town halls meet house-building targets.

Many hope the new guidelines will also ensure experts' advice plays a greater role in the planning process.

Among the areas worst-hit by recent flooding was Longford, near Gloucester, where David Cameron told residents in February that expert advice was always followed during the planning process.

Environment Agency figures given to Sky News show that is not always the case.

An aerial shot taken over Longford in February

In 2012-13, applications for 560 residential properties across England and Wales were approved in areas of flood risk, against the agency's advice.

A total of 570 new homes are planned, to be built near land in Longford that has been underwater for the past few weeks.

The scheme was vehemently opposed by local residents and initially rejected, before being approved on appeal in 2008.

Longford Parish Council chairman Pete Gough told Sky News: "We thought it was a lot of nonsense, really.

"We thought the Secretary of State would have intervened, and said there's lots of places you can build without building on the flood plains, or near the flood plains. It just seems so daft."

One of the main concerns of residents is not that the new properties will flood, but that by replacing fields with concrete it will create problems for other homes.

John Patterson's home in Longford flooded in 2007, and only avoided a similar fate this year by a few inches.

He told Sky News: "The water has to go somewhere. You'll get extra run off from the houses, and all the roads and infrastructure that goes with them. It's illogical, just illogical."

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson is also expected to make an announcement today about the recent flooding.

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Huge Asteroid Hurtles Past Earth In Video

By Joe Tidy, Sky News Reporter

A cloudy night across Britain did not deter stargazers from catching a rare glimpse of an asteroid the size of three double-decker buses flying close to Earth.

At its closest, Asteroid 2014 DX110 flew 216,000 miles (348,000km) from Earth - even closer than initial estimates and within the orbit of our Moon.

The 30m-wide (100ft) asteroid flew past Earth - reaching its closest point at 9.58pm on Wednesday - at a speed of more than 31,000mph (50,000 kph).

Peter Birtwhistle with the telescope he used to spot the asteroid

The cloudy conditions meant many astronomers endured a disappointing evening, but veteran amateur astronomer Peter Birtwhistle managed to capture footage of the space rock through the clouds.

His video footage shows it passing over - the white shading is cloud cover.

Speaking from his home observatory in Great Shefford, Berkshire, he said of the sighting: "We were lucky to catch it through the clouds but it was great to pick it up and see it fly through the field of view.

"You'll get the opportunity to see something as close as this a few times a year if you are lucky."

Mr Birtwhistle examines the footage

As well as Wednesday's event, scientists are looking forward to another surprise asteroid.

Nasa telescopes have spotted another two space rocks heading towards Earth over the next 24 hours.

One will pass five times closer than Wednesday's asteroid and is expected to be on show on Thursday evening.

Mr Birtwhistle said: "It's a busy time up there and I just hope the clouds clear so we can enjoy these rare sights."

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Tottenham Rioter 'Wrote Blakelock Murder Rap'

A man accused of stabbing PC Keith Blakelock during the Tottenham Riots in 1985 wrote a rap song about the killing, a court has heard.

Nicky Jacobs, who was 16 at the time of the riots, allegedly wrote the rap while he was in a youth custody centre serving time for a sentence for affray.

PC Blakelock was stabbed to death

A prison officer says he found the hand-written lyrics while searching Jacobs' cell in 1998. It was read out in court by prosecuting counsel Richard Whittam.

The rap goes as follows: "As long as I live I remember it was 1985 the 6th October...

"Me have de chopper we have intention to kill an police officer PC Blakelock de unlucky f***** him dis an help de fireman...

"Who did an out an fire de fireman see we av come and decide to scatter but PC Blakelock him never smell the danger but when we fly down upon him he start scream and holla…

"Everybody gather round and av pure laughter he try to head out but we trip him over he start beg for mercy bit it didn't matter him try to play super man...."

Mr Whittam previously outlined to the court there was no dispute Jacobs had been involved in the riots, but that it was for the jury to decide if he was responsible for the death of PC Blakelock.

Cars were set on fire, and police and rioters were injured during the riots

The disorder broke out the day after Cynthia Jarrett, a mother of a police suspect, had a heart attack and died when her home was searched.

PC Blakelock was among a group of officers sent out without cover on the night of Sunday, October 6, 1985, to protect firemen putting out blazes.

PC Blakelock's uniform showing holes made by the knife used to murder him

They came across a "very large group" of rioters, many armed with an assortment of weapons, the court heard.

PC Blakelock was the first police constable to be killed during a riot in Britain since PC Robert Culley was stabbed to death in Clerkenwell, London, in 1833

Jacobs denies murdering the police officer. The trial continues.

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Mikaeel Kular's Cause Of Death Revealed

A three-year-old boy whose disappearance led to a major police search died from internal bleeding and peritonitis - inflammation of the abdomen lining.

Mikaeel Kular's body was discovered on woodland behind a house at Kirkcaldy, Fife, in mid-January.

His mother Rosdeep Kular had reported him missing the day before from their home in north Edinburgh.

The 33-year-old woman has since been charged with his murder.

The discovery of Mikaeel's body followed a major investigation and extensive day-and-night search in north Edinburgh involving police and hundreds of local residents and volunteers.

Members of the public also made more than 500 calls to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel's disappearance.

Mikaeel's death certificate has been released by a registrar in Kirkcaldy.

It lists the cause of death as "peritonitis and infra-abdominal haemorrhage" (pending investigation). 

Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdomen.

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No 10 Aide Quits Over Abuse Images Claims

A government aide has been arrested over child abuse imagery allegations.

Patrick Rock was arrested at his home in the early hours of February 13 - hours after Downing Street reported the matter to police.

The 62-year-old, who was the deputy head of Downing Street's policy unit, had resigned the previous day.

A spokesperson for Number 10 said: "Subsequently, we arranged for officers to come into Number 10 have access to all IT systems and offices they considered relevant.

"This is an ongoing investigation so it would not be appropriate to comment further, but the Prime Minister believes that child abuse imagery is abhorrent and that anyone involved with it should be properly dealt with under the law."

Rock, who is from west London, was one of a number of advisers and officials involved in drawing up the Government's policy on internet porn filters.

The search engine companies Google and Microsoft agreed last year to introduce changes to make it harder to find child abuse images online.

The spokesperson stressed the work was "led by somebody else, and decisions were taken by ministers".

According to the Daily Mail, which broke the news of the arrest, Rock had particular responsibility for home affairs issues in the policy unit.

Prime Minister David Cameron brought Rock back into Downing Street in 2011 after working with him at the Home Office under Michael Howard in the 1990s.

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Holidaymakers Warned Over Online Scams

By Tadhg Enright, Sky News Correspondent

Police have warned holidaymakers to be wary of online booking scams after £7m was stolen by fraudsters last year.

A total of 4,500 cases of booking fraud were reported to police in 2013, with almost a third of cases involving consumers paying for holiday villas and apartments that did not exist.

A report by fraud investigators from The City of London Police said the other most common scams included fake airline tickets and some package holidays to sporting events and religious pilgrimages.

Detective Superintendent Pete O'Doherty said: "The internet has changed the way we look for and book our holidays.

"Unfortunately it is also enabling fraudsters, using online offers of villas, hotels and flights that simply don't exist or promising bookings that are never made, to prey upon those looking for that perfect break."

Laura and Seán Parks told Sky News about their ordeal after they were scammed while trying to book a Valentine's Day break while Seán, a soldier, was home on leave from Afghanistan.

Having seen an online advertisement for log cabins near Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands she was duped into paying £400 into the fraudster's bank account - only to find upon arrival that the cabins did not exist.

Seán said that booking service appeared to be legitimate: "The website looked 100%. Everything else, the invoices, they all looked genuine."

Laura added: "He was using a booking company, wasn't he? And I contacted the booking company to ask if they were aware of any of this and they weren't.

"But you have no reason to doubt anything when you have invoices coming through, and you're paying into a bank account."

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, the travel industry body the Association of British Travel Agents and the Get Safe Online campaign have urged consumers to be wary and prepared the following advice:

• Do your research: Do not just rely on one review, do a thorough online search to ensure the company's credentials. If a company is defrauding people there is a good chance consumers will post details of their experiences, and warnings about the company, online.

• Use your instincts: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

• Pay safe: Never pay directly into an owner's bank account. Paying by direct bank transfer is like paying by cash and the money cannot be traced and is not refundable. Where possible, pay by credit card or a debit card that offers protection.

ABTA chief executive Mark Tanzer said: "Fraudsters are conning unsuspecting holidaymakers and travellers out of thousands of pounds each year - leaving them out of pocket or stranded with nowhere to stay through fake websites, false advertising, bogus phone calls and email scams."

Get Safe Online chief executive Tony Neate said it was vital for holidaymakers to do their research before booking.

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Connery 'Shakes And Stirs' Scotland Debate

James Bond actor Sir Sean Connery is urging fellow Scots to vote for independence as the opportunity is "too good to miss".

The Hollywood star claimed a "new nation" with more hope would be created if Scotland backs leaving the UK in September's referendum.

Sir Sean, who does not live in the country but is a well-known supporter of independence, said a yes vote would "capture the world's attention".

He said: "I fully respect the choice facing Scotland in September is a matter for the people who choose to work and live there - that's only right.

"But as a Scot with a lifelong love of Scotland and the arts, I believe the opportunity of independence is too good to miss.

He added: "Scotland has the chance to make a step change."

Sir Sean said a yes vote would mean a "renewed focus on our culture and politics, giving us an unparalleled opportunity to promote our heritage and creative excellence.

David Bowie wants Scotland to remain part of the UK

"Simply put there is no more creative an act than creating a new nation."

The movie star, 83, said he was "particularly excited" about the prospects that independence could offer the film and creative industries.

He claimed these could be boosted by more investment, helping to create jobs north of the border with the "international promotion of Scotland as an iconic location".

Writing in an article in the Sun on Sunday and the New Statesman, he said a "a bigger and more confident film and broadcast sector" could help bring about "an inflow of resources and new jobs and training".

But the Better Together campaign - which wants Scotland to stay in the UK - says independence would mean losing jobs, and create more uncertainty, instability and barriers for businesses.

Last month, singer David Bowie, in a message read by model Kate Moss at the Brits, urged Scots to remain a part of the UK, saying: "Stay with us Scotland."

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Leytonstone Murder: Victims Stabbed To Death

Police investigating a double murder say the two victims found in a car were stabbed to death.

Officers were called by paramedics to Montague Road, Leytonstone, northeast London, shortly before 1am on Saturday.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Post-mortem examinations found that Aaron Carriere, 21, died after being stabbed in the neck while the other, Josiah Manful, 20, died from stab wounds to the chest, shock and haemorrhaging, according to Scotland Yard.

Flowers were left at the scene of the killings in Leytonstone

No arrests have been made and a police incident room has opened in Barking.

Part of Montague Road was cordoned off while police forensic teams combed the area, including checking gutters and drains.

Flowers have been left at the scene.

A note attached to one bunch said: "rip aaron, always in our hearts, miss you. From jordan & mum xxx."

In one tribute a person wrote: "Nothing but love my brothers, may you rest in peace. Love Tony."

Young mourners turned up to pay their respects

One resident said: "I left and when I came back I saw it. It's horrible and I just heard what happened. I am so sorry - it's terrible."

Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the killings to come forward, by calling the incident room on 020 8345 3715 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Moazzam Begg Remanded Over Terror Charges

Ex-Guantanamo detainee Moazzam Begg has appeared in court charged with providing terrorist training and funding terrorism overseas.

The 45-year-old British citizen, from Hall Green, Birmingham, was one of four people arrested earlier this week on suspicion of terrorism offences linked to the Syria conflict.

He appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court today alongside a woman, Gerrie Tahari, 44, of Sparkbrook, Birmingham, who also denied funding terrorism overseas.

Begg was remanded in custody and will next appear at the Old Bailey on March 14.

Both were arrested on Tuesday with two other men held on suspicion of facilitating terrorism overseas.

Begg was released from Guantanamo Bay in January 2005

The pair - a 36-year-old man from Shirley, Solihull, and a 20-year-old man from Sparkhill, Birmingham, who is the son of Tahari - remain in police custody.

Begg was held by the US government at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp in Cuba for nearly three years after being arrested in Pakistan in February 2002.

He was detained on suspicion of being a member of al Qaeda before being released without charge in January 2005.

He was allowed to return to the UK where he was arrested by police before being released without charge.

Begg is a director of Cage - which campaigns "against the War on Terror" - and has always maintained that he has never been involved in any kind of terrorist activity.

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Leytonstone Double Murder: Police Investigate

Police are investigating a double murder after two men were found dead in a car in east London.

Police were called to a road in Leytonstone just before 1am by London Ambulance Service after reports of two injured men in the area.

Met Police officers and paramedics found the pair, believed to be in their twenties, in a vehicle and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Young mourners turned up at the scene of the murders in Leytonstone

Scotland Yard said an incident room has been set up in Barking and officers are working to identify the victims and inform their families.

Part of Montague Road in Leytonstone has been cordoned off and police forensics experts have been examining an area around the vehicle, which has been covered by a tent.

A note left with flowers says: 'You will forever be in our hearts'

Flowers have been left at the scene, with one note reading: "To Aaron & Josiah, I can't believe what has happened to my good friends! You will forever be in our hearts & will never be forgotten, may you both rest in peace." 

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place on Saturday afternoon at Walthamstow mortuary.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

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