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Parents Guilty Of Son's Methadone Death

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 19 Januari 2013 | 23.17

A couple wept in court as they were convicted of the manslaughter of their two-year-old son who died from drinking methadone.

Riley Pettipierre died in hospital after drinking the heroin substitute from a beaker left in a bedroom at his family's flat in Belper, Derbyshire, last March.

A jury at Nottingham Crown Court found his parents, Sally Dent, 33, and Shaun Binfield, 45, guilty of his manslaughter.

During the two-week trial, the jury heard that Dent had a history of drug use going back many years and was prescribed methadone to try to rid her of the habit.

Dent regularly sold some of her methadone to other drug addicts to make extra money and was struggling to kick her addiction.

The jurors heard that a green and yellow child's beaker of the drug was left in the bedroom on March 12 last year so Dent could drink from it during the night if she needed it.

The next morning Dent, who had taken heroin the night before, woke to find Riley unconscious next to her in bed after the toddler drank the drug from the beaker.

The couple told the court a cup was usually kept on top of the wardrobe in their bedroom but had been moved on that occasion because it was more convenient for Dent.

Binfield told the court he forgot to move the cup because he had got caught up with putting the family bins out and the childcare routine after getting up on March 13.

He fought back tears as he admitted he missed three opportunities to move the cup, which the child must have managed to get hold of and drink from.

Dent called 999 and paramedics arrived at the house to find Riley lifeless. His heart had stopped beating and his lips were blue, the court heard.

The child was taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving and a post-mortem showed that Riley had enough methadone in his blood, stomach and urine to prove fatal.

He is believed to have consumed between 10ml and 20ml of methadone, the court heard.

The jury took just four hours to convict Dent and Binfield of manslaughter.

Dent was also found guilty of a separate charge of cruelty to a child under the age of 16 for failing to keep methadone out of the reach of her child.

Following her conviction, the court heard Dent had previous convictions for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply, assault and prostitution.

Judge Milmo adjourned sentencing until February 19.

He thanked the jury for dealing with such an "emotionally charged" case. "This has been a distressing case and I'm afraid it has fallen to you to deal with it," he said.


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Pensioner Stabbing: Police Find A Knife

Detectives hunting the killer of a pensioner who was stabbed to death then set on fire have recovered a knife which may have been used in the attack.

Widow and retired postmistress Una Crown, 86, was found dead in her bungalow in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday morning.

Police believe the suspect set fire to her body after killing her in an attempt to hide her injuries and destroy evidence - one possibility is that Mrs Crown was killed after a suspect broke into the house.

A post-mortem examination confirmed that Mrs Crown, who had no children and lived alone, died from stab wounds to her neck and chest.

"We were made aware of the discovery of a knife in a street near to Magazine Lane this morning," said Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hutchinson.

"The knife has been seized and we will be carrying out tests to see if it has any link to Mrs Crown's murder. It is still very early and we are keeping an open mind as to the relevance of this discovery.

"We are continuing with searches of the area around Magazine Lane and house-to-house enquiries are ongoing."

Officers will be stopping motorists, cyclists and walkers in the area over the weekend asking people whether they remember seeing anything suspicious last weekend."

Mr Hutchinson added: "We hope to jog people's memories and would urge people to think back to what they were doing last weekend. Were you in the area of Magazine Lane? Did you see anyone acting suspiciously?

"Any information could prove to be vital in catching whoever is responsible for this terrible crime."

Mrs Crown's husband, Jack Roland Crown, died on Boxing Day 2009. The couple had been married for 60 years.

Anyone with any information should call the major crime unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.


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Helicopter Crash Victim 'Suffered Burns'

Official causes of death have been released for the two men killed in a helicopter crash in central London.

Pilot Pete Barnes, 50, died from multiple injuries, while pedestrian Matthew Wood, 39, suffered severe burns and a leg injury, Scotland Yard said.

Air accident investigators are working to establish the cause of the crash

Post-mortem examinations were carried out at Greenwich Mortuary after the men died in the incident on Wednesday.

Police say they are working with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and Civil Aviation Authority and an inquest is expected to open in due course.

Mr Wood's sister earlier told Sky News he was a "big guy with a big heart".

He was walking to work as a pest control manager when he was killed after the aircraft hit a crane on The Tower in St George Wharf in Vauxhall.

Amanda Wood added he was a "gentle giant" who had been looking forward to planning his 40th birthday in April.

Chris Barnes, 55, paid tribute to his pilot brother Peter, describing him as a "good guy".

He said it would have been his "instinct" to do whatever he could to minimise casualties.

Cordons and road closures remain in place around the scene of the crash as work continues to remove the wreckage of the crane.


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Galliano Returns To Fashion With De La Renta

Disgraced John Galliano is returning to the fashion industry with a temporary role at Oscar de la Renta's New York studio.

The British designer, who was once heralded as one of the most talented names in fashion, was fired in 2011 by fashion house Dior after being caught on camera making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris cafe.

He will spend three weeks with de la Renta as he prepares for his forthcoming New York Fashion Week show.

"He has worked long and hard on his recovery, and I'm happy to give him the opportunity to re-immerse himself in the world of fashion and re-acclimate in an environment where he has been so creative," de la Renta said.

He said he had known Galliano for many years and added: "I'm a great admirer of his talent."

Galliano, 52, said an addiction to drugs and alcohol had caused him to lose control, and that he was determined to make amends.

A French court handed him a $8,000 (£5,043) suspended fine after finding him guilty of anti-Semitic behaviour.

In a statement he said he has been in recovery for alcoholism for the past two years but that he had previously "descended into the madness of the disease. I said and did things which hurt others, especially members of the Jewish community."

"I am grateful to Oscar beyond words for inviting me to spend time with him in the familiar surroundings of a design studio. His support and faith in me is humbling," he added.

Dior has since hired Raf Simons as its head designer.


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Letter Bomb: Viable Device Sent To NI Officer

Postal workers have intercepted a letter bomb addressed to a senior police officer in Northern Ireland.

The suspicious package, meant for Chief Inspector Andy Lemon, was discovered in a sorting office in Strabane, Co Tyrone.

Bomb disposal experts examined the package and said it was "a small viable device", the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said.

The device was made up of a battery pack and accelerant and was packed into a brown envelope. It was taken away for further examination.

Six roads around the sorting office were closed for several hours this morning but all have since been reopened.

Chief Inspector Lemon said the vigilance of postal staff had saved lives.

"This was a very dangerous device and I would like to praise the Post Office staff for noticing it. One of them, or one of my officers, could have been injured had they opened it," he said.

He added: "I do not believe this is a personal attack but more a general attack on the police.

"Because I am area commander, a lot of mail would come into the police station addressed to myself, but I do not open any of it. That is done by other members of staff.

"This was an attempt to kill or injure police."

Chief Inspector Lemon said the PSNI was keeping an open mind about who was responsible but said dissident republicans were the most likely suspects.

Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson and his deputy Martin McGuinness condemned the attempted attack.

"There can be no justification for this calculated and callous behaviour," they said in a joint statement.

"This was not just a planned attack on a police officer but also on the postal workers involved and society as a whole."

They urged anyone with information to contact police.

Last month, an explosive device was found under the car of a police officer in east Belfast.


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Pothole Damage Costs Councils £22m In 2011

Councils paid out more than £22m in compensation last year to drivers whose cars were damaged by potholes.

Consumer group Which? said the north west of England was the worst affected region with £8m handed out in damages.

The Government allocated an extra £200m to local highway authorities after a review in 2011 revealed a "significant increase in the number of potholes".

But Which? found the backlog of repairs at each English local authority is still growing, up from £53.2million in 2009 to £61.3m last year.

Local authorities have estimated that it would cost £12.93 billion to clear the entire road maintenance backlog in the UK.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: "Potholes are a menace for all road users. With temperatures plummeting this week and the bitter weather conditions set to continue, the backlog of repairs could grow again.

"Drivers should help themselves and everyone else on the road by pointing out potholes to the local council."

The watchdog said the chance of claims being successful depended on whether the local authority was aware of the pothole in the first place and had not repaired it or if it had not followed road maintenance guidelines.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "We are providing councils with more than £3bn between 2011 and 2015 to maintain their roads and pavements and last month announced an extra £215m to help councils get the best out of their road network.

"This is on top of the additional £200m we gave to councils in March 2011 to repair local roads damaged by the severe winter weather in 2010.

"It is ultimately up to local highway authorities to determine how they prioritise their funding, but we want to help them get the best value for money.

"That is why we are funding the Highways Maintenance Efficiency Programme which helps councils work together to deliver a first class service to their residents, at the same time as saving money."

Potholes can be reported via a council's website. The Directgov website lists which council is responsible for specific roads.


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Horse Abattoir Film Reveals Welfare Breaches

By Jason Farrell, Sky Correspondent

Sky News has uncovered shocking animal welfare conditions at a UK horse abattoir.

They include animals being beaten, neglected and illegal procedures in the process of slaughtering British horses destined for European food markets.

It comes amid public anger that some of our biggest supermarkets have been selling beef burgers and other products that contained horse meat.

Sky News visited the Red Lion Abattoir near Nantwich in Cheshire after concerns were raised by Animal Welfare Group Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

Investigators at Hillside fitted secret cameras which filmed horses being beaten with an iron rod to encourage them into the pens. 

Some were then crammed into the slaughter pens in pairs and, on one occasion, a group of three, before being stunned together.

Red Lion Abattoir The video revealed horses hit with sticks to goad them into slaughter pens

In harrowing images the horses fall on top of each other. Under The Welfare of  Animals Act 1995, horses should not be slaughtered in sight of one another because of the distress it causes.

Furthermore, Sky News found that sick or injured horses were left untended overnight rather than put down immediately.

As a result of the investigation, two slaughter men have had their licences revoked.

Craig Kirby, head of approvals and veterinary advice at the Food Standards Agency (FSA) told Sky News: "As soon as we got the footage and reviewed it we took immediate action to revoke the slaughter men's licences.

"That means they cannot work to slaughter animals again. We will also look to gather further evidence to see if we can prosecute."

Former government chief veterinary officer Keith Meldrum, who viewed the footage, said he was shocked by what he described as "appalling" welfare breaches.

"We see three animals stunned at the same time and it is totally illegal and contrary to welfare slaughter regulations," he said.

"It's a significant welfare problem for a number of reasons. It's harder to render them unconscious in a group and they have a higher chance of regaining consciousness before you've completed the procedure."

Another incident filmed included a horse that appeared to come round from the stun while being hung upside down before being bled. Mr Meldrum described it as "totally and completely unacceptable".

Red Lion Abattoir Some 8,426 horses were slaughtered in the UK in 2012

FSA statistics released to Sky News show a dramatic increase in the number of UK horses slaughtered every year, from 3,859 in 2007 to 8,426 in 2012.

Depending on the size and breed they are bought for anything between £100 to £300 and can fetch around 700 euro on the European meat markets.

The animals come from a variety of backgrounds. Some are former pets, others come from show jumping or the race track.

A report last year from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) found: "The number of thoroughbreds reported dead to the Horse Passport Issuing Authority rose by 580 - an increase of 29% - from 1994 to 2574 horses.

"Of these, 1127 horses either in training, breeding or out of training were reported as killed in abattoirs - and reported to the Government Meat Hygiene Service - from 499 horses in 2010, an increase of 126%."

However, in a statement to Sky News, the BHA added: "This is a wider equine issue and not an issue for the British racing industry, which is one of the country's most highly regulated equine pursuits.

"However, if there are allegations that any horse, whether thoroughbred or not, is being inhumanely treated in an abattoir we would fully support any investigation and subsequent action, if appropriate."

During the investigation, Hillside Animal Sanctuary rescued one racehorse called Underwriter by bidding against the abattoir at auction. They discovered it had a distinguished career.

John Watson, from Hillside, said: "It's not just ill and old horses being killed. There are very many fit and healthy horses, horses with foals, pregnant mares, and thoroughbreds that are being treated badly.

Red Lion Abattoir Red Lion Abattoir said they had revoked the license of two slaughtermen

"It blows away the myth of humane slaughter, and there is a misery in that place that is palpable."

Hillside's lead investigator, who did not want to be identified, added: "What we've found has shocked us deeply; animals left with horrendous injuries and horses shot on top of each other.

"In all the years I've been doing this work, without doubt it's the most harrowing experience I've come across. All the horses in there had their heads hung down."

The Red Lion Abattoir told us it views animal welfare and public health with paramount importance.

In a statement it said: "In attendance at the The Red Lion Abattoir are three full time Food Standards Officers comprising of an official veterinarian and full-time meat hygiene inspectors throughout production."

It said the incidents were "not the norm, but of an isolated nature" and they have taken disciplinary action against the individual featured.

The statement continued: "I agree horses should individually enter the stunning area and most certainly not three at a time.

"However, small horses and ponies having spent years together as companions are difficult to separate. Horse lovers would understand that.

"My opinion and that of other veterinarians is it is better to keep those types together to reduce the stress, providing swift dispatch is achieved."

The Red Lion Abattoir also insisted it meat was not part of the recent supermarket burger scandal.

The horses there are destined to be served in European food markets. The scandal this time is the way they are treated, in the last moments of their lives, in a licenced British abattoir. 

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, viewed the footage and said: "The breaches, from what we've seen, are throughout; from the care of the animals to the slaughter process.

"Horses are intelligent animals. When they see an animal stunned in front of them you can only imagine the distress that animal is going through. There are, without doubt, welfare issues here and it is plain illegal."

The RSPCA said "The footage is shocking and upsetting to watch."  They have requested a full copy of the film with a view to investigating.


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Blockbuster Shuts 129 Shops And Slashes Staff

The collapsed DVD and games rental firm Blockbuster is to close 129 of its 528 shops and axe 760 workers in the coming weeks.

Some 31 branches have already been put on notice of closure, according to the company's administrators Deloitte.

The move means the chain is already planning to close a quarter of its branches and make 18% of its workforce redundant.

It was announced just days after the chain went into administration in a run of bad news for the British high street.

There will be fears that this is just the first step in taking apart a company that employs more than 4,000 people in the UK.

Lee Manning, of administrator Deloitte, said: "Having reviewed the portfolio with management, the store closure plan is an inevitable consequence of having to restructure the company to a profitable core which is capable of being sold.

"We would like to thank the company's employees for their support and professionalism during this difficult time. We are also grateful to the customers for their continued support."

An employee helpline and an "employee assistance programme" have been set up to help staff find other jobs.

The firm's trading woes were blamed on competition from internet firms and digital streaming of movies and games.

Blockbuster had struggled to adapt to the changing market and rivalry from internet retailers including Netflix, Amazon's LoveFilm and iTunes, which now offers a movie rental service.

Its collapse came after its own plans to break into film-streaming appeared to stall in recent months.

It follows the demise of camera chain Jessops and electricals group Comet, which also blamed competition from online players for their downfall.

Just a day before Blockbuster went into administration, the music and entertainment chain HMV went under following dismal Christmas sales.


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Explicit New Role For Harry Potter Star

Daniel Radcliffe has put the boy wizard firmly behind him with an explicit new portrayal of the Beat poet Allen Ginsberg.

The Harry Potter star's new film, Kill Your Darlings, has been premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

His new role sees Radcliffe as the young Ginsberg initiated into drink and drugs and some dubious sexual encounters with men, including a scene of oral sex in a library.

The film recounts a little-known 1944 story of a murder involving Ginsberg's friends, including fellow future Beat heroes Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William S Burroughs (Ben Foster).

Dane DeHaan co-stars as Ginsberg idol and intimate Lucien Carr who introduces him to Burroughs, Kerouac and the bohemian life. It is Carr's older lover who meets an untimely death.

John Krokidas, Daniel Radcliffe Director John Krokidas and Daniel Radcliffe at the Sundance premiere

Radcliffe was initially apprehensive of taking on a real-life literary heavyweight but director and co-screenwriter John Krokidas helped him to put it in perspective.

He said: "I think John made us all feel much more relaxed about that and it was such an amazing process.

"I've never had a director work with me so closely, and I think all the actors felt that. It's made us all feel much less intimidated by the whole thing. I hope."

Krokidas said Radcliffe became his muse on the film and that it was clear within minutes of their first meeting that the part was his.

Harry Potter first photocall with Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint Radcliffe with his Harry Potter co-stars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint

Casting Radcliffe effectively came to him in a dream.

"Daniel Radcliffe was an idea I had in the middle of the night. I basically made a list of all the actors I thought were fantastic under 30," he said.

Just before he fell asleep, Radcliffe had moved to the top of the list.

Krokidas said young Ginsberg starts as a dutiful son who spends his time taking care of others but eventually spills over with repressed passion.

"By the end of the movie, he is a poet and a rebel," Krokidas said. "I had a feeling Dan might be able to relate to this."

Also on the red carpet at Sundance to promote the film were Dexter star Michael C Hall, who plays Kammerer, Foster, DeHaan and Huston.

Kill Your Darlings is one of 16 films in the US Dramatic Competition category at Sundance, all receiving their world premieres.


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Weather: Snow And Ice Causes Heathrow Misery

The UK's busiest airport has been forced to cut its flight schedule by 20% as the country's transport network continues to struggle with freezing weather conditions.

Heathrow Airport in west London said it was reducing the number of flights scheduled for Sunday by at least a fifth after forecasters predicted another 2-6cm of snow and low visibility in the area.

Passengers are being urged to check with their airlines before travelling to the airport - where bosses are warning weather conditions at other European airports could further decimate schedules.

Passengers at Heathrow have been facing disruption after many were stranded on planes for seven hours or forced to spend a night on the floor.

More than 100 Saturday flights have been cancelled and travellers have been complaining about check-in queues of up to two hours as staff battle to clear a backlog caused by 400 cancellations on Friday.

Elsewhere, drivers are being warned of treacherous conditions after heavy snow on Friday across much of Britain turned to ice overnight.

A young woman from Peterborough was killed in a crash involving a number of vehicles shortly after 6pm on Friday, Lincolnshire Police said.

Heathrow airport Planes grounded at Heathrow Airport

It is not known if anyone else was injured in the accident, which happened in bad weather on the A1 at Little Ponton, near Grantham.

Humberside Fire and Rescue said seven passengers were taken to hospital after a double-decker bus collided with two cars and ploughed into a garden.

The Met Office is forecasting more snow for Sunday and has issued yellow warnings for ice for large swathes of the country and a severe red warning for South Wales, which has experienced some of the worst weather.

:: Are you stuck at Heathrow? Contact the Sky news desk on news@sky.com.

With more heavy snow possible on Sunday, the Highways Agency has said its fleet of snow ploughs and gritters will be out in force throughout the weekend.

Heathrow said its runways were open on Saturday with no restrictions, but services were still being disrupted following Friday's heavy snow.

Of 104 flights cancelled on Saturday, 100 were with British Airways, which has faced criticism for its handling of the disruption so far.

Heathrow Airport snow delays A woman sleeping on the floor at Heathrow

Husband and wife David and Janet Brindle, from Cumbria, branded BA's customer service and treatment of passengers caught up in the chaos as "appalling" and said some people had been close to tears.

The couple sat on a plane at Manchester airport from 9am until 3pm on Friday and have been stuck at Heathrow since missing their connecting flight to New Zealand.

Mrs Brindle said: "They got us off the plane but our bags weren't off. Not a single person came to tell us what was happening.

"Most people missed their connecting long-haul flights from Heathrow. We were advised to make our own way to Heathrow, so that's what we did.

"Nobody knew what they were doing. They couldn't tell us anything - they were quite rude, actually."

A British Airways spokesman said: "We have unfortunately had to make a number of cancellations today, mainly due to knock-on disruption from yesterday.

Heathrow Airport snow delays Hundreds of flights have been cancelled since Friday

"So we've got a number of aircraft out of position and it's quite a complex operation to put that back together."

BA says it is offering customers who no longer wish to travel this weekend the chance to rebook their flight at a later date and providing refunds and overnight accommodation, or letters to make a claim, to those who could not fly.

Some passengers on British Airways flights told Sky News that they have spent up to seven hours on aircraft which have never left the runway.

Sky Reporter Clare Fallon, at Heathrow, said: "It's a surreal sight, there are hundreds of people on the floor trying to get some sleep because they are essentially stranded here. Some have told me they have been here since 11am yesterday morning.

"People feel very frustrated and stressed, and they don't understand how a relatively small amount of snow has been able to cause so much chaos."

A Gatwick spokeswoman said the airport is operating as normal on Saturday, with 505 flights scheduled and no knock-on effect from earlier bad weather.

In Northern Ireland, around 2,400 homes have been left without electricity after the severe weather caused power cuts along the east Down coast.

The Highways Agency said several motorway lanes and major A roads had closed due to the snow and ice, as well as several crashes.

Drivers have been warned to be extra careful as freezing temperatures turn the snow to treacherous ice.

The deepest snowfall has been measured at 26cm in Sennybridge, Wales, although snow has been thawing in other areas and some train services have been returning to normal.

There have also been severe hold-ups for rail passengers, with many companies cancelling services to help them cope with problems caused by the weather.

Eurostar passengers are facing delays of up to 30 minutes due to speed restrictions in France and Virgin Trains cancelled a number of services from London to Birmingham to Manchester, while others were delayed.

But while commuters have been facing misery, the winter wonderland scenes have brought joy to thousands of youngsters who got a long weekend after schools were forced to shut.

The weather has also disrupted the sporting calendar, with six football matches in League One, eight in League Two and six in Scotland postponed.

Race meetings at Ascot and Haydock have also been called off.

:: Send in your weather photos and videos

Heavy snow is once again expected across the North East and Scotland, while other areas will see patchier coverage.

On Sunday, between 2-5cm of snow is predicted for the South East, the Midlands, East Anglia and Lincolnshire.

Darron Burness, from the AA, said commuting in the wintry conditions was "likely to test man and machine".

Those who decide to travel have been urged to travel prepared with a fully charged mobile phone, warm waterproof clothes, boots and a blanket, some food and drink, and have a torch, ice scraper, de-icer and a shovel.


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