Inquest Opens Into Death Of Fiona Anderson

By Emma Birchley, Sky correspondent

A member of the public witnessed the moment a heavily pregnant Fiona Anderson jumped from a multi-storey car park in Lowestoft, a coroner has been told.

The 23-year-old was seen to fall from the top floor on Monday morning and was pronounced dead at 8.35am.

Her unborn daughter, due in June, was said to have died the moment Ms Anderson sustained her injuries.

During the opening of the inquest, it was also revealed that the bodies of her three children, Levina, Addy and Kyden McLelland, aged three, two and 11 months were later found by police in the main bedroom of their flat in the seaside town.

Their deaths were confirmed at 11.27am.

CCTV images show Fiona Anderson shortly before her death

Ms Anderson had posted desperate messages on Facebook late the night before she died, talking about a recent break-up with the children's father, Craig McLelland.

Police have released CCTV images showing Ms Anderson a few hours later walking around Lowestoft from 6.15am before heading to the car park.

She died of severe head injuries but further tests are needed to ascertain how the children were killed.

Adjourning the case in Ipswich, coroner Dr Peter Deane, said: "I wish to offer my thoughts and condolences to the family members and all those... who have been touched by these awful and tragic deaths."

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New Round Of Fuel Price Cuts For Motorists

Petrol: The Pump Price Conundrum

Updated: 10:35pm UK, Wednesday 30 January 2013

By Ursula Errington, Business Correspondent

So, the OFT says motorists aren't being ripped off, that the price of petrol on our forecourts is fair and isn't the result of collusion or price-fixing.

Outraged motoring groups still aren't convinced.

The reality is, I don't think anyone knows how to work out the relationship between crude oil and pump price.

From the moment crude oil is pumped out of the ground to when we hand over our money at the till to pay for a topped-up tank, the price of the commodity has been influenced by multiple markets all subject to their own supply and demand idiosyncrasies.

I last worked in oil trading about a decade ago and back then the relationship between the price of Brent crude oil and pump prices was deemed to be pretty sketchy.

Assiduous analysts, whose job it was to structure financial instruments to hedge the bank's customers with exposure to fluctuations in the oil market, pored over oil prices and pump price data looking for a concrete correlation on which to base a safe hedging instrument.

Judging by the collective sighing, teeth-gnashing and head-in-hand gestures, it proved both time consuming and difficult.

Broadly a six-week time lag was identified between a movement in the crude oil price to a correlating adjustment in the pump prices back then but it was considered too statistically patchy to appeal to clients.

So why is it so difficult to find a relationship between the price of oil and the pump price drivers pay?

Firstly, pricing crude oil itself is pretty complicated. Before the black stuff is even out of the ground its anticipated value has been traded on the futures market for weeks, months or years before.

On any one day the oil price is set by taking a combination of a weighted average and straight average up to two months in the future, of all the trades over 600,000 barrels executed on the electronic trading platform the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

So it is fair to say that part of the oil price is set by traders who are speculating, who have no intention of allowing their futures contracts to mature and "go physical" (i.e. become related to an actual cargo of oil) but who are buying and selling futures contracts depending on their day-to-day view of the multiplicity of variables effecting the market.

This need not be considered a bad thing. Speculative traders aren't just plucking figures out of the air, they are working on the basis of fine-tuned mathematical models used to assist them in weighting all the factors in play - an outlandish speculative trade based on few decent indicators wouldn't be in their interest at all.

Crucially, these traders add a huge volume of trades to the market, which actually means that big distortions in one trader's view are evened out across the average when the price is set. 

Then there is the shipping market to get the stuff to shore. Highly volatile and as prone to geo-political influences as the commodity itself, shipping deals are opaque because they are over-the-counter and are often based on long-term trading relationships.

The economics of refining are also unhelpfully complex, predominantly because optimising refinery operations is tricky.

Refinery margins (the difference in price between the wholesale value of the products coming out of the refinery and the crude oil from which they were derived) have been surging for many companies of late because of a relative drop in the cost of crude oil and solid demand for products but unscheduled refinery outages, workers on strike, storage costs, changes in the quality of the crude itself - all these things will impact the margin within hours.

And then there's the cost of haulage and the variables at petrol station level, such as a franchise owner's credit rating, local forecourt wars and location.

All of that and we still have some of the cheapest fuel in Europe, according to the OFT.

But it's not over yet - the taxman must also have his share. In the 10 years from 2003 to 2012, prices at the pump increased from 76p per litre (ppl) to 136ppl for petrol and from 78ppl to 142ppl for diesel. Nearly 24ppl of that increase was because of tax and duty.

Is it any wonder then that trying to compare the price of crude oil and the pump price proves a largely fruitless task?

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Man Charged With Murders Of Mother And Son

A man has been charged with the murders of a mother and son who were found with multiple stab wounds at their home in Bolton-le-Sands near Preston.

Paul Chadwick, 34, of Lowlands Road, Bolton-le-Sands, has been remanded to appear before Preston Magistrates on Saturday.

The Crown Prosecution Service had authorised Lancashire Constabulary to charge Chadwick with two counts of murder.

Police discovered the bodies of Lisa Clay, 40, and her six-year-old son Joseph Chadwick at their home address in Lowlands Road on Tuesday, April 9.

The house where Lisa Clay and her son Joseph Chadwick were found

A post mortem examination by a Home Office pathologist revealed that both died from multiple stab wounds.

The suspect was arrested on suspicion of murder at the scene and airlifted to the Royal Preston Hospital with serious stab wounds.

Police were called to the pebble-dashed dormer bungalow in the village of Bolton-le-Sands by a concerned relative.

Anybody with information is urged to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Measles Epidemic: Man Dies In Swansea

Health officials have confirmed a 25-year-old man from Swansea had measles when he died and warned the public to expect more deaths as the epidemic worsens.

The body of Gareth Williams, 25, was discovered by a relative on Thursday morning at his home in the Port Tennant area of the city.

Dr Marion Lyons, Director of Health Protection, said in a statement: "Tests have today confirmed a diagnosis of measles in a 25-year-old male from Swansea who died on Thursday, 18 April.

"The tests confirm only that the deceased had measles at the time of his death.  Further investigations are being undertaken by the Swansea Coroner to establish the cause of death... we should not be surprised if, as the outbreak grows, we start to see deaths in Wales.

Parents queue outside a vaccination clinic a few weeks ago

"Measles is a potentially fatal disease and around one in every 1,000 people who contracts measles in developed countries will die.

"We continue to work to end the current outbreak of measles, which is centred on the Swansea area, and which has now passed 800 cases.

Mass vaccination has begun in schools in Swansea on a scale never seen before in South Wales.

Some 5,000 children have been identified as at risk in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot and five schools in the area are offering immunisations over the next three days to try to halve that figure.

Public Health Wales has recorded a 10% rise in cases of the virus since last week, bringing the total number affected since the start of the outbreak in November to 765.

Of those, 77 have had to receive some form of hospital treatment.

Last week Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt urged parents to come forward. 

"It is very important to reiterate that the scientific way to prevent measles, which can be a horrible, even fatal disease, is to make sure that you have had two doses of MMR."

Dr Lyons asked people to remain vigilant for measles symptoms.

She said: "Symptoms of measles include fever, cold-like symptoms, fatigue, conjunctivitis and a distinctive red-brown rash that appears a few days into the illness. 

"Anyone who thinks they or their child may have measles should speak to their GP immediately."

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Richard III: Did King Have Painful Treatment?

King Richard III, whose remains were found under a council car park, may have had painful treatments for his spinal curvature, research has suggested.

The 15th century monarch suffered from severe scoliosis, which he probably developed in early adolescence.

It is a condition that can be very painful to live with - but some of the treatments practised in the late medieval period would have also caused sufferers a lot of anguish.

Among the "cures" was traction - the same principle on which "the Rack" worked as an instrument of torture.

The patient would be tied under the armpits and round the legs. The ropes were then pulled at either end, often on a wooden roller, to stretch the patient's spine.

The skeleton was found in the remains of the choir of the Greyfriars church

The treatment would probably have only been available to those who could afford it.

Richard would certainly have been able to afford the highest levels of medical care available - and his physicians would have been well aware of the standard "traction" methods for treating the condition.

In February, Leicester University experts confirmed a skeleton unearthed in the city was that of the king who died in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The skeleton was found in the remains of the choir of the Greyfriars church, which now lies under a social services office car park.

The earliest surviving portrait of Richard III

Dr Mary Ann Lund, from the university, carried out research into the kinds of scoliosis treatments available at the time Richard was alive.

They included looking at 11th century Persian polymath Avicenna's theories on using traction.

Avicenna also advocated the massage techniques practised in Turkish baths, and herbal applications, as treatments for back disorders.

The skeleton was found under this car park in Leicester

In the longer term, patients might wear a long piece of wood or metal in an attempt to straighten their back.

Dr Lund said: "Scoliosis is a painful illness, and Richard would have been in quite a lot of pain on a daily basis.

"These methods could also have been very painful - but people would have expected treatments to be unpleasant.

"Medical practices could exacerbate conditions rather than improving them. These treatments would have only been open to people in the upper echelons. Richard would have probably received these treatments because he was a member of the nobility."

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Prince Harry To Race To South Pole

Prince Harry has announced he will take part in a race to the South Pole with a team of wounded British servicemen and women.

The 28-year-old will take on teams from the United States and the Commonwealth in the 208-mile (335km) Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge in November and December this year.

Speaking at a conference in London at which the teams were announced, Prince Harry said: "It just remains for me to say to Soldier On Canada, Soldiers To Summits from the US and Soldier On Australia - welcome to the party.

"As a member of the British team, I will have a brew ready for you when you join us at the Pole."

Harry, who took part in the charity's trek to the North Pole in 2011 and is the event's patron, confirmed he will be competing as part of Team Glenfiddich.

He missed out on a bid to conquer Mount Everest with the group last year because of his military commitments and he withdrew early from the successful North Pole expedition to attend his brother's wedding.

The prince had to drop out of a previous trek to the North Pole

He said of the South Pole race: "The format may be different. The scale is certainly different.

"But the aim remains the same - to enable our wounded to do what they and all other servicemen and women do better than anyone else I know - meet a challenge head-on and overcome it and inspire others to do the same.

"Ladies and gentlemen, these men and women have given their all in the cause of freedom, in our cause.

"That they should once again step into the breach - this time facing down the extreme physical and mental challenges of trekking to the South Pole - just underlines their remarkable qualities."

Harry, who is known as Captain Wales in the Army, will race in Team Glenfiddich with Sergeant Duncan Slater, 34, who lost both his legs in a blast in Afghanistan in 2009; Major Kate Philp, 34, who lost her left leg after a bomb blast in 2008; Captain Guy Disney, 31, who lost his right leg in a rocket attack in 2009; and Captain Ibrar Ali, who lost his right arm in a roadside bomb in 2007.

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Rolf Harris Questioned By Savile Police

Police have questioned television star Rolf Harris on suspicion of committing sexual offences.

Police first raided his home in November 2012. He was interviewed under caution a few days later after agreeing to attend a South London police station by appointment. He was then arrested on March 28.

Harris was honoured for services to entertainment and the community in 2001

The arrest is not understood to be linked to the Jimmy Savile investigation.

A statement issued by the Metropolitan Police said: "An 82-year-old man from Berkshire was arrested by officers on Operation Yewtree on suspicion of sexual offences.

"He has been bailed to a date in May pending further enquiries. The individual falls under the strand of the investigation we have termed 'others'."

Harris was first named as a suspect on Twitter nearly five months ago by a former Surrey Police detective. Since then, police had refused to confirm Harris was being investigated.

Reporters have been gathering outside the entertainer's home, but Harris has yet to appear.

Harris is originally from Perth, Australia, but has lived in the UK for 50 years. In 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for his service to entertainment, charity and the community.

In June 2012 Harris was one of the comperes at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Concert outside Buckingham Palace.

In October 2012 he began presenting a Channel 5 series based around Liverpool University's Veterinary School called Rolf's Animal Clinic.

Both Harris and his publicity agent have refused to comment on his arrest. He is one of 11 men arrested by Yewtree detectives investigating sexual abuse allegations in the wake of the Savile probe.

Others questioned by the police include Freddie Starr, Jim Davidson, Dave Lee Travis and Max Clifford.

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Vinyl Releases Help Boost Record Store Day

By Becky Johnson, North of England Correspondent

Several big names in the music industry are releasing limited edition vinyls to mark national Record Store Day.

The annual event aims to deliver a much-needed boost to music shops, which are struggling to keep up with online sales and free downloads.

The sixth annual Record Store Day sees special vinyl and CD releases from artists including Aerosmith, Bob Dylan, Marc Bolan, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.

Hundreds of live performances will take place in stores across the UK as musicians and DJs show their support for traditional music sales.

The Marc Bolan Maxi Pack includes two 7" discs

Figures from the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) show 15% more digital music was sold in 2012 than in 2011.

According to the Official Charts Company the amount spent on CDs and vinyl fell by more than a third between 2008 and 2012.

Last year, sales of music in shops were worth £447m. Digital sales are catching up, with £383m spent on downloads in 2012.

The chairman of the ERA, Paul Quirk, told Sky News: "Digital will always be there now, and it will develop and it will get better, but it will never ever completely replace buying a CD or buying an album.

"I think what may happen is we may get to the stage where you've got an album and you've actually got the download code as well available, so you're getting two things together.

"So you can download one and it'll go straight into your cloud and you can listen to it immediately on your phone as you walk out the store and you've still got the physical copy when you get home."

Bat For Lashes is one of the more modern artists being released on vinyl

The recent woes of HMV were blamed in part on the growth in digital sales. The high street chain went into administration in January.

Earlier this month it was rescued by restructuring expert Hilco in a £50m deal which secured 2,500 jobs and will ensure 141 stores stay open.

Adam Helliwell, the owner of independent record store 3brecords in Liverpool, told Sky News that far from seeing HMV as a competitor, he is pleased there will still be a national music retailer on the high street.

He said: "In terms of the labels, they're more likely to press vinyl and CDs if there are people like HMV around to contribute to the amount of product they can sell.

"The less people in town the less people are likely to walk into our shop as well, so we need them as much as they need us."

Duran Duran's Is There Something I Should Know is another 7" single

Like many independent record store owners Mr Helliwell says 3brecords often struggles to break even.

He describes running the store as a "labour of love" and sells club tickets online to stay in business.

Customers at the store are divided on whether digital downloads are the future. DJ Michael Di Scala says 80% of the music he owns is digital.

He told Sky News: "I DJ with MP3s, but if I really want something on vinyl I will buy it."

Twenty-five-year-old customer Daniel Anderson-Heaps says he still prefers vinyl.

He explained: "It's just vintage really, it's like a throwback to the past. There's always that nice sentimental feeling about it.

"Just being really passionate about music, it just feels like there's something more when you've got it in your hand than wherever you got it off the internet."

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London Marathon: More Cops After Boston Bombs

Hundreds of extra police officers will still be deployed for Sunday's London Marathon despite the hunt for the Boston bombers ending.

Security in the capital has been stepped up to reassure the 36,000 runners and tens of thousands of spectators in the wake of last Monday's explosions which killed three people and injured more than 180.

There will be a 40% increase in the number of officers on London's streets for the race compared with last year.

Westminster Council has also removed all litter bins from the route as a security measure.

Handlers work with sniffer dogs on The Mall ahead of the London Marathon

The Metropolitan Police is in close contact with the FBI and Boston officers but they say there is nothing to suggest any link with the bomb attacks and London.

A 30-second silence will be held as a mark of respect before the start of the men's elite race and mass start, and runners are being encouraged to wear black ribbons.

The race's chief executive insisted the bloody events in Massachusetts will not put off spectators or runners taking part in the 26.2-mile event.

Nick Bitel told Sky News: "There will be some more security measures around but it will still be the same carnival atmosphere that we have tried to engender.

"I think people will see that on the day and hopefully that will be reflected in the support they want to give runners.

"We've got to get the balance right and I'm sure that with our partners in the police we'll be able to do that."

Mo Farah's participation has been a boost for the marathon, say organisers

Double Olympic champion Mo Farah plans to run only half the race, which some people have criticised, accusing him of cashing in on his status.

But Bitel said: "Having him around has given everyone a boost... and that has been needed this week after the events in Boston".

The exact point on the course where Farah will come to a halt, shortly after Tower Bridge, remains a mystery, but he has promised there is no chance at all of him going all the way to The Mall.

Events in the US city reached a dramatic climax as Dzhokhar Tsarnaev was apprehended following an exchange of gunfire with police after being found hiding in a boat in a back yard in Watertown.

He was taken away on a stretcher and was admitted to hospital in a serious condition with unspecified injuries.

His brother and suspected co-bomber Tamerlan died after a shoot-out with officers earlier in the day.

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Planning Reforms To Give Neighbours A Say

Plans to relax planning laws covering the building of extensions are to be changed to allow neighbours to have a say if they object.

The original proposals led to a rebellion by 16 Tory MPs and eight Liberal Democrats in the Commons on Tuesday following warnings that they would trigger disputes between neighbours.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has now written to MPs setting out a "light-touch neighbours' consultation scheme" for building work which will not require planning permission under the new rules.

Eric Pickles: Proposing a 'light-touch neighbours' consultation scheme'

Ministers announced last year that they intended a three-year relaxation of the depth of allowed single-storey extensions from 4m (13ft 1.5in) to 8m (26ft 3in) for detached houses and from 3m (9ft 10in) to 6m (19ft 8in) for all other houses.

In his letter to MPs, Mr Pickles said: "I believe colleagues' key concern has been about potential effect on neighbours' amenity, and the lack of any say for those neighbours.

"I propose we tackle this head on. We will seek to move ahead with these new permitted householder development rights, but introduce a new light-touch neighbours' consultation scheme."

Under the revised scheme homeowners wishing to build extensions under the new powers would notify their council with the details and the local authority would then inform the adjoining neighbours.

If the neighbours do not object the development can proceed, but if they do raise concerns the council will have to consider whether it had an "unacceptable impact on neighbours' amenity".

If councillors decided it was necessary the proposed extension could be considered by a planning committee.

Mr Pickles said the approach would build consensus, ensure uncontroversial projects were fast-tracked and save householders money.

In an attempt to win over rebels he said the scheme was similar to proposals set out in 2007 by Zac Goldsmith, a ringleader of the Commons revolt.

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill containing the measures is in its final stages in Parliament and the changes will be introduced in the Lords on Monday.

Mr Pickles told MPs: "I hope this shows that we have listened constructively and made a targeted and common sense improvement."

But Mike Jones, chairman of the Local Government Association's environment and housing board, said there were "serious questions" about the new system.

He said: "Councils have been calling for the right of neighbours to have a say to be protected, and we are pleased that Government is listening.

"However, there are serious questions to be answered as to how this new separate scheme will work in practice.

"Government needs to clarify how this new scheme, which will require planning departments to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources, will be paid for at a time when local authorities are already facing significant cuts to their budgets."

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