Tape Measure 'Better For Weighing Up Obesity'

By Thomas Moore, Health Correspondent

The current method of judging obesity is so complex it should be replaced by a simple tape measure, according to a leading specialist.

Dr Jude Oben, from the Obesity Action Campaign, said the body mass index, or BMI, is "tedious" to calculate and poorly understood by patients.

He told Sky News that straightforward measurement of waist size was a more accurate assessment of someone's fat - and far more user friendly.

"The fat inside your abdomen is a good indicator of your metabolic risk," he said.

"For example your risk of heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, post-menopausal breast cancer, colorectal cancer. 

"So why not measure it simply? A tape measure does that."

He said studies show men should keep their waist - measured at the level of the belly-button - below 90 cm (35.5 inches). Women should keep it below 80cm (31.5 inches).

At least 2.8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight

BMI is a complex calculation in which a patient's weight in kilogrammes is divided by the square of their height in metres.

If the result is greater than 25, patients are judged to be overweight.

"By that point most of them have switched off or left the room," said Dr Oben.

BMI takes no account of muscle mass. Athletes can register as being overweight even though they have minimal body fat.

Catherine Dias has had a weight problem for many years. But she still hasn't got to grips with BMI - and much prefers measuring her waist size.

"It's simple, it's easy. You know what you have to get down to," she said.

"To do it the other way it's a lot of calculations. I couldn't do that."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Evans Trial Witness Admits Being 'Dramatic'

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

A man who claims to have been raped by the former deputy speaker Nigel Evans has accepted that he was being "dramatic" when he told a friend that the MP had dragged him into his bedroom.

The alleged victim had earlier told the court that Evans had not been violent and had not said anything to him during the incident.

But under cross-examination he admitted having told the police that the MP had pushed him into the bedroom of his constituency home at Pendleton in Lancashire.

Asked by the defence why he had made the claim the man said that it was because he had been embarrassed.

The court heard that earlier in the evening last year the student had been a guest at a dinner party held by Mr Evans.

At the end of the evening, after the other guests had left, the MP poured the young man a drink and sat next to him, putting his arm around him.

The man, who is openly gay, says he slept with the MP but did not consent to sex.

Evans, MP for Ribble Valley, is on trial at Preston Crown Court accused of nine sex charges against seven men.

The alleged rape victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence from behind a screened witness box.

He admitted having texted a friend at intervals throughout the night in question but returned to Evans' bed three times.

Defence barrister Peter Wright QC asked him if he had tried to call the police, his parents or a taxi.

The man said that he had not and accepted that, in the following days, he had returned to his university studies without making a formal complaint.

Reading from a police statement the man had made several weeks later Mr Wright said: "'Nigel pushed me into his bedroom.'  Did you say that?"

The alleged victim replied: "I guess."

Mr Wright: "'He pushed me on to the bed.' Did you say that?"

Alleged victim: "Maybe yes. I think so."

Mr Wright: "Why?"

Alleged victim: "I was embarrassed and humiliated and everything. I was just trying to not seem stupid or weak."

The defence put it to the complainant that he had agreed to sex with Evans on the night in question.

Mr Wright asked:  "Did you simply on reflection wish none of this had ever happened?"

Alleged victim: "I do wish it never happened."

Mr Wright: "...and you have therefore recollected the events to the jury that is inconsistent with what actually took place and that in fact there was consensual sexual activity between you that night?"

Alleged victim: "No."

Mr Wright: "...and in the cold light of day you regretted it..."

Alleged victim: "No."

Mr Wright:  "...and have sought to rationalise your conduct in order to save your own conscience about it."

Alleged victim:  "No. That's so far-fetched."

Evans denies two charges of indecent assault, six of sexual assault and one of rape. The trial continues.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Columbine' Terror Trial Shown Petrol Bomb Video

A teenager armed himself with guns and explosives and planned a Columbine massacre on his old school, the Old Bailey has heard.

A shaky video was shown to the jury of Michael Piggin lighting a rag stuffed inside a bottle of flammable liquid and then throwing it down an alley.

Piggin 'seen with the petrol bomb'

The Molotov cocktail explodes leaving flames on the ground and up a brick wall.

Piggin, who was 17 when arrested but can now be named after turning 18, is accused of plotting a terror attack on staff and pupils at his former school in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

He identified Loughborough Mosque, a local cinema, Loughborough University and council offices as targets, it is alleged.

A second video was shown to the court of Piggin writing anti-Muslim graffiti on a wall.

In it, he spray-paints "No More Mosques!" in large black letters.

The Molotov cocktail exploded in an alley

Piggin, who has Asperger's syndrome, denies a charge of possessing items for the purpose, preparation and instigation of an act of terrorism.

They include partially-assembled petrol and pipe bombs, partially-constructed improvised explosive devices (IEDs), a stab proof vest and gas mask, air rifles, pistols, ammunition and a notebook containing information about making explosives.

He also denies possessing a document or record containing information likely to be useful for a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Piggin and two other teenagers, who cannot be named, have already pleaded guilty to possessing petrol bombs and component parts of pipe bombs for the use of explosive devices, the jury was told.

Piggin has also admitted possessing the component parts for improvised explosive devices (IEDs), the court heard.

Twelve students and one teacher were killed in the Columbine high school massacre in Colorado in 1999.

The trial continues.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pelka Case Council Rated Inadequate By Ofsted

Children's services at the council criticised over the death of Daniel Pelka at the hands of his mother and stepfather has been labelled "inadequate" by Ofsted.

The four-year-old died from a head injury after longstanding abuse by his mother, Magdelena Luczak, and his stepfather, former soldier Mariusz Krezolek.

Both were jailed for a minimum of 30 years for his murder following a trial last year.

Coventry City Council has faced widespread criticism since the death in March 2012 and a new report published by Ofsted judged children's services at the authority to be "inadequate overall".

It recognised the council's improvements since last year's publication of a damning serious case review criticising children's services handling of the boy's case.

But it said change had been too slow and that measures already put in place at Coventry were "simply not good enough".

The Department for Education also said it was considering what "further actions" were needed to improve the situation, but did not specify what form those measures might take.

Magdelena Luczak and Mariusz Krezolek were jailed over Daniel's death

It follows a three-week inspection by Ofsted earlier this year.

Coventry City Council said: "The report published today found that caseloads for social workers are too high.

"Although social work teams have been increased, a dramatic increase in workloads - 46% over the last two years - mean that caseloads remain too high."

By the end of February this year, social workers in Coventry were working with 4,529 children in the city - up from 3,085 in March 2013, the council said.

George Duggins, the council's cabinet member for children and young people, today promised a "rapid improvement in services".

He said an extra £5.6m was being invested in the service, to create more social work teams to deal with the huge increase in referrals.

"There is no hiding from the fact that the report's overall findings are disappointing, but many of the problems we face, particularly in the front line of children's social care, is down to the fact of the unprecedented volume of work which continues to increase," he said.

"As the Ofsted report reflects, the findings are not a verdict on the staff, who are working extremely hard in the face of ever-increasing workloads, and their passion, commitment and dedication cannot be questioned.

"We have already responded to this challenge by adding another team of social workers and we have funding to add more as part of the additional £5.6m because as a council safeguarding is one our highest priorities."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Veiled Acid Attacker Sentenced To 12 Years

By Siobhan Robbins, Sky News Reporter

A woman who threw acid in the face of her friend, leaving her scarred for life, has been sentenced to 12 years in jail.

Mary Konye, 22, cried as the sentence was handed down at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Her victim Naomi Oni has had skin grafts to cover the severe burns and has been left with scars on her face, legs, chest, stomach and arms.

The 22-year-old Victoria's Secret shop assistant was almost blinded in one eye, lost an eyelid, her eyelashes and hair following the attack on December 30, 2012, in Dagenham, East London.

Mary Konye dressed in a veil to carry out an attack on her friend.

In a statement read out in court, Naomi Oni said she felt "violated" by the attack, which left her feeling like killing herself.

Before the attack, she told the court, she was a "confident" young woman with a job she enjoyed.

"All this changed that day I was struck with acid and my life was turned upside down," she said.

She described every day now as "a battle to get by".

"I'm going to have these scars as a reminder forever ... my injuries are due to the carefully planned acts of an evil, wicked person," Ms Oni added.

Konye disguised herself in a Muslim veil and followed Naomi Oni home from work before attacking her.

No clear motive has ever been discovered but it is believed the pair fell out in April 2011 after Ms Oni allegedly accused Konye of texting her boyfriend and called her an "ugly monster".

On sentencing Konye, Judge David Radford said Konye had shown no remorse for the "deliberate and wicked act".

Naomi Oni had to receive months of treatment for her injuries.

Judge Radford said: "This careful, premeditated criminality was planned against a person who reasonably believed you were a true friend.

"Her friendship had been so wilfully betrayed by you," he said, adding the attack had "ruined" Ms Oni's life.

Following the assault Konye pretended to offer her former friend support, texting her in hospital.

Although it is thought Konye could have planned the attack for two years, she later suggested Ms Oni had devised the whole thing to get "fame and fortune".

The attack is believed to have been a copycat version of the one suffered by model and TV presenter Katie Piper, who was badly scarred and left blind in one eye in an assault arranged by her ex-boyfriend, Daniel Lynch, in 2008.

Previously, Ms Oni had told the court that Konye knew the impact the attack had on her after they watched a TV documentary about it.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Pair Admit Burying Parents' Bodies In Garden

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

A couple have admitted burying the woman's parents in the back garden of their home nearly 16 years ago.

Susan Edwards, 55, and her husband Christopher Edwards, 57, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday and pleaded guilty to two charges.

They admitted obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty by burying the bodies of William and Patricia Wycherley sometime between May 2 and May 10 in 1998.

They also admitted a further charge of theft of a credit balance from a bank account between May 4, 1998, and October 31, 2013.

At a previous hearing they denied murdering Mr and Mrs Wycherley, who disappeared 16 years ago.

Police discovered the remains in the garden of their Mansfield home in October last year. Post-mortems revealed that they had both been shot.

Judge Mrs Justice Thirlwall remanded the Edwards in custody.

Their trial begins on June 4 and is expected to last up to four weeks.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

UK Soldiers Laid To Rest 100 Years After WW1

Ten British soldiers who died in France during World War One and whose remains were found in 2009 have been formally identified.

The soldiers died in battle on October 18, 1914, while serving with the 2nd Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment.

Their remains were discovered during construction work near the French village of Beaucamps-Ligney and have been identified from DNA samples.

:: As part of Sky News' coverage of the centenary of World War One, we have launched a twitter account and will tweet daily updates to followers on the events that took place from 1914 to 1918. You can follow it @SkyNewsWW1

Identification of the soldiers means their relatives - who were informed this week - will be able to see their forefathers laid to rest 100 years after the outbreak of war.

The soldiers are due to be reburied with full military honours at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission cemetery in October.

The event has been organised by the 4th Battalion The Yorkshire Regimen, which traces its history back to The York and Lancaster Regiment.

The soldiers have been named as Private Herbert Ernest Allcock, Private John Brameld, Corporal Francis Carr Dyson, Private Walter Ellis and Private John Willie Jarvis.

Also identified are the remains of: Private Leonard Arthur Morley, Private Ernest Oxer, Private John Richmond, Private William Alfred Singyard and Lance Corporal William Henry Warr.

Maureen Simpson, granddaughter of Pte Brameld, of Sheffield, said: "I think it's wonderful, I think they've done a fantastic job, it just closes the book, doesn't it, it puts an end to wondering what happened to them.

The remains were found in 2009 in the French village of Beaucamps-Ligney

"My father Arthur was only two when his father was killed, and used to go with the British Legion to France to look at the war graves, in the hope that he would be able to find him, but he never did before he died in 1979.

"I think my grandfather joined up when he was 18, then came out of the Army for about five or six years, and was in the reserve, working as a table blade grinder in Sheffield, and was then sent for when the war began."

Denise Womersley, great great great niece of Pte Ellis, said: "Obviously it is nice finally to know what happened to him. I had been researching the family tree and knew he was in the Army, but nothing more.

"Now he can be buried in the way that he deserved."

Defence Minister Lord Astor of Hever said: "Our thoughts remain with all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.

"Although these soldiers fell almost a century ago, the Ministry of Defence still takes its responsibility extremely seriously to identify any remains found, trace and inform surviving relatives and to provide a fitting and dignified funeral so they rest in peace."

Work to identify a further five sets of remains found in the same village in 2009 is continuing.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said a team of experts is working to identify the remains.

The team is particularly interested in speaking to the families of the following soldiers: Lance Sergeant George Edwardes, Private Horace Foster, Private Ross Jeff, Private Gavin Lowe, Private William Albert Sunderland and Private David Wilson Williams.

:: Anyone who thinks they might be related to these soldiers is asked to contact the Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre team on 01452 712612.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Jean McConville Murder: Man Appears In Court

A veteran republican charged in connection with one of the most notorious murders of the Northern Ireland Troubles has been remanded in custody.

Ivor Bell, 77, appeared in court in Belfast on Saturday charged with aiding and abetting the murder of mother-of-10 Jean McConville in 1972, along with membership of the IRA.

The court heard police had decided to charge Bell, who was part of the IRA ceasefire negotiations team, after he gave an interview to researchers compiling a Troubles archive at Boston College in America.

A US court ordered it to be handed over to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Jean McConville was murdered in 1972

Mrs McConville, 37, was snatched from her home by the IRA in front of her children, shot in the back of the head and then secretly buried.

She was accused of passing information to the British Army, although an investigation by the Northern Ireland Police Ombudsman rejected these claims.

Her children were told their mother had abandoned them.

The funeral of Jean McConville held in 2003

Her remains were not discovered until August 2003 over the border in the Republic of Ireland, on Shelling Hill beach in County Louth – 50 miles from her home.

The IRA admitted responsibility for her killing in 1999, however no one has ever been charged with her murder.

Bell, from Ramoan Gardens in the Andersonstown district of west Belfast, was arrested on Tuesday. He was refused bail by the district judge.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

'Good Samaritan' Steals Collapsed Woman's Purse

CCTV images have been released after a woman had her purse stolen as she lay unconscious after suffering a seizure.

West Midlands Police want to trace two women in connection with the incident in Summer Row in Birmingham city centre on Saturday, February 22.

The 25-year-old victim blacked out and collapsed, and the pair - who at first appeared to be Good Samaritans - went to help.

"The thief pretended to be looking through the woman's bag in an attempt to find medication but the purse was then found to have gone," said PC David Horton, from Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter police team.

"It's not clear if the two women were together or if one of the women was indeed trying to help, but we ask people to help us trace the women pictured in order to help with our enquiries."

The victim recovered after her seizure.

Police want anyone with information to call Birmingham Central Police Station by dialling 101 or speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Giant Vending Machine Replaces Village Shop

A giant vending machine selling eggs, milk and essentials has been built in a village after no one could be found to run the local shop.

People queue for their shopping

It sells 80 products, including washing powder, shampoo, shower gel, cereal, and, of course, tea.

Standing in the car park of the local pub, the Cock Inn, in the Derbyshire village of Clifton, the machine has already been a great success.

It takes cards and cash and was designed by electrical engineer Peter Fox, who lives just a few miles away in Ashborne.

The simple control pad

He has built in security measures, including cameras, and is able to monitor stock levels remotely.

Mr Fox said: "They (local people) think it's great fun and that the prices are reasonable. Everyone has been very supportive.

"I thought of the idea because I used to live in a small village myself and (the shop) had closed by the time I got back from work.

"I used to think 'wouldn't it be great if there was a big vending machine'."

The machine has been installed in the pub car park

Clifton lost its shop 10 years ago. Andrew Garside, landlord of the Cock Inn, said: "It  closed down because the people retired and no-one else took it on.

"Peter had the idea for the "automated shop" a while ago. It's an absolutely amazing bit of kit.

"All the basics are in there, from toothpaste, eggs, milk, bread, soup. It's gone down extremely well with villagers and people from the local area already."

There are a number of security features

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More