Captured Honeymoon Killer Dies From Wounds

An escaped murderer who had been jailed for life for killing a British couple on their Caribbean honeymoon has died after being shot by police.

Acting on a tip-off, Antiguan police officers tracked Avie Howell, 24, to a rural parish just south of the capital of St John's where a "confrontation" broke out on Friday morning.

Howell was shot and died in hospital about three hours later at midday local time on Friday. The shooting took place in the parish of St Mary.

Howell had absconded from Antigua's jail on Thursday.

In 2011, Howell was sentenced to life in prison alongside accomplice Kaniel Martin for the murders of Ben and Catherine Mullany three years earlier.

The Mullanys, from South Wales, were attacked in their hotel room on the holiday island.

Avie Howell (R) and Kaniel Martin were jailed in 2011

The couple, both aged 31, had been married for little more than a fortnight.

Howell escaped from Her Majesty's Prison on the island, along with Kenroy Laurie Marshall, who had been detained on fraud charges.

Police said both were considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached.

Howell and Martin broke into Mr and Mrs Mullany's chalet at the Cocos Hotel in a dawn raid in July 2008.

The couple, who lived in Rhos, near Pontardawe, were both shot in the head before their killers made off with their phones, a digital camera and cash.

Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died instantly. Her husband, a physiotherapy student, was flown home on a life-support machine.

The former South Yorkshire Police officer died a week after the shooting, despite the best efforts of his wife's colleagues at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rooney's Facebook Apology After World Cup Exit

England footballer Wayne Rooney has said sorry to fans for the team's dismal World Cup showing, admitting: "It hasn't worked out."

The striker's Facebook apology came after Costa Rica beat Italy to guarantee an early exit for Roy Hodgson's squad.

The collapse of their World Cup campaign just eight days into the tournament followed 2-1 defeats to both Italy and Uruguay.

It is the first time the national side has failed to make the tournament's knockout stage since 1958.

Rooney, who is back at England's hotel in Rio de Janeiro preparing for a Costa Rica clash that will ultimately count for nothing, told his 21 million Facebook fans he was "absolutely devastated" to be leaving Brazil early.

"Going into each game we had great belief in ourselves but unfortunately it hasn't worked out," the Manchester United star wrote, his disappointment despite scoring his first ever World Cup goal all too evident.

"Sorry to all the fans that travelled and at home that we haven't done better. Gutted."

Rooney slots past Uruguay's Fernando Muslera for his first World Cup goal

Rooney has been criticised by some England supporters who expected more from one of the squad's most experienced players.

But he was backed by many fans on Facebook and by his Manchester United team-mate Robin van Persie, who said: "I don't think you can blame him for scoring one goal, working his socks off and missing three chances by inches."

The Netherlands captain added: "He gave his all for his country, like he always does. He's a great player, a great goal scorer, so I don't think it's fair on him to criticise him that much."

Rooney and his England team-mates' celebrations were short-lived

Earlier, FA chairman Greg Dyke said Hodgson would keep his job as England manager until 2016, when the team are due to play their next major tournament.

Drawn against Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino for the Euro 2016 qualifiers which start in September, England have been given a favourable route to the finals in France.

Mr Dyke said Hodgson remained the right man for the task, telling Sky Sports News: "He came to do a four-year cycle.

Hodgson has already said he will not resign as England manager

"People have been asking the question: 'Will he stay?' Well, the answer is yes."

As well as Rooney, other England players have expressed their regret at the team's World Cup failure.

Striker Daniel Sturridge said he felt "sick" and "heartbroken", while captain Steven Gerrard added: "We maybe should have accepted that going for a point (against Uruguay) might have been the best option."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colchester Killer 'Won't Stop Until Caught'

The brutality of the two murders in Colchester suggests that police are hunting the same killer for both crimes, a leading criminologist has told Sky News.

Professor David Wilson told Sky News that both Nahid Almanea and James Attfield were "overkilled" - meaning they were stabbed many more times than was necessary to take their lives - indicating a link.

And he warned the murderer is unlikely to stop killing until they are caught.

He said: "Luckily murder is a very rare event in Britain and usually we discover that there is some kind of relationship in the past between the perpetrator and the victim.

Prof Wilson said Mr Attfield's murder could hold the key to both killings

"So here we've got something really unusual happening in Colchester - we've got two random attacks in a very concentrated geographic area and both victims have been 'overkilled'.

"They've been stabbed numerous times - more times than would be necessary to actually take their life.

"Clearly there is some link between these two, although the police don't want to make that link because it scares people to think there might be somebody of this background at loose in the community."

CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea

He said the killer is likely to be a local man with mental health problems who may be known to social services in the area - and even getting help from someone in the community.

He told Sky News: "Murder is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon so I would have thought this is a man we're dealing with and a man who's living locally and possibly being given support locally. 

"Usually when you're dealing with someone who stabs in this overkill way, you're dealing with somebody who's got mental health problems and this person is likely to be known to mental health outreach teams in Essex, perhaps also has a criminal record already.

"This type of person I think will be well known in the area and quite odd - the sort of person people would notice. I imagine the police are already aware of who those kinds of people in Colchester might be.

People living in the area should follow advice from the police to avoid walking alone in isolated areas because the killer is likely to strike again, Prof Wilson said.

The killer probably lives in the local area, Prof Wilson said

He said: "One has to balance scaring people - the police have been quite good at telling people not to go into isolated areas by themselves but yes, this kind of person doesn't stop attacking, this kind of person continues to attack until they are caught."

He added that in most multiple murder cases, the first killing is key to tracking down the murderer.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Brakes Slammed On 'Over-Zealous Spy Cars'

Councils in England will be banned from using CCTV "spy cars" to impose fines on drivers breaking traffic rules, the Government has said.

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the move "reins-in over-zealous parking enforcement practices" that have been used as a "cash cow" by local authorities.

The ban will now become law through the Deregulation Bill, following a three-month consultation.

Tickets will have to be fixed to the windscreen by parking wardens, making it illegal for councils to issue penalty charge notices to drivers using just the CCTV spy cars.

But councils will still be allowed to use cameras along "critical routes", such as schools, bus lanes, bus stops, and red routes, where traffic must be kept moving for safety reasons.

Traffic wardens will have to fix penalty notices to windscreens

Mr Pickles, who has long-called for the ban, told Sky News: "We don't want them used to raise money. The priority if for them to be used for public safety and to cut congestion."

He added: "CCTV spy cars can be seen lurking on every street raking in cash for greedy councils and breaking the rules that clearly state that fines should not be used to generate profit for town halls.

"Over-zealous parking enforcement and unreasonable stealth fines by post undermine the high street, push up the cost of living and cost local authorities more in the long term.

"Today the Government is taking urgently needed action to ban this clear abuse of CCTV, which should be used to catch criminals, and not as a cash cow."

The Government says nine million parking fines are issued every year by local authorities in England. 

Local authority revenue from parking in England rose from £608m in 1997 to £1.3bn by 2010, it adds.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "These measures will deliver a fairer deal for motorists, ensuring that parking enforcement is proportionate, that school children are protected and buses can move freely, and that key routes are kept clear."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colchester Murder Police Seek 'Running Man'

Police have said they want to speak to a man seen running close to where Saudi student Nahid Almanea was killed.

The white man, aged between 18 and 25, of medium build and with dark hair was spotted to coming out of an alleyway which indirectly links to to the Salary Brook Trail, where the 31-year-old was stabbed.

He was wearing a long sleeved, plain hooded top that is described as London bus red and dark trousers.

Ms Almanea was stabbed 16 times while walking along a path on Tuesday morning.

Nadia Almanea was attacked on her way to university

In a statement, Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron said police also wanted to hear from anyone who could help identify a man wanted for questioning over an attack on a woman in Peache Road, Colchester, at around 10pm on June 19.

"The location of this attack, and some aspects of it, including reports that a knife was seen and the victim was a woman, mean that this suspect is also of interest to the Almanea investigation," he said.

The attacker was described as white, in his early 20s, and around 5ft 7in to 5ft 8in tall. He was of medium build and had a narrow face, appeared unwell, and possibly had fair hair.

Police have been searching the area where Ms Almanea was stabbed

Ms Almanea had been taking an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

Police released a CCTV picture of the 31-year-old taken moments before her death and a map of her likely route from the home she shared with her brother to the spot on the Salary Brook trail where her body was found.

Police have previously said the fact that Ms Almanea was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March.

Police released a map showing Ms Almanea's route

In the statement on Saturday, police said it was still not clear whether the two killings had been carried out by the same person.

"A criminal profiler from the National Crime Agency has carried out a thorough assessment of all the evidence in connection with both murders," Detective Chief Superintendent Worron said.

"A decision has been taken that they remain separate but parallel investigations at this time.

"However the circumstances of both crimes mean that we must consider the possibility that the same killer or killers are responsible."

James Attfield was stabbed more than 100 times in March

Police have urged people to remain vigilant and be careful about going out alone following the attacks.

Superintendent Steve Ditchburn said extra patrols were being carried out across the town.

"Our advice to people is that we have now had two knife murders in Colchester in less than three months where the motive for the attacks remains unknown," he said.

"Both of these attacks were on lone people who were in locations where it appears no one else was nearby at the time.

"For that reason we would remind people to take sensible precautions to stay safe. This includes avoiding any situations in which you could find yourself isolated and alone in a public area."

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Queen Gets New Helicopter For William And Kate

Prince William is to get his hands on the ultimate boy's toy - a luxury helicopter paid for by the Queen.

The six-year-old Agusta A109S Grand, which has already been dubbed 'Heirforce One' after the US President's aircraft, has no previous owners and boasts a top speed of 180mph.

It will be used to whisk William and his wife Kate between official engagements so they can spend as much time as possible at home with their son, Prince George.

Prince William trained to fly RAF Sea King helicopters in Anglesey, Wales

The Duke of Cambridge, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today, is a qualified RAF helicopter pilot.

However, it is not clear whether he will get behind the controls of the Augusta, according to the Daily Mirror.

The newspaper said the aircraft will be leased out by the Queen, with other members of the Royal Family able to hop on board.

A royal source told Sky News the helicopter, which can stay in the sky for up to four and a half hours, covering a maximum distance of more than 530 miles, represented "better value for money".

A busy schedule means time away from Prince George for the Duke and Duchess

It would also be safer, since checks will need to be carried out on just one aircraft rather than several, the source said.

Prince William started his flying training in 2009 at RAF Valley in Anglesey, Wales, where he learnt to pilot search and rescue aircraft.

The Duke, or Flight Lieutenant Wales as he is known in the military, landed a Sea King helicopter on water during a tour of Canada in 2011.

He also took to the skies above the Falkland Islands during a six-week deployment the following year.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thousands Mark Summer Solstice At Stonehenge

More than 30,000 people have turned out at Stonehenge overnight to see the sun rise on the longest day in the calendar.

The Summer Solstice has a long tradition of attracting people to the monument, off the A303, where latter-day Druids gather to witness the event.

Stonehenge is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.

Crowds began gathering at the monument last night

It was built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, and its original purpose is still debated.

Solstices were an important part of Europe's pre-Christian calendar and many speculate that Stonehenge's orientation offers clues to its creators' pagan traditions.

Wiltshire Police said 25 people were arrested during celebrations, largely for drugs-related offences.

Marking the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge has become a tradition for many

A spokesman said: "We are pleased that the Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge and Avebury have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending.

"There were 25 arrests at Stonehenge and two at Avebury which were mainly for drug-related offences.

One reveller gets into the spirit of things

"The road system worked well with minimum delays and many people used the public transport as we advised people to do.

"Every year there are new challenges for us at Solstice but it is always a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event."

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Parklife Festival Killing Suspect Arrested

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a festival-goer in a row over an inflatable doll.

Robert Hart, 26, was punched to the ground at the Parklife music event in Heaton Park, Manchester, last Saturday.

It followed an altercation over his girlfriend, Gemma, being repeatedly struck by the inflatable doll.

The pair were in front of the festival's main stage when the incident took place at about 9.15pm.

Mr Hart, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was knocked unconscious and died later in hospital.

In a tribute to Mr Hart, an avid Manchester City fan, his family said he had "a love of music and a love of life" and was "simply awesome".

Police said the suspect was arrested in Cheshire and taken into custody where he is being questioned.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: "Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount of support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible.

"We now have a man in custody but that doesn't mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and we are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room with any relevant footage. The email address is: mit.syndicate8@gmp.police.uk.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Guildford Four's Gerry Conlon Dies, Aged 60

Guildford Four: A Long Wait For Justice

Updated: 4:30pm UK, Saturday 21 June 2014

Gerry Conlon and the other members of Guildford Four were convicted at the height of Northern Ireland's Troubles, after the IRA carried out a bombing campaign targeting pubs in the mainland UK.

But the deadly attacks in Guildford, Woolwich and Birmingham in 1974 became better known for the huge miscarriages of justices that followed, with the police under huge pressure to catch those responsible.

The plight of the Guildford Four was also highlighted by the 1993 film In The Name Of The Father, in which Conlon and his father Giuseppe were played by Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite respectively.

Gerry Conlon, Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson were jailed in 1975 for the attack on the Horse and Groom pub in Guildford which killed four soldiers and a civilian and injured scores more.

Mr Hill and Mr Armstrong were also jailed for the Woolwich bombing in which two people died.

In a separate trial, The Birmingham Six - Paddy Joe Hill, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter, Billy Power and Johnny Walker - were convicted of the Midlands bombings.

Later Giuseppe, and members of the Maguire family - who became known as the Maguire Seven - were arrested and jailed for possessing and supplying the IRA with explosives.

All those involved protested their innocence and after years of campaigning their convictions were overturned.

In October 1989 the Court of Appeal quashed the sentences of the Guildford Four after they had served 14 years behind bars, amid doubts about the police evidence against them.

An investigation into the case by Avon and Somerset Police found serious flaws in the way Surrey Police handled the case.

However, Giuseppe Conlon died in prison in 1980, still protesting his innocence, and never saw his son released.

His sentence was posthumously overturned by the Court of Appeal along with those of the Maguires in June 1991. The Birmingham Six had their convictions overturned on appeal in the same year.

In July 2000, Prime Minister Tony Blair became the first senior politician to apologise to the Guildford Four.

In a letter sent to Paul Hill's wife - one of the American Kennedy clan - he wrote: "There were miscarriages of justice in your husband's case, and the cases of those convicted with him. I am very sorry indeed that this should have happened."

In recent years Gerry Conlon took up the cause of a number of dissident republicans jailed in Northern Ireland including Marian Price.

She was found guilty of offences linked to paramilitaries, including providing a phone used by the Real IRA hit squad that murdered two British soldiers at the Massereene barracks in Co Antrim in 2009.

He insisted his approach was not politically-motivated but about the right of people to have a fair trial and the right for justice to be seen to be done in public.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More

Guildford Four: A Long Wait For Justice

Gerry Conlon and the other members of Guildford Four were convicted at the height of Northern Ireland's Troubles, after the IRA carried out a bombing campaign targeting pubs in the mainland UK.

But the deadly attacks in Guildford, Woolwich and Birmingham in 1974 became better known for the huge miscarriages of justices that followed, with the police under huge pressure to catch those responsible.

The plight of the Guildford Four was also highlighted by the 1993 film In The Name Of The Father, in which Conlon and his father Giuseppe were played by Daniel Day-Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite respectively.

Gerry Conlon, Paddy Armstrong, Paul Hill and Carole Richardson were jailed in 1975 for the attack on the Horse and Groom pub in Guildford which killed four soldiers and a civilian and injured scores more.

Mr Hill and Mr Armstrong were also jailed for the Woolwich bombing in which two people died.

In a separate trial, The Birmingham Six - Paddy Joe Hill, Hugh Callaghan, Richard McIlkenny, Gerry Hunter, Billy Power and Johnny Walker - were convicted of the Midlands bombings.

Later Giuseppe, and members of the Maguire family - who became known as the Maguire Seven - were arrested and jailed for possessing and supplying the IRA with explosives.

All those involved protested their innocence and after years of campaigning their convictions were overturned.

Gerry Conlon speaking at a SDLP conference in 2005

In October 1989 the Court of Appeal quashed the sentences of the Guildford Four after they had served 14 years behind bars, amid doubts about the police evidence against them.

An investigation into the case by Avon and Somerset Police found serious flaws in the way Surrey Police handled the case.

However, Giuseppe Conlon died in prison in 1980, still protesting his innocence, and never saw his son released.

His sentence was posthumously overturned by the Court of Appeal along with those of the Maguires in June 1991. The Birmingham Six had their convictions overturned on appeal in the same year.

In July 2000, Prime Minister Tony Blair became the first senior politician to apologise to the Guildford Four.

In a letter sent to Paul Hill's wife - one of the American Kennedy clan - he wrote: "There were miscarriages of justice in your husband's case, and the cases of those convicted with him. I am very sorry indeed that this should have happened."

In recent years Gerry Conlon took up the cause of a number of dissident republicans jailed in Northern Ireland including Marian Price.

She was found guilty of offences linked to paramilitaries, including providing a phone used by the Real IRA hit squad that murdered two British soldiers at the Massereene barracks in Co Antrim in 2009.

He insisted his approach was not politically-motivated but about the right of people to have a fair trial and the right for justice to be seen to be done in public.

23.17 | 0 komentar | Read More