Pizza Delivery Driver Murder: Two Charged

Two people have been charged with the murder of pizza delivery driver Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, South Yorkshire Police have said.

Shamraze Khan, 25, of Southey Crescent, Sheffield, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, are both due to appear at Sheffield Magistrates' Court later.

Mr Peiris had been delivering his last ever pizza when he was stabbed to death in his car in the Southey area of the city.

The 25-year-old was on his final shift before starting his dream job as an IT consultant.

He was found dead in a silver Toyota Yaris car in Southey Crescent at about 10.30pm by fellow Domino's workers who had gone looking for him after he failed to deliver his order.

His family described him as the "most caring and loving son a parent could have".

Speaking from their family home in Sri Lanka, his father Sarath Mahinda Peiris and mother Sudarma Narangoda said: "We sent our son to the UK to study so he can have a better life. Now we are left with only a broken heart.

"We were devastated and shocked to hear of our son's tragic end and we are still unable to comprehend that he is actually gone.

"Thavisha was one of the most caring and loving sons a parent could have. He was full of life and always had a smile on his face. Anyone who met him immediately liked him."

Mr Peiris came to the UK to finish an IT degree and graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2011.

His colleagues and police said he had been feeling unwell during his last shift and was going to go home early but agreed to deliver one last order.

Domino's Pizza has said it was funding the cost of flying his family to the UK in the coming days.

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Pair Charged With Murder Over Bodies In Garden

The daughter and son-in-law of an elderly couple who went missing from Mansfield have been charged with murder.

Nottingham Police said Susan Patricia Edwards, 55, and Christopher John Edwards, 57, have each been charged with two counts of murder.

The pair, of no fixed address, but who are believed to have been living outside the UK, will remain in police custody until their appearance before Nottingham magistrates.

The remains of a man and woman were found buried in the back garden of a house in Blenheim Close, Forest Town, on October 9 this year.

Police have not yet formally identified the pair, but believe they are William and Patricia Wycherley, who lived at the house in the 1990s.

A spokesman said: "A Home Office pathologist has determined that both people died as a result of being shot."

The elderly couple moved to the address in 1987 and, according to neighbours, disappeared in 1998.

Officers said Mrs Wycherley is believed to have been born in Fulham, west London, and would now have been 79. Her husband would have been 100.

Police said bone analysis had shed further light on the remains.

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Water Bills: Crackdown On Costs Expected

Water bills may be "rolled back" after the Government vowed to get tough on the rising cost of living.

David Cameron's spokesman indicated that an announcement on water bills would be made next week.

The spokesman said the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) would be making the announcement.

He said: "There will be some action next week from Defra with the intention of looking at water bills.

David Cameron says he wants to see household costs cut

"The Prime Minister takes household bills across the piece seriously and wants energy prices to be rolled back and wants various things done, whether it's council tax being frozen, the flex on rail fares being brought down, MoT costs being frozen, these sorts of measures to protect household bills."

He added: "The Prime Minister wants to see household costs across the piece being reduced as low as possible. The intention is to try to reduce the burdens on hard-pressed families."

Mr Cameron "wants regulators to look at the industry they regulate and make sure that they are robust and delivering what they need to deliver for consumers", the spokesman added.

Concerns have been raised that consumers are being ripped off

The move comes after Labour leader Ed Miliband said the market needed to be scrutinised to ensure it was working for consumers.

The soaring cost of living has rocketed up the political agenda since Mr Miliband's pledge to freeze energy prices if his party wins the 2015 General Election.

Mr Cameron, seeking to win back the political initiative on energy policy from Labour, said last week he wanted to "roll back" environmental taxes that bump up energy bills, promising more details in Chancellor George Osborne's Autumn Statement on December 4.

At an event for regional newspaper journalists, Mr Miliband said: "I think we should be looking at all markets to make sure they are working properly - and that includes the water industry."

The Western Morning News quoted the Labour leader as saying: "Some people will say this is an anti-business agenda. I think it is a pro-business agenda that you have got to reform markets that are not working properly.

"I think the water industry is something that should be scrutinised to make sure it is working properly, and make sure it is working properly for the benefit of consumers, because I know concerns have been raised.

"I'm proud Labour is championing this agenda and I think it is consistent with believing what a market economy can do, and water is part of that."

MPs are set to consider the reform and infrastructure of the water industry on Tuesday next week after Tory Robert Buckland secured a backbench debate.

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Bonfire Night Warning As Firefighters Strike

Firefighters in England and Wales will go on strike this evening after negotiations on pay and pensions broke down, despite the likelihood of it being one of the busiest days of the year for the fire service.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) will walk out from 6.30pm to 11pm, and again for two hours from 6am next Monday - the day before Bonfire Night.

The union went on strike last month but called off another stoppage when a deal appeared to be in sight.

But officials said the Government and fire employers failed to offer guarantees on jobs or pensions as a result of changes to the pension age from 55 to 60.

FBU general secretary, Matt Wrack, said firefighters were keen for the issue to be resolved through discussion but the Government was ignoring its own evidence which highlights the schemes as unworkable and unaffordable.

Emergency response services will be 'severely reduced' due to the strike

He told Sky News: "We have been trying to negotiate pensions for nearly three years now and it is very frustrating fro our members and firefighters across the country.

"We want a pension scheme that works, that takes account of the job that firefighters actually do, and the Government is completely ignoring the evidence and is expecting firefighters to be working on the frontline, going into burning buildings at 60 or beyond in order to get their pension and that's simply unrealistic and dangerous."

He said they would be "expected to perform the full range of roles that an 18 or 20-year-old would do, and meet the same fitness standards".

"We have tried to avoid strike action for as long as possible. No firefighter wants to go on strike. We have deliberately chosen not to call action on the busiest nights ... so we have tried to do what we can to keep people as safe as possible. The general advice for people around Bonfire Night is to attend organised events.

"Firefighters want a pension scheme that takes account of the hazardous nature of the job, is affordable and workable for them and for the taxpayer.

"We hope this brief strike will mean the Government returns to negotiations so we can agree a sensible way forward."

The union added it was led to believe the Government was willing to offer a guarantee that firefighters whose fitness levels declined with age would not face the sack.

Firefighters from Tynemouth Community Fire Station on strike in September

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said its emergency response service would be "severely reduced" because of the strike.

Chief Fire Officer James Courtney said: "Don't hold your bonfire or fireworks display tonight.

"We're satisfied with the contingency arrangements we are putting in place, but our 999 service will still be severely depleted so we need the public to help keep our fire engines available for real emergencies."

Fire Minister Brandon Lewis said: "This strike action by the FBU is completely unnecessary and does nothing but damage the good reputation firefighters have with the public.

"We offered firefighters similar fitness principles to those the FBU accepted in Scotland. The FBU should reconsider their decision to strike - announced just four days into discussions - and work for a resolution to this dispute.

"The public will be baffled by the FBU's course of action when they hear that the deal being offered to firefighters gives them one of the most generous pension schemes in all the public sector.

"A firefighter who earns £29,000, and retires after a full career aged 60, will get a £19,000 a year pension, rising to £26,000 with the state pension.

"An equivalent private pension pot would be worth over half a million pounds and require firefighters to contribute twice as much."

The union has said the figures were a "myth".

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Sugary Drinks Tax 'Could Raise Treasury £275m'

By Thomas Moore, Health and Science Correspondent

A tax on sugary drinks would reduce the number of obese adults in the UK by 180,000 and raise over £275m for the Treasury, according to doctors.

Researchers from Reading and Oxford universities say a standard 500ml bottle of some drinks contains as many as 14 teaspoons of sugar, or 210 calories; and they warn the drinks increase the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and tooth decay.

Professor Richard Tiffin, Reading University: 'Taxing food is a big step'

In the most detailed study of its kind, the researchers calculated that a 20% tax on sugary drinks - adding roughly 12p to a can of fizzy pop - would reduce purchases by around 15%.

That would reduce the average calorie consumption by 28 calories a week, enough to reduce obesity by between 110,000 and 250,000, according to results published in the British Medical Journal.

Dr Adam Briggs of the British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group at Oxford University, and one of the researchers, said: "Sugar sweetened drinks are known to be bad for health and our research indicates that a 20% tax could result in a meaningful reduction in the number of obese adults in the UK.

"Such a tax is not going to solve obesity by itself, but we have shown it could be an effective public health measure and should be considered alongside other measures to tackle obesity in the UK."

The researchers say the impact of the tax would be greatest on young people. On average people aged 16-29 drink around 300ml of sugary beverages a day.

But one of the researchers, economist Professor Richard Tiffin of the University of Reading, warned that the tax would not reduce obesity by enough to justify the hardship it could cause.

Researchers at Reading found some drinks contained 14 teaspoons of sugar

"Taxing food is a big step, especially when spiralling bills are already making households poorer, and will make very little difference if people are unable or unwilling to make healthier choices elsewhere in their lives," he said.

Professor Sir Stephen O'Rahilly from the Medical Research Council's Metabolic Diseases Unit in Cambridge agreed that sugary drinks are "part of the problem"' but he added that taxation was "politically undeliverable" in most democracies.

He said: "A workable alternative might be to encourage the major companies to switch to the aggressive promotion and marketing of less harmful versions of their products.

Soft drinks firms said there was evidence a tax would not curb obesity

"This could be achieved by balancing a 20% tax on sugared products with a 20% subsidy on artificially sweetened versions of the same beverages."

Gavin Partington of the British Soft Drinks Association said there was "ample" evidence that taxing soft drinks will not curb obesity.

"Trying to blame one set of products is misguided, particularly when they comprise a mere 2% of calories in the average diet."

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Baby P's Mum Tracey Connelly 'Freed From Jail'

Baby P's mother, who was jailed in 2009 over her son's death, has been released from prison, according to reports.

Tracey Connelly was reportedly freed after the Parole Board recommended her release following a second review of her case.

The Ministry of Justice said it does not comment on individual cases and would not confirm or deny the reports.

Connelly was jailed indefinitely with a minimum of five years following her son Peter's death.

The Parole Board confirmed recently that a three-member panel had directed her release.

It said then: "Tracey Connelly first became eligible for parole in August 2012, and at that time a Parole Board panel made no recommendation to release.

"This is the second parole review for Tracey Connelly. The decision to release is a matter for the board, which is independent - arrangements and the date of the release are a matter for the Secretary of State."

Steven Barker (L) and Jason Owen

Baby P died on August 3, 2007, with more than 50 injuries, despite being on the at-risk register and receiving 60 visits from social workers, police and health professionals over eight months.

Connelly admitted the offence soon after being charged and served several hundred days on remand.

She was given a so-called imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence, which carries a minimum term.

Connelly will remain on licence for the rest of her life and if she breaches any of the conditions, she will probably be recalled to custody.

Her son died at his home in Tottenham, north London, a day after police told Connelly she would not be prosecuted over abuse of the 17-month-old.

Connelly was jailed with her boyfriend Steven Barker and his brother Jason Owen, who were convicted at trial of the same offence.

Barker was jailed for life with a minimum of 10 years for raping a two-year-old girl and given a 12-year term to run concurrently for his "major role" in Peter's death.

Owen was jailed indefinitely with a minimum three-year term but later won an appeal to lower it to a fixed six-year term.

He was freed in August 2011 but was then recalled to prison again in April this year.

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Pressure On A&E Causes Increase In Admissions

More patients are being admitted in hospitals because of increased pressure on A&E departments, a new report has found.

The National Audit Office (NAO) study found many emergency admissions through A&E are avoidable and many patients stay in hospital "longer than is necessary".

Factors putting pressure on A&E include patients finding the range of NHS services "confusing", poor access to out-of-hours GP care in some areas and the four-hour A&E waiting time target, which means patients cannot be kept in A&E for observation.

The introduction of the 111 non-emergency telephone number for the NHS also had a negative impact on A&E.

The report said: "The number of emergency admissions to hospitals - admissions that are not planned and happen at short notice because of perceived clinical need - continues to rise at a time when NHS budgets are under significant pressure.

More patients attending major A&E departments are now being admitted than in the past, it said.

In 2012/13, more than a quarter of all patients attending major A&E departments were admitted to hospital, up from 19% in 2003/04.

Only a quarter of this rise was due to an increase in the number of people attending A&E, with the rest due to a higher admission rate.

The report said: "Over the last 15 years, short-stay (less than two days) admissions have increased by 124%, whereas long-stay (two days or longer) admissions have only increased by 14%."

The study pointed to problems with people getting help in the community, from GP practices and other services.

It estimated at least one-fifth of admissions could be managed effectively in the community and criticised a "lack of alignment between hospital services and other health services", with poor seven-day care on offer outside of hospitals.

Other factors include an increasingly frail elderly population, who are far more likely to need emergency care.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said: "Growth in emergency admissions is a sign that the rest of the health system may not be working properly."

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "We know demand for A&E services is increasing as the population ages, with more people needing more healthcare.

"That's why we are tackling both the short and long-term problems: transforming out of hospital care by reversing the disastrous changes to the 2004 GP contract, joining up the health and social care system, and backing A&Es with £250m to prepare for this winter."

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Fans Jailed Over Stephen Lawrence Abuse Chants

Six football fans who chanted songs that "glorify and idolise" the murderer of Stephen Lawrence have been jailed.

The Charlton Athletic supporters, who had been at an FA Cup match against Fulham on January 7 last year, were jailed for their abusive behaviour on a train from Putney to Waterloo.

The men, aged between 22 and 31, were convicted of causing racially aggravated fear of violence after witnesses complained of sexual and racially motivated abuse.

Baljit Ubhey, CPS London Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: "These men were singing and chanting racist abuse in praise of the convicted murderers of Stephen Lawrence. To glorify and idolise these men was disturbing and upsetting.

"Their racially and sexually abusive language left members of the public shocked and disgusted.

"Witnesses said they felt intimidated and feared there was a real and significant risk of violence."

Jake Embery was handed a six month suspended sentence

British Transport Police said the group chanted in support of Gary Dobson, three days after he was convicted of murdering Stephen Lawrence

Mick Everett, Charlton FC's Head of Operations, said: "Their actions are totally condemned by everyone at the club and indeed, I am sure, by Charlton supporters everywhere.

"Although this isolated incident does not reflect on the overwhelming majority of our fans, these arrests are a kick in the teeth to everyone associated with the club, who have put so much effort into our campaign over the years.

"The club will now look to impose additional appropriate sanctions on those involved."

David Bone, 23, of Tivoli Gardens, London, and Daniel Clay, 31, of Baring Road, London, received 18 months in prison and an eight year football banning order.

The same eight year match ban was imposed on Ben Boylett, 26, of Lamberton Street, London, and Jason Butler, 31, of Mottisfont Road, south east London, who were also given one year in prison.

Sean Fowle, of Smithies Road, Abbey Wood, and Aaron Phinbow, of Abbey Wood Road, Abbey Wood, London, who are both 25-years-old, also received an eight year ban and eight months behind bars.

Jake Embery, 22, of Mickleham Road, Orpington, London, was given a six month suspended sentence, a four year match ban and ordered to pay £3,000 costs.

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House Prices Rise 1% But Are 7% Below Peak

House price growth accelerated in October amid continuing fears of a price bubble but the average cost of a home is still 7% below the record level measured in 2007.

The latest Nationwide House Price Index charted a 1% increase over the month following a 0.9% increase in September - with London and the South East continuing to drive the growth which has now lasted for six consecutive months on a UK-wide basis.

Nationwide said it meant that national annual price growth rose to 5.8% from 5% the previous month - the strongest increase seen since July 2010 - raised the cost of the average property to £173,678.

Commenting on the figures, the lender's chief economist Robert Gardner said: "The UK housing market appears to be following the more resilient upward trend evident in the wider economy in recent quarters.

"The ability and willingness of potential buyers to transact has been steadily increasing.

There are concerns of unsustainable price increases because of low supply

"The ability to buy has been supported by continued gains in employment and policy measures such as the Help to Buy and Funding for Lending schemes, which have improved the availability and lowered the cost of credit.

"Mortgage rates are close to all time lows. The willingness of potential buyers to step into the market has also been increasing."

But he warned: "House price growth has accelerated as buyer demand has picked up more quickly than the supply of new homes.

"The risk is that if demand continues to strengthen while the supply of property remains constrained affordability could become stretched."

The launch of a new phase of the Government's flagship Help to Buy scheme offering state-backed mortgages to people with deposits as low as 5% was brought forward to this month, following expectations that the initiative would not start until January 2014.

Critics argue that rather than launching initiatives to unleash more aspiring buyers into the market, which will contribute to the upward pressure on house prices, the Government should instead be concentrating efforts on trying to address the lack of housing supply.

Ministers have consistently dismissed talk of price bubbles, suggesting the market recovery is only just beginning outside of London and the South East.

The property website Rightmove recently measured a 10% jump in house prices in the capital during October alone - prompting further debate on whether a boom and bust cycle loomed.

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Pensions: 'Rip-Off' Charges Targeted By Govt

Plans to stop "rip-off" pension charges could see people getting an extra £100,000 in their retirement savings pot.

The Government is to unveil plans that could include a ban on all charges above 0.75% a year as it rolls out landmark reforms to automatically place people into workplace pensions.

The industry has been working to improve transparency and the average charge on new pension schemes set up in 2012 is around 0.51%.

But the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) estimates there are more than 186,000 pension pots with £2.65bn worth of assets which are subject to an annual charge of above 1%.

Small variations in charges can make huge differences over time to the eventual size of the pension pot that someone ends up with.

The Government said that someone who saves £100 a month over a typical working lifetime of 46 years could lose almost £170,000 from their pension pot with a 1% charge and over £230,000 with a 1.5% charge.

A pension saver with a 0.75% annual charge on their pension pot could eventually end up £100,000 better off than if they had been charged a rate of 1.5%, the Government said.

Pensions Minister Steve Webb said: "The Government believes that enough is enough on charges.

"People need to know they are getting value for money when they save into a pension and not being ripped off by excessive charges."

Other options for caps being considered by the Government include a higher charge cap of 1% and a "two-tier" cap.

The two-tier cap would involve a standard cap of 0.75% and as well as a higher cap of 1% if employers explain to the Pensions Regulator why their scheme charges more than 0.75%.

Any final cap could lie somewhere between the two levels suggested, depending on the evidence received.

The Government wants to hear from the industry and the public on how it can best design a charging cap that can protect people's savings before putting its plans in place next year.

Otto Thoresen, director general of the Association of British Insurers (ABI), said: "The industry is committed to making pension reform a success and of course will engage fully with this consultation."

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Sheffield: Man Killed On Final Pizza Delivery

A 25-year-old student has been stabbed to death as he made his final pizza delivery before starting a career as an IT consultant.

Thavisha Lakindu Peiris, who was originally from Sri Lanka, was found slumped at the wheel of his car on Sunday evening, in the Southey area of Sheffield, as he was on his way to deliver a take-away.

Detectives say they cannot explain the "brutal and shocking death" of a "career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man".

According to South Yorkshire Police, Mr Peiris was making his last delivery for Domino's Pizza when he died.

He had been working for the chain's branch on Halifax Road in the city, while he studied IT at Sheffield Hallam University.

Mr Peiris had been taking an order to an address in Southey Crescent, which was due around 10pm.

When he failed to arrive, his work colleagues went to look for him.

He was found dead at 10.30pm in the driver's seat of his silver Toyota Yaris, outside the address he was delivering to.

A post-mortem examination showed that he died from stab wounds.

A 50-strong police team is now working on the murder inquiry.

Mr Peiris's family are preparing to travel to South Yorkshire, police said.

Detective Superintendant Lisa Ray, who is leading the investigation, said no motive had yet been established for the murder.

She said: "Thavisha Lakindu Peiris was a bright, hard-working, intelligent and caring man who had worked hard to develop his career in Sheffield.

"Everything we have learned from his family, friends and workmates at Domino's suggests he was a career-minded, hard-working, bright, articulate and friendly young man who was very much planning his future.

"To date, we have found no explanation for his brutal and shocking death.

"I need to hear from anyone who knows anything about his murder.

"A family is grieving for a young man whose life has been taken from him in the most brutal of fashions, and we owe it to him and his family to find the person or persons responsible."

A number of people have been arrested and questioned by detectives since the murder, but have since been released without charge, according to a force spokesman.

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Child Killer Alan John Giles On The Loose

Police are hunting a child killer who is on the run from prison while serving two life sentences for kidnap and murder.

Alan John Giles, 56, fled from an "open" section of HMP Hewell, near Redditch, Worcestershire, on Monday, West Mercia Police said.

Giles, originally from Oldbury, West Midlands, was jailed in 1997 at Birmingham Crown Court for murdering 16-year-old Kevin Ricketts in 1995.

At the time of Giles' trial, the body of Kevin, a student from Quinton, near Birmingham, had not been found.

Appealing for the public's help to trace Giles, Detective Inspector John Cashion, of West Mercia Police, said: "We have a dedicated investigation team working expeditiously to locate and apprehend Giles, and to that end we are also liaising with our colleagues in West Midlands Police and in the Prison Service.

"We have information that gives us concern for his welfare and it is important that we trace him as soon as possible.

"It should be borne in mind that Giles was in an open part of the prison when he went missing.

"However, we would appeal to anyone who sees him not to approach him but to contact police immediately on 999.

"Furthermore, we would urge anyone who may be helping him or sheltering him to contact us without delay."

Giles, who has had recent contact with family in the West Midlands, is described as white, 5ft 9in, and of proportionate build with short grey hair and blue eyes.

He has tattoos of an eagle on his back and a swallow, shark and flower on his left arm.

It is believed Giles is wearing a grey Rockport sweater, blue jeans and white Asics trainers.

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Yarl's Wood Guards Sacked Over 'Detainee Sex'

Two staff at a privately-run immigration removal centre for women have been fired for engaging in sexual activity with a detainee.

A third employee at Serco-operated Yarl's Wood, in Bedfordshire, was also sacked for failing to take any action when the female detainee reported the two men, HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Nick Hardwick said.

It was reported last month that police were investigating claims that a 23-year-old Roma woman who was held at Yarl's Wood was subject to inappropriate sexual behaviour from guards.

But inspectors found no evidence that a "wider culture of victimisation or systematic abuse" had developed following the new allegations of abuse at the 400-bed centre.

Mr Hardwick said: "We were concerned to find that two staff had engaged in sexual activity with a female detainee, something that can never be less than abusive given the vulnerability of the detained population, and these staff had rightly been dismissed."

Yarl's Wood holds mainly single adult women but also holds a number of adult families and there is a short-term holding facility for adult men.

Inspectors concluded that more female staff were needed urgently as there were not enough for a mainly women's establishment.

A number of women at the centre - where none of the detainees have been charged with an offence or held through normal judicial circumstances - were detained for long periods, including one for almost four years.

Elsewhere, the surprise inspection found pregnant women had been held without evidence of the exceptional circumstances required to justify their captivity.

Serco's boss Chris Hyman stepped down over a Government contracts scandal

One of the women had been admitted to hospital twice because of pregnancy-related complications.

Refugee Council women's advocacy and influencing officer Anna Musgrave said: "Some of the findings of this inspection are shocking.

"Women in immigration detention are extremely vulnerable, with many likely to be victims of gender-based violence, so we're horrified to hear that male officers enter women's rooms without permission."

John Tolland, Serco's contract director, said: "We are really pleased that this inspection report recognises the improvements Serco has made at Yarl's Wood and considers it to be an establishment where residents feel safe and there is little violence.

"Our managers and staff have worked hard to establish and maintain good relationships with the residents, who are vulnerable people in the middle of a distressing and difficult experience.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "The evidence of abuse at Yarl's Wood is appalling. The Home Office and Serco have a responsibility to act much faster and much more effectively to stamp out abuse and make sure vulnerable women get the support and help they need.

"Yarl's Wood is improving much too slowly. The Home Office has still not told us how long it knew abuse was taking place at Yarl's Wood or why it is still failing to spot the signs of trafficking or of mental illness."

A Home Office spokesman said: "Detention is a vital tool that helps us remove those with no right to be in the country, but it is essential that our facilities are well run, safe and secure.

"Safeguarding those in our care is our utmost priority and misconduct is dealt with swiftly and robustly.

"We are carefully considering the contents of the report and will respond to each of its recommendations in due course."

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Savile Chauffeur David Smith Found Dead

A former driver charged with sex offences as part of the investigation triggered by allegations of abuse against Jimmy Savile has been found dead.

David Smith, 66, was the first person to be charged by officers from the Metropolitan Police's Operation Yewtree investigation.

He had pleaded not guilty in July to two counts of indecent assault and two of gross indecency on a child following his arrest in December.

But he failed to turn up at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday for the start of his trial, prompting police to go to his home in Effingham Road, Lewisham.

Smith had previously worked as Jimmy Savile's chauffeur

Scotland Yard said: "At approximately 14:20 officers entered the address and found the body of a man. A FME (forensic medical examiner) attended and pronounced the man dead at the scene. Next of kin are being informed."

Smith's barrister, Sandy Canavan, had told the court she was "concerned" that her solicitor had been unable to contact him ahead of the trial as she had regularly been in touch with him.

She told the court Smith was the sole carer for his elderly mother.

Police have separated the Yewtree investigation into three parts, the first concerned with the actions of Savile, while the second concerns allegations against what has become known as 'Savile and others'.

Smith was investigated under the third strand, concerning accusations of sexual abuse unconnected to Savile, but made by people who came forward following publicity surrounding the Savile allegations.

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Claudia Lawrence Case: Officers Search House

By Gerard Tubb, North of England Correspondent

The house of missing York cook Claudia Lawrence has been sealed off in a hunt for new clues about what happened to her four-and-a-half years ago.

A murder inquiry was launched in 2009 after the 35-year-old failed to turn up for work at the University of York, having left her passport and bank cards in her terraced home in the Heworth area of the city.

Despite a lengthy inquiry, no arrests were made and extensive searches failed to turn up any sign of Claudia, her mobile phone or a bag of work clothes she was thought to have taken with her.

Now a fresh team of forensic experts, led by new senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn will begin combing her house for clues at the start of an official cold case review.

"Forensic science is continually evolving and I hope that scientific advances since Claudia was reported missing in March 2009 will assist with our review of the case," he said.

Claudia's father Peter says he is grateful for the review

The review will hope to build on the first investigation, which was led by an officer who has since retired. Any new clues it finds can be checked against previously gathered evidence.

"The work will begin with an initial assessment of the property, followed by approximately two weeks of further forensic work at the house," D/Supt Malyn explained.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Mason, the head of North Yorkshire Police's crime directorate, said the first aim of the review was to find out essentially what happened in the house when she went missing.

"It's not entirely clear whether Claudia remained in the house on the night she disappeared or whether what ultimately led to her demise happened within that house," he said.

Claudia Lawrence and her father Peter

D/Supt Malyn called on anyone who thinks they can assist the review team with information to get in touch.

"It is never too late for people to come forward with information now, that for whatever reason they were unable to share with us in the past," he said.

Peter Lawrence, Claudia's father, issued a statement welcoming the review of his daughter's case.

"I am grateful for the initiative by the new team investigating Claudia's case to re-visit her house and conduct further investigations there, including DNA testing," he said.

"Anything which helps the search to find Claudia, or at least find out what happened to her on that morning in March 2009, is welcomed."

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Storm: Newhaven Search For Boy Called Off

A 14-year-old boy is feared dead after being swept into the sea while playing in the surf in rough weather conditions.

The youngster disappeared from West Beach at Newhaven, East Sussex, at about 4.15pm on Sunday.

Rescue teams, including a coastguard helicopter and a RNLI lifeboat, scoured the area in what were described as "atrocious conditions" with poor visibility.

An RNLI lifeboat is buffeted by the waves as it takes part in the search

After around six hours the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said it had stood down its search teams.

The teenager was playing with friends - who have all been accounted for - when the accident occurred.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "This is a very distressing incident and everything possible is being done to try to find the boy."

A MCA spokeswoman said that rescue teams had struggled in difficult conditions.

She said police were with the boy's family, who are "distraught".

A rescue worker looks on as his colleagues battle the elements at sea

Meanwhile, the public were reminded of the dangers of being on the coast in bad weather. 

Solent Coastguard watch manager Steve Mann said: "The crashing waves are spectacular to watch but also extremely dangerous. HM Coastguard's advice is simple: don't take risks.

"But if you do get into difficulty, or spot someone who might be in trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard."

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Hurricane-Force Storm Hits Southern Britain

Britain is facing a day of transport chaos after hurricane-force winds battered southern areas, uprooting trees, shutting down bridges and rail services and grounding flights.

St Jude's storm hit the South West from around midnight - bringing winds in excess of 90mph and torrential rain.

The storm has ripped across Wales and England, felling trees, cutting power supplies to up to 220,000 people and damaging vehicles, with some of the worst weather expected during the morning rush hour.

Collapsed scaffolding in Francis Road, Leyton Pic: Mark Davies

Gusts of 99mph have been recorded at the Needles on the Isle of Wight, according to the Met Office, while the Environment Agency has put in place 16 flood warnings and 133 flood alerts.

Winds have topped 80mph along southern coastal areas, becoming turbulent inland also reaching 75mph in Yeovilton in Somerset and 79mph at Andrewsfield in Essex.

In Newhaven, East Sussex, the family of a 14-year-old boy who was swept into the sea are said to be "distraught" after coastguard rescuers were forced to call off their search.

Whitehall has been closed in both directions in Westminster, London, after a crane collapsed onto the Cabinet Office which was evacuated.

A tree across a railway track in Keymer, near Brighton Pic: Network Rail

Prime Minister David Cameron has held talks with government departments and agencies to ensure they are prepared for the storm's impact, while transport minister Baroness Kramer urged commuters to stay at home until the worst of the weather has passed.

Most train operators have cancelled all services in the south of England before 9am - with further disruption expected throughout the day.

Network Rail said: "Trains will not be allowed to run until the worst of the storm has passed and engineers have been able to check railway lines in daylight for fallen trees, branches or any other debris which may have blown onto or damaged the infrastructure."

Heathrow airport has cut capacity for all airlines by 20% between 6am and 11am and cancelled 60 flights before the storm hit the mainland.

A crane falls onto the roof ogf the Cabinet Office in Whitehall, London

Sky's Home Affairs Correspondent Mark White said airline workers have been briefed that winds of up to 80 knots (90+ mph) could last until midday at Heathrow.

Engineers have warned that they will be unable to open aircraft cargo hatches or operate walkways used to offload passengers in winds of more than 40-45 knots.

Airlines are believed to be making plans to divert planes to airports in the north of the UK if necessary.

The Port of Dover has been closed where gusts of 65 knots were recorded.

Both crossings over the Severn Estuary, the QEII Dartford Crossing bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent are all closed to traffic while the Highways Agency issued warnings for high-sided vehicles, caravans and motorbikes.

A 'Boris Bike' stand crushed by a fallen tree in Kennington

The Royal Parks - which include Hyde Park and Regents's Park in London - have been closed amid concerns for the safety of park users, drivers and cyclists. Trees in the parks have also been damaged.

Sky News Weather Presenter Isobel Lang said: "The worst is just about over. The storm is clearing out into the North Sea, but it is currently bringing 70 to 80mph gusts to East Anglia and Kent. These winds should slowly subside in the next hour."

Some 50mm of rainfall in 12 hours has been recorded in Otterbourne in Hampshire and about 44mm in Cardiff.

Baroness Kramer said: "Don't travel unless you have to. If you do have to travel then check with your rail operator or the Highways Agency that it is safe to do so.

"Use common sense. I wouldn't want to be on the roads in the dark later tonight."

The Environment Agency has teams working to minimise river flood risk, clearing debris from streams and unblocking culverts.

A spokesman added: "Seafronts, quaysides and jetties should be avoided due to the risk of overtopping by waves and wind-blown shingle."

Met Office severe weather alerts are in place, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

A yellow warning, meaning "be aware", has been issued for the rest of Wales and England.

Police cars attempt to get past a felled tree in East Sussex

In London, the Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

The storm has been compared to the Great Storm of 1987, which claimed 22 lives in England and France in a three hour period.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish, who famously failed to predict its severity, has warned people to "batten down the hatches" and delay their Monday morning journey by two or three hours.

:: For the latest on the storm watch a special edition of Sky News Sunrise from 6am.

:: Send us your photos and videos of the storm.

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Storm Causes Major Headache For Commuters

Transport services including trains, planes and ferries have been cancelled or disrupted after a severe storm struck the southern half of the UK.

More than 100 trees fell on railway lines across the South East, with Network Rail saying its engineers would be working to remove them "as soon as possible".

East Coast Trains said fallen power cables and flooding at the southern end of its network had caused delays and cancellations to services and urged passengers not to travel, while First Capital Connect told its passengers there would be "no services until further notice".

Other operators including Greater Anglia, East Midlands Trains and Stansted Express said services would be suspended until later this morning, while trains from London Victoria are not expected to run until at least 10am.

Hurricane-force winds and heavy rain also caused disruption on the roads, with a number of major routes affected.

Both Severn estuary crossing were closed, as well as the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge and the Sheppey Crossing in Kent.

Countless local roads have also been shut by fallen trees.

Rough seas caused the Port of Dover to suspend all ferry crossings while Brittany Ferries cancelled services between Plymouth and Roscoff, Poole and Cherbourg and Portsmouth and Bilbao.

Among the services that will be affected by the storm are:

Trains

:: Southern Railway has announced that it is "highly unlikely" it will run any services before at least 9am on Monday.

:: Gatwick Express services finished at around 1am and will not resume until at least 9am.

:: South West Trains has warned people not to travel at all on Monday and will be running a "significantly reduced timetable".

:: Southeastern Railway is expecting to run a reduced service and most routes will not be operating until after 9am. 

:: East Coast Trains will operate an amended timetable for Monday due to speed restrictions that will be in force south of York Station.

:: Greater Anglia Trains has announced that services will be suspended on Monday until 9am and no alternatives to trains will be provided.

:: First Capital Connect trains are not expected to run until after 9am.

:: London Overground services will not be operating until after 9am on Monday.

:: East Midlands Trains - no services into or out of London St Pancras until at least 10am. No services between Nottingham, Ely, Peterborough and Norwich until around 9am.

:: C2C trains suspended until at least 9am.

:: Eurostar cross-channel services suspended until at least 7am to allow inspection of high speed lines.

Planes

:: Heathrow airport has cut capacity for all airlines on Monday, including a 20% reduction between 6am and 11am.

About 130 flights have been cancelled and the airport recommends all passengers contact their airline.

The cancellations are a combination of arrivals and departures.

:: British Airways' Heathrow cancellations are currently all from its European and domestic schedule. Passengers can rebook or get a refund.

:: Gatwick, Stansted, Luton and Bristol airports have not yet announced any cancellations but are telling passengers to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.

Ferries

:: Brittany Ferries' services has announced cancellations between Plymouth and Roscoff; Poole and Cherbourg; Portsmouth and Bilbao.

Ferries also cancelled between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.

Roads

:: The Highways Agency has issued a severe weather alert for high-sided vehicles, caravans, motorbikes and other vulnerable vehicles.

:: Both crossings over the Severn estuary have been closed.

:: Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, the southbound Dartford Crossing, is closed. However, the tunnels will remain open and operate a contraflow system so that traffic can cross the Thames in both directions.

:: The Sheppey Crossing bridge in Kent is currently closed due to high winds.

:: The A14 Orwell Bridge near Ipswich has been shut

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Miller Redpath: Body Found In Back Garden

Police searching for a missing teenager have found a body in his overgrown back garden.

Public schoolboy Miller Redpath, 18, went missing from his family home in Wenhaston in Suffolk in August.

Suffolk Police said an officer went to the house on Thursday as part of their inquiries and found the body during a search of the garden.

A post-mortem examination has been carried out, however the cause of death remains unknown, police said in a statement.

"At this stage the death is still being treated as unexplained," the statement said.

"Officers have not yet been able to identify the deceased and further tests are required, however early indications suggest that it is the body of 18-year-old Miller Redpath.

"Further searches are taking place at the property and specialist trained officers continue to support Miller's mother at this difficult time."

The discovery comes after Mr Redpath's mother made an emotional appeal for information about her son's disappearance.

"I think he went out purposefully to do something, in order to return shortly, and something went horribly wrong," Anastasia Miller said earlier this month.

"Everything was on track for him as he was doing well at school, he was thinking of London University, had lots of friends and I just don't understand what happened," she added.

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Energy Poll: Majority Oppose Green Levies

A large majority of consumers oppose green levies on household energy bills and support the Prime Minister's plans to "roll them back", according to a new poll.

The survey found that 60% said they are against the green taxes which add an average £112 to annual bills, compared to 18% who supported them.

Some 61% said they would support the repeal of some of the levies, against 11% who would not.

Of the 1,000 people questioned, 40% prefer David Cameron's approach to the issue, 33% support Labour leader Ed Miliband, who is promising a price freeze and 7% back Liberal Democrat Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who has indicated he will fight to protect the green taxes.

Some 35% said Mr Miliband's plan for a 20-month freeze on prices following the 2015 general election would help keep the cost of bills down, but 54% said that energy companies would get round it by raising prices before or after the freeze period.

Four of the Big Six energy firms have raised their prices so far

The Survation poll for the Mail on Sunday revealed almost three-quarters (72%) believe energy prices will affect the way they vote in the general election.

It found more people blame the energy companies (59%) than either the current government (15%) or the previous Labour administration (15%) for the spiralling cost of gas and electricity.

The survey came as energy minister Greg Barker promised to "come down like a ton of bricks" on energy firms which are stockpiling cash from customers' direct debits.

Unless customers ask for the money back, energy companies are able to hold on to sums from monthly payments in excess of the amount owed for power used, and are able to earn interest on the money while it is sitting in their accounts.

Industry observers believe the total held could be as high as £2bn.

The Big Six suppliers are being summoned to talks with ministers about the issue, and Whitehall sources told the Mail on Sunday they could face fines or be encouraged to pay customers interest on the money.

Mr Barker told the paper: "Customers will rightly feel outraged that they signed up to direct debit payments for cheap tariffs but instead find their cash stockpiled.

"We need to stamp this out now and energy firms must come clean on how much cash they are sitting on. If we find serious abuse, rest assured we will come down on them like a ton of bricks."

An Npower spokesman said the company automatically refunds customers with over £60 credit.

A Scottish Power spokesman said it pays a customer £1 for every full multiple of £33 above a minimum credit value of £100 - to the maximum payout of £12 for a credit balance of £496.

An SSE spokesman said if customers are more than £100 in credit, they are automatically refunded the credit back to their bank account.

A British Gas spokesman said: "The amount of time customers are in debit far outweighs the amount of time customers are in credit."

And an EDF spokesman said: "Monthly direct debits are the cheapest way for people to pay their bills."

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Storm: Britain Braced For Gusts Of Up To 80mph

England and Wales will be hit by a "significant storm" on Sunday night with winds of up to 80mph in some areas, the Met Office has warned.

Forecasters say the storm is expected to bring "exceptionally strong winds" to parts of the UK when it strikes late on Sunday night.

Meteorologists say it will strike the south west of England and could leave a trail of destruction as it gusts north-east across the country, causing structural damage, and bringing down trees and power lines.

Frank Saunders, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office, said: "We are confident that a severe storm will affect Britain on Sunday night and Monday.

"We are now looking at refining the details about which areas will see the strongest winds and the heaviest rain."

An amber warning is in place across the southern half of England and Wales

Roads may also be hit by flash flooding, bringing rush hour traffic on Monday morning to a halt, and homes could be flooded.

The Environment Agency says 20-40mm of rain could fall within six to nine hours.

Severe weather alerts are in place for England and Wales, with an amber warning, meaning "be prepared", for the southern half of England and Wales.

There is a lesser yellow warning, meaning "be aware", for the rest of Wales and England up to the border with Scotland.

Sky News weather presenter Jo Wheeler said: "The storm is coming through at the worst possible time; from around midnight to midday on Monday - which takes in the rush hour when people are trying to get to work.

"Winds gusting at 80mph are quite capable of bringing down trees and power lines and causing structural damage.

"Trees are still full in leaf at this time of year and the ground is quite damp so there is more chance they can be ripped from the ground, and branches ripped from trees."

She said Atlantic storms of this type usually develop further west across the ocean, losing strength by the time they reach the UK and Ireland.

It has been compared to the Great Storm of 1987

But the storm will develop on Saturday and intensify on Sunday fairly close to the coast before it strikes with full force.

A strong jetstream and warm air close to the UK are contributing to its development and strength.

Some have compared its potential to the Great Storm of 1987 and record-breaking gales in south Wales in 1989.

Veteran weatherman Michael Fish famously failed to predict its severity before it flattened trees, knocked out power and left 22 people dead in England and France.

This time he warned people to "batten down the hatches" and keep checking the forecasts as the powerful storm approaches.

Darron Burness, head of the AA's flood rescue team, said: "The timing couldn't really be worse, potentially causing significant travel disruption on Monday morning, which is one of the busiest times on the roads."

The Metropolitan Police has urged people to avoid calling 999 during the storm unless there is a real emergency.

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