Twitter Trolls Jailed For Sending Abusive Tweets

By Nick Pisa, Sky News Reporter

Two people who sent abusive and menacing tweets to banknote campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez and Labour MP Stella Creasy have been jailed.

Isabella Sorley, 23, and John Nimmo, 25, posted dozens of abusive tweets against both women before they were arrested.

Senior district judge Howard Riddle jailed Sorley for 12 weeks and Nimmo for eight weeks as well as ordering them to pay £400 compensation to each victim.

Earlier this month the pair pleaded guilty to sending the menacing tweets, admitting they were among the users of 86 separate Twitter accounts from which Ms Criado-Perez had received abusive messages.

Passing sentence at Westminster Magistrates Court, Judge Riddle said that both victims had suffered substantially as a result of the abuse.

He said Ms Criado-Perez had faced "panic, fear and horror" adding that she feared the "abusers would find her and carry out the threats. She felt hunted."

She responded to the sentencing on Twitter, saying: "I feel immensely relieved that the judge clearly has understood the severity of the impact this abuse has had on me." She said the compensation would be given to charity.

Of Ms Creasy the judge said: "She became concerned for her safety to the extent that she had to alter her behaviour. She had a panic button installed in her home."

As he passed sentence Sorley shook her head and looked to the floor while Nimmo stared straight ahead, showing no emotion.

Sean Caulfield, defending Sorley, told the court his client was "articulate and intelligent" and there was "disconnect" between her and the person that sent the messages.

He said they were sent in a half-hour window between 2.25am and 2.55am last July 30 when she was under the influence of alcohol and she was "horrified and appalled" at what she had done.

Nimmo and Sorley arrive separately at Westminster Magistrates Court

The court also heard how she had 25 previous convictions, mostly for being drunk and disorderly but she had also been convicted twice of assaulting police.

At the time of the Twitter abuse last summer Ms Criado-Perez was leading an ultimately successful campaign to have women featured on British banknotes.

Police launched an investigation after both she and Walthamstow MP Ms Creasy complained about the vile tweets.

Sorley used Twitter to tell Ms Criado-Perez to "f*** off and die you worthless piece of crap", "go kill yourself" and "rape is the last of your worries".

She also deluged Ms Criado-Perez with menacing messages claiming that she had just been released from prison, writing: "I will find you and you don't want to know what I will do when I do, you're pathetic, kill yourself before I do."

Sorley, from Newcastle upon Tyne, has a 2:1 degree in creative advertising from Leeds College of Art and was working in an Asda supermarket in Newcastle at the time. She has since lost her job.

Unemployed Nimmo told Ms Criado-Perez to "shut up bitch" and "Ya not that gd looking to rape u be fine" followed by "I will find you (smiley face)".

In an attack on Ms Creasy, Nimmo, from South Shields, said:"The things I cud do to u (smiley face)", calling her "Dumb blond bitch."

Ms Creasy responded to Nimmo's message of "Dumb blonde bitch" with the message "That's dumb Dr blonde bitch to you".

"Love it at least u can have a laugh," Nimmo responded, to which Ms Creasy said: "I'm not having a laugh, I'm cataloguing your vile conduct #takebacktwitter".

In court his solicitor Paul Kennedy described him as a "recluse and sad individual" adding that he had no previous convictions and was sorry for what he did.

Sorley's brother, who was in court with two holdalls carrying her belongings in the hope his sister would not be jailed, left without making any comment.

Before the early hearing, Sorley posted a picture of herself on her Twitter page posing outside Buckingham Palace with the message "just chilling at the queens".

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Hidden Camera Pen Catches Thief Red-Handed

A carer has been jailed after a surveillance camera hidden in a pen caught her stealing thousands of pounds from an elderly couple.

Lisa Mitchell, 38, helped herself to £35,000 in cash over four years when she worked for 81-year-old Sheila Read, who had dementia, at their home in Dereham, Norfolk.

But the couple's son, Allan Read, suspected money was disappearing so he set up the secret CCTV camera in the pen and strategically placed it in an office in the house, Norfolk Police said.

Mitchell was filmed on two occasions in the office, which she had no reason to be in.

Mitchell was sentenced to 18 months' jail

The footage showed her going through a desk and the elderly man's wallet.

Allan Read had made a note of serial numbers on the bank notes, which police used along with the images to prove the offence.

Mitchell, of Masefield Mews, Dereham, pleaded guilty to theft and was jailed for 18 months at Norwich Crown Court.

Detective Constable Gemma Weeks said Mitchell used the stolen cash to buy jewellery and designer handbags.

"Over four years Lisa Mitchell took advantage of an elderly couple whom she was trusted to care for," she said.

"She thought nothing of helping herself to their personal money and cash from their family business, which she spent on jewellery and designer handbags.

"Even when presented with CCTV evidence, Mitchell denied stealing from this vulnerable couple, and could not account for living beyond her means.

"Over and above the financial impact of her crime is the emotional one, particularly when it appeared that Mitchell was searching for money instead of caring for the elderly lady."

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Balls Commits To Balancing The Nation's Books

Shadow chancellor Ed Balls is promising to balance the nation's books, run a budget surplus and cut the national debt if Labour win power.

In a speech to the Fabian Society Annual Conference today, Mr Balls will make a raft of commitments on the economy and public finances.

New laws introducing tough fiscal rules would be introduced during the party's first year in power and rolling five-year targets scrapped under Labour's plans.

The party is seeking to regain ground on the economy by demonstrating its fiscal discipline following growth forecasts that are favourable for the coalition Government.

The move echoes Chancellor George Osborne's plans to lock in deficit-reduction plans until the end of the next parliament.

Mr Balls accuses George Osborne of flatlining the economy

But Labour insists the timescale for its commitment is dependent on the state of the economy after the election.

Mr Balls will say: "I am today announcing a binding fiscal commitment.

"The next Labour government will balance the books and deliver a surplus on the current budget and falling national debt in the next Parliament. 

"So my message to my party and the country is this: where this government has failed, we will finish the job.

"We will abolish the discredited idea of rolling five year targets and legislate for our tough fiscal rules within 12 months of the general election.

"We will get the current budget into surplus as soon as possible in the next Parliament. How fast we can go will depend on the state of the economy and public finances we inherit."

Mr Balls' bid to bolster Labour's economic position will see him repeat his claim that coalition austerity has flatlined the economy and spurred the cost of living crisis.

Mr Balls will say: "Tory claims their plan is working are not going to wash with working people who are seeing their living standards falling and for whom this is no recovery at all.

"Because the current cost-of-living crisis is not just about people on tax credits, zero-hours contracts and the minimum wage. It's also about millions of middle-class families who never thought that life would be such a struggle."

Andrew Harrop, general secretary of the Fabian Society, said: "Labour needs to prove it has cast-iron plans to reduce the national debt when it returns to power. But the top priority for sustainable economic growth is investment.

"Ed Balls needs to show that his fiscal plans will not prevent Labour spending for the future."

Sky's Sophy Ridge said: "What he's going to do today is set out a timetable for when Labour want to try and eliminate the deficit by.

"He will say he will bring Britain back into the black by 2020 if there's a Labour government after the next election. That's a year later than George Osborne has currently committed to.

"It's all about Labour trying to regain voters trust on the economy."

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New Ultrasound Could Mean End Of Stethoscope

By David Crabtree, Midlands correspondent

The days of the doctor's stethoscope could be coming to an end thanks to modern unltrasound devices.

The latest point-of-care devices are becoming increasingly more accurate and portable.

They scan for trauma, can reduce complications, assist in emergency procedures and improve diagnostic accuracy.

It is all a far cry from the limitations of the trusty old stethoscope, which has been hanging around the necks of doctors since 1816.

An editorial in Global Heart, the journal of the World Heart Federation, said: "Several manufacturers offer hand-held ultrasound machines slightly larger than a deck of cards, with technology and screens modelled after modern smartphones. 

Thames Valley & Chiltern air ambulance trust carry portable ultrasound kits

"Many experts have argued that ultrasound has become the stethoscope of the 21st century."

The journal asks why we do not see ultrasound machines in the pockets of every clinician. Several factors are said to play a play a role, including cost.

Ultrasound can diagnose heart, lung and other problems with much more accuracy than the 200-year-old stethoscope, therefore potentially saving time and money.

A number of air ambulance services in the UK use ultrasound, including the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance Trust.

Dr Syed Masud, a consultant in pre-hospital care, said: "We have to kind of bring the hospital to the patient at the roadside or at their home and the ultrasound has fitted in there, because it is a diagnostic window.

Modern ultrasound devices are becoming increasingly more accurate

"In the past we used to use the stethoscope. Well, actually, if you think about it, a stethoscope on the roadside with the noise level and everything else it is probably not that useful.

"In cardiac arrest, putting the finger on someone's neck and trying to feel for a pulse is less useful than actually using an ultrasound.

"The ultrasound can tell us whether the lungs are up; it can tell us what the heart is doing; whether it is beating; whether there are any particular injuries.

"We can look inside the abdomen rather than just feeling the abdomen to see whether there is fluid inside which could be potential bleeding."

The demise of the stethoscope is likely to be a very gradual process, especially among older GPs who are being appraised and reassured about ultrasound technology and its versatility.

They will also be weighing up the potential of increased power and speed of diagnosis against increased cost.

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Older Cancer Patients Are Being 'Written Off'

Some patients with cancer are being denied treatment because they are too old, according to charity Macmillan Cancer Support.

Elderly patients are being "written off" for treatment after being assessed on age rather than fitness, claimed the charity.

The claim comes despite research showing tens of thousands of pensioners have survived the disease for 10 years or more.

"It's wrong to write off older people as too old for treatment," said Macmillan chief executive Ciaran Devane.

Some 130,000 patients over 65 survived at least 10 years with the disease

"With a proper assessment and appropriate treatment, our research shows that many older cancer patients can live for a long time and can even be cured.

"While it's good news that so many older people are benefiting from treatment, many thousands more could live longer if our survival rates for over-65s matched those in comparable countries.

"The barriers to getting treatment - which include age discrimination and inadequate assessment methods - must be tackled now so older people can survive cancer and live for many years."

For cancers such as prostate, breast, lung, stomach, ovary and kidney, the UK and Ireland have a lower five-year survival rate than the rest of Europe, a spokesman said.

At least 130,000 patients in the UK have survived for at least 10 years after being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 65 or above, including more than 8,000 patients diagnosed at age 80 or over.

Dr Mark Porter, chairman of council at the British Medical Association, said: "It is important that all healthcare professionals ensure that patients are treated on the basis of their clinical need.

"With an increasingly ageing population, it should be a key part of medical professionalism to guarantee that older patients are treated with the care and respect they deserve."

Sean Duffy, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said: "We need to deliver better services for people over 65 and 75 because we know there's an issue and interventions need to be designed to that end."

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UK's 20 Worst Burglary Hotspots Revealed

Full List Of The UK's Burglary Hotspots

Updated: 1:04am UK, Friday 24 January 2014

Here are the top 20 burglary hotspots by postcode in the UK, according to the number of previous claims made per thousand people:

1. M21 - Chorlton-cum-Hardy; Barlow Moor, Manchester, 45.2

2. SE24 - Herne Hill; Tulse Hill (part), London, 41.8

3. N10 - Muswell Hill, London, 40.9

4. RM8 - Dagenham; Becontree; Becontree Heath, London, 35.9

5. N2 - East Finchley; Fortis Green; Hampstead Garden Suburb (part), London, 34.5

6. L18 - Allerton; Mossley Hill, Liverpool, 33.3

7. L22 - Waterloo, Liverpool, 32.6

8. N18 - Upper Edmonton; Edmonton (part), London, 32.3

9. UB6 - Greenford; Perivale, London, 30.9

10. SE27 - West Norwood; Gipsy Hill (part), London, 30.5

11. B73 - Boldmere; New Oscott; Wylde Green, Birmingham, 29.5

12. E8 - Hackney Central; Dalston; London Fields, London, 29.4

13. DN2 - Intake; Wheatley; Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, 28.7

14. N20 - Whetstone; Totteridge; Oakleigh Park, London, 28.0

15. E9 - Homerton; Hackney Wick; South Hackney; Hackney Marshes; Victoria Park, London, 27.8

16. N11 - New Southgate; Friern Barnet; Bounds Green; Arnos Grove (part), London, 27.7

17. N16 - Stoke Newington; Stamford Hill (part); Shacklewell; Dalston (part); Newington Green (part), London, 27.7

18. LS16 - Adel, Bramhope; Cookridge; Eccup; Far Headingley; Holt Park; Ireland Wood; Lawnswood; Moor Grange; Tinshill; Weetwood; West Park, Leeds, 27.6

19. B24 - Erdington; Tyburn, Birmingham, 27.6

20. HP10 - High Wycombe; Flackwell Heath; Handy Cross; Hedsor; Loudwater; Penn; Tylers Green; Wooburn; Wooburn Green; Wooburn Moor, Buckinghamshire, 27.3

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Syria Terror Offences: Two UK Women Charged

Two women have been charged in relation to funding terrorist activities in Syria, Scotland Yard has said.

Amal Elwahabi, 27, and Nawal Msaad, 26, both from northwest London, were arrested on January 16.

Msaad was detained at Heathrow Airport while Elwahabi was held later that day in northeast London.

Scotland Yard said the pair is accused of "becoming concerned in an arrangement as a result of which money was made available or was to be made available to another, and they knew or had reasonable cause to suspect that it would or may be used for the purposes of terrorism".

The alleged offences are said to have taken place between January 13 and 16 and relate to terrorist activity in Syria, a spokesman said.

He added: "SO15, the Metropolitan Police Counter Terrorism Command, will continue to pursue individuals and networks in the UK seeking to support terrorists engaged in the Syrian conflict."

The women will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later.

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Army Chief Looks To Future After Final Job Cuts

By Alistair Bunkall, Defence Correspondent

A line has been drawn "under the forced exodus of people from the Army", the Head of the British Army has declared.

Later today the Defence Secretary will announce details of the fourth round of military redundancies. It is also expected to be the final tranche.

Philip Hammond is expected to reveal that roughly 350 redundancies will come from the Ghurkha regiment, 70 or so medical and staff from the RAF and Navy.

The majority though will be chosen from the wider Army, although it is hoped a significant proportion will be voluntary.

As has previously been the case, anyone currently serving on operations will be exempt, as will those serving on the date the exact redundancies are announced - expected to be mid-June.

There will be the option for people to transfer to areas of the military that need bolstering, although those opportunities will be limited.

And financial incentives will be offered to anyone leaving the regular force but willing to join the Reserves.

Chief of General Staff Sir Peter Wall

Speaking ahead of today's announcement, the Chief of the General Staff General Sir Peter Wall said this demonstrated the military has done what was asked of it: "This redundancy tranche marks the final leg in our reduction of the Army from its former strength towards 82,500.

"It's the end of a period of significant uncertainty, albeit the relatively small number affected in this final tranche who will get our particular attention in making sure that they are fairly treated and support their transition to civilian life.

"This actually draws a line and we are now concentrating on drawing in the right talent to populate the future Army structure which is all about our operational readiness for future challenges."

It is hoped by senior officials within the Ministry of Defence that this is the last tranche of redundancies and will therefore remove the uncertainty that has been hanging over the military for some years - known anecdotally by troops as "life in the tranches".

It was originally thought as many as 5,000 could be made redundant in this round.

Soldier currently deployed on operations will be exempt from the cuts

That number is significantly smaller, in part due to problems with recruitment meaning that not so many jobs need to go.

"The defence review of 2010 set very clearly the requirements of defence going into the future," explained Major General David Cullen, Assistant Chief of the General Staff.

"We certainly don't need any further redundancies to achieve that target and to deliver the policy outputs that are required of us."

Earlier this month the military launched another recruitment campaign - the third in the space of just a year.

It is a response to inadequate recruiting figures, and a flawed recruitment process, described by one senior military source as being "clunky".

In the case of the Army Reserve, there are now fewer soldiers than six months ago.

However, the MoD is confident that many of the problems have been ironed out.

The number of staff in the national recruiting centre has been almost doubled and there is a simplified online application process.

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Lib Dems Dismissed Hancock Sex Claims In 2012

The Liberal Democrats dismissed sex claims against the Portsmouth MP Mike Hancock in 2012, a letter obtained by Sky News reveals.

The letter, dated February 2012, said that the allegations against Mr Hancock had been considered but that they did not merit an investigation by the party.

In response to a letter written by the lawyer of the woman at the centre of allegations, the Liberal Democrats' official response said: "Taking into account the contents of that correspondence, and applying the Party Constitution and membership rules, the committee decided that it would not commence any investigation or take any other action in respect of the matter that you have raised.

"In reaching this decision, the committee also took into account the nature of the police investigation and the stance of the Office of the Parliamentary Comission for Standards (OPCS).

"As a result, that has to be an end to the matter."

Mr Hancock, 67, was suspended by the Liberal Democrat party yesterday over claims of sexual impropriety towards a woman constituent after a report by a barrister into his behaviour was leaked on the internet.

The development intensified the sex claims scandal which has engulfed the party, and led to significant criticism of Nick Clegg's leadership, following the fall out from the case of the former party chief executive Lord Rennard, who was accused of sexually harassing women party activists.

The report, by Nigel Pascoe QC, which was carried out for Portsmouth City Council, concluded that the barrister had no doubt that the complainant had provided "compelling prima facie evidence of serious and unwelcome sexual behaviour" carried out towards her by Mr Hancock.

He described the woman as "a straightforward and vulnerable person, angry and hurt by what she said had happened to her".

He also acknowledged that Mr Hancock, who was exposed in 2011 for having an affair with a Russian aide 40 years his junior, was not motivated "solely by sexual desire" and that he had sought to help her "wholly properly" as a local councillor.

But, crucially, the Liberal Democrats said it was the first time the party had seen the report, which was released last year, and that given its conclusions they had decided to suspend the veteran MP.

However, it is clear from the February 2012 letter obtained by Sky News that the party was made aware of the severity of the allegations against Mr Hancock.

In fact in a letter to Liberal Democrat Central Office in October 2011 from the woman's lawyer, Harriet Wistrich, she points out that her client had written to Mr Clegg to raise her concerns but that she had not received a response.

But a Lib Dem spokesman yesterday said: "The Liberal Democrats have this afternoon, for the first time, had sight of a Portsmouth City Council report by Nigel Pascoe QC into allegations of sexual impropriety by Mike Hancock.

"Given Nigel Pascoe QC's conclusions in his report, we have immediately suspended Mike Hancock's membership of the party."

Mr Hancock, who is also a Portsmouth councillor, has been accused of sexually assaulting the woman after she contacted him in 2009 for help dealing with a difficult neighbour.

Police ruled that no action should be taken against Mr Hancock but the woman is taking her case to the High Court in a civil claim.

Mr Hancock has always denied the claims and resigned the Liberal Democrat whip last year to fight the case, however, he remained a Liberal Democrat councillor in Portsmouth.

The council opposed calls from Conservative and Lib Dem councillors to publish the report at a council meeting this week, claiming it would be inappropriate ahead of a civil court case brought by Mr Hancock's accuser being heard this Friday.

It has postponed taking any disciplinary action against Mr Hancock until the civil case has been heard.

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Migraines: Magnetic Device Offers Pain Relief

By Rhiannon Mills, Sky News Reporter

A magnetic handheld device that sends pulses into the head could transform the lives of thousands of migraine sufferers.

The treatment, called transcranial magnetic stimulation, is held behind a patient's head and with the click of a button sends brief magnetic pulses into the brain, helping to disrupt the painful headaches.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which looks at the safety and suitability of new treatments, has now issued guidance saying the device can be recommended to certain patients through the NHS.

They also add that extra care should be taken to explain the risks and steps which need to be put in place to record and review what happens.

Wendy Thomas, from The Migraine Trust, said: "This is a new bit of weaponry against migraines.

"The reason it makes a big difference is because there's not a drug involved, so there are no side effects and if it doesn't work you just hand the device back.

"It won't work for everyone, but it will work for a lot of people."

Eight million people in the UK suffer from migraines, and it's estimated that 25 million days at work or school are missed every year because of it.

Attacks can last from four to 72 hours, and include throbbing pain in the head, sensitivity to light and vomiting.

Some 164 patients tried out the transcranial magnetic stimulation as part of a trial, and many have noticed a reduction in their migraines.

Miriam Heyburn has suffered from the debilitating headaches since she was eight years old.

The TMS device she uses has enabled her to go up to 10 days without headaches.

She told Sky News: "The migraines feel like you've been hit by a juggernaut, everything that's pleasurable becomes awful, unbearable.

"Light, food, everything. TMS has made a tremendous difference, to know that there is something out there that isn't a tablet, and that it really works.

"I've tried everything - acupuncture, hypnotherapy - and this is the only thing that has actually worked for me."

The device is seen as a breakthrough for those who find alternative treatments ineffective, or unsuitable, such as during pregnancy.

But at the moment patients in England will only be able to get the treatment if they are referred to a specialist headache clinic, and NICE insists more research needs to be done into magnetic therapy and how it works.

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Flood Victims Demanding More Protection

By Frazer Maude, Sky News Reporter

Flood victims across the country are hoping for reassurances that more will be done to prevent a repeat of their recent problems, as those responsible for defences are quizzed in Parliament today.

None more so than the people of Muchelney, the village on the Somerset Levels that has now been cut off for three weeks.

The only way in and out of the picturesque and historic hamlet is by boat, and for the residents here the novelty, and their patience, is wearing thin.

Most of the villagers think the severe flooding here in recent weeks, and in November 2012, has been due to the rivers around the Somerset Levels not being dredged, a practice that was stopped because of the expense involved.

"It's not rocket science," says resident Paul Belding.

"If you let the rivers silt up to half their size, it'll have a massive impact, and dredging is the only way ahead.

"Eighteen years ago the dredgers were out in force in this area. I haven't seen them since."

The village of Muchelney has been cut off to road traffic

Defra Minister Dan Rogerson and Environment Agency chief executive Paul Leinster will today face questions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee.

The thousands of people affected by the floods will be hoping the meeting will prompt some positive action.

Retired doctors Peter and Elizabeth Nightingale now own a smallholding in the village of Muchelney Ham.

They were flooded for the first time in almost 90 years in 2012, and there is still a foot or more of water still in their home after it flooded again this year.

The couple have around 60 sheep that should have been sold at market in the past couple of weeks, but they simply can't get them there.

"The place is a disaster zone. It's ridiculous in a first world country that the Government doesn't do more to help us and protect us from this sort of thing. It's laughable really," says Mr Nightingale.

"This needs a major effort by the government, not just bits of spending here and there."

Many of the local pumping stations on the Levels are not in use at the moment, because with the rivers still full, there is nowhere for the water to go.

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Stan Collymore Accuses Twitter Over Abuse

Former England striker Stan Collymore has accused Twitter of "not doing enough" to combat abusive posts after he was targeted by internet trolls.

The former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest star said he had been threatened with murder and racially abused on the site.

Police are investigating a series of offensive messages that were posted after Collymore suggested Liverpool striker Luis Suarez cheated by diving during last Saturday's match against Aston Villa.

Collymore retweeted some of the abuse he has received since the match to his 503,000 followers and called on Twitter to take action.

He wrote: "In the last 24 hours I've been threatened with murder several times, demeaned on my race, and many of these accounts are still active. Why?

"I accuse Twitter directly of not doing enough to combat racist/homophobic /sexist hate messages, all of which are illegal in the UK."

He added later: "Several Police forces have been fantastic. Twitter haven't. Dismayed."

Later the 42-year-old said he was in contact with Staffordshire Police about the abuse.

He tweeted: "Staffordshire Police coming, again. Just the 5th time. Pity twitter aren't interested.

"Police take all complaints seriously,whoever it is. I've waited 6 weeks for twitter to provide information to Police. Yet to respond."

West Midlands Police confirmed on its Twitter page that Staffordshire Police was investigating "alleged abusive tweets to Stan Collymore" and urged people to block and report abuse at www.report-it.org.uk.

A Twitter spokeswoman said the company was unable to comment on individual users.

However, she pointed out that targeted abuse was against its rules and the site had recently made it easier for users to report abusive messages to them.

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£6,000 Of Viagra Stolen From Military Stocks

Nearly £6,000 of Viagra has been stolen from military reserves since 2007, according to Government figures.

The anti-impotence pills are among £7m of stolen stock, which also includes 100 bayonets, thousands of rounds of ammunition, televisions, a karaoke rig and an industrial washing machine.

The MoD was quick to point out that Viagra was also used for conditions such as low blood pressure and altitude sickness.

Also among the thefts is equipment from nuclear submarines, £7,000 of silver cutlery from Redford Cavalry and Infantry Barracks near Edinburgh and a £25,000 silver statue from the Household Cavalry barracks in Knightsbridge.

The figures were disclosed by the Ministry of Defence in response to a written parliamentary question from the Conservative MP Nick de Bois.

A silver statue was stolen from the home of The Household Cavalry

Defence minister Dr Andrew Murrison told The Times newspaper: "The Ministry of Defence takes detecting and deterring fraud and theft seriously and set up a new counter fraud and loss department last year to improve the way fraud and theft is managed across defence...

"The focus of this new department's work is to secure reduced losses caused by fraud, theft and loss, increased recovery through civil and internal procedures and the improved protection of assets through increased target hardening."

The thefts were significantly greater between 2009 and 2010 with £2.5m of equipment going missing, while just £816,906 worth of kit vanished between 2012 and 2013. 

Since April 2013, £572,549 of military stock has been misappropriated.

The figures were released following the case of Sergeant Major Steven Barratt, who was last week jailed  for 20 months for trying to sell £115,000 of Army night vision kit on eBay.

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Power Bosses Face MPs Over Storm Response

By Ashish Joshi, Sky News Correspondent

The bosses of some of the country's leading power distribution companies will face tough questions about their response to the Christmas storms from a panel of MPs later.

An Energy and Climate Change Committee is holding a one-off evidence session on the companies' response to the severe weather.

Hurricane-force winds and torrential rain led to hundreds of thousands of power cuts during the Christmas period.

Retired insurance executive Neil Bailey was one of those left without electricity for five days.

His home in Horsham ,Surrey, was without power from December 23 until December 28.

A large ash tree in an adjoining field was toppled by the gale force winds that tore through southern England bringing down an electricity pole.

The supply to the severed cable was cut off by engineers sent to inspect the damage due to safety fears.

Heavy flooding struck many parts of Britain over the Christmas period

Friends helped the Baileys cook a Christmas turkey, but the family were forced to take a room in a local hotel for warm showers.

"Fortunately we've got some very good friends who helped us through from the time when the power was taken out on Christmas Eve through to Christmas Day," Mr Bailey said.

"I had my turkey cooked in a local village and another friend lent me their house to cook the vegetables and the potatoes.

"We were driving up down the dual carriage way to make Christmas dinner.

"The house was very cold and dark. There was no light from 4pm to 8am. It's not very pleasant."

The extreme weather stretched resources and resolve to the limit.

The response to the emergency by the power companies has been criticised heavily.

Mr Bailey has already been asking questions.

Power companies faced strong criticism over their response to outages

A letter from Basil Scarsella, CEO at UK Power Networks, one of the executives called to appear today, apologised for the outages and explained why power had not been restored to his home earlier.

"The recent storms have been the worst weather we have experienced for several years," the letter read.

"The high wind speeds and torrential rain caused widespread damage to our network and caused a large number of power cuts through the South East of England.

"Due to the unprecedented amount of damage caused, all of our engineers were working throughout the Christmas period to try to restore the supplies as quickly as possible with a priority given to dangerous situations."

Mr Bailey wants to see the panel of MPs demand greater accountability from the power supply companies.

"When you have a company in a virtual monopoly position there has to be some regulation to ensure that the service they are providing is being delivered," he said.

"Some kind of audit needs to take place to check that the plans they have for an emergency or contingency times are checked."

MPs will quiz representatives of the power companies on their response to the storms, their contingency planning, customer communications, and compensation.

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Motorway Pub Opens Despite Opposition

A new £1m pub has opened at a motorway service station, in the face of fierce criticism from road safety and alcohol campaigners.

Pub chain JD Wetherspoon says The Hope & Champion will be open from 4am to 1am, seven days a week.

The venue is located in the Extra Motorway Service Area at junction 2 of the M40 in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.

It is the first pub ever to be opened at a motorway service area, and will sell real ale from local and regional brewers.

But critics say the location of the pub is "at odds" with public opinion.

The RAC said a survey of 2,000 people showed only 12% of respondents supported putting pubs into motorway service stations.

Around two-thirds said they did not agree with the move, with older drivers more likely to oppose the sale of alcohol at motorway service areas.

Only 8% of over-55s were in favour, with 71% against, while almost one in five of those aged between 18 and 34 were in support.

The RAC's head of external affairs Pete Williams said: "The public appear to be very much against the introduction of motorway pubs.

"In our view this is a risky and frankly unnecessary move. The question we are struggling to answer is - of all the places to open a pub, why choose a motorway service station?

"The temptation to drink and drive can only be increased by easier access to alcohol."

But Steve Baldwin, manager of the new pub, said the venue would serve the local community.

"The Extra Motorway Service Area, now including The Hope & Champion, primarily serves the motorway users, but its facilities are also available to the surrounding community from the local road network," he said.

Sir Ian Gilmore, Royal College of Physicians special adviser on alcohol and chair of the Alcohol Health Alliance, said: "I am disappointed by the decision to open a JD Wetherspoon on the M40.

"We are trying to prevent harm from alcohol-related traffic accidents and this sends out completely the wrong message."

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St Lucia Victim's Family 'Shattered' By Death

The family of a British man who was murdered defending his wife from attackers who boarded their boat in St Lucia have said it was a "tragic, shattering end" to their dream holiday.

Roger Pratt, 62, and his wife Margaret, 60, were sailing around the world and had docked in a harbour at the Caribbean island when they were attacked.

Mr Pratt died during the attack while trying to protect his wife.

The couple had been due to begin the next stage of their journey on the day before the attack occurred, but were delayed by a bureaucratic hold-up.

Mrs Pratt's sister, Jenny Riley, a teacher from Beccles, Suffolk, told the Daily Mail the family had been left "totally shocked and shattered" by the death.

She said Mr Pratt had been preparing for the voyage for many years, and as an engineer had carefully planned the trip.

"They had gained deep sea sailing experience by cruising extensively on the south coast and around Europe," Mrs Riley told the newspaper.

"To sail across the Atlantic and explore the Caribbean was Roger's dream.

"They were both experienced sailors and had sailed dinghies and keel boats since they were children. It is a tragic, shattering end to their dream."

The couple plotted their route from the UK to St Lucia on their blog

Mrs Riley said her sister was discharged from hospital last night and had returned to the couple's yacht.

Mrs Pratt had retired from her job as a management consultant to go on the around-the-world holiday.

She had also celebrated her 60th birthday just days before the incident.

A St Lucian police spokesman confirmed Mr Pratt died trying to defend his wife from attackers, but said there was no evidence the man was shot.

He said: "Nobody has been arrested yet, but there are some guys in custody. The investigators are very busy looking at what happened."

Police are understood to be questioning three people over Mr Pratt's death.

The couple lived in the village of Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire before embarking on their adventure.

Neighbours told Sky News the pair had lived there for about 25 years and were "thoroughly decent".

"They appeared to be very content, a normal couple," one said.

Writing on her blog in the hours before the attack, Mrs Pratt told how bureaucracy thwarted their attempts to leave that part of the Caribbean.

She said: "On Thursday morning the plan was to clear out from Soufriere, then to travel south and use up the 72 hours before we had to be away.

"But bureaucracy intervened. HM Customs and Excise in Soufriere told us that exit had to happen within 24 hours of clearing out; and that anyway, we couldn't clear out of Soufriere that day because the Immigration Officer hadn't come to work(!!)

"So here we are in Vieux Fort, the most southerly port of clearance in St Lucia. It's very different. There's a port; an airport and no tourists - and so it's a regular town."

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Mikaeel Kular's Mother Due In Edinburgh Court

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular will appear in an Edinburgh court this morning to face charges in connection with his death.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, reported that her son was missing from their home last Thursday morning.

Police found Mikaeel's body in an area of woodland in Kirkcaldy in neighbouring Fife late on Friday.

The discovery followed a major investigation after Mikaeel was reported missing from the home in Ferry Gait Crescent in the Scottish capital.

Police and local volunteers carried out an extensive search for the boy in north Edinburgh, often in bad weather and cold temperatures.

Candle and floral tributes seen on Ferry Gait Crescent in Edinburgh

Members of the public also made more than 500 calls to a dedicated phone line set up in the wake of Mikaeel's disappearance.

Police Scotland said on Saturday night that a 33-year-old woman had been arrested and charged in connection with the boy's death.

Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death.

"The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday."

Mikaeel's body was found around 30 miles from the family home in Edinburgh

A memorial service took place on Saturday night at Edinburgh's St Andrew's Muirhouse Parish Church.

Candles were given out at the door before the service, which was open only to the local community.

Meanwhile, there have been several arrests over suspected offensive tweets in relation to Mikaeel's disappearance.

Derbyshire Police arrested a 26-year-old man, while Hampshire Police said a 19-year-old man had been bailed on suspicion of posting a racially offensive comment.

"We are investigating the message to assess whether any criminal offences have been committed," said a spokesman for Hampshire Police.

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Stress: Children Growing Up 'In Toxic Climate'

Britain's youngsters are growing up in an "unprecedented toxic climate" of stress and pressure in a "24/7 online culture where they can never switch off", according to a survey by charity YoungMinds.

In the poll of 2,000 youngsters aged 11 to 25, over half believed they would be a failure if they did not get good grades, half said they had been bullied, while a third said they did not know where to turn to get help when they feel depressed or anxious.

Of the 11 to 14-year-olds questioned, four in 10 said they skipped meals to try to stay thin and over half said they had viewed online pornography, with four out of 10 of these saying it had affected their relationships with others of their age.

Lucie Russell, director of campaigns at YoungMinds, said: "We are sitting on a mental health timebomb."

Frankie Sandford, of The Saturdays, and Labour leader Ed Miliband are among those backing the charity's new campaign YoungMinds Vs, which is calling for improvements across a range of issues that young people say are the biggest they face.

Frankie Sandford is backing new campaign

Ms Sandford said: "I get to talk to a lot of young people and I know there are so many who are really suffering and struggling with life.

"That's why I really support the YoungMinds Vs campaign because it's raising awareness of the importance of young people having good mental health and everything that can be done to make that happen, including young people getting access to help when they need it."

Mr Miliband added: "Mental health is the biggest unaddressed health challenge of our age, and young people's mental health must be a top priority for Britain."

Nick Clegg will launch the Mental Health Action Plan

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is pledging to improve the standards of mental health treatment for people of all ages and to end the stigma and discrimination faced by those with mental health issues.

He will give a speech later today launching the Government's new Mental Health Action Plan, which sets out 25 areas where immediate action is called for to improve care, support and treatment.

He will say: "All too often, attitudes to mental health are outdated; stuck in the dark ages; full of stigma and stereotypes.

"It's time for us to bring mental health out of the shadows and to give people with mental health conditions the support they need and deserve."

Mr Clegg will note that mental illness costs the economy £105bn every year and that life expectancy for a man with severe mental illness is reduced by 20 years compared with the rest of the population, and 15 years for a woman.

He will say people with mental health issues will have the same legal right as those with physical conditions to choose where they go for care, including being able to choose the person and provider from April.

The choice will not be limited to an NHS organisation, and that patients will also be able to choose from a voluntary or independent provider offering services on the NHS when they go to see their GP to seek help, he will add.

New standards on access and waiting times for mental health services are also to be introduced next year, so that patients will know what kind of treatment to expect and when.

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Utah Murder-Suicide Includes Two Britons

A police officer in Utah shot dead four members of his family, including his wife and mother-in-law who came from the UK, before turning the gun on himself, authorities say.

The bodies were discovered by police when they went to check on 34-year-old Joshua Boren after he failed to show up for work as a patrol officer.

Through a door and window of the property in Spanish Fork, about 50 miles south of Salt Lake City, officers noticed blood and bullet casings.

In an upstairs bedroom, they found Boren's 55-year-old mother-in-law Marie King.

Police found the bodies of the Boren family in an upstairs bedroom

In another room they found Boren, his wife Kelly, and their two young children, seven-year-old Jaden and five-year-old Haley.

All the victims had been shot.

Mrs Boren, 32, and her mother were originally from Northampton.

It is understood that the couple had been having marital problems, but colleagues said Boren had appeared upbeat and not distressed prior to the killings.

Officials said no suicide note was found at the home.

Ms King's sister Jeannette Malpas, who lives in Northampton, wrote on Facebook: "Cannot get my head around this and will never understand why someone has to take away lives like this.

"My beautiful sister Marie, her daughter Kelly and Kelly's children ... may you all rest in peace."

Police said Boren had been a deputy sheriff in Utah County for seven years before being hired by the Lindon Police Department last October.

In a Facebook posting, Lindon City said it was "saddened to learn of the tragic events" at the Boden home.

It said: "Lindon City will be working closely with the Spanish Fork Police Department to investigate and hopefully come to an understanding of this tragic occurrence."

The post added: "Officer Boren was selected for hire in October from a field of over 70 highly qualified applicants and had performed admirably as a patrol officer.

"His conduct, behaviour and professionalism were exemplary."

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Briton Killed In St Lucia Was Defending Wife

A British man has been murdered while trying to protect his wife from attackers on the island of St Lucia.

Two people are in custody and a murder inquiry launched after the death of Roger Pratt, 62.

The couple were attacked while their boat was moored off the Vieux Fort coast where they had been staying as part of a round-the-world voyage, celebrating Margaret's 60th birthday.

They left Lowestoft in June, navigating the English coastline before heading to the Algarve and on to the Caribbean.

A St Lucian police spokesman confirmed Mr Pratt died trying to defend his wife from attackers, but said there was no evidence the man was shot.

The attack happened at Vieux Fort

He said: "Nobody has been arrested yet but there are some guys in custody. The investigators are very busy looking at what happened."

St Lucian tourism minister Lorne Theophilus said: "It is with much regret that I and other industry partners have learnt of the unfortunate incident which has resulted in the loss of life of a visitor to our shores.

"At this time we extend our sincerest condolences to the family of British national Roger Pratt. To his wife, who also sustained injuries as a result of the attack off the Vieux Fort coast, we extend our deepest sympathies. Our prayers are with her for a speedy recovery.

"This is an active investigation and law enforcement is leading the charge in an attempt to bring the perpetrator or perpetrators to justice speedily.

"Law enforcement officials have briefed myself and other senior tourism officials on aspects of the case although I am not at liberty to share some of those details with you at this time."

St Lucia is very popular with tourists (File pic)

The couple lived in the village of Moreton Morrell in Warwickshire before embarking on their adventure.

Writing on her blog in the hours before the attack, Mrs Pratt told how bureaucracy thwarted their attempts to leave that part of the Caribbean.

She said: "On Thursday morning the plan was to clear out from Soufriere, then to travel south and use up the 72 hours before we had to be away.

"But bureaucracy intervened. HM Customs and Excise in Soufriere told us that exit had to happen within 24 hours of clearing out; and that anyway, we couldn't clear out of Soufriere that day because the Immigration Officer hadn't come to work(!!)

"So here we are in Vieux Fort, the most southerly port of clearance in St Lucia. It's very different. There's a port; an airport and no tourists - and so it's a regular town."

Writing on her LinkedIn profile before she left, Mrs Pratt said: "Off travelling! The plan is to be in the Caribbean for my 60th birthday in January 2014... all a bit of a leap into the unknown. Please stay in touch - I plan to be an assiduous correspondent!"

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Mikaeel Kular's Mother Charged Over His Death

The mother of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular has been arrested and charged in connection with his death.

Rosdeep Kular, 33, is due to appear in court on Monday.

She had been questioned by officers on Saturday after her son's body was discovered in woodland near a house in Kirkcaldy, Fife, following a major search.

The body was removed from the scene at around 3pm on Saturday.

The body was found around 30 miles from Mikaeel's family home in Edinburgh

Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: "During the course of today, the investigation into the disappearance of Mikaeel Kular has continued at pace.

"Following formal identification, I can now confirm that a 33-year-old woman has been arrested and charged in connection with Mikaeel's death.

"The woman is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday."

A memorial service took place on Saturday night at Edinburgh's St Andrew's Muirhouse Parish Church.

Candles were given out at the door before the service, which was open only to the local community.

Dozens of teddy bears were left near Mikaeel's Edinburgh home

Mikaeel was reported missing from his home in the Scottish capital on Thursday morning.

Hundreds of police officers from across the UK joined the search and lines of volunteers swept the local area, searching for clues about his disappearance.

More than 500 calls were made by the public to a dedicated phone line.

Police Scotland are investigating an offensive Twitter comment relating to the case, which originated in the Greater Manchester area and was reported by an Edinburgh resident.

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