£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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Social Smokers 'In Denial' Over Their Habit

Almost a quarter of smokers believe they only have a social habit despite the fact many smoke six to 20 cigarettes a day, new research reveals.

A poll of 2,000 smokers found 24% class themselves as social smokers - but more than one in three of these buy up to a packet a day.

Around 60% of all those questioned said they have tried giving up in the past, with women being slightly more likely than men to have tried quitting.

One in six of those who had attempted to stop smoking succeeded for over a year but then slipped back to their old habits.

Some 13% said part of the reason they took up smoking again was because their friends smoked and they did not like being left alone on nights out.

Of those who did go back to smoking, 47% said they had initially cut down how many cigarettes they smoked.

The poll also found that 54% of smokers admitted to smoking in banned areas, such as indoors in public spaces.

Catherine Cox, primary care manager at The Co-operative Pharmacy, which carried out the poll, said: "The smoking ban in public places has had a major effect on the health of the nation with a significant number of people giving up.

"But many smokers are convincing themselves they are consuming less tobacco than they actually are by classing their habit as a 'social' one.

"People see it as more acceptable to be a social smoker than admitting they regularly light up each day, even though our research shows that this is the case.

"Just smoking a few cigarettes a day has an impact on your health and the wellbeing of those around you."

Public Health England's national director of health and wellbeing, Kevin Fenton, offered this advice: "There are a variety of different ways to help people stop smoking and it is important that everyone finds a way that works for them.

"Pharmacists are easily accessible and well-placed to offer ongoing support, keeping motivation levels high along the way."

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