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21/10/2011
Other News In Brief
Hammond 'Supports Nuke Renewal'
The new Defence Secretary has said he supports the controversial plans to renew Britain's Trident programme of nuclear weapons. Trident is currently estimated to cost £25bn, and will involve missile-carrying submarines entering service in 2028. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday, Mr Hammond said: "I am absolutely committed to the Trident programme and always have been. I heard this story earlier in the week and I think the issue was that I was actually out on a visit on the route of the high-speed railway proposal when the vote was taken in Parliament. Had I been there I would have voted in favour." Mr Hammond's predecessor Dr Liam Fox had previously said he would resign from his post if the Trident programme did not go ahead. However, the 'main gate' decision was pushed back to 2016 after a swathe of public concern over the cost of such a huge programme during the worst recession since the 1970s.
16-Years For Cold Case Rapes
A man convicted of two rapes committed in the 1990s has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at the Old Bailey. Frank Joseph Watson, 47, will also be placed on the sexual offenders' register for life. The court had heard how on 20 April this year, Watson - of Gibbon Close, Borehamwood - came to the attention of the police following his arrest by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary, for being in possession of indecent images. A subsequent investigation identified a link to Watson and two cold-case rapes, which were under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service Sapphire Unit Cold Case Investigation Team. Watson was linked via DNA identification to the rapes that happened in 1991 in Potters Bar, and 1997 in Borehamwood. "This decision proves men like Watson will not evade justice, no matter what length of time passes," said Detective Constable Danny Maiden. "I hope this result gives some sense of closure to the victims who have had to live with this horrifying ordeal for many years." Watson had also pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images at an earlier hearing.
Three Arrested Over Arms Find
Three men suspected of being involved in the supply of firearms within south London have been arrested on Thursday. The arrests come after a pro-active investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Central Task Force. The men, two aged 45 and one aged 25, were held after a ten month operation which earlier this year saw four firearms and a significant amount of ammunition recovered at various addresses in Croydon and Lewisham. The investigation, codenamed Operation Dhanni, targeted organised criminal networks and the unlawful supply of firearms and ammunition to gang members, predominantly in the south London area. Officers believe the weapons and ammunition are of the type that would otherwise be used in violent crimes across south London and include a Browning 12 bore over and under sawn-off gun, a Webley .445 revolver handgun, a Star 9 semi-automatic handgun and a converted .22 Brockock revolver handgun. Detective Superintendent Caroline Barker of the Central Task Force said: "This is a significant recovery of both firearms and ammunition for the Met which has reduced the threat of gun crime in this area. For every weapon that that is taken off the streets of London it disrupts the possibility of that weapon being used in violent and criminal activity."
(DW/BMcC)
The new Defence Secretary has said he supports the controversial plans to renew Britain's Trident programme of nuclear weapons. Trident is currently estimated to cost £25bn, and will involve missile-carrying submarines entering service in 2028. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday, Mr Hammond said: "I am absolutely committed to the Trident programme and always have been. I heard this story earlier in the week and I think the issue was that I was actually out on a visit on the route of the high-speed railway proposal when the vote was taken in Parliament. Had I been there I would have voted in favour." Mr Hammond's predecessor Dr Liam Fox had previously said he would resign from his post if the Trident programme did not go ahead. However, the 'main gate' decision was pushed back to 2016 after a swathe of public concern over the cost of such a huge programme during the worst recession since the 1970s.
16-Years For Cold Case Rapes
A man convicted of two rapes committed in the 1990s has been sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at the Old Bailey. Frank Joseph Watson, 47, will also be placed on the sexual offenders' register for life. The court had heard how on 20 April this year, Watson - of Gibbon Close, Borehamwood - came to the attention of the police following his arrest by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary, for being in possession of indecent images. A subsequent investigation identified a link to Watson and two cold-case rapes, which were under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service Sapphire Unit Cold Case Investigation Team. Watson was linked via DNA identification to the rapes that happened in 1991 in Potters Bar, and 1997 in Borehamwood. "This decision proves men like Watson will not evade justice, no matter what length of time passes," said Detective Constable Danny Maiden. "I hope this result gives some sense of closure to the victims who have had to live with this horrifying ordeal for many years." Watson had also pleaded guilty to making and possessing indecent images at an earlier hearing.
Three Arrested Over Arms Find
Three men suspected of being involved in the supply of firearms within south London have been arrested on Thursday. The arrests come after a pro-active investigation by officers from the Metropolitan Police Service’s Central Task Force. The men, two aged 45 and one aged 25, were held after a ten month operation which earlier this year saw four firearms and a significant amount of ammunition recovered at various addresses in Croydon and Lewisham. The investigation, codenamed Operation Dhanni, targeted organised criminal networks and the unlawful supply of firearms and ammunition to gang members, predominantly in the south London area. Officers believe the weapons and ammunition are of the type that would otherwise be used in violent crimes across south London and include a Browning 12 bore over and under sawn-off gun, a Webley .445 revolver handgun, a Star 9 semi-automatic handgun and a converted .22 Brockock revolver handgun. Detective Superintendent Caroline Barker of the Central Task Force said: "This is a significant recovery of both firearms and ammunition for the Met which has reduced the threat of gun crime in this area. For every weapon that that is taken off the streets of London it disrupts the possibility of that weapon being used in violent and criminal activity."
(DW/BMcC)
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19 June 2015
Two More Arrested In Jordan Watson Murder Investigation
Police investigating the murder of 14-year-old Jordan Watson have made two further arrests. A 19-year-old was arrested on Thursday afternoon, followed by the arrest of a 16-year-old on Thursday evening. Both suspects are from Carlisle. They join an 18-year-old arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder. All three remain in custody.
Two More Arrested In Jordan Watson Murder Investigation
Police investigating the murder of 14-year-old Jordan Watson have made two further arrests. A 19-year-old was arrested on Thursday afternoon, followed by the arrest of a 16-year-old on Thursday evening. Both suspects are from Carlisle. They join an 18-year-old arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder. All three remain in custody.
10 January 2011
Man Charged With Toddler's Murder
A Romford man has been charged with the murder of a 14-month-old boy. The alarm was raised after the baby was pronounced dead at an east London hospital on Thursday afternoon. Post-mortem tests revealed he died from a blunt trauma injury to the abdomen. Nathan Allen, 26, from Romford, was due to appear at Havering Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Man Charged With Toddler's Murder
A Romford man has been charged with the murder of a 14-month-old boy. The alarm was raised after the baby was pronounced dead at an east London hospital on Thursday afternoon. Post-mortem tests revealed he died from a blunt trauma injury to the abdomen. Nathan Allen, 26, from Romford, was due to appear at Havering Magistrates' Court on Monday.
18 July 2003
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
Blair and Bush stand behind decision to go to war
Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush have stood firm in their decision to go to war, amid continued questions over the reliability of key intelligence claims about Saddam Hussein's military capabilities.
05 February 2004
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
Libya adopts Chemical Weapons Convention
Weapons inspectors have met with the Libyan government today as the Chemical Weapons Convention, which the country adopted last month, comes into force. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) were in Tripoli today after Libya became the 159th State to join the convention.
06 June 2013
Former Prison Officer Arrested For Suspected Corruption
Offices from Operation Elveden have arrested a former prison guard on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and corruption. The as-yet-unnamed 39-year-old was arrested at his home in Waltham Forest, east London, by officers investigation payment made by journalists to police and public officials.
Former Prison Officer Arrested For Suspected Corruption
Offices from Operation Elveden have arrested a former prison guard on suspicion of misconduct in a public office and corruption. The as-yet-unnamed 39-year-old was arrested at his home in Waltham Forest, east London, by officers investigation payment made by journalists to police and public officials.
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