By Clare Jerrom and Reg McKay.
Judges told to jail fewer women
Judges were urged to think long and hard before jailing women by the head of the prison service yesterday.
As the third prison for men was converted to hold women, Martin Narey said there was no waiting list: the prisons simply had to accept everyone the courts sent to them.
"I hope sentencers look very carefully before using custodial sentences for women," he said.
Narey also called for shorter sentences for women who are jailed.
Officials admitted yesterday that converting Buckley Hall prison near Rochdale, may not be enough and other jails may need to follow suit.
Source:- The Times Tuesday 27 November page 2
Baby boy ‘shaken to death by carer’
An eight-month-old baby died from brain injuries after a childminder shook him in a fit of temper, the Old Bailey was told yesterday.
Registered childminder Linda Bayfield cared for Joshua Osborne for five weeks alongside other young children including his elder sister Katrina.
The court was told that Joshua’s parents Libby and Ken Osborne had noticed Bayfield complain about health problems and snap at other children. But their children seemed happy in her care.
Bayfield suffered arthritis, asthma, chronic back pain and a skin allergy.
It is alleged she lost her temper with the baby and shook him violently resulting in his eyes and brain haemorrhaging.
Bayfield denies manslaughter and murder.
The trial continues.
Source:- The Times Tuesday 27 November page 11
Sarah Payne accused ‘kept refusing to comment’
The man accused of abducting Sarah Payne replied: "No comment" when asked if he had kidnapped, indecently assaulted and murdered the eight-year-old schoolgirl.
In 12 different police interviews, Roy Whiting repeated the phrase to almost every question put to him.
The reply was the same when he was asked if he knew where Sarah was buried, if he had used a shovel found in his van to bury her and if there was an "innocent explanation" for the blow lamp police retrieved from his van. "Yes," he replied. "No comment."
Lewes crown court how Whiting repeated the phrase after his solicitor advised him to.
His reply was the same even when he was issued with a warning that a court "might draw an inference" if he failed to explain how he received three scratches to his arms and chest, or what a roll of masking tape, rope and baby oil was doing in his van.
The details emerged on the seventh day of the trial for the kidnapping and murder of Sarah.
Whiting denies kidnapping and murder.
The case continues.
Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 27 November
Man dies in immigration raid
A man has died after falling from the third floor of a building as immigration officials and police arrived to detain him in Streatham Hill, south London.
Police were talking to other members of the house when he fell from a ledge.
A police complaints authority inquiry will follow.
Source:- The Guardian Tuesday 27 November page 9
Mercy for couple who spent £40,000 on heroin for son
A couple will not be prosecuted for raising £40,000 to buy heroin for their son to help cure his addiction, the police said yesterday.
Ian and Julie Gell said they weaned their son off the drug after 18 months of buying it for him and reducing it slowly. The said the money was raised by selling possessions including their car and caravan.
Because they admitted buying the drug from street dealers, they faced being charged.
But a Derbyshire police spokesperson said: "Parents are often less concerned with breaking the law than they are with trying to help their children."
Source:- Daily Telegraph Tuesday 27 November page 15
Worker saw Victoria four times
The social worker responsible for Victoria Climbie saw her for just 30 minutes during the seven months leading up to her death, an inquiry has heard.
During four meetings with Victoria, Lisa Arthurworrey said she did not have sufficient evidence to suspect the child was at serious risk.
Source:- The Independent Tuesday 27 November page 9
One year on, Damilola’s legacy is still one of fear
For the people who live on the North Peckham estate in south London, where Damilola Taylor was stabbed to death a year ago, the fear of mugging, burglary and vandalism remain a feature of daily life.
Source:- The Independent Tuesday 27 November page 11
Scottish newspapers
Poverty tackled through breakfast
Two initiatives were started on the same day, tackling lack of nourishment and opportunity in the most disadvantaged areas by providing breakfasts to children.
The Scottish executive launched a £250,000 drive targeting poverty stricken areas across Scotland.
Glasgow council announced a £965,000 scheme to provide a cooked breakfast to every primary school pupil in the city.
Source:- The Herald Tuesday 27 November page 5
