In Today's Papers

By Amy Taylor, Shirley Kumar, Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson

‘Bloodthirsty guttersnipes’ jailed after campaign of race violence

Two men, who led a campaign against asylum seekers, were given lengthy jail terms yesterday.

Ben Povey and Christopher Sirrs mowed down an Iraqi asylum seeker in an attack that was one of several that fuelled gang clashes in Hull last July.

A judge called the pair “bloodthirsty guttersnipes” and jailed Povey for 19 years and Sirrs for 14-and-a-half years.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 9 June page 8

First prison built for women boasts trees, TVs and baby unit

Britain’s first purpose-built prison for women is due to start receiving inmates next week.

HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, west London, differs in design to prisons of the past with brightly painted walls and areas with natural light.

It will have a mother and baby unit for 12 women who will be able to keep their children with them until they are 18 months old.

Source:- The Independent Wednesday 9 June page 11

Let poor smoke, says health secretary

Smoking is one of the few pleasures left for the poor on sink estates and in working men’s clubs, health secretary John Reid told delegates at the Labour Big Conservation event in south London yesterday.

He said the middle class were obsessed with giving instructions to people from socio-economic backgrounds and that smoking was not one of the worst problems facing poorer people.

Ministers are currently looking into a nationwide ban on smoking.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 9 June  page 1
 
Failed asylum seekers must work for no pay

Failed asylum seekers, who cannot afford to go home and receive board and lodgings, will be forced to undertake unpaid community work in return for benefits.

Home secretary David Blunkett tabled the measures last night in an amendment to the asylum legislation which is on its final stages through parliament.

The move will affect around 500 people, mainly Iraqis.

Source:- The Guardian Wednesday 9 June page 3
 
Saints and Sinners

In 1985, Brendan McNutt bought Bryn Melyn, a farmhouse in rural Wales, and opened its doors to problem teenagers. His daughter Helen McNutt, looks back on growing up there.

Source:- Society Guardian Wednesday 9 June page 2

Power to the Pupil

A schools-based initiative that is helping to involve children and parents in decision-making and running of their communities.

Source:- Society Guardian Wednesday 9 June page 7

To hell and back

A former resident of Dundee’s groundbreaking project helping antisocial families.

Source:- Society Guardian Wednesday 9 June page 8

Closed Shop

Child trafficking is a growing problem, yet a unique centre providing protection for young girls has shut because no children were referred there.

Source:- Society Guardian Wednesday 9 June page 10

Scottish newspapers

Prostitute murder case is found not proven

A man accused of murdering a prostitute eight years ago was yesterday cleared on a not proven verdict.

Jacqui Gallagher died in a frenzied hammer attack and was strangled by a studded collar. She sustained 118 injuries.

George Johnstone was accused of bludgeoning Gallagher to death and dumping her body.

The jury took four hours to acquit Johnstone on the murder charge and a separate charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice by dumping the body.

Police have not confirmed whether the murder file is now closed.

Source:- The Herald  Wednesday 9 June

Prisoners suing over slopping-out could halt appeal

Ministers will be left “jumping through hoops” to secure an appeal over the slopping-out case as lawyers representing prisoners suing the Scottish executive have obtained a court order.

Government ministers could face further criticism as it emerged that lawyers have been granted an Extract Decree, which will lead to more red tape and court hearings that could drag on for two years.

Yesterday, it emerged that officials had forgotten to lodge a crucial court appeal paving the way for compensation claims worth an estimated £4 million.

Legal sources said last night that the appeal cannot go ahead until the decree is lifted.

Earlier this year, Robert Napier was awarded £2,450 compensation after it was ruled that his human rights were breached when he was forced to slop-out at Barlinnie prison.

Source:- The Scotsman  Wednesday 9 June

Parental classes move to cut crime

Vulnerable parents are to be given parenting classes in a bid to deter their children from turning to crime.

The National Parenting Development Project, being launched by the capital today, will help parents affected by drug misuse, mental health problems or domestic violence to address their children’s behaviour.

The Edinburgh-based initiative will also offer advice and care to children across Scotland who are being raised by parents with serious problems.

Source:- Evening News  Tuesday 8 June

Welsh newspapers

Girl-rape doctor was GP in Gwent

A Welsh police doctor who drugged, sexually abused and raped young girls once worked as a GP in south Wales.

Robert Wells, who worked as a forensic medical examiner in Hampshire, was jailed for 15 years yesterday after being found guilty of nine counts involving three girls: two girls were aged 11 and one aged five years old.

The court was told that he was a serial paedophile and that he had used his position to try to thwart the child protection investigation.

Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 9 June pages 1 and 3

Lawyer joins Tros Gynnal as trustee

The Welsh children’s advocacy service, Tros Gynnal, has appointed one of the UK’s leading childcare lawyers as a trustee.

Mark Powell, a partner with the law firm Hugh James is a former chair of the Association of Lawyers for Children and has been closely associated with the work of the advocacy service since it was set up in 2002.

Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 9 June page 7