Thursday 15 April 2004

By Amy Taylor, Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson

Convicted paedophiles return to sex websites using same credit
cards

Paedophiles convicted of downloading images of child sex abuse from
the internet under Operation Ore are continuing to pay for more
images with the same credit cards, it emerged yesterday.

Officers involved in the operation, which involved an international
swoop on paedophiles who view images online, announced yesterday
that it had rescued 102 children from child abusers in
Britain.

Source:- The Daily Telegraph Thursday 15 April page
6

1.5m council workers may walk out in battle over pay

Up to 1.5 million council workers are threatening a national strike
over pay after negotiations with employers broke down.

Services such as rubbish collections and schools could be thrown
into chaos by the walk out.

The disgruntled workers include social workers, cleaners and
teaching assistants.

Source:- The Daily Mail Thursday 15 April page 31

Doctors warn media campaign puts children at risk

A group of leading doctors working in child protection
have accused the media of biased reporting that threatens
vulnerable children.

The group, consisting of 37 consultant paediatricians and one
paediatric radiologist, argue that the reporting has demonised
paediatricians.

Dr Chris Hobbs, consultant paediatrician and designated child
protection doctor at St James University hospital in Leeds, said
that the current system was failing children and that one reason
was the enormous pressure on paediatricians.

“Nobody wants to do the work. It’s a serious crisis in the system,”
he said.

Source:- The Guardian Thursday 15 April page 1

Scottish newspapers

Executive fails to enforce security guard vetting process

Scotland is falling behind the rest of the UK in licensing private
security guards, it has emerged.

In England and Wales, guards who escort prisoners face tough
licensing and vetting procedures following legislation passed in
2001.

However, the Scottish executive has confirmed that it had failed to
secure a legislative slot at Westminster to amend the private
Security Industry Act 2001 to include Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon, the SNP justice spokesperson, denounced the
failure to provide a vetting framework before allowing Reliance
Custodial Services to begin its £11 million contract.

Source:- The Scotsman  Thursday 15 April

Work-related stress claim raises concern

A former council worker is trying to become the first
person in Scotland to win damages for work related stress.

Stuart McKay claims he returned to duties as a housing officer
after being off sick and continued to be exposed to an excessive
workload.

Renfrewshire Council deny liability and insist that after his
return, McKay never complained of work-related stress.

McKay, who is seeking £150,000 damages, claims his case
resembles a landmark action in England in which a former social
worker from Tyne and Wear was awarded £175,000.

Source:- The Scotsman  Thursday 15 April

Ministers are urged to create community
prisons

Community prisons should be created in Scotland to allow offenders
to remain close to home, according to a report by the Scottish
Consortium on Crime and Criminal Justice.

The umbrella organisation for organisations including the Howard
League for Penal Reform and Sacro, has called for a radical rethink
on sentencing in its official response to the Scottish
executive’s consultation on how to reduce re-offending.

The consultation, launched by justice minister Cathy Jamieson last
month, asks for ways to tackle the high rate of imprisonment and
re-offending in Scotland.

Source:- The Herald  Thursday  15 April

15-year-old boy charged with Jodi Jones murder

A teenage boy has been arrested and charged in connection with the
murder of school girl Jodi Jones.

A prolonged police investigation over 12 months failed to discover
any leads until this arrest despite the involvement of 40 police
officers.

The 15-year-old boy is expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff
Court tomorrow charged with murdering Jodi, whose body was found
near her home in Dalkeith in June.

Source:- The Scotsman  Wednesday 14 April

Better sex education for disabled

People with learning difficulties are to be offered better sex
education under a new initiative in the Lothians.

Health bosses at NHS Lothian hope the move will give people with
disabilities clear guidance on their rights and reduce cases of
abuse.

Source:- Evening News  Wednesday 14 April

Welsh newspapers

Teacher call for right to sue over pupil allegations

Pupils will be deterred from complaining about abuse if teachers
win the right to sue families who make false allegations against
them, children’s groups in Wales have warned.

Both the NSPCC and Children in Wales criticised a controversial
move at the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women
Teachers conference in Llandudno to punish children who
`peddle’ false, malicious allegations against staff.

Delegates at the conference said they were concerned about the rise
in the numbers of allegations being made. Union figures show that
69 out of 1,782 claims against members in the past 10 years have
led to convictions. 

Source:- Western Mail Thursday April 15 page 1

Outrage over sick refugee warning letter

An anonymous campaign claiming that people will be forced to sell
their homes to make way for immigrants has been referred to
police.

Leaflets claiming that Caerphilly Council has secret plans for
immigrant settlements have been condemned by the council as
distorted, inaccurate and unfounded.

Source:- South Wales Echo Wednesday April 14 page 11

Ward patrols to continue

Police patrols at Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital are to
continue following a successful operation to clamp down on attacks
on staff. 
Operation Alice was launched following allegations that staff had
been threatened by patients carrying axes and machetes.

Source:- South Wales Argus Wednesday April 14 page 6