Wednesday 11 August 2004

By Amy Taylor, Clare Jerrom and Alex Dobson

Chaos as language test for migrants delayed

Chaos over the introduction of a new regulation on
immigrants’ skills in the English language means they are
facing long delays in becoming UK citizens.

The Home Office has failed to state who will verify that applicants
can already speak and write English despite the new rule being
introduced two weeks ago.

In a second setback, colleges will not start offering courses for
those with few skills until at least next month.

The new rules require migrants to have a certificate showing they
have reached level three of the English for Speakers of Other
Languages course.

Source:- The Times  Wednesday 11 August page 2

Howard reverts to hard line on crime

Michael Howard announced that a Conservative government would
introduce more prisons and end the early release of inmates.

The Tory leader committed the party to a huge prison building
programme that could involve the construction of between 10 and 22
jails at a cost of up to £2 billion.

He also pledged more stop and searches in his hard line against
crime announced yesterday.

Source:- The Times  Wednesday 11 August page 4

Internet sex case

An unemployed man, who used the internet to groom a 14-year-old
girl for sex, was jailed for nine months by Newcastle Crown Court
yesterday.

Walter McGuigan, whose crimes were reported to police by an
internet user in Australia, was ordered to register as a sex
offender for 10 years.

Source:- The Times  Wednesday 11 August page 4

Space to have a ball is key to good behaviour

City estates which ban ball games are likely to push young people
towards crime and antisocial behaviour, according to The
Prince’s Trust.

The ban means children have few legitimate outlets for their
energy. The charity claims that children who cannot take part in
activities which help develop their confidence cease to feel part
of society.

A report by the Trust published today urged local authorities,
private enterprise and the government to increase the facilities
available to young people.

Source:- The Times  Wednesday 11 August page 9

Parents in their seventies who hid son’s drugs are
sent to jail

A couple who hid heroin from their drug addict son have been
jailed.

George Elliott and his wife, Gwendoline, were sentenced yesterday
after a court heard how heroin valued at £380 was found at the
couple’s home.

Both admitted keeping the drug for their unemployed son,
Christopher, knowing he intended to supply them.

Source:- Daily Mail  Wednesday 11 August page 33

The story of Adam, 14

What the suicide of a schoolboy reveals about Britain’s
treatment of young offenders

Source:- Independent  Wednesday 11 August page 1

Inquiry demanded into ‘vengeful’ punishment of
vulnerable children

Ministers have been warned that some of the most vulnerable
children are being failed by the criminal justice system.

The extent of the crisis emerged this week as Adam Rickwood became
the youngest child to die while in the care and custody of the
state.

Children as young as 12 are subjected to strip searches and are
physically restrained in a method that resulted in the death of
15-year-old Gareth Myatt earlier this year.

Campaigners have now called on the government to hold a public
inquiry into the youth justice system.

Source:- Independent  Wednesday 11 August pages 4 and
5

Mother of hanged boy, 14, warned jail of suicide risk

The family of the youngest child ever to die while in custody
believed he had been on suicide watch, his grandmother said
yesterday.

Adam Rickwood was found hanged at Hassockfield Secure Training
Centre in County Durham on Monday morning. The 14-year-old had been
on remand for a month and was to apply for bail that day.

His grandmother Margaret Rickwood, said her grandson had taken an
overdose in the past and said his mother, Carol Pounder, had warned
staff that he should be on suicide watch. She also alerted them to
his “distant” mood on a visit five days before his
death.

The Youth Justice Board are to carry out an inquiry into the
boy’s death.

Source:- The Guardian  Wednesday 11 August page 9

Lost souls

Every year tens of thousands of people from all walks of life
disappear, leaving their families confused and traumatised.

Source:- SocietyGuardian  Wednesday 11 August  page 2 and
3

What else can I do?

Chris works in a hostel for homeless people, but although he
intends to continue his career in the housing sector, he would
prefer to specialise.

Source:- SocietyGuardian  Wednesday 11 August page
64

Scottish newspapers

Executive threatens care community with court action

A community of vulnerable adults and children, who are opposing
plans for a bypass, may face court action from the Scottish
executive.

Ministers want the Camphill Community on the outskirts of Aberdeen
to allow access for survey work on the £120 million
road.

The community launched a campaign to have the proposed route
changed so it does not split the two Camphill complexes.

The executive said it hoped to reach an agreement with the
community, but as a last resort, ministers could by law access the
land to do the tests and would go to court to seek an order to do
that.

Source:- The Herald  Wednesday 11 August

Parents targeted in tearaway crackdown

Police and community leaders are to target parents in one of
Scotland’s wealthiest suburbs in an initiative to crackdown
on children’s antisocial behaviour.

While the Aberdeen suburb of Westhill was recently listed as one of
the 10 most affluent areas in the country, the community has been
hit by an alarming rise in under-age drinking and other antisocial
crimes among young people.

Grampian police yesterday announced plans to join forces with local
community leaders to encourage parents to persuade their children
to toe the line and take a more responsible role in the
community.

Source:- The Scotsman  Wednesday 11 August

Council set for audit shake-up

East Lothian Council is set to overhaul its internal audit
procedures after being rapped by watchdogs.

Audit Scotland named the council as one of four authorities that
had deteriorated over the past three years. It recommended building
partnerships with other public service bodies or private firms to
help improve its performance.

A council spokesperson said an action plan was being drafted to
deal with the problems.

Source:- Evening News  Tuesday 10 August

Grant will look after childcare

West Lothian is set to have a boost in the number of childminders
as a result of a new grant made available by the West Lothian Early
Years Childcare Partnership.

The West Lothian Childminders’ Business Start-Up Grant aims
to help people start a childminding business in their own home with
the grants of up to £250.

Source:- Evening News  Tuesday 10 August

Welsh newspapers

Missionary work

A feature looking at the work of a team of Cardiff youth workers
who offer support and advice to young people on the streets of the
Welsh capital.

Employed by Cardiff Council, the team target young people
between the ages of 11 and 25 and offer advice on drug abuse,
family planning and help with problems like low self-esteem.

Source:- South Wales Echo Tuesday 10 August page 18

Matron denies manslaughter

A former nursing home matron accused of the manslaughter of a
resident at a north Wales nursing home, pleaded not guilty
yesterday.

Avola Humphreys also faces charges of assaulting two men and two
women residents at the home in Porthmadog.

The manslaughter charge alleges that William Pettener, 95, was
unlawfully killed at the home on April 12, this year.

Source:- Western Mail Wednesday 11 August page 3