Missing Atiya: Mother's Plea for Information

The mother of a missing girl abducted by her father says she prays her "little bundle of joy" is safe and well, after being taken to Pakistan without her knowledge.

Gemma Wilkinson, 32, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, said not knowing whether five-year-old Atiya is even alive is an "absolute nightmare".

Atiya vanished in November 2009 after going to stay with her father, Razwan Ali Anjum.

The former insurance salesman said he was taking the girl to Southport. Instead he took her to Lahore, Pakistan, and told Ms Wilkinson she was "never going to see Atiya again", courts have heard.

Anjum, who is in his late 20s, returned to the UK shortly after and was jailed by a High Court judge for refusing to reveal where his daughter was.

Judges have imposed jail terms of two years, 12 months and another 12 months in the hope that he would provide information. They have re-jailed him as each sentence neared its end.

Speaking ahead of Atiya's sixth birthday on Wednesday, Ms Wilkinson said: "It's been an absolute nightmare. As to her whereabouts we know nothing. We've had no contact.

"I'm worrying every day, every single day. Everything is affected by it. When I close my eyes I see her.

"I say goodnight to her every night before bed. I pray she's okay. We don't have any proof that she's okay, there is no proof she is still alive.

How missing girl Atiya Anjum-Wilkinson might look at 4-5 years of age.

"It's been discussed that she could have been sold, but I don't want to believe it.

"She was so funny. She was a little bundle of joy. She loved her lip gloss and handbags - as soon as she got hold of my makeup bag, everything in it was hers. We just want her home."

Ms Wilkinson's "on-off" relationship with Anjum ended in 2008.

"He's enjoying playing his controlling mind games. It's just sick. Razwan is refusing to say where she is, who she's with and he won't say anything other than 'she's in Iran'," he said.

Detective Constable Emma Constantine, of Greater Manchester Police's Child Protection Unit, said: "As far as we know, Razwan has had no contact with Atiya himself.

"He's never received any letters or photographs of Atiya, so there's no way that he knows how she is."

Detective Superintendent Phil Owen added: "We're working with a range of international agencies in order to find out who may be harbouring her, but it presents its challenges and problems and hopefully this is now the time to tug at heart-strings and generate information from the public."

He argued Anjum "will convince himself that she's looked after" but that he couldn't know that.

:: Anyone with information should phone police on 101, the Foreign Commonwealth Office on 020 7008 0878 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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Derby Fire: Third Person Appears In Court

By Lisa Dowd, Midlands Correspondent

A third person charged with the murders of six children who died in a house fire in Derby has appeared in court.

Paul Mosley, 45, from the city, was arrested on Monday.

He appeared at Derby Magistrates Court at a short hearing on Tuesday morning, wearing dark trousers and a black waterproof jacket.

He spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Mosley was sent for trial at Nottingham Crown Court and will appear on November 8 for a plea and case management hearing.

He is due to appear alongside the children's parents Mick Philpott, 55, and Mairead, 31, who have previously been charged with murder.

As Mosley was remanded in custody a number of members of the public were in tears.

Jade, 10, and brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jessie, six and Jayden, five, all died in the blaze on Victory Road, Allenton.

Their brother Duwayne, 13, died  three days later in hospital.

The children's parents Mick Philpott, 55, and Mairead, 31, have previously been charged with murder and are due to appear at a plea and case management hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

A 49-year-old man, who was also arrested on Monday, has been released without charge.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "Three people have now been charged with the murder of these children.

"This man stands accused alongside Michael and Mairead Philpott.

"Our investigation will continue in an effort to gain justice for the children."

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Brent Cross Jewellery Shop Targeted In Raid

Four people on three motorbikes - armed with axes and bats - have raided a jewellers at a popular London shopping centre.

The suspects entered Brent Cross Shopping Centre in London shortly after 10.15am on Tuesday, fleeing with "a quantity of watches and jewellery", according to police.

They drove away in the direction of Hendon Central. The motorbikes were later found abandoned at a nearby golf course.

No injuries were reported but an elderly man at the scene was treated for shock.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "No firearms were seen. The suspects fled the scene on the motorbikes in the direction of Hendon Central.

"The motorbikes were subsequently found abandoned a short time later at a nearby golf course."

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Home Sec: New Wales Child Abuse Inquiry

The director general of the National Crime Agency will investigate historic allegations of child abuse at North Wales care homes, Home Secretary Theresa May has told the Commons.

Keith Bristow will lead investigations into new claims of sex offences carried out in the 1970s and 1980s, and review how previous inquiries were carried out.

The Home Secretary said North Wales Police chief constable Mark Polin asked Mr Bristow to "assess the allegations recently received, to review the historic police investigations and investigate any fresh allegations reported to police into the alleged historic abuse in North Wales care homes".

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Met Detective Dies After Chasing Suspects

A 30-year-old female police officer has collapsed and died while chasing two suspected mobile phone thieves, Scotland Yard has confirmed.

Detective Constable Adele Cashman, collapsed during the pursuit in Belsize Park Gardens, Camden, at 9.45pm on Monday night.

Police said a smartphone had been snatched out of the hand of a 59-year-old woman in Haverstock Hill and the "much-loved and wholly dedicated" officer chased after the two suspects.

Uniformed officers on duty in the area saw the chase and joined Det Con Cashman and requested more help.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested at the junction of Belsize Grove and a second boy, also 17, was arrested and the phone recovered, Scotland Yard said.

The suspects remain in custody at police stations in north and central London.

A response team officer based at Kentish Town police station, Det Con Cashman was taken to the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead but died at 11.10pm.

Her family has been informed and inquiries into the circumstances surrounding her death are under way, the Metropolitan Police added.

Commander Tony Eastaugh said: "The thoughts of everyone in the Metropolitan Police Service are very much with Adele's family, friends and colleagues at this extremely difficult time.

"Adele worked on both Camden and Wandsworth boroughs and was held in high regard by all who met her."

"She will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of working alongside her."

Acting Borough Commander Richard Tucker, from Camden Police, said: "Adele was a much-loved and wholly dedicated officer.

"We at Camden are completely devastated at her sudden passing and our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends at this tragically sad time."

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Savile's Freeman Honour Set To Be Revoked

Jimmy Savile's name is set to be wiped from Scarborough's list of Freemen of the Borough.

Councillors will debate a motion to take his name from the roll of honour as a gesture of support to the 300 people he allegedly abused over six decades.

The disgraced BBC star was awarded the accolade in 2005 to celebrate his links with the North Yorkshire resort, where he owned a second home and was buried overlooking the sea a year ago.

Councillor Tom Fox, who proposed the motion, said: "This council wishes to send its heartfelt support to, and acknowledge the courage of, those who have come forward having suffered horrendous abuse at the hands of the alleged serial predatory sexual offender Sir Jimmy Savile.

"In addition, this council, in further acknowledgment of the serious predatory sexual allegations spanning over six decades, agrees that if the council had been aware of such revelations at the time of Sir Jimmy Savile's nomination for honorary freeman of the borough of Scarborough, the council would have refused it.

Savile's family have removed his headstone from a Scarborough cemetery

"It is therefore proposed that his name be removed forthwith from the honour board for freemen of the borough pending the final report from the Metropolitan Police, when this council will make a permanent decision in relation to the matters referred to in this motion."

Historically, anyone made a freeman was exempt from tolls and given special privileges.

It is still awarded to "persons of distinction and any persons who have rendered eminent services to the borough".

Scarborough has granted freeman status to 20 individuals and groups since the local government reshuffle of 1974, including playwright Sir Alan Ayckbourn, retired boxer Paul Ingle and the Yorkshire Regiment.

The motion to remove Savile's name from the honour board will be considered at a full council meeting later.

Savile's ornate triple headstone in Scarborough's Woodlands Cemetery was knocked down and sent to landfill last month at the request of his family.

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Derby: Two Men Held Over Fatal House Fire

Police investigating the deaths of six children in a house fire in Derby have arrested two men.

The men, aged 45 and 49, were held on Monday morning in connection with the investigation into the blaze in the city's Victory Road.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cotterill said: "These arrests are part of the continuing investigation to seek justice for the children who died as a result of the fire in May."

The two men are in police custody and will be questioned later.

Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died in the fire on May 11. Duwayne, 13, died in Birmingham Children's Hospital two days later.

A plea and case management hearing for their parents, Michael and Mairead, who have been charged with the children's murders, will be held at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.

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Cyprus: Three In Court Over UK Soldier Stabbing

Three British tourists have appeared in court in Cyprus on suspicion of killing a 19-year-old soldier during a nightclub brawl.

The soldier, named as David Lee Collins, from Manchester, was stabbed to death in the popular resort of Ayia Napa in the early hours of Sunday.

Two of the suspects are 17, while the third one is 19, a Cypriot police spokesman said. They appeared at the Famagusta District Court and were remanded in custody for eight days.

The three have not been formally charged with the murder and will remain in custody pending an investigation, the spokesman added.

The incident occurred in an area that British troops stationed on the island have been ordered to avoid.

Mr Collins was with three other soldiers when they became involved in the brawl with three British holidaymakers, according to Cypriot investigators.

The stabbing is believed to have happened at the Black & White nightclub

One of them allegedly stabbed Mr Collins with a knife, according to police spokesman Georgios Economou. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.

His family told the Manchester Evening News they were "devastated", while tributes poured in on Twitter and Facebook for Mr Collins, from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

He was reportedly stationed at an Army base in Dhekelia in the east of Cyprus.

Ayia Napa, a clubbing resort that is popular with young tourists, has a reputation for drug use, heavy drinking and occasional violence.

The Foreign Office said it was aware of the arrest of three British nationals in Ayia Napa and was providing consular assistance.

Two of the suspects are reportedly of Pakistani origin and one of Somali origin.

Around 3,000 British military personnel are stationed in Cyprus at bases retained after the former British colony gained independence in 1960.

In 2008 nine British soldiers went on trial on the island accused of trashing a pub and beating up its owner during a mass brawl.

The servicemen, who were celebrating finishing tours of Iraq and Afghanistan and coming home to the UK, were all acquitted.

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Cregan Denies Murdering Two Policewomen

Dale Cregan has denied murdering policewomen Fiona Bone and Nicola Hughes in a gun and grenade attack.

Cregan, 29, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to the murders of the Greater Manchester Police constables.

The officers were killed on the morning of September 18 as they responded to a report of a burglary in Hattersley, Greater Manchester.

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Predatory Paedophile Kidnapper Is Sentenced

A paedophile who kidnapped, tied up, sexually assaulted and threatened to kill a 10-year-old boy has been jailed indefinitely.

Michael Jackson, 50, who changed his name by deed poll to that of the pop singer, also admitted abducting an 11-year-old girl.

The boy had been on his way back from shops in the Oldbury area of the West Midlands in November last year when he disappeared.

The youngster was held captive at Jackson's ground floor flat  for around three hours.

The boy was later spotted at the window of Jackson's flat by a passer-by

In that time the boy was tied up with tape and rope, gagged, thrust into a cupboard with a pillow case over his head and sexually assaulted.

Holding a knife, Jackson told the boy: "It's time to die if you make a noise."

He also told the boy that his father would be murdered and he would never see him mum again.

After bundling the boy into an airing cupboard Jackson went out to play computer games with friends to "build up an alibi".

The boy managed to free himself from some of the bindings and got out of the cupboard.

He later told police that it was "scary, scary scary".

The boy found a Stanley knife, pliers and a hammer in the flat and thought they were the tools he was going to be killed with. He armed himself with the hammer should Jackson come back.

A woman spotted the boy at the window of the flat and raised the alarm. Police were called and the youngster  jumped from the window into the arms of a PC. Jackson was arrested a short time later.

Jackson admitted a total of five charges relating to the boy's abduction and that of an 11 year old girl a few weeks earlier. She was also taped and tied up but was released physically unharmed.

Prosecuting barrister Debi Gould said Jackson is a dangerous and predatory paedophile with an interest in pre-pubescent children of either sex.

She said: "No one in this court can imagine the terror of such an experience on such a little boy."

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