Gordon Fraser: Suspended Police Officer Dead

A suspended senior police officer has been found dead on a railway track after being hit by a train.

The body of Leicestershire Police Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Fraser was discovered on a train line on Friday in Aston Magna, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

The circumstances of his death are being investigated by British Transport Police but are currently not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Fraser had been suspended by the force since December 2010 over allegations of gross misconduct and fraud, pending an investigation by Merseyside Police.

He also faced a separate allegation of perverting the course of justice, being investigated by Hertfordshire Constabulary, and was due to appear before St Albans magistrates alongside his wife Teresa, a serving officer with West Midlands Police, on Monday.

It is alleged Mrs Fraser, who has been suspended from her force pending the outcome of the probe, accepted responsibility for a speeding offence committed by her husband in Strathclyde last September.

Leicestershire Police Authority and Leicestershire Police said they were "deeply shocked and saddened" by the death of Mr Fraser.

"Our thoughts are with his family and friends," they said in a joint statement.

Mr Fraser had been offered welfare support during his suspension.

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Missing Vet: Man Remanded On Murder Charge

The family of a missing vet vowed to "bring her home" after a man appeared in court charged with her murder.

Clive Sharp, 46, from Bethesda, Gwynedd, was remanded in custody at the hearing at Mold Magistrates' Court.

He is charged with murdering Catherine Gowing, 37, between October 11 and 17.

The vet, who is originally from Clonlee, Co Offaly, in Ireland, failed to arrive at work at the Evans Veterinary Practice in Mold, North Wales, on Monday.

She was captured on CCTV at an Asda store in Queensferry, Flintshire, at 8:06pm on Friday October 12.

Ms Gowing was captured on CCTV at an Asda store

After the court hearing, Detective Inspector Iestyn Davies said on behalf of Ms Gowing's family: "Our primary concern and objective is that we find Catherine.

"The support we have received from the police, the public and all Catherine's friends and family has kept us going and will continue to do so.

"We will bring Catherine home."

On Friday, police confirmed a burnt-out Renault Clio found at a disused quarry in Pinfold Lane, Alltami, near Mold, was Ms Gowing's.

Detectives say they have devoted "extensive" resources to the search, including dog teams and underwater search specialists.

Sharp is due to appear before Caernarfon Crown Court on Tuesday.

:: Anyone with information should call North Wales police on 101.

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Cardiff Hit-And-Runs: Police Hunt Mystery Car

Detectives investigating a hit-and-run rampage in which a mother of a disabled child was killed are appealing for information about a mystery car seen driving on the wrong side of the road shortly before the crashes.

Karina Menzies, 32, was killed yesterday and 13 people were injured when a driver brought terror to roads in Cardiff.

As it emerged today that Ms Menzies' child is on a "dream holiday" in Florida and does not know of the tragedy, police revealed new details of the investigation.

Police are continuing to question a 31-year-old man on suspicion of her murder as well as investigating reports that he deliberately knocked people down in the Welsh capital with a white Iveco van.

Detective Superintendent Paul Hurley confirmed reports that the suspect left his vehicle and physically assaulted people between the crashes and also carried a weapon.

Flowers outside the fire station in Ely where Karina Menzies was killed

The officer said: "We are aware the suspect assaulted people outside his vehicle," and he added police were "looking to identify and recover" the weapon.

He said no firearm was involved and there was no suggestion anyone had been stabbed.

Mr Hurley urged witnesses to get in touch and asked for information about a black Renault Clio seen driving on the wrong side of the road of Western Avenue, not far from Cowbridge Road West, where one crash happened.

The horrific events began when police received calls about an incident in Crossways Road in Ely at 3.30pm.

This was soon followed by other reports of hit-and-run collisions in several locations in the west of the city, including Grand Avenue, Cowbridge Road West and the Leckwith Retail Park.

The white van pictured after being stopped by police

There was no full registration details for the Clio but officers said it carried an 05 plate.

Fourteen people were injured in the crashes, nine remain in hospital. Five are children and two adults remain in a critical condition.

Seventy officers are working on the investigation.

Floral tributes were laid at the scene where Ms Menzies was killed.

Among those paying their respects was local Labour MP Kevin Brennan.

Police were called to five locations in Cardiff

He said: "Karina was a well-liked mother who had three children. One of her children is disabled and is currently on a dream holiday in Florida."

Ely sub-postmaster Shady Taha, 29, had just served two girls aged about 10 and a woman in her mid-20s moments before one of the hit-and-runs in Grand Avenue, immediately outside a row of shops.

He said: "All of a sudden I heard a bang. I looked out and across the road one girl was on the floor and the other girl was screaming. I heard a van speed off but I did not see it."

Lynda Paterson, who lives in Cowbridge Road West, described the scene outside her house as chaotic.

"I was going to pick my children up from school and I could see there were police and someone was lying on the floor, on the pavement."

Police examine the scene of one of the crashes

Other eyewitnesses said pedestrians were deliberately targeted by someone driving a white van.

The crime scenes included Ely fire station, an area near the Merrie Harrier pub in Llandough on the outskirts of Cardiff, where the suspect was arrested, and Leckwith Retail Park - next to the Cardiff City Stadium.

It is believed the suspect used a crook lock to assault witnesses.

There were also unconfirmed reports that officers were investigating whether the attacker was involved in a domestic incident before the rampage.

A key part of the inquiry is focused on establishing who owns the white van.

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Two Held After Children Killed In House Fire

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder by police investigating a house fire in which a woman and two children died.

A 20-year-old woman, a boy aged four and a two-year-old girl were pronounced dead by firefighters after the blaze broke out at a property in Maes Y Groes, Prestatyn, on Friday night, a North Wales Police spokeswoman said.

Her 23-year-old partner and her 15-month-old son were taken to hospital by ambulance, she added.

Police confirmed the two people in custody are a 45-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, who live in a ground floor flat underneath the victims.

Neighbour Adele Gordon described the chaotic moments as the fire took hold: "There were people everywhere. This man came running up the street shouting 'my kids are in there, my kids are in there'.

Fire crews recovered five people from inside the property

"People started smashing the windows but the smoke was mad, I've never seen smoke like it. It was thick black smoke bellowing out of the house."

Another neighbour, Mike Foster said: "I can't believe it. I'm just in shock. I didn't even know them but I'm just so upset."

A joint investigation is being carried out by North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and North Wales Police.

A Welsh Ambulance Services spokeswoman said the man and baby were taken to Glan Clwyd Hospital.

The man was later transferred to Whiston Hospital, Merseyside, while the baby was moved to Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool.

Both were said to be in a serious condition.

Detective Superintendent John Chapman said: "We would appeal for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the Maes y Groes area of Prestatyn yesterday evening to get in contact as soon as possible by calling us on 101.

"We are deploying Family Liaison Officers to work closely with the next of kin at this difficult time.

"There is a team of dedicated officers working on specific lines of enquiry in relation to this incident."

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Goalkeeper Attacked: Suspect Identified

A man believed to have attacked Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland during a match against Leeds has been identified by police.

The suspect, who has not yet been arrested, is thought to have run on to the field from the away end in the 77th minute, seconds after Leeds had equalised in the Yorkshire derby and knocked Kirkland to the ground.

He then returned to the stand while trouble continued around him, with a number of other travelling supporters invading the pitch.

The Football Association is also investigating crowd trouble at the match and is awaiting the referee's report.

Bottles and seats were believed to have been thrown, South Yorkshire Police said.

Chief Superintendent Jason Harwin added: "Such incidents are not acceptable and won't be tolerated. We will be working with both clubs to identify and quickly bring to justice the persons responsible.

"Thankfully, such incidents are a rarity and we see a minority spoil it for the majority of genuine supporters."

Kirkland needed treatment after the assault

Detective Inspector Mark Monteiro, said: "With the public's assistance we have clearly identified the offender who ran on to the pitch during last night's game between Sheffield Wednesday FC and Leeds United FC and who is suspected of assaulting the Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper.

"We are dealing with the complaint made by the player and we are currently taking statements, collating evidence and making inquiries to locate and arrest the offender.

"We are also using CCTV footage from around the ground to identify suspects who may have been responsible for other offences before, during or after the match."

Former England international Kirkland required treatment after the attack, but was able to continue. The game ended 1-1.

In a post-match interview, Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones described Leeds fans as "vile animals", adding: "You talk about racism, the chanting, that's a form of racism.

"Then (for the Leeds players) to go and wave at them ... not in my book. You don't wave at them after that."

Riot police were present at the game and tried to diffuse ugly scenes in the away end.

Describing the scenes as an "absolute disgrace", Leeds manager Neil Warnock called for Kirkland's assailant to be given a jail sentence.

He said: "They should get the guy and prosecute him and put him in prison. He (Kirkland) went down like a ton of bricks but that doesn't make a difference. Nobody should be on the pitch doing that.

"I am not proud of being Leeds manager when I see that. I don't mind the rivalry between us - there was a great atmosphere.

"To see things like that on the field of play there is no place for it - I am absolutely embarrassed."

The visiting club issued a statement after the game, saying: "Leeds United Football Club would like to publicly apologise and condemn the action of the fan who came on the pitch and attacked Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

"The club will fully co-operate with the police and the football authorities in identifying the individual concerned."

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Jimmy Savile Inquiry Now Criminal Investigaton

Judge To Lead BBC's Savile Inquiry

Updated: 6:46am UK, Wednesday 17 October 2012

Former High Court judge Dame Janet Smith will lead the BBC's internal inquiry into sex abuse claims against Jimmy Savile, it has been announced.

The corporation also revealed former head of Sky News Nick Pollard will head a review into Newsnight and its decision to axe an investigative report about the late presenter.

A statement issued by the BBC said the Pollard Review would "seek to establish whether there were any failings in the BBC's management of the Newsnight investigation" into claims against Savile - and in the broadcast of tribute programmes after his death.

Meanwhile, Dame Janet will head up a review into the culture and practices of the BBC during Savile's time there and look into whether the broadcaster's child protection and whistleblowing arrangements are "fit for purpose".

The Smith Review will begin only once police have indicated they are happy for it to proceed. Sky News understands Mr Pollard's investigation could start in the next few days.

Downing Street had previously indicated David Cameron could order a public inquiry into the scandal once the BBC and police investigations are concluded.

Number 10 insisted it was still an option after Labour led calls for the Government to set up an independent inquiry into the sex abuse allegations.

A spokesman said: "Nothing has been ruled out, but our view is it would be premature to prejudge the outcome of the two BBC inquiries and the police investigation."

The comments came after Culture Secretary Maria Miller appeared to rule out an independent inquiry as she expressed confidence that BBC chiefs were taking the claims "very seriously".

Labour leader Ed Miliband is insisting that the BBC's internal investigations are not enough and the victims deserve more.

He told Sky News on Tuesday: "I think we owe it to the victims to say 'look we are not going to have the institutions where the activities took place investigating themselves, we are going to have a separate inquiry across all those institutions'.

"I think they deserve truth and justice - and I think that is the best way of getting to it."

He had earlier told ITV1's The Agenda: "These are horrific allegations. In order to do right by the victims I don't think the BBC can lead their own inquiry.

"We need a broad look at all the public institutions involved - the BBC, parts of the NHS and Broadmoor. This has got to be independent."

Labour wants an independent inquiry that has the power to call for documents and summon witnesses and would look at Savile's activities at the BBC, Stoke Mandeville hospital and Broadmoor.

Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman also told Sky News on Tuesday that Savile's alleged victims would not be satisfied with the BBC investigating itself and insisted wider action was required.

"There was obviously a culture of silence which fermented a situation where more and more victims were able to be abused by Jimmy Savile," she said.

"Instead of just looking at the BBC, we need to look at those other organisations as well. Instead of a number of different inquiries, we need one inquiry to look at all these horrific allegations."

She added: "Until we have really got to the truth, then we can't ever be complacent that these sorts of things won't happen again."

Before Labour's demand, Ms Miller had rejected calls for an outside inquiry to restore the public's faith, warning it could hamper police investigations.

"In terms of a wider inquiry, we have a police investigation on-going at the moment," she said.

"Everybody would agree that it is really important that those individuals who have been victims know that that investigation can go on unfettered and that that should be our priority at this stage."

She cited the three separate internal investigations already launched by the BBC into the affair.

Police believe the DJ and television presenter's alleged catalogue of child sex abuse could have spanned six decades and included around 60 victims and are also investigating.

But former Met Police chief Sir Ian Blair has questioned the validity of a police investigation, given that Savile is no longer alive.

Appearing on Sky News, he said: "I don't quite know what this police inquiry is going to be into. They need to be taken seriously by the responsible authorities and when a man is dead, the police are not that person.

"It just seems to me that the police might be the right clearing house but this really is a matter for other authorities. Jimmy Savile is standing before a different tribunal now."

BBC director-general George Entwistle is due to appear before the Commons culture, media and sport select committee next week where he will face further questions about the affair.

Leeds North East MP Fabian Hamilton said his constituents, who turned out in their thousands to pay tribute to the broadcaster when he died, felt "betrayed and angry".

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Fergie: 'Utd Fully Behind Anti-Racism Campaign'

By Enda Brady, Sky Correspondent

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed all his players will wear anti-racism T-shirts this weekend before their game against Stoke City in the Premier League.

It had been reported United defender Rio Ferdinand and his brother, QPR's Anton Ferdinand, would join Reading striker Jason Roberts in boycotting the campaign by the charity Kick It Out.

The Football Association ruled recently Chelsea captain John Terry had abused Anton Ferdinand during a game between QPR and his side at Loftus Road last October.

Terry will now serve a four-match ban and pay a fine of £220,000. He was cleared of any wrongdoing by Westminster Magistrates Court during the summer.

Roberts said on Thursday he would boycott the week-long campaign in protest at what he perceives as the group's lack of progress on tackling racism in the game.

However, Sir Alex said: "I have to disagree with Jason Roberts. I think he is making the wrong point. Everyone should be united, with all the players in the country wearing the Kick it Out warm-up tops.

"When you do something, and everyone believes in it, you should all do it together. There shouldn't be sheep wandering off.

"I think he (Roberts) is making the wrong message. All the players are wearing it."

Jason Roberts is boycotting the campaign

Professional Footballers' Association chairman Clarke Carlisle has told Sky News Online he believes a boycott is "not the course of action" for black footballers to be taking.

"What Jason has said might lead to a couple of others following him in not wearing the t-shirt, but I hope not," said the York City defender.

"That's not the course of action we want to see, it's not the most progressive course of action. He has issues with how Kick It Out is run. Now, more than ever, we need to support the statements coming out from them. It's about education and awareness."

Lord Ouseley, chairman of the charity, has said he has sympathy for Roberts' stance but described it as "an issue for him and his club".

Meanwhile, a man from Tyne and Wear has been arrested after a racist comment was posted on Facebook about a Premier League footballer.

The 43-year-old, from Washington, was held overnight on suspicion of racial harassment and has been bailed until November 28.

It is believed the remark was made about Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi. Northumbria Police said the post has now been removed.

The incident comes ahead of the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland on Sunday.

It is the second time this year Ameobi has suffered alleged racist abuse on the social networking site after police were contacted in February.

His younger brother, Sammy, was also the victim of racism last year when he was abused on Twitter by two teenagers who eventually received warnings from the police.

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Taxi Driver Pleads Guilty To Clubber Murder

A taxi driver admitted has admitted that he murdered nightclubber Sian O'Callaghan.

Father-of-three Christopher Halliwell, 48, of Ashbury Avenue, Swindon, pleaded guilty to the charge during a hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

Miss O'Callaghan, 22, disappeared after leaving Swindon's Suju nightclub in the early hours of March 19 last year after a night out with friends.

Hundreds of volunteers turned out at Savernake Forest to help in the search for her but police found her body in Uffington, Oxfordshire, on March 24.

Miss O'Callaghan left the nightclub at 2.53am for the short walk to the home she shared with boyfriend Kevin Reape.

Shortly after she walked past the Goddard Arms on the High Street in the Old Town area, she fell into Halliwell's clutches by getting into his taxi.

Halliwell had signed off from work on the night the office worker disappeared but, instead of going home, he cruised the streets of Swindon in his green Toyota Avensis taxi looking for a victim.

The court heard that he took Miss O'Callaghan to Savernake Forest where he murdered her.

Police discovered that, in the 24 hours after Miss O'Callaghan was abducted, Halliwell made four visits to the area where her body had been hidden.

Prosecutor Ian Lawrie QC told the court: "He had carried out a reconnaissance for a possible deposition site for Sian O'Callaghan."

By the early hours of March 21, Halliwell had moved Miss O'Callaghan's body from Savernake Forest to the spot where it was later found.

He then attempted to cover his tracks by cleaning his car and burning his seat covers.

Within three days Halliwell was the prime suspect for Miss O'Callaghan's kidnap.

He was at an Asda Walmart car park in Swindon and experienced detectives carried out an "urgent interview" with Halliwell.

Mr Lawrie told the court: "He said he didn't know the whereabouts of Sian and requested to speak to a solicitor."

Miss O'Callaghan's body was found laying face down and naked from her waist to her ankles.

DNA found on her body was found to have possibly been contributed by Halliwell.

A post-mortem examination found Miss O'Callaghan had died from the combined effects of two stab wounds to the head and neck, as well as compression to the neck.

There was further evidence of blunt trauma to the back of the head and areas of external deep bruising to her face.

Forensic examinations found Miss O'Callaghan's blood in the rear of Halliwell's car and police also used CCTV to put him in the Old Town area when she vanished.

The court heard extracts of statements made by the loves ones of Miss O'Callaghan.

Mr Reape said: "My heart was ripped out, my life has been destroyed. Sian was a beautiful, happy-go-lucky person who could cheer up the most miserable of people."

Her mother, Elaine O'Callaghan, said: "There is never total closure, just accepting my life has changed forever."

Mick O'Callaghan, the victim's father, said: "My eldest daughter was the most lovely and fantastic daughter."

More to follow...

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Former Lib Dem Candidate Guilty Of Fraud

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

A former Liberal Democrat candidate for Parliament has been found guilty of 25 counts of fraud at Coventry Crown Court following a Sky News investigation.

Dr Vincent McKee, 56, used his national tutorial agency, ICUT, to get clients' credit and debit card details, then systematically raided their accounts.

Some of the fraud against students took place when he was running for election to become MP for Coventry North West in 2010, while campaigning against tuition fees.

In 2010, Sky News interviewed numerous defrauded parents and students who claimed McKee overcharged them after they had arranged private lessons through his network of tutors.

In December 2010, a Sky journalist posed as a client and arranged a £60 lesson with one of McKee's tutors in London. Three days later, it emerged McKee had withdrawn £328.50 from Sky's account.

The next day he attempted to take a further £225, but Sky had blocked the card. 

This first investigation, broadcast in January 2011, in which McKee denied the allegations, led to him losing his membership of the Liberal Democrat party.

Shortly afterwards, he began trading under a new company name, University and Academy Tutors (UAT). He also started using a pseudonym, Patrick Murray.

Jonathan Miller claimed almost £2,000 was taken from his account

A second Sky investigation two months later found he was still taking money from students' bank accounts without authorisation.

Sky passed the evidence to Coventry Trading Standards and, in September 2011, McKee was charged with 34 counts of fraud totalling nearly £30,000.

During a six-week trial, witnesses travelled from across the UK to give evidence. The jury heard McKee tried to intimidate customers who asked for their money back.

The Coventry Telegraph reported that Nigerian Student Afolabi Oyedeji recorded a conversation in which McKee told him to: "F*** off back to where you came from," adding: "You may do that in Nigeria, we don't do that in Britain."

Ben Mills, prosecuting, asked Mr Oyedeji in the witness box: "You were asking for a refund. Did you think that was a satisfactory response?"

McKee blamed misunderstandings, bad record-keeping and other staff for taking money by mistake while he was ill. He described the Sky investigation as a "horrible onslaught", according to the paper.

Two Sky journalists also gave evidence in the trial and Sky's recorded calls were played in court. In one call McKee suggested someone must have broken into his office, when explaining how money had been taken from our account and put into his.

Two weeks into the trial, McKee pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of Breach of Professional Diligence.

In the witness box, he admitted responsibility for the "mess" and failures at his company, but he denied dishonesty.

He had also pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice - allegedly providing falsified copies of written agreements with students to investigators at Trading Standards.

McKee insisted he had been entrapped by Sky News. In a statement, he said: "Mr Farrell's actions smacked of an attempt at devious entrapment that never quite came off in the way he intended."

Coventry Trading Standards has revealed they had their first complaints against McKee in May 2008.

But despite repeated warnings, McKee's practice of overcharging continued in 2009 and escalated through 2010, when he unsuccessfully ran for Parliament to become a Liberal Democrat MP.

Two television investigations and subsequent criminal charges in 2011 failed to stop him defrauding students.

In August 2012, just one month before the trial began, Sky was contacted by another customer who claimed he had been overcharged.

Many students have been unable to get their money back.

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University Boat Race Swimmer Sent To Jail

The man who disrupted this year's Boat Race by swimming into the path of crews on the Thames has been jailed for six months.

Trenton Oldfield, of Myrdle Street, east London, was watched by millions of television viewers as he halted the annual race between Oxford and Cambridge universities on April 7.

He was convicted at Isleworth Crown Court last month of causing a public nuisance.

Oldfield, supported in court by a throng of well-wishers, smirked as Judge Anne Molyneux passed sentence.

But he looked surprised as the jail term was handed down.

The judge said Oldfield had acted dangerously and disproportionately and had not shown what he was actually protesting against.

In addition he had displayed prejudice in sabotaging the event, which he regarded as elitist.

Judge Molyneux said Oldfield ruined the race for everyone.

Oldfield acted dangerously and showed prejudice, the judge said

"You caused delay and disruption to it and to the members of the public who had gone to watch it and to enjoy the spectacle of top athletes competing," she said.

"The rowers had trained for many months. You had no regard for the sacrifices they had made or for their rigoroustraining when you swam into their paths."

Adding that Oldfield's actions had endangered his life and those of others, the judge said: "You decided that you had the right to stop members of the public enjoying a sporting competition which they had chosen to go and watch.

"You did not have that right.

"You did nothing to address inequality by giving yourself the right to spoil the enjoyment of others.

"In doing so, you acted without regard for equality and contrary to the meaning of it.

"You made your decision to sabotage the race based on the membership or perceived membership of its participants of a group to which you took exception.

"That is prejudice. Every individual and group of society is entitled to respect."

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