Other News In Brief

Murderer On The Run

A convicted murderer has gone on the run.

Brian Lynch, 44, disappeared while on day release from a Lancashire prison.

He is serving a life sentence for the murder of Chi Keung Yip, 21, in Clayton Vale, Greater Manchester, in March 1988.

He was on a day trip to Preston city centre.

Police have asked people to be vigilant.

Family Doctors To Get Scotland Active

Family doctors are set to help patients get healthier by highlighting the many benefits of physical activity.

New 'brief interventions' will ask patients about their levels of physical activity and offer advice and follow-up support if appropriate, in the same way as already happens across the NHS for smoking and alcohol.

GPs and health professionals in six health board areas will encourage adults to get active in a bid to tackle a range of health problems, as physical inactivity contributes to nearly 2,500 premature deaths every year in Scotland and can cause heart disease, stroke, obesity or depression.

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Sir Harry Burns recommends five periods of 30 minutes of moderate activity a week, 60 minutes for children under 16.

Officer Dismissed Following Racist Incident

An officer was dismissed yesterday for gross misconduct in relation to authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct.

On 19 March 2012 colleagues of PC Kevin Hughes, who was based on a tasking team in Newham, brought his behaviour and that of a second officer to the attention of the senior management.

"The Commissioner has made it quite clear that racism is not acceptable within the Met."

The matter was voluntarily referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) who conducted an independent investigation. Both officers were subsequently summonsed for racially aggravated offences under Section 5 of the Public Order Act and found not guilty on 29 November at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

Following a misconduct hearing that concluded yesterday, PC Hughes has been dismissed and the second officer has received a final written warning.

Commander Allan Gibson, MPS, Directorate of Professional Standards said: "As soon as the actions of these officers were brought to the attention of the Directorate of Professional Standards the matter was voluntarily referred to the IPCC.

"The Commissioner has made it quite clear that racism is not acceptable within the Met, this is a view supported by the majority of officers and staff, which has been demonstrated by those who were prepared to challenge PC Hughes.

"The public have an absolute right to expect that officers serving with the MPS treat them and their colleagues with respect and courtesy and that they do not hold discriminatory opinions.

"PC Hughes has now been dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Service."

(GK)