Other News In Brief

Former Teacher Jailed For Sexual Abuse

A former choirmaster has been jailed for indecently assaulting a pupil more than 30 years ago.

Michael Brewer, from Birmingham, was convicted of sexually abusing Frances Andrade from the age of 14.

68-year-old Brewer, who was choirmaster at Chetham's School of Music, was sentenced to six years in jail, at Manchester Crown Court.

His ex-wife Hilary Brewer, also 68, was sentenced to 21 months for indecently assaulting Mrs Andrade.

Mrs Andrade, a 48-year-old mother of four, was found dead at her home in Guildford, Surrey, less than a week after she gave evidence at the trial.

Young Drivers Could Face Curfew

In an effort to reduce accidents and lower insurance premiums, young drivers could face a curfew and be made to spend a year learning before taking their tests.

After they pass, their "probation period" could be extended.

A fifth of road accidents resulting in death or serious injury involve drivers under the age of 24.

The average annual insurance premium for a 17 to 18-year-old road-users is more than £1,800.

Transport ministers and insurance bosses held talks on Monday on how to improve safety, with a full government green paper outlining possible future legislation to be published later in the spring.

500 People ‘Deradicalised’ By Home Office Programme

The Home Office's "Channel" programme has put more than 500 individuals through a counter-terrorism deradicalisation process.

Some 2,500 people were referred to the programme between January 2007 and December 2012, the Home Office revealed.

In the counter-terrorism annual report, the Home Office warned that the overall threat to the UK had diversified beyond al-Qaeda plots developed from within Pakistan.

The 500 individuals who were given support through the Home Office's "Channel" programme included people who held extreme far-right views or were inspired by al-Qaeda. Some of the individuals steered away from violent extremism were of school age.

(H)