Other News In Brief

CCTV Image Released Of Man Suspected Of Sexual Assault

Police have released a CCTV image of a man suspected of sexually assaulting a woman at a bus station in West Bromwich.

The 46-year-old was approached by the man, who was wearing a hoodie and a tracksuit, exposed himself and then sexually assaulted her, before walking calmly away.

PC Sian Vanes, from the sexual offences team, said: "We are sure someone will be able to supply us with a name for the person in the image.

"We suspect that he may be local as he simply walked away and didn’t have any intention of catching a bus.

"I would appeal to anyone who knows him to call us with a name, I would also appeal to the man to do the right thing and contact us."

Man Jailed For 20 Years For Sexual Offences Against Children

A 42-year-old man has been jailed for 20 years a series of sexual offences committed against children in Bristol and Gloucester.

Michael Cropton, of Stonehouse, Gloucester, will also serve an extended six year licence following the prison sentence and will be placed on the sex offenders’ register. He also received a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order (SOPO) to run indefinitely.

A 39-year-old woman was also jailed for 32 months in connection with the investigation. She will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register.

Cropton and the woman jointly admitted one count of conspiracy to sexually assault a child under the age of 13 and arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence.

The charges relate to two girls.

Cropton also admitted four counts of rape in relation to a third victim, a boy.

Cropton met the woman through an online dating site in 2013 and over a period of time encouraged the woman to become involved in the sexual abuse of children.

Skanska Wins £750m Redevelopment Contract

Skanska has been chosen as the preferred bidder for Phase 2 of Battersea Power station redevelopment worth £750m.

The Power Station is one of the largest brick buildings in Europe, with six million bricks used to construct it in the 1930s and 1940s. The former powerhouse of London is one of the most significant surviving examples of Art Deco architecture in the UK.

Skanska is expected to commence the enabling packages for the main works in March 2015. Works on the Power Station are scheduled for completion in 2019.

Philip Gullett, Chief Operating Officer at BPSDC, said: "Skanska's appointment to restore and refurbish the Power Station is further demonstration of our shareholders' commitment to the development and a major step towards opening up the Battersea Power Station to the public.

(CD/MH)