Other News In Brief

Arrests After Teen Stabbed To Death

Two arrests have been made following the stabbing of a teenager in London, police have revealed. Craig Steven Marshall, 19, of Acton, west London, died from his wounds in hospital after he was attacked near Acton police station. The two men arrested are both in their 20s and are currently being questioned in connection with the attack. A post mortem examination is due to be carried out to establish the cause of Mr Marshall's death.

Pupil, 11, Suspected Of Supplying Drugs

A young teenager has been suspended from a Scottish high school over the suspected supply of Class C drugs in the vicinity of a school. The 11-year-old boy has been reported to the Children's Panel in connection to the allegations. He was suspended, along with another pupil from Portree High Scool in Skye earlier this week. A series of drugs talks are to be carried out in the school next week, by Northern Constabulary.

More Work To Raise Awareness Of 'Special Assistance'

Ofwat today announced that the number of consumers successfully applying for special assistance from their water companies has increased 16% in the last year. Yet Ofwat believes that the industry has a long way to go before the majority of consumers who require special assistance are aware of the support available to them. An update of Services for disabled or elderly customers - Guidance to companies was published by Ofwat this month, detailing the type of special assistance water companies should be offering their vulnerable consumers.

SOCA Cracks Venezuelan Connection

International drug runners who tried to smuggle 337kg of almost pure cocaine into the UK by hiding it inside the hull of a boat were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court today. Paul Clough and Paul Stromberg were given 18 years and 26 years respectively for masterminding a plot which would have seen cocaine from Venezuela worth £40m reach the UK's streets. A 10-year post-release travel restriction was imposed on each of them. Intelligence from the Serious Organised Crime Agency led the Venezuelan authorities to X-ray the boat in a warehouse in Puerto Cabello, from where it was due to be shipped to Europe. Three hundred blocks of cocaine, weighing 337kg, were concealed skillfully within the fibreglass hull of the vessel. The drugs had a purity of 81% - in effect almost pure cocaine.

(JM)