Other News In Brief

Man Guilty Of Oxford Street Stabbing

A 19-year-old man has been found guilty of manslaughter, following the death of a man who was stabbed to death outside a fast-food restaurant in Oxford Street. Anthony Costa, from Walthamstow, east London, was cleared of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. A 22-year-old - who cannot be named for legal reasons - died of stab wounds to the heart in the daylight incident. Costa will be sentenced on 22 December.

Teen Injured In 'Targeted' Attack

A teenage boy has been shot in the leg in Merseyside, in what has been described as a "targeted attack". The 15-year-old victim was outside Bargain Booze on Oakfield Roadm Anfield, on Monday night when a car pulled up and shots were fired. The teen was hit in the knee and one of the bullets penetrated a shop window, injuring a 19-year-old female shop worker. She was treated at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for an injury to her arm, and the 15-year-old – who had left the scene – turned up at the hospital a short time later, and received treatment for a knee injury. The teen is not co-operating with the police investigation. Police are trying to establish a motive for the attack.

Search Underway For First 21st Century Poet Laureate

The time has come to begin the search to find a new poet Laureate, the first for the 21st century. Culture Secretary Andy Burnham today announced that preparations for the appointment are underway, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport consulting widely in the poetry sector. The present Laureate, Professor Andrew Motion, was appointed by HM The Queen in May 1999. He became the first in history to be appointed for a fixed 10-year term. His tenure comes to an end next year and DCMS is seeking advice from academics, key poetry organisations and others in the poetry sector from the UK and Commonwealth.

Police, Clubs And Fans Praised For Tackling Violence

Police officers, clubs and fans were praised by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker yesterday for tackling football-related violence last season. The 'Statistics on Football-Related Arrests and Banning Orders' Season 2007-08', published today, reveal there were 3,842 arrests last season at all international and domestic games, with no arrests at 67% of matches. The new figures mean just 0.01% of 37 million supporters attending matches in England and Wales in the last year were arrested for football-related violence. As Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City fans head to the continent this week for the next round of matches in Europe, the report also showed that only 25 arrests were made last year of the 120,000 fans travelling away to see their teams in the Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions.

Rowen Jade Named Chair of 2025

Jonathan Shaw, the Minister for Disabled People, has announced the appointment of Rowen Jade as the Chair of Equality 2025, the UK Advisory Network for Disability Equality. Ms Jade, who has been acting Chair since 4 December 2007, will assume her duties on 1 December 2008 for a three-year term. Equality 2025 was established in December 2006 following a recommendation by Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People. The network works towards the Government's vision that, by 2025, disabled people will enjoy the same opportunities and choices as non-disabled people, and be respected and included as equal members of society.

(JM)