Other News In Brief

Rape Review Sentences After Criticism

Three men who raped a teenage girl, and threw caustic soda over her, are to have their jail sentences reviewed. The men were sentenced to six years, eight years and nine years for repeatedly raping the girl - who has a mental age of eight - in a disused flat in Seven Sisters, north London last January. The sentences were criticised by disabled charities, who said they were unduly lenient and sent out the "wrong message".

Man Bailed Over Bookies Shooting

A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a teenager in Manchester has been released on bail. Louis Brathwaite, 16, was gunned down in William Hill bookmakers on Mauldeth Road West in Withington on 29 January last year. The teen died 12 days later. An 18-year-old man who was arrested in Longsight on Wednesday night has been released on bail until 24 February. A post mortem examination showed Louis died from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.

Boy Critical After Being Hit By Truck

A five-year-old boy has been taken to hospital after being hit by a truck outside his school in Lancashire. Mohammed Akbar, from Oswaldtwistle, is said to be seriously ill after he was struck by the Ford Transit tipper on Wednesday, as he was crossing Union Road near St Paul’s Primary School. Police and ambulance crews were called and he was taken to hospital with minor injuries - but his condition worsened and he is now in a critical condition. Lancashire Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them. Mohammed was with his brothers and sisters when the crash happened at about 3.40pm. He was treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital but has since been transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury with a broken leg, fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

Carillion Appoints New MD For Consulting

Support services and construction company Carillion has appointed Richard Sykes as Managing Director for the company's consulting business. Richard joins Carillion following an 18-year career with Taylor Woodrow where he was most recently Executive Board Director responsible for Taylor Woodrow Construction operations in the UK and Europe. A well-respected and recognised figure in the outsourcing industry, Richard is currently Chairman of the Facilities Management Association (FMA). He has extensive experience in leading the strategic growth of various businesses in highly competitive environments and a track record of developing double-digit growth. Don Kenny, Executive Director of Carillion Business Services, said: "I am delighted to welcome Richard into Carillion. I am certain he will make a major contribution to the leadership of our business.

Tyneside - New Home Of Marine Management Organisation

Tyneside will be the home of the headquarters of a new body to regulate and manage the sea around England. Marine and Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said Tyneside is ideally placed to host the groundbreaking new Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The MMO, part of the government's pioneering Marine and Coastal Access Bill, will be a centre of expertise that will contribute to sustainable development, streamline regulation and improve enforcement. Tyneside's bid won strong backing across the North East, and Ministers decided the area had the right mix of environmental, business and academic marine interests.

Zoo Creates 150 New Jobs

A Leicestershire zoo has announced plans to recruit more than 150 seasonal staff despite the economic downturn. Twycross Zoo is looking for catering workers, shop assistants, cleaning staff and rangers. A recruitment open day will be held in the zoo's Napier Centre on 28 February for anyone interested. A spokeswoman for the zoo said an expected increase in visitor numbers had prompted the creation of new jobs at the attraction.

Over 60,000 businesses have agreed to pay tax arrangements with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) totalling more than one billion pounds.

(JM/BMcC)