Other News In Brief

Toddler Strangled By Cord

The North West Wales coroner has opened and adjourned an inquest and a post mortem examination is to take place after a toddler aged nearly two died in a tragic accident after becoming entangled in the cord of a window blind. The emergency services were called to a house in Nefyn near Pwllheli, Gwynedd at about 10.30pm on Wednesday. Little Gethin Ifor Jones was taken to Ysbyty Gwynedd where he died. Police said it was a "tragic accident" and they are not treating his death as suspicious.

Ex-Royal Cop Jailed

A six-year jail sentence has been handed down to a former royal protection officer for masterminding a £3m betting and property scam. Paul Page, 38, of Grays, Essex, conned 57 victims - including family and colleagues - over three years to fund a life of luxury and a gambling problem. The father of five was sentenced for fraud at Southwark Crown Court, London.

Scottish Jury Deliberate Over Mum's Killing

A couple accused of murdering the woman's mother and dumping her body in a Scottish stream are today awaiting their fate as the jury has been sent out to consider its verdict. Lisa Brown, 21, and her boyfriend John Wilson, 25, deny murdering Anne Brown at her home in Ayrshire last October. They have both lodged special defences blaming each other. During a lengthy trial at the High Court in Glasgow Mr Wilson admitted helping to wrap Anne Brown's body and dispose of it in a burn. The judge Lord Mathews told the jury that although each of the accused blamed the other, they were under no burden to prove that, the burden was with the Crown.

Pop Star Bailed On Assault Charge

Neil Mitchell, keyboard player for Scottish pop group Wet Wet Wet, was today remanded on bail charged with attacking a woman. The 44-year-old of Cleveden Road, Glasgow, appeared at West London Magistrates' Court accused of assaulting Miss Olivia Warren, thereby occasioning her actual bodily harm. The court heard that he had indicated a plea of not guilty and District Judge Susan Williams remanded him to appear at the same court on September 10.

(BMcC/KMcA)