Colchester Killer 'Won't Stop Until Caught'

The brutality of the two murders in Colchester suggests that police are hunting the same killer for both crimes, a leading criminologist has told Sky News.

Professor David Wilson told Sky News that both Nahid Almanea and James Attfield were "overkilled" - meaning they were stabbed many more times than was necessary to take their lives - indicating a link.

And he warned the murderer is unlikely to stop killing until they are caught.

He said: "Luckily murder is a very rare event in Britain and usually we discover that there is some kind of relationship in the past between the perpetrator and the victim.

Prof Wilson said Mr Attfield's murder could hold the key to both killings

"So here we've got something really unusual happening in Colchester - we've got two random attacks in a very concentrated geographic area and both victims have been 'overkilled'.

"They've been stabbed numerous times - more times than would be necessary to actually take their life.

"Clearly there is some link between these two, although the police don't want to make that link because it scares people to think there might be somebody of this background at loose in the community."

CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea

He said the killer is likely to be a local man with mental health problems who may be known to social services in the area - and even getting help from someone in the community.

He told Sky News: "Murder is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon so I would have thought this is a man we're dealing with and a man who's living locally and possibly being given support locally. 

"Usually when you're dealing with someone who stabs in this overkill way, you're dealing with somebody who's got mental health problems and this person is likely to be known to mental health outreach teams in Essex, perhaps also has a criminal record already.

"This type of person I think will be well known in the area and quite odd - the sort of person people would notice. I imagine the police are already aware of who those kinds of people in Colchester might be.

People living in the area should follow advice from the police to avoid walking alone in isolated areas because the killer is likely to strike again, Prof Wilson said.

The killer probably lives in the local area, Prof Wilson said

He said: "One has to balance scaring people - the police have been quite good at telling people not to go into isolated areas by themselves but yes, this kind of person doesn't stop attacking, this kind of person continues to attack until they are caught."

He added that in most multiple murder cases, the first killing is key to tracking down the murderer.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Thousands Mark Summer Solstice At Stonehenge

More than 30,000 people have turned out at Stonehenge overnight to see the sun rise on the longest day in the calendar.

The Summer Solstice has a long tradition of attracting people to the monument, off the A303, where latter-day Druids gather to witness the event.

Stonehenge is one of Britain's most popular tourist attractions.

Crowds began gathering at the monument last night

It was built between 3,000 BC and 1,600 BC, and its original purpose is still debated.

Solstices were an important part of Europe's pre-Christian calendar and many speculate that Stonehenge's orientation offers clues to its creators' pagan traditions.

Wiltshire Police said 25 people were arrested during celebrations, largely for drugs-related offences.

Marking the Summer Solstice at Stonehenge has become a tradition for many

A spokesman said: "We are pleased that the Solstice celebrations at Stonehenge and Avebury have been enjoyable events for the majority of people attending.

"There were 25 arrests at Stonehenge and two at Avebury which were mainly for drug-related offences.

One reveller gets into the spirit of things

"The road system worked well with minimum delays and many people used the public transport as we advised people to do.

"Every year there are new challenges for us at Solstice but it is always a pleasure to see so many people enjoying the event."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colchester Murder: Police Ask 'Can You Help?'

Police investigating the brutal stabbing of a Saudi student have appealed for the public's help after releasing a 19-year-old man they were questioning.

Nahid Almanea was stabbed 16 times while walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning.

The man had been arrested on Friday after a female jogger said someone had approached her and tried to grab her near Peache Road on June 19.

But after several hours of questioning he was released and Essex Police tweeted: "19-year-old man interviewed, eliminated from enquiries and released. Investigation into #Colchester murder continues. Can you help?"

Police at the scene of Nahid Almanea's killing

Ms Almanea had been taking an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

Police released a CCTV picture of the 31-year-old taken moments before her death and a map of her likely route from the home she shared with her brother to the spot on the Salary Brook trail where her body was found.

Officers called for calm, warned local people not to go out alone and to be vigilant, as they confirmed they were investigating threats of revenge attacks on social media.

The location of the attacks on Nahid Almanea and James Attfield

Police numbers were boosted in the town centre on Friday night as police sought to reassure residents and on Saturday morning large numbers of police continued to hunt for clues.

They said the fact that Ms Almanea was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage who was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March.

But police have stressed the cases remain separate investigations.

James Attfield was stabbed more than 100 times in March

Colchester councillor Tim Young told Sky News: "Until they find a motive for this latest attack they can't rule anything in and they can't rule anything out."

Essex University has expressed its condolences to the family and friends of Ms Almanea and opened a blog where people could leave tributes.

Richard Barnard, head of the unversity's International Academy, said: "Nahid was a student on the Essex English Language Programme, which develops students' English language skills.

"Nahid joined this programme and was a very hard-working and conscientious student, who was making excellent progress.

"She was a quiet, considerate and well-respected member of the programme and had ambitions to move on to further academic study. She will be greatly missed by her teachers and her fellow students."

:: Anyone with information is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team on 01245 282103, Essex Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Music Festival Killing: Man Arrested By Police

A 31-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a festival-goer in a row over an inflatable doll.

Robert Hart, 26, was punched to the ground at the Parklife music event in Heaton Park, Manchester, last Saturday.

It followed an altercation triggered by an inflatable doll striking his girlfriend, Gemma.

The pair were at the front of the festival's main stage when the incident took place at about 9.15pm.

Mr Hart, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was knocked unconscious and died later in hospital.

Police said the suspect was arrested in Cheshire and taken into custody where he is being questioned.

Detective Inspector Richard Eales said: "Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount of support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible.

"We now have a man in custody but that doesn't mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and we are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the incident room direct on 0161 85 69283 or email the incident room with any relevant footage. The email address is: mit.syndicate8@gmp.police.uk.

In a tribute to Mr Hart, an avid Manchester City fan, his family said he had "a love of music and a love of life" and was "simply awesome".

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ian Wright Burglars: We'll Cut Off Kids' Fingers

Former England international Ian Wright's MBE was among prized possessions taken from his home by an armed gang.

The ex-Arsenal striker's wife was held at knifepoint during the attack at their home in St John's Wood, northwest London, while he was working as a World Cup pundit for ITV in Brazil.

He is now back at home after arriving at Heathrow Airport on Thursday.

Wright described his family's ordeal, saying it left him "really upset and angry".

He told The Sun: "There was a knock on the door - it was around 9.15pm, not even dark outside, so Nancy felt safe answering.

"As soon as she opened the door, they barged in, four of them wearing masks and holding Stanley knives.

"Next thing they were holding a knife to her throat and yelling at her to show them where our safe is."

The couple's two children were asleep in a separate room while all this was happening, Wright said.

Ian Wright's home in northwest London

He told the newspaper that the men threatened to cut off his wife's fingers and then do the same to his children as the gang became "louder and more desperate".

"She was even physically dragged upstairs as they thought the safe was up there," he said.

"Then they dragged her back down and forced her to hand over the key.

"She was begging them to stop shouting - she was saying 'I'll open the safe so long as you stop pushing me around and yelling'.

"They were out of control and hysterical - Nancy was calm."

Other items taken in the burglary included cash and a number of rare watches owned by Wright.

Police are carrying out house-to-house inquiries and are reviewing CCTV.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Gornall, of the Metropolitan Police, said yesterday: "We are trying to trace these four men, and I'd ask anyone who may know anything to get in touch with my team and help us.

"Fortunately no one was injured during the burglary, but it is still very frightening to have people force their way into your home and threaten you."

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

British Honeymoon Couple Killer On The Run

One of the killers of a British couple murdered on their honeymoon has escaped from prison, police in Antigua have said.

Ben and Catherine Mullany, from Pontardawe, South Wales, were shot dead in their hotel room on the holiday island in 2008.

The couple, both aged 31, had been married for little more than a fortnight.

Five weeks after witnessing the couple's wedding at St John The Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll, their parents were attending their funeral.

Local men Avie Howell and Kaniel Martin were convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Police confirmed that Howell has escaped from Her Majesty's Prison on the island, along with another inmate who had been detained on fraud charges.

Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell after being found guilty in 2011

Counsellor Jamal Wright, who is based at St John's police station, said: "Avie Howell escaped from Her Majesty's Prison at about 6am on Thursday along with Kenroy Laurie Marshall.

"Apparently they used a sharp implement to cut out a portion of mesh and jumped over the northern prison wall, which is about 30ft (9m) high."

The couple's family were said to be "extremely shocked" at the news and concerned Howell might flee the island.

A source said: "You would have thought they would have kept him under lock and key."

Sergeant Raymond Finley said he believed Howell, who is in his early 20s, was still on the island and a search was under way.

"I understand the victims' families will be very concerned," he said.

The couple were buried in the grounds of the church where they were married

Howell and Martin broke into Mr and Mrs Mullany's chalet at the Cocos Hotel in a dawn raid in July 2008.

The pair, who lived in Rhos, near Pontardawe, were both shot in the head before their killers made off with their phones, a digital camera and cash.

Mrs Mullany, a qualified doctor, died instantly. Her husband, a physiotherapy student, was flown home on a life-support machine.

The former South Yorkshire Police officer died a week after the shooting, despite the best efforts of his wife's colleagues at Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Three years to the day after the killings, Howell and Martin were found guilty of the couple's murder and also the shooting of 43-year-old shopkeeper Woneta Anderson.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Colchester Police Hunt 'Brutal' Murderer

Police have promised to "unrelentingly" pursue all lines of inquiry as they continue to investigate the brutal murder of a Saudi Arabian student who was stabbed 16 times.

Nahid Almanea was walking along a path in Colchester, Essex, on Tuesday morning when she was attacked.

Police are investigating whether the 31-year-old's clothing - an abaya robe and hijab headscarf - was a factor in the stabbing, but stressed they do not yet know for sure.

There are other possible motives, officers say, but they are calling for calm, and have confirmed they are investigating threats of revenge attacks made on social media.

The locations of the two murders

Police have warned people not to go out alone and to be vigilant.

The fact that she was stabbed multiple times bore "obvious similarities" to the murder of James Attfield, a vulnerable man with brain damage, the force said.

He was stabbed more than 100 times in a park in Colchester in March, but Essex Police stressed the cases remain separate investigations.

Sky's Emma Birchley, who is at the scene of MIss Almanea's murder, said: "The police presence is enormous, there are police cars patrolling everywhere, not just here close to the scene."

Salary Brook Trail, where Ms Almanea was attacked

Chief Inspector Richard Phillibrown said: "I see this murder as an attack on the entire community of Colchester and I believe we will all pull together to respond to it.

"I am confident that the vast majority of people in this town will pay no attention to those trying to stir up trouble."

He added: "What we would also ask is for people to look out for each other, for neighbours to keep an eye on the vulnerable and for everyone to remain vigilant."

In a joint statement, Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston said: "We would urge everyone to work with Essex Police, who will, supported by local communities, do everything possible to find the person or people responsible for both these awful crimes.

The bag Ms Almanea was carrying when she was murdered

"I know that everyone in Colchester will come together, and remain strong and united in ensuring that the town and the district continues to be safe and welcoming to all."

Ms Almanea, who has been described as a "very intelligent" student, had been studying an English language course at the University of Essex as part of her studies for a life sciences PhD.

A 52-year-old man arrested in connection with the incident has been released after police said he had been positively eliminated from their enquiries.

CCTV footage taken from a newsagent, which shows Ms Almanea's last movements as she headed towards the footpath, has been released.

The killing of James Attfield remains unsolved

Police have also released a map of her likely route from nearby Woodrow Way to the Salary Brook trail where she was stabbed, as well as a photograph of the bag she was carrying.

Officers said Ms Almanea would usually walk to the university with her brother, who she also lived with.

But because he had earlier lectures that day she was walking alone.

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

Garden Murders Pair Guilty Of Killing Parents

By David Crabtree, Midlands Correspondent

Susan and Christopher Edwards have been found guilty of murdering her parents and burying them in their own back garden.

Susan Edwards shot Patricia and William Wycherley twice at close range before she and her husband hid their bodies in the back garden of their home in Blenheim Close, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

The debt-ridden Edwards then carried out a 15-year-long deception, pretending to neighbours and the authorities that they were still alive.

They sent Christmas cards, forged signatures and set up timers in the house where Susan's parents had lived to keep up the pretence for a decade and a half.

The Wycherley's bank accounts were closed and a new one set up which allowed the couple to syphon nearly £250,000 from her parents, from state benefits payments, pensions and the eventual selling of their home.

The couple were only discovered after a group tried to get in touch with Mr Wycherley, at the point he would have turned 100, prompting them to flee to France.

The police dug up the back garden after Christopher Edwards contacted his stepmother to ask for help and she tipped them off.

The two-and-a-half-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court heard that until they were exhumed in 2013, relatives and officials had no idea the Wycherleys had died in 1998.

One letter written by the Edwards in December 2007, nine years after the killings, reads: "Actually, my father is remarkably fit for his age - as well as being more adventurous than in younger years, as his Ireland travels would show!"

The Edwards stole more than £173,000 from the Wycherley's bank accounts benefits and pensions. They made a further £66,000 from selling the couple's home.

Police found the bodies wrapped in bedding in a grave beside a fence near the back door of the property.

Susan Edwards had claimed that she heard a bang whilst staying with her parents and found her father lying on the bedroom floor and her mother with a gun in her hand.

She claimed a row broke out and Mrs Wycherley said she'd had a sexual relationship with Christopher Edwards.

Christine Edwards, 58, claimed she 'flipped' and shot her mother after grabbing the gun, hence her plea of guilty to manslaughter.

The Edwards fled to France after they received a letter from the Centenarian Society asking to speak to Mr Wycherley at the approach of what would have been his 100th birthday.

Christopher Edwards' mother contacted police after he asked her for money and confessed to helping his wife bury her parents 15 years earlier.

The couple were traced to France. Then on October 30 the couple contacted the officer in charge, Detective Chief Inspector Rob Griffin and gave themselves up to UK Border force authorities.

DCI Griffin said: "To think that a couple such as the Edwards can plan to kill their parents, parents in law, bury them in their own garden and then maintain the pretence that they were still alive for 15 years whilst stealing all their money is exceptionally unusual.

"It was straightforwardly about money. There was a history of financial fall out between Susan and her parents where they, in her eyes, took her life inheritance from her step-grandmother spending that money on a house and then going on to sell the house and banking the money for themselves. She was aggrieved."

In another bizarre twist it was revealed that Susan Edwards had an obsession with celebrities. She faked a decade long writing relationship with French film star Gerard Depardieu and spent thousands of pounds buying letters written by the Hollywood star Gary Cooper.

They  were found to be  £160,000 in debt, depsite stealing a total of £245,000 from the Wycherley's. When arrested Police found they held only one euro in cash

More follows...

18.54 | 0 komentar | Read More

One Direction's Louis In Doncaster Takeover

A takeover of Doncaster by One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and former club owner John Ryan has been completed.

A spokesman for Ryan told Press Association Sport that the deal had been completed and would be explained in detail at a press conference in London.

Twenty-two-year-old Tomlinson is a global star as one member of One Direction and is a lifelong fan of his hometown club.

He played for their reserve side against Barnsley earlier this year and had been close to a takeover before, but a move was twice delayed because of negotiations over image rights.

They have now been resolved and Ryan's spokesman said: "It's done, the takeover is complete."

One Direction are one of the world's biggest bands

Businessman Ryan, who ended his 15-year association with Rovers in November, has extensive football experience and oversaw Doncaster's rise from non-league to the Championship as well as their move from Belle Vue to the Keepmoat Stadium before stepping aside in November to allow Terry Bramall and Dick Watson to take over.

The initial delay had related to Tomlinson's image rights, which are owned by his management team and would entitle them to a share of any money generated from the use of his image or name.

They believe that interest in the club will increase as a result of Tomlinson's ownership and it is understood they battled for a share of any extra revenue made through merchandise and extra ticket sales.

Tomlinson signed on as a player at the start of the season in a move to make money for the Bluebell Wood charity and turned out in front of nearly 10,000 fans for the reserve team in February.

One Direction, also made up of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik, are currently on the European leg of their tour.

Their next concert is in France on Friday.

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More

Virgin Trains To Boost West Coast Mainline

Virgin Trains has promised to boost rail service on the West Coast mainline network, after winning an extension to its franchise.

It said "significant improvements" would be brought in as part of the franchise continuation until March 2017.

The increases will include conversion of first class to standard seating, free super-fast Wi-Fi and new services.

Virgin previously lost the franchise to FirstGroup as part of a new 13-year West Coast contract.

However the award process was stopped by the Department for Transport (DfT) over irregularities in the bidding process.

The decision allowed Virgin to run the line on a temporary basis until November.

Virgin is to pay £430m to the Government during the new extended contact, at a rate of £155.3m a year.

That is a 58% increase on the £98.1m a year paid in the temporary contract.

The West Coast service carries more than 30 million passengers a year between London, the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Strathclyde and Lothian.

The operator said 21 trains would have a first class carriage reconfigured to standard class, boosting seating capacity by 2,100 per day.

It also plans to launch a direct services between Shrewsbury, Blackpool and London before Christmas.

The Office of Rail Regulation has previously rejected an application by Virgin to run additional services because of limited capacity.

Virgin will fit 76 of its Pendolino and Super Voyager trains with 4G superfast Wi-Fi.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This deal will provide thousands more seats and better journeys for the tens of thousands of passengers who use these services every day.

"The West Coast provides a vital artery between London and Scotland and it is crucial we do everything we can to improve services on this much-used route."

Virgin Trains executive chairman Patrick McCall added: "We're delighted to have reached a deal after some tough negotiations with the DfT.

"It puts the problems of 2012 firmly behind us, and shows the clear benefits of a well-run franchise system."

18.55 | 0 komentar | Read More