Other UK News In Brief

Mercedes Offices Raided

As part of an investigation into alleged price-fixing by major truck manufacturers, regulators have raided the British offices of vehicle maker Mercedes-Benz. Launching both criminal and civil investigations into alleged price-fixing, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has confirmed it was looking into suspected cartel activity involving UK commercial vehicle manufacturers. One individual was arrested and released on bail in relation to the case. Investigations are continuing. It is not yet decided whether the law has been broken at these early stages. The organisation is also thought to have requested information from German truck maker MAN and Scania in Sweden.

Assault Officer Back On Full Pay

A Wiltshire policeman, caught on CCTV and jailed for assaulting a 57-year-old woman, is back on full pay. Sgt Mark Andrews, 37, was seen dragging Pamela Somerville through Melksham police station. He was jailed for six months, but freed on bail last Monday pending an appeal. Papers released, ahead of a Wiltshire Police Authority meeting reveal he is "on full pay while suspended, pending the outcome of a conduct hearing." This is described as being "in line with police conduct regulations". Brian Moore, Chief Constable commented: "For this period Wiltshire Police have invoked Home Office Circular 8/07, which allows for the force to withdraw his salary on the grounds he was serving a custodial sentence further to conviction. "Further to his successful bail application on 13 September 2010, the required conditions in relation to this provision were removed and Sgt Andrews returned to the status of being suspended on full pay." Ms Somerville, now 59, needed stitches above her eye following the attack in July 2008. She had been detained for failing to provide a sample for a breath test after being found asleep in her car, but denied any wrongdoing. The charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence. An appeal hearing is listed to begin on 15 November. The police conduct hearing is also scheduled to take place in November.

Pensioner Guilty Of Attempted Murder

A 70-year-old man has been found guilty at the Old Bailey of the attempted murder of his wife after he shot her in the head three times in Finchley last February. Ronald Seymour, a retired businessman of Hendon Lane, also pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to possession of a prohibited weapon and possession of ammunition. He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 27 October at Southwark Crown Court. DI Sally Jeffrey of Trident Non-fatal Shootings Team said: "The relationship between Seymour and his wife had broken down over a period of time causing much animosity between them and, as a result of his actions, leaving Mrs Delvaille ultimately fighting for her life. The Metropolitan Police Service is determined to bring perpetrators' of domestic violence to justice and deal with the victims' and their families sensitively." The court heard that police were called at approximately 17:20hrs on Thursday, 11 February 2010 to reports of a woman shot in Cavendish Avenue N3. The woman, Sonia Delvaille, a former croupier aged 65, was taken by ambulance to a west London hospital suffering gunshot wounds to her face which resulted in two of the bullets becoming lodged in her skull. The injuries have caused long term, life-changing affects. Prior to the shooting it is known that Sonia had attended an appointment with her solicitor earlier that day regarding obtaining a financial settlement following their recent separation. When interviewed by police Seymour gave no comment.

(BMcN)