15/12/2008

Other News In Brief

Six Questioned After Stabbing

Six teenagers have been arrested in south-east London, after a 15-year-old boy was pushed off his bicycle, chased and stabbed. The boy suffered several wounds to his back, and is in a stable condition in hospital following the attack, which took place on Saturday evening in Walworth. Police said the victim was on Cobourg Road when a group chased him, shoved him off his bike and took his phone, jacket and bike. He was then followed to Waite Street, and was stabbed. Three of those arrested are aged 15, while two are 16 and another is 17. They are being questioned at a police station in south London.

Chris Hoy Named Sports Personality Of The Year

Cyclist Chris Hoy has been named the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year award. The Edinburgh-born triple gold medallist - the first British athlete to win three golds at a single Olympics in Beijing this summer - beat Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington to the honour. On accepting the accolade, Hoy said: "To win this award this year is so special as British sport has enjoyed such a hugely successful year. It's been incredible." The 32-year-old is the first cyclist to win the award since Tommy Simpson in 1965.

Police in Coventry are appealing for witnesses and information following an armed robbery at a restaurant.

Appeal Following Restaurant Armed Robbery

The incident occurred between 6pm and 6:30pm on Saturday 13 December at Taybarns restaurant in Cross Point, Coventry. Three men entered the premises. Two of the men were armed with knives. They damaged a number of gaming machines before threatening a worker. The made off with a small amount of cash, causing substantial damage to the restaurant. No one received any injuries during the incident. The offenders made off in a stolen green coloured Rover 75 vehicle, which was later recovered in the Ansty area of Coventry. All three offenders are described as between 5ft 8ins and 5ft 10ins tall, medium build, wearing dark clothing with their faces covered.

Pensioner Dies In Blaze Flat

An elderly woman has died in a flat fire in South Queensferry, Scotland. The body of the 85-year-old woman was discovered by firefighters who tackled the blaze in Echline Drive at around 3.30am. Lothian and Borders Police who are investigating the fire said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances.

Private Sewers And Drains Transferred To Water Company

Approximately 200,000 kilometres of privately owned sewers and lateral drains in England will be transferred to water and sewerage companies from 2011, removing millions of householders from the risk of expensive repair bills, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn confirmed today. Currently, if a private sewer or lateral drain needs repairing, the bill is picked up by householders, even if the problem is outside their property boundary. Most householders don't even know the sewer or drain is their responsibility as it is not apparent when buying a property, and their insurance policies are unlikely to cover wear and tear. It is estimated that well over half of all houses in England have a private sewer or lateral drain, the part of a drain that lies outside the property boundary.

(JM)

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