Nicola Payne: Two Held Over 1991 Disappearance

Two men have been arrested in connection with the disappearance of a young mother as she walked home 22 years ago.

The men, both aged 49, are being held on suspicion of the abduction and murder of Nicola Payne, said West Midlands Police.

The men were arrested at 8am at their home addresses in the Bell Green and Stoke areas of Coventry.

A 51-year-old woman at the same address was also arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

All three were taken to police stations in the West Midlands for questioning.

Ms Payne went missing after setting out on foot from the family home in Coventry on December 14, 1991.

Despite a huge search, 18-year-old Ms Payne - who had a seven-month-old baby son - has never been seen again.

The arrests come just days after a fresh appeal for information was launched, following new forensic results which detectives described as "a breakthrough".

Ms Payne's family are aware of the latest development.

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Woolwich: Adebolajo Evidence 'Is No Defence'

The claim by Woolwich murder trial defendant Michael Adebolajo that he is "a soldier of Allah" is no defence to the charge of murder, a jury has been told.

Mr Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale are accused of running down off-duty soldier Lee Rigby with a car and then hacking him to death with a meat cleaver and knives in a street in south-east London. 

Mr Justice Sweeney told the jury at the Old Bailey that nothing said by Mr Adebolajo in his evidence amounts in law to a defence to the charge of murder.

He said: "I have ruled that nothing said by the first defendant and... his evidence - in short he was a soldier of Allah and was justified in doing what he did - amounts in law to a defence to this count.

"So nothing that he has said amounts in law to a defence to count one."

In his closing speech, prosecutor Richard Whittam QC said Islam was not on trial and told the jury: "The action of these two men acting together as they did, crashing their car into and breaking the back of Lee Rigby and then killing him is indefensible in the law of this country.

"Killing to make a political point, to frighten the public or to put pressure on the Government or as an expression of anger is murder."

He added: "It remains murder whether the Government in question is a good one, bad one or a dreadful one. We submit to you, it is clearly murder."

Fusilier Rigby's family were in court as Mr Whittam showed the jury once again images of bloodied knives, and also replayed video clips of the May 22 killing.

Replaying a video clip showing Fusilier Rigby being dragged into the road, Mr Whittam said: "Is this a humane killing?

The jury was again shown images of knives found at the scene of the killing

"Is this a killing with an attempt to decapitate and then deposit the body in the middle of the road causing traffic to stop and turn around?"

Mr Whittam recalled witness accounts previously read to the jury as well as extracts from a note handed to Amanda Donnelly-Martin at the scene.

"What was the purpose of what they have done, killing Lee Rigby in the way the had done, in putting the body there and staying at the scene? To borrow a phrase from the first defendant - carnage."

Mr Adebolajo's defending counsel, David Gottlieb, said a proper charge for his client would have been "treason, terrorism, or maybe manslaughter".

In his closing speech, Mr Gottlieb said: "All deaths outside of lawful deaths are cruel, needless and unnecessary.

"Do you think really that this is the cruellest, most sadistic, most callous, most cowardly killing that's ever occured in our nation's history? It isn't."

Mr Gottlieb said Mr Adebolajo's family were "victims" in the case as much as the family of Drummer Rigby and told the jury that his client had been "demonised and painted as a monster".

The defending barrister also suggested that Mr Adebolajo was "the most law-abiding terrorist in the history of this country" as his client paid for a parking ticket moments before the alleged murder took place.

Mr Gottlieb later explained that he was using a "Sherlock Holmes" approach, adding: "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth."

He said there were unarmed police near the scene, but Mr Adebolajo chose to wait for armed teams, which would not fit with an intention to kill an officer.

The barrister went on to tell the panel of eight women and four men that the issue of what motivated Mr Adebolajo "raises awkward questions" for the UK's political leaders.

He said: "A person, a human being, can do the most evil act in the world and not actually be evil themselves."

The alleged killers no longer face a charge of conspiracy to murder a police officer after the judge discharged the jury from any further consideration of that count.

Mr Adebolajo, 29 and Mr Adebowale, 22, still face counts of murder and attempted murder of a police officer, which they both deny.

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Top 10 Most Complained About Shows Of 2013

Broadcasting watchdog Ofcom has revealed the year's most complained about shows, with Big Brother topping the list.

The Channel 5 reality show received 965 complaints, over 200 more than any other show, to win the dubious honour for a second year running.

A majority of the complaints centred on comments by housemate Jemima Slade and her preferences on men.

On the show she revealed her inclination towards "dark-skinned Mediterranean" men, but "not black men". The comments received 305 complaints, according to Ofcom.

Viewers also complained about housemates bullying Hazel O'Sullivan as well as arguments between Ms O'Sullivan and Daley Ojuederie, another contestant on the show.

The X Factor was the second most complained about show, generating 734 complaints.

Around 317 viewers were concerned about an episode in which US pop star Lady Gaga performed in a skimpy outfit made of shells and flesh-coloured underwear.

Despite the number of complaints, Ofcom said there were no grounds to investigate against the Broadcasting Code.

ITV News came in third, with 574 complaints, many relating to coverage of the killing of Fusilier Lee Rigby on May 22.

Ofcom said an investigation into the news item would be published following the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

The single most complained about TV incident in 2013 related to the BBC's Comic Relief: Funny For Money, broadcast on March 15, in which Rowan Atkinson played the Archbishop of Canterbury.

A total of 487 people complained about the programme, with many citing the actor's portrayal as offensive.

Ofcom ruled that both the use of language and the offence caused by the subject matter explored during the comedy sketch were justified by the context.

The BBC News, Emmerdale, Downton Abbey and Coronation Street were also among the top 10 most complained about shows.

:: The most complained about TV shows of 2013, to December 12

1. Big Brother: 965 complaints

2. The X Factor: 734

3. ITV News: 574

4. Comic Relief: Funny for Money: 492

5. Celebrity Big Brother: 438

6. Britain's Got Talent: 422

7. Emmerdale: 376

8. BBC News: 354

9. Downton Abbey: 252

10. Coronation Street: 225

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Children Of The 1960s Worse Off Than Parents

The children of the 1960s and 1970s are likely to be worse off than their parents, with no higher income or savings, no home ownership and smaller private pensions than those born in the previous decade.

The only way they will be better off when they retire is thanks to inherited wealth, according to the leading economic think-tank the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

More people born in the 1970s are expecting to inherit (70%) than those born in the early 1940s (28%).

The findings appear to bring to an end to the steady rise in incomes and living standards that successive generations have enjoyed since the end of World War Two.

Incomes for working-age adults born in the 1960s and 1970s were no higher in real terms than those of their predecessors of the same age a decade ago, the study found.

People have spent more over their working career so have not saved much

And, while the Sixties and Seventies generation did have higher incomes when they were younger, they also spent more, leaving them with no more savings than those of the previous generations.

Those in their forties and fifties have also suffered from the move away from final salary pension schemes to less generous deals.

That same generation has also taken longer to get on the housing ladder, with the home ownership rate having fallen back to around two-thirds compared with a peak of four-fifths among those born in the 1940s and 1950s.

The only hope for increased cash is through inheritance

And, as far as inheritance goes, while they are more likely to inherit than their predecessors, the gap between the richest and the poorest will grow, with those already the wealthiest set to receive the most.

Andrew Hood, one of the report's authors, said: "Since the Second World War, successive cohorts have enjoyed higher incomes and living standards than their parents.

"Yet the incomes and wealth of those born in the 1960s and 1970s look no higher than the cohorts who came before them.

"As a result, younger cohorts are likely to have to rely on inheritances to be better off in retirement than their predecessors.

"But inheritances are unequally distributed, with households that are already relatively wealthy far more likely to benefit."

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Robert Hind: Missing Paedophile Murder Charge

A man has been charged with murdering a paedophile who has been missing for almost a week.

Detectives looking for Robert Hind, who was reported missing on December 11, are examining human remains found in Huddersfield on Monday.

David Mitchell, 46, from Cowlersley, Huddersfield, has been charged with murder by West Yorkshire Police and is due to appear before Huddersfield Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

The remains were found in the area of the River Colne, near Colne Vale Road in Milnsbridge.

West Yorkshire Police said an underwater search team, dogs, and specialised search officers are continuing to investigate the scene.

Superintendent Scott Wood said: "A post-mortem examination of the suspected human remains recovered from the Colne Vale area of Huddersfield will take place shortly and a formal identification will follow.

"I am continuing to appeal for anyone who can assist in our investigations and the movements of Robert Hind between 9.20am on Wednesday December 11 2013 and Saturday December 14 2013."

Hind, also known as Dack, was reported missing at 9.30pm on December 11 and West Yorkshire Police issued an appeal at the end of last week to find him.

Detectives said he was a known sex offender who had a range of offending history and presented a risk to the public, particularly children.

They said he had been recalled to prison, having breached the terms of his licence.

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Belfast: Bomber Catches Fire In Failed Attack

A suspected fire-bomber suffered burns to his face, neck and hands while trying to detonate a device in a Belfast city centre store, according to police.

The man's clothes caught fire and he fled from the store through crowds of shoppers and tried to beat out the flames.

It is believed the incendiary bomb went off prematurely underneath his anorak-style jacket, at around 6:40pm on Monday.

More than a dozen people were inside the pop-up golf store, Golf Madness, in the Cornmarket area when the incident happened.

Only the man, believed to be in his 40s, was injured.

"We believe this man may require treatment for burn injuries, to neck, face and hands," said Chief Superintendent Alan McCrum.

It is the latest in a series of attacks in Belfast in the run-up to Christmas and security has been increased due to the heightened threat.

"Police are doing everything to protect Belfast and other places to enable people to go about their business peacefully," said Mr McCrum.

Dissident republicans are believed to be responsible for the recent attacks.

Last Friday, a bomb was placed in a holdall in the Cathedral Quarter, forcing the evacuation of more than 1000 people in the area.

However, only the detonators went off and no one was injured.

In November, a bomb partially exploded in an underground car park at the Victoria Centre, Belfast's largest shopping centre.

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Prominent Republican Appears In Belfast Court

By Vicki Hawthorne, Ireland Correspondent

A prominent republican has appeared in court in Belfast charged with being a member of the IRA.

Colin Duffy, 47, from Forest Glade, Lurgan, Co Armagh, nodded to supporters in the public gallery at Belfast Magistrates' Court as he entered the dock.

He was charged with being a member of a proscribed organisation, namely the IRA, between January 1, 2013 and December 16, 2013.

Duffy appeared in court alongside two other men, Henry Fitzsimons, 46, of no fixed abode and 52-year-old Alex McCrory, of Sliabh Dubh View, Belfast. 

The men did not stand in the dock when asked by the court clerk and they did not respond when the charges were read to them.

Fitzsimons and McCrory are charged with possessing firearms with intent to danger life or property. 

It is understood the charges are connected to the attempted murder of police officers in north Belfast almost two weeks ago. 

Officers escaped injury when shots were fired at their vehicle in the Ardoyne area on December 5.

Three armed police officers stood guard inside the courtroom as all three men were remanded into custody until January 14, 2014. 

As the accused were led from the dock a group of around 30 supporters cheered and clapped in the public gallery. 

The accused waved and gave a thumb's up in response.

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Aldi And Lidl: Half Of Brits Shop At Discounters

The squeeze on family budgets has seen more than half of British shoppers going to discount stores Aldi or Lidl in the last three months.

It comes as the big four supermarkets all lose market share, new figures have shown.

Aldi and Lidl have successfully broadened their customer base, with the former having a record 4% of the market and the latter retaining the 3.1% it reached during the summer.

Chris Longbottom, director at Kantar Worldpanel, said: "Value continues to be a powerful incentive for the British shopper, a fact that is further highlighted by Farmfoods which, while still a relatively small player in the market, has grown its sales by 36.6% compared with last year."

Some 50.1% of all British households stepped into a discount retailer in the 12 weeks to December 8, compared with 46.1% a year ago, researchers found, as wages grow at a slower pace than the annual rate of inflation.

Aldi and Lidl have broadened their customer base

Mr Longbottom added: "At the other end of the market Waitrose has performed strongly with 6.7% growth.

"Based on past patterns, it is likely to further boost its market share over the busy Christmas period, as is Iceland which traditionally performs well with its party food offering."

Among Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and the Co-operative, the best performer continued to be Sainsbury's although the year-on-year growth of 1.8% was insufficient to match the market growth of 2.8%, said Kantar Worldpanel.

Tesco accounted for 29.9% of sales in the latest period, Asda 16.9%, Sainsbury's 16.8% and Morrisons 11.6%.

The Tesco figure will add to concerns over the effectiveness of a turnaround plan that has seen over £1bn invested in its home market.

Earlier this month, the retailer reported a 1.3% fall in third quarter underlying UK sales.

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Jayden Parkinson: 'Significant' Suitcase Found

Police searching for missing teenager Jayden Parkinson say they have found a suitcase that may be "significant" to their inquiry.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Murray said officers have found a number of suitcases but one in particular may be of interest.

Police have still not found the teenager's body, but have received information that indicates Jayden, 17, is no longer alive. 

They have appealed for information about a man seen struggling with a large suitcase in the early hours of Monday December 9 in the village of Upton, Oxfordshire.

Witnesses saw the man with the suitcase a short time later in the nearby town of Didcot.

Jayden was last seen leaving Didcot Parkway railway station on December 3.

Ben Blakeley, 22, from Christchurch Road, Reading, who is accused of Jayden's murder, has been remanded in custody and is due to appear in court again on March 17.

A 17-year-old boy from Didcot has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Det Ch Supt Murray told Sky News that 50 detectives and "as many and more" uniformed officers are now committed to the search for Jayden.

He told Sky's Kay Burley that specialist search and forensic officers were searching an area of open farmland, woodland and derelict buildings that are of "particular significance".

He said reports that Jayden may have been pregnant when she went missing were "speculation".

The teenager had been living with her mother in Didcot until November but most recently had been staying at a hostel in Oxford.

Det Ch Supt Murray said Jayden's "distraught" family are living through "every parent's worst nightmare".

He issued a direct appeal to certain people who he believes may have crucial information about what happened to the teenager.

He said: "I'm asking them to think about what they've been doing in the last week or so, examine their consciences and take the courage to pick up the phone.

"They need to be thinking about Jayden's parents at this time and they need to be giving us a call to assist with this inquiry."

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Nigella Aide: 'Saatchi Threatened To Destroy Me'

A former aide to Nigella Lawson has told a court she "frequently" found rolled-up banknotes with white powder on them in her handbag, and that the TV cook's ex-husband Charles Saatchi had threatened to "destroy her".

Francesca Grillo, 35, who along with her sister Elisabetta, 41, is on trial accused of defrauding Ms Lawson and Mr Saatchi, said she never saw Ms Lawson taking drugs although she did find evidence of drug use on many occasions.

She also said Mr Saatchi had a "personal vendetta" against her and her sister, who are alleged to have spent £685,000 on credit cards belonging to the now-divorced celebrity couple.

Confronted by the multimillionaire art dealer over her credit card use, the defendant, of Italian descent, told the court: "He was banging on the table ... he said I would end up in handcuffs."

Francesca Grillo (L) and sister Elisabetta arriving at court on Monday

She said the situation became "quite scary" as Mr Saatchi told her: "Hide anywhere in Italy but I will find you and destroy you.

"He said he was going to destroy me and hunt me down. That was his words. His voice was shouting and he was banging on the table and accusing me of various things that were not true.

"The more he got upset, the more I got frightened. You don't cross Charles Saatchi, everyone knows that."

She also said she first saw the rolled-up notes at the food writer's Shepherd's Bush home, in the kitchen after a party and also in a guest bedroom.

One of her jobs as Ms Lawson's aide was to exchange items between her handbags, and she would find rolled-up banknotes in those, she told the court.

Asked how often she found the banknotes, Grillo said: "Frequently. Every time I went through her handbag there was some notes. It was very frequent."

On a few occasions Ms Lawson would come downstairs with white powder "in her nostril", she told the court.

"I said to her, 'you have something in your nose. She wiped it away and said it was make-up. But it was too white to be make-up," she said.

TV cook Nigella Lawson has also appeared as a witness during the trial

The aide also recalled how she improvised an excuse to protect her employer when a child discovered a hollow book containing what the employee thought were drugs.

"She (the child) said 'Look what I found in (the) book!'. It was a small plastic bag with white powder. I made up something," she told the court.

The defendant said she often found remnants of cannabis in the house, but never raised the issue of drugs because "I didn't think it was my place".

She also talked about the photographs of Mr Saatchi with his hands on Ms Lawson's throat outside Scott's restaurant in Mayfair in central London.

"In the photos she appears to be crying. It shocked me because she said she didn't cry very often in public," she said.

"The one that stuck in my mind was the one of him picking her nose. Maybe he found something relating to drugs.

"I maybe thought if he didn't know that, he probably didn't know about the authorisation - the allowance - of the signatures (by Ms Lawson, on personal expenditure)."

She told jurors she raised the evidence of drug use "because it would show a pattern, how Nigella hides the truth and how she behaves".

Charles Saatchi has also given evidence during the proceedings

The jury heard that in the last few years Ms Lawson became "absent and grumpy" and had trouble sleeping.

The ex-PA said Ms Lawson would "swig from bottles containing liquid medication for depression".

The court has heard the siblings bought designer clothes, shoes and luxury holidays on the cards.

The Grillos, of Kensington Gardens Square, Bayswater, west London, deny committing fraud by using a company credit card for personal gain between January 1, 2008 and December 31 last year.

The trial continues.

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