Dave Lee Travis Was 'Opportunist' Court Told

DJ Dave Lee Travis, who is accused of a string of sex assaults, was an opportunist who preyed on vulnerable young women, a court has heard.

The 68-year-old carried out a series of assaults which were "sexual in nature" while working as a disc jockey, acting in pantomimes and even at the opening of a hospital radio station, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London was told.

The former Radio 1 DJ, whose real name is David Patrick Griffin, is on trial accused of assaulting 11 women, one of whom was 15 at the time of the alleged crime.

He denies the charges.

Opening the Crown's case, prosecutor Miranda Moore QC said women had come forward from "all parts of the United Kingdom" with similar allegations against Travis.

The alleged assaults were carried out by Travis "in a work environment", including an appearance at the opening of a hospital radio station, Ms Moore said.

"The offences vary in gravity," she said.

"All are sexual in nature involving unwanted contact by this defendant on much younger women, both over clothing and under clothing," Ms Moore added.

Travis had been "opportunist" in targeting "young women who were very vulnerable", she said.

The court heard that Travis indecently assaulted a 19-year-old woman during a recording of Top Of The Pops.

The prosecution showed the jury a short clip of the TV show from 1978, in which it is alleged Travis is starting to assault the woman.

Ms Moore said: "The incident was actually cut from what was broadcast."

Another incident allegedly happened in 1978 at a Showaddywaddy concert on a farm in Gloucestershire.

During the alleged offence, a girl who was 15 at the time, was "pinned" to her seat, the jury was told.

"In her words, she thought he was going to rape her," said Ms Moore.

Travis is also accused of assaulting a woman working in the pantomime Aladdin in which he was appearing in Crawley, West Sussex, between November 1990 and January 1991.

He was playing the "evil wizard" Abanazar in the show.

The alleged victim reported the incident to a stage manager but it was decided she would not go to the police because Travis was a "star", the prosecutor said.

The theatre later decided that female workers should not be left alone with Travis during the show's run, Ms Moore added.

Travis denied assaulting the woman, describing the allegation as "utter nonsense" and telling police he would not have "jeopardised" his first pantomime role, the court heard.

Travis is charged with 13 counts of indecent assault dating between 1976 and 2003, and one count of sexual assault in 2008.

He was arrested under Scotland Yard's Operation Yewtree, which was prompted by abuse allegations involving the late Jimmy Savile, the court heard.

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Amritsar Massacre: SAS Role To Be Investigated

David Cameron has ordered an urgent inquiry into apparent SAS involvement in a deadly raid on a Sikh temple in India that left more than 1,000 dead.

According to secret documents from 1984 an SAS officer helped the country's Government to come up with a plan to remove Sikh insurgents from the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The papers, which were recently released under the 30-year rule, also indicate that then-prime minister Margaret Thatcher knew the SAS was advising the Indian government.

The Indian army Blue Star operation ended in bloodshed in June 1984 with hundreds killed.

A Government spokesman said the papers raised "legitimate concerns". Mr Cameron has asked Cabinet Secretary Sir Jeremy Heywood to look at the events of 1984 and whether the documents should have been declassified.

Sikhs at the Golden Temple in 2013 - the 26th anniversary of the killings

British involvement in the Golden Temple operation is detailed in a letter, dated February 23, 1984, from Brian Fall, private secretary to then-foreign secretary Geoffrey Howe, to Hugh Taylor, his counterpart under home secretary Leon Brittan.

The letter said: "The Indian authorities recently sought British advice over a plan to remove Sikh extremists from the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The Foreign Secretary decided to respond favourably to the Indian request and, with the Prime Minister's agreement, an SAD (sic) officer has visited India and drawn up a plan which has been approved by Mrs Gandhi. The Foreign Secretary believes that the Indian Government may put the plan into operation shortly."

Indira Gandhi was assassinated in October 1984

It continued: "An operation by the Indian authorities at the Golden Temple could, in the first instance, exacerbate the communal violence in the Punjab.

"It might also, therefore, increase tension in the Indian community here, particularly if knowledge of the SAS involvement were to become public. We have impressed upon the Indians the need for security; and knowledge of the SAS officer's visit and of his plan has been tightly held both in India and in London. The Foreign Secretary would be grateful if the contents of this letter could be strictly limited to those who need to consider the possible domestic implications."

There is nothing to suggest whether the SAS officer's plans were used by the Indian army.

The massacre at Amritsar led to the revenge assassination of Indira Gandhi in October of the same year.

Sikh extremist groups continue to seek retribution for the massacre and last month four people were jailed for slashing the throat of a 78-year-old Lieutenant General during a visit to London.

Lt Gen Kuldeep Singh Brar, who was involved in the Golden Temple operation, survived the attack, as he has a number of assassination attempts.

The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "The Cabinet Secretary has been asked by the Prime Minister to look into what may have happened in 1984 with regard to papers that have been recently released.

"I think the important thing is to establish all the facts as quickly as possible, that work is under way, but in terms of timetable it is important it's done as quickly as possible.

"The reason behind it is that issues have been raised about decisions to release papers and also to consider whether there are... about the facts that are contained within the papers, so there are two aspects to it."

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Hacking Trial Shown CCTV And Phone Details

Security footage has been shown to the hacking trial which allegedly shows efforts to conceal evidence from the police on the day of Rebekah Brooks' arrest.

The CCTV was taken in the underground car park at the London flat the former Sun editor shared with her husband Charles Brooks in Chelsea Harbour.

While Brooks was in custody at Lewisham Police Station on July 17, 2011, the film showed a flurry of activity with property being dropped off and picked up.

The Old Bailey trial also heard about a series of phone calls and texts between Charles Brooks, News International head of security Mark Hanna and members of Brooks' security team ahead of a police search of the flat.

Just after noon, racehorse trainer Brooks was captured on CCTV taking a jiffy bag and laptop into an underground car park.

He disappears behind a column and comes back into view empty-handed less than a minute later.

Former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks

Hanna later arrives at the car park in a black Range Rover.

He picks up the laptop and bag and leaves in a blue car driven by another security worker.

Police searched the flat later the same afternoon and seven police officers accompanied by Brooks' solicitor are seen on CCTV leaving with large boxes at 5.04pm.

Meanwhile, police also searched Brooks' Oxford address, the court heard.

The court heard that later that evening, Hanna texted security guard Daryl Jorsling: "Del, have a plan. Can you call please, Mark."

An hour later, Jorsling arrives at the car park, removes a black bag from the boot and moves towards the bin area, returning empty handed.

A man is then seen collecting pizza boxes and Jorsling leaves in a black Golf.

Jurors were told Jorsling then contacted his colleague Daniel Johnson. Referring to the 1968 film Where Eagles Dare, he texted: "Calling Danny Boy - pizza delivered and the chicken is in the pot."

The court heard Johnson replied: ""Ha, ******* amateurs. We should have done a DLB (dead letter box) or brush contact on the riverside. Log the hours as pizza delivery."

Rebekah Brooks left the police station and is seen on CCTV arriving at the flat at 12.30am on July 18, met by her husband.

It was later that morning that a cleaner collecting the large green bins in the car park finds "various pieces of property", the jury heard.

That afternoon, Charles Brooks, Brooks' driver Paul Edwards and Jorsling go back to the car park and appear to search the bin area before heading off to the building's office empty-handed.

That evening, police were handed a brown briefcase and black laptop bag which had been found behind the bins, the court was told.

Charles Brooks, 50, with his 45-year-old wife, of Churchill, Oxfordshire, and head of security Hanna, 50, of Glynswood Road, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire, deny conspiracy to pervert the course of justice between July 5 and 19 2011.

All seven defendants, including Cheryl Carter, Mark Hanna, Stuart Kuttner, Andrew Coulson and Clive Goodman deny all the charges. The trial continues.

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Kent Cockfighting Probe Sees Three Arrests

Three men have been arrested after approximately 170 live birds were found amid evidence of suspected illegal cockfighting at a farm.

A number of dead cockerels were also discovered with their combs removed - believed to be a common practice when breeding for fighting - during the police raid in Iwade, Kent, on Monday morning.

A suspected ring, known as a cockpit, was unearthed along with cockfighting paraphernalia and veterinary drugs.

The remains of a dead horse were also found near a barn - one of "several grim discoveries", police said.

A number of dogs were seized on the site, in Raspberry Hill Lane, several of which were believed to have been stolen. Police said efforts were now being made to re-home them with the help of the RSPCA.

Up to 170 live birds were found with signs that they were bred for fighting

In addition, about 100 wraps of a suspected Class A drug were seized and sent off for analysis.

Detective Sergeant Pat Holmes, of Kent Police, said: "Officers carrying out a drugs warrant made several grim discoveries at a farm in Iwade yesterday morning.

"While a significant haul of drugs was discovered, as well as a sizeable quantity of cash, countless dead birds were found on the site, suspected to have been involved in illegal cockfighting.

"Officers also uncovered a barn fully stocked with live birds, which at this stage are believed to have been bred for fighting.

"Kent Police will work with the RSPCA to investigate further and also determine whether dogs and other animals found on the site are stolen or have been subjected to animal cruelty."

Police executed a drugs raid and found 'grim' evidence of animal cruelty

Two men, a 47-year-old from Teynham and a 20-year-old from Swanley, were arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty, proceeds of crime, possession with intent to supply and a series of theft offences.

A third, a 21-year-old man from Upchurch, was held on suspicion of supplying a controlled drug.

All three men have been bailed to April 9, pending further inquiries.

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Bull Elephant Rampage: Briton's Car Trampled

A raging bull elephant has been filmed overturning a car in which a British teacher was travelling through South Africa's Kruger National Park.

Sarah Brooks, from Lincolnshire, was on safari with her partner, slowly following the animal down a road.

The incident was filmed by tourists in the car behind who see the elephant stop walking and turn towards the car.

It then approaches the car from the side and rolls it over and over, leaving it crushed, with the couple inside. 

The tourists in the car behind who did the filming are clearly shocked and distressed and heard to say: "Stop the car ... reverse, reverse, they're going to die."

They urge their own driver to reverse and get out of the angry elephant's way.

The elephant was subsequently killed, the park's general manager said, because its behaviour was totally inexplicable.

The couple were taken to hospital and later discharged.

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Cancer Increase 'Is Due To Ageing Population'

By Hind Hassan, Sky News Reporter

Nearly a third of a million people are diagnosed with cancer every year, according to a UK charity.

Some 330,000 people were diagnosed with some form of the disease in 2011 - an increase of almost 50,000 per year over a decade. Researchers say an ageing population is one of the reasons for the increase.

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An aging population is one reason for the increase

Jessica Kirby from Cancer Research UK said: "People's risk of cancer goes up significantly as we get older; the more older people we have in our population the more people will develop cancer.

"There are other reasons for the rise as well; changes in risk factors for example. We know that more and more people are overweight compared to the past which is one of the key factors for cancers."

But greater awareness, advanced technology and ongoing medical research means cancer is being detected earlier and those that have it are living longer.

Edward Scott believes an early diagnosis of testicular cancer saved his life. The 15-year-old discovered a lump last year and sought urgent advice.

"I went on the NHS website and I found all the symptoms for testicular cancer were symptoms that I had," he said.

"The same day I went to my mum and said 'Mum there is something really wrong, I have to go get this sorted out'.

"I went into the GP and the same day I found out I had cancer."

Cancer Research UK's chief executive Dr Harpal Kumar said: "These figures reinforce the vital need for more research to better prevent, treat and cure cancer.

"Research is the only way we'll be able to reduce the devastating impact of the disease. One day we will beat cancer. The more research we do, the sooner that day will come."

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Rolf Harris Denies 12 Counts Of Indecent Assault

Rolf Harris has pleaded not guilty to indecently assaulting three girls aged between eight and 15, and a 19-year-old woman.

The painter, musician and TV entertainer arrived at Southwark Crown Court in London accompanied by his wife Alwen, who he was pushing in a wheelchair.

Harris, who was wearing a blue jacket, white shirt and red tie, has yet to be arraigned on four counts of making an indecent image of a child. This means the four charges have not yet been formally put to him in court.

He will stand trial on April 30, and made no comment to reporters as he left the courtroom.

The 83-year-old Australian is charged with 12 counts of indecent assault on four alleged victims.

He is accused of six counts of abusing a 15-year-old girl between April 5 1980 and April 4 1981.

Another count relates to a 19-year-old woman between January 1 1984 and January 1 1985, and three counts to a 14-year-old girl on May 31 1986.

Harris arrived at court wearing a blue jacket, white shirt and red tie

The last two counts relate to a girl of seven or eight between January 1 1968 and January 1 1970, and a 14-year-old girl between January 1 1975 and January 1 1976.

He was initially charged with nine counts of indecent assault in August last year. Last month, prosecutors confirmed they had added another three counts.

Harris, who was born in Perth, Western Australia, to Welsh parents, and moved to the UK in 1952, was arrested by officers working on Operation Yewtree.

The investigation was launched after the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal, but the allegations against Harris have no connection to the shamed DJ.

Harris, who has lived in the village of Bray, Berkshire, for the past 50 years, was released on conditional bail.

The conditions are that he does not contact prosecution witnesses, lives at his home address, and does not spend time with anyone under 18 without being accompanied by someone over 21.

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Inflation Hits Bank Of England Target Of 2%

Lower food prices helped inflation fall back to the Bank of England's target rate of 2% for the first time in over four years in December.

The CPI measure eased by 0.1% month-on-month, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), with lower meat and fruit costs the biggest contributor.

The ONS said that the collection of the data happened too early in the month to capture reported discounting by retailers in the days before Christmas.

However, there was likely to be a greater contribution to inflation from rising energy bills in the months ahead after only a minimal impact in December. 

A slight rise in fuel costs was among upward contributors to inflation

When housing costs were included, the RPI measure of inflation rose to 2.7% in December from 2.6% the previous month.

Annual inflation has exceeded the Bank's 2% target every month since December 2009, eroding the spending power of households who have seen wage growth either largely remaining stagnant or rise at a substantially lower rate.

But the sixth successive monthly drop in inflation eases pressure on the Bank of England - which would have to reconsider its flagship low interest rate policies should inflation look likely to spiral out of control.

As things stand, the Bank will only consider the possibility of raising borrowing costs when the jobless rate falls to 7%.

Air fares rose at a weaker pace in December compared with December 2012

However, with the jobless rate now tipped to reach that milestone this year, the easing of inflation makes it less likely the Bank would even contemplate a rate rise in 2014.

The return to the 2% inflation target was welcomed by Prime Minister David Cameron who tweeted: "It's welcome news that inflation is down and on target. As the economy grows and jobs are created this means more security for hard-working people."

Labour Treasury spokeswoman Catherine McKinnell said: "This small fall in the inflation rate is welcome, but with prices still rising more than twice as fast as wages the cost-of-living crisis continues.

"After three damaging years of flat-lining, working people are on average £1,600 a year worse off under the Tories."

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Nida Ul-Naseer Missing: Police Search Streams

Police investigating the disappearance of a teenager who has been missing for more than two weeks are searching streams near her sixth form college.

Nida Ul-Naseer has not been seen since December 28, when she left her home in Newport, South Wales, to take out the rubbish.

Concerns for her safety are growing because the 18-year-old student was not wearing shoes when she stepped outside her home in Linton Street. She also did not have her phone, money or coat when she vanished.

Nida did not have her phone, money or coat when she vanished

Gwent Police say they remain open-minded about what might have happened to Nida, and are continuing to describe their work as a missing person inquiry.

Four officers have been searching land near Coleg Gwent's campus in Nash Road and Lliswerry High School. Nida took a business studies course at Coleg Gwent.

They are also expected to comb the waterfront near Rodney Parade stadium and areas near the George Street Bridge.

The city's Transporter Bridge, Lysaght Institute and Pill Millennium Centre have already been searched.

Nida's family, who are originally from Pakistan, have made repeated pleas for her to come home. Her sister Shamyla described her younger sibling as a "very shy and quiet person" and "very lonely".

The 23-year-old said that she believed Nida's disappearance is connected to her studies.

On the night she disappeared Nida had been angry and upset that she could not go to university because her family are asylum seekers. Shamyla said she was "shouting and crying".

The Naseer family sought asylum after coming to Britain five years ago, but the application was turned down last year. They are appealing against the decision.

:: Police are urging anyone with any information to contact them via the 101 telephone number or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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William Roache 'Sent Signed Photo To Victim'

By Mike McCarthy, North of England Correspondent

Coronation Street star William Roache sent a 14-year-old girl a signed photo of himself after sexually assaulting her, a court has heard.

The alleged victim is one of five who claim the 81-year-old actor raped or sexually assaulted them in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Prosecutors claim the photo and a signed letter Roache sent her were deliberate acts to secure her loyalty and a form of "grooming".

Earlier, jurors were told not to judge the victims based on how long it has taken for them to come forward with allegations.

Prosecuting barrister Anne Whyte QC said: "If you think a victim of crime has lost the opportunity to complain because he or she did not complain at the time, think again.

"A crime is a crime however dated. It doesn't make them liars or attention seekers. In due course I shall be asking you to accept that it makes them human."

Ms Whyte added: "Women who do not know each other are complaining about his behaviour from the same broad period of time.

"Are they all manipulative fantasists, riding on the coat tails of the post Saville crisis of conscience, or is the reality, quite simply, that they now have the confidence to give evidence about the truth which they have kept private for years?"

Roache has played the character of Ken Barlow in Coronation Street for more than 50 years.

Preston Crown Court heard he used his fame and popularity in the early years of the soap opera to take advantage of young girls, including one he is alleged to have raped twice.

The judge Mr Justice Holroyde told the jury: "It is not the fictional character Ken Barlow who is in court. It is the real person, Mr Roache, who is on trial and, of course, each member of the jury must separate the fictional TV character from the real person."

Roache denies five counts of indecent assault and two counts of rape involving five girls under the age of 16.

The court heard he may be supported in his defence by fellow Coronation Street actors Helen Worth (Gail Platt), Ann Kirkbride (Deirdre Barlow) and Chris Gascoyne (Peter Barlow).

The trial continues.

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