Freddie Flintoff Admits Boxing Bout Nerves

By Frazer Maude, North of England Correspondent

Ashes winner Andrew Flintoff is no stranger to big crowds, or huge pressure, but stepping through the ropes in front of 5,000 fans at the Manchester Arena for his heavyweight boxing debut will be a whole new experience for him.

The former England, Lancashire and Chennai Superkings all-rounder has trained for over four-and-a-half months and sparred for over 300 rounds under the watchful eye of former World Champion Barry McGuigan and his trainer son Shane.

A man who named his son Rocky clearly has a passion for boxing. He said this new adventure started as a simple conversation with McGuigan, but soon turned into a plan to turn professional and make a television documentary series From Lord's To The Ring.

The slimmed-down ex-cricketer

"A chance to work with a legend like Barry was too good to miss," he explained during his first pre-fight press conference.

"I miss professional sport, and I've worked really hard to make sure I put in a good performance."

But is the ex-cricketer, who has lost 20kg in training, nervous about stepping into the ring with Richard Dawson, the American who weighed in almost two stone heavier?

"I think anyone would be nervous - it's human nature," Flintoff said. "But I used to get nervous before I played cricket, and it never affected my performance, so I don't think it's going to affect me."

His decision has been criticised by some in the sport, including promoter Frank Maloney, whose own heavyweight fighter David Price is taking on former kickboxer Matt Skelton at Aintree Racecourse.

He claims the Manchester Evening News Arena bout of four two-minute rounds will "shame the fight game".

But Flintoff's mentor, Barry McGuigan, says the criticism makes him angry.

He said: "This is my business, I've been in it for 40 years, and I wouldn't get involved in a publicity stunt or do anything to discredit the sport.

"Freddie's trained hard, and the British Boxing Board of Control thought long and hard before granting him his licence. He's got it now and he's worked incredibly hard to get his body and his mind in the right shape."

Flintoff's friend Ricky Hatton, still carrying the bruises from his recent comeback defeat, said: "Freddie deserves to be given a chance to do this. There's millions out there who wouldn't even get into the ring to do a bit of sparring, but he's doing it.

Ricky Hatton says his friend's boxing career shouldn't be dismissed

"He's always been professional in his sport, and he's doing this very professionally too."

His opponent is also relatively new to the sport. Richard Dawson has had just two fights, but won the first of them by knock-out within 20 seconds.

"I'm here to win, and Mr Freddie is here to win," he said at the weigh-in. "I respect Freddie, but I'm going to attack him. I'm here to win and get it over with."

Freddie won't be the first professional to swap their own sport for the square ring.

Footballer Curtis Woodhouse is now the current English light welterweight champion, All-Black Sonny Bill Williams is an undefeated heavyweight boxer, and Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper has also announced his plans to don the gloves.

The Flintoff v Dawson fight is on the undercard of a programme headlined by the Commonwealth welterweight title clash between Ronnie "Razor" Effron and Denton Vassell.

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Magician's Head Set On Fire In TV Prank

A US magician has been seriously injured after a TV host set his head on fire live on television.

Wayne Houchin was appearing on a show in the Dominican Republic when, in an apparently unscripted prank, its host dropped flammable liquid on his head, setting him alight.

Houchin's own crew, who were at the show, rushed to save him and put out the flames - but not before he had suffered burns to his head, face, neck and right hand.

Houchin tried to extinguish flames after his head is set alight

The illusionist, who hosts Breaking Magic on the Discovery Channel, was rushed to hospital where he says he is "in pain" but recovering.

Houchin, who was in the country promoting his Curiosidades show, wrote on Facebook after the incident: "I was not aware he was going to do this. This was not a stunt or part of an act - this was a criminal attack.

"The fast actions of the rest of our Curiosidades team saved my life. The fire was put out and I was rushed to the emergency room.

"I have bad burns on my head, face, neck and right hand. I am in pain, but am recovering. I will update you on the situation when I can."

He drops to the floor as his crews put out the flames

He has continued to report on his progress on Twitter and in one of his more recent posts wrote: "The doctors are cautiously optimistic that I will fully recover with no scars."

He has extended his stay in the Dominican Republic following the incident on Monday so he can remain in hospital to receive treatment for his injuries.

The host used a liquid called Aqua De Florida to set Houchin alight.

It is a flammable cologne popular in Latin countries, which is also used as a sacred cleaning spray by shamans and witch doctors in the Caribbean.

Houchin immediately after the incident

Houchin has received hundreds of comments from well-wishers, including from fellow magician David Copperfield who wrote on Twitter: "My thoughts are with you and your family. Best wishes on a swift and complete recovery."

Once described as "a cross between a con man and a street magician", Houchin first came to prominence in 1999 at the age of 16 when he escaped from a straitjacket hanging 50ft above a busy road.

In 2010 he "stopped time" for the Dominican Republic in a live televised illusion.

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Floods: £120m Extra Cash For Defences

The Government has announced £120m of new funding for flood defences which it says will improve protection for up to 60,000 homes.

It comes amid clean-up operations across the UK in the aftermath of the recent flooding which devastated communities in the South West, Midlands, Wales and North East.

Ministers said £60m will be targeted at areas where improving defences against flooding could unlock investment and growth in the area, and the rest will go to speed up delivery of up to 50 schemes already in the pipeline.

They believe the money, which will be delivered between next year and 2015, will not only boost defences, but also provide £1bn in economic benefits.

Potential projects which could benefit from the funding include Leeds, where the riverside area is regularly threatened by floods and defences could protect 250 businesses, employing more than 100,000 people, and more than 3,100 homes.

Residents of Old Malton begin to deal with the aftermath of the floods

The money is in addition to the £2bn being spent on flooding and coastal erosion this spending period up to 2015 - half of which is for capital projects such as flood defences.

Earler this week, the Prime Minister hinted a cash boost may be on the way. Defending the Government's spending plans on flood defences, David Cameron told the Commons: "We believe by spending the money better and by leveraging from private and other sectors we can increase that level of flood defence spending.

"The spending that is already under way will protect an additional 145,000 homes between now and 2015, but if we can go further, of course we should."

But ministers have faced criticism that they have cut flood defence spending at a time when their own advisers say hundreds of millions of pounds more cash is needed to help the UK cope with greater risk of flooding as the climate changes.

This summer, government climate advisers said flood defence spending is 12% below levels in the last spending review period, with a gap opening up of £860m between money pledged for 2011/15 and what is needed to maintain protection.

James Brindley sweeps muddy sediment out of the Swan Pub in St Asaph

Earlier this week, a report by Wildlife and Countryside Link, which includes 38 charities, warned not enough money was being spent on flood defences and said ministers were failing to prevent unnecessary building in areas at high risk of flooding.

Figures released by the Environment Agency showed some 1,600 properties were flooded during the recent bout of bad weather, while flood defences had protected more than 54,000 homes.

Shadow environment secretary Mary Creagh said: "This year's floods have shown how short-sighted the Government was to cut investment in flood defences by £95m a year, leaving homes and businesses unprotected.

"Flooding is the biggest threat the UK faces from climate change, yet even after today's mini U-turn the Government will still be spending less on flood defences next year than in 2008.

"Every £1 invested in flood defences saves £8 later and provides much needed construction work.

"What a shame ministers have wasted two years looking for shovel ready infrastructure projects while 294 flood schemes have been postponed or cancelled."

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Weather: Snow On The Way As Britain Shivers

A light dusting of snow is expected to fall across parts of the country tonight with up to 4cm forecast to fall in some areas.

Upland areas such as the Pennines, the North Yorkshire Moors and north east Scotland, could be blanketed in white by tomorrow.

Temperatures are expected to plummet to a freezing -5C tonight leaving icy conditions on the roads which are expected to last until Sunday afternoon.

The Met Office has issued a Level 3 severe weather alert, triggered when social and healthcare services are required to target specific assistance to high-risk groups such as the vulnerable and elderly.

Sky's weather forecaster, Chris England, said: "A band of showers spreading from north-west Scotland to north Wales and the north Midlands overnight will bring a centimetre or two of snow to the mountains, and perhaps a light dusting to lower levels of northern England later as temperatures fall to freezing and below.

"There's a small chance of some snow across central England and Wales for a time tomorrow morning, especially over the highest ground, but most places, if they get wet at all, will see rain.

"Icy surfaces forming where the showers leave the ground wet will be a bigger problem tonight and early tomorrow".

On Sunday, a rain-band spreading from the west will bring a spell of snow to northern hills, and perhaps to some lower levels for a time, but the snow won't amount to a great deal away from the Scottish peaks  and will mostly turn to rain quite rapidly.

The wintry weather is in contrast to the torrential rain and floods have caused havoc in some parts of the Midlands and in North Wales.

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Ex-BBC Radio Presenter Denies Sex Offences

A former BBC presenter has "strenuously denied" sexual offences against children, claiming that his links to the corporation attracted undue attention.

Michael Souter, 59, of Loddon, Norfolk, has been charged with 18 offences relating to boys, one offence against a man and one against a woman.

The charges relate to six different boys and two adults and include serious sexual offences and indecent assault which allegedly took place in Norfolk between 1979 and 1999.

The earlier charges overlap with Souter's career at the BBC in the 1980s, during which he helped launch Radio Norfolk including a stint presenting the breakfast show.

Speaking after his first appearance at Norwich Magistrates' Court, Souter said: "I am well aware this case is a stressful experience for almost everybody concerned, not just me.

"Irrespective of innocence or guilt, people have judged me before one word has been given in evidence in a court of law.

"Many people wonder how much coverage would have been given both in the UK and around the world if the letters 'BBC' had not formed part of my CV.

"The support of my friends and family, during what has been an extremely difficult period, has been overwhelming and humbling and I cannot thank them enough.

"I look forward to being able to prove my innocence and put this awful episode behind me."

Souter did not enter a plea during the 10-minute hearing.

District Judge Peter Veits ordered that Souter appear at Norwich Crown Court on December 14.

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Toxic Spill As Train Plunges Off Bridge

A rail bridge has collapsed over a creek in New Jersey causing a freight train to derail and spill hazardous chemicals.

Police said vinyl chloride, a highly toxic and flammable industrial chemical, was spilling from at least one of the Conrail cars that derailed in Paulsboro at a crossing near the Delaware River.

Four tank cars were reportedly dumped into Mantua Creek. At least 18 contractors working in the area have complained of breathing problems.

Residents in the area were advised to remain indoors, with their windows shut.

The US Coast Guard said it was responding to the scene and would work with the Department of Environmental Protection to assess the situation.

"We don't know the extent of the situation yet," said Petty Officer Cindy Oldham.

Television images of the scene showed several cars partly submerged in the creek.

One car was shown at a near-vertical angle from the bridge bed into the water.

Conrail is jointly owned by rail operators CSX Corp. and Norfolk Southern Corp.

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Whooping Cough Outbreak: Mum Tells Of Heartache

The parents of a baby who died from whooping cough have told of their heartache amid the biggest outbreak of the disease in 20 years.

Jon and Helen Parsons spoke out as health officials revealed that three babies had died in October.

The total number of babies under the age of three months who have died as a result of the infectious disease this year now stands at 13, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said.

The number of confirmed cases in England and Wales this year is now 7,728.

The HPA said 1,614 cases of whooping cough were reported in England and Wales in October. In 2011, the total number of cases was 819.

In a move to combat the outbreak, health officials recently announced that all pregnant women are to be vaccinated against the infection.

Health officials say all pregnant women should be vaccinated

Jon Parsons, whose daughter died of the disease recently aged seven weeks, said he agreed with the vaccination scheme.

"I came home from work one night and she was not feeding at all," Mr Parsons told Sky News.

"We decided to go to the doctor's the next day because we were bothered about her being dehydrated.

"Over the next few days she went steadily downhill, until three weeks later unfortunately she passed away."

Jon's wife Helen, who is now pregnant again, said the benefits of having the vaccination far outweighed the risks.

"It never crossed my mind that she would get something like that - it's an old-fashioned disease," Mrs Parsons said.

Chief Medical Officer Professor Dame Sally Davies, the Government's principal medical adviser, said mothers-to-be will be offered the vaccination to protect their newborn babies.

Youngsters cannot receive the jab until they are two months old. Vaccinating their mothers before they are born will boost their immunity until they reach the age when they can have the injection themselves, she said.

Women across the UK who are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant are being offered the vaccination.

Increases in whooping cough are usually seen every three to four years. The last rise in the number of confirmed cases was recorded in 2008.

Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, consultant epidemiologist for immunisation at the HPA, said: "We strongly recommend all pregnant women take up the offer of vaccination."

In the very young, whooping cough can be a serious illness and can lead to death in some cases.

Babies and children can often make a distressing "whoop" sound while gasping for air after a coughing fit.

Professor David Salisbury, director of immunisation at the Department of Health, said: "Whooping cough is highly contagious and infants are particularly vulnerable."

He said there had been nearly 400 cases of the disease in children under three months old this year.

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Leveson Victims Petition For New Press Law

The victims of phone hacking and press intrusion have launched an e-petition calling for all of Lord Justice Leveson's proposals for regulating the press to be implemented.

Actor Hugh Grant, Gerry McCann, father of missing Madeleine McCann, and Chris Jefferies, a retired school teacher who won damages from eight newspapers who had linked him with the murder of Joanna Yates in Bristol in December 2010, kicked off the Hacked Off campaign.

Speaking on Sky's Boulton and Co, Mr Jefferies said he was angry that the Prime Minister had rejected the idea of new legislation to regulate newspapers.

"I think David Cameron's fears are entirely unreal and entirely unjustified," he said, adding that a new body backed by law was essential in order to give it "credibility and durability".

Hugh Grant, Gerry McCann and Chris Jefferies in Westminster this afternoon

Mr McCann said he did not think Lord Justice Leveson had gone far enough.

"I think the press have had enough chances now. It's a very considered report and I think it's reasonable, as a minimum, that it is implemented."

Earlier, Culture Secretary Maria Miller insisted the "principles" of Lord Justice Leveson's recommendations to reform the press could be met without statutory backing.

She dismissed the question of new press laws - which has put David Cameron on a collision course with his coalition partners, the opposition and victims of press intrusion after indicating he will spike recommendations for a new independent regulatory body, backed by legislation.

Ms Miller said the coalition was drafting new legislation to prove why the Prime Minister has "grave misgivings" about the idea and how it could curb "freedom of speech".

Echoing Mr Cameron's concerns, she told Sky News: "I feel very strongly you should have grave concerns about putting in place a piece of legislation which could have the effect in the long term of really bringing into question the ability to maintain freedom of speech in this country.

Lord Justice Leveson unveiled his proposals for press reform on Thursday

"But also on a practical level, we don't think it is necessary to have that statutory underpinning to achieve the objectives which we all agree on, which is to have strong, tough, independent self-regulation which is something that we need in this country to address the problems we have experienced in recent years."

Trevor Kavanagh, associate editor of The Sun, also warned such a move would be "the first step down the road to state intervention in the operation of newspapers".

"I think what the Prime Minister is doing is trying to safeguard freedom of the press. It is a hard won, hard fought for right and a freedom which dates back 300 years," he told Sky News.

"I think where we agree with Lord Justice Leveson is that the abuses and the practices in the past simply cannot continue. We accept virtually everything that he has recommended in terms of putting our house in order, short of making it a law of the land. I think we as journalists would be making a grave mistake if we sacrificed freedom of the press in any way, shape or form."

On Thursday, Lord Justice Leveson condemned the "culture of reckless and outrageous journalism" that dominated sections of the press for decades as he unveiled the findings of his 16-month inquiry.

The Appeal Court judge called for a new watchdog with statutory underpinning to be given the power to require prominent apologies and impose fines of as much as £1m.

Mr Cameron immediately voiced "serious concerns and misgivings" about legislative action, and said the press should be given "a limited period of time" to show it could get its house in order.

But Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said he believed Leveson's model could be "proportionate and workable" and insisted Parliament should push ahead "without delay".

Labour's Ed Miliband speaking in the Commons after the report is unveiled

Labour leader Ed Miliband said victims such as the McCanns and the parents of schoolgirl Milly Dowler would feel "utterly betrayed" by the Prime Minister.

He urged Tory MPs who support regulation backed by law to rebel in a Commons vote which he plans to force by the end of January and to approve Leveson's proposals in principle, with the aim of getting the new system in place by 2015.

The three party leaders held talks last night and the negotiations will reconvene "soon". But the prospect of the consensus Mr Cameron says he wants to achieve appeared distant as all three parties continued to look at the fine detail of the 2,400-page report.

Lord Justice Leveson's 16-month inquiry was prompted by the disclosure that News Of The World journalists hacked the phone of murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, and his verdict condemned the behaviour of elements within the newspaper industry.

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New Paedophile Monitoring Page On Facebook

A new Facebook page which claims to be an information service on the whereabouts of paedophiles has been set up just hours after a judge ordered a similar one be removed.

A convicted paedophile, known only as XY, started court proceedings in Northern Ireland against the social networking site after discovering his photograph and threatening comments had been posted on the page called Keeping Our Kids Safe From Predators.

He claimed harassment, misuse of private information, and a breach of his right to privacy and freedom from inhuman or degrading treatment.

High Court judge Mr Justice McCloskey ruled his human rights had been breached and said Facebook must take down the page within 72 hours.

However, during the afternoon a new page with the title Keeping Our Kids Safe From Predators 2 could be found on the site.

"Back 2 the start i go everything i shared from the last page is gone grrrrrrrrrrrr :( just not far (sic) at all...., " the creator posted shortly after setting the new page up.

It was not immediately clear if the new page had been set up by the same person who was the running the original.

More than 5,000 people had 'liked' the original page and some of the last posts were written after the judge had made his ruling.

One read: "Can facebook not step in here and fight this battle 4 us..... what the point of having a social netwok (sic) if we can post facts on people especially wen its 2 keep our kids safe....... Come on Mark Zuckerberg we need your help..... plz plz plz....."

Another wrote: "Let down a bag full :( no justice at all......Not only me but every victim of sex abuse every kid in the land....... This is what we get for trying 2 protect our kids."

A spokesperson for Facebook told Sky News they were investigating the latest page.

Regarding the original page, he said: "Facebook respects local laws. Consistent with the court order,  the page in question is currently unavailable. We will be studying the text of the order before deciding on next steps."

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Monty Python Stars Sued Over Spamalot Money

The Monty Python stars are being sued by a "seventh Python" who is claiming he is entitled to as much as £1m in royalties from the musical Spamalot.

Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones are all due to give evidence to the High Court in a legal battle over the highly successful musical, which is a spin off from Monty Python and The Holy Grail.

The case, which is being heard over five days, has been brought by Mark Forstater, the producer of the 1975 film, who claims that he is entitled to a larger slice of the royalties.

The court heard that "for financial purposes" Mr Forstater should be treated as "the seventh python".

Idle, Gilliam, Palin and Jones at the West End premiere in 2006

Mr Forstater is suing all five Pythons but John Cleese and Terry Gilliam, who live abroad are not expected to give evidence. The sixth member of the team, Graham Chapman, died in 1989.

Monty Python's Spamalot, which was created by Eric Idle, has been so successful both on Broadway and in the West End that Palin reportedly refers to it as his "pension plan". In 2005 it won a Tony award.

It is described on posters as being "a new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture" and as such it has generated a considerable amount of spin-off merchandising income.

Idle poses at a launch event for Monty Python's Spamalot in Las Vegas

Mr Forstater argues that under an agreement made with the Pythons in 1974, he is entitled to a great deal more of this income than he has received. That amount could run to £1m, he claims.

Tom Weisselberg, appearing for Mr Forstater, told the court the Pythons were "unjustifiably attempting to secure more money from Spamalot at the expense of Mr Forstater and his company".

The dispute over how much Mr Forstater should receive first arose in 2005 and the two sides have been unable to resolve their issues since.

However, in June, the film producer was made bankrupt.

Mr Weisselberg told the court: "Mr Forstater is in difficult financial circumstances and has been forced to bring these proceedings."

Mr Forstater, the "seventh Python" arrives at court

He says that Mr Forstater's claim that he is entitled to a seventh of the income, rather than a fourteenth, is supported by the terms of the 1974 agreement.

In addition two solicitors who were involved in drawing up that deal support Mr Forstater's claim.

Mr Weisselberg said: "They understood that, for financial purposes, Mr Forstater was to be treated as the seventh Python."

He also told the court: "The outrage expressed by a number of Pythons in their witness statements as to the suggestion that Mr Forstater was to be treated as the seventh Python is, with respect to them, misguided."

The Python's legal team disputes the claim.

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Hundreds Arrested During Domestic Abuse Raids

By Roddy Mansfield, Sky News Online

Some 320 arrests have been made during a series of dawn raids across London in an operation aimed at tackling domestic violence.

Officers from the Metropolitan Police Community Safety Unit assisted by Tactical Support Group teams have made arrests at addresses in Lambeth and elsewhere.

Under the banner of Operation Athena, the Met is targeting prolific and dangerous offenders responsible for both domestic violence and hate crime.

The operation is timed to coincide with White Ribbon Day, which aims to raise awareness of the problems of violence against women.

Every year on November 25, men are urged to wear a white ribbon for two weeks as a visible pledge not to commit or condone domestic abuse.

Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne said: "The scale of the violence and abuse caused by those in domestic relationships is shocking. About one third of all women will suffer some form of physical or sexual abuse at the hands of their partners.

White Ribbon Day - every November 25 - aims to raise awareness of the issue

"Suffering behind closed doors should not and cannot be ignored. We all have a responsibility to put a stop to domestic violence.

"We will make sure we play our part in supporting and protecting victims of both sexes. It is also importantly about demonstrating to abusers that their actions have legal and long-lasting consequences.

"There is no place in London for domestic violence or those cowardly crimes committed because of someone's race, religion, sexuality or disability. It is the offenders who should live in fear - of our knock at the door."

Campaigners at one women's domestic violence support group welcomed the arrests and said a consistent approach would help tackle the issue in the long term.

Deborah McIlveen, Policy and Services Manager at Women's Aid, said: "We welcome this action to arrest perpetrators as long as the way in which it is done has not put the victims at any additional risk.

"Whilst this type of one-off high-profile action against abusers may draw attention to the issue, what is needed to really make a difference to the lives of abused women and children is consistent, ongoing policing and prosecution of offenders, to hold them to account for their crimes and to stop them perpetrating domestic violence again."

Operation Athena runs until November 30. In addition, officers will be running victim-focused workshops and multi-agency drop-in centres around the capital.

The campaign is not just targeted at females, however. Male victims suffering from domestic abuse are encouraged to come forward and call an advice line 0808 801 0327 or visit www.mensadviceline.org.uk.

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Comet: Jobs At Risk As Shops Face Closure

Comet's administrators have confirmed a further 125 stores will close by the end of the year if they fail to get a firm offer for the whole business.

Around 70 stores of the original 236 will remain open until the electricals retailer's remaining stock is sold, Deloitte added. 

Some 5,000 jobs remain in the balance at the embattled retailer, which called in the administrators earlier this month.

Deloitte's Chris Farrington said a "small number of interested parties" remained and he hoped a positive outcome could still be achieved.  

"Should any acceptable offers be received for stores we will delay the closure process," he said.

"Unfortunately, in the absence of a firm offer for the whole of the business, it has become necessary to begin making plans in case a sale is not concluded."

Stores will begin closing in December, he added.

Since Deloitte was appointed to work for the electricals chain, some 1,500 jobs have already been axed.

Last week, the entrepreneur behind Appliances Online confirmed he had tabled a bid for Comet's web-based operations - but not for the whole business.

John Roberts said he had put in a "seven-figure offer" for Comet's website, although the deal would see the business disappear from the UK's high streets.

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Gas Blast: Man Admits Two-Year-Old's Killing

A man has admitted the manslaughter of a two-year-old boy killed in a gas explosion at his home.

Jamie Heaton died while watching TV when the blast levelled several homes in Buckley Street, Shaw, in Oldham.

Andrew Partington, an unemployed father of six, admitted causing the explosion when he let his house fill with gas overnight.

The 27-year-old suffered 40% burns and a broken back in the blast and pleaded guilty via videolink from prison during a hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Three houses were "obliterated" in the explosion

The explosion in June "obliterated" Partington's rented terrace house and two neighbouring homes, with the rest of the row and surrounding streets also left devastated.

Neighbours found Jamie's body as they searched the debris of his wrecked home.

The boy's parents sat in the public gallery holding hands for the brief hearing.

They were flanked by police officers and other members of their family, who wiped away tears as the defendant admitted his guilt.

As well as manslaughter, Partington pleaded guilty to eight charges of destroying neighbouring houses. He was remanded in custody until February 11 when he will be sentenced.

Judge Gilbart also ordered a psychological assessment of Partington before he is sentenced, to assess his dangerousness.

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Louis Walsh Wins £403,500 Over Sun Sex Slur

Louis Walsh has won a 500,000 euro (£403,500) settlement from The Sun after the newspaper carried false sex assault allegations.

The X Factor judge sued the paper after it published a story that was based on a false allegation that he sexually assaulted a man in a Dublin nightspot after a Westlife concert.

The newspaper admitted the claim made by unemployed dance teacher Leonard Watters was false and apologised to Walsh accepting that the "alleged assault did not occur in the first place".

Speaking outside court following the out-of-court settlement, Walsh said he would not have wished what happened to him on his worst enemy.

He said: "I'm very relieved. This has had a terrible effect on me guys. It was all lies.

"And I'm very satisfied with this total vindication for me, but I remain very angry at the treatment I received at the hands of The Sun."

Eoin McCullough, senior counsel for News Group Newspapers, read an apology to Walsh at the High Court in Dublin.

It said: "The Sun unreservedly apologies to Louis Walsh for any distress caused to him as a result of our article."

Louis Walsh lines up with his fellow X Factor judges

The Sun published an article in its editions on June 23, 2011, with the headline "Louis Probed Over 'Sex Attack' on Man in Loo" in which it was wrongly claimed Walsh has groped Watters at the celebrity nightclub Krystle following a Westlife concert in April 2011.

When the official complaint was made, The Sun and the Irish Sun printed the story before Walsh was questioned under caution. He denied the accusations against him.

Watters was subsequently jailed for six months for making the false allegations.

The newspaper accepted that the accusation was false but initially denied defamation, saying it had acted fairly as the story was based on police inquiries into the allegation.

Walsh's lawyer, Paul Tweed, said that a great deal of damage had been done to his client because of the online spread of the story and added that it was something he hoped Lord Leveson would address in his report on media standards.

The case was settled before the President of the High Court in Ireland, Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns.

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Runaway Emu Captured By Police In Barnstaple

An escaped emu has been captured by police after it was spotted running through a town and trying to enter people's homes.

Two officers found the 4ft-tall bird "in a state of panic" after they were called out by concerned residents in Barnstaple, North Devon.

Acting Sergeant Zoe Parnell said the emu was "running up and down the street, trying to get into people's houses" before it was caught.

She said: "When we first had the call from the public, I thought it was a bit of a wind-up.

"But when I arrived at the scene to check it out, I could see this bird in the street. It was trying to get into people's houses.

"Obviously it was finding that difficult, and would try the next one. I must admit that while I'm not normally scared of birds, I was a bit nervous with this one."

Officers said the 4ft bird was in a 'panicked' state

The bird was later caught by PCSO Stephen Huxtable, who picked up the fugitive and put it in the back of a police car.

He said: "It's a bit of a state in the back of the car now - there's mud, feathers and a few other things...

"This (catching a wild bird) is not the sort of thing we get taught during training, so I was a little unsure of how best to deal with this.

"I asked one woman if she would mind taking the bird into her lounge to catch it, and understandably she was a little reluctant to do that.

"I've been in the police force for seven years now, and I must say this is one of the most bizarre incidents I have ever been called to.

"I'd only been back in the office for a few minutes and already a few of my colleagues started cracking jokes about me 'feeling peckish'."

The emu has been handed to Diana Lewis, who runs an "animal ambulance" service in north Devon, and will later be reunited with its owner, police said.

The emu is native to Australia, and was propelled into popular culture in Britain in the 1970s by entertainer Rod Hull, whose routine included an aggressive, mute emu puppet.

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Magnitsky Case: 'Supergrass' Drops Dead

A Russian businessman who was helping Swiss authorities investigate a multimillion-pound money laundering scheme in Russia has been found dead outside his Surrey home.

The Swiss prosecutor's office confirmed 44-year-old Alexander Perepilichnyy had been assisting authorities with their inquiries.

Hermitage Capital was once one of the largest foreign investors in Russia but fell victim to apparent conspiracy by Russian interior ministry officials and tax officers to defraud the Russian tax system.

Corporate seals were taken from Hermitage Capital following a police raid and used apply for a series of tax rebates. The rebates were signed off by courts and tax offices and the money was transferred into a bank which was liquidated shortly afterwards.

The Independent newspaper reported that Mr Perepilichnyy was a key witness against the Klyuev Group, a network of Russian officials and criminals implicated in a series of tax frauds and the death in custody of Sergei Magnitsky, a Moscow lawyer hired by Hermitage.

It added that he was the fourth person to be linked to the scandal who had died suddenly.

Mr Magnitsky died aged 37 in November 2009 from acute heart failure in a Russian pre-trial detention facility after being accused of committing the tax fraud himself.

Surrey Police said it was investigating the "unexplained" death of a man in his forties who collapsed in Weybridge on Saturday, November 10.

"The death remains under investigation whilst officers await the results of the post-mortem and toxicology tests, " a spokesman said.

"Surrey Police continues to work closely with the coroner's office whilst the investigation remains ongoing."

Mr Perepilichnyy reportedly sought sanctuary in Britain three years ago and lived in a luxury development in Weybridge.

According to Russian media reports, Mr Perepilichnyy was a former business partner of Vladlen Stepanov, whom Magnitsky had named as one of the suspects in the money laundering.

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Euromillions: £64m Hitchin Prize Unclaimed

A EuroMillions player has just seven days to identify themselves as the winner of £64m - the biggest unclaimed prize in UK lottery history.

The winner in the June 8 draw matched the five main numbers 05, 11, 22, 34, 40 and the two Lucky Stars 09 and 11.

Lottery bosses have made several public appeals since establishing that the ticket was bought in the Stevenage and Hitchin area of Hertfordshire.

Posters were even put up at Luton Airport in case the lucky punter was a holidaymaker.

The winner is richer than Princes William and Harry - but may be unaware

The winner has until 11pm on Wednesday, December 5 to claim the £63,837,543.60 fortune, which would put them ahead of Harry Potter Star Daniel Radcliffe and Princes William and Harry on the Sunday Times Rich List.

The other half of the £127m prize was shared with a winner from Belgium, who has already collected their cash.

The previous biggest unclaimed prize was £9m in Doncaster in the 90s.

The National Lottery says prizes have previously been claimed on the deadline day - including £2.5m in the Worcester and Malvern area in 2009.

The Weirs from Largs scooped the UK's biggest ever jackpot

Players who believe they may have lost or destroyed their tickets have 30 days from the date of the draw to contact lottery operator Camelot so it can investigate their claim.

However that deadline passed five months ago for this ticket, so now only the ticket-holder can come forward.

If no-one claims the money by next week the sum and all the interest it has generated will go to National Lottery good causes - adding to the £29bn already raised through ticket sales since the game's 1994 launch.

Britain's biggest jackpot winners are Colin and Chris Weir, from Largs in North Ayrshire, who won £161m in July 2011.

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Egypt: Pressure On Morsi After Tahrir Protest

Egypt's highest appeals court has suspended work in protest at President Mohamed Morsi's decision to grant himself near absolute "pharoah" powers.

Judges in the Cassation Court decided in an emergency meeting that they will not return to work until Mr Morsi rescinds his presidential decrees, state television reported.

The country's lower appeals court also declared its judges would go on strike in support of their colleagues.

The move followed a defiant denial by the Supreme Constitutional Court in response to claims by Mr Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood that it is working to bring down his government.

"The court won't be terrorised by threats or blackmail and will not submit to any pressure on it in any direction," said court spokesman Maher Samy.

The judges' strike piles pressure on the president the day after more than 200,000 people packed Cairo's Tahrir Square to protest against the decree expanding his powers and barring court challenges to his decisions.

Supreme Court spokesman Maher Samy says judges will not be 'terrorised'

The demonstration against the country's first freely-elected leader rivalled some of the gatherings that eventually forced dictator Hosni Mubarak from power in 2011 and clashes between youths and police have continued since the main protest broke up.

There are fears violence will flare in the coming days, with supporters and opponents of the president planning large gatherings in Cairo.

The liberal opposition, which has vowed not to enter a dialogue with the president until he rescinds his decrees, is planning a rally for Friday.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Brotherhood and other Islamists will rally on Saturday to support Mr Morsi, a Brotherhood official has said.

Mahmud Ghozlan, a senior Brotherhood member and spokesman, told the AFP news agency the rally would be held in Cairo, after the movement cancelled a mass demonstration that would have coincided with Tuesday's huge opposition protest.

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Manhattan Nanny Pleads Not Guilty To Murder

A Manhattan nanny accused of stabbing to death two small children in her care has pleaded not guilty.

Yoselyn Ortega was arraigned at a hospital where she has been treated for self-inflicted stab wounds.

Ortega, who was handcuffed to her hospital bed, entered the plea through her attorney.

Police say she repeatedly stabbed six-year-old Lucia Krim and her two-year-old brother Leo on the evening of October 25, while their mother was out with a third child.

When Marina Krim returned home with her three-year-old daughter, she found the bodies in the bathtub, with Ortega lying on the bathroom floor with stab wounds to her neck. A kitchen knife was nearby.

The children's father, CNBC digital media executive Kevin Krim, had been away on a business trip when the killings occurred.

The couple's apartment building sits in one of the New York City's most idyllic neighbourhoods, a block from Central Park.

The neighbourhood is home to many affluent families, and seeing children accompanied by nannies is an everyday part of life there.

Some of Ortega's friends and relatives said she appeared to be struggling emotionally and financially recently, but they still could not believe she could have committed such a heinous act.

A judge ordered Ortega to be held without bail while she undergoes a psychiatric examination.

A court date was set for January 16.

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