Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Live updates have finished for today across Beds, Herts and Bucks. We'll be back with you tomorrow from 08:00 with all the latest news, sport, weather and travel.
Summary
Updates for Monday 7 September 2015
News, sport, travel and weather updates resume at 08:00 Tuesday
Our live coverage across the daypublished at 18:00
Weather: Dry overnight with a dry day tomorrowpublished at 17:57
It'll be dry overnight,with variable amounts of cloud. Some clear spells are possible, mainly in western areas towards Leighton Buzzard, where it may turn chilly with some mist forming. Minimum temperature: 10C (50F).
Tomorrow: It will be another dry day with some bright or sunny spells at times. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine too. Maximum temperature: 17C (63F)
Eleven times in court... and countingpublished at 17:53
The case of Tina Beloveth Powerful, from Milton Keynes, shows how court cases can take time - she was found guilty of fraud after eight separate court hearings.
She had offered courses and degrees that her Everest School of Transformational Management did not have the correct accreditation for - and advertised facilities that did not exist, including a library.
But since she was found guilty, Powerful has failed to turn up for sentencing on three occasions. An arrest warrant has been issued.
Stevenage Magistrates' Court: A fairly smooth daypublished at 17:38
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsA busy day has drawn to a close here at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court.
Over the last few hours, I’ve seen technical wizardry and more than a dozen defendants come through the doors and heard the occasional stern word handed down by the chairman of the bench.
A fellow journalist tweeted to tell me that at this court he had to wait four hours because the prosecution lawyer had a flat tyre. Compared with that, it's been a very smooth day with efficient and professional staff trying to ensure, as the chairman said, that “justice is swift and fair”.
Live in court: Defendant told 'see this as a warning'published at 17:32
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsEarlier on I mentioned the probation service prepared a report about a defendant charged with affray and possession of cannabis.
When Daniel Nichols returned for sentencing, he didn’t look very well and was accompanied by his mother who sat alongside him for support.
Sentencing him to 12 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, chairman of the bench David Owen told Nichols: “You need to see this as a warning.”
He was ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge, £100 in compensation, £180 in criminal court charges, £85 to the prosecution and a £200 fine for cannabis possession.
Victim of Aylesbury sex ring to take legal actionpublished at 17:14
BBC Three Counties RadioOne of the victims of a child sex ring in Aylesbury has said her lawyers will be taking legal action against Buckinghamshire County Council for negligence. Six men were jailed today for abusing two girls on a "massive scale".
Image source, GoogleSpeaking after the sentencing, Girl B said no sentence could ever put right what happened. But she wants government and social services to listen to her experiences so they can stop abuse happening in future.
Alan Collins from the law firm Hugh James says social services should have done more to protect the victims and spot crucial signs that something was wrong. He said they would be taking legal action against the council for their negligence which resulted in unnecessary suffering.
Stevenage Magistrates' Court live: Mobile hairdresser disqualified from drivingpublished at 16:56
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsOne of the final cases of the day is a mobile hairdresser who’s been disqualified from driving.
Lindsey Lee, 34, from Kings Earl Court, Waltham Abbey, admitted failing to take a breath test when she was at a police station after a crash.
She’d been drinking with friends the night before the crash on 15 August, but was “aggressive” and “appeared intoxicated” when police spoke to her afterwards.
She was disqualified from driving for 14 months, and was ordered to pay a fine of £335, prosecution costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £35 and a criminal court charge of £150.
Adam Fanelli murder trial: 'Beaten to death after drug deal'published at 16:43
Katy Lewis
BBC Local LiveA jury at Luton Crown Court has heard how a man who suddenly started taking drugs was dead within three weeks after being beaten to death by two men he had supplied cocaine to.
Image source, GoogleAdam Fanelli, 31, was found dead at Nash Park travellers' site in Buckinghamshire on 17 March. Post-mortem tests showed he died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Addy McAllister, 34, of Charlesworth Street, Bolsover in Derbyshire and Jemma Price, 30, of Ridgeway, Kensworth in Bedfordshire have denied his murder. Each defendant has claimed he was merely a bystander as a fight broke out between the other and Mr Fanelli. The case continues.
Live at Stevenage Magistrates': Preparation of probation reportspublished at 16:34
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsAnother example of how some court proceedings can take a bit of time, as we wait for a probation report to be prepared.
Daniel Nichols, 38, of Baker Street, Hertford, admitted one count of affray and one of cannabis possession.
After an argument with a couple in a kebab shop during a night out last month, Nichols went to get a claw hammer from his home nearby and threatened the pair with it before he was restrained.
The chairman of the bench has said he wants a “fast delivery report” from the probation service on Nichols, who says he has an alcohol problem, to use during sentencing.
OneMK: Council leader thinks city should be 'prepared to take share' of refugeespublished at 16:18
Milton Keynes Council leader Pete Marland, external believes the city "should stand ready to act" on the desperate humanitarian refugee crisis.
Live in court: A long journey from Wales for a 15-minute hearingpublished at 16:10
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsAnother case where the expected guilty plea wasn’t forthcoming has appeared before the court.
The defendant, charged with driving offences, had travelled to Stevenage from Wales, only to sit in court for a 15-minute hearing which was adjourned until November because he pleaded not guilty.
“It was a shame the defendant didn’t realise he didn’t need to come today. He was ill-advised,” duty defence lawyer Steven Smyth told the court.
Segway stolen by man wielding knife in Bedfordpublished at 15:55
Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties RadioPolice are appealing for witnesses after two boys had the Segway (example pictured) they were playing on in Bedford stolen from them by a man wielding a knife.
The two 15-year-old boys were approached by the man at around 21:45 at the junction of Needwood Road and Ettrick Drive on Wednesday.
The offender is described as around 5ft 5in to 5ft 7in. He was wearing a black hooded top, a black and white bandana covering his face, black gloves and dark jeans.
Broadband speeds in Milton Keynespublished at 15:39
BBC Inside OutInternet access is something we take for granted today. Without it, we’d struggle to manage tasks from internet banking to checking bills, booking holidays or shopping.
This is why the government is spending more than £1 billion on improving broadband connections.
There are places in rural Cambridgeshire, however, that have broadband speeds 1,000 times faster than parts of urban Milton Keynes. So, why can't BT deliver basic broadband to Britain's fastest growing town? We investigate this issue tonight from 19:30.
Live at court: More 'virtual court' hearingspublished at 15:31
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsWe’re gearing up for another “virtual court” hearing, where the defendant will be appearing via videolink from a police station.
“What's on?” quips the chairman of the bench as the court looks at the screen. A technical officer suggests we turn the television volume up so the defendant can be heard.
The defendant, who faces a charge of drink-driving, is the third today who was expected to plead guilty but has denied the offence, meaning the hearing has had to be adjourned.
Reports of 'peaceful protest' at Yarl's Woodpublished at 15:27
Katy Lewis
BBC Local LiveReports on social media say there is a peaceful protest taking place at the Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, external near Bedford.
Tweets from the Detained Voices, external Twitter account, which records voices from "inside immigration detention", say they want freedom and they want centres to be shut down.
Courts live: Pace slowspublished at 15:12
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsThe pace has slowed somewhat now we’re back from lunch.
In the case I'm in, the prosecution, defence and magistrates are still discussing how long is needed for a magistrates’ court trial.
They’re talking about potential witnesses who might give evidence and how long speeches will take, among other things.
I would guess the system of splitting those anticipated to plead guilty and not guilty into different courtrooms is designed to avoid situations like this.
Courts live: Why are we doing it?published at 15:08
Pete Cooper
BBC Local LiveFigures obtained by the BBC show lengthening delays in the time taken for cases to be dealt with by magistrates. Funding cuts have contributed to what some are calling a ‘postcode lottery’ in the administration of justice.
All through today on Local Live we'll be looking at our courts, how they work and why there are delays.
Afternoon headlines: Aylesbury sex ring sentencing and Segway stolen in Bedfordpublished at 15:03
Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties RadioThe top stories this afternoon:
- Six men involved in a child sex ring in Aylesbury have been jailed for abusing two schoolgirls on a "massive scale"
- A BBC investigation has found a big increase in the time it takes for a case to go through the courts in Bedfordshire
- Police are appealing for witnesses after two boys had the Segway they were playing on in Bedford stolen from them by a man wielding a knife
Live from Stevenage Magistrates' Court: 'Full afternoon' aheadpublished at 14:46
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsIt must be a bit daunting if you’re a defendant standing up in front of three magistrates, legal teams, probation officers, a court usher and the occasional journalist.
On the whole, things have been running smoothly for today’s defendants (apart from one who was told to take her hands out of her pockets) and court staff.
After a lunch break, it's time for what chairman of the bench David Owen described as a "full afternoon" here in court two.
Live from Stevenage Magistrates' Court: Thief given 'last chance'published at 14:34
Jodie Smith
BBC NewsIn my last update, I mentioned the case of Danny Laverty, who admitted five counts of theft.
He admitted stealing meat worth £40 from Asda and electric razors worth £80 from Lloyds Pharmacy, as well as ready meals and cheese from two supermarkets.
Laverty, 29, has a history of drug addiction and is undergoing treatment. Passing sentence, the chairman of the bench told him: “It’s a last chance for you to try to resolve this”.
He was given a 20-week sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £85, a criminal courts charge of £180 and a victim surcharge of £80.
