Summary

  • An independent review into how the Church of England handled the case of a Sussex bishop accused of being a child abuser will be published later today.

  • The church has apologised to the relatives of former Bishop of Chichester George Bell for the way it investigated the claims.

  • Primary School children in Medway and East Sussex have fallen below the government's expectations with less than 65% of pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths.

  • The family of East Sussex adventurer Christian Velten - who went missing in West Africa 14 years ago - are still hoping he will make his way home after he was apparently seen begging.

  • News, sport, weather and travel updates for the South East of England

  1. Peterborough sign Woking winger Wardpublished at 17:27 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Peterborough United sign Joe Ward from National League side Woking for an undisclosed fee on a two-and-a-half year deal.

    Read More
  2. Man pleads guilty over 'widely shared' indecent videopublished at 17:11 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    A man has pleaded guilty to eight sexual offences after several police forces were alerted in December to a video containing indecent images of two children.

    Police in Northamptonshire, Bristol and Brighton issued warnings and a school in Bristol urged parents to check their children's phones for the "widely shared" video.

    phone

    Daniel Norton, 26, pleaded guilty at Southampton Crown Court to three counts of causing a child aged under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

    He also admitted three counts of making indecent photos of a child, and charges of distributing indecent photos and possessing an extreme pornographic image.

    Norton, of Cheadle, Stockport, was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 1 February.

  3. School bags searched for unhealthy foodpublished at 16:38 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    The Charles Dickens School says any unhealthy food and drinks found will not be returned to pupils.

    Read More
  4. Attack leaves woman with broken anklepublished at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    A 42-year-old woman had her ankle broken in an attack in Bognor Regis.

    She was walking with a group of other women after visiting a pub when it happened.

    She was also stamped on, leaving her with cuts and bruises.

    CCTV of Bognor Regis attack suspectsImage source, Sussex Police

    Police have issued CCTV images of two women they'd like to speak to in connection with the attack.

    Four women, aged 21, 28, 34 and 46, all from Bognor Regis, have been arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm with intent.

  5. Lorry park shut by councilpublished at 15:57 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Dover District Council says it's closed an unauthorised lorry park in the town.

    Action was first taken against the owners of the land in Coombe Valley Road in Dover last summer.

    A planning inspector has now upheld the decision, because of the extra traffic it would generate, especially around a railway bridge.

    Coombe Valley Road, DoverImage source, Google
  6. Man robbed by gangpublished at 15:56 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Bob Dale
    BBC Live reporter

    Police are hunting a gang of muggers who attacked a young man in Battle.

    The 21-year-old victim was knocked to the ground and robbed of his mobile, driving licence, cash and a Louis Vuitton card holder.

    It happened as he walked along a lane leading to Coronation Gardens, around 00:20 GMT on 6 January.

    Marley Lane level crossing, BattleImage source, Google
    Image caption,

    The attack happened close to a level crossing in Battle

    Detectives believe a group of four people waiting at a nearby level crossing may have seen what happened.

  7. Sir Julian calls it a daypublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    The former Canterbury Conservative MP Sir Julian Brazier has announced he won't be contesting the seat at the next general election.

    Sir Julian, who was first elected in 1987, suffered a narrow defeat to Labour's Rosie Duffield in May, losing by just 187 votes.

    Making his announcement, Sir Julian said he wanted to allow the local party time to choose a new candidate for the next election.

    Sir Julian BrazierImage source, Conservative Party
    Quote Message

    Serving in Parliament enabled me to represent the constituency and fight for local issues, like the Kent and Canterbury hospital. I expect this Parliament to last a full five years as the new laws require, and feel that by 2022 it would be right that the baton should have passed on."

    Sir Julian Brazier, Former Conservative MP for Canterbury

  8. Lady Lucan died 'on cocktail of drugs'published at 13:11 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Lady Lucan took her own life after diagnosing herself with Parkinson's disease, an inquest hears.

    Read More
  9. Roaring 20s won't return to Bexhill for 2018published at 13:08 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    People line up to dance the Charleston in front of the De La WarrImage source, Discover Bexhill

    A popular 1920s themed event in Bexhill will not be returning this year.

    Roaring 20s, which attracts thousands of people from across the country, has been running for four years.

    Organisers have criticised Rother District Council for a lack of funding and say it'll "deal an enormous blow to Bexhill's yearly tourism economy".

    A council spokesperson said the authority sets aside £9,000 each year to support new and existing events with the aim of them becoming self-sustaining after three years.

    Quote Message

    "We are in discussion with the organiser of Roaring 20s and will continue to assist established events, where possible, with support including the free use of car parks, public land and waste services. Despite the financial challenges the council continues to face, we are committed to supporting and promoting tourism."

    Rother District Council

  10. School evacuated after reported chemical leakpublished at 13:06 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Lizzie Massey
    BBC Live reporter

    Ebbsfleet AcademyImage source, Google Maps
    Image caption,

    Ebbsfleet Academy

    Firefighters and police are at a Swanscombe school after a reported chemical leak.

    Ebbsfleet Academy in Kent was evacuated as a precaution, and emergency services called at around 10:30 GMT.

    A Kent Fire and rescue spokesman said they were called to a bleach-like smell in a plant room.

    The source of the smell is thought to have been a leak from a kitchen extraction system and the room is now being ventilated by fire crews.

    South East Coast Ambulance treated a number of patients, including children and adults, at the scene but no injuries are life threatening.

  11. Students to be bag-checked for junk foodpublished at 12:58 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Lizzie Massey
    BBC Live reporter

    Junk foodImage source, Getty Images

    A school which has banned pupils from bringing in junk food will be conducting bag searches and confiscating unhealthy items.

    In a statement on The Charles Dickens School's website it states "sweets, fizzy drinks, energy drinks and multi-pack sizes of unhealthy food/drink are not allowed".

    Any items taken will not be returned, it adds.

    The checks will form part of the Broadstairs school's regular uniform checks.

    What do you think? Tell us using Twitter, external, on Facebook, external or by emailing us.

  12. Sussex Police: Do you recognise this man metal detecting in Bognor?published at 12:38 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Police want to speak to this man in connection with unauthorised metal detecting at Hotham Park in Bognor.

    Man using a metal detector in Hotham Park, BognorImage source, Sussex Police

    Police say the incident took place at about 16:00 GMT on Friday 29 December.

    Arun District Council owns the park and does not give permission for metal detecting there as it can lead to permanent loss of important historical information or artefacts.

  13. Brighton Pride 2018 theme revealedpublished at 12:31 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Yasmine Djadoudi
    BBC Live reporter

    'Colour My World' has been chosen as the theme for this year's Brighton Pride.

    Person holding rainbow flagImage source, Getty Images

    The theme was chosen to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the iconic rainbow flag.

    Brighton Pride's Director Paul Kemp said “Coming together as a community to declare our unity is ever more important."

    Brighton Pride will run from Friday 3-5 August.

  14. Husband and wife die after four car crashpublished at 12:25 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Lizzie Massey
    BBC Live reporter

    A husband and wife who were involved in a serious collision in Ashford in Surrey have both died.

    Police were called to the A308 Kingston Road at 16:00 GMT on 9 December after four cars were involved in a collision.

    Evelyn Swann, 88, the passenger of a Skoda Fabia died at the scene. Neil Swann, 87, the driver of the Skoda was taken to hospital but died on 2 January.

    A statement released by their family said the pair will be "sorely missed".

    The driver of a blue Subaru Impreza was taken to hospital with a serious but non-life threatening injury. No one was injured in the other two vehicles involved.

    Kent Police has renewed its appeal for witnesses and anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to come forward.

    A 33-year-old man from Seaford in Sussex and a 32-year-old man from Hersham, Surrey have both been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving whilst over the prescribed limit for drugs.

    They remain under investigation.

  15. Pollution hotspots revealedpublished at 11:09 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Enter your postcode to see what the air quality is like where you are living in Britain.

    Read More
  16. Man goes missing without medicationpublished at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Police have been using a drone to help search for John Prince who's gone missing from his home in Hastings.

    Missing man John PrinceImage source, Sussex Police

    The 70-year-old is schizophrenic and isn't believed to have taken his medication with him.

    He was last seen at about noon yesterday at a betting shop in Ore.

    People are being asked to check sheds and garages in case Mr Prince has taken shelter there overnight.

  17. Giant mural unveiled in Brightonpublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Kathryn Langley
    BBC Live reporter

    Sussex has a brand new piece of outdoor art.

    The Angel of Brighton was painted on a wall in the city's North Laine by artist Cosmo Sarson.

    He mixed four kilograms of gold glitter into paint for the three-storey high mural.

    A three-storey high mural on a wall in BrightonImage source, Cosmo Sarson

    Cosmo also painted the famous Breakdancing Jesus mural in Bristol.

  18. Paralysed mum's home DIY SOS is answeredpublished at 08:36 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Amanda Worne was left unable to walk after a cycling accident in 2015.

    Read More
  19. Tribute to mother who died in house firepublished at 07:58 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Julia Brown died in the blaze in Broadstairs, Kent, and her daughter has described as her 'rock'.

    Read More
  20. Main line tunnel leaks to be pluggedpublished at 01:34 Greenwich Mean Time 10 January 2018

    Work on the Brighton Main Line will close routes for two weeks during half-term holidays.

    Read More