The News Matrix: Friday 16 January 2015

‘New rules needed’ for lenient sentences

A widening of rules governing “unduly lenient sentences” is needed, according to child protection and victims of crime groups, following the Attorney General’s announcement he has no power to prompt the reconsideration of the case of teacher Stuart Kerner who had an affair with a teenage pupil yet escaped prison.

Bigamist accused of killing second wife

A bigamist, who ran a “sexual” massage service, conspired with his wife and son to kill his second wife for her life insurance policy due to his “desperate” financial affairs, a court heard. Pierre Legris, 61, is accused of killing Rui Li by hitting her head at their home in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Constitution to name third gender

A panel drafting Thailand’s new constitution says it will include the term ‘third gender’, to include and empower gay and transgender people. Despite being known for its large gay and transgender communities, Thailand remains largely conservative.

Google halts sales of Glass eyewear

Google has halted sales of its Google Glass eyewear. The company insists it is committed to the smart glasses product, but says it will now focus on “future versions of Glass”. The Explorer programme, which gave software developers the chance to buy Glass for £990 will close.

Woman is tested for Ebola virus

A woman who recently returned from West Africa was being tested for the Ebola virus at a hospital in Edinburgh last night, officials said. Melanie Johnson, of NHS Lothian, said the patient was in isolation at the city’s Western General Hospital.

Detective writer Rendell has stroke

Crime writer Ruth Rendell is in a critical but stable condition after suffering a stroke, her publisher said yesterday. The author, who also has a seat in the House Of Lords as a Labour peer, is known for her novels featuring Chief Inspector Wexford among dozens she has written.

‘Budapest’ leading the Oscars’ race

Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel are tied for the most Oscar nominations, with nine each. The Imitation Game has eight nods, while American Sniper is up for six. All four are up for Best Picture.

Isis Briton had a ‘good’ time in jail

A former English grammar schoolboy who joined Isis told of having a “good lol” time in a Turkish jail. Shabazz Suleman, 19, said he had eaten pizza and watched Isis propaganda videos in custody. He was later handed back to the group in a prisoner exchange.

Thieves rumbled by footprints in snow

Three men have been arrested for a series of car break-ins after police simply followed their footprints in the snow. Officers responded to a theft and followed the footprints to find over 20 more vehicles that had been broken into, before arriving at one of the thieves’ house front doors.

‘Bury bins’ to take on council collections

A businessman from Bury has said he will set up his own bin collections after his local council reduced its service to just once every three weeks. Craig Lavelle says there has been a “tremendous response” to his idea. Bury Bins will cost £8.40 a time, with the company planning to get a waste carrier’s licence.

Shoes that have a shocking secret

Researchers in Germany have developed a shoe that generates electricity as you walk. The technology harvests energy from the shock of the foot hitting the ground, and the swing action of walking. It is believed the shoes can generate enough electricity to power self-lacing shoes for the elderly.

Divine results for lads’ ‘Bible’ website

TheLadBible.com is now the 12th most visited site in the UK. Analysing data for respondents who described themselves as “laddish”, market research firm Yougov found the quintessential “lad” tends to be from the north and likes football, lager, The Inbetweeners, Eminem and bacon sandwiches.

A police force with real faith in its dogs

A local police department was left red faced after discovering its specially commissioned new rug bore the words “In Dog We Trust”. The rug had been in the lobby of the Pinellas County Sheriff’s office for months before the typo was noticed by a deputy on Wednesday.