Russia Shows Its Muscle As Crimea Breaks Away

Whatever the government in Ukraine says or does, events on the ground suggest that Crimea has already for all intents and purposes broken away; certainly Kiev's orders no longer stretch as far as this region.

Unidentified gunmen have taken over the parliament and the region's main airports in the space of 24 hours.

They would not answer when I questioned them and asked if they had been sent by Moscow.

In many ways it did not matter - their appearance pretty much gave the game away.

They carried Kalashnikovs, they spoke Russian and their combat fatigues looked suspiciously like Russian issue - albeit without insignia.

The way they moved and patrolled the airports suggested too that this was no dad's army but a well-trained unit doing a professional job.

At times as they stomped up and down ostentatiously it seemed as though they were there just for the cameras.

It was perhaps a signal from the Kremlin that it could put its men on the ground whenever it wanted and there was nothing anyone else could do.

It was a projection of power and reach.

Elsewhere images were captured of Russian helicopters flying into the airport at Sevastopol: yet another direct challenge to the authority of the government in Kiev.

The acting interior minister called the action an invasion and an occupation.

Moscow denies that it has violated Ukrainian sovereignty - officially at least it says it respects its neighbour's borders.

But the pro-European government setting itself up in Kiev is seen as a threat by Moscow.

Ukraine has always been viewed by the Russian ruling elite as part of its sphere of influence.

Moscow may have lost the Western part of Ukraine (for now?) but you can bet it will not allow the same thing to happen in the south and the eastern parts of the country.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Live Updates: Tensions Rise In Ukraine Crisis

This website uses cookies. Cookies remember you so we can give you a better service online. By using this website or closing this message you are agreeing to our cookies notice. Cookies FAQs.

x

12:45pm UK, Saturday 01 March 2014

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Investigate Leytonstone Double Murder

Police are investigating a double murder after two men were found dead in a car in east London.

Police were called to a road in Leytonstone just before 1am by London Ambulance Service after reports of two injured men in the area.

Met Police officers and paramedics found the pair, believed to be in their twenties, in a vehicle and they were pronounced dead at the scene.

Scotland Yard said an incident room has been set up in Barking and officers are working to identify the victims and inform their families.

Post-mortem examinations are due to take place on Saturday afternoon at Walthamstow mortuary.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is ongoing.

More follows...

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine Says Russia Has Sent In 6,000 Troops

Russia has been accused of sending 6,000 troops into the Ukraine despite calls by Britain and the US for Moscow to back off.

Live Updates: Tensions Rise In Ukraine Crisis

Tensions are rising amid reports that Russian and Ukranian troops are trying to gain control of key sites in the south-eastern region of Crimea.

Russian soldiers are guarding buildings in Crimea it has been confirmed

The region has a prime minister loyal to Moscow but the government in Kiev has vowed to maintain the country's territorial integrity.

Reports suggest that Russian troops are trying to occupy an anti-aircraft missile base and have taken control of airports in the peninsular.

Ukraine's border guard service said about 300 armed men were attempting to seize its main headquarters in the port city of Sevastopol.

Russian helicopter gunships have also been seen in Ukrainian airspace.

But there were claims by Russia that gunmen from Kiev had been sent overnight to seize the offices of Crimea's interior ministry.

After unrest in Kiev, tensions have shifted to the Crimea region

There was grainy footage of an unidentified armed group breaking into a building, with smoke rising and reports that people had been "wounded".

Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "As a result of the treacherous provocation, there are wounded.

"With decisive actions by self-defence groups, the attempt to seize the interior ministry building was averted.

"This confirms the desire of prominent political circles in Kiev to destabilise the peninsula."

The pro-Moscow Prime Minister of Crimea, Sergei Aksenov, has appealed to Russia for help in keeping the peace there.

A soldier stands next to a sign that says: "Crimea Russia"

He has confirmed service personnel from Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in Sevastopol, were guarding key buildings.

In what appears to be an orchestrated move, a referendum on whether residents in Crimea want greater independence from Ukraine has been brought forward by two months to March 30.

Russia's Lower House of Parliament, the Duma, has called on President Vladimir Putin "to take measures to stabilise the situation in Crimea".

And in a further ratcheting up of pressure on Ukraine, Russia said it saw "no reason" to extend a previously agreed gas discount due to unpaid debts.

To add to Ukraine's financial woes, the country's finance minister said it is unlikely to receive financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund before April due to the continuing turmoil.

Russia claims gunmen from Kiev tried to seize Crimea's interior ministry

US President Barack Obama has warned Moscow that any military intervention in Ukraine would be "deeply destabilising".

British Foreign Secretary William Hague says he has spoken to his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov calling for a de-escalation in Crimea, and respect for Ukraine sovereignty.

France and Germany have also raised concerns over developments in Ukraine.

Ukraine's Prime Minister said his country would not be drawn into a military conflict by Russian "provocations", and appealed to Moscow to halt military movements in the region.

Arseny Yatseniuk said: "It is unacceptable when armoured Russian military vehicles are out in the centre of Ukrainian towns."

Mr Obama has called on Russia to respect the independence and territory of Ukraine.

"Any violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity would be deeply destabilising," he said.

A man holds a Soviet Navy flag next to an armed patrol in Simferopol

"The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine."

Mr Hague will visit the country on Sunday and hold talks with Ukraine's new leaders.

Crimea has become a flashpoint for tensions between Russia and Ukraine after the overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych, a Moscow ally, following months of protests which escalated into deadly violence.

Ukraine's population is divided in loyalties between Russia and the West, with much of western Ukraine advocating closer ties with the European Union while eastern and southern regions look to Russia for support.

Crimea has 2.3 million inhabitants, most of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.

More follows...

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

'DUP Knew About IRA Letters', Says McGuinness

The resignation of Northern Ireland's first minister over the so-called IRA suspect amnesties would achieve nothing, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness has said.

The deputy first minister said Peter Robinson's threat to resign, effectively collapsing the Stormont administration, was not the way forward and that it was time for "cool heads" and "steady leadership".

He claimed the Democratic Unionist Party knew about the deal which led to letters being sent to "on-the-run" terror suspects informing them they would not be arrested.

Mr McGuinness said the agreement on the so-called "get-out-of-jail-free" letters was actually widely known, the information was in the public domain and that it had been written about in a book by Tony Blair's former chief of staff, Jonathan Powell.

"We weren't the only ones who knew about this," he said.

The 1982 bombing killed four soldiers and seven horses

Speaking after a Thursday morning meeting with Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers, Mr McGuinness, confirmed the British Government was considering a judicial review of the 187 letters sent to Republican paramilitaries.

Mr Robinson, threatened to resign on Wednesday saying he had been "kept in the dark". He demanded a public inquiry and gave the coalition 24 hours to agree before he stepped down.

It represents David Cameron's biggest test on Northern Ireland since he became Prime Minister. 

But Mr McGuinness said if Mr Robinson quit it the problems would still remain. He said: "The question has to be asked: 'What would that achieve?' Absolutely nothing."

The political crisis was triggered by the collapse of the trial of the Hyde Park bombing suspect John Downey on Tuesday.

John Downey will not face trial over the Hyde Park bombing

Mr Downey is suspected of involvement in the 1982 Hyde Park bombing, which killed four members of the Household Cavalry and seven of their horses.

However, he was told by a judge that he would not be prosecuted because he had been sent a letter by Northern Ireland police in 2007 saying he would not be arrested, despite an outstanding Metropolitan Police arrest warrant for the attack. 

Some 187 letters have been sent out as part of the peace process - 38 have been sent since the coalition came to power in 2010 - although the applications were received before then, and the last was in December 2012.

Mr Robinson maintains he had no knowledge of the letters and has also raised the issue of Royal Pardons, which he said had been used to grant IRA terror suspects an effective amnesty for offences.

Peter Robinson has threatened to quit

He said: "It appears that we are not just dealing with on-the-runs who received letters, but we are also dealing with people who received the Royal Prerogative of Mercy – that indicates there were offences involved.

"So we are not talking just about people who it is believed that the police did not have sufficient evidence to make a prosecution stick – that makes it a very serious matter."

Nick Clegg told Sky News on Thursday morning that the Government was "urgently looking" at a full inquiry and would respond to Mr Robinson within the deadline.

Defence Minister Anna Soubry, a former barrister, has warned there was no chance of a judicial review.

"You can't judicially review the decision," she said.

"You can appeal it, the prosecution can appeal it. The Crown Prosecution Service has taken the view that these are not the right circumstances to appeal it."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Rigby's Mum 'Collapsed' After Killers Brawl

Lee Rigby's mother collapsed and needed medical treatment after the dramatic sentencing hearing that saw her son's raging killers bundled out of court by guards.

Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale exploded with anger after judge Mr Justice Sweeney said they had betrayed Islam when they hacked the soldier to death near Woolwich barracks.

The pair were taken to their cells where they continued screaming, and the judge sentenced them in their absence.

Afterwards, Mrs Rigby said her legs "went from underneath me", and an ambulance was called.

Paramedics checked her blood pressure, before deciding she was well enough to return home.

The 47-year-old told The Sun newspaper: "This was the final insult to Lee. It was like they were jumping all over his grave.

"As they started fighting all I could think was that was how it must have been as they hacked and killed my son. I tried to block out the noises and shouting by covering my ears.

"There was so much banging and chaos. I felt so ill I thought I was going to die. I screamed out and the police rushed to protect me and my family.

"I was terrified the glass screen around the dock was going to smash and I couldn't even breathe properly.

"Even when they were dragged downstairs I could still hear them screaming.

"I don't think I have ever felt so frightened. But I was determined to see it through to the end for Lee."

Adebolajo, 29, was given a whole-life term, and Adebowale, 22, was jailed for at least 45 years.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Police Fly To US To Crack Pistorius' iPhone

South African investigators have flown to America to ask for help from Apple to retrieve information from the iPhone of paralympian Oscar Pistorius.

The three investigators want to access any messages which may have been deleted from the athlete's iPhone device.

The double-amputee runner goes on trial on Monday accused of the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

The model was shot and killed in a toilet cubicle in the athlete's home in Pretoria a year ago.

The runner has already admitted he fired the gun but says he mistook his girlfriend for a burglar.

For more than a year the state has been battling to get the information on the phone.

Newspapers in South Africa have reported that the information being sought relates specifically to SMS and Whatsapp messages sent from and received on Pistorius' phone.

Other information that investigators are trying to recover includes the times of calls and messages as well as deleted data.

Pistorius shot Steenkamp through a locked toilet door in his Pretoria home on Valentine's Day last year.

He claims it was a case of mistaken identity as he had believed Steenkamp was an intruder. The state says he planned her death.

:: Sky News will have live coverage of the trial from Monday, with a special highlights programme at 9.30pm.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Ukraine: Russia Puts Fighter Jets On Alert

Fighter jets have been put on combat alert by Russia along its border with Ukraine as it pledged to defend the rights of its "compatriots" in the strife-torn country.

It came amid escalating tensions after armed men seized the parliament building and the regional government headquarters in the southern Ukrainian region of Crimea, and hoisted Russian flags.

Meanwhile in the capital Kiev, Ukraine's parliament formally approved the formation of a national coalition government, which faces the hugely complex task of restoring stability in the country.

Police outside the parliament building after it was stormed by armed men

It is also being reported that deposed Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych has been spotted in a luxury five-star hotel and spa outside Moscow, in an exclusive enclave favoured by Russia's super-rich.

Mr Yanukovych, who was driven out of office after three months of protests which spiralled into bloody violence, insists he is still president.

Russia has granted protection to the 63-year-old fugitive, who is wanted in Ukraine on charges of mass murder after police opened fire on demonstrators.

The dawn raid in the Crimean capital of Simferopol saw up to 50 gunmen in combat fatigues storm the official buildings, erect barricades, and put up signs saying 'Crimea is Russian'.

The parliament building has been seized in Simferopol

They are also reported to be wearing black and orange ribbons, a Russian symbol of victory in World War Two.

Ukraine's acting president Oleksandr Turchynov has appealed for calm, and branded the armed raiders as "criminals in military fatigues".

He also urged Russian forces not to leave their base in southern Crimea, warning that it "would be considered a military aggression".

Ukraine's interim interior minister Arsen Avakov said security forces had been put on alert  in Simferopol and the buildings cordoned off "to prevent bloodshed".

It has led Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski to warn of a "very dangerous game" in Crimea, amid concerns it could trigger a regional conflict.

Barricades have been erected by the gunmen

Crimea is an autonomous republic in the south of Ukraine, around 500 miles from the capital Kiev.

There are mounting signs of separatism in the region which has strong ties to Moscow, and where the majority of the population are Russian speakers.

On Wednesday there was a confrontation between pro-Russia separatists and ethnic Tatars, who support Ukraine's new leaders, outside the parliament building.

Russia has questioned the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities, and has pledged to defend the rights of its "compatriots".

It would react "uncompromisingly" if these were violated, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

President Vladimir Putin has put the military on alert for major exercises

President Vladimir Putin has put the military on alert for major exercises, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

The move prompted a rebuke from US Secretary of State John Kerry, who warned Russia against any military intervention in Ukraine.

Stressing the Ukraine crisis should not be seen in a Cold War context, he said: "I want to underscore to everybody that this is not Rocky 4. It is not a zero-sum game."

Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has also said he was concerned about developments in Ukraine's Crimea, and urged Russia not to do anything that would "escalate tension or create misunderstanding".

Russia has been warned against any military intervention over Ukraine

Ukraine's newly appointed Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, who was a prominent protest leader, has insisted the country would not accept the southern Crimea region breaking away.

Crimea "has been and will be a part of Ukraine," he said.

He also revealed that in the last three years about $70bn had been siphoned out of Ukraine's financial system into offshore accounts.

It came as Russia confirmed it will take part in talks on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial package for Ukraine, where the economic situation continues to worsen after months of unrest.

Debt-hit Ukraine has said it needs $35bn (£21bn) over the next two years to avoid bankruptcy.

The European Commission says Russia should be included in efforts to provide financial assistance.

Ukraine has also seen continuous devaluation of its currency amid the political upheaval, which led to Mr Yanukovych being toppled.

Mr Yatseniuk said securing a new loan agreement with the IMF was vital for the country to be able to stabilise the currency.

He also said tough reforms are needed to prevent Ukraine, divided in loyalties between Russia and the West, from collapsing economically and politically.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

RBS Reaches Deal To Award £550m Bonus Pot

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is to pay approximately £550m in staff bonuses for 2013 after securing the agreement of the Treasury agency that is its biggest shareholder.

Sky News has learnt that the taxpayer-backed bank will disclose the sum - which is higher than previous reports had suggested - alongside its annual results on Thursday.

The bonus pot for 2013 is certain to reignite a row over pay at RBS because it will also announce a loss for the year estimated at £8bn, the biggest since its bail-out by the Government in 2008.

UK Financial Investments (UKFI), the body which manages taxpayers' stake in the bank, is understood to have signed off on the payments in recent days.

The sum of around £550m will represent a fall on the 2012 bonus pot of £679m of just under 20%, which Chancellor George Osborne is expected to cite as evidence that RBS is exhibiting restraint on bonus payments.

Last year's figure was further reduced by £72m to £607m because of the clawback of previous years' deferred bonuses, undertaken as a consequence of RBS's £390m fine for its role in the Libor-rigging scandal.

RBS is expected to have reduced the 2013 bonus pool by at least £25m under a commitment it gave 12 months ago to reduce bonuses in subsequent years.

It is unclear whether RBS will also announce a plan on Thursday to seek shareholder approval at its annual general meeting in May to allow it to pay bonuses worth double the value of senior employees' basic salaries.

Other UK banks are planning to do so, but RBS found itself at the centre of another political row last month when Labour leader Ed Miliband urged David Cameron to use the Government's stake to block any such request.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr Cameron told Sky News: "With our particular responsibility for RBS, I can tell you that I don't only want to see the level of pay and bonuses come down overall, I want to see it come down per-person, per-capita as well."

The Prime Minister said last month that new European rules on bankers' pay, which the Government is challenging, could exacerbate the riskiness of banks.

He said: "This European directive... in some ways might make things worse, because you could see rates of pay go up.

"You can claw back a bonus, the taxpayer can get the money back. You can't claw back [basic] pay."

Thursday's bonus announcement will come as Ross McEwan, RBS's new chief executive, unveils a plan that will mean the bank's 120,000-strong workforce shrinking to barely two-thirds of that number following the sale and closure of several business units.

RBS and UKFI declined to comment.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Cameron Criticised On Flood Defence Spending

The boss of the country's biggest insurance firm, Legal & General, has told Sky News he is concerned about a lack of spending on flood defences.

As the industry faces Government pressure to pay out quickly on the costs of the winter storms, Nigel Wilson also spoke out against policy on home building in flood-prone areas.

He said: "We've had a housing policy that has encouraged too much building in flood plains area. And we've been on and on about this.

"There's an issue in the UK. We're not building enough and where we're building them is in the wrong place.

"So we've got a multi-phased approach in actually increasing housing supply.

L&G is facing a multi-million pound flood bill

"The Government needs to focus much more attention on housing supply and where that supply is."

He was speaking hours after David Cameron's boast that flood defence spending will increase under his leadership was contradicted by the UK's statistics watchdog, which claimed the budget had actually been cut by £250m.

Sir Andrew Dilnot, head of the UK Statistics Authority, called on the Government to publish its real-term figures "in the public interest."

Mr Cameron claimed at Prime Minister's Questions that spending between 2011 and 2015 would be higher than in the previous four years under Labour.

The results of the wettest winter on Met Office records

But Labour leader Ed Miliband accused him of using "phoney figures".

Environment Secretary Owen Paterson went further, saying the Government is "providing more than any previous government in this spending review".

The discrepancy stems from the Government including money spent by private firms and other third parties in its figures.

Flood defence spending was £2.37bn between 2007 and 2011, according to House of Commons library figures.

The Army was called in to help tackle the rising waters

Between 2011 and 2015 it will be £2.34bn - a £247m cut in real terms.

Sir Andrew believes the House of Commons numbers are more credible than those being stated by Mr Cameron and his colleagues.

He said: "We agree with their finding that, as of January 2014, government funding for flood defences was expected to be lower in both nominal and real terms during the current spending period than during the last spending period.

"Our analysis also supports the conclusion that the statement 'over the current spending review period, more is being spent than ever before' is supported by the statistics if the comparison is made in nominal terms and includes external funding, but is not supported by the statistics if the comparison is made in real terms or if external funding is excluded."

Labour and Friends of the Earth say the cuts contributed to the damage endured across swathes of the country this winter - and the issue will be debated by MPs on Wednesday.

Mr Paterson has already apologised for "any offence" caused by his flood defence spending claims, but denied there had been any "manipulation of figures".

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said: "Figures on flood defence spending are published. The Government is spending £2.4bn on flood management and protection from coastal erosion which is more than ever before.

"The Prime Minister also recently announced £130m extra for flood defence repairs following the extreme weather."

All this comes as the Institution of Civil Engineers called on Chancellor George Osborne to use next month's  Budget to return spending on flood risk management to pre-2010 levels.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

NI First Minister Threatens To Resign

Hyde Park Bombing Victims' Families 'Angry'

Updated: 7:51pm UK, Tuesday 25 February 2014

The families of the soldiers killed in the Hyde Park IRA bomb blast have criticised Northern Ireland police's "monumental blunder" after an attempt to prosescute suspect John Downey failed.

Downey, 62, of County Donegal, will not face trial at the Old Bailey because he received a "letter of assurance" that he would not face a criminal court.

He had been wanted by the Metropolitan Police for more than 30 years, but officers were unaware Mr Downey - who denies involvement - and dozens of other terrorist suspects had been promised they would not be arrested because of the Northern Ireland peace process.

Police in Northern Ireland have now said they were wrong to make those assurances.

After the ruling by a judge that the prosecution could not go ahead, relatives of the four soldiers killed in the 1982 attack, said in a statement: "It is with great sadness and bitter disappointment that we have received the full and detailed judgment and that a trial will now not take place.

"This news has left us all feeling devastatingly let down, even more so when the monumental blunder behind this judgment lies at the feet of the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)."

Career soldier Lieutenant Anthony Daly, then 23, died alongside three other members of his regiment the Blues and Royals, part of the Household Cavalry, when a bomb packed with wire nails and hidden in a parked car was detonated as they passed along South Carriage Drive in London.

Chris Daly - former major in the Blues and Royals - spoke angrily about being "let down" by the authorities, adding there was evidence to suggest the PSNI discovered its error but twice failed to rectify the problem, or inform the province's director of public prosecutions.

He said: "It stems very directly to the issuing of the letter Downey has in his possession where the Government has given him assurance he will not be prosecuted.

"And therefore how did Downey come into possession of this letter?

"It transpires the PSNI issued this letter to Downey in July 2007, thinking that he was not wanted either in Northern Ireland or by any other police force in the United Kingdom.

"This is despite the fact that three months earlier in April the same team within PSNI knew that Downey was wanted by the Metropolitan Police, on the police national computer, so the letter was issued in error.

"A year later this error was flagged up by the PSNI but nothing was done about it.

"Why wasn't something done about it?

"Then a year later, in 2009, again the error of the issuing of the letter was recognised but nothing was done about it."

Mr Daly, who was 18 when his brother died, is now asking for an apology for the victims' families from the police force and a full investigation into what went wrong.

He said the fact Downey would be returning to a normal life was "a torment" for the families left behind, for whom the grief of loss would never end.

The PSNI apologised and accepted "full responsibility" for the botched prosecution.

Northern Ireland Chief Constable Matt Baggott apologised to the families, saying: "I deeply regret these failings, which should not have happened."

Northern Ireland Secretary Theresa Villiers said the PSNI should reflect on "the serious error".

President of the Association of Chief Police Officers Sir Hugh Orde, who was chief constable of Northern Ireland at the time of the error, said: "It is a matter of great personal regret that a crucial oversight was made by a senior officer which resulted in erroneous information being sent to Mr Downey by the Northern Ireland Office and thus prejudicing the current indictment."

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More

Attorney General Looks Into Punch Jail Sentence

The Attorney General is considering referring a jail sentence over a punch which left a man dead to the Court of Appeal.

The four-and-a-half year sentence, handed down to Lewis Gill, 20, from Bournemouth, for the punch which led to the death of a man, may have been unduly lenient, Attorney General Dominic Grieve's office revealed.

His decision to review the matter comes after a number of complaints about the sentence - only way complaint is required to trigger the process.

Mr Grieve has until until March 21 to decide whether or not to refer it to the Court of Appeal.

Lewis Gill, from Sutton, Surrey, pleaded guilty to manslaughter

Andrew Young, 40, died after falling to the ground following the punch by Gill in November last year.

Gill was an acquaintance of the cyclist to whom Mr Young spoke about cycling on the pavement.

CCTV cameras recorded the attack outside a Tesco Metro store, with the footage showing Mr Young talking to the cyclist and then being punched by Gill as the cyclist walked away.

Mr Young, who suffered from Asperger's syndrome, died the next day in hospital.

The victim's family have described the sentence as an "absolute joke".

Mr Young's mother, Pamela, told the Dorset Daily Echo that her son's illness affected his social skills.

"He was very precise and particular because of his Asperger's, and he wouldn't have liked seeing someone riding a bicycle on the pavement because it was dangerous," she said.

She wished the "awful man" had pleaded not guilty so he could have faced a longer sentence after a trial, she added.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester, of Dorset Police Major Crime Team, said: "This was a violent attack on an innocent man which had a tragic outcome.

"This case shows that violence does not resolve anything and can have far-reaching consequences not imagined at the time.

"Criminal behaviour such as this will not be tolerated and we are committed to bringing offenders to justice." 

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

20.49 | 0 komentar | Read More