Passenger Train Derails In New York

Some carriages are reportedly in the water after a Metro-North passenger train derailed in New York City, police have said.

A woman at the scene said numerous emergency vehicles have responded to the scene in the Bronx.

Rebecca Schwartz said some of the trains were submerged in water.

An image of the scene showed several cars had derailed close to a station on the line.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) police said the train derailed near Spuyten Duyvil station.

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Paul Walker: Fast And The Furious Actor Dies

Paul Walker, who starred in street-racing blockbuster series The Fast And The Furious, has been killed in a car crash in California.

Ame Van Iden, a publicist for the American actor, confirmed the 40-year-old died in a smash north of Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon.

A statement on Walker's Facebook page said he was a passenger in a friend's car and had been in the area to attend a charity event for his organisation Reach Out Worldwide.

The red Porsche at the scene of the crash

"We ... are stunned and saddened beyond belief by this news," it said.

The red Porsche reportedly crashed into a lamp post and burst into flames, killing them both.

Photos from the scene showed a pile of twisted metal and broken windows.

Paul Walker in The Fast And The Furious. Pic: Universal Pictures

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said officers found the car engulfed in flames when they responded to a report of a collision in the Valencia area.

The two people who were found in the car were pronounced dead at the scene.

Walker on the catwalk in Sao Paulo

Hollywood reporter Gayl Murphy said the actor had been travelling back from the fundraiser when the crash happened.

She told Sky News: "This is such a sad story. He was such a nice guy. Bystanders thought that the Porsche that they were driving in had gone out of control in a fiery crash."

Walker was working on the seventh Fast And Furious movie at the time of his death.

"All of us at Universal are heartbroken," Universal Pictures said in a statement.

"Paul was truly one of the most beloved and respected members of our studio family for 14 years, and this loss is devastating to us, to everyone involved with the Fast And Furious films and to countless fans."

Co-star Vin Diesel posted a photo of himself with Walker on Instagram and wrote: "Brother I will miss you very much. I am absolutely speechless. Heaven has gained a new Angel. Rest in peace."

Walker, Diesel, Tyrese Gibson at the Fast And The Furious 6 world premiere

"Your humble spirit was felt from the start," said co-star Ludacris on Twitter.

"Wherever you blessed your presence you always left a mark, we were like brothers."

Walker also starred in the suspense drama, Hours, which was set for release this month.

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Pub Stab Victim: Case of 'Mistaken Identity'

A man stabbed to death outside a London pub was a victim of mistaken identity, police believe.

Christopher Foster was attacked while having a cigarette with a male friend in an alleyway outside St Christopher's Inn, in Borough High Street, Southwark, central London.

Witnesses said they saw seven suspects wearing hooded clothing carrying baseball bats and at least one knife.

Emergency services were alerted to the stabbing at about 11.45pm on Friday.

The attack happened outside St Christopher's Inn in Borough High Street

Mr Foster was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, east London, where he died at 1.05am on Saturday.

The unmarried 34-year-old, who had a four-year-old daughter, lived in Walworth, southeast London.

He worked in administration for a firm of lawyers.

A post-mortem will be held at Greenwich.

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin said: "At this stage of our investigation, this appears to be a case of mistaken identity.

Flowers were left at the scene of the murder

"I am keen to identify a group of males who were seen running from St Christopher's Inn along Borough High Street towards Elephant and Castle immediately after the stabbing."

Witnesses or anyone with information can call the incident room on 020 8345 3865, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A woman has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. She was taken to an east London police station where she remains in custody.

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Glasgow Helicopter Pub Crash: PC Is Victim

PC Kirsty Nelis was one of the eight people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a crowded pub in Glasgow, Sky News sources say.

Many of her friends have changed their Facebook profile pictures to a black square cut across by a thin blue line in her memory.

Andrina Romano said: "For my beautiful friend Kirsty and all others involved. You will never be forgotten and I will miss you every day. Rip."

Ms Nelis is the third of the eight victims to be named. The first was Gary Arthur, 48, from Paisley, who was drinking in The Clutha pub in Stockwell Street at the time of the incident.

David Traill, thought to be in his 50s, was the civilian pilot at the controls of the police helicopter.

David Traill is believed to have been the civilian police helicopter pilot

Ms Nelis and another police officer also died in the aircraft. Mr Arthur and four others were killed in the pub.

The mangled wreckage of the helicopter remains embedded in the middle of the building. It is not known how many people are still inside the pub.

Gary Arthur was drinking in the pub when the crash happened

Deputy chief constable Rose Fitzpatrick told a news conference they hope to identify further victims today.

She confirmed there were eight fatalities, but warned: "Until we remove the helicopter, we cannot be sure what we'll find."

Officers removed a second body from the wreckage this morning, and are continuing the formal process of identification.

Emergency services at the scene on Sunday morning

DCC Fitzpatrick said it was a "painstaking" recovery operation because they had to ensure the safety of the emergency services at the scene.

A service for the victims was held at Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday morning, with Scottish Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon among those attending.

One of the aircraft's rotor blades has been removed by crane

The Clutha had been packed with more than 100 people watching a ska band when the crash happened at 10.25pm on Friday.

Twelve people remain seriously injured in three Glasgow hospitals.

A total of 32 were admitted and 20 of them have been discharged. The wounded suffered mostly chest, spinal and head injuries as well as fractures and lacerations.

A special service has been held at Glasgow Cathedral

Mr Arthur's 18-year-old daughter, Chloe, who plays forward for Celtic women's first-team and is on the Scottish team, tweeted her thanks to everyone for their support.

"RIP dad. you'll always mean the world to me, I promise to do you proud, I love you with all my heart," she wrote. "Thanks to everyone who has tweeted me, text me etc, means so much, I have the most amazing friends ever."

A post on the Facebook page of Mr Traill's cousin Heather Lawson read: "RIP David Traill my lovely big cousin away far to soon xxx."

The cause of the crash is being investigated by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.

A large crane was brought in overnight and one of the aircraft's rotor blades has been removed for examination.

A police officer lays flowers at the crash scene

Witnesses said the helicopter came down "like a stone" from the sky at "a great speed", while some suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub at the time, told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band. And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down."

The Eurocopter EC135 Type 2 helicopter involved in the crash was one of many that underwent safety checks as a precaution last year, it has emerged.

Police Scotland said the aircraft was tested on the advice of its operator Bond Air Services last May after reports of cracks on the machines.

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Helicopter Fell 'Like A Stone Out Of The Sky'

Eyewitnesses have described the "terrifying" moment when a police helicopter spun out of control and plunged into a bar which was hosting a live music gig.

Grace MacLean was in The Clutha in Stockwell Street, Glasgow, and said people became aware of the crash only when the ceiling of the venue started to cave in.

She told Sky News: "There was a band on, they were quite loud, and we just kinda heard a whoosh and some smoke.

"We looked around and no-one really knew what was going on. Everyone just carried on listening to the band.

Emergency services at the scene

"And then we kind of looked again and the roof was gradually coming down.

"Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is.

"No-one had a clue what was going on. There was no loud noise.

"People were helping each other out. Everyone started helping people who were hurt. People had some head injuries. Lots of people were covered in dust. There were lots of people shocked.

"No-one knew it was a helicopter crash until people told you."

Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy happened to be driving past the pub immediately after the crash.

Firefighters on the roof of the pub where the helicopter crash-landed

"I jumped out and tried to help," he said. "There were people with injuries. Bad gashes to the head. Some were unconscious."

He described how a human chain formed to help pass unconscious casualties out of the pub so that "inch by inch, we could get the people out".

Scores of passers-by in the area ran to the venue after seeing or hearing the aircraft go down.

Connor Gillies, from Radio Clyde News, told Sky News of the "scenes of chaos" and "continuous stream of sirens" in the area on Friday evening.

Mr Gillies described seeing "blood on the shirt" of Mr Murphy, who he said was "clearly very shaken, very upset by the whole thing".

Wesley Shearer, who posted pictures on Twitter of the scene, said: "This is unbelievable. Just spent 20 minutes pulling people out of the bar."

Jan Hollands, who also tweeted pictures from the scene, said she heard the crash and described it as "scary".

MP Jim Murphy helped people out of the venue

At 7am, one worried man was waiting at a police barrier hoping to hear of news about his father, who was in the pub on Friday night.

"My dad was sitting there with his lady friend. She went to the toilet and boom, it came straight through the roof … right on top of the spot where they were sitting.

He added: "That was the last I heard. I'm going to stay here … It cannot get much worse."

:: Police have issued an emergency telephone number for concerned relatives - 0800 092 0410.

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Police Chopper Crash Was Third In Scotland

Helicopter Crashes Into Glasgow Pub

Updated: 1:46pm UK, Saturday 30 November 2013

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive.

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his father, also called John, had died but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

The Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games today.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Glasgow Helicopter Crash: At Least Six Dead

Police have warned that the number of people killed when a police helicopter crashed into a busy Glasgow pub will rise in the "coming hours" after confirming one death.

The Chief Constable of Police Scotland said they were now dealing with a "search and recovery operation" after rescue teams worked through the night to try to pull people from the wreckage of The Clutha Vaults pub. 

But he said they were still hoping to find survivors alive in the remains of the building.

According to Sky News sources at least six people died when the helicopter crashed through the roof of the lively city nightspot, which was packed with more than 100 people watching a band, at 10.25pm on Friday.

Firefighters on the roof of the pub

Eyewitnesses have described the helicopter "falling like a stone" on to the roof, while some have suggested that there was a problem with the aircraft's rotor.

Grace MacLean, who was inside the pub when the helicopter struck, told Sky News: "Someone started shouting and the band cut the music ... and then all of a sudden this cloud of dust came.

"You couldn't breathe for inhaling a mouthful of dust. You couldn't see anything. You were clawing at the walls to see where the exit is."

People at the scene told how they worked to form a human chain to carry unconscious people out of the pub.

Among the helpers was Labour's international development spokesman Jim Murphy, who told Sky News: "I just saw dozens and dozens of people coming out of the pub. It is a horrible, horrible scene."

The scene of the rescue operation on Friday night

Speaking at a news conference on Saturday morning, Chief Constable Sir Stephen House said: "Sadly at this time I can confirm one fatality. We expect that number to increase over the coming hours."

He confirmed that a further 32 people had been taken to Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Western Infirmary with "multiple injuries".

Sir Stephen said that specialist teams were working to stabilise the building in a "difficult and sensitive" operation and said:  "We're still in a search and recovery phase, and as always our prayers are that it is successful and we do recover people alive.

He said: "There are people on the scene trying to make contact with anyone who may be alive... All we can do is confirm there has been one fatality but we are fearful there will be more."

Rescue teams had said they had contacted people inside the pub overnight but Sir Stephen could not say when the last contact had been made.

Those inside the pub gather outside after the crash Pic: Paul Agnew

One worried relative at the scene of the crash, Alice Healy, told Sky News how she had not heard from her cousin who had been inside the pub when the aircraft hit.

Another, John McGarrigle, said that he had been told by someone inside the pub that his father, also called John, had died but that authorities had not been able to confirm this.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a black day for Glasgow and Scotland but it's also St Andrew's Day and it's a day we can take pride and courage in how we respond to adversity and tragedy."

He praised the "instinctive bravery of ordinary Glaswegians" who went to the rescue of those trapped inside the pub and the emergency services.

The police have given no details of what has happened to the crew of two officers and a civilian pilot on board the helicopter.

It is still unclear what caused the crash, with one eyewitness saying the aircraft "dropped like a stone" and police have now launched a full investigation into the crash under the direction of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service. 

Investigators from the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) were on the scene on Saturday morning trying to piece together what had happened.

An EC135 T2 like the one that crashed into the Clutha Vaults

Aviation expert David Learmount, a pilot and safety editor at the aviation news website Flightglobal, told Sky News: "This type of helicopter is sophisticated and robust. It's a very modern aircraft. I think what has happened here is that you have had an aircraft that became either uncontrollable or partially controllable.

"We just don't know how much control the pilot did have in the final seconds of the flight. Something dramatic has probably suddenly occurred - probably some mechanical failure of some kind."

A tent had been erected on top of the pub on Saturday morning over the wreckage of the aircraft, whose rotor could be seen protruding from the roof.

The helicopter, a EC135 T2, which is widely used by the police, has a good safety record, with one incident in 2007 after which the AAIB asked manufacturers Eurocopter to look at a stability system switch.

Members of Esperanza, the band playing at the time of the tragedy, all escaped from the wreckage unharmed.

They posted on their Facebook site: "Despite the situation everyone was so helpful and caring of each other. The police, ambulances (and) firefighters all did a stellar job and continue to do so today in extremely difficult conditions.

"Our biggest concern is that everyone is found and can get the care and help they need."

The Clutha is situated in Stockwell Street in Glasgow

In a statement, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is a tragic event and our deepest sympathies are with the families and friends who lost a loved one last night.

"I want to thank the emergency services who worked tirelessly throughout the night and I also want pay tribute to the bravery of the ordinary Glaswegians who rushed to help.

"We have offered the Scottish Government our support in any way we can and we are all wishing a speedy recovery to those who are injured."

Labour leader Ed Miliband told Sky News: "There will be lots of people worried about their loved ones who are unaccounted for, and my thoughts are with them, and also with the people of Glasgow, who are an incredibly strong people, who showed last night in reaction when the helicopter hit, great bravery, great courage, great calm, in the midst of all this."

A number of St Andrew's Day events were being cancelled on Saturday morning as the tragic toll of Friday night's crash started to become apparent.

The Scottish Football Association said there would be a minute's silence at the 13 Scottish Cup games today.

Members of the public concerned about relatives who may have been involved in the crash can call an emergency helpline on 0800 092 0410.

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Ministers To Fund £300m Energy Bill Rebates

By Mark Kleinman, City Editor

Ministers are to fund a £300m plan for a £12 rebate on every domestic electricity bill in the country as part of a Government effort to combat a round of inflation-busting energy price hikes.

Sky News has learnt that the Government is finalising plans this weekend for a series of measures ahead of next week's autumn statement by the Chancellor, George Osborne.

The debate over energy costs has intensified in recent days as ministers have sought ways to regain the political initiative following the Labour leader Ed Miliband's pledge to impose an energy price freeze for 20 months if Labour wins the next general election.

Five of the 'Big Six' energy companies, including Centrica, the owner of British Gas, and Npower, have announced plans for substantial price increases in the last six weeks. The hikes have sparked a furious row in Westminster and the City about the industry's profitability.

Insiders said on Saturday that the Government package would include an agreement between the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) and a group of companies known as distribution network operators, whose charges account for approximately 20% of consumers' energy bills.

The deal between ministers and these companies, which include National Grid, would involve restructuring their cost-profile over the 15-year period during which they have set out their investment plans.

This measure is expected to lead to an average of £5 off customers' bills, although the precise amount will vary by region, with some parts of the country not seeing any such saving, a source said.

Details of the package of measures could be announced as early as Sunday following intense Whitehall horse-trading over what has become one of the Government's most pressing domestic challenges.

The £300m rebate will be funded by altering the funding of the Warm Home Discount, which funds one-off electricity discounts for thousands of vulnerable customers. This is expected to be transferred to general taxation rather than being funded by the energy companies.

A Whitehall source said the £12-per-account rebate would require licence changes to be overseen by Ofgem, the energy regulator, but that this was unlikely to prove a significant obstacle.

DECC is understood to be keen for the £12 rebate to be clearly marked on consumers' bills and is extracting assurances from the big energy suppliers that they will agree to this.

The largest cut to energy bills is expected to be generated by a roughly £40-per-household saving on a green levy called the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO), which was introduced only this year.

The cost of the ECO, which costs the major suppliers about £1.3bn annually, is to be lowered by lengthening a programme of providing home insulation to 2017.

According to a letter from the Government to energy companies cited in reports this weekend, ministers want to introduce legislation to implement the changes.

"The government intends to make changes to the ECO order with a view to extending the period over which the obligation will run and reducing the expected cost of compliance. The government will consult on detailed proposals shortly and will subsequently look to introduce the necessary legislation as soon as possible," the letter said.

"The changes include extending ECO beyond its current March 2015 deadline. The government's specific proposal in this respect is that a new binding target should be set for March 2017."

David Cameron and Nick Clegg are understood to have been discussing the publication of a joint article in a Sunday newspaper to announce the moves, although it is unclear whether that plan will go ahead.

Ed Davey, the energy and climate change secretary, has informed the energy industry of the full package of proposals in recent days although sources insisted that they were not yet finalised.

The Big Six are expected to announce price cuts or reductions to their planned price increases as soon as the Government's proposals are unveiled.

The overhaul of the ECO will represent something of a u-turn by the Government. The levy places legal obligations on the larger energy suppliers to deliver energy-efficiency measures to domestic energy customers.

It operates alongside the Green Deal and is designed to help people make energy efficiency improvements to buildings by allowing them to pay the costs through their energy bills rather than up-front.

On Friday, Downing Street denied a report that it was pressing the Big Six to agree to freeze prices until after the next election, underlining Mr Cameron's sensitivity about Labour's recent eye-catching policies.

In a statement, Jonathan Reynolds MP, the Shadow Energy and Climate Change Minister, said:

"The Energy Company Obligation is David Cameron's scheme. He only introduced it this year and a few months ago he was even boasting that it was bigger than previous energy efficiency schemes.

"Labour has consistently said that ECO should be reformed to make it better value for money and targeted at those in fuel poverty. But what the public really needs is a Labour government implementing a price freeze until 2017 and resetting the energy market so that it works for the long term."

A Downing Street spokeswoman declined to comment while the Treasury could not be reached on Saturday.

A DECC spokeswoman said: "Government is looking closely at the impact of green levies on consumer bills and how the measures they support are paid for. Details of this review will be announced by the autumn statement."

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Simon Gittany Guilty Of High-Rise Murder

A man has been found guilty of throwing his fiancee off the balcony of their high-rise apartment in central Sydney.

Ms Harnum was planning to leave Gittany

Simon Gittany was accused of hurling Lisa Harnum from their 15th floor home in a fit of "apoplectic" rage in July 2011 after discovering she planned to leave him and return to her native Canada.

Gittany, 40, who was supported in court by his new girlfriend Rachelle Louise, had maintained throughout the trial that Ms Harnum, 30, had slipped and fallen after climbing over a railing.

He said he had tried to save Ms Harnum, a former ballerina.

But Justice Lucy McCallum said the lack of Ms Harnum's fingerprints on the glass barrier made his claim implausible.

"At many times in his evidence, the accused struck me as being a person playing a role, telling a story which fitted with the objective evidence, but which did no more than that," she said.

Gittany barely reacted in court as the verdict was read out.

Gittany with his new girlfriend, Rachelle Louise, who screamed at the judge

His current girlfriend screamed at the judge "You're wrong", and stormed out of the packed courtroom. Ms Louise's outburst continued after she left the court.

Delivering the verdict in the judge-only trial, Justice McCallum said witness Josh Rathmell, who had been walking past the apartment building on his way to work when he saw Ms Harnum fall, gave a compelling account.

At the time, Mr Rathmell thought he had seen Gittany "unload" a piece of luggage or rubbish and continued on his way. It was only later he realised it was a body and contacted the police.

Justice McCallum said while Gittany and Ms Harnum had loved each other, there was no doubt the accused was "controlling, dominating and at times abusive".

"I am satisfied by the end of July 2011, those tensions had reached a point of crisis," she said.

Gittany and Ms Harnum's apartment was in central Sydney

The New South Wales Supreme Court heard that Gittany had secretly monitored Ms Harnum's phone and had installed CCTV cameras inside and outside their apartment.

One of the cameras showed Gittany restraining Ms Harnum outside the flat and then dragging her back inside on the night she died. Ms Harnum was heard yelling: "Please help me, help me, God help me."

Ms Harnum's mother said there were no winners in the case. Her only hope was that her daughter's death would be a powerful wake-up call to other young women.

"Young women who are caught up in situations like my daughter found herself in need a voice," Joan Harnum said.

Gittany, who was held in custody for the final weeks of the trial, will be sentenced in February.

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'Bedroom Tax' Leaves Disabled Fearing Eviction

By Jason Farrell, Sky News Correspondent

Thousands of disabled people are cutting back on food and heating to pay for the so-called "bedroom tax", according to a group of leading charities.

The chief executives of leading groups including Disability Rights UK, Scope, Carers UK, The Royal National Institute of Blind People and the Council For Disabled Children say the policy is having a "devastating impact" on people with disabilities.

More than 50 organisations have signed a letter to Iain Duncan Smith calling for immediate action to exempt disabled people from the Spare Room Subsidy.

They claim that it is harder for people in adapted housing to move and that "it is hitting disabled people who need an extra room for essential home adaptations or equipment which enable them to live independently".

The letter to the Department of Work and Pensions states: "We have been deeply frustrated at reports that disabled people and their families are protected from this policy.

The introduction of the "bedroom tax" has proved controversial

"The stark evidence since the policy was implemented in April clearly shows they are not.

"None of these groups are exempt and our organisations are seeing the devastating impact it is having on those who now face a shortfall in their rent as a result of the changes."

The Government does offer help with extra discretionary housing payments (DHPs) for disabled social housing tenants.

However, the letter points to research conducted by the Papworth Trust which showed that one in three disabled people applying for DHPs are refused, the same number as non-disabled people, and that 90% of disabled people refused a DHP are already cutting back on food, drink, household bills and medication or therapies.

Charities have written to Iain Duncan Smith about the bedroom tax

The letter claims that carers and families of disabled children are "being forced deeper and deeper into debt and falling behind on their rent, putting them at risk of eviction".

Sky News spoke to 47-year-old Heather Simpson from Battersea who suffers from a degenerative disease and needs an adapted property with wheelchair access and a stair-lift.

She has been told by her local housing association that it is unable to find her an appropriate smaller home. 

Come December she is worried she may have to find an additional £80 a month to cover her spare room.

She told Sky News: "I'm stuck basically, there's nowhere for me to go.

"I understand there's overcrowding, but there's nowhere for me to go. So I'll just get into debt."

Council tenants judged to have extra bedrooms now receive less benefit

In a letter sent to Heather last week, her Housing Association, Peabody, said it had 1,600 applicants for rehousing and only 145 places.

In a statement, Peabody told Sky News: "The Government's under-occupancy charge has a significant impact on vulnerable people, and we are working with other housing associations and councils to try and increase the options for people needing to move …

"We would like to see the Government take action to mitigate the impact of this policy particularly for the most vulnerable residents in our homes."  

A Department of Work and Pensions spokesperson told Sky News: "We are determined to support those who might need extra help through these necessary reforms.

"That is why we set aside £190m this year to do precisely this, with £25m specifically for disabled people living in specially adapted properties.

"The courts have ruled we are meeting our equality duties to disabled people who are affected by the policy.

"The removal of the spare room subsidy means we still pay the majority of most claimants' rent, but the taxpayer can no longer afford to pay the £500m cost of claimants' extra bedrooms."

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