July 2012 Archives

Westminster Council has left 100 families with children living in bed and breakfasts for more than six weeks - breaching government guidelines.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has written to the council asking for the issue to be resolved after the council announced in April that there were 36 families in temporary accommodation. The figure has almost tripled since then.

The government states that B&Bs should be a last resort for authorities, and when they do have to be used, it should not be for more than six weeks.

Frogs airlifted from a disease-ravaged island in the Caribbean have successfully bred for the first time at London Zoo.

Delivering a massive brood of 76, from just two females, the critically endangered mountain chicken frogs' offspring will be released back into a protected and disease-free area of the wild when they are fully grown.

The parents were dramatically rescued from the island of Montserrat, to try and preserve a healthy population of the animals which could have faced extinction from a fatal disease.

On the day the torch relay made its way through the West End, Westminster Council got into the spirit of the Games and raised an official Olympic flag on the roof of its headquarters.

The flag was raised in a ceremony on Thursday (26) at the Victoria Street offices, with Council leader Philippa Roe and Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Angela Harvey, alongside Councillor Steve Summers, head of the Olympics, and Councillor Tim Mitchell, who represents St James's.

A problem family who terrorised neighbours across their estate have been evicted after a long-standing legal battle.

Westminster Council and CityWest Homes repossessed the Lisson Grove flat on Wednesday (25) following a four-day trial at Inner London County Court last month.

Tracy Chapman lived with her four children in the property in Stansfield House until this week.

A fresh crackdown on unsafe pedicabs and rickshaws has been launched to combat dangerous behaviour on Westminster's roads.

Westminster Council has joined forces with TfL and the police to set up a series of operations to remove unroadworthy and unsafe rickshaws from the streets.

Pedicabs are not licensed or regulated, are usually uninsured, and riders often ignore road rules, putting the public at risk.

The mother of a young electrician who died when he was struck by a train has spoken of her heartbreak after two teenagers were cleared of his manslaughter.

Lewis Ghessen, 22, of Westbourne Crescent, Paddington, died at Harrow and Wealdstone station on September 25, just a day before his birthday.

Two teenagers accused of chasing him to his death were cleared by jurors at Isleworth Crown Court last Wednesday(18) on the direction of the judge.

Teams of fundraisers were pulling no punches as they took part in a charity It's a Knockout competition in Victoria.

On Thursday (19) nine teams took each other, and inflatable obstacles, on in a series of games based on the classic 1970s TV show, but with a 2012 theme, each raising money for their chosen charities.

They were confronted with giant colourful inflatables as they tried to complete various games and challenges, and defeat several obstacles.

A 25-year-old man has been charged with the murder of a man at his Maida Vale home earlier this year.

Matthew Tinling, of no fixed abode, was remanded in custody on Friday (20) after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court, charged with the murder of 45-year-old Richard Hamilton, of Shirland Road, Maida Vale.

Detectives have released CCTV images of two people they would like to speak to in connection with the disappearance of a woman from Marylebone.

Carole Waugh, 50, of Harrowby Street, has not been seen since early May, and concerns are growing for her welfare.

Police have confirmed the last known sighting of the successful businesswoman was in central London on May 4. She has never gone missing before.

The work of animal hospitals in London can often go unnoticed in the hustle and bustle of people's lives, but to those who need their help, it can be crucial.

Blue Cross charity hospitals support those who cannot afford to pay vets fees for their pets, and as part of National Veterinary Nurses Month, EMMA HESELTINE visited the hospital in Victoria to meet some of the staff.