FIBS NEWS DIRECT: WEDNESDAY, 30 July 2003
COURT NEWS:
One of the worst cases of reckless driving that’s ever been before the Court, was how the case of Derek McGill was described this morning. After listening to the summary of facts and the defence, Senior Magistrate, Nick Sanders, who had also looked through the pre-sentence reports, told the defendant there was only one way to deal with such a serious case, and that was a custodial sentence. For the charge of reckless driving, the defendant received a sentence of three months in prison, and one month for drink driving. The sentences are to run concurrently. He was also disqualified from driving for 30 Months Nick Sanders told the Court that reckless driving to this degree was extremely dangerous and could have resulted in the death of the pedestrian who was hit, saying that when you get into a vehicle after consuming alcohol, the vehicle you are driving then becomes a weapon. And, that in this case, although it was thought to be a prank at the time, the defendant had deliberately driven at the victim.
SIR PETER SQUIRE RETIRES:
A front-line pilot of the 1982 Falklands War, who narrowly escaped death or injury several times on dangerous missions, has retired as Head of the Royal Airforce. Air Chief Marshall Sir Peter Squire was a first front-line Officer of the War to become professional Head of one of the three Armed Forces. He was also the first ever RAF pilot to launch a laser-guided smart bomb, attacking Argentine troops on Mt. Longdon. Another mission he was involved in was when he lead the Harrier attack on Dunes Head Airstrip in which some buildings were destroyed and, an Islander, Tim Miller, was blinded in one eye by shrapnel. The two men later became friends. Peter Squire later returned to the Islands in 1992 as a 10th anniversary guest. He is to be replaced on Friday by Air Chief Marshall, Sir Jock Stirrup.
BAD WEATHER DELAYS INQUEST:
Bad weather means that the inquest into the death of BAS scientist, Kirsty Brown has been delayed for at least two weeks. A spokeswoman for the organisation told the BBC that because it’s still winter in Antarctica, this means that BAS aircraft are unlikely to be able to fly Coroner Nick Sanders from here to Rothera until mid August at the earliest. At the moment, Miss Brown’s body is being stored in a specially made mortuary.
LEEDS CASTLE:
Offshore patrol vessel, LEEDS CASTLE, has been having a few days’ break in South America. The ship called into Punta Arenas over the weekend to take on supplies And, whilst there, the crew had the chance to go ashore for a couple of days’ rest. The LEEDS CASTLE has been stationed in the Islands since 1994, along with her sister ship, the Dumbarton Castle.
EXCO:
Executive Council has been recommended to give planning approval to Mr. And Mrs. Rozee for extracting calcified seaweed deposits. These will be used as an agricultural liming agent at the foreshore at Pond Valley on Spring Point Farm. A paper brought before the Councillors last week suggested that permission should be granted for a limited period only, ending at the end of May 2006 when permission should be renewed. If it isn’t then the Environmental Planning Officer is saying that extraction will have to stop and the site and access tracks be restored to conditions satisfactory to the Planning and Building Committee. The reason for the condition is said to be to enable the impact of the development on the surrounding land to be reviewed as well as monitoring the amount of damage to Camp Tracks.
Moves to simplify tax has taken another step. A working group report went to the latest meeting of Executive Council, which recommended that they approve the final report of the tax policy framework review body. Work started on the policy in November 2001, when EXCO decided to look at the formation of tax policy, saying that it should follow a consistent and integrated framework.
CHILE AND SOVEREIGNTY:
Chilean President, Hector Legos is to visit Argentina for his first official visit since Nestor Kershner took office. Chile has confirmed that whilst there, President Legos will give Argentina unconditional support in the on-going negotiations (are they really? The British Government says that it not negotiable.) with the United Kingdom over the sovereignty over the Falkland Islands. The two heads of state are also going to discuss ways in which to increase the two-way trade between both countries, easing the way for Argentina for the Pacific via Chile and Chilean trade to the Atlantic via Argentina. Both Governments agree that Chile, Argentina and Brazil must have a common position in bodies such as the World Trade Organisation.
(100X Transcription Service)
