This winter a silent serial killer worse than Harold Shipman will slay thousands of vulnerable elderly people

26 Nov 2013 23:29Mirror columnist Alison Phillips says fuel poverty is leading to excessive winter deaths and the energy industry is freezing people in their own homes

View the Original article

Wife quizzed as elderly GP stabbed to death

By Ben Riley-Smith

3:27PM GMT 15 Nov 2013

Follow

The wife of an elderly Cornish doctor is being quizzed in hospital by police after he was found stabbed to death at the couple's coastal home.

Officers are talking to the 58-year-old, believed to be married to the victim, who has non-life threatening injuries from what has been called a "domestic incident".

The deceased has been named locally as Gary Hughes, who had lived in Feock, Cornwall for a number of years and was a GP in the Camborne and Redruth area.

It is understood he had recently held a party for friends, family and neighbours to celebrate his 60th birthday.

Police and paramedics were called to the couple's home around at 7.40am, where inside they found the body of a man with stab wounds to the chest. He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Related Articles

Veteran folk singer charged with child sex offences

15 Nov 2013

Police body cameras would be 'distressing' for public

15 Nov 2013

Baby P's mother spotted on shopping trip

15 Nov 2013

British Airways stewardess attacked pilot lover, court hears

15 Nov 2013

Detective Inspector Ben Beckerleg of Devon and Cornwall Police said: "This is the beginning of an investigation.

"But early indications suggest this was a domestic incident and no-one else is being sought at this time.

"An investigation had now begun to fully understand the circumstances and events leading up to this man's death."

Neighbour Chris Young said: "When it comes so close to your doorstep it is very worrying. This is a very quiet area with very few passers-by."

 CrimeNews »UK News »Law and Order »Ben Riley-Smith »

In politics

View the Original article

Councillor accused of bribing elderly with cakes

Labour councillor Susan Shinnick  Photo: Peter Lawson/East News Press By Rosa Silverman, and agencies

11:41AM GMT 08 Nov 2013

Follow

A councillor is under investigation by police over claims she bribed elderly voters with cakes to win a local election.

Susan Shinnick, a Labour councillor, won the seat in the Stifford Clays ward in Thurrock, Essex, following a by-election last month.

Essex Police confirmed they are looking into allegations she bought elderly voters cakes to boost her campaign.

A spokesman said: "Police are continuing to investigate an allegation of treating in Thurrock."

The inquiry centres on a lunchtime visit to Elizabeth Gardens retirement homes in the town of Grays, it is understood.

Related Articles

Councillor 'disowns' daughter after she unseats him in local election

10 May 2013

Tory councillor: dishonest Cameron has ditched our values.

03 May 2013

Tory councillor arrested for drink-driving after affair with schoolgirl

24 Jun 2013

Cllr Shinnick, who is currently on leave, is alleged to have given cakes to elderly residents during the visit, which came 11 days before her election victory.

Police are expected to speak to her in connection with the claims.

Election rules state a candidate is guilty of treating if he or she "either before, during or after an election directly or indirectly gives or provides any food, drink, entertainment or provision to corruptly influence any voter to vote or refrain from voting."

The Electoral Commission states that to be guilty of treating one must have a “corrupt intent” and the charge does not relate to ordinary hospitality.

An East of England Labour party spokesman defended Ms Shinnick, saying: "No one who cared about Thurrock would be wasting the police's time with ridiculous, unfounded claims.

"This is a pathetic and politically-motivated stunt."

Cllr Shinnick won her Stifford Clays seat after taking 36.8% of the vote, defeating the Conservative candidate, Danny Nicklen, who won 32.5%.

The by-election on October 17 followed the death of the long-standing Labour councillor Diana Hale.

Cllr Hale died of cancer in August at the age of 66.

 CrimeNews »Politics »Labour »UK News »Rosa Silverman »

In politics

View the Original article