George compensation decision due

BARRY George, who spent eight years in prison after being wrongly convicted of the murder of TV presenter Jill Dando, learns today whether he has won a High Court battle for compensation as a victim of a “miscarriage of justice”.

He argues that – despite his unanimous acquittal by a jury at a retrial – a Ministry of Justice “functionary” unfairly and unlawfully decided he was “not innocent enough to be compensated”.

Yet for more than 30 years those acquitted on retrials in similar circumstances had been compensated, said his QC Ian Glen at a recent hearing.

Government property for sale online

A FORMER mortuary is among disused public sector buildings being offered for sale or rent on a new Government property search website.

The £50,000 “Find Me Some Government Space” initiative has been modelled on popular commercial sites used by homebuyers and is designed to help shift redundant venues.

A magistrates’ court, ambulance station, fire control centre and two observatories are among 1,200 sites across Britain.

New rules for bailiffs industry

BAILIFFS will be regulated under new laws to “clean up” the industry and protect vulnerable debtors, the Government announced today.

New rules will stop late-night visits to collect debts and restrictions on what property can be seized are being introduced.

Bailiffs will also be banned from entering homes when only children are present and they will no longer be able to set their own fees. New safeguards will also prevent them from using force against people who owe money, according to the Ministry of Justice.

Ex-music teacher to be sentenced

A FORMER music teacher will be sentenced today for sexually abusing girls at two schools nearly 50 years ago.

Michael Crombie, 75, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey last month to 47 counts of indecent assault between 1964 and 1993.

He also admitted two of sexual activity with a child between 2005 and 2007.