$1.99 iPhone App Helps Angelinos Find Parking Spaces in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa, City Council President Eric Garcetti, and Streetline CEO Zia Yusuf announced the Parker for iPhone App - the first app that gives drivers real-time parking information and a way to find open metered parking spaces and nearby garages.

Comment from Wireless and Mobile News: There may be a problem.? Isn't it illegal to use your cell phone while driving?? You have to pull over to use your iPhone, but you may not find a spot..."Whoops, I ran into the truck because I was looking for a parking space on my iPhone!"? We also want to know if you are arrested for using the Parker app.? Can you wind up in the notorious LAPD Parker Center in downtown Los Angeles?

The Parker for iPhone App features a simple interface that gives users an instant, location-based map pinpointing the city blocks with the most available parking spaces.? Users can see which blocks have: more than four, more than two or less than two spots; as well as blocks with "rock star" parking - the areas closest with the most open spaces.? The app also delivers information about parking space time limits, pricing, and whether meters take credit cards or coins. ?It also will direct drivers to the nearest City parking garages as an alternative to street parking.?

Sensors to detect vacant spaces have been installed in about 3,000 spaces in Los Angeles city blocks that are located in Hollywood, Studio City and parts of Chinatown.

The app is based on Streetline's patented smart parking platform that detects the presence of a car through a network of ultra-low power wireless sensors located in each parking space.? This information is then transmitted back to mobile smart phones and web applications that give drivers a live, accurate picture of open parking spaces across a city.? The entire system helps cities, airports, universities and private organizations reduce costs, increase efficiencies, and alleviate the environmental impact of traffic caused by parking.

Studies estimate that more than 30 percent of city traffic is caused by drivers looking for parking, and Parker for iPhone dovetails Los Angeles' and Streetline's efforts to implement smart city technologies that make urban areas more livable, cleaner, and more efficient. Streetline smart parking solutions have been deployed in California and New York, and several U.S. cities will deploy its smart parking technology in 2011. ?

"We are excited that Los Angeles is the first city in the country to offer this unique app to residents and visitors," said Mayor Villaraigosa.? "By making parking easier, we can help people get where they are going faster, and reduce pollution and traffic congestion caused by drivers circling in hopes of finding an open spot."

"Sometimes it feels like more movie stars have been discovered in Hollywood than parking spaces.? This app will help drivers save time, reduce traffic and air pollution, and make visiting Hollywood even more enjoyable than it already is," said Council President Eric Garcetti.

"LADOT has been working hard to utilize new technologies like Streetline's to help connect the residents and visitors of Los Angeles with valuable information to make their lives easier," said Amir Sedadi, Interim General Manager of the City Los Angeles Department of Transportation.? "This new system will transform the parking and driving experience in Hollywood, and we look forward to rolling out this service to other parts of Los Angeles."

"We are excited to partner with the City of Los Angeles to launch this innovative service for locals and visitors in Hollywood," said Zia Yusuf, CEO of Streetline.? "We applaud Los Angeles for exploring and implementing smart parking solutions that can not only transform how people park, but also address the critical need to reduce traffic and pollution."

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Jail for illegal immigrants arrested at cannabis farm

A PAIR of illegal immigrants who were arrested during a raid on a Whyteleafe cannabis farm have each been jailed for two years.

Vietnam-born Bao and Tam Nguyen, who are not related, were held at an address in Godstone Road on September 27 after the homeowner discovered the drugs factory and called the police.

Officers?found 478 cannabis plants worth “tens of thousands of pounds”, which were?being grown in a “highly sophisticated” operation.

At Guildford Crown Court on Wednesday (December 22), both men pleaded guilty to producing?a controlled drug, namely class B cannabis.

Bao, 51, and Tam, 24, have been in HMP High Down in Banstead since the day after their arrest but, before that,?had been?living in the property since June.

Both the men were in the country illegally. Bao overstayed a one-month tourist visa having arrived in May, but claimed he was forced to work in the drugs farm after running up gambling debts.

Tam arrived in the UK illegally and?said he was tricked into working at the house after being offered employment which he believed to be in a restaurant.

Keith Goodhand, defending, urged Judge Neil Stewart to be lenient with the men as they had already suffered shame and embarassment.

He added: “Both the men accept that they shouldn’t have been there at the time and both have been in custody since.

“Bao Nguyen has five children between the ages of 30 and 17 and he has to deal with the fact that he has not only let himself down but he has let his family down.

“They both feel a sense of disgrace now and even more so when they are inevitably deported to their home country.”

Sentencing, Judge Stewart said: “You were both present in the house when it was searched by the police and both of you had been concerned in looking after the 478 plants.

“You are both adults and neither of you should have been in the country at all.

"I expect and hope you will be automatically deported at the end of your sentence.”

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Maestro Ennio Morricone Optimal Music Apps on LG Optimus 2X and LG

LG will release an exclusive collection of music and ringtones written by movie soundtrack maestro Ennio Morricone.? The first such collaboration of its kind, both newly composed pieces as well as a selection from Morricone's legendary oeuvre, including Cinema Paradiso, The Mission and Love Affair, will be included in the collection.

The exclusive music will be preloaded on LG smartphones starting with the LG Optimus 2X.? LG smartphone users will be able to enjoy a total of 25 of Morricone's creations -- 15 ringtones composed specifically for LG and 10 of his best-known tunes from the world of cinema.

Born in Italy, Morricone is one of the most prolific and influential film composers in the world.? He has composed and arranged scores for more than 500 films and TV programs over his illustrious career.

In addition to the collection of 25 ringtones and music, LG plans to develop a range of apps with Morricone-related content, such as images and video clips for free downloading from the LG Application Store starting next year.

The partnership with Ennio Morricone is part of LG's Mobile Signature Sound Series, which kicked-off in 2006 with The Real Group, the award-winning a cappella group from Sweden.

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MS woman's 'lived life to the full' T-shirt for suicide

A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer who developed a pioneering treatment for the disease took her own life by inhaling helium gas, an inquest has heard.

Cari Loder, of Silo Road in Farncombe, was found dead at her home by a neighbour on June 8, 2009.

Described as a “strong minded lady who took the way out the only way she could”, Miss Loder was found wearing a T-shirt bearing the words ‘I lived life to the full’.

Frank Sinatra’s?My Way was also playing in the background when paramedics attended her home.

Miss Loder had tried to take her life on a previous occasion, through an overdose of diazepam, and had told family and friends that she intended to try again.

A former researcher and lecturer at the University of London’s Institute of Education, she meticulously researched methods, and used the suicide manual Final Exit to discover that breathing helium would work.

Her sister, Victoria Croker, told the coroner's?court at Woking on Wednesday (December 22)?that?Miss Loder “would never, could never, contemplate going into care”.

“The physical state she was in had become unbearable," she added.

"It broke my heart to see how immobile she was. I remember the days when she was still able to crawl around the house, but it came to the point that she couldn’t even move.

“It was very obvious that she wouldn’t be able to cope [with going into care] physically or mentally.”

Neighbour John Bicknall was the?person who found Miss Loder's body, and he told the inquest that on the day she died he had taken her two dogs out for a walk, as he did regularly.

“We [he and his wife] got to know her quite well. If she slipped from the settee I would go over and pick her up or just do odd jobs for her.

“The eighth of June was a normal sort of day. I had no particular reason to look at her, it was just a normal morning.

"I was out of the house with the dogs within one or two minutes, she just said 'see you later' and that was it.”

Instructions left

Around 40 minutes later he returned from the walk and found Miss Loder on the sofa, with a plastic hood over her head and a pipe from a helium canister coming out of the bottom.

“I followed Cari’s instructions,” Mr Bicknall told the court. “She wanted me to be the one who found her dead. She had said to check she was dead, then to call the doctor.

“I knew she was going to commit suicide at some time but she wouldn’t tell me when because she didn’t want us involved.”

Miss Loder, who was 48, made an advanced directive, or living will, in February 2009, asking not to be resuscitated.

Her GP, Dr Sarah Pidgeon arrived at the house shortly after Mr Bicknall called her on June 8, and pronounced the death at 9.57am.

After her first suicide attempt, a sectioning under the Mental Health Act was discussed by?Miss Loder's?doctors, but Dr Pidgeon?told the inquest?she thought this was unnecessary.

“I had very strong feelings that a sectioning wouldn’t be helpful to Cari and that it would actually be detrimental.

"I restricted her supply of medication because we thought perhaps she was stockpiling it.”

Assistant deputy coroner, Richard Travers, ruled that the cause of death was plastic bag asphyxia, and that he was satisfied Miss Loder’s mobility was such that she was able to turn the valve on the gas canister herself.

He said: “Miss Loder declined steadily over the last month of her life. Though her mobility was poor she was able to use her arms and upper body.

“I am satisfied beyond all doubt that Miss Loder took her own life.”

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iPhone, BlackBerry, Android an' Droid App Update: Viper SmartStart Finds My Car

Today must be car app day because after the City of Los Angeles sanctioned a parking space finder app, Viper has added car finding to its app.

Directed Electronics announced the availability of a new feature on its award-winning Viper SmartStart that allows users to pinpoint exactly where they parked their car.? The feature, SmartPark, notes a vehicle's location every time the user presses the door lock button in the Viper SmartStart app.

To return to the stored location, users press the Find My Car button in the app and retrieve the location, accessing any additional accompanying photo or note reminder that the user may have stored.? SmartPark shows a map with walking directions back to the car's location.

"Using Viper SmartStart to control your vehicle with your smartphone has been a game changer," said Kevin Duffy, president of Directed Electronics, "and the feature set continues to expand.? When we launched Viper Motor Club roadside assistance recently, we promised exciting new features to follow - and SmartPark is the first of many.? It's free, it's fun, and it's also useful.? If you forget where you parked, SmartPark has the smarts to find your car."

"Users can also find their car using a great augmented reality feature we call SnakeEyes," said Duffy.? "You just hold up your phone and a virtual view of your car keeps you pointed in the right direction."

Viper SmartStart users can update their app to get the new SmartPark feature.? New users can download the free Viper SmartStart app with SmartPark at the iTunes App Store, BlackBerry App World, the Android Market, and at www.viper.com/smartstart.

Directed Electronics is inviting users to enter the free "10 Day Viper SmartStart iPad Sweepstakes" for the chance to win a free iPad.? New users can download the free app, click on "How To Buy" in the app and enter their email to register.? Current users can enter the sweepstakes via the "Find a Dealer" button.? Official rules are in the app - no purchase necessary.

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Pensioner dies after being found unconscious in car

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Pensioner dies after being found unconscious in car

December 23, 2010

A PENSIONER has died after being found unconscious at the wheel of his car,?which had?come to a stop in the middle of a main road in East Horsley.

His blue Rover 214 was found stationary by other motorists just before the Bell and Colvill Roundabout on the A246, shortly after 9.30am on Wednesday (December 22).

The 82-year-old man was unconscious in the driver's seat. He was taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Police said he had been driving towards Guildford.

Anyone who?may have followed the car on the Epsom Road and saw it come to a stop should contact officers on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference P10396243.

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Predator jailed for sex offences with young boys

AN “INSIDIOUS” sex offender who preyed on two boys he met over the internet has been jailed for five years.

Andrew Faulkner, 45, of Bridgewood Close, Crystal Palace,?south London, was sentenced at Guildford Crown Court on Friday (December 17)?after pleading guilty to 15 offences, including three counts of sexual activity with a child.

The court heard Faulkner posed as a teenager on social networking site Bebo in order to meet young boys, one of whom he met up with in the car park of the Tesco store in Park Barn,?Guildford, where sex acts took place.

At an earlier hearing, the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing or inciting child pornography, one of arranging a child sex offence and one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

He also pleaded guilty to four counts of making indecent images of children and four counts of possessing indecent images, with a total of 107 found on the defendant’s computer when it was seized by police.

The charges related to two male victims below the age of 16, with the offences carried out in the Guildford area between October 2008 and September 2009.

Prosecutor Alex Durran told the court: “In October 2009, police received a complaint that a 13-year-old male was being sexually groomed.

“Initially the boy made it clear he didn’t want to make a complaint but later admitted some of what the police had been told was true.”

The victim told?officers that?four meetings occurred in the Tesco car park in the back of a van Faulkner had rented, as well as several other meetings at a nearby industrial estate, and he and the defendant were engaged in sex acts at both locations.

Police then carried out an extensive investigation, tracing Faulkner’s mobile phone to a petrol station and matching his image on CCTV footage to a photograph he had e-mailed to one of his victims.

According to defence solicitor Lionel Blackman, Faulkner’s marriage was breaking down and he fell into a depression, seeking solace in internet chatrooms.

"Sexual gratification"

He said: “There were boundaries in this defendant’s mind, although this is not to detract from the deep shame and regrets he has towards the complainants.”

Sentencing, Judge Suzan Matthews said: “The law is very firmly there to avoid offending against boys of this age, and I am quite satisfied your sexual gratification was what all of this was about, at the expense of your victims.”

Commenting on the case, Detective Constable Fiona Mackie said: “The sentencing sees this insidious sex offender who preyed on innocent young boys taken off the streets of our towns.

“Hopefully this outcome can help the victims and their families come to terms with their traumatic experiences and they are to be commended for their bravery and courage in coming forward.”

Faulkner was sentenced to five years in prison for each of the three counts of sexual activity with a child.

He received further five-year?terms for the charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and arranging a child sex offence, and?two years for the two counts of causing or inciting child pornography.

He received two-year prison sentences for each of the eight charges relating to indecent images.

Each of the prison terms is to run concurrently, with Faulkner serving five years in total.

He was also designated a dangerous offender posing a risk to the public and will serve an extended period of three years on licence upon his release.

An indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order was imposed and?Faulkner was ordered?to sign the sex offenders' register for an indeterminate period.

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Google Top Website, iPhone, LG Rumor2 & BlackBerry Top U.S. Phones, Says Opera

Top 10 global mobile websites for November 2010

1. Google.com (up 1).
2. Facebook.com (down 1).
3. Vkontakte.ru.
4. Youtube.com (up 4).
5. Odnoklassniki.ru (down 1).
6. Yandex.ru (up 1).
7. Yahoo.com (up 2).
8. My.opera.com (down 2).
9. Mail.ru (down 4).
10. Getjar.com (up 3).

Top U.S. Handsets for November 2010

1. Apple iPhone.
2. LG VM265 "Rumor2."
3. BlackBerry 8520 "Curve."
4. BlackBerry 9700 "Bold."
5. LG VM510 "Rumor Touch."
6. BlackBerry 8330 "Curve."
7. Samsung SPH-M810 "Instinct S30."
8. BlackBerry 9630 "Tour."
9. BlackBerry 8530 "Curve."
10. BlackBerry 9000 "Bold."

Global trends

• Opera Mini saw significant increases in all three categories of growth in November 2010: unique users, pages viewed and data consumed.? In all, 80 million people used Opera Mini in November, 44.6 billion pages were served, and 6.3 petabytes of operator data were compressed for Opera Mini users.
• Nigeria passed the United States in terms of total Opera Mini users in the month of November.
• The United Kingdom, Belarus, Philippines, Poland, Bangladesh and Germany all went up in the ranking of top 20 countries.? Turkey was a new addition in November, and Malaysia fell off the list.

More results can be obtained in the report: www.opera.com/smw/2010/11/.

With more than 80 million monthly users, Opera Mini is the most popular browser on mobile devices.? In November alone, users viewed more than 44 billion webpages and saved money, while the Opera servers compressed more than 6 petabytes of data.

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Mentally ill sex offender detained for following kids

A CONVICTED sex offender recommended for deportation to Zimbabwe is to be detained in hospital after approaching two young children in the street.

Kudakwaske Nheta – who suffers from schizophrenia – admitted breaking a sexual offences prevention order when he followed the nine and six-year-old back to their home in Frimley on June 21.

The order, preventing him from harassing or following children, was imposed after a similar incident earlier in the year.?

During his sentencing on Friday (December 17), Guildford Crown Court heard that the 40-year-old was jailed for 15 months five years ago for sexually assaulting a girl under 13 but that his deportation was never enforced.

Nheta, who was supported in court by his mother, will now be held in a psychiatric hospital indefinitely to protect the public from serious harm.

Prosecutor Jill Beale said the children had been playing in the street when Nheta approached them.

“People working nearby saw the defendant hanging around,” she said.

“The children came up and spoke to the workmen as they were distressed by the approach of the defendant.”

Mrs Beale explained that Nheta then followed them home.

“They told their mother and she looked out of the window and saw he was standing outside the house,” she explained.

Defending Nheta, Catherine Atkinson pointed out that the youngsters were with the workmen when they were followed by her client.

“The children were walked home by the three young men who had been in the area,” she said. “They were not on their own.”

After hearing evidence from Dr Jenny Judge on how Nheta suffered from schizophrenia, Judge Moss passed both a hospital and restriction order.

The defendant, of no fixed abode, will not be released until a tribunal decides he is fit to be discharged.

Judge Moss noted that he had not been deported to his homeland despite a recommendation after his conviction in 2005.

He said: “You have been diagnosed as suffering from a serious mental disorder and you have a penchant from harassing and following young victims.

“You have followed two young children from a park and they were so disturbed that they approach some workmen.

“They were so concerned that they walked them home.

“You are not responsible for your actions in many ways as you suffer from mental disabilities.

“It’s to be hoped that given proper care and being on medication you will be in a position to be released into the community with proper checks and balances.”

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Mobile Online Shopping to Hit $3.4 Billion, Travel Tops @ $1.5 Billion, Says ABI

ABI Research believes that 2010 mobile online shopping, excluding travel in the U.S., had more than doubled to total more than $3.4 billion by year's end.? Travel-related purchases (airline tickets, hotels, etc.) will add another $1.5 billion.

The short-term growth of mobile online shopping has been nothing short of phenomenal.? In the United States, purchases attributed to mobile online shopping, excluding travel, grew from $396.3 million in 2008 to an impressive $1.4 billion in 2009.

In September 2010, ABI Research developed an analysis of the current mobile commerce merchants in the U.S.? For 2010, U.S. mobile commerce sales are divided as follows:

• Travel 31%.
• Computers/Electronics 20%.
• Apparel 13%.
• Books/Music/DVDs 9%.
• Office Supplies 7%.
• Housewares/Home Furnishings 6%.
  
• Entertainment Tickets 3%.
• All Other 12%.

Senior analyst Mark Beccue commented, "We are entering a highly innovative and creative period for retail. Mobile online shopping growth in the US has been fueled this year by the massive migration of consumers to smartphones, the explosion of highly innovative use-cases deployed by retailers and third-party players, and a significant shift in consumer behavior as more consumers choose mobile shopping over traditional online shopping."

In Japan, where mobile online shopping has been commonplace for several years, mobile is responsible for nearly 17% of all e-commerce sales.? But the success of mobile online shopping will not be confined to the United States and Japan.? In 2015, ABI Research believes that mobile online shopping will be responsible for $163 billion in sales globally - 12% of global e-commerce turnover.

Beyond Direct Sales

Mobile marketing practice director Neil Strother adds, "Beyond direct sales generated via mobile, innovative retailers will use mobile online shopping to introduce a broad-range of mobile marketing campaigns and CRM programs."

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Net Neutrality Rules Passed by FCC for Transparency, Anti-Blocking and Anti-Discrimination

The FCC voted today to enact new "Net Neutrality" rules.? The rules include transparency for what consumers are specifically buying, while prohibiting outright blocking of legal websites.

Many are debating what the ruling means.? In the meantime, here's some text from the FCC themselves:

Rule 1: Transparency

A person engaged in the provision of broadband Internet access service shall publicly disclose accurate information regarding the network management practices, performance, and commercial terms of its broadband Internet access services sufficient for consumers to make informed choices regarding use of such services and for content, application, service, and device providers to develop, market, and maintain Internet offerings.

Rule 2: No Blocking

A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, subject to reasonable network management.

A person engaged in the provision of mobile broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not block consumers from accessing lawful websites, subject to reasonable network management; nor shall such person block applications that compete with the provider's voice or video telephony services, subject to reasonable network

Rule 3: No Unreasonable Discrimination

A person engaged in the provision of fixed broadband Internet access service, insofar as such person is so engaged, shall not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic over a consumer's broadband Internet access service. Reasonable network management shall not constitute unreasonable discrimination.

The rules don't cover wireless broadband providers.

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'Significant improvement' for children's services

CHILDREN’S services in Surrey are 'performing well' just two years after being rated as inadequate by Ofsted.

According to a new report by the watchdog, all the county’s children’s services have seen significant improvement since?the damning Joint Area Review in 2008.

An improvement notice was imposed after that review found safeguarding, disabled children’s services and?a capacity to improve to be inadequate.

But the recent?report listed "strong leadership and management", in line with?Children’s Minister Tim Loughton lifting the improvement notice on the council.

Councillor Peter Martin, cabinet member for children and learning, said he believed?the transformation had been enormous.

“There’s been a steady increase, that’s good news. The most important aspect is the staff and the outcome for the children.

“Social services said we have had a complete turnaround where we have transformed the service. It’s reflected in our waiting lists.”

Children’s services, like most council departments,?is facing heavy cuts to funding as the coalition government tackles the national deficit, and there are strong concerns among service users that progress is not being made fast enough.

Surrey County Council?is faced with the challenge of reducing its expenditure by 28% over the next four years.

“This is much more difficult to achieve than cutbacks in a large company,” Cllr Martin said.

“We have a statutory commitment to local people and you can’t just get rid of things like you do in business.

“We are trying very hard to do less with more, and we will do everything we can to push for further improvements even if the finances are more difficult.”

He added that nearly three-quarters of Surrey's schools were rated as good or getting better.

“First of all, in our schools and colleges we’ve seen continued solid improvement year-on-year.

"The benchmark of five A*-C grades including English and Maths went up to 62%, an improvement of three or four points that has continued a trend.”

Deputy branch secretary of Surrey County Unison, Jane Armitage, said they were pleased that children’s service workers were getting recognition for their commitment.

But?she added: “Unison is still concerned that the government cuts being forced on the council are causing stress and increased strain on already overstretched systems.

“Already less experienced and qualified staff are having to hold cases, which is not good practice.”

Cllr Martin said that children’s services received thousands of calls every month from concerned guardians, teachers and doctors.

“We have to go in and take decisions on those children and that aspect is much improved," he said.?

"There are nearly 800 looked-after children in foster care and in homes, and there is now an improved position for them.”

He said that there were areas of Surrey that were often overlooked as a result of the region’s perceived affluence.

“Most vulnerable groups are those in deprived areas where parents are perhaps involved in some sort of domestic abuse.

"It requires some sensitive handling? by our staff, who do a really good job.”

The Ofsted review highlighted key areas of improvement within children’s services. Since the previous report, fewer people broke the law for the first time and fewer were given prison sentences.

Not as many women aged under 18?were becoming pregnant, more teenage mothers were in education, training or work and fewer five-year-olds were obese than in previous years.

Surrey’s success in keeping young people safe was also noted, with fewer children being admitted to hospital because of accidental or deliberate injury.

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Top Ten Best Coolest Hottest Smartphones: Droid X, iPhone, Samsung Epic 4G & EVO 4G Tops

This year has been the year of Android, Droid and Samsung Galaxy S.? The top three best coolest hottest smartphones of the year come from the Android, cosmos, except for one.? Last year, the word Droid entered the lexicon and made it to the very top of consciousness.? While watching summer Shakespeare in the park,this summer, our editor heard one groundling say the another who had gotten lost en route, “Get a Droid!.”?

Let’s see how the winners ranked.

Third Place Wireless and Mobile News’ Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews:

3. HTC EVO 4G Sprint - with WiMAX high-speed data, video viewing, huge 4.3” touchscreen, this Android smartphone with HTC Sense, sold-out early on. Reviewers called it “everything a geek could dream of.”? Features of HTC EVO 4G include an 8-megapixel video-capture-capable camera and a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera for video chat.

Second Place Wireless and Mobile News’ Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews:

2. Samsung Epic 4G Sprint - this multimedia Samsung Galaxy S Phone. powerhouse was rated well by reviewers. Reviewers raved about the gorgeous Super AMOLED touchscreen, large comfy 5-row keyboard, magnificent media features, fast processor and super fast WiMAX data connections. There is an added monthly fee of $10 for WiMAX service. Amazon Wireless? during as of this writing is selling it for $99 for new customers with a contract.? Wirefly as offers the Epic at discount.

First Place in Wireless and Mobile News’ Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews was tie, showing that Android an’ Droid are finally encroaching in Apple’s iPhone dominance.

1. iPhone 4 AT&T - this more computer than good calling phone has ubiquitous notoriety, for the first year, attenutation and network issues seem to be taking their tolls.? Reviews of the iPhone 4 are all positive with terms such as “the best iPhone, yet or ever,” and slightly ahead of the superphone pack.

1. Droid X, Verizon - one of the hottest phones of the summer, reviewers called the? 4.3-inch (WVGA 854 x 480) touchscreen gorgeous, beautiful and a knockout. Given Editor’s Choice by PCMag, the Droid X, marks the eXcellent spot? for Wi-Fi hotspots, Bluetooth voice dialing, video/multimedia, great call quality with super noise cancellation and good to great 8 megapixel camera.? Verizon is offering the Droid X as part of its buy one get one free promotion Instant Phone Rebate Only Available with Online Purchase. Online retailers Amazon Wireless and Wirefly offer it at a discount. Read Droid X tips.

Reviews surveyed include data from PCMag, PCWorld, Consumer Reports, ZDNet, Top 10 Reviews and Laptop.

For your convenience we have listed the contenders in order from articles we have published earlier. We also will publish a list of the Top Ten Best Coolest Smartphones by Carriers, the list will be preleased on Facebook because we like it when you click “Like.”

4. Samsung Focus AT&T - beautifully designed with a gorgeous display and solid 5-megapixel camera, it is only Windows Phone to make the top of the list.? Reviewers loved the Super-AMOLED touchscreen, media player and excellent call quality.? Amazon Wireless already has discounted the price for the Samsung Focus to next to nothing with a contract.? Wirefly is offering the Samsung Focus at a super discounted Wirefly price with free activation.

5.Droid Incredible by HTC Verizon - Android smartphone with the full bells and whistles of an 8-megapixel camera (with LED flash), 8 Gigabytes of onboard storage, 3.7” OLED touchscreen, GPS, social-sync, FM radio and Bluetooth.? Reviewers liked the HTCSense interface for social networking and widgets.? When the Droid Incredible was first released, it sold out within a few days.? Currently, online retailers slashed the price of the Droid Incredible to one cent, with free activation (until 1/2/11) at Amazon Wireless.? And the Droid Incredible is free online with free activation from Wirefly.

6. BlackBerry Torch AT&T - a new revamped BlackBerry with both touchscreen and QWERTY keyboard.? The BlackBerry Torch shines with social network messaging that has updates in a unified inbox.? Customer reviews rated this BlackBerry better than iPhone for support, reliability and battery life.? Amazon Wireless offers BlackBerry Torch 9800 for one cent for new customers with a contract.

7. Samsung Vibrant, Sprint - the most praised features of the Samsung Vibrant are the super-AMOLED touchscreen, preloaded entertainment (Avatar movie and SIM 3 game) and synching abilities.? One of the first of the Samsung Galaxy S phone series, the Vibrant’s price has recently been reduced by T-Mobile to $99 with a contract for the web-only discount.

Eighth Place in Wireless and Mobile News’ Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews is a three-way tie.

8. T-Mobile G2, T-Mobile - this smartphone has an excellent QWERTY keyboard, speed and features.? Reviewers loved Android 2.2, the great call quality and fast data speeds.? It sells for $199 with a contract from T-Mobile and is discounted form Amazon Wireless.

8. Samsung Captivate, AT&T - reviewers all agreed that the Captivate captivates and called it the best Android smartphone at AT&T in August.? It has been available for one cent from Amazon Wireless and highly discounted with free activation from Wirefly.

8. LG Optimus T, T-Mobile - Free with the T-Mobile web-only discount.? This budget-minded smartphone has been highly rated for first-time smartphone buyers.

Many of the top phones were named in Wireless and Mobile News’ Review of Reviews Top Ten Best Android an’ Droid Phones Now an’ Later.

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Hospital accused of 'lack of care' over man found dead

THE daughter of an elderly man found dead more than a week after he went missing?in last month's heavy snow has criticised a hospital for letting him leave during the adverse weather.

The?body of retired journalist Eric Burley was found on Saturday, December 11, in the grounds of an empty house about a mile from his Ewhurst home.

The 87-year-old?had last been seen on November 30 as he prepared to leave Guildford’s Royal Surrey County Hospital following a CT scan.

It was dark and?snowing at the time, and traffic in Guildford was gridlocked.

Now his daughter Julia has said: "I was devastated by the hospital’s lack of care towards my father."

Mr Burley had recently been diagnosed with cancer and had also suffered a minor fall, which affected his mobility.

When he left to drive himself to hospital for his 3pm appointment, the sky in Ewhurst was clear and there was little snow.

However, the conditions had seriously deteriorated by the time he set back out to make his way home, shortly before 5.15pm.

Police mounted extensive searches in a bid to try and find Mr Burley, utilising the police helicopter and four-wheel drive vehicles.

He was eventually found close to his car in the extensive grounds of a house in Peaslake Road.

It is believed he ended up there on the day of his hospital appointment, though nobody knows why or how.

“I know he was only found a mile away, but if you ignore that, the police have been fantastic to us – they really have been brilliant,” said Miss Burley, who shares the home where her father lived with her mother, Margaret.

Mr Burley’s body was only discovered?when someone went to check on the house, which has been unoccupied.

A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death was due to take place on Thursday (December 16).

"Unnecessary risk"

“I pray to God that he had a heart attack and died quickly,” said Miss Burley, who believes he had probably become disorientated as a result of the weather and traffic conditions.

“It’s been very difficult for my mother and for me,” said Miss Burley. “You are frozen in time, waiting.”

She said that when he came to leave the hospital, staff insisted that he used a wheelchair to get to his car.

“I cannot believe they wheeled an 87-year-old man with cancer and mobility problems and let him drive off in his car into snow and gridlocked traffic,” said Miss Burley.

Even if he had insisted on driving, she said at the very least hospital staff should have telephoned her to explain the situation.

“My father had been driving for 70-odd years and was a competent driver, as well as being physically fitter than I am with my arthritis, but in those horrendous conditions he must have been so tired.

“He should have taken hospital transport or EwCare [a local voluntary ‘good neighbour’ scheme], but he liked driving. He had taken hospital transport once and said it was so bumpy,” said Miss Burley.

Accusing the hospital of failing in their duty of care to her father?- and pointing out how quickly the police launched a search for him - she said: “The police obviously considered him highly vulnerable.

“His death was unnecessary – it was an unnecessary risk he was allowed to take,” said Miss Burley.

A hospital spokesman said: “If hospital staff have any concerns about a patient’s health and wellbeing during an outpatients appointment, the patient’s consultant is asked to review the patient to make absolutely sure that they are fit to go home.

“In the case of this patient, no concerns were raised.

“The patient was helped to his car due to the icy conditions under foot. As he had driven himself to the appointment, staff did not doubt his ability to drive himself home.

“We extend our condolences to Mr Burley’s family at this difficult time,”?the spokesman?added.

Mr Burley’s funeral will take place at noon on Thursday, December 23, at Ewhurst Parish Church, on what would have been his 88th birthday.

The family has requested no flowers, but that any donations should be made to Wildlife Aid in Leatherhead.

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Cold Weather Smartphone and Cell Phone Warm-Ups from Verizon

Apps to Help

• Winter Weather Outlooks - Allows you to access the National Weather Service Winter Weather Outlooks, so you'll know what kind of winter weather is headed your way.
• How Cold Is It? - A wallpaper that changes color depending on the outside temperature - deep red when it's hot and icy white when it's freezing.
• ShoppeHUB - This app allows you to make secure purchases on cold weather gear, including winter clothing. ?
• Coffee Recipes - Choose from more than 90 easy coffee recipes that will be sure to keep you warm.

For holiday shoppers, Verizon is currently running phone specials with free shipping, so you don't have to go shopping in the cold.? Verizon Instant Phone Rebate Only Available with Online Purchase.

Verizon Deals by Day:

Friday, December 17 -? Free Kin TWO with new 2-yr agreement - Smartphones require data pkg of $15 or higher.

Saturday, December 18 -? Free Pantech Crux with new 2-yr agreement - Smartphones require data pkg of $15 or higher.

Sunday, December 19? - Free Samsung Zeal with new 2-yr agreement - Smartphones require data pkg of $15 or higher.

Monday, December 20 - Free LG Cosmos Touch with new 2-yr agreement - Smartphones require data pkg of $15 or higher.

Tuesday, December 21 - Free HP Mini 110 with new 2-yr agreement - Smartphones require data pkg of $15 or higher.

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Android Sprint 4G Apps Winners: NASA Images, Say What?, Recipe Search, Facebook Upload & Mediafly

Sprint, with partners WIRED, Reddit and Ars Technica, announced the winners of the Sprint 4G App Challenge today.

Submissions were based on four criteria - creativity, intuitive navigation, functionality and design.? The judges' panel was composed of product and technology executives from Sprint, editors from WIRED and its partners at Reddit and Ars Technica.? All the winning apps are available in the Android Market.

Sprint 4G App Challenge Winners:

Entertainment
Andrei Goumilevski, Tallahassee, FL - NASA Images
NASA Images showcases 4,000 space images from the NASA APOD site.? Because the images are large, Sprint 4G enables customers to download them quickly.

Gaming
Rob Miley, St. Charles, MO - Say What? Mobile Game
Say What? is the mobile version of the kids' game Telephone, where one person whispers a phrase in someone's ear, and that person would repeat what they heard to the next person.? Once the game is complete, players can hear the beginning and ending phrase.? Players are randomly connected to active games.? Interaction with the app and the game server is frequent, so the Sprint 4G Network provides a fast and reliable Internet connection for optimal play.

Productivity
Rajan Singh, San Jose, CA - Recipe Search
Recipe Search is a reverse recipe finder app.? The user simply speaks the ingredients they have in their refrigerator or pantry, and they will see a display of meals with directions that they could cook.? Sprint 4G will reduce latency and deliver results quicker.

Social Networking
Carmen Delessio, Pound Ridge, NY - BFF Photo - Facebook Upload
BFF Photo brings Facebook photos to the user's phone.? Consumers can use the app to view photo albums, friends' albums, and take and upload photos and videos.? The app fully uses the bandwidth and reliability of the Sprint 4G Network to manage the connection to Facebook and the speedy media download to the customer.

Multimedia
Jason Shah, Chicago, IL - Mediafly
With Mediafly Mobile, users can organize and discover podcasts, audio, video, radio and streams from their Android phone.? The Sprint 4G Network makes watching streaming video on this app easy and enjoyable.

In addition to bragging rights, winners in each category took home a $50,000 grand prize, a choice of an HTC EVO 4G or Samsung Epic 4G with one year of Sprint service (includes applicable taxes and surcharges), a one-year membership to the Sprint Professional Developer Program (including 250 hours in the Virtual Developer Lab) and an invitation to WIRED's VIP party during the 2011 International CES in Las Vegas.

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'Bob the Builder' fined for half-naked lay-by 'parade'

A MAN nicknamed 'Bob the Builder' has been fined ￡200 after being spotted wearing little more than a yellow hard hat at a sex site in Puttenham.

Garry High was seen exposing himself while parading up and down the lay-by near the Hog’s Back Café, by another user of the dogging hotspot who called the police after becoming "outraged and upset".

High, from Lower Edgeborough Road, Guildford, pleaded guilty at South West Surrey Magistrates’ Court on Monday (December 13) to using threatening words or behaviour to cause distress.

The court heard that 59-year-old High arrived at the lay-by on August 24 this year at around 1am, some 20 minutes after the complainant.

Prosecuting solicitor Darren Matravers said:?“The male was dressed, or undressed, quite eccentrically, wearing a yellow builder’s hard hat and a high-visibility jacket that just covered the top of his thighs.

“Below, he wore a black leather harness designed to expose his penis. He was also wearing boots.”

The police officers who later attended the scene said that High was also wearing a chain around his neck, and on the hard hat there was a sign indicating a men’s toilet.

Mr Matravers said of the witness: “He did indicate that he himself has been there on various occasions for what would be described as general sexual purposes.

“He recognised the male as someone who has attended that area in the past.”

According to Mr Matravers, the witness saw the defendant in the lay-by touching himself indecently.

“At that time, the defendant tried on numerous occasions to catch my attention by coughing, parading up and down the lay-by,” he told the court.

Magistrates heard that High repeated this behaviour four times before disappearing into the wooded area.

“The witness was, in his words, outraged and upset about a number of issues,” said Mr Matravers.

“The defendant's behaviour disgusted him and he was saying that as a regular visitor.”

The witness told?police that what High did was "unacceptable" because "his behaviour was more likely to be seen by innocents" driving past the lay-by.

The court heard that when officers arrived, several other vehicles in the lay-by “mysteriously disappeared from the area”.

The defendant’s details were taken and?he was?told?to leave the area.

High, who has a previous conviction following a similar incident in 2002 which took place in the Wisley area, another site noted for outdoor sexual activity, was fined a total of ￡200.

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Teenage driver admits causing Send death crash

A TEENAGE driver has been warned he could face jail after he admitted causing the death of a popular and talented Woking youth footballer in a fatal car crash last year.

Luca Bertolone, 19, of Woodham Waye, Woking, broke down in tears as he pleaded guilty to the charge of causing death by careless driving while unfit through drink or drugs at Guildford Crown Court on Friday.

His friend, Thomas Difelice, 17, from Woodham, was a passenger in?the red Mini being driven by Bertolone, which came off the road and hit a wall in Broadmead Road, Send, on December 15?last year.

Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Thomas,?and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sent a message of condolence to?his family.

Thomas, who was a former pupil of St John the Baptist School in Woking, also played for a number of local football teams, including the youth academy?at Woking FC.

Simon Stirling, mitigating for Bertolone, said: “This is a young man facing a serious offence, but your honour will note that he is a man of just 19 years of age and previous good character.”

Delaying sentencing for reports to be compiled, Judge Suzan Mathews apologised to the?Difelice family for the time the case had taken to?get to court.

She said: “It is a matter of concern to me that it has taken this long to reach this stage.

“I’m disappointed this is causing further delay but I do accept for this age and background that the court needs the full information.”

Judge Matthews warned Bertolone all options would be considered.

She said: “Given the totality of what has gone on, you should be realistic that you could lose your liberty.”

Bertolone was granted conditional bail, but was ordered to surrender his driving licence.

He will return to court on February 3 to be sentenced.

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Android an' Droid App Update: Kindle for Android

Amazon Kindle book readers with Android and Droid smartphones will be glad to hear that there's a new version of Kindle for Android 2.0.

The update to Kindle for Android has these new features:

• Read over 100 newspapers and magazines.
• A native app that doesn't use the browser.
  
• Sample and purchase content using an integrated store.
• Customers can now share book reading progress with social networks.
  
• Double tap on images to zoom in.
• Store app on microSD card.
• Use volume keys to turn pages instead of screen swiping.

Customers can learn more about the free Kindle for Android reading app at www.amazon.com/kindleforandroid and can download the app from Android Market.

The previous version added orientation lock, search within books, Wikipedia Lookup and other features.

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Top Best Smartphone Countdown: T-Mobile G2, Samsung Captivate & LG Optimus T, 8th

There were so many great smartphones released in 2010 that getting all the reviewers to agree on the top best smartphones is difficult.? We reviewed? PCMag, PCWorld, Consumer Reports, ZDNet, Top 10 Reviews and Laptop.? Two smartphones in 8th place are sold by T-Mobile.? One has the cheapest price we've seen for any Android 2.2 smartphone launched from a carrier and is now free.? Another is a Samsung Galaxy S phone.

Eighth Place in Wireless and Mobile News' Top Ten Best Smartphones Review of Reviews is a three-way tie.

T-Mobile G2, T-Mobile - this smartphone has an excellent QWERTY keyboard, speed and features.? Reviewers loved Android 2.2, the great call quality and fast data speeds.? It sells for $199 with a contract from T-Mobile and is discounted form Amazon Wireless.

Samsung Captivate, AT&T - reviewers all agreed that the Captivate captivates and called it the best Android smartphone at AT&T in August.? It has been available for one cent from Amazon Wireless and highly discounted with free activation from Wirefly.

LG Optimus T, T-Mobile - Free with the T-Mobile web-only discount.? This budget-minded smartphone has been highly rated for first-time smartphone buyers.

Countdown Articles:
Top Ten Best Smartphones Countdown - Top Maker, OS & #10.
Top Ten Best Smartphones Countdown - Top Carriers and 4-Way Tie in 9th Place.

Many of the top phones were named in Wireless and Mobile News' Review of Reviews Top Ten Best Android an' Droid Phones Now an' Later.

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River death man 'deeply affected' by war struggles

THE IRANIAN man whose body was found in a freezing?Ewell river?had been?"deeply affected" by atrocities he witnessed following the Iraqi invasion of his homeland.

Jason Khalili, 52, was found dead in the Hogsmill River near Green Lanes on December 1.

Father-of-five Mr Khalili, who grew up in Tehran, the Iranian capital, served as an army medic during the conflict?between Sunni and Shiite Muslims?before moving to the UK in 1995.

During the war – which ran from 1980 to 1988 and claimed millions of lives – he was based in the south west of the country where some of the most intense fighting was seen.

A?woman who knew him from the early 1980s,?but did not?want to be named,?said?Mr Khalili?underwent a dramatic personality change following the conflict.

"After the war he was always angry, angry at Iraq, angry at everyone," she said.

"Because he was under so much stress during that time he had emotional problems that lasted for the rest of his life.

"We saw so many awful, horrible things during the war – hospitals being bombed, fathers carrying the bodies of their children through the streets.

"That deeply affected him in everything he did."

Family members went to?Mr?Khalili's?home?in Epsom after his body was found, and they discovered a handwritten list of people to notify of his death and a will leaving all his possessions to the eight-year-old daughter he fathered with partner Emily Smith.

His keys, wallet, mobile phone and shoes were also left inside the house.

At the time of his death, Mr Khalili was subject to a three-month suspended prison sentence, imposed by Redhill Magistrates' Court on September?23 this year?for common assault.

He had also been due back in court?for allegedly breaching the terms of?the community order he was handed.

Mr Khalili was previously?jailed for 26 weeks in 2009 for slitting his own dog’s throat, although it was?later revealed he had acted to save his son Massoud who was being attacked by the animal.

"When he wanted to be a nice person he was the best, there were several women who loved him very deeply,"?the woman?added.

"He would do anything for his friends and family and will be sorely missed by them."

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Holiday Deal: All Phones Free @ U.S. Cellular, Android & BlackBerry Smartphone Buyers Get $100 'til 12/24

U.S. Cellular is offering every phone free, including the latest Android smartphones until December 24.? U.S. Cellular is spreading the joy even further by offering a $100 credit to new customers purchasing a smartphone or existing customers adding a new smartphone line.? Customers can stop by any U.S. Cellular store for more details and pick out their free phones while supplies last.

Shoppers can make this holiday season memorable by giving Android-powered phones, such as the HTC Desire, LG Optimus U or Samsung Mesmerize (Galaxy S).

All of U.S. Cellular's phones, including advanced smartphones, such as the BlackBerry Bold and Curve, are free after mail-in rebates.

The Android-powered Samsung Mesmerize and HTC Desire are ideal for those who want everything in a smartphone.? Their large touchscreens and? fast 1GHz processors are great for watching videos, playing games, and zipping through business and entertainment applications.

The LG Optimus U is designed for first-time smartphone customers who are ready to experience the power of Android 2.2 technology.? It has a virtual QWERTY keyboard with Swype technology that allows users to input text quickly by sliding a finger over the keyboard in one continuous motion.

The BlackBerry Bold and Curve are popular smartphones that pack lots of helpful apps for business and personal use.? Both have Wi-Fi access, and global travelers will like the Bold's ability to connect on wireless networks around the world.

Customers who prefer a phone for calling, texting and taking pictures, can select phones like the Samsung Profile Freeform and Exec, the Motorola Grasp and LG Mystique.? These feature-rich devices have expandable memory for music fans who want to take their tunes everywhere.

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MetroPCS 4G LTE with Samsung Craft in Boston, New York City and Sacramento

MetroPCS has launched its high-speed LTE network services into the Boston, New York City and Sacramento metropolitan areas.? The network can be accessed via the Samsung Craft with plans starting at $55 a month.

MetroPCS is offering the Samsung Craft in stores and online for $299 plus tax, after a $50 instant rebate, while supplies last.

The Samsung Craft has a 3.3-inch AMOLED (Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode) touchscreen and 2GB MicroSD card that's preloaded with Paramount Pictures' hit movie "Star Trek."? It has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and Samsung's TouchWiz user interface to surf and text messages, a?3.2-megapixel camera with flash and camcorder, and Wi-Fi.

MetroPCS offers monthly 4G LTE service plans for $55 or $60, which include talk, text and 4G web, initially on an unlimited basis.? In addition, customers will now have access to new applications and features that take advantage of MetroPCS' 4G LTE network, including:

• MetroSTUDIO, available on the $60 service plan, includes access to content that consumers demand, such as full-track downloads, ringtones and ring-back tones, as well as premium video content from NBC Universal, Black Entertainment Television (BET) and Univision, available on demand and on-the-go from one easy-to-use application.
• A new social networking and instant messaging aggregation application, which harnesses notifications, friends and content from Facebook, MySpace and Twitter social networks, and AIM, MSN and Yahoo! IM clients into a single interface that consumers can access with one click.
• Upgraded MetroNavigator feature with the addition of voice-activated GPS and turn-by-turn directions.

MetroPCS also offers 4G and the Samsung Craft in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dallas, and San Francisco.

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Straight couple campaign to have civil partnership

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Straight couple campaign to have civil partnership

By Jack Sommers
December 15, 2010

A COUPLE who were denied a civil partnership because they are straight are now planning a legal challenge to the rejection.

Tim Garrett and Lucy Hilken, who live outside Farnham, went to Aldershot Registration Office on December?14 and, as expected, were told they could not be granted a civil partnership.

They are one of eight couples, supported by veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who?believe that the current legislation?violates the Human Rights Act.

Mr Tatchell argued that?the law discriminated unfairly by denying civil partnerships for?heterosexuals and marriages for gay couples.

Mr Garrett said he hoped their case would "force the government’s hand" into changing the law.

He added that he and Ms Hilken would never get married and would only accept a civil partnership.

The pair, who are both 31-year-old teachers, have been together 11 years.

Mr Garrett said he and his partner?disliked the "religious and patriarchal nature" of traditional marriage.

For more on this story, see this week's News & Mail, out on Friday, December 17.

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Baby left with brain damage and fractured skull

THE father of a baby girl who suffered permanent brain damage and multiple fractures by the time she was five-weeks-old has been found guilty of cruelty and neglect.

The Guildford man, who cannot be named in order to protect the child’s identity, maintained throughout?a trial that he knew nothing about the abuse - despite living with the baby’s mother and being on paternity leave for two of the five weeks in question.

The girl's injuries included fractures to the skull, haemorrhages to the brain and fractures to her legs and 13 ribs.

A consultant paediatrician at the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Dr Mike Ryalls, told Guildford Crown Court that extreme force would have been needed to inflict a fracture on a baby’s skull.

Dr Ryalls said: “Babies’ skulls are actually quite difficult to break.

“It has been estimated you would need to drop a baby on its head from a height of six feet on to concrete to break its skull.”

Caroline Carberry, prosecuting, told the court during the man's trial: “The mother has already pleaded guilty to assaulting the baby and causing injuries, so this defendant was not responsible for the acts of violence against her, but he must have known his daughter was suffering.”

Michael Chambers, defending, asked his client to recall?a conversation he had?when the child’s mother confessed that she believed she had caused the injuries.

The defendant said: “She said she thought she may have been responsible for the injuries.

“I think she said she might have had an accident and fallen with her.

“She was upset and crying – I couldn’t understand what she was trying to say.

“I was in shock, I just lay there all night.”

Under cross-examination, the defendant said he thought the baby's mother was "a great mum".

Mr Chambers then asked his client why he had not initially told the police that he and the baby’s mother lived together.

The defendant said: “At the time, I didn’t want to jeopardise her benefits for living on her own with a child.”

Ms?Carberry asked the defendant whether he and the child’s mother had a conversation before the interview where they decided to lie to police about living together.

She said: “Is it right that you put your heads together and decided?”

He said: “We must have done but I can’t remember.”

Ms Carberry: “Your baby daughter is lying in hospital with appalling injuries and you are concerned about her [the mother]?losing benefits?”

The man?replied: “Yes.”

Ms Carberry also said: “What else were you prepared to lie about to cover up for her - were you prepared to cover up the fact that your baby girl was suffering and needed medical attention?”

The defendant denied this, but was then asked:?"Do you accept now that you ought to have done more to protect your daughter?”

“If I knew, yeah," he replied.

The jury took five hours and 58 minutes to reach a guilty verdict.

The?defendant was granted bail until January 28, when both he and the baby’s mother will be sentenced following the preparation of reports.

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Courts to be axed in government shake-up

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Courts to be axed in government shake-up

By Luke Jacobs
December 14, 2010

WOKING Magistrates' Court will be closed down despite being recently refurbished, it has been confirmed.

The court is one of 93 in England and Wales to be shut in government plans to save ￡41.5m, following a two-month consulation.

Its caseload?is now likely to?be shared between Guildford and Staines magistrates' courts.

Epsom County Court is also one of 49 county courts to be closed.

During the announcement in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly said money saved from the closures?would be reinvested in existing courts.

"Our court estate has simply not kept pace with the changing nature of our society or with the demands modern society places on our justice system," he said.

"There will be longer journeys for some to their closest court but we should not operate courts just to shave minutes off a journey that many will never need to make."

The future of Woking Magistrates' Court was thrown into doubt when ministers confirmed they were consulting on its possible closure back in June.

The proposals provoked outrage among councillors and magistrates, who feared the closure would have an adverse effect on justice in the area.

A campaign to keep the court open received something of a boost in October when one of Britain's most senior judges, Lord Justice Goldring,?cast doubt on the wisdom of shutting it.

Gordon Parris, chairman of the bench at Woking Magistrates' Court, said he was disappointed by the news.

"I think the magistrates at Woking put up an excellent case," he said.

"Local people are going to be left without a facility that has served them for 25 years.

"We will just have to work with our colleagues in Staines and Guildford."

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Samurai sword resident 'lost it with the gas men'

Samurai sword resident 'lost it with the gas men'

December 14, 2010

A MAN who went berserk and threatened utility workers with a Samurai sword told police afterwards that he had "lost it with the gas men", a court has heard.

Graham Robinson, 52,?was the target of a police manhunt?around West Ewell following the incident at his home on September 15 this year.

He was eventually arrested in a park in Banstead two days later.

Appearing at Guildford Crown Court on Monday (December 13), Robinson admitted two counts of having imitation firearms with intent to cause fear of violence, as well as charges of carrying a bladed article and criminal damage.

The court was told he armed himself with two air pistols and brandished?the sword during a tense stand-off with workers from Quality Heating Services?in Worthfield Close.

The drama came about when the gas board contractors went to Robinson's home to fit a pre-payment meter, following a dispute between the defendant and British Gas over bills.

He slashed four tyres on their van, and admitted to?officers after his arrest: "I lost it with the gas men."

Robinson drove off in a car following the incident, sparking an armed?police?hunt which included other properties in Ewell and Tadworth being searched.

He was found in Nork Park, Banstead, on the morning of Friday, September 17.

Speaking in court on Monday, Judge Christopher Critchlow said of the case: "An arsenal of weapons was found. These are now in the custody of the police."

The defendant was remanded on bail until February 4 next year?for pre-sentence reports.

Judge Critchlow warned Robinson: "All sentencing options are to be considered."

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