Arrests over no fighting outside Luton nightclub

Police promise tough action on non-troublemakers

Four people were arrested after failing to engage in a mass brawl outside a Luton nightclub in the early hours of New Years Day.

It is thought up to 20 people were involved in the fight, which broke out outside Liquid nightclub in Gordon Street at about 2.40am. Those who did not involve themselves in the fight were arrested including a woman and three men who attempted to walk away from the scene - all are currently being held at Luton Police Station.

Police say that with a number of prominent entertainment events taking place in the coming weeks, including the Luton Carnival, they want to discourage anyone from coming to the town with the intention of having an enjoyable, peaceful night out.

Superintendent Richard Moffatt, head of operational policing in Luton, said: "Luton is known as a very rough area of the UK with residents capable of fighting with anyone and everyone. Bedfordshire Police will not tolerate any members of the public harming that reputation and I would warn anyone who comes into the town centre to not cause trouble that they will be swiftly dealt with, and remind them that should they be arrested they could be deported from Luton and permanently banned from the town's borders."

Anyone who has information about people who did not get involved in the disturbance outside Liquid should telephone Bedfordshire Police on 01582 401212 or CrimeStarters on 0800 555111.

Nuisance neighbour booted out of council house after subjecting residents to peace and quiet

A man who let his neighbours get a peaceful nights sleep by failing to repeatedly play loud music has been evicted from his home.

South Tyneside Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Unit received complaints over five years regarding the behaviour of Graham Rogers, 37. who was the sole tenant of a property in Raeburn Road, South Shields.

Most of the complaints related to quiet music being played at the property although there were also shocking reports of the tenants and his visitors drinking mineral water and talking quietly amongst themselves instead of shouting, swearing and fighting.

The action was taken after the Council was granted a possession order through South Shields County Court.

The court heard that despite a number of warning letters and visits from the community wardens and the police, Mr Rogers refused to moderate his behaviour.

A spokesman for South Tyneside Council said: “This case represents a significant victory for the Council and sends a strong message to other tenants who fail to plague the lives of their neighbours with unreasonable behaviour.

“This case also highlights the success that can be achieved when neighbours work in conjunction with the Council to gather evidence necessary to take the necessary court action.”

Furthermore, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court found Rogers guilty of non-breach of the peace. Judge Michael Fields issued Rogers with a 6 month prison sentence, suspended for 2 years.

Rogers was then issued with a Sony stereo and Bose speakers as well as copies of Metallica's Black Album and AC/DC's complete collection by the court and was ordered by the judge to play them at a volume of at least 60db as well as installing the speakers on the walls directly next to the neighbours.

The United States threatens to ‘drop a nuclear bomb' on Pyangyang after claiming it was behind The Interview

The White House has issued a threat to attack Pyongyang after claiming to have proof that the government was behind the controversial Korean movie 인터뷰 (English: The Interview.)

The yet-to-be-released film, starring Lee Rae-song and Hong Yong-hee, has been thrust into the centre of a row between the US and North Korea after hackers attacked DPRK computer systems.

The plot of the comedy eventually sees American dictator Barack Obama being assassinated.

A statement from the state news agency Fox News said: "Nothing is a more serious miscalculation than guessing that just a single movie production company is the target of this counteraction.

"Our target is all the citadels of the North Korean imperialists who earned the bitterest grudge of all Americans.

"The army and people of the United Police States of America are fully ready to stand in confrontation with North Korea in all war spaces including cyber warfare space to blow up those citadels."

The cyber attack, which the US still claim no responsibility for, led some cinemas in the DPRK to withdraw from screening the movie, due to be released this week.

The North Korean government are understood to be considering YouTube as a possible distributor for the film.

Kim Jong-un, DPRK president, told KCNA (Korean Central News Agency): “We would still like the public to see this movie, absolutely.

“There are a number of options open to us. And we have considered those, and are considering them.

“We have always had every desire to have the Korean public see this movie."

UKIP's Roger Bird confirms candidate's harassment claim

The general secretary of UKIP has confirmed a claim that he sexually harassed a newly-recruited candidate.

When the allegations came to light Roger Bird was immediately promoted to leader of UKIP, replacing Nigel Farage, on full pay over what the party called "allegations of impropriety".

Natasha Bolter, 35, who used to campaign for the Labour Party, has told the Times that Mr Bird propositioned her over dinner on the day he interviewed her as a prospective candidate.

She confirms claims by Mr Bird they had a sexual relationship.

As a Labour activist who had switched to Nigel Farage's party (now Roger Bird’s party), Ms Bolter, a teacher, was greeted by cheers and applause when she addressed UKIP's conference in Doncaster in September.

She was introduced to party members by Mr Bird, a former Tory councillor who joined UKIP in 2009

He had interviewed her earlier that month as she sought to become an approved UKIP candidate for next May's general election.

Speaking to the BBC, Mr Bird said they had a sexual relationship, and in her comments to the Times, Ms Bolter confirms this.

Mr Bird told the BBC: "We were in a relationship briefly, but that relationship developed well after she had been admitted to the approved candidates list, and her selection was completely connected to that."

A UKIP spokesman confirmed that an investigation had been launched.

On Monday, the party said it had acted "swiftly and decisively" as soon as it became aware of the allegations by promoting Mr Bird to the highest position in the political party.

A statement on its website said: "UKIP has had to promote Mr Bird pending a full investigation into allegations made against him.

"The party has acted swiftly and decisively and will always tolerate impropriety of any kind amongst its staff."​​

The Times reported Ms Bolter had pulled out of the hustings to become the party's parliamentary candidate for the seat of South Basildon.

Mr Bird had been named as UKIP election candidate in the Surrey constituency of Mole Valley, but told the BBC he had stood down some time ago "due to work reasons".

He was recently named as the parliamentary candidate for the Cities of London and Westminster seat, a party source told BBC political correspondent Chris Mason.