Wife-killer loses his conviction appeal (From York Press) - The Press in York
Robin Garbutt loses his conviction appeal
3:42pm Thursday 24th May 2012 in Ryedale news
A NORTH Yorkshire shopkeeper found guilty of bludgeoning his postmistress wife to death lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his murder conviction.
Robin Garbutt, 46, formerly of Huby, was jailed for life in April last year and ordered to serve a minimum of 20 years behind bars before he can apply for parole.
The couple lived together in York before moving to Melsonby near Darlington.
A jury at Teesside Crown Court heard that he battered his 40-year-old wife Diana, who grew up in Eggborough and Selby, to death in their bedroom before opening their post office and shop in the village as normal.
His case was that a raider with a gun told him "don't do anything stupid, we've got your wife" before robbing him as he worked, and that moments later he discovered his wife's body in bed in their living quarters.
Three judges in London said that his conviction was safe.
He had argued that it should be overturned on the grounds that that newly disclosed Post Office accounting records going back to 2004 supported the credibility of his evidence and undermined part of the prosecution case, but the judges disagreed.
Lord Justice Hughes said the accuracy of the newly discovered Post Office records was not disputed.
The prosecution's case was that "there could never have been an intruder" - there was no robbery and it followed that Garbutt had killed his wife.
The fresh material relied on in the appeal related to Post Office records going back to 2004.
It was submitted on Garbutt's behalf that the pattern shown by the records "cannot be relied upon as demonstrating thefts of Post Office cash".
Had the jury had the full records "it would have supported the defendant in something that he said, namely that he had always held large sums in the safe, and the jury would have been likely to take a different view of his credibility generally".
Lord Justice Hughes said: "The premise on which this appeal has so well been argued is that the jury may have proceeded from theft to murder. "We have asked ourselves anxiously whether that might be so. We are clear that it cannot be."
The judge concluded: "We are quite satisfied that this conviction is not unsafe.”
Maloney relieved with Scotland return - Football
Published: 25 May 2012 - 09:17:04
Shaun Maloney was envious of Wigan team-mates Gary Caldwell and James McArthur's involvement with Scotland before making his own return to the national set-up.
The winger is back in the squad ahead of this weekend's friendly against the USA in Jacksonville and is set to earn his first cap since a win over the Faroe Islands in November 2010.
He told the Scottish FA website: "Of course you are very envious when you're not involved with Scotland and see team-mates like Gary Caldwell and James McArthur going off to meet up with squads. I did miss it and I think that was part of my motivation to get back into the team with Wigan, so I was happy to get the call-up this time."
He added: "My family are very patriotic when it comes to things like this and, of course, it means a lot to me."
Maloney is well aware of tough competition for places.
He went on: "It's going to be very tough to get into the starting 11 but that's a good sign so fingers crossed we keep improving. At the end of the campaign last year we finished pretty strongly and we'll need to start like that if we want to qualify this time."
Scotland have not qualified for a finals since France 98 but Maloney is optimistic about the current crop of players' chances of finally ending their exile from major tournaments ahead of the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
He said: "I don't personally get annoyed by all of the references to France 98. It's certainly something that we want to change, we want to get to a finals, but it was obviously a great achievement for the 98 squad and they deserve credit.
"Time will tell if we have enough to qualify at the end of this campaign.
"It's a hard group with teams all capable of taking points from each other but we definitely have a good chance of coming out of it."
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Monstrous’ turbine plan sparks fury (From The Bolton News) - The Bolton News
‘Monstrous’ turbine plan sparks fury
9:05am Friday 25th May 2012 in News
A FARMER went head-to-head with neighbours and councillors over plans to put up a 164ft tall wind turbine.
Andy Paton wants to put up the turbine at Birches Farm in Turton — which would be in Bolton, but Bury Council has a say on the plans because Bury residents would be able to see it.
After a fierce debate in Bury Town Hall, Bury Council decided not to oppose the plan and leave the decision with Bolton Council.
There are already two 59ft-tall turbines on Mr Paton’s land and a third would provide enough power for 300 homes, he said.
The National Grid would then pay Mr Paton for providing the energy — but not everyone is happy.
Joanne Wilcock, chairman of the Affetside Society, told the planning committee meeting that more information was needed.
She said: “There is no noise survey information.
“We can’t make a judgement without such vital information.
“Over 100 Affetside residents oppose this idea and we need more time to consider the evidence.”
Bury Council’s development manager Dave Marno said: “Bolton Council will have gathered a great deal of evidence about this application and will make an informed decision at the right time.
“It is the council’s position that we do not object and we let Bolton make the decision.”
Cllr Iain Gartside, who represents Tottington, said: “The council officers must remember they are only one third of this town’s representation.
“There is also the residents and elected members. To convey a message that we have no objection would not be a correct state of affairs.”
Cllr Yvonne Wright, who is on the committee, said: “A third turbine would look monstrous.
“I find the council officers’ assumption that we should not object to be very offensive.”
Mr Paton defended his application, saying it would be “madness” to rely on expensive imported energy.
He said: “The turbine would save us money, help us employ workers and help the environment.
“I care passionately about my land. It is my shop floor. This is a business decision with many benefits.”
Mr Paton applied to Bolton Council for planning permission in December but has now withdrawn the application due to a technical issue.
He intends to resubmit the application soon and the council would then begin a consultation period before making a decision later this year.
Stephan Ward admits to living the Republic dream - Football
Published: 25 May 2012 - 06:17:01
Stephen Ward admits he has to pinch himself when he contemplates the prospect of running out for the Republic of Ireland at the Euro 2012 finals.
The 26-year-old Wolves full-back is a relative newcomer to the squad with only 10 senior caps to his name to date, but he has established himself as a key member of Giovanni Trapattoni's first-choice back four. Indeed, he is the only fully fit member of that back four ahead of Saturday's friendly against Bosnia at the Aviva Stadium.
However, simply preparing for the finals of a major tournament is a dream come true for a man who was a schoolboy the last time Ireland made it on to the big stage a decade ago. Ward said: "Just to be in and around it here and be in the squad is something I could only have dreamed of."
He added: "I pass by houses of my friends on the way to the training ground and the flags and everything are out, so it's a little bit surreal. But we have arrived and we need to cherish every moment.
"I have said many a time that a lot of your fondest childhood memories are when Ireland have been in major tournaments. You remember everything that happened, the goals, the parties when they came back, and to be on the other side of the fence is something I can only ever have dreamed of as a kid."
The Republic, of course, came within a hair's breadth of the reaching the World Cup quarter-finals in 2002 when they were beaten on penalties by Spain in Suwon despite going into the tournament without skipper Roy Keane following his infamous Saipan bust-up with manager Mick McCarthy.
Spain will once again stand between the Irish and their hopes of qualification this time around with the current World and European champions vying with Trapattoni's men, Italy and Croatia for a way out of Group C.
Ward is well aware of the severity of the challenge, but he remains convinced Ireland can progress.
He said: "I don't think we would be going there if we didn't think we could get out of it. We are under no illusions that it's a strong group and we are going to come up against some really good sides.
"But if you look at us as a team and how we play and the manager we have, he is world-class and he gets the best from us as a squad of players. We feel on our day we can frustrate anyone and be a match for any side, so there's no reason why we can't go there and cause a few upsets."
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