NEWS IN BRIEF

POLICE WARN DRIVERS TO LOCK DOORS AFTER KNIFE-POINT CAR JACKINGS
Harrow police are warning drivers to “keep their doors locked at all times” after a spate of carjacking crime in the area. In Stanmore, on Friday 29 February a taxi driver was hit over the head with a gun and had his car keys stolen. On Tuesday 26 February two men wearing balaclavas stole a car after threatening the driver with an 8in knife in Daintry Close, Kenton. A £32,000 Toyota was stolen from a Kenton petrol station forecourt earlier in the month.

LOONEY TUNE ROBBERS JAILED
A gang of 10 teenage street robbers, who wore clothing with Looney Tune characters to commit their crimes, has been jailed for a total of 14 years. The “Junior Mafia”, aged between 12 and 18, roamed the streets of Wood Green, North London. They robbed pedestrians of money, jewellery and mobile phones by kicking, punching and threatening their victims with a knife or gun. The gang members were sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on 8 March.

BUS COMPANY CLEARED AFTER FATAL PILE-UP
The family of Lesley Goodson, who was killed in a horrific double-decker bus accident in Harrow, is “disgusted” after a court verdict cleared the bus company of all blame. Arriva Shires was cleared in Harrow Magistrates’ Court last Monday for June’s accident - in which the steering on the bus failed. A magistrate said the defect could not have been detected by a visual examination. Mrs Goodson’s husband, Paul, plans to take civil action against the bus company.

BODY IN PARK BELIEVED TO BE SRI LANKAN
The Asian youth, found beaten to death and burned in a Kingsbury park, is believed to be a teenager from Wembley. After an artist’s impression was published, a Sri Lankan man has said it is his 18 year-old nephew. The teenager went missing shortly before the body was found. Police officers will be travelling abroad to collect DNA from the teenager’s family.

AUDLEY TO FIGHT PUB LANDLORD
Olympic Superheavyweight champion Audley Harrison, from Kingsbury, is set to fight a 32 year-old pub landlord at the Wembley Conference Centre on 20 April. The unknown Bristol boxer, Greg Wedlake, is the latest in a string of low quality opponents. Harrison has been out of action for nearly six months through injury, whilst Wedlake has fought only once in the last four years.

EAT YOURSELF CLEVER
Students can boost their mental agility by eating common plants, according to a study in Nutritional Neuroscience. Dr Andrew Scholey, the author, found that Ginseng extract increases concentration and the ability to store and retrieve information by 10% - which is the expected deterioration of 10 years of ageing. Sage is found to make people more alert and content, and soya is also said to have brain-boosting powers.

WARNING: STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CAN KILL
Students living in privately rented accommodation are at risk of ill health according to an NUS survey. Cold and damp conditions can provoke allergies, colds and mental health problems. Sixteen percent of students said their lodgings were infested with vermin. Shelter, the housing charity, has found that 60% of bed-sits are unfit for human habitation. Poor conditions also increase the risk of dying from lung and heart conditions.

HARROW AMBULANCES WIN AWARD
The Harrow ambulance service has received an award from the London Ambulance Service. The award recognises improvement in the treatment of cardiac patients and telephone advice given to 999 callers. Praise was also given to an electronic link allowing direct contact between the London Ambulance Service and metropolitan Police.