Bout Dat Xperience

A 14-year-old boy caught with two handguns and live ammunition has walked from court after a judge said he could not impose a custodial sentence because Parliament had “tied his hands”. The boy, who could not see over the ledge of the dock in court, was caught with two handguns Photo: Alamy 7:00AM GMT 25 Nov 2011 Judge Roger Chapple said he could not jail the teenager because he is not considered a “dangerous offender” and, with only one previous conviction — for carrying a knife — he is not considered to be a “persistent offender” in the eyes of the law. The judge said he was left with little option other than to release the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, on a youth rehabilitation programme despite the fact that possessing an offensive weapon carries a sentence of up to

Gary Dobson and David Norris both deny murder The trial of two men accused of murdering black teenager Stephen Lawrence 18 years ago has begun in front of an Old Bailey jury. The eight men and four women who will hear the case against Gary Dobson, 36, and David Norris, 35, both of south London, were chosen from a panel of 24. Meanwhile, prosecutor Mark Ellison QC has begun outlining his case. Stephen, 18, was stabbed to death by a gang of white youths in Eltham, south-east London, on 22 April 1993. Mr Ellison QC began his opening statement by handing jurors a map of Eltham, where the A-level student was killed at a bus stop. On Monday, trial judge Mr Justice Treacy said new scientific evidence will be central. He warned jurors not to discuss the case with "curious friends and family" and banned them from consulting the internet, so as not to jeopardise a fair trial. He also described the trial as an

Young men in south London who say they have moved away from gang lifestyles Continue reading the main story Related Stories US 'supercop' to advise on gangs Most rioters not in gangs - May What's the evidence gangs were behind the riots? Home Secretary Theresa May says the government's gangs strategy will help girls who are being "used as weapons" in turf wars. Ministers are launching a youth violence team to target gangs. The strategy, born out of the summer riots in England, pledges 100 expert advisers and intensive intervention with families. Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said the government's cuts meant the policy did not live up to the rhetoric. The government's strategy pledges to cut the number of young people killed or seriously wounded in youth violence by 2015. Among the chief victims

By Laura Brett - Club Archivist Villa have always had a close relationship with the magnificent military - but we didn't realise until the past few weeks that the club's name played a part in the First World War. As we look ahead to our 'Armed Forces Day' this weekend for the Norwich game, we delved in the club's archives to find out about our long-term links. There must have been a Villa fan involved in the drawing up of the trench map for the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. As you can see above, there are two parallel trenches called 'Aston Trench' and 'Villa Trench.' The Battle of Bazentin Ridge took place July 14-17 in 1916 and marked the second phase of the Battle of the Somme. While it resulted in a tactical victory for the British, the cost was extremely high with 9,000 dead, wounded or missing. The outbreak of the First World War came just before the 1914-15 season was due to start. The FA, along with the clubs in the Football League,

Daniel Mason(left) and Andre Chverton A man who organised a drive-by shooting after his sports car was wrecked on a visit to the city has been jailed for 20 years. Portia Taylor, 17, and Olushola Watson, 20, were injured after Daniel Mason drove from Birmingham to Manchester seeking vengeance. Mason’s £45,000 Audi TT was attacked with a shopping trolley at the car park of Asda in Hulme on May 21 last year. Hours earlier, Mason and pals had been involved in a peaceful protest about the death of a friend, Julian Webster, who died in mysterious circumstances on a night out on Deansgate Locks. Two days later Mason returned to Manchester at the wheel of Seat Leon. His passenger Andre Chiverton was armed with an automatic pistol and opened fire at a crowd of young people who had gathered at Great Western Street, Moss Side, for a barbecue. Miss Taylor had been on her way to buy an ice cream when she was hit in the elbow and Mr Watson had been socialising

THREE MEN, Horace Ferguson, Elijah Akil Brown and Joshua Parchment, have been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court today (Friday 21 October). Elijah Brown received seven years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery (reduced due to a guilty plea) and five years for possession of a sawn off shotgun at Costco in March 2009. The sentences will run concurrently. He was also sentenced to seven years for possession of the same shotgun on the 8 September. This sentence was to run consecutively, giving a total of 14 years. Joshua Parchment received 10 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery and five years for possession of a sawn off shotgun at Costco in March 2009. The sentences will run concurrently. He was also sentenced to seven years for possession of the same shotgun on the 8 September. This sentence was to run consecutively, giving a total of 17 years. Horace Ferguson received 10 years for conspiracy to commit armed robbery five years for possession of a sawn off shotgun at Costco