Britain today: Gap between health of rich and poor widens

THE gap between the health of the rich and the poor is greater now than at any time since records began, research showed today.

A review of deaths between 1921 and 2007 showed inequality between the rich and poor has been increasing, especially in relation to premature deaths.

Stolen mobiles fetch 4m

Crime gangs rake in up to 4 million a year by flogging "recycled" stolen mobile phones overseas.

Police said the blocked phones still work abroad and up to 100,000 handsets are sold. The Government, police and mobile industry will sign an agreement designed to close the loophole.

Bulger killer set to face child porn allegations

Killer Jon Venables will appear via videolink at the Old Bailey today to face allegations of downloading child pornography.

Venables, who was 10 when he and Robert Thompson murdered James Bulger, is expected to enter pleas to the two charges. It is claimed he downloaded 57 indecent photographs of children and made seven images available to others online. Venables, now 27, was recalled to prison in February when the allegations came to light.

Fraud claims on the rise

Insurers uncovered a record 840 million worth of fraudulent claims in 2009, figures showed today.

A total of 122,000 insurance claims were rejected by the industry for being fraudulent during the year, 14 per cent more than in 2008, according to the Association of British Insurers. Overall, insurers uncovered an average of 2000 dishonest claims worth 16 million every week.

Zeta-Jones to visit hospital

CATHERINE Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas will bring a touch of Hollywood glamour to south Wales when they visit a children's hospital today.

The couple will meet patients and their families at the Children's Hospital for Wales in Cardiff.

Harrogate: RJ Ellory's thriller A Simple Act Of Violence received a prestigious crime novel gong.

The author scooped the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award at the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival ahead of competition from the likes of Ian Rankin and Peter James.

Wigan: A thief who ran down a woman as she tried to stop him stealing her car will be sentenced for manslaughter today.

Shaun Higgins left Lynda Hankey, 42, for dead when he drove off in her beloved MG sports car outside her home.