A judge urged the leadership of the Liberal Democrat party to restore its “long and distinguished democratic tradition” as he jailed two disgraced councillors for rigging an election. Manzur Hussain, 58, and Mozaquir Ali, 44, were each jailed for 18 months for manipulating proxy votes to help to win an election in which Labour lost control of Burnley council.

“In my judgment, there has been a culture within your party’s organisation in this ward which accepts that rules may be bent to maximise votes,” said Judge Andrew Gilbart, QC, at Preston Crown Court.

Town hall pressure

The Government is facing a debate over the future of “over-centralised” local services, with the Sustainable Communities Bill put forward by David Cameron, the Tory leader, likely to reach the Commons in weeks. Ruth Kelly, the Communities Secretary, will face pressure to give town halls extra powers.

Tube station death

Two teenage boys were hit by a Tube train after “play fighting” on a station platform. One was killed and the other is in a serious condition at the Royal London Hospital. Closed-circuit television footage showed that about five teenage boys were playing on the Piccadilly line platform at Earls Court.

Footballer accused

The footballer Craig Bellamy assaulted a woman because she was blocking his way in a nightclub corridor, Cardiff magistrates were told. Sophie Palmer, 20, of Cardiff, claimed that Bellamy, who plays for Liverpool and denies two counts of assault, grabbed her neck and forced her against a wall. The trial continues.

Exam criticised

The international IGCSE exam, which has been taken by increasing numbers of private schools, has been criticised by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority, which said that it failed to meet the GCSE criteria. Conservatives have called for the exam to be adopted by all schools in England.

Soldier dies

A soldier has died during an exercise on a firing range at Lydd in Kent. County police and the Ministry of Defence have questioned soldiers that were at the scene. The victim has not been named. A spokesman for the MoD said that its police were assisting Kent officers in the investigation.

Fan held in Bulgaria returns home to jail

A Liverpool football fan jailed in Bulgaria for attempted murder was expected to fly home last night to complete his sentence. Michael Shields, 20, has served 18 months of a ten-year sentence for his part in a brawl which left a barman severely injured in the Black Sea resort of Golden Sands in May last year. His family, from Wavertree, Liverpool, vow to continue the fight to prove his innocence.

Water unfit to drink

Thames Water was fined £24,000, by the Government’s Drinking Water Inspectorate, for supplying water that was unfit for human consumption. Reading magistrates were told that residents of Spencer’s Wood and Shinfield received unclean water in May 2004. It posed no risk to health.

Alcohol swap plan

A police force is offering to swap alcohol seized from underage drinkers in the street for bottles of water. Cheshire Constabularly aims to stamp out under-age drinking across the county. The water bottles show the penalties that drinkers could face if they are stopped again.

£48m split appeal

John Charman, 54, the insurance tycoon who was ordered to pay £48 million to his former wife in what is believed to be the biggest divorce award in British legal history, has been given permission to take his case to the Court of Appeal. His case, has been listed for March.

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