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Expert: Fragments put into fireplace, not burned there

Fragments were found in the fireplace of Mark Bridger's living room in Ceinws, near Machynlleth. Credit: Dyfed-Powys Police

Forensic anthropologist Dr Julie Roberts tells Mold Crown Court that the fragments found in Mark Bridger's home were compared to non-human bone fragments, from many animals, at the University of Liverpool.

She says the comparisons showed that the shape and thickness of the bone was different, and architecture of the bone entirely different.

Dr Roberts says it is her opinion that a small amount of bone was transferred to the fireplace - put in as fragments, rather than representing the remains of a body that had been burned there.

Asked by police as part of their investigation if the bone could be the result of a clean-up process at the cottage, Dr Roberts said yes.

One possible interpretation, she said, was small fragments of bone on a cleaning cloth which was then put into the fire - although that was not the only possible interpretation.

Cross-examined by defence barrister Brendan Kelly QC, Dr Roberts says the burned bone does not constitute he full skeleton of a child, or the entire skull of a child.

There were no fragments of lower jaw or facial bone or teeth or enamel.

In her opinion, she tells the court, "if they were there you would find them... particularly teeth."

Children carried from devastation left by tornado

A woman carries a child through a field near the collapsed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. Credit: AP Photo Sue Ogrock
Teachers carry children away from Briarwood Elementary School in southern Oklahoma. Credit: AP Photo Sue Ogrock
A child is pulled from the rubble of the Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, Oklahoma. Credit: AP Photo Sue Ogrock

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Braben 'comically played all the right notes, in the right order'

The comedian and author David Baddiel has paid tribute to Eddie Braben, including a reference to the famous Morecambe and Wise sketch he wrote involving the conductor Andre Previn:

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Eddie Braben: a man who, comically, played all the right notes, in the right order, all the time. RIP: and many thanks.

From @Baddiel on Twitter:

Full council statement on UKIP foster parent decision

Rotherham Borough Council has released the following statement regarding the decision to remove two children from their foster parents, who were found to be UKIP members:

Rotherham Borough Council can today confirm the conclusions of a review of its decision to end a foster placement with carers who were members of UKIP.

Following this detailed review, we are clear that the action taken to remove the children was in their best interests.

However, we accept the impression left following media interviews on the morning of 24th November was that the removal of the children was solely because of the foster carers’ membership of UKIP and the Council apologises for this.

As this is a child care case legal reasons continue to prevent us from releasing further details. However, we know that there are important lessons the Council must learn. As a consequence the Council has taken action to strengthen the way it makes decisions, communicates and shares information.

The Council can confirm that membership of UKIP would not prevent any individual from being considered as a foster carer in Rotherham and could not be a reason for removing foster children from a placement.

The Council would again like to thank all the foster carers in our community for the devotion they show in looking after some of the most vulnerable children in the borough.

– statement, rotherham metropolitan borough council

Read: Council sorry for removing foster kids from UKIP couple

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