Fiji Murders – Murder – Christine Rankin – All Black Jerseys – Ohakune Freeze – Bradford Rave Riots

FIJI MURDERS: A chilling new element in the Fiji murder case has emerged. The family of John Scott’s partner Greg Scrivener says that a pathologists report says his fingernails had been pulled off before he died, clear evidence that he was tortured before he died. Hundreds of mourners turned up for John Scott's funeral today. Piers Scott gave a tribute to his dead father as did his brother Owen. Scott’s final resting place will be at the Suva cemetery where his grave has been piled high with flowers. Everywhere in Fiji people are talking about his humanity. In Tauranga the family of Greg Scrivener say they think a group of men murdered Scrivener and Scott. “One person could not have done this alone,” says a spokesman. Fijian police have arrested a single 23-year-old man for the murder. Police also say they found cocaine at the house and have alleged connections to child pornography. Labour MP Tim Barnett is concerned about the handling of the case. Greg Scrivener’s family had hoped to get on with their lives – but the pain looks likely to go on.

MURDER: The body of man has been found in a lake South of Atiamuri and a murder inquiry has been started.

CHRISTINE RANKIN: Christine Rankin has increased her claim to more than $1.2 million against the crown. On day 10 of the case it is now over. The PM says she for one will not be missing the soap opera of the case. Christine Rankin says she feels fantastic that the case is over. She wants $770,000 of lost pay, $300,000 of lost reputation, $117,000 of missed remuneration and $50,000 of exemplary damages. Lawyer Michael Quigg says he thinks he has demonstrated the need for compensation. Both sides say it will be the government that will be watching the outcome either way. No government will want this to happen again. Christine Rankin says she has received lots of support from the public, and that she is pleased she took the matter to court, “I had to do it,” she says. The government has revealed that WINZ hired more “leased executives” than any other department, at 41.

ALL BLACK JERSEYS: Canterbury Clothing has won the right to continue to produce their Invincibles range of All Black rugby jerseys in a High Court decision. The NZRFU has been ordered to pay Canterbury’s costs. Canterbury plans to step up production of the jerseys.

OHAKUNE FREEZE: Ohakune residents are not impressed by freezing water pipes that have burst during recent hard frosts. Plumbers have been kept very busy.

BRADFORD RACE RIOTS: For a third night their have been clashes on the streets of Bradford England between youths and police.

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Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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