Detectives are studying CCTV footage in the hunt for the man who raped a small girl as she slept in her bed. But they say they are struggling to get an accurate description of the attacker - who is believed to be black and aged 18 to 20. The girl, whose exact age cannot be revealed for legal reasons, is between five and 10. Her mother and five other children were asleep at the house in Basildon, Essex, on Wednesday night when she was attacked. CCTV footage of the town centre and railway station is being examined.
Strike call over classroom assistants
Teachers have called for a one-day strike over the use of classroom assistants to teach classes. The National Union of Teachers voted overwhelmingly to oppose the Government's move at its annual conference in Gateshead yesterday, calling it an attempt to 'lower the cost of education'.
More than 20 charged over soccer violence
Twenty-two suspected football hooligans are due to appear in court next month charged with organising a fight in a shopping precinct in Bournemouth in December. Shoppers had to run for cover as missiles were thrown between supporters of Bournemouth and Swindon Town.
Drugs theory on railway deaths
Police investigating the deaths of two teenagers on a railway line are trying to establish whether they had been drinking or taking drugs. The boys, aged 14 and 15, were playing 'chicken' on a bridge near Darlington station on Friday night when they were hit by a passenger train.
I'm all right, Jack
Twenty paintings by Jack Vettriano are set to fetch more than £1.5 million at Sotheby's Scottish picture sale on 18 April. Highlights include 'The Same Old Game' which is estimated to be worth £180,000.
Hospital suspensions
Three health workers have been suspended after the death of an elderly woman, Sarah Lloyd, 91, at Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital, mid Wales, on Friday. She had been a patient for a month.
Get your kilts off
A row has broken out after Cambridge University banned Scots from wearing kilts at its graduation ceremonies. Scottish Executive Deputy First Minister, Jim Wallace, said: 'They should be more flexible.'
Stabbing charges
Two youths, aged 15 and 16, appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with stabbing Paul Tanner to death earlier this month. Mr Tanner, 31, was attacked in Birmingham as he returned home from a night out.
Charles plays at love
Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles will break off from their honeymoon to carry out their first official engagement as a couple. They will open a playground on the Balmoral estate.
