12% nod off at the wheel

ONE in eight drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel, research shows.

And nearly 40% have been so tired when driving they were scared they would fall asleep.

Figures for 2017 reveal tiredness was a factor in 53 fatal crashes, but experts say the real figure is higher.

The AA Charitable Trust quizzed 20,561 drivers for its online survey.

The trust’s Edmund King said: “Crashes involving a drowsy driver tend to be catastrophic.” JURORS have been shown for the first time the sweatshirt at the centre of the Babes in the Wood trial.

Forensic tests on the item of clothing prove that convicted paedophile Russell Bishop murdered Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway, it is claimed.

The Old Bailey has been told the then 20-year-old discarded the “Pinto” top after sexually assaulting and killing the nine-year-olds in October 1986.

The shirt, which smelt strongly of sweat and had red stains on it, is said to have “given up its secrets” of the case.

Bishop was acquitted of the murders the following year but was ordered to stand trial a second time in light of new evidence after advances in DNA testing.

Prosecutor Brian Altman QC, has told the jury: “We say you can conclude the sweatshirt obviously belonged to him, that it came into recent contact with the girls’ clothing and that contact can only have been at the time of their murder.”

The top was found near Moulsecoomb station not far from the murder scene in Wild Park on the edge of Brighton.

The court heard yesterday two teenagers found the bodies in undergrowth.

Bishop, who had joined the search, had rushed ahead of a police officer after their discovery. Former Supt David Tomlinson, who led the operation, claimed one teenager looked as he if he would pass out but Bishop “did not seem to be affected” by the grisly find.

Mr Tomlinson added: “I got the impression one body had been almost thrown or tossed against the other.”

Former roofer Bishop, now 52, denies the murders. The trial continues.

KILLED

DISCOVERY

EVIDENCE

ON TRIAL