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Mother and two sons found dead at home named
A woman and two young boys found dead at a house in south London have been named. The mother, 47-year-old Nadja De Jager, and her two sons, nine-year-old Alexander and sevenyear-old Maximus, were found dead in the Mayfield Road property in Belvedere at 11.50am on Thursday after concerns were raised for their welfare.
Detective Inspector Ollie Stride, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “This is a deeply sad case and we are continuing to establish the circumstances that led to this tragic incident. I would like to thank the local community for their cooperation while our officers go about their inquiries.
“Our thoughts today are very much with the family as they struggle to come to terms with their loss, and we ask that their privacy be respected at this extremely difficult time.” Police said detectives were not actively seeking anyone else in connection with the investigation.
UK Covid infections up for fifth week in a row
Covid-19 levels are following an “uncertain” trend in much of the UK, with only Scotland seeing a clear increase, figures show. Total infections for the whole of the UK are up for the fifth week in a row, but there is fresh evidence that the current rise is slowing down.
Levels continue to vary across different regions and age groups in England, though rates have jumped among over-70s. An estimated 1.6 million people in private households in the UK were likely to have Covid-19 in the week ending 28 February, up 3 per cent from 1.5 million the previous week, according to the Office for National Statistics.
This is the smallest week-on-week percentage increase since the latest rise in infections began at the end of January. If the spread of the virus is slowing down, it could mean that infections will peak at around half the level reached during the Christmas 2022 wave, when the total climbed to just under 3 million. PA
Elderly man set on fire outside London mosque
Police are searching for a suspect who they believe set an 82year-old man on fire outside a west London mosque last month. The Metropolitan Police have released an image of the man, who allegedly doused the victim in a liquid believed to be petrol
before setting him on fire using a lighter at around 8pm on 27 February.
Detectives said he engaged the victim in conversation for around five minutes as they both left the West London Islamic Centre on Singapore Road in Ealing before launching the attack. He then walked away. The victim was taken to hospital, where he received treatment for severe burns to his face and arms.
Detective Sergeant Steven Constable urged anyone who recognises the suspect to contact police. PA
Prisoners serving life sentences face marriage ban
Prisoners serving life sentences are to be banned from getting married. Under justice secretary Dominic Raab’s Victims’ Bill – due to be unveiled in the next fortnight – rapists and muderers serving whole-life terms could be banned from ever tying the knot.
In a letter to cabinet colleagues leaked to The Sun, Mr Raab said: “I consider there is a very real risk that marriage in such cases would undermine public and victims’ confidence in the criminal justice system. Even where there is no risk of direct physical harm, there is a significant risk of coercive or controlling behaviour.”
The launch of the bill had been delayed for months amid fears of legal challenges under Article 12 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which enshrines the right to marry. However, Downing Street is confident it would win a legal battle, with the attorney general backing the legislation.
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