REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2006 - March (From Watford Observer)

REVIEW OF THE YEAR 2006 - March

4:39pm Thursday 28th December 2006

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A Hendon businessman accused of trying to sell millions of pounds worth of rocket launchers and machine guns to terrorists, was acquitted of all charges, after the FBI refused to hand over vital case papers.

Syed Moshin Bukhari, of Woolmead Avenue, West Hendon, spent 18 months in high-security Belmarsh Prison after his arrest in July 2004 for allegedly agreeing to sell arms to an undercover US agent posing as a terrorist.

After 18 months in Belmarsh, he told this newspaper: "It was all lies, lies, lies. When the police arrested me I felt like saying, I am not your enemy, you have got it wrong'.

"I feel very happy that I am out now but I feel more than bitter too."

* Theives crashed a stolen car into two vehicles in Hendon Wood Lane, Mill Hill, before stealing another car from a driver who stopped to help.

* The Susi Earnshaw Theatre School was offered a one-year extension to its lease at The Bull arts centre by Barnet Council.

However, campaigners to save the school were angry because the future of The Bull and the school was left unclear after July 2007.

* The Home Office minister Hazel Blears attacked Barnet Council for a series of cuts to the borough's youth service, which saw it ranked second-bottom in the country in terms of investment in teenagers.

Ms Blears, who is responsible for policing and reducing anti-social behaviour, criticised the Conservative-run council's decision to cut £300,000 from the youth budget last April and a close a number of youth centres.

* The parents of the murdered optician Giles Van Colle were awarded £50,000 in a landmark High Court case against Hertfordshire police whom they accused of failing to protect their son.

Giles was shot at close range behind his shop, GVC Optometrists, in Mill Hill Broadway, by Daniel Brougham in November 2000, shortly before he was due to testify against him in a theft trial.

* Clive Marks, president of the London Jewish Cultural Centre, in Golders Green, was appointed OBE at Buckingham Palace for his charity work and dedication to improving Christian-Jewish relations. Mr Marks worked to promote inter-faith dialogue and worldwide peace and reconciliation.

* Brent Cross shopping centre celebrated its 30th anniversary, rewarding 36 staff who have worked there since it opened with an award and a champagne breakfast. Brent Cross was the first large-scale indoor shopping centre to open in Britain with many predicting it would be a flop.

* The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust announced plans to cut 480 jobs and 100 beds in a bid to save £25 million from the following year's budget. The hospital said it had to achieve the savings to become a foundation trust by 2007-08.

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