And finally… odd justice

Leicestershire Police ran a pilot scheme which they said did not negatively affect public satisfaction or indeed crime rates, the BBC reports.

It was brought about by the analysis of East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) which found that in 1,172 attempted burglaries, there was little forensic evidence and only 33 suspects were found.

Jo Ashworth, director of forensic sciences within EMSOU, said: “The pilot was developed to look at what value forensic teams bring to the detection of attempt burglaries.

“At a time when we are operating within reduced budgets, it is even more critical that we make the absolute best use of our crime scene investigators’ time.”

The three month trial could be rolled out across the entire East Midlands but the police and crime commissioner, Sir Clive Loader, said that had he known about the scheme he would have advised against it.

He said: “Had I been consulted, I would have advised against it, particularly in light of the controls chosen which, to me at least, are unlikely to inspire much public confidence.

“It introduces to the public eye - okay only for three months - a sort of serendipity about whether they get a proper service.”

As a result of central government funding cuts, the force’s budget has been reduced by £33.9 million, or 17 per cent, between 2011 and this year.

However, it is expected more savings will need to be made.

George W. Bush showed up in court yesterday – but rather than standing in the dock, the 69-year old ex-president was sitting among the jurors.

Flanked by the US Secret Service, Mr Bush shocked fellow jurors when he arrived without warning at a Texas court for jury duty.

Fellow juror Sheri Coleman told The Dallas Morning News: “They made it seem like it was an anonymous juror that never showed up and then they brought him in.”

She added that the experience was “awesome”.

Another juror told the newspaper: “I turned around and he was seated right behind me and I said, ‘I think I know that guy’.

“Then the judge introduced him and said it was an honour to have the former president of the United States in the court.”

Special agents were visible from the courtroom as Mr Bush sat through jury selection.

He was eventually not chosen for the panel, but posed for photographs with others in the courtroom before the feds drove him home.