Summary

  • Convicted murderer Simon Hall took his own life, inquest finds

  • Plans to introduce lynx to Thetford Forest are dropped

  • Compensation payments for damage to vehicles caused by potholes have risen in Norfolk

  • Updates on Monday, 20 June 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates resume on Tuesday at 08:00

Live Reporting

Caroline Kingdon

  1. Our live coverage today

    That's it from the Norfolk Live team today. We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00.

    Among the stories we've covered today was the news that a jury concluded that Simon Hall, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of Suffolk pensioner Joan Albert, took his own life at Wayland Prison. 

    Other stories included the EU referendum debate which was broadcast live on BBC Radio Norfolk, with panellists arguing for Remain or Leave... and former Norwich striker Ched Evans siging a one-year contract with Chesterfield FC. 

  2. Weather: A mainly clear night

    Julie Reinger
    BBC Look East weather

    Heavy and possibly thundery showers will clear, giving a largely dry night with clear spells. There's a chance of patchy mist and fog.

    Temperatures will remain in double figures, with light winds. 

    Weather chart for Tuesday 05:00 showing temperatures of 14(C) over NorfolkBBC Weather

    Tuesday is looking a largely dry day with just the small chance of a shower. Some sunny spells, but turning cloudy at times.

    Temperatures reaching 21C (70F), with mainly light south-westerly winds.

    BBC Weather has more information for where you live.

  3. Council prefers repairs to compensation payouts

    Tim Addicott
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Norfolk County Council is paying out more than ever to people whose cars are damaged by potholes.

    BBC Radio Norfolk has discovered that compensation payments for the last financial year are already at nearly £20,000 compared to just under £15,000 the previous financial year.

    A car wheel in a potholeGetty Images

    Martin Wilby, who chairs the council's environment, development and transport committee said the cost was increasing as it was much easier for people to report damage.

    We take our pothole repairs very, very seriously... we'd much rather get them repaired than have to pay people compensation."

    Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council

  4. 'Incredible opportunity' for young Diss musician launching solo album

    Diss Express

    A young Diss musician says he has an “incredible opportunity” when he launches his first solo album with a show at the famous Norwich Waterfront next month.

    Will How, sitting in a leather chair holding a guitarDiss Express

  5. Wild lynx were hunted to extinction

    Mike Liggins
    BBC Look East

    I've been looking at those plans to reintroduce lynx to parts of the UK, following the announcement that Thetford Forest is no longer one of those potential locations. Here are some facts on these wild cats:

    • The lynx was hunted to extinction in this country between 500-700 AD
    • They're no threat to humans, predating mainly on deer, occasionally on game birds and rarely on sheep
    • Their territory in the UK is likely to be around 20 sq kms (7.7 sq miles)

    A close-up of a lynx fax

    Three possible locations have now been chosen in the UK, to be narrowed down to one, and the animals will be sourced from across Europe. They will not be fenced in but will be fitted with tracking collars by the charity behind the plans.

  6. Ched Evans signed by Chesterfield

    The former Norwich City striker Ched Evans has signed a 12-month deal with Chesterfield Football Club.

    Evans was jailed in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman, but his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal. He faces a retrial later this year.

    Ched Evans, in a dark suit and tie, leaving the Court of Appeal after his conviction was quashedPA

    Chesterfield chairman Dave Allen said the club had given a "great deal of thought to the signing" and following the court's decision, was in "no doubt that Ched Evans should be welcomed back into his profession as a professional footballer".

    Evans' contract with the League One club will start on 1 July. 

  8. Gang with silver Jaguar sought after burglary spree

    Andrew Woodger
    BBC News

    Police have issued CCTV images of two men thought to be part of a gang which carried out distraction burglaries across Suffolk and Norfolk.

    Silver JaguarSuffolk Police

    The crime spree began in Icklingham, at 14:30 on 9 April.

    On the same day, there were also burglaries in Purdis Farm, Stratford St Andrew and Beccles in Suffolk, and Gillingham, Chedgrave, Framingham Pigot and Little Fransham in Norfolk.

  9. Campaigning wife felt 'betrayed' by confession

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    After professing his innocence for more than a decade, in July 2013 Simon Hall spoke to his wife Stephanie on the phone and told her he had, in fact, stabbed Joan Albert to death. 

    His confession left Mrs Hall in shock. She told the inquest she had still not come to terms with it at the time of his death, six months later. 

    "I felt betrayed. I had a lot to contend with," she told the jury.

    "It was extremely difficult because I still loved him."

  10. Widow had believed husband was 'miscarriage of justice' victim

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    Simon Hall was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 16 years, in 2003.

    Work colleague Stephanie was not in a relationship with him but kept in touch and eventually married him in prison in December 2008.

    The following year, she publicly campaigned to clear her husband's name, believing him to be a victim of a "gross miscarriage of justice".

    In 2011, the Court of Appeal rejected claims that there were fresh doubts over forensic evidence. Later that year, she told the BBC the Justice 4 Simon campaign was hopeful of a second appeal attempt, which was never heard.

  11. Simon Hall met future wife after murder, but before arrest

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    Simon Hall's widow Stephanie gave evidence on the first day of the week-long inquest. She described her husband as highly intelligent, comical, personable and compassionate. 

    The pair had met as colleagues in 2002 - a couple of months after Mr Hall stabbed 79-year-old Joan Albert to death in her home at Capel St Mary, near Ipswich. 

    At that time, she had no idea he was even suspected of such a crime. He was not arrested until later that year. 

    Simon and Stephanie HallSubmitted photo

  12. Simon Hall's widow leaves court without speaking to media

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    Simon Hall's widow Stephanie was not outside the coroner's court to give her view on the suicide verdict.

    Norfolk Coroner's Court

    She had said in evidence that she had had no indication from him that he was going to kill himself in Wayland Prison in 2014.

    She said had spoken to him the night before, but she also told the inquest she had concerns he wasn't getting the help he needed while he was serving a life sentence for killing pensioner Joan Albert in his home village of Capel St Mary, near Ipswich.

  13. Coroner 'satisfied matters have been dealt with' after Simon Hall suicide verdict

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    The coroner has said she is not going to make any special report about how the Prison Service dealt with Simon Hall before he killed himself.

    Hall, 36, took his own life while serving a life sentence at HMP Wayland in Norfolk, 13 years after he killed pensioner Joan Albert in Capel St Mary, near Ipswich.

    Norfolk coroner Jacqueline Lake said: "I do not propose to make any report with regards to prevention of similar deaths. I'm satisfied that matters have been dealt with."

    Exterior of Wayland Prison

  14. Suicide verdict was unanimous

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    The jury at the inquest into the death of convicted murderer Simon Hall reached a unanimous verdict of suicide.

    Simon HallContributed

    Hall was 36 years old when he took his own life at HMP Wayland in 2014. He was serving a life sentence for killing Joan Albert in Capel St Mary, near Ipswich, in 2001.

    Hall was jailed in 2003 but continued to protest his innocence until 2013, when he admitted responsibility for the murder.

  15. Suicide verdict at Simon Hall inquest
    Breaking

    Laura Devlin
    BBC News

    A jury concludes that Simon Hall, who was convicted of murdering Capel St Mary pensioner Joan Albert, took his own life at Wayland Prison in Norfolk.

  16. Rail: Delays on services after vehicle hits bridge

    BBC Travel

    Passengers on Abellio Greater Anglia services between Norwich and London Liverpool Street face delays of up to 15 minutes after a vehicle hit a bridge at Needham Market. 

  18. Nine arrested following disturbance

    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Nine people have been arrested following a disturbance in Norwich yesterday evening.

    Police officers were called to reports of a disturbance on Motum Road involving a group of up to 30 people, shortly before 19:30.

    A 17-year-old girl, a 29-year-old woman and seven men aged 19, 27, 28, 32, 33, 36 and 38, have been arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remain in police custody. All are known to each other.

    Norfolk police have increased patrols in the area today to offer reassurance to local residents.

  19. Scheme to reintroduce wild cats to Norfolk has been dropped

    A controversial scheme to reintroduce lynx to woodlands near Thetford Forest has been dropped, as first reported in the Eastern Daily Press. 

    Two lynx cats

    The site was one of five locations considered by the conservation charity The Lynx UK Trust where the carnivores would be released and fitted with tracing devices.

    Paul O'Donoghue, charity spokesman, says that although Thetford ticked all the boxes in its initial studies, its consultation had now narrowed down the sites to three - Aberdeen and Kintyre in Scotland and Kielder in England - with an announcement on the final location due within the next three to four weeks.