this is bbc news. the headlines at 7.00pm. a woman from hull is sentenced to three years in jail in egypt for taking painkillers into the country — her sister is concerned for her safety. she is on the verge of a mental breakdown. and so is my mum. it's just horrendous. universities must protect free speech and "open minds, not close them," or face possible fines. despite millions of shoppers searching for bargains in the boxing day sales there's been a downturn in shoppers on the high street in shoppers on the high street. a russian cargo ship is listing near portsmouth harbour and is being assisted by the coastguard. tottenham's harry kane sets a new record for the most premier league goals in a calendar year as he scores a hat—trick against southampton. and in half an hour i will be looking out on a momentous year in politics, that has seen the brexit negotiations get under way, and that

snap election. good evening and welcome to bbc news. a british woman has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of smuggling drugs into the country. a british woman has been sentenced to three years in prison in egypt after being found guilty of smuggling drugs into the country. laura plummer, who's 33 and from hull, was arrested in october when she was found carrying almost 300 tablets of the painkiller, tramadol, in her suitcase. daniela relph reports. laura plummer‘s family and friends say she is naive, not a criminal. but today the 33—year—old shop workerfrom hull is beginning a three—year sentence injail in egypt. her mother, roberta, and her egyptian partner, 0mar caboo, have been at court to support her during the hearings this week.

laura plummer had been travelling to the red sea resort of hurghada to visit 0mar in october when she was stopped by the authorities. in her suitcase were 290 tramadol tablets, a painkiller which is legal on prescription in britain but banned in egypt. she said the tablets were for her partner, who suffers from severe back pain, but she was arrested and has been held since then in a communal cell with up to 25 women. herfamily at home in hull have described today's sentence as horrendous. she's just a normal girl who works in hull. she just sells clothes, she comes home, she watches telly and she goes to bed. she doesn't drink, she doesn't smoke, she doesn't do anything. she lives to go to egypt. she loves egypt. she loves the egyptian people. she's in love with 0mar. we cannot believe this has happened to her. we are absolutely devastated. laura plummer had been going on holiday to egypt's red sea resort for several years but, for her supporters, she has been let

down by the country she loved. this woman doesn't deserve to be incarcerated in an egyptian prison and, to be honest with you, as much as i respect the customs of egypt and the laws and the judiciary and everything else, this will put people off travelling on holiday to egypt in the future, and i think the egyptian authorities need to be mindful of that. the egyptian legal system is complex. laura plummer will now appeal against the three—year sentence, a jail term her family say is shocking and unjust. you saw her mp karl turner in that report — earlier i spoke to about him about laura... she has been incarcerated since the 9th of october, she is a woman of good character,

decent and honest hard—working british woman from hull, who has not so much as had a parking violation, and she has found herself in this terrible predicament, where she's facing a custodial sentence, in a foreign prison. it is terrifying for her. what do you make of the misunderstanding which led to today's, well it was not a hearing, was it? because she was sentenced to three years. the conviction was there already. how do you understand that any appeal would be taken forward 7 i don't know that that is correct. i spoke to the lawyer, yesterday, and i communicated with him today. as a understand it, there was something lost in translation. thejudge had asked one of the members to question laura, and his english was not very good. he had the interpreter there ready to translate, but the judge refused to hearfrom them. however, the lawyer for laura made representation that the matter should be adjourned and that a new hearing should be today.

it is my understanding that that is what has happened, but the court has found today that laura was guilty of possession, not trafficking, which is a great deal of difference, and she was sentence for possession, today. i spoke with the minister who is responsible for egypt and the foreign office, and had several communications with him as we speak, to officials egypt. we are very wide about her well—being, and we are... we are very wide about her well-being, and we are... you feel that the government has done enough at this stage? i will be honest. i have been very impressed with the foreign office. i was impressed by borisjohnson, foreign office. i was impressed by boris johnson, and foreign office. i was impressed by

borisjohnson, and his understanding in interest and knowledge of the case. i know that the minister responsible has made representations co nsta ntly, a nd responsible has made representations constantly, and that british embassy officials are constantly informing myself, and ministers, government ministers what is happening. so, i have got absolutely no criticism of the foreign office. i have been very impressed, and i expect them to continue to make representations on behalf of laura. there are things that can be done to second—guess what ministers might be saying, but there are options available to us, and we are very hopeful that this will, eventually, to a happy conclusion. the universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic institutions that they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech, within the law. some universities and student groups have banned speakers, because of their views, or because they promote extremism.

but mrjohnson said in some of the cases the practice stifled debate, and a new regulator, the office for students, would have the power to uphold free speech. emily unia reports. jo johnson wants universities to open minds, not close them. he has criticised the practice of no platforming, when student unions and other university groups ban speakers with what is seen as offensive or unacceptable views. it is vital that we uphold this principle of legal freedom of speech, because it is the underpinning of how we progress as a society, and how we remain innovative, and how we resist injustices. how the minorities can stand up and be counted, and not be depressed, are upheld. the minister wants young people to hear and challenge controversial opinions, a view shared by the vice chancellor, of the university of buckingham. universities must be about letting a dialogue and debate happen, not suppress.

if you suppress people's views, then you are a man exercising them, you legitimise them, you publicise them. what we need to happen at universities is the opposite. the feminist campaigner, julie bindell, who has personal experience of no platforming, argues the problem lies with the national union of students. students that are polled are clearly signed up to this ridiculous snowflake attitude of wrapping them in cotton wool. students tell me all the time that they want to hear the likes of me speaking against this blanket no platforming of feminists, as we are the ones mainly no platformed, and they want to make a decision about who speaks at the university. the nus have yet to comment, but their platform contains six groups, including the bnp. next april, the government is planning to bring in a new regulator for universities. the office for students will have the power to find, suspend or deregister institutions that failed to uphold free speech. a russian cargo ship,

listing near portsmouth harbour, is being assisted by the coastguard. the vessel is at anchor in the solent while a pilot vessel assesses its stability and cargo. the coastguard said it had power and was currently stable. the 13 crew on board are reported to be safe and well. there are warnings though of gales and rough seas this evening. the body of a woman has been found at an address which a bomb disposal squad was called to, on christmas day. the street, in north tyneside, was completely cordoned off when the bomb disposal van arrived. a 41—year—old man, believed to be known to the victim, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. two people have died, including a police officer, following a collision between a police car and another vehicle in sheffield last night. the 46—year—old officer — was responding to an emergency call when his marked car was involved

in the crash. a 61 year—old woman — who was a passenger in the other vehicle — also died. dave edwards reports. the crash happened on this road, the a57, about 50 yards also down there. a marked police car was travelling in this direction towards sheffield, responding to what has been called an immediate incident. the silver citroen c3 was going the other way, when the collision occurred. the officer driving the police car was pronounced dead shortly after. he was a 46—year—old man. a passenger in the citroen, the 61—year—old woman, also died. she was from sheffield, and the driver of that car is in the serious condition in hospital. now, south yorkshire police are not doing any interviews, today, but they have released a statement,

which says that they have lost a friend, a colleague from their police family. the officer had been with us for 12 years and was a passionate professional and universally liked. his colleagues and everyone across the force are devastated by what has happened. our thoughts are with both families. anyone who saw what happened here last night asked to contact the police by calling 101. the independent police complaints commission are now investigating. millions of shoppers across the country have headed to the high street today for the traditional boxing day sales. in some places the queues began to form outside stores in the early hours of the morning with research suggesting that one in three people went in search of a bargain today. but some retailers have reported large numbers of people deciding to look for bargains online instead. and analysts say footfall in high streets and shopping centres across the uk today appears to have been lower than expected. duncan kennedy is in southampton. it's been fast, if not furious, heavy if not heaving. but, after all that turkey,

there have been plenty of bargains to gobble up. have you got what you wanted? yes. it's been successful. successful trip, yeah. here at southampton‘s west quay shopping centre, 10,000 people an hour surged in. what is it about boxing day sales? cheaper. half the price. really? yeah, really. some people say there are these sales all year round. to be honest with you, black friday was better than actually today. and, it's only got the rubbish what's left, that they've put in. but, you are still buying it? yes, only because i got my christmas money, yesterday. with inflation outstripping many wages, some experts have been predicting a slow boxing day, but in many places, the discounts are proving irresistible. well, ithink, first and foremost it's always about getting a great bargain. and you can see, on the windows around us, there are stores that have got 50%, 60%, 70%, even, discounts on some of their products in store.

so, that is a great incentive to come out. in fact, researchers say that something like 34% of us will have gone shopping today. that compares to just 25% of us last boxing day. they reckon that overall we will be spending more than £4 billion. york was just one of the places where they queued for the bargains. 0nline shopping, it seems, not yet the all conquering consumer choice. going on holiday next week, so i've got some light pyjamas, and some trainers. which are £5 and £14. very good, isn't it? london's oxford street also brought out the shoppers, although some analysts said overall numbers are down by 4%. but many are still bagging the bargains. 50% off prada shoes. so, that was actually good. that's a £215 saving. we do love shopping. we like bargains more than full priced stuff. in glasgow, two arms were not enough for some to take care of business, but whilst many online companies were reporting sales of more than 6% today, for others only the real deal will do. it's a bargain. i think i've saved something. official figures for who spent what,

where, and when on boxing day will come later. unofficially, it seemed as traditional as ever, and for some, it has been a case of shop till you drop. duncan kennedy, bbc news. police have released cctv footage images — of three suspects, following a theft at a shopping centre in ilford, east london injuly this year. it's the first time these images have been released. a 69—year—old woman walked into lloyds bank in ilford and withdrew one—thousand—pounds in cash from her account. the pensioner then got into a lift at the exchange shopping mall as she made her way to the car park. when she got into the lift,

two of the suspects distracted the woman as a third suspect searched her handbag and removed the cash. anyone who can assist the investigation is asked to contact metropolitan police via 101 or by tweeting @metcc. universities must protect free speech and open minds, not close them, or face possible fines. despite millions of shoppers searching for bargains on boxing day sales, there have been a downturn on shoppers on the high street. sport now, and for a full round up, from the bbc sport centre. what a year it has been for harry kane. in the process, he has broken the record for most premier league goals scored in a year. he headed

home is that islamic legal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass alan shearer‘s on 22 minutes to surpass alan shea rer‘s landmark which on 22 minutes to surpass alan shearer‘s landmark which had stood for 22 years. —— shearer‘s landmark which had stood for22 years. —— he shearer‘s landmark which had stood for 22 years. —— he headed home his 37th goal of 2017. it's been amazing, it has been a fantastic year. one that i am very proud. to be compressed to those messis and the sierras, it has worked out. an unbelievable display by the team, and a great result. to get a hat—trick is a great feeling to end the year. well, there was great drama at old trafford asjesse lingard rescued a point for munster united. jose mourinho's team were behind within three minutes at kick—off, and then 2—0 down at half—time. lingard pulled one back

on the hour mark, before raising new roof with a 90 minute equaliser. it still means that united trail city by 12 points, and pep guardiola's game that mac side have a game inside. meanwhile, liverpool are game that mac side have a game inside. meanwhile, liverpoolare up against swansea. philly papers coutinho put them ahead, and it was from his free kick that roberto firmino scored the first of his two goals. the 19—year—old right back at either the arnold got in on the act. his persistence paid off and he's got his first goal for liverpool and alex 0xlade—chamberlain added a fifth in the 83rd minute. we are just coming up to the 90th minute at anfield, now. also today, it is a six goal thriller at the vitality stadium. bournemouth, three coming from behind to draw with west ham, and there were wins for chelsea and watford, as well. celtic have

exceeded their lead at the top of the scottish trebuchet to 11 points. they want to haven't at dundee. james forrest scored for the visitors, after just james forrest scored for the visitors, afterjust eight minutes, and then leigh griffiths biden effected just before the break. that was the only scottish premiership game today. five more to come tomorrow. england's critic is bats cricketers had a tough game. a century from david warner and another great performance from captain steve smith left australia onjune captain steve smith left australia on june 44—3 at captain steve smith left australia onjune 44—3 at stamps tarmac stumps on... england were always good to be infora lot on... england were always good to be in for a lot of hijack. they had to field on a pitch that really suited the batsman on a warm day. it looked like any total would be possible for australia. baxter warner, they had 100 by lunch. they tied things up

and got rid of the act of saud cameron bancroft, and then they frustrated warner, . .. cameron bancroft, and then they frustrated warner,... it seemed that he had given tom curran his first test wicket on debut, but a replay revealed no ball. back came warner, and... james anderson caught behind, and... james anderson caught behind, and after... he's only got another with his next one. shaun marsh giving not out i'll be doubly. the review went with the umpire's call. a key moment, and from there, marsh and the smiths dougal as being. smith remained unbeaten. all derbies in limerick, four—time champions leinster, got off the top of pool b, but it was leinster‘s but when i confess celtic rivals. there were

wins also for cardiff blues, while ospreys wins also for cardiff blues, while os preys lea d wins also for cardiff blues, while ospreys lead the scarlet 9.2 five, with just a minute left on the clock. and, that is all be sport and now, back to you, simon. thank you very much. mrweirwon mr weir won the first round, but did not secure the 50% needed for an outright victory. both candidates that they are confident that they would win. syria's armed forces say one of their militaryjets has been downed by insurgents in northern hama province, killing the pilot. the area has seen intense aerial strikes by the russian and syrian air forces in the country's civil war. rescue workers say dozens of civilians have been killed in the bombing of towns away from front lines in the last few weeks.

the royal navy says there's been an increase in the number of russian ships travelling through or near the uk's territorial waters over the christmas period. yesterday, hms st albans was sent to escort a russian warship through the north sea as it passed close to uk waters. the defence secretary gavin williamson said he will not "tolerate any form of aggression" , and warned "britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests." the formula 1 driver tweeted that his words had been inappropriate, and it was not acceptable to marginalise stereotype anybody. the tottenham hotspur striker, harry kane has made premier league history by scoring 39 goals in a calendar

year. but today he beat it, by scoring another hat—trick against southampton at wembley. shearer‘s record had stood for 22 years. it means that kane will finish the year, as europe's leading goal—scorer. well, a little earlier i spoke to the tottenham coach, bradley allen, who coached harry kane as a youngster. i asked bradley, who was at wembley this afternoon, for his reaction when kane's first goal went in. very proud moment for everybody associated with the club. all the coaches, the head of their academy, and tottenham hotspur, it is a really unbelievable achievement, and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy. harry has been extraordinary since raking through, being a home—grown player, and coming to beside the last few seasons, his goal—scoring prowess has gone from strength to strength. how he when you are

coaching him? as a young guy, he was one that was very dedicated to his work. he was always prepared to stay behind and do extra training, he has become a great model to our next generation of young players, coming through the club, and to see him succeed, now, at the very highest level in this extraordinary calendar year that he has had, with the record that he has broken, it is a really proud moment. many people talk about his work ethic, but the natural talents must play a part when you're talking about this level? well, he said gunter is about, but i think the hours of requested practices, that single—handedly he was prepared to do. harry, as a young footballer was a fabulous learner, very dedicated yea rs a fabulous learner, very dedicated years game, and it is no surprise,

that one such opportunity came about, you have really had this tunnel vision, and to perfect and make permanent his goal—scoring finishes have been... i think we've seen finishes have been... i think we've seen that since he played for both england and spurs in recent seasons, and this is an unbelievable achievement, because alan shearer, of course was one of the premier league legend, and i thought that that record that harry has just broken was perhaps never going to be beaten. so, to do that, you deserve all the plaudits that he's getting. inevitably, the comparisons with shearer on the pitch, and indeed in the england side, but also with messi, and cristiano ronaldo. he said that it was a great feeling to be mentioned in the same sense at them. tenner those three players as you mention, they are arguably the finest of their generation, so jackson yeandle take the goal—scoring of —— to actually

overta ke goal—scoring of —— to actually overtake because growing up messi, it just goes to overtake because growing up messi, itjust goes to show what a year it has been for harry, and let's hope, no tottenham supporters —— tottenham supporters are really hoping that that can continue for the 2018, and obviously, england fans for the russia world cup next summer. it's funny is it that, because the coach said today that he thought he had not reached his peak. he said he thought it was five years away. knowing him, he is determined, you will keep working on all aspects of his game. he wants to keep playing at the very highest level, and i think he could be very exciting for this very current young tottenham hotspur side. out of all the photographers waiting to snap a picture of the royal family at the christmas day service in sandringham, it was a mum from norfolk who managed to capture the perfect image on her phone. the photograph ta ken by karen murdoch has now been used by journalists from all over the world. mike cartwright reports.

the photograph that has gone everywhere. the picture that everybody wanted. ta ken everywhere. the picture that everybody wanted. taken not by the press pack or a world photographer, but karen at sandringham with her daughter on her phone. the two of them and their dog lunar, back there today. that picture all over the papers. it wasn't intentional, it was just that it captured the right moment at that time, and there was no planning, it wasjust moment at that time, and there was no planning, it was just fun. moment at that time, and there was no planning, it wasjust fun. it moment at that time, and there was no planning, it was just fun. it was lovely. i caught the moment and it was great. somewhere in the crowd, the two had been here on christmas day before. but, they want to see meghan. walking to judge, day before. but, they want to see meghan. walking tojudge, the duke and duchess of cambridge, prince harry and meghan markle. karen never dreamt that you would scoop this. a picture that may go down in history, now helped pay her daughter's couege now helped pay her daughter's college fees. a dinner neglecting get. a bit, i am

college fees. a dinner neglecting get. a bit, iam —— i did know how much i am expected to get. a bit, i have been told. when somebody said, £50, i was like, yes! 50 have been told. when somebody said, £50, iwas like, yes! 50 quid! but, it's going to go on my daughter. i go on my daughter —— i work on my daughter, she is my pride and joy. go on my daughter —— i work on my daughter, she is my pride and joylj think it's fantastic. i know that my mum deserves it, an analogy does not do it intentionally, but good things happen to good people. now said dozens happen to good people. now said d oze ns of happen to good people. now said dozens of times on social media, that moment captured by karen in the right place at the right time. lets get a weather update. some of us lets get a weather update. some of us had to see some snow already this christmas, and there is already a little bit more in this is the night, but it will be mixed in with the rain and some sleep as well. at wet weather pretty in from the south, and... further north and

west, image of clear spells and wintry showers, that will lead to some icy stretches, could well get down to “i! some icy stretches, could well get down to “11 minus five degrees even in sundance and cities in central and southern scotland. pretty visible across this south—eastern corner tomorrow, but further west, brightest guys. crisp winter sunshine, but a scattering of wintry showers, i should say, and temperatures will struggle will stop two to 6 degrees at the best. thursday, a right day. more in the way of ploughed on friday, and as we head to the weekend, it will turn a bit milder. that is all for now. this is bbc news — our latest headlines. a british woman accused of smuggling drugs into egypt has been sentenced to three years in jail. laura plummer, who's 33 and from hull, was arrested in october with tablets of the painkiller, tramadol. the universities minister, jojohnson, has warned academic

institutions they could face fines if they fail to protect free speech, within the law. south yorkshire police say an officer has died following a crash that happened last night. there has been a lower turnout than expected at the boxing day sales. the research group springboard believes there was a 4% drop in the number of shoppers — up to midday today — compared with last year. now on bbc news, it's been a turbulent year in politics, from theresa may's snap election that backfired so spectacularly, to continuing tussles with the eu over brexit. ellie price reviews the year in british politics. the headlines this morning.

theresa may's decision to call a general election appears to have backfired. it was with reluctance that i decided the country needs... the prime minister spells out her strategic goals. the conversatives are the largest party. history has been made. article 50 has been triggered. brexit negotiations in a shambles! hear, hear! sighs. music: i was born under a wandering star. 2017 was shaped by what happened when a pretty influential person went for a nice, long walk in the countryside and had a little think about things. that was, of course, theresa may, who went on a hike with her husband in april and came back thinking it would be a jolly good idea