Crew member guilty of GBH

One of the members of British garage group So Solid Crew has pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on a 16-year-old girl.

At Cardiff Crown Court, Darren James Weir, 22, of Pimlico, central London, admitted harming the girl on 27 December last year.

He was granted conditional bail and will be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday.

So Solid Crew, which comprises more than 20 DJs, producers and vocalists, had a recent number one hit with the single 21 Seconds.

---

Chicago role for Claire Sweeney

Actress Claire Sweeney has landed her dream role, the lead in the West End show Chicago.

The former Brookside star steps into the shoes once filled by Denise Van Outen, the character Roxie Hart.

Since appearing in Channel 4's Celebrity Big Brother, Sweeney's profile has soared, landing the presenter's job on ITV's Challenge of a Lifetime.

"I have always wanted to be on the stage in a big West End production," Sweeney said.

---

Museum returns stolen statue

The British Museum, in London, has returned a stolen ancient statue to Sudan after a Sudanese man took it to the museum with a view to selling it.

The man said the statue had been discovered by a friend at a site in Sudan and that he had been asked to take it out of the country.

An expert at the British Museum said the story aroused his suspicions as he didn't believe any artefact of such quality could be legally exported.

He then identified the piece as a statue that had been unearthed in 1916 and displayed in museums in Sudan until it was stolen in 1995.

The 20-inch statue, carved in black stone, represents Heqa-em-sasen, an Egyptian viceroy, who lived some three-and-a-half-thousand years ago.

It is believed to be worth about £10,000.

---

Pop for Poppy appeal

The Royal British Legion will turn to pop to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

London-based duo Saxon-Jaimes, who have worked with stars such as Atomic Kitten and SClub7, have written the song No Greater Love, with proceeds going towards the appeal.

Mark Jaimes and Dan Saxon, who are launching their first bid for the charts with the single, said it would raise awareness among young people of the charity's work.

They said: "People often don't realise that the Legion is helping those affected by any conflict up to the present day, not just the world wars, so there is an ongoing need for its help and advice among people of all ages."

The single is due to be released on 5 November.

---

Street star becomes mother

Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh has become a mother for the first time.

The actress, who plays sex-change character Hayley Cropper, gave birth to Martha Mo Kershaw on Saturday.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said: "Both mother and baby are doing well."

Hesmondhalgh said: "We're absolutely thrilled. She's gorgeous."