A CHINESE-born dissident was jailed for a minimum of 20 years today for beating an 86-year-old author to death, after a historic Old Bailey trial partly held in secret.

Wang Yam, 46, of Hampstead, was convicted last month of the murder committed in May 2006.

Much of his trial had been held in secret after Yam, a naturalised Briton, told the jury he had publicly criticised the Chinese government.

Mr Justice Ouseley imposed court orders for private hearings and banned even "speculation" about evidence "for reasons of security". This was challenged by the BBC and six newspaper groups, including Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Evening Standard.

Yam beat to death Allan Chappelow, an expert on George Bernard Shaw, in the reclusive author's home in Downshire Hill, Hampstead, and buried the body under Mr Chappelow's proofs. He then tried to take £56,000 from the author's bank accounts. Yam fled to Brussels before being extradited from Switzerland for trial.

Yam was found guilty of murder, burglary and dishonesty, charges he denied. He was jailed for life.

• 

  Lenny Henry: 'Maybe one day we can have a black Doctor Who'

  As he wins the outstanding newcomer prize at the Evening Standard theatre awards for his role as Othello, Lenny Henry has come a long way from black and white minstrels

  ---

• 

  Spread of the Jedhead

  Jedward, voted off the X-Factor this weekend, are the most obvious proponents of the sticky-uppy look - but the style crosses boundaries of age, gender, sexuality and taste, says Nick Curtis

  ---

Sky in plot to hire students on the cheap

Sky News is currently recruiting students as reporters for its coverage of next year's general election. However, the opportunity doesn't quite seem so appealing

All stories