World Briefs

A star of the Harry Potter films was yesterday sentenced to two years in prison for being part of a violent mob which took to the streets during last summer’s riots in London.

Jamie Waylett, 22, who played Hogwarts bully Vincent Crabbe in six of the films, was found guilty of violent disorder by a jury at London’s Wood Green Crown Court.

The actor, who had already admitted swigging from a stolen bottle of Champagne during the rioting, was cleared of intending to destroy or damage property with a petrol bomb he was pictured holding.

Mr Waylett already has a previous conviction for cannabis possession.

101-year-old female glider

A 101-year-old US woman is being honoured with a world record for a paraglide ride she took to celebrate her birthday.

Guinness World Records said Mary Hardison is officially the oldest female to paraglide tandem. The previous record was held by a 100-year-old woman from Cyprus.

Mrs Hardison took the tandem flight with an instructor in Utah in September while her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren watched.

Escaped Gorilla back in cage

A 400lbs gorilla that escaped at a US zoo and bit a zookeeper was captured in a staff lounge, tranquillised and returned to his cage. The Buffalo Zoo said Koga got out of his cage into an aisle where the keeper was working and bit her on the hand and calf.

The keeper locked herself in with the zoo’s other gorillas and called the animal escape team.

Marmite vs Vegemite in NZ

The makers of Marmite in New Zealand say supplies ran out this week after earthquakes forced the company in November to close the only factory in the country.

It has asked people not to panic and promised that production will resume soon. But there has been a rush on Marmite in stores, and some people are trying to profit by selling jars of it online.

Prime Minister John Key said his own Marmite supply is dwindling. He risked angering Marmite fans by saying he could also eat Vegemite, a rival spread that is made in Australia.