Daily roundup 28 March: Healthy eating, judge comments, and medical conditions

The Welsh government is offering up £1m in funding to make children's food and drink healthier and more affordable. The Fresh Produce Journal reports that companies and research organisations are being asked to apply for a share of the grant money, by proposing solutions focused on reducing levels of salt, sugar and saturated fat while increasing levels of vitamins, minerals and fibre in food and drink for children.


A rape victim whose attack led a judge to controversially warn that drunk women were putting themselves in danger has defended the comments, saying the judge was "right". The Telegraph reports that the 19-year-old victim was raped by a man she met in a Burger King restaurant after a night out in Manchester in July last year. The trial caused controversy after the judge, Lindsey Kushner, said that the drunken behaviour of some women was putting them at risk.


Thousands of children with medical conditions are put at risk every time they go to class, a group of charities has warned. The Sun reports that a survey by the Health Conditions in Schools Alliance found that almost nine in 10 schools do not have adequate policies in place. the alliance fears children with conditions like Type 1 diabetes, epilepsy and Crohn's could suffer "dangerous consequences" and has urged the Department for Education to make schools aware of their legal responsibility and Ofsted to conduct checks.


Irresponsible reporting on knife crime that depicts ethnic minority and other young people as inherently criminal and out of control is alienating young people and could be counterproductive, the head of a cross-party parliamentary commission on youth violence has said. The Guardian reports that Vicky Foxcroft, Labour MP for Lewisham Deptford, criticised sensationalist reporting of knife crime that labels young people as gangsters - glamorising violence and inviting some vulnerable young people to seek out and revel in that role.


Half of young mothers regularly skip meals to provide for their children, a study has found. The Mirror reports that a survey of more than 300 mums under 25 by the Young Women's Trust found that money is tight, with two-thirds saying they were only just managing financially.


Children at a nursery were visibly distressed after being force-fed and picked up by their wrists before being dropped to the floor, a court has heard. The BBC reports that Swansea Crown Court was told Bright Sparks in Taibach, Port Talbot was closed after concerns were raised about the way its owner, her deputy and a member of staff had treated children. The former owner and assistant manager are accused of child cruelty.


A £4.5m mothballed youth centre is set to re-open later this year after politicians agreed for the authority to take ownership of the building. The Hartlepool Mail reports that the Northern Lights Academy in Hartlepool has stood empty for 18 months after the trust which won the funding for it closed and church leaders said they could no longer run it. Hartlepool Borough Council is now set to take responsibility for the freehold of the building from the Diocese of Durham.