welcome to bbc news. 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 290 tablets of the painkiller, tramadol, which is banned in egypt. a spokesman from the foreign office says they will continue to provide assistance to the family. my colleague in cairo, hanan razek, has been speaking to laura plummer‘s family who say they are shocked by today's sentencing. i was just speaking to laura's mother and she tells me she is still shocked after the verdict. she says she cannot believe it after waiting the two months and then having this verdict. back in october laura was arrested as she tried to enter the country and they found around 300 tramadol tablets in her suitcase. laura said she brought those tablets for her boyfriend, as he suffers from severe back pain. this is a painkiller that is prescribed and it's fine to get it in the uk. but it's fine to get it in the uk. but it is banned here in egypt and you can only get it through medical prescriptions, as it is popularly used among some young people as a sort of drug, as it is a cheaper way to get drugs. what happens now by way of a possible appeal? so, the mother told me laura has been moved to another police station to prepare to another police station to prepare to move her to the prison. however, the family is planning to appeal in the family is planning to appeal in the next 60 days. this has been left with the solicitors. they will look after that. we spoke to lawyers and law experts here and they told us this can take between nine months and a year before the appeal can go ahead. we are expecting that laura will still be imprisoned for the coming months at least, until an appeal goes forward. and a three—year jail term, appeal goes forward. and a three—yearjail term, as we have been saying, how typical is that in egypt's for an offence such as this? as we understand it is quite good news. usually smuggling drugs in egypt's commie can face up to a 25 year sentence and also one lawyer told us she could have faced the death penalty for this conviction of the accusation of smuggling drugs. however, three years is not typical, but given the amount, it wasn't a very big amount, this could be fine however we will understand how the appeal will go, if they will actually be able to appeal against this sentence. will it be different after the appeal, that is what we are waiting to know now. laura plummer‘s mp — labour's karl turner, said the news was "devastating". terribly disappointing to the family. the family are devastated. i have spoken to neville, laura's dad, already. i spoke with family members yesterday. they were optimistic this might be a happier result. but laura, most of all, will be absolutely devastated. she's not been well lately. she has suffered with sleep deprivation. she has been very anxious about the sentencing hearing, and the trial, as it was. and clearly this is devastating to the entire family. but i think it's a damning indictment, to be honest with you, about good sense and fair play. because this is a naive young woman. a decent, honest, hard—working hull woman who was simply naive. going to visit a partner in egypt, taking with her what she thought was pain killers, and no more than that. it clearly is a banned substance, and whilst we must respect the laws and customs of other countries, there must be good sense and fair play as well. so this is a devastating result. the universities minister, jojohnson, will use a speech today to warn that academic institutions must protect free speech. he'll say students must be able to both hear and challenge controversial views during their years of study. some universities and student groups have refused entry to speakers, as edward curwen reports. time spent at university must open minds, not close them. that's the view ofjojohnson, the universities minister, who will today set out a firm defence of free speech on campus. speaking at a jewish cultural festival in birmingham, he will say students must be free to challenge each other‘s views, and groups seeking to stifle those who do not agree with them must be stopped. his defence of open debate comes after speakers on subjects from the state of israel to transgender rights have faced bans, sometimes by student unions, for having views considered inappropriate. others have demanded so—called ‘safe spaces', where they won't hear about issues they may find upsetting. mrjohnson will say this cannot be tolerated, reiterating universities have an obligation to protect free speech and encourage frank and rigorous debate. from next april, a new regulator, the office for students, will have the power to fine universities that fail to uphold free speech. the body representing british universities said it would not allow legitimate debate be stifled. the challenge for university leaders will be deciding where to draw the line between extremist speech and a frank exchange of views. edward curwen, bbc news. there has been that much debate ahead of the speech, and earlier i spoke to a lady who was banned from speaking at a university event because of her views on transgender people. and the fight chance of universities says it is the duty of universities says it is the duty of universities to make sure there is no platforming themselves. yet again we have universities being told what to do because we haven't got our own house in order. i speak as vice chancellor, very proud of our university system in britain with top, world—class universities and many wonderful achievements. but we need to do better, the leadership of universities over vice chancellor salaries, free speech and a wide variety of issues. because we haven't provided the leadership we might have been expected to give, we are being told what to do and so i think it is necessary. but we should have got our house in order. think it is necessary. but we should have got our house in orderlj mention the safe space policies intended to protect students from views and language they find offensive, including discrimination. some students might be robust enough and be resilient and all the things joejohnson and be resilient and all the things joe johnson wants them and be resilient and all the things joejohnson wants them to be but others might not be. where do they stand in all of this? you can have things like trigger warnings. there is clearly material that people will listen to that they can find upsetting. if they know it's happening, they have the freedom not to attend that particular offering, lecture maybe. but that is different from suppressing views we don't like. there is a real danger we have a tin tyranny of the minority, some kind of thought police, which is deciding what is acceptable and what isn't. but isn't the job of a university. the nus does a great deal of good work over all, but i think they are in the wrong place on this. they should be championing free speech. i am not for blanket freedom of speech, i am for restricted freedom of speech because we have to look at where the law stands in this country to protect against racial hatred and protection for incitement to violence. but stopping feminist by saying most rate this are men or gender is a construct, maybe a nannying state. it is down to the national union of stu d e nts it is down to the national union of students and when students are polled, it would mean most are in favour of what are regarded as safe spaces favour of what are regarded as safe s pa ces to favour of what are regarded as safe spaces to a degree? most students really have no respect. the nus is a different organisation. the students that are polled are signed up to this snowflake attitude of being wrapped up in cotton wool. students tell me all the time they are against blanket platforming. they wa nt against blanket platforming. they want to make a decision about who speaks at their university. two people have died including a police officer following a collision in sheffield last night. police were responding to an incident when it collided with a citreon c3 travelling in the opposite direction on the a57. the 46—year—old police officer driving the car was pronounced dead shortly after the incident and a 61—year—old woman, who was a passenger in the citroen was taken to hospital but passed away shortly after. an investigation is under way the cause of the incident. 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. millions of shoppers across the country are hitting the high street today, for the traditional boxing day sales. analysts at barclaycard suggest one in three of us will head to the shops today in search ofa bargain. but with the rise of discount deals for black friday, and more of us shopping online, has the post—christmas shopping spree lost some of its appeal? james waterhouse reports. no camping, no stampedes. bell tolls. but there was at least a bell for the boxing day sale faithful in london this morning. in selfridge's, one of britain's oldest store names, you can get your hands on almost anything. perfumes, make—up, clothing and, of course, shoes. 50% off prada shoes. that's really good. £215 saving. we do love shopping! we like bargains more than full price stuff. they are normally 480, i got them for 230. it's decent, isn't it? we can actually get these online, but over here they are cheaper. so if we can find the size, then yes. 0therwise online. different prices but similar scenes in york. retail analysts say they are seeing a shift in shopping behaviours, but only a slight one. the high street is still a significant impact on people's shopping because people going out for leisure and to meet people rather than just buying behaviours. that's the feeling in glasgow today as well. i think customers are very savvy, they're looking for depth of markdown. never mind 30%, customers today are looking for 50%—plus discounts. a bbc survey of a thousand shoppers suggested almost two thirds felt constant sales devalue the brand of the shop, and more people are spending in the black friday sales and can't fork out twice. in selfridge's at least, people in their tens of thousands are walking around trying to find that dream discount. but this is the biggest store on the uk's busiest shopping street. the feeling from some experts and shoppers is that the boxing day sales have lost their appeal. for many, the boxing day sales are as traditional as the turkey itself, so it's going to take a lot more to put them off. james waterhouse, bbc news, oxford street in london. 0ur correspondent fiona trott is in york. shoppers here in this city telling us shoppers here in this city telling us they had been out on the streets since 8am in the freezing temperatures, waiting outside stores so temperatures, waiting outside stores so they can grab a bargain. a lot telling us they are planning ahead. because they are feeling the pinch and because of the high cost of living, they are either stocking up on clothes, because clothing has increased by about 3% this year, or they are thinking ahead to next christmas. julia, you are planning ahead, what have you bought? next year's christmas cards. was it a good discount? 50%. what else did you buy? i bought a scarf, i bought a little wallet for my credit cards. you have done well, thinking ahead, but also things for yourself. have you saved a lot of money today? probably about £30 altogether, maybe even more. do you normally come out on boxing day? no, my granddaughter was with me and i said, let's go. i had a top to change from last week. are you pleased with today? definitely. it does have a lot of atmosphere. before we move on, do you go past an indoor shopping centre as well? yes. it has been cold, the streets aren't as busy as people are telling us. the few shopkeepers are concerned, is it busier in the indoor place? shopkeepers are concerned, is it busier in the indoor place7m shopkeepers are concerned, is it busier in the indoor place? it was very busy. definitely. we came in on the bus and you could see the car parks were really full. warm indoors, as it is here with the fire going on. people expected today, about 30% expected to be out on the streets shopping and spending £4.3 billion, a record number. that is what retailers are hoping because the sale of non—food items have been very slow. having moved indoors, fiona, i would stay put, if i was you. fiona trott in york. let's return to events in need you. a woman sentenced to three years, laura plummer, 33 from hull, arrested in october with tablets, the painkiller tramadol, which is banned in egypt. her sister has been giving reaction. as a family we are disgusted it has carried on this long. in what country are you allowed to submit a 38 page document in arabic, force somebody to sign it without them having an interpreter. from day one, this has been a nightmare. yesterday in the court, she wasn't even allowed an interpreter, she had to get the call‘s interpreter who has interpreted the wrong answers. we are disgusted and so upset, we are absolutely devastated. what happened in court, was itjust a sentencing? she was in court, the lawyer gave a fantastic case. she has amazing evidence that supports her innocence. we were expecting her to be freed or either it would be adjourned until january. be freed or either it would be adjourned untiljanuary. that is what we were told. we never expected her to be sentenced to three years at all. it was a lot of pills she had? it was 290, three boxes of painkillers. people would say it is her own fault, what would you say in response to that? they are entitled to their opinion, they don't know laura. she was taking these tablets to her partner, who had had an accident. he didn't know she was bringing them, she was doing it to be kind. how can you be sentenced to three years just for being kind? what are you going to do now? we're just going to... sorry... we are going to have to repeal. your sister isn't doing so well, can you tell us about that? she is on the verge of a mental breakdown, and so is my mum. it is just horrendous. i cannot believe that the country has done this to us. what do they gain by sentencing laura to three years, to be mixing with real criminals. she's just a normal girl who works in hull. she sells clothes, she comes home, she watches telly, then she goes to bed. she doesn't drink, smoke, she doesn't go out. she just lives to go to egypt's. she loves the country and she is in love with her partner. we are absolutely devastated this has happened to her. that was jane sinclair on the plight of her sister, laura plummer, who has been sentenced to three years in jail in egypt today. the headlines on bbc news: a british woman accused of bringing 300 painkiller tablets into egypt, has been sentenced to three years injail. laura plummer‘s family say they plan to appeal the verdict. the universities minister, jojohnson, is issuing his clearest warning so far that academic institutions must protect free speech. there were queues outside some stores and shopping centres this morning for the boxing day sales. but a bbc survey suggests the black friday sales in november are now more important to most shoppers. let's get the sport now. harry kane has broken the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year. he helped himself to a hattrick as tottenham thrashed southampton 5—2 at wembley. the england striker headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass alan shea rer‘s landmark which had stood for 22 years. his second came five minutes before the break, finishing off a lovely team move, turning in son heung min's cross... kane then completed his second hattrick in three days, his 56th goal of an incredible year, to finish ahead of lionel messi as the leading scorer in europe for club and country in 2017. burnley are leading at old trafford. ashley barnes with the goal at united. celtic have extended their lead at the top of the scottish premiership to ii lead at the top of the scottish premiership to 11 points. they want 2-0 at premiership to 11 points. they want 2—0 at dundee. james forrest opening the scoring for the visitors after just eight minutes and leigh griffiths then fired in celtic‘s second just before half—time. middlesbrough have appointed tony pulis as manager to succeed garry monk. you list was sacked by the baggies in november after a run of ten games without a win. the 59—year—old welshman will watch their boxing day home championship game against bolton from the stands. it seems it's going from bad to worse for england's cricketers who are trying to avoid a series whitewash in the ashes. they were on the end day in the field from melbourne. having surrendered the ashes in perth, a century from david warner and another great performance from captain thomas steve smith left australia on tools 44—3. england frustrated david warner as he got near his century. he blinked and it seemed he had given tom curran his first test wicket on his debut. but a replay revealed no ball. back came david warner. the mcg rode his hundred on the very next ball. he did go to james anderson caught behind and stuart broad got his next wicket. shaun marsh given not out lbw. the review when with the umpire's call. a key moment and from there, marsh and steve smith stabilise things. smith remained unbeaten and england must worry unbeatable. i don't think we started very well, we didn't adjust to the conditions of the pitch quickly enough. when you bowl at someone quickly enough. when you bowl at someone like david warner, one of the best players in the world on a pitch like that, you don't bolt to your bus, he will hurt you. the second session, i thought we dragged it back well. we stuck to our plan much better and i thought we deserved those two wickets. there are three boxing day matches in the by are three boxing day matches in the rugby union pro 14 league. cardiff blues have the upper hand against the dragons at rodney parade. the blues with 15 points ahead. aled summerhill had put them ahead. that is all the sports now, to, julian. 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 £1000 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 in the lift began a discussion with 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. 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. this photograph taken by karen murdoch has now been used by journalists from all over the world. she says she hopes its sale will help with her daughter's university costs. she spoke to bbc breakfast this morning and explained what it's been like since she took the image. in one word, overwhelming. i've had five likes, maybe, on a tweet before! i just... it is a nice photo, though. i do like it. it's a great photo! yeah, it's lovely. but it's bonkers. now, there's another word for you — bonkers! laughter. so, karen, tell us how you managed to get that shot. because you were down there with your daughter. paint the picture for us, how did you get that perfect picture? yes, well, i was with my daughter, rachel, and my friend sara. and i literally, and i hate to sound like a bit of a geek here, but i was fangirling! i was literally, we were all like, "merry christmas!" as you can probably tell, i can get a bit excitable. and that's it, it was just lucky. it was pure luck. i took it on my iphone. yeah, a great picture, yeah. and i'm glad everybody liked it. so you shouted merry christmas, they turned round and gave you a smile, and then what happened? you put the picture on twitter and facebook and the like? well, what i did... oh, this is embarrassing! but i couldn't remember if meghan had an h in her name or not. so i put her name in and ijust... i think it was the bbc website just saying, the royals are attending. so i put my picture in the comments. and the rest, as they say, is history. how did you spend your christmas day? eating? drinking? bit of telly? how aboutjumping out of a plane wearing only a floppy suit? that's what the competitors at the wingsuit flying world cup got up to as tim allman explains. you know what they say — what goes up must come down. a principle they understand all too well at the wingsuit flying world cup. teams from around the globe competing in this extreme and hair—raising sport. translation: itravelled more than 400 kilometres to see this. we arrived here early in the morning, just to watch the wingsuit flying show. it's spectacular! translation: itravelled more than 400 kilometres to see this. we arrived here early in the morning, just to watch it's spectacular! you can say that again. a couple of skydivers perform a 360—degree rotating nosedive. while others piggybacked from their team—mates. but not everybody was happy with how things turned out. translation: i think our performance this time didn't reflect our real strength. we will get to our best through regular competition. i hope we perform better next time. the chinese team finished third overall, behind the winners, france, and the united states, who came second. it is a nonprofit event, and the local school received a cheque worth more than $30,000. so some charitable spirit, combined with a little heart—stopping terror. how can you get more festive than that? let's check on the weather. the weather has been better today. the weather has been better today. the weather is turning again across the south of the country. we are in for rain, sleet and the possibility of snow. not too much snow, so don't get too excited. this is the weather front moving in. a wet end to the day across southern areas of the uk. that is snow falling across the welsh hills, across the peak district and possibly second half of the night around the cotswolds and towards the early hours of wednesday morning we could get when she weather across eastern and south—eastern parts of the country but we mostly talking about the downs, the chilterns and those areas. further north across the country, clear and cold and in some areas it could be as low as minus eight celsius outside of town, that is. a wet, cold and windy morning across the south—east with a bit of wintry flavour to the rain, possibly sleet around. tomorrow afternoon is looking beautiful for many of us. cold and crisp. on the windy side so it will feel cold. as north, north—westerly winds will be strong. look at the temperatures, barely above freezing across northern areas and we have wintry showers across the highlands as well. the beautiful day for the lowlands of scotland and out in belfast as well. tomorrow night, into thursday, the skies will clear and it will be a cold night. ice may be a problem first thing in the morning so if you are travelling on thursday, bear that in mind. and across the country, you can see the temperatures are around freezing or below. on thursday we are between weather systems, won over scandinavia and more lining up in the atlantic. we are in this window of better weather, quiet zone. there is some rain forecast to reach the southern tip of cornwall by the time we get to i think at least midday on thursday. weather fronts will line up thursday. weather fronts will line up in the atlantic and low pressure moving in. an increasing jet stream as well. the run—up to the new year is looking more windy and turbulent. those temperatures as a result of the atlantic air pushing it will be rising as.

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