Welcome to bbc news. A british woman accused of smuggling drugs into egypt has been sentenced to three years in jail. Laura plummer, whos 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. Our correspondent hanan razek sent the latest from cairo. They found around 300 tramadol ta blets they found around 300 tramadol tablets in her suit gets. Laura said she put those tablets for her boyfriend as he is suffering from severe back pain and this is a painkiller that is prescribed and is absolutely fine to get in the uk. However it is a band 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 and it is a cheaper way to get drugs. Laura plummers sister Jayne Sinclair has been speaking to the bbc. This family, we are disgusted that he has been able to carry on this one. In what country are you actually allowed to submit a 38 page document in arabic for somebody to sign it without having an interpreter. From day one this has been a complete nightmare and yesterday in the court she wasnt even allowed to have her own interpreter, she had to get the court interpreting who was interpreting the wrong answers, so we are disgusted and we are so upset, absolutely devastated. Do you know what happened in court today . Was just the sentencing . We just thought she was in court, our lawyer gave a fantastic case, she has got amazing evidence that supports her innocence and we were expecting for her to be freed or maybe it would be adjourned until january. Her to be freed or maybe it would be adjourned untiljanuary. We never expected her to be sentenced to three years are told. It was a lot of pills she had the wasnt it . Three years are told. It was a lot of pills she had the wasnt mm was 290, the equivalent of three boxes. People would say it is her owii boxes. People would say it is her own fault, what would you say in response to that . They are entitled to her opinion. They dont know laura. She was taking these tablets to help her man who has an accident. He didnt even know she was bringing them across. She was doing it for a kind gesture. That is all it was. How can you be sentenced to three yea rs how can you be sentenced to three years just for how can you be sentenced to three yearsjust for being how can you be sentenced to three years just for being kind . How can you be sentenced to three yearsjust for being kind . What are you going to do now . We are just going to have to appeal. Sorry. Your sister is not doing ever so she . Can you tell us about that . She is on the verge of a mental breakdown. And so was my mum. The verge of a mental breakdown. And so was my mum. It isjust horrendous. I cant believe that the country has done this to us. What did they gain by sentencing borough for three years to be mixing with real criminals . She is just for three years to be mixing with real criminals . She isjust a normal girl who works in hull, she sells clothes, she comes home and watches telly and goes to bed. She doesnt drink or smoke, she lives to good egypt, she loves egypt, she lost the egyptian people, we cannot believe this has happened to her. We are absolutely devastated. She loves the egyptian people. The universities minister, jojohnson, will use a speech today to warn that academic institutions must protect free speech. Hell 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. Thats 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 others 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 wont 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. 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. Police have released cctv footage images of three suspects, following a theft at a Shopping Centre in ilford, east london injuly this year. Its 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. The royal navy says theres been an increase in the number of russian ships travelling through or near the uks territorial waters over the Christmas Period. Yesterday, hms st albans was sent to escort a russian warship through the north sea as it passed close to uk waters. The defence secretary Gavin Williamson said he will not tolerate any form of aggression and warned britain will never be intimidated when it comes to protecting our country, our people, and our national interests. Rear admiral chris parry is a former nato commander. He said it was important not to over react. I wouldnt exactly echo the seriousness that the defence secretary has put out. This is a normal deployment by a russian warship that is coming down into the north sea. She is perfectly entitled to do that under international law. It is demonstrating the right of innocent passage. We do this in the black sea and the baltic sea all the time. The russians have said, its christmas, we will have to be at sea, so lets get somebody else out to look at us as well. I would hope this country would send a warship out to look at any warship that comes close to us, other than our nato allies. Its also a great opportunity to look at a brand new frigate, its the latest russian frigate. It has systems and other equipment on it we want to have a closer look at. 0rdinarily, we wouldnt get that close. The russians want to say to the world, we have intervened in syria, we want to show the russian flag around the world and there is no better way of doing that than putting your navy out to sea. It has appeared on all sorts of tv and news channels. The fact of life is the russian navy is on the up at the moment, getting increased levels of expenditure. They want to show they can go anywhere they want to at any time they want to. They have done it in the baltic sea and black sea. Any time they approach the United Kingdom now, instead of going to the west of ireland, they tend to go down through the channel. They are showing their flag and are entitled to do so. A russian cargo ship is listing near Portsmouth Harbour and is being assisted by the coastguard. The vessel is at anchor in the river solent while a pilot vessel assesses its stability and cargo. The coastguard said it had power and was currently stable, while the 13 crew on board were reported to be safe and well. The maritime search and rescue service has warned of severe gales and rough seas later. Supporters of Vladimir Putin are meeting in moscow to begin the formal process of nominating him as their candidate for president in next years election. Mr putin is seeking a fourth term in office and will run as an independent this time. It comes a day after the Electoral Commission barred opposition leader, alexei navalny, from standing due to a fraud conviction. The third year we doctor or moscow correspondent and he was asked how much formality this all was. It is an absolute formality and it has already happened. More than 600 people gathered, a lot of athletes and culturalfigures, people gathered, a lot of athletes and cultural figures, the people gathered, a lot of athletes and culturalfigures, the world of music, ballet, and other Public Places here in russia who came together to nominate mr putin formally as their candidate for president. He is running as an independent this year so this is the first step needs to take. He then need to in person submit the signatures and documents gathered at this session here to the Electoral Commission forformal this session here to the Electoral Commission for formal approval. And then, if you like, the next stage of then, if you like, the next stage of the race begins. He has to gallop 300,000 signatures from across butter to support his candidacy. But it isa butter to support his candidacy. But it is a pretty much forgone conclusion. Give the most popular politician here in russia and doesnt expect to have any real obstacles doesnt expect to have any real o bsta cles o n doesnt expect to have any real obstacles on the reraise to the kremlin. 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 selfridges, one of britains oldest store names, you can get your hands on almost anything. Perfumes, make up, clothing and, of course, shoes. 50 off prada shoes. Thats really good. £250 saving. We do love shopping we like bargains more than full price stuff. They are normally 480, i got them for 230. Its decent, isnt 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 peoples shopping because people going out for leisure and to meet people rather than just buying behaviours. Thats the feeling in glasgow today as well. I think customers are very savvy, theyre 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 cant fork out twice. In selfridges 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 uks 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 its going to take a lot more to put them off. James waterhouse, bbc news, Oxford Street in london. We normally say our correspondent is braving the crowds but fiona trott is in europe. It doesnt look that busy. It looks quite quiet. The windows say everything must go, up to 60 off there but it is a lot quieter than it has been. People in your work saying it has been the quiet in quite a few years. We have got some research out today which also suggests that, yes, it is quieter according to some analysts, by midday today but fall on uk high street slicked yorkville by 4. 796 high street slicked yorkville by 4. 7 compared to last year and it is not a surprise. People we spoke to have been out and about to us they are doing smart sales shopping, they dont have money to splash out this year. They are buying for christmas next year, presence, christmas cards, all they are stopping up on expensive items, clothing, footwear which is another price about 3 compared to last year, as you heard in that report as well, the idea of the boxing day sale, isnt original any more, because one retail a nalysts we any more, because one retail analysts we spoke to said there could be sales fatigue. She was here in york telling us everyone has a deal on the two for one line these days, black friday, sales leading up to christmas eve, they have spent their budget already. It appears as though to dates sales may be disappointing news for retailers who have seen really slow growth in non food items since 2011. |j have seen really slow growth in nonfood items since 2011. I will leave you to those empty shops. No one but me any socks yesterday, i am just saying the headlines on bbc news. A british woman accused of bringing 300 painkiller tablets into egypt, has been sentenced to three years injail. Laura plummers 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. Get the sport from mark edwards. It has been a busy day. What a year its been for harry kane. The tottenham striker helped himself to a hat trick as spurs thrashed southampton 5 2 at wembley and in the process has broken the record for the most premier League Goals Scored in a calendar year. Kane headed home his 37th league goal of 2017 on 22 minutes to surpass alan shearers 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 mins cross. Kane then completed his second hat trick 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. Six other matches in the premier league today. We could get a shock result at old trafford. Burnley currently 2 1 up, first half goals from Ashley Barnes and steven defour, butjesse from Ashley Barnes and steven defour, but Jesse Lingard just pulled one back for united. Chelsea lead 1 0 against Brighton And Hove albion. Alvaro morata the goal. Huddersfield are one goal up against stoke city courtesy of comments. All square everywhere else. Celtic have extended their lead at the top of the Scottish Premier League to 11 points. They won 2 0 at dundee. James forrest opened the scoring for the visitors afterjust eight minutes and Leigh Griffiths then fired in celtics second just before half time. That one the only scottish premiership game today, with five more to come tomorrow. It seems to be going from bad to worse for englands cricketers who are trying to avoid a series whitewash in the ashes they were on the end of a tough day in the field in melbourne. Having surrendered the ashes in perth a century from david warner and another great performance from captain steve smith left australia on 2411 3 at stumps on day one of the fourth test. Patrick gearey was watching. To borrow an australian raised in england were always going to have a card. A pitch that really suited the batsmen on a warm day here in melbourne. David warner made it look like any tool would be possible to australia. Thanks to him they had 100 by lunch. England changed tack at the interval. They tighten things up at the interval. They tighten things up and got that of the art of thought cameron bancroft. They then frustrated warner as he neared a century on 99, he blinked, lobbing a catch up and it seemed he had give tom curran s first test wicket on debut but a replay revealed no ball, but came warner and the mcg roared his hundred on the very next ball. Warner did goes into James Anderson caught behind and after t stuart broad got his first wicket for more than 400 deliveries. Usman khawaja. He nearly got another with his next. Shaun marsh given not out lbw. The review went to the umpire. A key moment. From there marsh and who else but steve smith stabilised things. Smith remained unbeaten and england may worry he is unbeatable. There are three boxing day matches in rugby unions pro 14 league all derbies, and cardiff blues have the upper hand in the first of them. They beat the dragons 22 17. They still had to withstand a second half fightback. This try proved to be the winner. 18 games since the dragons lost a welsh derby. Lei nster leinster leader monster, 97 5 in front and are set to go top of their role. 57 5. Might bite held on in an exciting finish to win the king george the sixth chase at kempton park. Nico de boinvilles mount led the way throughout the race. Leading going into the final fence, the 6 4 favourite had to work hard on the run in. 50 1 shot double shuffle came second while tea for two was third for jockey lizzie kelly. The win gave trainer Nicky Henderson a big race kempton double after buveur dair triumphed in the christmas hurdle earlier on the card. Thats all the sport for now. Back to you. More on the british woman accused