THE vote in the House of Commons on whether to support air strikes against Islamic State extremists in Iraq left me facing a moral dilemma.

In the end I voted in favour of the Government's motion, as I felt it was the least-worst option, but it was a finely balanced decision.

There is no doubt that ISIL are a vile, barbaric death sect who are devoid of compassion.

They shun all the norms of human decency and their claims to be acting in the name of Islam is a loathsome lie.

They are impossible to negotiate with and absolutely must be defeated, both militarily and ideologically.

But the universal consensus about the awfulness of ISIL is not the issue.

The question is about what Britain's role should be, since our previous military incursion into Iraq ended badly.

There is real concern about the potential for "mission creep", given that ISIL operates in Syria as well as Iraq.

Many argue that the rise of ISIL is in part down to the West's earlier military interventions in the Middle East. And people are worried that Britain's involvement could actually buttress support for ISIL.

For all these reasons I was conflicted about what to do.

I knew there was deep unease among many of my constituents about once again committing military force to the Middle East.

With less than an hour to go before the vote on whether to support military intervention, I went to see Ed Miliband in his office to discuss my reservations.

He told me that in exchange for his endorsement, he had insisted that the Government's motion must exclude the use of ground troops or action in Syria. Even then I remained uncertain about which way to vote right up to the end of the debate when the Speaker called the division.

My instincts are in line with Winston Churchill's remark at the height of the 'Cold War' that "it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war", but ISIL are impervious to negotiation.

The Derby Telegraph poll showing 68 per cent backing military strikes was therefore instrumental in my final decision to join colleagues in the Aye Lobby.

When added to the people who contacted me directly, the number of Derbeians expressing a view showed 293 supporting air strikes with 189 against – that is 61% for 39% against.

Parliament voted on Friday for military action to prevent ISIL massacring Sunni, Shia, Kurdish, Christian, and Yezidi Iraqis civilians and restore Iraq's territorial integrity.

But bombs alone cannot defeat ideas, no matter how regnant those ideas may be.

That is why the Government must also deploy sufficient resources so that communities across the UK can prevent any more young British citizens being seduced by ISIL's abhorrent ideology.

A DIVISION of Rolls-Royce will be sentenced today for exposing workers to high levels of radiation.

Marine Power Operations, which is part of the Rolls-Royce group, has already admitted failures which led to the incident in March 2011.

It involved three welders and a radiographer unknowingly handling harmful radioactive material that should have been kept in a sealed container.

When they realised that the object they had been holding was actually a radioactive source, they were in a state of panic.

The incident happened at Rolls-Royce's Marine Power Operations business, in Sinfin Lane, where radioactive materials are used to test nuclear submarine components manufactured there.

In July, at Derby crown Court, the company admitted seven charges of breaching health and safety regulations, which included failures in keeping control of the radioactive source and insufficient training of staff.

The company is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court this morning.

A FLASHER exposed himself to two girls on the Nutbrook Trail, near Ilkeston.

The girls, whose ages have not been revealed by police, were walking along the trail, off Ladywood Road, Kirk Hallam, when they noticed a man come out from the bushes.

They told police they continued to walk and as they turned around they noticed that the man had indecently exposed himself.

The offender was described as white, in his early 20s, around 5ft 7ins tall.

He was wearing a dark hooded jumper and blue jeans.

The incident happened at around 6.30pm on Sunday and anyone with information about the incident or who saw a man fitting that description in the area is asked to call Derbyshire police on 101 quoting crime reference 41065/14.

POLICE in Ilkeston are appealing for information following a break-in in the town.

Offenders gained entry into a house in Stratford Street, Ilkeston, sometime between 11am and 10.15pm on Saturday.

Once inside they carried out a search and stole a number of items including debit cards, a Sony PlayStation 3 and a PlayStation 4.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call DC Lesley Smith on 101, quoting crime reference 40891/14.

KIND-HEARTED staff from the University of Derby's IT department have given 20 computers to Manchester Dogs' Home, which was destroyed after a suspected arson attack earlier this month.

The university was approached by a company, which provides IT managed services, asking for any spare computing equipment to support the staff working to restore the home.

As a result, staff at the university asked its IT disposal partner, Enviro Electronics Ltd, of Doncaster, to donate old equipment and deliver it from Derby to Manchester.

Manchester Dogs' Home was set up in 1893, by a group of local businessmen who were concerned about the large number of stray dogs roaming the city, and has since taken in over 7,000 dogs every year. Sadly, more than 50 died in the fire.

Gary Winter, university IT field support manager, said: "When we received the urgent request we were keen to support the home in any way possible.

"I was so saddened to hear about the incident at Manchester Dogs' Home, we just hope this will assist the staff at this difficult time."

Lisa Graham, Manchester Dogs' Home manager, said the home had been overwhelmed by people's kindness following the fire.

She said: "I would like to personally thank the University of Derby for their kindness.

"Donations like this will enable us to begin rebuilding the home and, in turn, rehome dogs again."

A ROBBER is alleged to have threatened a shopkeeper with a bottle during a raid on a store in Ripley.

Police say the incident happened at 8.20pm on Sunday when a man is alleged to have walked into Nijjars Save n Save convenience store in High Street and demanded cash from the till.

Police say the shop assistant refused to hand over any money so it is alleged a man then took a glass drinks bottle from a shelf and made further threats.

Police say after being refused a second time it is alleged he grabbed alcohol and cigarettes and left the store.

He was described as white and was wearing a hooded top with the hood worn up over a peaked cap.

A 26-year old man and a 22-year-old man have been arrested, questioned and released on police bail.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Steve Topham at Ripley CID on 101.

HOUSE prices in Derby and Derbyshire are continuing to rise, according to a new report.

The Nationwide House Price Index, published this morning, reveals that in the last three months, the average cost of a property has risen to £181,679 - an increase of 3.2% compared to the previous three months when it stood at £176,002.

The research also said that prices in Derby were 8% higher than they were a year ago.

In the rest of the county, the average cost of a home now stands at £181,689 – 9% higher than a year ago.

According to Nationwide, Derby is one of the areas in the East Midlands where house prices have risen the fastest over the past decade.

It is on a par with Nottingham, where prices have risen 13%. The only other area in the region that has seen faster growth is Nottinghamshire (15%).

Across the East Midlands as a whole, house prices grew by 2% over the past three months, with homes now costing an average of £157,293.

Nationally, house prices have risen by 1.5% over the past three months, with the average cost of a home now standing at £188,810.

London remains the most expensive region to buy a home and Northern Ireland the cheapest.

Concerns remain that rocketing house prices in the capital are causing the market to overheat. But Nationwide's latest report would suggest that the pace of growth may be slowing.

Over the past three months, the average cost of a home in London has grown by 0.9% and now stands at £401,072.

The Nationwide's data shows that over the past 12 months prices in the capital have grown by 21%.

Robert Gardner, Nationwide's chief economist, said: "Among the English regions the South continued to outperform, with double-digit growth rates recorded in London, Outer Metropolitan, Outer South East and East Anglia.

"The North was the weakest English region, with prices up 4.3% over the year."

A HOMEOWNER has been left with thousands of pounds of damage to his home after it was flooded when a major water main burst in Mickleover.

Stefan Czuplak said he believes the extensive damage will take a year to repair.

Around 4,000 properties were left without water after the pipe burst in Station Road in the early hours of yesterday.

The burst caused a torrent of water to cascade downhill and it flooded into Mr Czuplak's home, 100 yards away.

Mr Czuplak, 64, who lives at the detached home with his wife, Maria, said every downstairs room had been affected.

He said: "We're very upset.It's terrible and will affect our life for the next year.

"Our quality of life has gone. We feel gutted. It will take a lot of time for things to get better.

"All the floors may have to be lifted and I expect it to cost thousands of pounds in total. We feel very numb and really upset."

Mr Czuplak said that he was woken early some time after 4.30am by an unusual noise.

He said: "There was a very loud noise which I thought was the fish-tank. But it was much louder and it started gurgling. I got downstairs and it was obvious the drains could not cope.

"The water was running all the way down the house.

"It was coming through the front door. I was imagining the worst and it was very shocking.

"I did not know what was going on. The water was all over the place.

"It's all in the front passage and in the kitchen and the walls. The living room is soaked. I can't believe what has happened."

He said contractors from Severn Trent visited the house throughout the day to asses the damage.

A Severn Trent spokesman said: "We would like to apologise to anyone who was affected by the burst water pipe on Station Road, particularly to Mr Czuplak.

"Our insurers visited Mr Czuplak at 7.30am on Monday and are working to help him claim for any damage our burst water pipe caused at his home.

"By their very nature, we don't know when pipes will burst but what we can do is work as quickly as possible to get things back to normal for our customers."

One business hit by the burst main was the Great Northern pub, which was forced to closed because it had no water.

Manager Stephanie Mellor said the closure had cost about £2,000 in lost trade.

The 30-year-old, who lives at the pub in Station Road, said: "We cannot open without water. It is very awkward and annoying for us."

The loss of water also caused Derby High School in Littleover to close and it also caused problems for many people living in the DE3 and DE23 postcodes.

Severn Trent said that the supply returned at about 10am.

THE number of three-year-old children in the city who are suffering from tooth decay is above the national average, according to new figures.

But health bosses said the county as a whole had the lowest number of youngsters at this age and with this problem across the East Midlands region.

According to a survey carried out by national body Public Health England, 88% of three-year-olds have no sign of tooth decay at all.

It said this meant 12% nationally were suffering from the problem – with those affected having, on average, three decayed teeth.

In Derby, 13.5% of three-year-olds are reported as having visible tooth decay but, in Derbyshire, this figure is down to 9.2%.

Along with the figures, it has issued advice on keeping children's teeth healthy.

This includes reducing the amount of sugary food and drinks given to youngsters, offering them medication which is sugar-free and brushing their teeth as soon as the first tooth appears.

Dr Sandra White, director of dental public health at Public Health England, said: "While there have been significant improvements to the nation's oral health, some areas still experience problems with tooth decay among young children.

"Tooth decay is an entirely preventable disease, which can be very painful and even result in a child having teeth removed under general anaesthetic – which is stressful for children and parents alike.

Public Health England said more than 53,640 children were examined in nurseries, children's centres and playgroups across the country to calculate the figures.

It also produced figures for each district of Derbyshire, with the lowest amount of three-year-olds with tooth decay in North East Derbyshire, at 1.9%. In Amber Valley, 3.8% of children are affected; 6.7% in South Derbyshire; 8.4% in High Peak; 9.1% in Chesterfield; 10.8% in the Derbyshire Dales; 11.1% in Bolsover and 19.7% in Erewash.

The body said Derbyshire had the lowest percentage in the East Midlands, with 34% of three-year-olds in Leicester suffering tooth decay. Leicestershire's figure was 18.6%; Rutland was 14.9%; Nottingham was 16.6% and Nottinghamshire was 12.9%. Lincolnshire did not take part in the survey.

Semina Makhani, consultant in dental public health at Public Health England, East Midlands, said: "This report highlights a very varied prevalence in tooth decay in three-year-olds across the East Midlands.

"It's important we use this data effectively by working closely with local authorities to tackle tooth decay at this young age, preventing the risk of further tooth decay and continued treatment into adult life."

A MAN was attacked and robbed in a Derby alleyway.

Police are appealing for witnesses after the man was assaulted.

The attack took place at 1.20am on Sunday in an alleyway near to the Boutique club in St James Street.

As the victim stood in the alley he was approached by a man who punched him to the face and stole his wallet from his back pocket.

The man then ran off, turned right out of the alleyway and along James Street.

He was described as black, aged 19 to 25, of medium build with short dark hair.

He was wearing a white sleeveless body warmer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Manjit Rigby on 101.

A TEENAGER is accused of setting fire to a truck and endangering the lives of travellers at a site in Derby after making threats of arson to his estranged wife.

Martin Maughan, who separated from his wife, Elizabeth Doherty, only weeks after their wedding last year, is alleged to have threatened that if she did not go back to him he would "burn" her sister and husband and three babies, who lived at Imari Park travellers' site in Russell Street.

Derby Crown Court was told yesterday on the first day of the trial that Maughan had been a passenger in a car which drove into the site in the early hours of February 8.

The driver was seen to get out of the car and smash the window of a Ford Transit pick-up truck belonging to Miss Doherty's brother-in-law, Ernie Maloney, before throwing something inside, after which the vehicle caught fire.

He then jumped back into the car and the passenger, alleged to be Maughan, is believed to have said "go, go, go" and the car sped off.

The teenage driver, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was convicted after a trial of arson, being reckless as to whether life was endangered.

Maughan, 19, of no fixed address, denies the offence.

James Thomas, prosecuting, told a jury that the police and fire service were called and the flames were extinguished but the truck was "very seriously damaged". An investigation found "the most likely cause of the fire was deliberate ignition by applying a naked flame to ignitable liquid".

The fire spread to a utility building and damaged plastic flues close to gas pipes. Mr Thomas said: "The danger is clear. The prosecution say starting a fire deliberately in that environment is reckless as to whether lives of others are endangered."

Maughan was arrested on April 22. He prepared a statement which said he did not cause damage to the vehicle and that he would answer 'no comment' to any questions put to him by officers.

Miss Doherty told the court she married Maughan on June 20 last year and following the wedding they remained together for up to six weeks.

She said following their break-up he had started making threats. "He said if I didn't go back with him that he was going to terrorise my family and would burn (my sister) Kelly, Ernie and their three babies," said Miss Doherty.

The jury was played a recording that Miss Doherty had made of one of her phone calls with Maughan. She said it was shortly after she had received a similar threat from the other defendant.

In the recording, Miss Doherty asks Maughan why the other teenager was making threats against her family.

Maughan is heard to say: "Because you're starting (provoking) me and I know it's how to get to you."

The trial continues.

A TASTE of Latin America is set to arrive in Derby with the opening of a new restaurant which will create around 40 jobs.

Las Iguanas has confirmed it will be opening its latest outlet in Friar Gate, in the city's Cathedral Quarter.

The chain has outlets across the UK and Derby will be its 37th restaurant when it opens on October 13, with a VIP night taking place three days later.

It will specialise in cuisine that draws upon a mix of Spanish, Portuguese, African and native Latino influences that make up South American culture.

Dishes include Mexican classics like fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and slow-braised chilli con carne. Brazilian specialities include Xinxim – lime chicken in a crayfish and peanut sauce.

Diners will be able to watch their meals being made, courtesy of a double-height atrium, from which they can observe the chefs at work in the open kitchen.

Other unique features include an 18th Century bakery, which offers a more private dining area tucked away in the back of the main dining room complete with original clay oven.

There's also a bar and patio, where South American-inspired cocktails will be served.

Staff who will be working at the restaurant are currently undergoing their induction training ahead of the opening.

They will be led by general manager Maja Makowska, who joins from Las Iguanas's flagship Royal Festival Hall outlet, in London.

Maja said: "As a vibrant and rapidly developing city, we have been looking for a site for Las Iguanas in Derby for a long time.

"We believe we have found the perfect place in Friar Gate, which lies within the CathedralQuarter at the heart of both business and student communities.

"We are delighted with the Grade II-listed building we have found, which provides a fantastic atmosphere. It also has around 5,000sq ft of floor space allowing us to accommodate around 200 covers.

"The Latin American atmosphere offers a truly unique dining experience and our chefs make over 30 fresh sauces and salsas everyday.

"We also cater for all dietary requirements including veggie, vegan, gluten-free and children's menus."

Las Iguanas opened its first restaurant in Bristol in 1991. Since then, the company, which is still independently owned, has grown to become one of the UK's most successful Latin American restaurant operators.

CUTS to Derbyshire's mobile library service, children centre's and council-funded buses have today been confirmed.

Cabinet members rubber-stamped a string of cost-cutting proposals at a meeting at County Hall, Matlock, this morning.

Decisions include:

- Axing eight out of ten mobile libraries

- Closing two children centres (Duffield and Ashbourne)

- Stopping funding for community transport schemes, including the Dial-A-Bus service

The Labour cabinet members blamed Government-imposed cuts to council budgets.

Councillor Dave Allen called it a "sad day". 

More to follow

IAN Holloway says his Millwall side must change their attitude after just one win in their last eight games.

Millwall, who face Derby County on Saturday, take on Birmingham City tonight - a team who they haven't beaten since 1996.

"There needs to be a few changes in people's attitude. We've just got to get on with things," he said.

"We're not a bad team but we've got to stay on task. We've got to get our mentality back.

"We have to get going again and the golfers showed us how it's done over the weekend – look at Graeme McDowell. McDowell looked like he was dead but he turned things round and kept on task.

"We've got to keep fighting because that's what life is about, particularly at Millwall."

FORMER Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andre Blackman has completed a switch to Blackpool, along with Guinea-Bissau international Formose Mendy.

23-year-old Blackman signed a contract until the end of the season, with an option for a further 12 months, having been on trial at Bloomfield Road or a number of weeks.

The left winger, who can also play at left-back, has been out of contract since the end of last season, having left Maidenhead United after just two appearances for them. He also turned out for Dover Athletic in 2014, and has endured unproductive spells with Plymouth, Celtic and Bristol City.

THREE Derby County players have been named in the Scotland squad for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying double-header.
Striker Chris Martin, midfielder Craig Bryson and defender Craig Forsyth have been called up by manager Gordon Strachan for the games against Georgia and Poland.
Scotland take on Georgia at Rangers' Ibrox Stadium on Saturday, October 11, and face Poland in Warsaw on Tuesday, October 14.
There are first senior call-ups for Sporting Lisbon's Ryan Gauld and Sheffield Wednesday's Stevie May, while Celtic captain Scott Brown returns from injury.

Martin, Bryson and Forsyth were in the previous squad but did not featured in the 2-1 defeat to world champions Germany.
SCOTLAND SQUAD: Goalkeepers - Craig Gordon (Celtic), David Marshall (Cardiff City), Allan McGregor (Hull City); defenders - Christophe Berra (Ipswich Town), Craig Forsyth (Derby County), Gordon Greer (Brighton and Hove Albion), Grant Hanley (Blackburn Rovers), Alan Hutton (Aston Villa), Russell Martin (Norwich City), Mark Reynolds (Aberdeen), Andrew Robertson (Hull City), Steven Whittaker (Norwich City); midfielders - Ikechi Anya (Watford), Barry Bannan (Crystal Palace), Scott Brown (Celtic), Craig Bryson (Derby County), Chris Burke (Nottingham Forest), Graham Dorrans (West Bromwich Albion), Darren Fletcher (Manchester United), Ryan Gauld (Sporting Clube de Portugal), Shaun Maloney (Wigan Athletic), James McArthur (Crystal Palace), James Morrison (West Bromwich Albion); forwards - Steven Fletcher (Sunderland), Stevie May (Sheffield Wednesday), Chris Martin (Derby County), Steven Naismith (Everton).

A 13-YEAR-OLD boy was allegedly attacked by a gang on a bus in Derby.

The teenager was on the 41 bus in Osmaston Park Road when he was approached by a number of youths.

It is alleged they tried to steal his mobile phone and in the process he was allegedly punched and kicked by them before they left the bus.

Four youths have been arrested and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Adrian Mason at St Marys Wharf police station on 101.

OLIVIA Murphy has rejoined Loughborough Lightning's coaching team ahead of their 2015 Netball Superleague season.

Murphy, from Burton, will team up again with former Derbyshire player Karen Atkinson, who was appointed head coach of Lightning in August.

Murphy represented Loughborough Lightning in the first Netball Superleague back in 2006 initially as team captain, before moving on to become player-coach and coach.

During a six year period, she helped them to become an established top-four team and played in the 2009 Superleague final in which Lightning were narrowly defeated.

She said: "Loughborough has been a very special place for myself and Karen. I hope we can create some more memories for everyone included in Lightning. It's going to take some time and hard work but I look forward to the challenge."

Atkinson and Murphy are popular figures within the sport and have been awarded Honorary Life Members by Netball England.

Both are former England captains and Loughborough team-mates, with over 200 international caps between them and medal winners at World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Atkinson, added: "I am extremely excited that Olivia will be joining me on the bench for the 2015 Netball Superleague season. She has been a fantastic ambassador for Lightning over the last few years as both a player and a coach. Her wealth of coaching knowledge will be invaluable.

"We had a fantastic playing relationship for Loughborough Students, Lightning and England and I am looking forward to developing that connection further as coaches."

The fixtures for the 2015 Netball Superleague have been announced today with Lightning opening their season with a match against Celtic Dragons on 9th February.

Home fixtures and ticket details can be found on the Loughborough Lightning website: 

http://loughboroughsport.com/loughborough-lightning/fixturesandresults/