In September, the mother of a Hungarian woman who was brutally murdered and whose body was left in a suitcase spoke of her grief.

A suitcase containing the remains of Alexandra Kovacs was found dumped in the woods running alongside Dollis Brook, in Thornfield Avenue, Mill Hill, in July.

Her mother, Rita Horvath, said: “I was shocked I couldn’t imagine what had happened to her. The pain was terrible but I calmed down a little when I saw she lived in a decent place.

“My heart stopped when I saw her. Her body was a skeleton.”

A father was given the go-ahead to build a community swimming pool at the back of Frith Manor Primary School.

Jonathan Rolfe will build the £1million pool on the disused land in Woodside Park.

Expelled Tory Councillor Brian Coleman stormed out of a town hall meeting after failing to avoid punishment for swearing at a father-of-two during a council meeting.

The Totteridge councillor contested the findings of a disciplinary panel that ruled he twice broke the members’ code of conduct by failing to treat others with respect.

Plans to open a seventh betting shop in Hendon Central were approved, after Barnet Borough Council gave them the go ahead.

Roar Betting Ltd will open a branch in Central Circus just a short walk from rival betting chains Paddy Power, Coral, Ladbrokes and Bet Fred.

People living in the area objected to the plans, saying another betting shop would increase anti-social behaviour.

A woman and baby were taken to hospital after a car collided with them on a zebra crossing in Finchley.

The accident happened as the woman was crossing the East End Road with a buggy. The drive of the car, a man in his 70s, stopped at the scene.

A seventh betting shop will open in Hendon Central after getting the go-ahead from Barnet Borough Council today.