In Brief: Jail for man with child porn

A MAN who was caught with nearly 80,000 images of child pornography has been jailed for four years.

The Central Criminal Court heard the man was arrested after an international investigation discovered he was offering child pornography to other users.

Detective Garda Cathal Delaney said the material included bestiality and images of children, ranging from infants to late teens, being sexually assaulted.

The 48-year-old, who cannot be named, pleaded guilty to possession of the images on a computer on July 19 and July 22, 2011 at his home in County Meath.

Mr Justice Paul Carney declared the man a sex offender before sentencing him to four years, which he backdated to July 22 last year.

Singer Womack out of hospital

SOUL singer Bobby Womack has been released from the hospital following his recovery from pneumonia.

The cancer-stricken Womack also is scheduled to undergo surgery.

In a statement, Womack (68) thanked his fans for their prayers and well wishes, and says he looks forward to his next tour.

Bobby Brown's drink drive rap

BOBBY BROWN has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, say officials in California.

California Highway Patrol Officer Mike Harris says Brown was arrested around 12:20pm in Los Angeles. He failed a field sobriety test and was booked on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Los Angeles police say the 43-year-old ex husband of Whitney Houston was released from jail shortly before 2pm.

US fifth in world for executions

THE United States was the only Western democracy to execute prisoners last year, Amnesty International said.

America's 43 executions in 2011 ranked it fifth in the world for capital punishment, the figures show.

"If you look at the company we're in globally, it's not the company we want to be in: China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq," said Suzanne Nossell, executive director of Amnesty International USA, said.