British diplomat murdered in Jamaica home

A British diplomat has been murdered at his home in Jamaica in a suspected homophobic attack.

John Terry, 65, was found lying on his bed with a cord round his neck and severe head injuries.

Jamaican police are investigating whether the honorary consul for the British High Commission was in a homosexual relationship.

Officers said there was no sign of a break-in at the four-bedroom house in rural Mount Carey, near Montego Bay, and do not think robbery was a motive.

Mr Terry was honorary consul on the Caribbean island for 13 years, representing the High Commission at official functions.

He was last seen on Tuesday night after leaving the luxury Half Moon Bay Hotel in Montego Bay, where he was a maintenance supervisor.

He was found on Wednesday morning by his cleaner, with a handwritten note on his body describing him as a 'batty man', local slang for a homosexual.

A detective said: 'We have reports that he has been seen with another man. It is likely he could have known his killer.'

Foreign Secretary David Miliband last night said he was 'deeply saddened', adding: 'Honorary consuls play a valuable role overseas and this was especially true of John.' continues here

All At Sea

Jewish pirates in Jamaica?

The discovery of an ancient cemetery in Jamaica has stirred speculation that Jews used to take part in piracy.

Several Jewish graves were found outside Kingston last week, some of them marked with the skull and crossbones, Yediot Achronot reported Thursday. The classic symbol of piracy suggests there were Jews involved in the notorious trade.

Historians are investigating the find, but one expert who is descended from Jamaica's 500-year-old Jewish community appears to have made up his mind.

"The major role of Jews and pirates was we were like the brains behind their brawn, i.e. We advised and backed them," Ed Kritzler wrote on the Web site of the United Congregation of Israelites in Jamaica......Article conts (-)