A front-page story in the Daily Mirror revealing that Moors Murderer Ian Brady has dementia was named exclusive of the year at the National Association of Press Agencies Awards.
The story was written by Heather Skillen from news agency Caters (but appeared in the Daily Mirror under the byline of a staff journalist).
Spec news story of the year (for a story sent in speculatively to newspapers on a non-exclusive basis) went to Will Humphries of Wales News Service forthe tale of a British jihadist who had posed for a photo online with a stash of home-made bombs. This also made a front page for the Daily Mirror (and appeared under the byline of a staff journalist).
Feature story of the year went to Paisley Gilmour of Talk to the Press for a story about a stalker victim who called police 120 times before eventually being attacked and stabbed eight times. This story appeared in the Sunday People under Gilmour’s byline.
Gilmour also picked up The Kevin Fitzpatrick Award for a feature about a woman who decided to end her severely disabled doughter’s life.
Sports picture of the year went to Alex Whitehead of Simon Wilkinson Pictures.
Picture of the year went to Nigel Bowles of John Connors Press Associates.
Chris Johnson of Mercury Press and a former chairman of the National Association of Press Agencies was given a life time achievement award.
Radio presenter Nick Ferrari spoke at the central London awards ceremony on Friday night.
He said: “In theory, awards ceremonies are about winners and losers.
“But there are no losers in this room, only journalists and photographers who are extremely good at what they do.
“You are the people who every day fill the pages of newspapers and magazines and provide the talking points for broadcasters.
“I and many others in this industry are hugely appreciative of what you do.”
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