1. Today's front page: Oxford Crown Court judge Peter Ross has slammed the Crown Prosecution Service for its "incompetent" handling of a sex offence care.

The remarks came after a man was discharged on the first day of his trial, which Judge Ross said "should never have happened", following a lack of evidence offered.

Oxford Mail:

Traffic: Moving well this morning, aside from usual delays on A40 at Cutteslowe Roundabout and lengthy delays on A420 Thames St. Earlier broken-down vehicle on Southern By-Pass Road has now been cleared. 

Oxford Mail:

Picture: Google Traffic

3. Weather: Largely dry and cloudy all day with rain likely to begin at abut 8pm and lasting intermittently through the night. There should be a clear and sunny start to Saturday.

Oxford Mail:

4. Our top story online this morning: Friends of Cristi Bichir have described him as a "kind and caring" person who was "life and soul of the party". 

A body has yet to be identified but the 35-year-old from Romania was named locally as having been killed when his blue Volvo S60 left the road and drove over a roundabout before crashing into a bush and catching fire in Garsington Road at about 2.40am on Monday.

Oxford Mail:

Picture of the day: These feathered friends crossed the road without a hitch thanks to a 'duck warden' specially set up at Blenheim Palace. The role was put in place to keep wildlife safe during the BBC's upcoming Countryfile Live event, which runs from next Thursday to Saturday.

Oxford Mail: