Checkpoint Top Stories for Thursday 3 May 2012

Gavin Bennett sentenced to eight years prison; Government says student funding cuts will save $70m yearly; ACT leader says he negotiated discount room rate himself; Charges not ruled out over Timaru harbour oil spill; Second jury finds baby basher guilty of manslaughter; Numbers officially out of work hits 2-year high; and MFAT's morale low and its boss used as scapegoat - Labour.