21/07/2011 BBC Points West

Hello, and welcome to the programme. In the headlines tonight, a toddler

died has his drunken granny they passed out on the sofa. Three

members of little Daniel's family are sentenced for neglect. If on

parade again for another tragic homecoming, Wootton Bassett honours

soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He wants to be in the army, to

fight for his country, and he died doing something he loved. The

trying to get out of a jam, a last- ditch attempts to get cash for

Bristol's bus system. And we go abroad -- aboard a luxury

cruise liner for an exclusive tour with the captain.

The family of a toddler who drowned in a garden pond have all been

given prison sentences suspended for two years. Daniel Rees-Smith

fell into the pond at Hanham near Bristol as his grandmother who had

been drinking set on the sofa. His parents were out at the nearby

pub. An official report calls for improvements to social service

practices, but places the blame for Daniel's death with the adults who

were supposed to be caring for him. As his grandmother lay passed out

on the sofa inside, two-year-old Daniel fell into this pond and

Stroud. No one noticed he was missing. His parents were here at

the Cross Keys pub, a short walk away. He was found at 10:30pm in

the evening, but it was too late. His parents, Charlotte reach Smith

and Andrew Marshall, together with grandmother Hilary Rees, had

previously played pleaded guilty to neglect. -- Charlotte Rees-Smith.

The cult heard how than you would start the day in dirty clothes, he

would swap -- fall asleep on the floor. The house was described as

dirty and foul-smelling. This evening, social services denied

that any one person was responsible for Daniel's death, other than his

family. The people responsible are those who were caring for him. The

care was not good enough, and it led to this outcome. The family

themselves deeply loved this child, others try to help them, and no one

would have known this would happen. And the police described the death

as tragedy -- tragic. It has been a tragic case. I would like to thank

the family who have held us to bring this prosecution to court. A

police cover up your pond if you have a toddler in the garden.

Handing out suspended sentences, the judge said that the highly

unusual aspect was that Daniel was well loved by his family, and that

there was no physical assault upon him. There was no mark found upon

his body. Hilary Rees was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for

two years. Charlotte Rees-Smith was given 18 months suspended. All

three will be placed on supervision orders for two years.

A government minister came to Somerset today to announce a �32

million package of help for Westland helicopters. It came on

the day the company unveiled a brand new helicopter, which it is

hoping will help safeguard thousands of jobs at his Yeovil

factory. Quite a fanfare as Westland

unveiled its be quite hope for the future. The government is in short

of money. And then the business secretary told an audience of

workers that not withstanding whole time -- hard times the taxpayer

would be helping them out to the tune of �32 million. Does this

breached European competition laws? It does not, it has been through

all the proper processes. This is a valuable exercise, because what we

are helping here is converting an industry from minister -- military

to civilian application. It is a valuable UK-based technology with a

big supply chain, thousands of jobs involved. This is a positive

development. For years, West led's core business has been military

helicopters. That is a market shrinking fast as defence budget

around the world are cut. The sturdy AW169 is a determined

attempt to break into the commercial market. And Vince Cable

was a very welcome visitor here today, especially as he had come

with government cash in his pocket. �22 million is actually a loan, �10

million will be in grants to help research and development. The money

is important to us, but beyond that it is the commitment from the

Secretary of State in the UK helicopter injury and in high

technology generally. That is why it is important. Today, Westland

publicly side of the first to sales. They are to Warwickshire and

Northamptonshire air ambulance. They predict another 1000 in the

next 25 years. A man from Somerset has appeared in

court today charged with murdering his wife. Stephen Hotson, who is 44

and from Kewstoke, is accused of the killing after an incident in

the village earlier this month. Stephen Hotson appeared before

magistrates here at North Somerset this morning. Two charges were read

out to him, the first being attempted arson. He is accused of

trying to start a fire in Kewstoke on 5th July. The second charges of

murder. Police believe that Stephen Hotson killed his wife between the

second and 6th July for stop Stephen Hotson spoke only to

confirm his name and date of birth, which she gave as 30th September

1966. The body of his 51-year-old wife was found just over two weeks

ago. Police were called to the village, just outside Weston-super-

Mare, on 5th July, and cordoned off a whole area while officers carried

out a detailed search. Stephen Hotson was later arrested. He

arrived and left court in a prison van, as at present he is in police

custody. He is due at Bristol crown court a week today. We are not

likely to know until the autumn whether he will plead guilty or not

guilty to the charges. A if you have just joined us, you are

watching BBC Points West. Coming up on tonight's programme

for stop it is Thursday, so it must be Bristol. I have been on board

one of the biggest cruise ship to visit the West for a decade.

And the fire station delivery for the little one who could not wait.

A judge has retired to decide whether a Bristol businessman is

well enough to be extradited to South Africa to stand trial over

his wife's death. These African authorities are fighting to have

Shrien Dewani extradited to face charges that he arranged to have

his wife killed on their honeymoon. During this week's hearing, a court

was told Mr Dewani was not well enough to travel. The judge will

deliver his decision in August. What is next what for Shrien

Dewani? Perhaps the biggest decision the

district judge has to make is to determine whether or not he is

confident Shrien Dewani is mentally robust enough to face trial in

South Africa. The judge has three options available to him. He could

decide to extradite Mr Dewani. That would be to be rubber-stamped by

the Home Secretary. Secondly, he may decide he is not mentally fit

enough for trial, and therefore ordering his discharge. The there

is also a third option. That would allow the Republic of South Africa

to resubmit its extradition request at a later date, if the authorities

there decide to do so. Whichever side loses here may well seek leave

to appeal. Any decision, any final verdict may well be weeks, months,

possibly years away. Avery-year-old girl is missing from

brick for -- Bristol. Lucia Nae was last seen in Easton two days ago

with her mother. Detectives are appealing for information as a

matter of urgency. They say she may be with family, and are appealing

to the Romanian community for help finding her.

The bodies of two more soldiers killed in Afghanistan have been

returned home to their families this evening. The people of Wootton

Bassett lined the streets of their town to pay tribute as the hearse

is passed by. It will not be long now until the

town hands over responsibility to repatriations to their colleagues

with the Royal British Legion in Oxfordshire some time towards the

end of August or the beginning of September. This is all to do with

the closure of RAF Lyneham down the road. Until that happens, the town

are turning out in force to honour the victims. Today is no exception

to that, very large crowds on the High Street, as is always the case

when a West Country rival man is amongst the dead.

The flat of the Rifles Regiment on parade on Wootton Bassett High

Street today. It is owner, Steve Jackson, knows all about the horror

of improvised explosive devices. His son, serving in Afghanistan,

was caught in a plaster just a few weeks ago. He had shrapnel wounds

in both legs. What does that make you feel like when you know that

someone is coming down today who was killed by one? It makes you

think. It could have been my son coming back. For corporal mark

Palin was not so lucky. He died after being caught in an improvised

explosive device blast on Monday. He was serving with the rifles.

Their history trait that is back to the glorious Gloucesters. Corporal

Palin was 32. His wife was here in Wootton Bassett, pregnant with

their daughter. Christmases were not be the same. His one-liners

were superb, he would make you laugh. You could have a beer with

him and relax. He would listen to your problems. Also repatriated

today, the body of lance-corporal Paul Watkins. 24 years of age and

from South Africa. He was killed in Helmand province last Saturday. He

used to teach at these girls' school. He wants to fight for his

country, and he died doing something he loves. It is pride

that he was doing what he loved. And sat this that he is not with us

any more. The so the toll rises. 377 have perished in Afghanistan

since 2001. As the town of Wootton Bassett begins to see the end of

the repatriation, you get a sense that the British soldiers are

beginning to see the end game in Afghanistan. These two soldiers

died in Helmand province, where the capital has now been handed over to

Afghan soldiers and the police, in the hope that they can run the

province and eventually the country itself. The the governor of Helmand

Bros and -- Helmand province has Part of a major routes between

Gloucester and Swindon remains close the seating following a lorry

fire in the morning rush-hour. There have been long delays on the

A417. The lorry, carrying 20 tons of rubber tyres, caught fire at 7am.

Sections of the road had to be closed. The police say they have

been trying to keep disruption to a minimum. Once we have let it burn

out, we will make sure the area is safe and Hanover to the Highways

Agency, and get the road system working as soon as it can. There is

still a major risk to anyone using this part of the highway. The road

is likely to stay shut overnight because the road services so badly

damaged. Bristol's last hope for a new transport system is being

unveiled right about now. They are being given details of a multi-

million-pound scheme to fund the project. The government subsidies

are owning this autumn, so there will be no chance of going back for

a second try it. It is like the City of Bristol is catching to --

running to catch the last bus. We can forget about transport funding

for another generation every miss out. There is �114 million up for

grabs. Many other councils are competing for the same cash.

Bristol is congested and thousands of cars are using the roads. 16 mph

is the average speed, the slowest outside London. Middlesbrough and

Sheffield have got its their transport systems in order, and

Bristol has missed out on a tram. They have come up --, with another

better scheme. It is called Bus Rapid Transit. It is a mixture of

bus lanes and bus-only roads and bridges. Not just any old bus but

modern vehicles like these, which will give a snooze Metro style

experience. They will even have wi- fi. The routes? Well, there are

three of them - Ashton Vale to Temple Meads via the city centre

and Cabots Circus, the South Bristol Link which will serve

places like Hartcliffe and run up to Long Ashton, and the North

Fringe - from Cribbs Causeway right The government will decide in

September it be will get the drug - - grants. We have already missed

out on a tram. If the City does not get the compromise scheme, the

council says that its status as a great place to live and do business

will be under threat. We all know that firefighters had to turn their

hands to any emergencies. But one of fire -- one fire station had a

big surprise. One man's wife was going into labour. He realised he

was not going to make it in time, and made a dramatic B tour to South

needs fire station with just minutes to spare. They went back to

say thanks to some very unlikely midwives. What do you remember?

a lot. All panic stations. My wife was going into labour. There she is.

She said she didn't feel right, and so she pulled her trousers down and

as I was driving, it was already out. The fire station was just up

the road, so I said let's pull in there. Hello. Nice to see you!

Luckily, there was one of the guys coming into work. He said drive-

through. I parked up there, and I ran round to Claire, and as I put

mine by hand on her head, she came out. Dad did all the work. He

delivered the baby. We were there looking after him. We provided

oxygen and a few blankets. For me, it was just so fast, and I panicked

when she was not crying. That was what was right -- that is what was

worrying me the most. It was all a bit of a daze. I was centre stage.

We will not forget her! We will not forget you! We were overjoyed.

sweet. I bet those boys would be great in and an emergency. Now a

touch of luxury slipped into Bristol today. An elegant cruise

ship, its type not seen here in 10 years. There was a choice of day

trips for the 800 passengers took Bristol, Bath, Wells, the Cotswolds

and South Wales. Tourism bosses here hope these cruises will be a

regular occurrence. I was lucky The Royal Portbury Docks are more

accustomed to freight than elegant cruise ships, up but today it

enjoyed the glamour of the arrival of MS Prisendam. It has a nine

decks, and I was like -- lucky enough to be invited on board with

Tell us where we are now. We are in the Crow's Nest, which is above the

navigation bridge. It is for guests to enjoy it piano music in the

evening, and also, it is a fantastic view outside. It really

is. You can enjoy the sunset. No better place than up here.Spiny!

-- you are inspiring me! We are classed as a small cruise ship.

have 800 guests, and 470 crew. They are from 21 different countries.

They are from far and wide. As we stand outside one of York swimming

pools, how difficult is Bristol to negotiate? For me, it is a complete

novelty. Most of the ports, 99 % of them, are straight in from receipt.

This one is up an estuary. It is also through a lock, which is 30 or

40 metres above the height of low water. A lot of the cruises are in

What are the chances?! This is what you really want to see. This is a

superior suite. It is not the biggest they have. Outside, we can

come and relax and just enjoy it As we disembarked, I should say

welcome to the West Country! White Bristol? We have many guests who

collect ports, but it is also the gateway to Bath, and the Cotswolds.

And Bristol is a lovely city. won't get a chance to explore, but

thank you for giving us the chance to have a look round. Back to the

What is the wrong - for what is wrong with the view over here? It

wasn't quite the Caribbean! The temperatures were fantastic this

morning. I was surprised the sun loungers went for a look. One of

the guests on board said that Bristol is full of guerrillas! We

Any story needs drama and romance. There is a new story is about a

family of peregrine falcons above son John's Church. One woman has

not missed a single episode of the What -- watching every move, Anja

has lost -- not missed a thing. She has shed the drama with passers-by.

It is a story of heartbreak. male bird went off one day. He

never came back. The mother was stuck there with chicks, which

would have been difficult to raise by herself. But he returned, and

looked after them, and lucky for them he did. As well as heroes,

there is drama. The female chick fell down a chimney. Unfortunately

the chimney she fell down was that of our RSPB leader. Then there was

the episode with the police. 10pm, my phone rang. It was the police.

We do like to collect your chick? He is at the police station! He got

wet, and he did not have the strength to take-off. These chicks

have until next spring to get some independence. That is when they

will be making all over again. is a cross between a soap opera and

A 12-year-old girl from Swindon has beaten off competition from around

the country to give a new name to an endangered species. Mrs

"Hotlips". It was previously known as "Octospora humosa". Rachel

Blackman's suggestion was part of a One of our viewers has sent this

and, and it is a picture of a funnel cloud. One of our viewers

film based at 5:30pm. Are we in for any more of those? We have the

potential for them. They are not a tornado until they touched the

tornado until they touched the ground, by definition. They are

quite different from the ones we see in the great plains of the US.

Another key driver is what we call convergence. We talk about that a

lot in our for cuts in the West Country. Today it was in play. If

you imagine the sea breeze converging together. This is a

classic example. It pushes the air up. We can get a line of storms

across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset right the way to the Wash. There

will be further sunny spells and showers, but the showers will be

different from today. This line is running south, and it is bringing

activity into deceiving, and it will bring some further showers

later. But it will be fairly dry and sunny for many. This is how the

showers have been feeding through. They are coming into Bath and

Somerset. They have been giving their way south for a while. The

Met Office has warned of some heavy showers. But they are fading

steadily. It cries out further north, and thereafter, we have some

light winds. Temperatures will drop to 10 or 11 Celsius for most of us.

Tomorrow, there will be a little bit more cloud. The showers tend to

focus more in west Somerset. Until into the afternoon, we will have

some fair sunshine. It is not as heavy showers as today. The

sunshine... Beyond that, no repeat of the inclement conditions. Winds

for the most part light. Can't rule out a shower or two. Pleasantly

warm, and warmer still on Sunday. Into next week, one or two

complications aside, the general scheme is for dry, settled weather.

It doesn't bode well for the first week of the school holidays. Maybe

some on the way! Possibly. If you missed the special programme