20/10/2011 BBC Points West

Hello and welcome to BBC Points West. In the headlines tonight: The

man accused of murdering Jo Yeates says he can't believe he killed her.

Giving evidence today, Vincent Tabak apologised for putting Jo's

parents through hell. And as the media interest grows - we report on

reaction to the trial back in Holland. Also tonight: Salute to

the Sappers. Wiltshire based engineers receive campaign medals

for their service on the front line. Trying to grow your business? The

largest lorry ever allowed on our roads gets a mixed reaction in

Gloucester. And tribute to the patron saint of vegetarians - why

villagers paid thousands for a Good evening. First tonight,

Vincent Tabak has apologised for putting Joanna Yeates' family

through hell. Giving evidence for the first time at Bristol Crown

Court, he was at times tearful, saying his actions will haunt him

for the rest of his life, no matter what sentence he gets. Mr Tabak is

accused of murdering Miss Yeates in her flat in Clifton, just before

Christmas. Our home affairs correspondent, Steve Brodie reports

now on another dramatic day in court. With Jo's family and her

boyfriend Greg sitting only feet from him in the public gallery,

Vincent Tabak told a packed and silent court how he killed her, but

how he never meant to. The 33-year- old Dutch engineer said he was

walking past Jo's kitchen window on the evening of Friday December 17th

when she invited him in and offered him a drink. He claimed they had a

conversation which he misinterpreted as being flirtatious.

He admitted making a pass at her and trying to kiss her. But she

screamed and he put his hand over her mouth and then at her throat to

quieten her. Defence barrister William Clegg asked Tabak to stand

in the witness box with his eyes closed and remember how long he

kept his hand there. There was silence until Tabak said "Now". Mr

Clegg said to the judge, "Fifteen seconds, my lord." Tabak told the

court that after killing Jo Yeates he panicked. He described how he

took her body from the kitchen and carried it into the bedroom. He

then said how he walked back to his flat at the rear of this building.

He then returned to Jo's flat and began to carry her back to his flat

but she was too heavy and he put her down - before eventually

managing to carry her to his bedroom. Later he put the body

inside a bicycle bag and then into the boot of his car. He then drove

to Asda in Bedminster with her body in the boot. Tabak wept in the

witness box when he talked about sending his girlfriend, Tanya, a

text saying he was bored and couldn't wait to see her. After

leaving the supermarket he drove home. Later he went out to Longwood

Lane near Long Ashton, where he dumped her body, covering it in

leaves. He then broke down again and told the court "I'm so sorry

for doing that. I put Jo's parents and Greg through a week of hell. I

still cannot believe I did that." Cross examining Vincent Tabak,

Nigel Likely QC told him 2 You are calcuilating dishonest and

manipulative" Tabak agreed he was. Mr Likely went on for the first

time yesterday we heard that this case as a sexual element to it. We

haerd how you wanted to kiss Mis Yeates. You were in fact of

thinking of more than kissing and kissing-you were thinking of having

sex with Joanna Yeates." Tabak replied "No, I wasn't". Tabak also

apologised for incriminating his and Jo's landlord Christopher

Jefferies. He'd told police that Mr Jefferies had moved his car on the

night Jo went missing. The prosecution claimed that Tabak was

detached and able to carry out the killing. Tabak himself repeatedly

denied that he had ever planned her Media interest in the trial has

been intense - with every tiny piece of detail appearing online

via Twitter as soon as it's revealed in court. But what of the

coverage in Vincent Tabak's homeland? Andrew Plant reports now

on how the Dutch media have been following the case. Over in Vincent

Tabak's homeland, it has been a different story. Die Telegraaf is

Hollands largest morning paper - But even here you have to look hard

to find the latest on the Tabak trial. And as the British media

supplies the latest details to its outlets, Dutch journalists are very

much the minority. The interest has faded away. It has been the inside

pages. It is quite small. It is tucked away on page seven or eight.

Vincent Tabak's picture familiar to almost everyone here. In Holland

that picture is obscured - and he's known only as Vincent T. A courtesy

they say to a man innocent until proven guilty. Vincent Tabak has

already pleaded guilty to killing Jo Yeates. Breaking news story at

all. Despite it is not a breaking news story at all. What he disputes

is that it was on purpose - the difference between manslaughter and

murder. A difference it seems that, in Holland at least, is keeping

Tabak's name and face out of the headlines. So, continued interest

in this case both here in the West and abroad. Our Home Affairs

Correspondent Steve Brodie is with me. Steve, clearly a key day today

with Vincent Tabak in the witness box. What happens now? Tomorrow

when the case resumes, Nigel Likely QC, the prosecution counsel, will

continue his cross-examination of Vincent Tabak about points the

defence have raised. After that, we expect to hear from a pathologist,

who is the defence witness on medical matters. Onto Monday,

another defence witness. On Tuesday, both legal teams will sum up Peps -

- their respective cases and put their points to the jury. Then the

judge will sum up the trial for the jury. He will point out bits of law

that the jury may not understand. We expect... We are never quite

sure with these big legal cases... We expect the jury to deliberate on

Thursday morning. Acts of violence against British soldiers patrolling

in Helmand Province in Afghanistan are down 45% this year. Theirs is

still a very dangerous job of course, but it's hoped they're

getting a better night's sleep, thanks to the work of a west

country engineer regiment. The front line sappers have been

upgrading remote patrol bases to make life off duty a little more

luxurious. Scott Ellis reports. Recently returned - from a war zone

that's slowly becoming less violent. Still though, a tough assignment

for Tidworth's 22 Engineer Regiment. And the loved ones, left behind.

was scary more than anything, but it is pretty hard to explain,

because you are so worried about what they are doing. You have to be

a strong person and you need to get on with your life and not have them

worry about your life at home. As long as he backed them up, it is

fine. It takes a strong person to wait for them. Today, 57 Sappers

each received this camapign medal. In Afghanistan, these military

engineers have been rebuilding British patrol bases. Many were

just remote desert outposts. But they now have water, electricity

and bomb proof defences. When the guys come back of their patrols,

they can get clean, they can rest properly, and it makes them a bit

more normal. You can mentally unwind. Their work upgrading

British bases also looks to the future. The British combat role in

Afghanistan ends in 2015. As we leave the bases, so Afghan soldiers

will move in. The focus on transition, that does not mean just

handing over to Afghan National soldiers, sovereign soldiers, it is

also creating the infrastructure that they want. As the Sappers

received their Afghan medals, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton

arrived in Kabul with a tough message for Pakistan - to cut links

with militant groups. And to encourage the Taliban to enter the

non-violent politcal process in Afghanistan. Will they? Well, 22

will find out, when they return to Helmand in 2013. It's Chris and

Amanda with your local news tonight. It's good to have you along. Coming

up: Will City flower under their new Scottish Manager? Derek McInnes

meets his new braves. We have pneumatic cars, electric cars and

also a rocky car. Wiltshire Police have been given more time to

question three people in connection with the murder of a man near

Semley. Lennie Adams, who was 43, was found on Saturday. He'd been

buried in a shallow grave. Today his family said they would

certainly miss him as a father, brother, uncle and truly unique

friend to many. Two men and a woman are still being held. Two men have

been sent to prison for their part in organised dog fighting. Ian

Draper from Burford in Oxfordshire was sentenced to twenty weeks while

his son Danny Draper received a twelve week term. Both men pleaded

guilty to the charges last month following a raid on a house in

Swindon where Danny Draper was living at the time. They've also

been banned from keeping dogs. A haulage company in Gloucester's

been showing off its new lorry today. But this is no ordinary HGV,

it's one of the biggest articulated vehicles in the country. Wincanton

Logistics claims it weighs the same as its current lorries and that it

will reduce emissions. But its size hasn't gone down well in one

Gloucestershire town. Chris James reports. It has 16 wheels and it's

twice the length of two double decker buses. This is the UK's

largest articulated lorry, and it's based here near Gloucester, and

it's coming to a road near you. At the moment, this is the biggest

lorry on our roads. From June next year, we will start seeing some of

these. It will be two metres longer, added will carry an extra 17,000

aspirin boxes or 10,000 Patrick's bottles or 40 extra plasma TV's.

She did not wait more as well? is carrying more. It is for more

palettes, that is above the 26 we have now. -- it is four more

palates. Wincanton claims this eco- trailer will save the UK transport

industry �400 million a year. This is Tetbury. A Gloucestershire town,

where local people say they're plagued daily by HGV's. The size of

this new 44-tonner is concerning some. That is just a nightmare!

Disgusting! It is incredible! If they only used at the trains, don't

get me started! Too big for any of the British roads. Except possibly

on the motorway. That is ridiculous. For small streets like this, it

couldn't be done. To run one of these lorries on the road, you'll

need a special license because they're so big. Wincanton is hoping

to get several hundred. The Department for Transport says

they're safe, and plans to allow nearly 2,000 of them on our roads

from next year. On yesterday's programme you may have seen our

story about the lorry that got stuck in Bruton in Somerset. Well,

we've just been sent these pictures from Bath where a van tried - but

didn't quite make it underneath a railway bridge. People passing on

Jew's Lane, just off the Lower Bristol Road, saw the vehicle

wedged in under the arch at about 4 o'clock this afternoon. The police

tell us the road is now clear. Filton Airfield made a healthy

profit last year despite its owners saying it's not financially viable.

BAE Systems announced earlier this year that it intends to close the

airfield in 2012, but the BBC's seen accounts showing the site made

one point three million pounds in 2010. Campaigners and opposition

councillors say it shows the airfield can be marketed as a going

concern, rather than being turned into houses. BAE Systems have

convinced the public and local MPs that this has been losing �3

million each year, but the accounts show it has not. This airfield,

with proper then be -- with proper marketing but has not been carried

out by BAE Systems, could be a Bible and profitable airfield. -- a

viable. BAE says despite last year's profit, the runway has been

operating at a loss for the previous nine years and the profits

aren't sustainable long-term. Organisers of a beauty pageant in

South Korea say they're investigating allegations of sexual

harassment made by a Bristol beauty queen. Nineteen-year old Amy

Willerton, who's the former Miss Bristol and Miss Bath, took part in

the Miss Asia Pacific World Competition earlier this month. She

says she left early for her own safety. Organisers reject claims

the girls weren't fed properly, but say there will be an investigation

into whether they were asked for sexual favours in return for votes.

A Bristol school opened today, two years after losing the head teacher.

This man was 48 when he died last year. Since then, the school has

pressed ahead with the expansion, with singing and celebrity guests

to open the facilities in style. We have had two years since the

original planning was put in for the school. We put up with a lot of

mess. It has always been a brilliant school here, and it is

great we have the disease to match, and we thank the authority. It used

to be that all you needed to fix a car was a spanner and an owner's

manual - these days the average mechanic needs to be an expert in

computing and electronics as well as mechanical engineering. But now

there's a little extra help for the mechanics of tomorrow, as a new

training centre for apprentices in automotive engineering opened in

Bristol. Here's Jules Hyam. It is a name that has been synonymous with

engineering, particularly automobiles and aircraft. Bristol

is a city with a heritage of engineering achievements. Bristol

has an engineering past, but here in Bedminster, they are trying to

create the engineers of the future. The Academy opened a map talk of

engineering firsts. There is a definite need for skilled people.

The motor industry is very sophisticated. Cars, trucks and

buses and commuter -- computer networks on there. There is a need

for high quality -- high quality skills. Whether it is buses like

this want, or military does -- vehicles, or because it run a

We take part in the Green Power Challenge, which is an engineering

challenge for UK each schools. Engineering is not a big part of

the curriculum, so a centre like this is encouraging the next

generations of engineers. It is good to promote science and

engineering. It allowed -- it allows us to learn things that we

do not learnt at school. The gains of more experienced. Plenty here to

enthuse young minds. We now have 2,400 schools learning But found.

There is or world record held by the Joseph Leckie school. It is

essential thing. We have to get the stipulating going. Once he had the

stimulation going, the education follows. That is where the Academy

helped. They will be aiming to develop the very best of Bristol

engineering. A South West MEP has been honoured today at a ceremony

at Windsor Castle. Graham Watson, from Langport in Somerset, received

his knighthood from the Princess Royal at a formal investiture.

Despite being a staunch republican, Sir Graham said he was happy to

accept the honour for his public and political service. In sport,

Bristol City's new manager met his new players for the first time

today and took his first training session. He's on a tight schedule -

his opening game in charge is on Sunday at home to Birmingham City.

Earlier today though he faced his first press conference as the City

boss and said he was taking over at a club with great potential. David

Passmore's report contains flash photography from the start. The aim

is simple. Start winning games, avoid relegation, and turn City

back into a club capable of challenging for promotion to the

Premier League. Achieving that will take all of the young manager's

skill. He's signed a two-and-a-half year contract and knows he's taking

over a club with potential. There's a lot here to be built on. The club

is so similar size to a lot of clubs in the Championship. People

say it is a giant with potential, and we have seen clubs of similar

size get to the Premier League. We have a lot of potential here.

McInnes brings an impressive track record from St Johnstone and his

assistant Tony Docherty. He has a fantastic way with the players. He

will work closely with the players, but his biggest asset is a

fantastic work ethic. He was served Bristol City well. Which leaves

former assistant manager Steve Wigley in limbo. He is in contract

but will be waiting to see if he and the new manager can establish a

good working relationship. Steve is under contract. He is an

outstanding coach, and I expect with his experience of English

football, he will work with Derek and Tony at this club. But for

McInnes the pressing issue is Sunday's game and getting to know

his squad. You have to get a system of play that suits us. We will

Valley everybody. Everyone will get a chance to impress. I think that

is only right. I look forward to getting started with them. Derek

McInnes has a reputation of being hard but fair. Bristol City had to

pay quite a bit of compensation for him, but that does mean they are

getting a successful manager from a club on the up. Everyone hopes that

continues here. Exactly 150 years ago tonight England's cricket team

boarded the SS Great Britain on a two month voyage to Australia. The

tour sparked a passion for cricket down under, and led to the rivalry

that we see today. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is hosting a

celebration on board - right about now - with guest speakers including

the former England players Angus Fraser and the all rounder David

Allen. An amateur photographer from Somerset has won the Country File

photography competition. This is a horse-drawn barge being towed in

Devon. It will be in the Country File calendar, being sold in aid of

Children In Need. Now we've all heard of patron saints - of places,

of occupations and even of animals.. But you may not know there's also a

patron saint of vegetarians. Yup, he's St Wulfstan and he's just been

honoured at a church in South Gloucestershire. Villagers raised

some twelve thousand pounds to have a new stained glass window

dedicated to him - complete with plenty of seasonal vegetables!

Dickon Hooper has been along to see The work at St Marys began first

thing this morning. To honour the patron saint of vegetarians, St

Wulfstan, with this new stained glass window. I think it is a one-

off. I have never seen one dedicated to someone with

vegetables contained in such a direct way. It is interesting.

Living in the countryside, it is good to celebrate produce,

particularly at this time of year. It is a really good sense of fun.

Locals make sure the church in Hawkesbury Upton is well cared for

- and they're proud of St Wulfstan's time here - and his

conversion to a meat free life. would have been in charge of the

Church, and he would have ordered goods to be cut. The smell would

have wafted around, and all he could think of was the smell of the

goose racing away. He forgot his prayers, and was ready to suppress

-- distressed about that. He was a devout man. He fouled after that

that he would not eat goose or meet Again. Later in life, he became the

patron saint of vegetarians. that where the expression comes

from? We could add that on to the story! His journey began be a 1,000

years ago when he was the parish priest here. On Thursday, the

Bristol -- Bishop of Gloucester will have a dedication. Most -- no

geese allow old! The perils of roast geese! Let's go to the

weather. I wonder who is the patron saint of weather forecasters?

don't. I would like to meet him! I think so far, so could this week.

One thing there was noticeable was not just the frost, but

comparatively though, we are going to see things going the other way.

Temperatures are climbing well above average again. Let's split

the difference of the average temperature and call it 14 Celsius.

Conversely, it will get windier and more unsettled. Whether or not this

photograph of the River Severn is replicated tomorrow, there will be

a fair bit of cloud around. You will see some breaks in VAT, and

some brighter spells, and either way, it will be that bit milder,

and it should be drier or largely so. Wind still accommodating. The

isobars are getting squeezed. The wind is travelling in a milder

direction. You may well see the space station come over. You will

have clearer spells. The club place pulled tend to lower, and affect

many of our districts through the course of the night. Remaining dry

despite a spot of drizzle around the 7th. -- around the resort --

Many folks will have to put the central heating on tonight. It will

be frost-free by tomorrow morning. There will be a bit of cloud around,

and where you are to the north-east of some of the high ground, things

will continue with sunny spells. will continue with sunny spells.

Igraine dry, and the breeze will be less. Temperatures going upwards

somewhat. Temperatures as high as 15 Celsius. Things are going to

change as well as getting odder. They are also going to get

unsettled. It will be breezier on Saturday. We import these fronts

from the West. A complex pattern. Ferris forecast models are varying.

We do expect by the end the weekend, particularly into Monday, it will

be a wet and windy story for all of us. It is just the nuances of how

wet and windy. The jet stream winds going over the top of the West

Country. It looks like a lively spell of weather. Tempters up into