04/01/2012 BBC Points West

Hello and welcome to BBC Points West. The headlines this evening:

A young father who died because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt. After a

car crash that tore them apart - a family warns about the dangers of

driving in the Forest of Dean. Where your seat belt, stop speeding.

The forest roads are not safe to speed.

The monk convicted of abusing a schoolboy. Now the victim demands

an apology from the church. Also tonight: We meet the twins

born five years apart by the wonders of modern science.

And with Paul Buckle gone, who'll be next to step on the Gas? Bristol

Rovers begin their search for a new The family of a young father killed

because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt today warned others to

buckle up. Kenwill Jacobs was also found to be speeding when he died

in the Forest of Dean two years ago. There's been concern in the past

about the number of fatalities on roads in the area. In 2005 alone,

19 people lost their lives. But after a high-profile campaign, that

number is now falling. Here's our Gloucestershire reporter, Steve

Knibbs. Kenwill Jacobs was a keen fitness

fan, his wife was about to give birth to their second daughter when

he left home to drive to the gym. He didn't wear his seatbelt and was

driving at around 60 mph - twice the legal limit on this road in

Drybrook. He lost control, hit a wall and rolled his car twice. It

ended up over 40 metres away. He was thrown through the drivers

window and died soon after. The Gloucestershire Coroner said

today it was the excess speed and Kenwill Jacobs choice not to wear

his seatbelt that killed him - an accidental death. Make sure you

weigh your seatbelt and keep your speed down. It may seem funny at

the time, but when this happens it is not. Forest roads are not safe

roads to speed. Make sure you weigh your safety belts.

Roads in the forest have proved lethal in the past, but it was 2005,

when 19 people died in accidents, many of them young, that focussed

the mind. It prompted high profile campaigns, including this awareness

film. Just had a bit of an accident.

you think there is no way you could have killed me? The number of

deaths has fallen. Last year there were just two - down from 6 in 2010.

One of the men behind the Time And Place campaign told me today it was

2005 that changed attitudes. That drove home to people that

there is no point in taking risks with your own life. What is the

point? People now realise that to have fun in cars has a result and

you can end up being killed. What is the point? What it does to

families is horrific. As Kenwill Jacobs proved, accidents still do

happen though, every death one too many, and one that his family said

today could have been avoided. A man who suffered sexual abuse

when he was a schoolboy in Somerset, has demanded an apology from the

Catholic Church. Yesterday, Richard White, a monk who taught at

Downside School in Stratton-on-the- Fosse, was sentenced to 5 years in

prison after pleading guilty to charges of indecent assault and

gross indecency during his time at the school in the 1980s. Mark

McGhee is from Fentons Solicitors, the legal team who represented the

victim. I asked him what his client's response has been to the

sentencing. Our clients view is that this

individual has received what he should have received from the

criminal justice system. It is regrettable that such sentencing

and such criminal process did not take place 20 years ago. What's

emerged is that even after the school discovered the abuse, he was

allowed to continue teaching. Police only discovered what had

been going on when investigating an unrelated matter. That is correct.

On the point of view from the Roman Catholic Church, it is clearly

quite appalling. The abbot at Downside did issue a statement

yesterday saying, we are truly sorry that any child should have

been abused at Downside. Is that enough of an apology? Apology or

not, the bottom line is that this individual has received a sentence

of five years' imprisonment. As far as criminal law is concerned, that

is what he should have received at all times since this abuse took

place. So, is your client now wanting more of an apology or to

claim compensation? Our client is entitled to compensation under

Criminal injuries scheme, however he wants nothing of that because it

is payable by the public purse. The money he is entitled to claim, he

feels, should be paid by the school and by the Roman Catholic Church

you failed to protect him. Furthermore, didn't just put him,

but put various other young people at risk. Thank you very much for

your time. A baby girl has been born in

Gloucestershire, five years after her twin brother.

Floren Blake was conceived from the same batch of embryos as her

brother Reuben, after their parents turned to fertility treatment. John

Maguire has been to meet them. They are the perfect picture of a

contented young family. Mum Jody, Dad Simon, five-year-old Reuben and

now "twin" sister Floren, born just seven weeks ago.

The Blakes, from Cheltenham, first received fertility treatment at

Southmead Hospital in Bristol in 2005. It worked then so they tried

their luck again. Three embryos were frozen for storage for another

day. Just in case we wanted to extend our family and that came

about this year. We made the decision to try and we are very

lucky that one of the embryos survived the process and was

implanted into Jodi and grew into Floren.

Southmead staged an extra special Christmas party last month for just

some of the babies born here in 2011 - more than a thousand in fact.

But even for such a successful IVF unit, Simon and Jody's case is a

special one. We were very lucky the first time

round for IVF to work. I don't think for one minute we thought we

would be lucky enough again and we very much thought, did not expect

it to work. Only one survived the boring process and we were very

much expecting it to fail. We were amazed when it worked.

The family are enjoying telling people they have twins, born of the

same genetic material if not the same pregnancy, and they hope their

story will inspire other couples that, with hope and modern science,

little miracles can be possible Congratulations to the family.

You're watching Wednesday's Points West with Will and Alex.

It's good to have you with us. Coming up tonight:

Water, water everywhere nor any drop to drink. The battle is on to

get fresh drinking water to the injured servicemen from the West

rowing in the toughest of challenges.

And a roaring success as Bristol Zoo's asiatic lion cubs reach their

first birthday. A jury has heard that a woman

battered to death by her husband suffered more than 60 separate

injuries. Stephen Hotson is accused of murdering his wife Julie Tottle

at their home in Kewstoke near Weston-super-Mare last July after

she told him she wanted to end the marriage. He denies that charge,

but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished

responsibility. Clinton Rogers reports from Bristol Crown Court on

the second day of the trial. Pathologist Huw White gave graphic

details today of the injuries Julie Tottle received at the hands of her

husband. 61 separate wounds to her head and body, her skull fractured

in five places after he battered her with the metal pole from a

vacuum cleaner when she told him the marriage was over.

Her body was found at the family home in Kewstoke last July. The

court has already heard that her husband left her dead on the lounge

floor for several days. Telling friends who called, she was in bed

feeling poorly. This afternoon the court heard from

one friend, Judith Bailey, who said Julie Tottle had been deeply

distressed in the months before she died. She'd spoken about the black

moods of her husband and how he'd attacked her in the past.

Julie kept diaries, extracts of which were read to the jury today.

She described her husband as a ticking time bomb. A Jeckyll and

Hyde character who could be violent and uncontrollable.

Although denying murder, Stephen has admitted manslaughter on the

grounds of diminished responsibility. In a statement to

police, he said the attack was a pillar, but that after it he tried

to kill himself by setting fire to the house. He failed. Tomorrow the

jury is likely to hear from psychiatrists who assessed Stephen

Harston's mental state. That is the key in deciding whether this is

murder or manslaughter. The funeral has taken place in

Gloucestershire of Kate Prout. The 55-year-old was murdered by her

husband in 2007 and, although he was convicted, Adrian Prout always

denied the killing. Then last year, he finally confessed and showed

police where he had buried his wife. In the last hour, Kate Prout's

family have held a private service and cremation in Cheltenham. A

memorial service to celebrate her life is being planned for later in

the year. A new five million pound coroners

court and mortuary for Gloucestershire opened today.

Previously inquests were held in a conference centre and mortuary

space was rented from the local hospital. Despite the big price tag

the council says the new complex will save money in the long term.

Although we have dreadful cuts to make, we still have to do it better

and this will give us the opportunity to do it. Although

inquests have already started at the site in Gloucester, the

mortuary, which can cope with several post mortem examinations,

will officially open in the spring. Visiting restrictions have been put

in place on all wards at Cheltenham General Hospital and one at

Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The wards have been closed to the

public to limit the spread of the Norovirus, which is said to be

widespread in the community. A potential buyer has been found

for the former Cadbury chocolate factory in Keynsham. American

company, Kraft, bought the 220 acre Somerdale site in 2010. More than

400 people lost their jobs following the takeover with

production being moved to Poland. It's thought 600 new homes will be

built on the land, but the identity of the buyer is not yet known.

More than half a million people in the west country are paying their

rent or mortgage with a credit card, according to research out today.

Our business correspondent, Dave Harvey, has been investigating,

Dave, it's a worryingly high figure, how did the researchers come up

with that? It's a shocker. Housing charity

Shelter interviewed 4,000 people, 1 in 7 said they'd struggled with

rent or the mortgage, had to pay with credit card, unauthorised

overdraft, or one of these payday loans. In our part of the world,

that's 575,000 people putting the rent on plastic.

The downturn's obviously part of the problem, but 1 in 7 seems

awfully high, much higher than the unemployment rate, Dave, why so

many people? Yes, it's obviously a cliche to say

times are tough, but you're right, more people are out of work, but

still only around 6% here, that's 1 in about 16 people. So I've been

talking to charities who help people get out of debt, and they

tell me they're seeing a new kind of client. I think the problem is

that just being in work is not enough. Everyone lives to the limit

of their income and with the increase in the cost of living, it

just puts that little extra squeeze. Things that used to be manageable

are a few pounds unmanageable. then people decide to go to

something dodgy like a pay-day loans? It could be that or simply

using a bank overdraft without authority and then charges build up

and it becomes a vicious cycle. So what help can people like the

debt advice centres offer - if people haven't got the money, they

can't pay can they? Well, no easy fixes, but they say

that what happens, understandably, is panic. The money runs out, the

bank won't lend, the rent is due and then onto your doorstep flops

one of those tempting little letters.

I had one this week. Take out our new credit card, what'll it be, a

holiday? A conservatory? The answer of course is usually a 25% annual

interest rate, but you don't see that, you just see a lifeline. Then

the interest mounts up and things get worse.

There are plenty of debt advice agencies out there, citizens advice

bureaux, that kind of thing, they'll help you get the essential

bills organised, and work out the rest carefully. But whatever the

problem, the answer really isn't plastic.

Bristol Rovers have announced that the football club's former chairman

Denis Dunford has died earlier today.Denis, who was 89 years old,

was chairman of the club between 1986 and 2004. He's widely credited

with having kept the club afloat during his time in charge. Bristol

Rovers say the thoughts of everyone at the club are with his family and

friends. And a minute's silence will be held at the Memorial

Stadium before Saturday's FA Cup tie with Aston Villa.

Well, the club's hoping to appoint a new manager within the next seven

to ten days, after sacking Paul Buckle yesterday. Rovers are down

in 19th place in League Two after losing their last four games. They

say they want an experienced man to take over. Alistair Durden has been

looking at the contenders. Well, the bookies are primed as the

search begins again for Rovers - looking at a sixth man to take

charge of the club in just over a year. So who's in the running? Lets

have a look at the odds. Former Doncaster manager Sean

O'Driscoll was interviewed for the Bristol City job back in October

and he's the early favourite. Gary Johnson still lives in the West

country and he's keen to get back into management. Lots of interest

in him. Former Rovers captain Andy Tillson would be a popular choice,

but he's on the coaching staff at Exeter. And what about a long shot?

Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson is out of work, but 20/1

is the best price i could get on him. I would not mind Gary Johnson,

but if they don't do well under him, they may get baric in there quickly.

I suspect Gary Johnson. I would like to see Dave Jones. I would

quite like to see Sean O'Driscoll. He did wonders at Doncaster.

The club say they want an experienced manager, and there's

been interest already. My e-mail box this morning has a number of

genuine applicants of a reasonable quality. I don't think we have a

Premiership One, but championship, yes. Gary Johnson? I believe he

expressed an interest on your radio show last night. But has he

applied? I am not going to answer that one.

Rovers will finally finish paying off former manager Dave Penney

later this month. After a series of costly failures, the club can't

afford to gamble on their next appointment.

In the red half of the city, a slightly more upbeat evening.

Bristol City began the new year with a win against Millwall, but it

was a nail biter. A goal in the dying minutes took

the Robins to 19th in the Championship. It came from the boot

of transfer listed Nicky Maynard, who could be leaving the club soon.

Sabet Choudhury reports. Times have been tough for City.

Things just haven't been going their way. And Marvin Elliotts

their way. And Marvin Elliotts early chance seemed to sum up their

fortunes for much of the season. After the break, City continued the

pressure and it was only the post which kept them from going ahead.

But their chance did eventually come - three minutes into injury

time. The goal from Nicky Maynard - time. The goal from Nicky Maynard -

a man who could be leaving the club. We should have had three or four in

the first couple of minutes, but after that it was touch and go. It

was nice to see us get a goal in the last minute. It was a boring

game, but we won so who cares? game, but we won so who cares?

Staying out of the bottom three might be harder without their

leading scorer, but as yet there is no word as to where or when he

might go. That is for other people to decide that. As long as he is

to decide that. As long as he is with us and training, he will

continue to be available for selection. Hopefully he does well

tonight and scores his goal. The last few games he has been working

extremely hard. City now have a break from the

league action at the weekend for the 3rd round of the FA cup, but

teams like Brighton and Reading await before the end of the

transfer window. A man from North Somerset says he's

excited, exhilarated, but also exhausted, after becoming the first

visually-impaired person to trek across Antarctica to reach the

south pole. Alan Lock, from Clevedon trained in Canada for the

adventure. He towed a 150 pound sled behind him across the ice in

temperatures of minus 45 degrees. At times you wonder, while planning,

or whether it will come to fruition. It was incredible to be here and

all of the team here, we have been stuck in tents in each other's

pockets. Luckily we managed to do this without any serious arguments

and we are all still friends. The race is on get fresh drinking

water to a group of rowers, including two from the West, who

are attempting what's considered one of the toughest challenges on

the planet. There are six members of the

Row2Recovery team, all of them current or former servicemen.

Several were injured in action and are amputees.

The group are currently stranded off the coast of Barbados and as

Sarah-Jane Bungay reports the break down of crucial on-board equipment

has put their journey in jeopardy. The spirits on this boat were high.

Yes they had to cope with sleep deprivation, but their progress

against 16 other teams was good. Then their worst fears were

realised. The water purifier packed This is not wear any of us want to

be. We have to slow right down. It has become more of a survival

situation than a race. The challenge began in December.

Teams race almost 3000 miles from Tenerife to Barbados. Road to

recovery his problems began on day 27, still 1000 miles from their

destination. They need water for drinking and for their rations.

Most importantly, the wounded ones need water to wash their stumps to

keep the winded areas clean and keep the salt off it. That is what

a lot of the water has to go on. The men are now allowed to litres

per day. 1.5 to drink and the rest to rehydrate fruit. We will be in

the sea for an extra week now. It will be hard over the next few days.

Fresh supplies should reach the men in the next few days. They are

disqualified from the race, but their aim is to reach the finish

line and inspire others with injuries to realise their potential.

What a brave effort. I hope they make it.

They will be glad to get that supply.

Staff at Bristol Zoo are getting ready for the animal census. They

will be counting every single inhabitant, big and small.

Even the little ants. Among them, some new arrivals and a pair of

lion cubs born last Christmas. A year ago they were just the

tiniest little things. By the time it got too much, they were looking

more like lions so we caught up with them today. They are slightly

different. They have grown just a little bit in the last 12 months.

The two babies now weigh 12 stone. Even after Christmas, that is more

than me. They would be fully grown until four years of age. They have

a lot of growing to do, but they have certainly shot up. A lot more

playful. They absolutely adore their dad. He will come and play

with them. They will roll around in the bark and they will follow us as

we walk around the enclosure. Looking for anything interesting.

is starting to develop and nice name. He and his sister have

distinctive personalities that keepers can recognise. There are

only about 400 asiatic lions in the wild and these too are part of a

programme that will see them transferred in six months in the

hope that they can conserve their species. The two lions are about

the year old now. Here is the newest addition. A little monkey

clinging to the back of its mum. Mum is only 25 centimetres tall and

the baby is half that. Look carefully and you can just about

see its eyes. I say it because they do not know if it is a boy or a

goal and they won't known in Tell six months' time.

It is just peering round the side, very sweet.

12 stone, those lines. They have gone from cute and fluffy

to a little bit more intimidating. We have been talking about the

weather, Ian is here to tell us more. There is damage being done

more. There is damage being done from the wind, isn't there?

There is. North Somerset and Gloucestershire have had at least

one tree down over the last Allah. Through this evening we will see

more of the same. Through the day the wind will ease and it will

brighten up. Part of the day will be dry and comparatively bright. In

terms of wet weather spreading down, the isobars are tied together. Into

tomorrow, at you notice the isobars spreading out. By this time

tomorrow it will be a different story.

Here is a behind the scenes shot of one of the bits of data at the Met

Office and me. This is a Whinfield prognosis. Bright orange shows us

where there will be strong gusts at 3am. That leads us to have concerns

for one area in particular. The M5 corridor from Weston-super-Mare

down to sedge more. 60 mile per hour dust developing during the

night. 55 mile per hour over the top of the Mendips. This area will

be the windiest, that said, there will be windy weather elsewhere. A

good deal of wet weather coming with it. Heavy rain across western

areas. It is all adding to the general effect of things on the

road. Temperatures getting down to around six or seven Celsius. Rush

hour will start in similar fashion. Strong wind and outbreaks of rain.

The wet weather will move away to the south and effectively it will

be dry and bright through the afternoon. Wind speed is starting

to take backward so by this time tomorrow it will be a different

story with a much colder night. Before then, temperatures around

nine Celsius. Beyond that, it is a broadly dry it picture through to

broadly dry it picture through to the weekend.

Thanks very much, Ian. To keep tuned to your local radio station