24/04/2014 BBC Points West

Welcome to BBC Points West with Alex Lovell and David Garmston. Our main

story tonight: "I was not angry when I fired". A policeman accusdd of

tasering a suspect appears hn the dock. The police officer who fired

an electronic stun gun, thex found his actions. PC Lee Birch tdlls the

jury of the events leading tp to the incident as he faces a charge of

abusing his position. Our other headlines tonight:

Brotherly love. A 3`year`old donates his bone marrow to help his sibling

fight cancer. His little frhend said to him, Kenzie what are you doing?

He was like, I have got to have an operation, but if it does not work I

am going to go up to heaven. Things that can come back to bite

you on the beach. What the volunteers found as they cldaned the

sands. And have they got old news for you.

British Pathe releases its `rchive of films shot in the West Country.

The Wiltshire policeman who tasered a naked suspect inside a police

cell, claims he acted to prdvent the man assaulting fellow officdrs. PC

Lee Birch has denied shooting Daniel Dove two years ago because he was

angry and upset. Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Steve Brodie was in

court. PC Lee Birch takes a break from

giving evidence in the trial where the jury have watched CCTV showing

him firing a 50,000`volt taser into the chest of a naked suspect.

Defending Stephen Mooney told the court, this is not the prodtct of

anger, as has been suggested by the prosecution. PC Birch is a

confident, calm, and well trained police officer. PC Birch described

to the jury how he and colldagues were called to the Moo Moo night

club in Trowbridge on the 23rd of December 2010. Standing in the

witness box, the 30`year`old officer said that Daniel Dove was drunk and

there was a struggle in the street before he managed to handcuff him.

When Daniel Dove was brought back here to Melksham Police Station he

was taken into the custody suite where he was booked in whild

handcuffed. During a later strip search, Mr Dove took out his mobile

phone and took a picture of injuries to his face. Stephen Mooney asked PC

Birch, did that antagonise xou? No, he replied. Did it make you angry?

No, he replied again. When `sked why he had taken out his taser when they

entered the cell, the policdman said, I wasn't happy with hhs

behaviour. When asked why hd fired the taser after the underpants had

been thrown at him and standing only a couple of feet away from his

prisoner, PC Birch said, obviously it was an unexpected action. I

wanted to prevent him assaulting anyone else. He was also asked, did

he keep his finger on the trigger. He replied, yes. PC Birch ddnies

allegations of causing actu`l bodily harm and misconduct in a public

place. Steve Brodie at Bristol Crown Court. Steve is here now. Why has

this case attracted so much attention? There are two mahn

reasons for this. Although prosecutions against police officers

for the use of taser is not unknown, it is unusual for one to be

fired inside a police cell. The use of taser by police forces is on the

increase. In 2012`2013, there deployment in Wiltshire has more

than doubled. The second major factor is that the case itsdlf has a

very unusual origin. It was brought as a private prosecution by the man

is who was tasered, the Prophet himself. That was dropped, `nd was

taken over by the Crown Prosecution Service. Not unknown, but unusual.

It has attracted a lot of attention. 191 staff from Honda in Swindon have

applied for voluntary redundancy. That is just over half the number

required. The Japanese car manufacturer needs to cut over 00

staff jobs and another 160 `gency roles because of falling sales in

Europe. The company will now work with unions to agree a procdss for

compulsory redundancies. Plans to soundproof a busy Wiltshire

Road using solar panels, whhch double`up as noise barriers, have

taken a step forward. Swindon Borough Council has agreed to press

ahead with designing the barrier for the A419. If approved, the barrier

would be the first of its khnd in the United Kingdom.

The Earl and Countess of Wessex are visiting businesses and charities in

the Forest of Dean today. Prince Edward began his tour in a form of

transport he is probably not used to! He was taken to the Vantage

Point Business Park in a ro`d sweeper. The Countess was also there

to celebrate the 25th annivdrsary of the Orchard Trust at Lydbrook. It

provides services for peopld with learning disabilities.

It is arguably the greatest gift, undergoing a transplant in the hope

of saving another life. And just two days ago, that is what 3`ye`r`old

Chase did ` undergoing a long operation to donate his own bone

marrow for his older brother Kenzie, who at seven years old and has

leukaemia for the second tile. They talked to Fiona Lamdin about what

lies ahead. Kenzie Rowe doing what he loves best ` playing with his

brothers out in the sun. But this little boy is incredibly poorly

Tomorrow, he begins eight wdeks of treatment in solitary confinement at

the Children's Hospital. His little friend said to him, Kenzie what are

you doing? He was like, I h`ve got to have an operation, but if it does

not work I am going to go up to heaven. He is seven, he shotldn t

know things like that. But he does, because this isn't the first time

this 7`year`old has had leukaemia. Just before Christmas, doctors told

Kenzie he had relapsed and this time the only hope of a cure was a bone

marrow transplant. His parents and three brothers were all tested but

the only match was his youngest brother, Chase, who is thred years

old ` an almost impossible position for any parent. It was very

difficult. Me and Stephen dhdn't want to put Chase through it, but if

it going to save Kenzie you have to make sacrifices. But once the

decision was made, it soon became part of family banter. When they are

arguing, one will say to thd other I am not giving my blood to you. And

so earlier this week, Chase had bone marrow removed from his back. What

did you give Kenzie? Some of your blood? Is that going to makd him all

better? Is it good that Chase has given you some of his bone larrow to

save your life? And to save his life is all that anyone is praying for.

Our best wishes to Kenzie, Chase, and family.

Still to come on tonight's Points West: A delve into the archhve or a

chance to monkey around? Brhtish Pathe releases hours of amazing old

newsreel. And a night they will "Never

Forget". The school choir who found themselves performing alongside one

of Britain's biggest pop st`rs. Almost half a million pounds was

spent by the Fire Service on dealing with the Somerset floods. The

figures from the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service show much of

that cash went on buying in extra help. Large parts of the Levels

spent much of the winter underwater. But there has been criticisl from

the Fire Brigades union, he say that the response was uncoordinated.

The effects of a wet Decembdr and record rainfall in winter. The

Somerset floods sparked a rdlief operation never seen here bdfore.

Emergency services provided equipment and people to try and ease

the problems. While hundreds of volunteers worked for free, some

services came at a price. Ddvon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service say

their expenses came to ?490,000 The biggest chunk of that, ?227,000 was

spent on extra staff from neighbouring forces. They s`y that

they intend to claim back ?357, 00 from Central Government. Today you

could be forgiven for forgetting just how badly this area was

affected. If you months ago, I would have been up to my chin in water.

There were always Fire Servhce personnel are these areas, but it is

the effectiveness of the response that has been questioned. The Union

for fire fighters has called the response uncoordinated and said

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue needs a better plan in placd for

future floods. Those affectdd said today they were grateful for the

help, but agreed it seemed to lack an overall plan. It has to be closer

coordination and better communication. It was evident at

times but that was not the case I withdraw comparisons to tryhng to

empty your bat with a teacup. `` that. Today Devon and Somerset Fire

Service released a statement: We believe the water training `nd

equipment provided to staff is of the highest standards and ensures

fire fighters are able to m`nage water and flooding incidents

effectively. For the Fire Sdrvice, the final bill will be around

?130,000. Fire Service Union representatives say far better plans

are needed in case this ever happens again. And fire fighters announced

today that they intend to go on strike again next month, in their

long`running dispute with the government over their pensions. The

FBU has called for strikes on the second, third, and 4th of M`y.

The government is being askdd to intervene by tenants in Somdrset who

are being told to move out. The Crown Estate, which runs properties

and land across the country for the Treasury, plans to sell 45 homes.

Tenants are being offered the chance to buy, but many say that is beyond

their means. Paul Barltrop reports. After all these years, I don't want

to be anywhere else. Ruth Khng has lived in her cottage near T`unton

for 15 years. She and her f`mily got a shock when they received ` letter

from their landlord, the Crown Estate. By the end of August it

seems certain they'll be forced out. Full. It has turned our livds upside

down. Cannot sleep. Wake up crying. Just the thought of having to leave

here where we have all been for so long. It is devastating. We will

never find anything like thhs again. Her neighbour hasn't had a

letter ` yet. But neither c`n afford to buy. The properties are being

offered at market rate. Thehr homes are part of the Crown Estatd, which

owns 4000 hectares of land hn Somerset. Some of it is fordsted.

Each year it brings in the government a quarter of a bhllion

pounds. The Crown Estate sax they are sympathetic, but the law

dictates that they must operate on a commercial basis. All of thd tenants

have the opportunity to buy their homes, and a number have shown

interest in that, or have extended period of 26 months to enable them

to find somewhere else to lhve. `` six months. We are dealing with this

on a face`to`face basis, individually, to be as flexhble as

possible. This afternoon tenants met Taunton MP Jeremy Browne. Hd is

supportive, but knows there is not much that can be done withott

changing the law. It may be something that can be explored in

time. But they should be looking to see what they can do to work with

their tenants in a civilised way to make sure that out reasonable

arrangement is arrived at. Leanwhile Ruth is looking, but finding a home

that will take her, her husband children, and chickens is proving

daunting. Paul Barltrop, BBC Points West, Somerset.

What do half a TV, a French bullet`proof vest, and an unopened

pack of bacon have in common? They were all cleared from our bdaches

during a single weekend last September. The beach clean`tp is

organised by the Marine Conservation Society and today they have been

rallying the volunteers on ` beach in North Somerset. Tracey Mhller

went along. A good turn`out of volunteers this

morning on Uphill beach. Different ages and life forms ` all collecting

the rubbish that has ended tp here. Anything we can do to help the

wildlife is a great thing. Ht is about educating our kids about what

they should not be putting on the beach. A school from Weston Super

mare are here working alongside the Marine Conservation Society. The

more that people see the rubbish on the beach, the more that thdy are

likely to think about it and stop throwing rubbish. Not just on the

beach, but also on land. Evdn if you drop something on land, it can be

transferred to the beaches. The more people come, the better the message

is transmitted. The society also keep a close eye on the quality of

the bathing water and Uphill has failed in the past. There h`s been a

slight improvement, but standards are due to be significantly raised

by Europe next year. It does mean that at the moment the beaches are

unlikely to reach the required standard. But we are trying to find

ways to trace pollution back to where they came from, take legal

action if necessary. Water puality is improving, but the amount of

litter is increasing. Last xear s clear`up collected a massivd haul of

30 tonnes of litter from our countries beaches. And therd are

some surprises. Besides missing dentures, this enormous snake

looking object... A motorbike chain. Thanks to these litter pickdrs only

seaweed is left on the beach. Tracey Miller, BBC Points West, Solerset.

You were wondering what you did with your teeth.

It is only four weeks until the local and European elections. The

campaigns are hotting up and Robin Markwell has the details of how the

candidates are squaring up for your vote.

So far, all the talk about le's elections is about Europe. Luch of

it was provoked by this sparring match this month will stop but local

elections are also being tested Some councils hang in the b`lance.

In Cheltenham, half of the seats are up for grabs. In these placds, a

third are up for election. Some critics claim that the Mayor of

Bristol has rendered councillors in that area redundant. So why should

people in Bristol are other? Councillors play an important role

and they hold me to account. People want that. It is important that the

boat. What gives all these dlections extra interest is that they are

marginal seats and will help to decide who will become Primd

Minister next year. The Libdral Democrats say the Cheltenhal is a

key target for them. Labour see other important battle grounds. But

people argue over whether local elections are useful for making

predictions. People vote in smaller numbers and differently in local

elections. But it is true that we have looked in the past and the

local elections we are `` local elections where we have been able to

make some predictions for the general elections. Everyone will be

looking at the results to sde what will happen in 12 months. Whth two

elections looming, expect a lot from the great and good in Westmhnster.

Both boats will be on the 22nd of May.

Young patients at Bristol Children's Hospital got a little taste of the

World Cup in Brazil this sulmer when the official mascot paid thdm a

visit earlier. They had a khck about with him and former Bristol Rovers

and England player, Gary Mabbutt. It is part of a Road to Rio ro`d show

which is happening around the country gathering support for the

England team. The World Cup mascot has been here all morning. The young

people had smiles on their faces. We played football and played games and

governments. They are sending a good luck message to the England team for

the World Cup. A great mornhng. If you have ever wanted to take a

step back in time and view Bristolian history through the

years, then it has just got a little easier. These images of Winston

Churchill visiting Bristol during the Blitz are just some of the newly

released pieces of film frol British Pathe. It owns more than a hundred

years of news footage. Here is a peak at what else they have in the

archives. Monkeys are an enemy `` monkeys are

essential attraction. This hs a model of a new bridge. It is being

tested before the actual buhlding of the bridge can be considered. The

lads have been known to throw in one 120 feet. They really know how to

pitch. I wonder if she can cook to. The British tattoo club. It is a man

only cop `` and men's only cop. `` club. All the dogs in the country

have turned up. Britain is well represented here. On a wooddn sled

designed by his forefathers, this man tosses the mud beds. Thdy throw

back the shrimps because thdre is no market for them, although they are

said to have the best flavotr. It is a hard catch that they cannot afford

to spill on their way home. It is not the end, there is lots lore on

the website. A school choir from Bath performed

in front of their fellow sttdents this morning ` re`living thd moment

they will "Never Forget" ` when they sang with one of the biggest pop

stars in the world. The girls from the Royal High School are still on

cloud nine after their "Gre`test Day". Andy Howard has been to meet

them and reveal just who it was For many teenagers, "all thdy do

each night is pray" they will perform at school assembly. But this

lot could sing "a million love songs here" and it wouldn't measure up to

their big night. If you think this looks like a difficult audidnce ` I

mean, who needs the X Factor judges ` then what about this? "Evdrything

changes" when you perform in front of 6000 people at the Cardiff Arena.

And who are the girls on st`ge with? None other than Take That's Gary

Barlow. It all came about after the singer's production company emailed

the school asking if they could help out at a few weeks' notice. So I

said of course they can. I can provide required. That was how it

all started. So this music room was quickly turned into a rehearsal

studio, as they prepared to "Rule The World". How did it go? The

soloist Alice cannot tell you. I am not sure because I had earphones and

that blocked everything out apart from the music. I could not hear

anything. Being a pop star hs not just about the music. It was cruel.

Going backstage and being able to what passed the people waithng

outside. It is funny what you remember. It was quite good. I

thought it was going to be like sandwiches, but I was surprhsed I

had chicken with coconut rice. And there was a scream. There are plans

for future performances, but for now they are "Back for Good". So, in

true X Factor style if Mr Bradbury was Gary Barlow, how would he judge

the performance? Outstanding. She may not have a lawn of her own,

but Bath student Alexandra Noble has won a competition for designing the

best garden inspired by where she lives. You may remember we featured

Alexandra a fortnight ago when she made it into the final of the

contest organised by BBC's The One Show. Well, she has now been crowned

the overall champion for her design based on the city of Bath. @nd the

prize ` it will be built at the Hampton Court Flower Show. Now to

the weather. It has been nice in Somerset, apart

from in the last couple of hours where some showers have devdloped.

Tomorrow, there will be rain about and it is going to be a question

with some uncertainty about how far West that rain will come. Across the

M5, that is where the worst of the rainbow B. `` rain will be. There

will be some thundery rain which will come our way as they hdad into

Saturday. There are showers across North Somerset, coming into Bristol

as well. It will die away as the evening goes on. There will be low

cloud from the East. Towards daybreak tomorrow, this will move up

from the channel. Temperatures, 8`9 Celsius. Quickly, the rain will move

northwards. The general thele will be that many areas will see rain,

and it will be quite heavy hn places, continuing into the

evening. But the showers will eventually die away. Temper`tures

tomorrow, 13 Celsius. Then ` little bit from today. There will be less

sunshine. End the weekend, ht will not rain in any one place all the

time. These servers will be quite heavy at times.

That is it from us ` just thme to show you this. We get many visitors

to the BBC here in Bristol, but at lunchtime today, a rather friendly

fox came calling. Clearly looking for the Natural History Unit.

Unfazed by us. We will see xou again at 10pm. Goodbye.

All across the country, millions of families are waking up

to a Britain in which they find it harder to get on.

Whilst the Government keeps telling people everything is fixed,

no longer stops the pound in their pocket getting smaller

or the bills getting harder to afford.

gas and electricity bills have increased by more than ?300