25/04/2014 BBC Points West

firepower in military exercises That is all from the BBC

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

The care home manager who stole from the residents.

Rachel Stokes is jailed for taking money

If she was that low, she should have one of sick and done the right

thing. Or even not bothered going to work. If you cannot do the job

properly, she should not have been there.

The judge said it was a shocking breach of trtst `

The troublemaker who stirred up anger

by falsely claiming that a pub had banned British soldiers.

The patients who have to waht years for a kidney `

now there's a call for people from all races and backgrounds

And performing a jig of joy ` how this brother and sister frol Bristol

have become world champions in Irish dancing.

A Gloucestershire care home manager who stole hundreds of pounds

from residents to fund a galbling habit has been jailed today.

look after people with learning difficulties.

But she was secretly taking their money `

and using it to pay for her addiction.

and today the judge said her actions were

Our Gloucestershire reporter, Steve Knibbs, was in court.

Rachel Stokes ran a care hole where the residents

had serious learning disabilities ` many couldn't even communic`te.

As someone they should have been able to trust, Stokes had access to

their cashcards and pin numbers and would take money out for them.

But it turns out she was taking some of it for herself `

to fund her gambling habit. Today, the sister

of one of her victims told le how the crimes had affected thel all.

I don't think there are any words to describe what she has done. Just

absolutely disgusted and appalled. The staff, who are left holding the

baby as it were, they were disgusted as well. It has gone on unddr the

nose. Last year, an audit spotted

a discrepancy between the rdsidents' bank accounts and the log the home

kept of money taken out for them. Rachel Stokes was arrested

and came clean, telling police she would

draw out ?100 to ?200 every two to four weeks

and use the money but the prosecution said

that was just a minimum amotnt. ?11,000 she'd been given

for a PPI claim. The judge said her crimes wdre

a serious breach of trust, particularly because of the

vulnerability of the three victims. The phrase "serious breach of trust,

echoed throughout this court, not only from the judgement frol the

prosecution and defence as well She was finding it too difficult to come

to terms with what she had done That she would steal from pdople she

was met be looking after. `` she was meant to be looking after.

Before she admitted her guilt in court last month,

Stokes took to Facebook and said, "I have done some terrible things

"which are unforgivable and I am truly sorry

"to all the people I have htrt. I love all my family, take care "

We've been told the manager of the company running the care hole was

told about Rachel stealing from clients in March of last ye`r,

several months before she was arrested.

But, despite attempts to contact them today, we've not had a reply.

Tonight, Rachel Stokes starts an eight month prison sentence `

she'll serve four months before being released on licence.

Hundreds of people are expected to turn out for a walk

in memory of Hollie Gazzard this weekend.

while working at a Gloucestdr hair salon in February.

On Sunday, her family will walk from

the King Teddy Pub in Longldvens, where she used to work,

through Churchdown ` where the family live ` to Cheltenham

I dare say that walking... Ht will be a two or three hour walk. It will

be a little long for some pdople. It will be a good conversation,

remembering the bright young lady that she was.

22`year`old Thomas Maslin from Benhall Gardens in Cheltenham

has been charged with Hollie's murder.

A warning has been issued to parents after a bogus social worker

was allowed into a house in Gloucester to check on a baby.

The woman had fake ID and claimed to be from social sdrvices

before going into the home in Deerhurst Place in Quedgdley

Whilst in there she checked the heartbeat of the four`month`old

Police are investigating and social services have urged

all parents to check identification before letting anyone in.

A Bristol woman who has been waiting for a kidney

Asian and Afro`Caribbean people to donate organs.

New figures, from Bristol`b`sed NHS Blood And Transplant, show

a staggering shortage in thd numbers willing to give up a kidney.

Our Health Correspondent, Matthew Hill,

has been to meet two young women who've been affected.

These two young women have got to know each other very well.

That's because they have both been on dialysis together

Aneesha has just been given a kidney,

So, three times a week, she comes to Southmead Hosphtal

And, after 11 years waiting, time is running out.

I am running out of places to have dialysis from now. I have h`d so

meek obligations for waiting for so long. I don't know how long this

will keep me alive for. Aneesha's father donated ond of

his kidneys to her a year ago. It has changed my life completely.

Amazing. I cannot believe it has happened. You cannot think of how

happy we are, seeing her live her life.

The latest figures show that 30% of patients

waiting for an organ tranplant in Bristol

are black or from an ethnic minority.

But only 2% of kidney donathons to strangers come from this group.

That's why the Lord Mayor is trying to sign up as manx people

from this community as he c`n to donate their organs.

There are some myths. Some people think there are religious b`rriers.

Some people say that the wax God sent us into this world is the way

we should leave. But that is not true. The Abra Hammock Baig says to

save someone's life. The average wait for

a kidney transplant is thred years. Just a three month on from the Lord

Mayor's appeal starting, thdre promising signs.

On one day alone, 40 worshippers at this mosque signed up for this

donation scheme and so far lore than 200 new names are down on this bit

of paper. The average wait for

a kidney transplant is thred years. So, for people like Maureen,

who have already been on thd list for more than a decade,

the odds are very much against them. Well, it's been a mixed day,

weather`wise ` and Ian will be here with the full

weekend forecast shortly. In the blue corner ` the unlikely

source helping Bristol Rovers as they prepare for

the fight of their liv.s as they prepare for

the fight of their lives. A Yeovil man whose lies forced

a pub to shut has been spardd jail. Joshua Bonehill`Pain `

who claims to be a rising star of the right wing ` made up an internet

hoax about the Globe in Leicester. He said it had banned

British armed forces. The story wasn't true,

but it quickly spread and soon staff there

were being threatened. Hired security

for extra protection. In August last year,

staff at this pub in Leicester began to be abused, even

given death threats over thd phone. At first, they were confused,

but then found they were the victims of an internet hoax `

a story on this website, called the Daily Bale, clailed

the Globe pub had barred melbers of the British armed forces for fear

of offending the Islamic colmunity. It was all lies ` made up

by this man, Joshua Bonehill`Pain. Describing himself as a "rising

star of the British Far`Right," he arrived at court today

in a Union Flag style tie. He pled guilty to making thd hoax.

The pub had to high securitx staff, it had to send Saab home for its own

safety and then had to temporarily closed. Some of the vocals they were

getting by threatening to fhrebomb the pub and threatening Sue sent

round groups of people to bdat up the staff.

The backlash meant lost customers, lost money and a damaged reputation.

the manager said there was genuine fear staff could be targeted.

We are getting our staff hole in taxis and generally keeping

customers aware of what is going on as well through notices on the

Windows and in the pub, informing them that it is nonsense.

In court today, Bonehill`Pahn ` now 21 years old `

any similar opffences in th`t time could see him put behind bars.

The Government wants Bristol to lead the way in tackling climate change.

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury came here to announce

a grant of ?7 million to support the city

Here's our political editor, Paul Barltrop.

Getting off to a slow start, but picking up speed.

and Bristol's mayor riding electric bikes,

but the Green Capital project they're backing.

The city's already well`known for cycling.

Now other initiatives will be boosted.

Thank you very much. It is brilliant you have come to Bristol and

brilliant you have brought the money with you!

Big names from the city gathered to hear

that the Government's giving ?7 million.

The venue ` an eco`friendly office ` is one way Bristol leads thd way.

I passionately believe that as a country we have to lead the world in

Green energy, in tackling climate change, in adapting to live our

lives more sustainably. That is what the Green Capital is about. It is to

spread understanding. Going Green does not save the Earth it `` does

not cost the earth, it will save the Earth.

In the pipeline ` everything from festivals and schools progr`mmes

to a Bristol Prize for eco`friendly technology.

Since Bristol won the award last year,

there've been plenty of photo opportunities.

But the enthusiasm of the city's leading lights

I don't know. I have never heard of it. What is the Green Capit`l? Is it

to do with money? I don't think we yet deserve it but we will deserve

it by the end of 2015. The mayor knows he must now

turn fine words into deeds Absolutely. And there will be

elephant traps along the wax. I will have things thrown at me, s`ying why

are you doing this? I am absolutely up for that, I am up for those

discussions but what we must do is make sure that Bristol becoles an

exemplar city where other pdople want to follow.

It is early days was the politicians are on board and they are coming up

with the cash. Next comes the considerable challenge of convincing

ordinary people to get involved in the Green Capital project.

Well, our political editor, Paul Barltrop, is here now.

Paul, you mentioned the ordinary people `

So what difference will being Green Capital make?

It does sound a bit wordy. There is a hope that the prime and stability

and a conference. There is `n education programme in school but

not what the common people will get to enjoy. The organisers sax they

will be some popular events. There is an emphasis on things th`t are

free and fun. There is one thing happening in Bristol next wdek, we

have some special events gohng on. They will be closing Park Street.

They will hopefully have a water slide running down it. Is that what

the ?7 million will be spent on They are talking to the Bushness

Committee. They have done a bit of research and they reckoned ht could

be worth ?200 million, all of the investment that will come in with

the European Green Capital xear As to what events will be going on

wait for the autumn when thd announcement will come. Thank you.

The West has a rich musical history `

and today ten young artists are hoping to make their

mark on it. They've signed tp to a new record label in the chty

But in these days of social media and Mp3 plaxers

anyone and everyone seems to release their own music onlhne.

This is the sound of Tease Productions. 90s sound but very much

modern. He is only 15. It w`s a good moment. I saw a future building

here. Independently, there `re here. Independently, there `re

budgets and things like that. With the label behind it, supporting it

is easy to get what needs to be done. While Tease is mixing

melodies, Josh is developing a live folk like sound. To be offered some

thing like this so early on is a great start for me. Hardly because I

don't want to jump into havhng a manager and publicist. I want to

enjoy as much time as I can to enjoy being creative. Ten artists have

been signed up across different musical genres, each will h`ve a

release in the next year, whth the label supporting them and ddveloping

their music and their profile. I like to call it a kick`start a

label. It is mainly for building them up as an artist. It is all

about exposure and the experience. At least ten young artists `re

hoping for both. A gilded bronze statue with

a reserve price of around ?150 has sold at

auction in Gloucestershire for. . The figure of the Hindu God

Lord Shiva went under the h`mmer at British Bespoke Auctions

in Winchcombe. The final sum was much highdr than

predicted after the listing was posted on the internet

and seen by collectors worldwide. Bristol Rovers are facing

the most important match Will, they're hanging on,

aren't they? But only just. Yes, there are two games left in the

season with the bottom two hn the table dropping out of the ldague

altogether. Bristol Rovers `re currently sitting third frol bottom,

just above that drop zone, `nd they are on the same point as thd team

below them. It is as tight `s it could be.

No`one wants to think of what might happen if Rovdrs go

down, especially former Rovdrs and England defender Gary M`bbutt.

I haven't even thought about it I cannot imagine the story was being

out of the league. It has bden a very tough year but with two games

to go, the players know what is at stake. They know what they have to

do and I'm sure they will do it There's so much attention

on the club at the moment. Yes, I think it must be the buddied

is whether it helps hold thdm back. Luck plays a part. Whoever hs

focused and motivated, they will come through. I have been speaking

to Glenn Catley. Going Catley won British and world

boxing titles and now he helps others succeed. And confidence is

key. I went into all of my fights confident, even though I was written

for most of them. That didn't matter because in my heart and mind, I knew

it was a done deal, I was going to win that fight before I walked into

the ring. You have to cope with everything that comes with ht and

try and perform on the day. Do you think you we will avoid reldgation?

Yes. They are facing the te`m won `` one place above them in the league.

There is a mix of players, some of whom will not be affected at all,

some will be more affected than others and it is how you manage

that. There have been some nerves in the camp, on both sides. It is a big

game. There is a chance for people to be heroes and to be relidved and

happy at the end. That is what makes a difference between a win `nd a

loser, those who perform under pressure and those who can't.

Mindset is everything. When our stress goes up, we lose a ldg or

signals in our brain. The subconscious, which is the primitive

part of the brain takes over. That is a bad road because behavhng that

way, you won't make the right decision and the results can be

disastrous. Disaster is the main thing Rovers want to avoid. But

anything less than a win tolorrow could leave them in big trotble

I am trying not to engage mx subconscious mind right now.

Well, Yeovil's fate in the Championship could bd sealed

anything but a win will see their relegation confirmed.

Tomorrow, Swindon travel to Notts County

They need to win and hope Peterborough slip up to takd it

Bristol City and Cheltenham are both sitting comfortably in mid`table.

for the semi`final of the European Challenge Ctp.

The two sides have met twicd in the Premiership this season,

with Bath coming out top on both occasions.

Bath won this competition in 2008 and that was the last time

Last time offer in the semifinal was six years ago. Seven years `go. With

it being a rare occasion, wd want to make the most of it. We don't want

to look back on Monday mornhng with a chance gone. And when to do

everything in our power to the able to progress to a final. Frol that

point of view, it is huge. And Bristol, already guaranteed top

spot in the Championship, play their final game of the regular sdason

against London Scottish tomorrow. The promotion play`offs start in a

fortnight. And at the world snooker

championships in Sheffield, Bristol's Judd Trump and

Gloucester's Michael Wasley are both in second`round

action tomorrow. Thank you. I expected a lot of

people have their fingers crossed for that.

Now Bristol has two new world champions ` and what's more,

The brother and sister ` who are both in their teens ` won their

But their training place ` well, it's perhaps not quitd what

you'd expect ` Andy Howard is there for us now

Thank you. Welcome to the Mdcca of this particular sport in thd West

Country. The pinnacle then xou in the country. Actually, it is a

shared in a back garden. But it sounds like no other. You mhght

think the closest thing to Riverdance round here is thd River

Avon around the corner. You would be wrong. Here, we have the newest

champions in Bristol, the champions in Irish dancing. It looks

brilliant. Are you Irish? Not at all. How did you get into it? My

brothers did it and we followed on. You are just following your

brothers? Absolutely. Tigers back to the world Championships. Yot are

individual and you do it in a group. Explain that. You do two

rounds and if you are in thd top, you wait for the results. The girls

do two dances each and wait for the results. You have your lovely

trophies in the back. How long are you in here on a weekly bashs.

Hours. A couple of hours a day. You must look brilliant in nightclubs. I

dread to think what you do hn there! Your mother was there to watch you

win the gold. You must be proud Extremely proud. Does the mtsic gets

on your nerves? Let us start again. They train for a depression or

sport. David, I got you those lessons you asked for. Your book in

tomorrow morning. It is all in the hamstrings! You will be find!

Shall we go over to the weather Mixed fortunes would be the

headline. One common thread right the way through Saturday and through

part of Sunday is a blusterx story all the way through. This is how

things are looking on a widdr view. This area of low pressure spins

closer to the tip of Cornwall, which will then dominate the pattdrn

through the weekend. A dry start tomorrow for many but there will be

the bands of low pressure working through. That's low very slowly

moving towards the East, through the English Channel. A similar pattern

in the brought speed of things. `` brought speed of things. Through

this evening, it is starting to dry out for those in Gloucestershire

where it has been pretty wet lately. There will be a dry face through the

first part of tonight. A mild night with temperatures around seven up to

nine degrees. A band of rain will work eastwards, but you can see by

six in the morning, it is exiting towards the north`east. He was the

brighter phase through the lorning. That'll be the best part of the the

general sense of avoiding the wet weather. Towards lunchtime, the

chance of getting bursts of rain becomes more frequent and dominant

in terms of geography of our region. All of us will see wet weather but

not in any one space. It will be on and off all day. There will be some

heavy outbreaks. The wind speeds are pretty brisk as well. Temperatures

tomorrow, around 14 Celsius will be typical maximum age we see hn places

will stop suddenly when the brighter spells come through. On Sunday, the

broad approach it will be a similar day. Right spells with showdrs. Some

of us will be pretty lively, some thunder around as well. The settled

theme starts next week, start one but then gets cooler.

I thought it would get bettdr! You nonbelievers on a high. That is it

from us for now. Are we back at a PM with an update. For now, goodbye.

at the European elections on May the 22nd.

even though that would wreck the recovery and destroy jobs.

The Conservatives are now openly flirting with exit.

they just don't have the courage of their convictions on this.

They wouldn't lift a finger to help keep Britain in the EU

So, I'm asking you to vote for the Liberal Democrats, the party of in.

In for the sake of British prosperity and jobs

I'm in because we set the global standards