15/02/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. Tonight's top story: Facing jail indefinitely

- sexual predator Eifion Royle tried to kidnap a teenager just

weeks after leaving prison for Also tonight: Empty factories like

these are keeping unemployment high. But latest figures show an

encouraging end to last year. Carl Whant takes the stand on the

first day of his defence to deny murdering his heavily pregnant

girlfriend, Nikitta Grender. And, what will your council tax bill

look like next year? We are promised the lowest rise in years.

And in tonight's Sport: An injury update from Warren Gatland ahead of

the England game. And, it's all change - meet the new man in charge

of the Ospreys. And he was a natural in the ring at four years

old, now he's going for the Olympic Good evening. A man described as a

sexual predator has been jailed indefinitely after trying to kidnap

a teenager just weeks after he was released from prison for a similar

offence. Eifion Royle was living at a probation hostel when he tried to

abduct the 19-year-old in Bangor last September. Today, a judge

warned he may never be set free. Matt Murray reports.

Two per described as a sexual predator and a danger to women,

this is a Eifion Royle being jailed eight years ago after trying to

kidnap a 19-year-old cyclist, just weeks after being released for this

crime, and still living in a bail hostel, he carried out a similar

attack. He had been an -- in and out of jail for decades. His

offences date back to the 1980s. 30 years ago he was convicted of an

indecent assault on a 9-year-old girl. In 2004 he was jailed after

he abducted in 19-year-old cyclist on a country lane in Snowdonia. She

only managed to escape when she jumped from his moving car. In 2008

he was released from prison, but recalled a for trying to meet young

women in it used to -- Eastern Europe. In 2010 he was recalled

once again because he was believed to be a risk to the public. A year

later he was out of prison after serving his sentence. Three weeks

after being released, he once again attempted to abduct a 19-year-old

girl who was walking along this street in Bangor in September last

year. Eifion Royle's victim was walking home alone after a barbecue

at a friend's house. She spotted him staring at her. At that point,

he tried to grab her and forced her into a car. She screamed and

managed to escape. She then alerted police. Knowing his history, the

police immediately went to the hostel in Bangor and arrested him.

He had been reading books about kidnapping and sexual abuse. Today,

the Parole Board said it would not comment on individual cases. On

sentencing Eifion Royle, the judge said he had shown little remorse

for his latest events, and TV continues to remain a risk, he may

never be released from prison. We will soon get a letter telling

us how much our council tax is for the next year. It is expected to

rise by a record low demand. Figures from the Local Government

Association shows that in Wales, the increase for 2012 - 13 will be

2.1%. Lest it has some places in detail. In Conwy, a 4% rise is

expected. On Anglesey, the figure is 5%, the highest in Wales. In the

south, generally lower rises with Cardiff's for the standing at one

point 4%, while three councils - Swansea, Caerphilly and

Monmouthshire, expect a council tax freeze.

From waste collection to leisure centres to street lighting, the

council tax payers for many of our local services. Despite squeezed

budgets, the body which represents local authorities predicts an

average rise of 2.1% in Wales in 2012 - 13. This record low figure

is on the basis of data from 18 of our 22 councils. It is good news.

Clearly, councils are responding to the very difficult economic

conditions out there, particularly pressures on household budgets.

People are very sensitive to the impact of pay cuts, inflation and a

range of other factors. There is a distinct North-South difference to

the increases. Three councils face rises of between 3% and 4%, whilst

the largest rise it is in Anglesey at 5%. Over the years we have kept

the late -- rate low, but on the other hand, we need to look after

services and we must maintain our services at the present level. To

do this, we have got to raise the rate, unfortunately. By contrast,

in the south, Swansea, Caerphilly and Monmouthshire anticipate no

rise at all. News that went down in Chepstow today. It is good to hear.

Yes. We pay quite a lot as it is. Everyone is just skint and they

can't afford it. I live out in the sticks, so I am always a bit more...

I don't get as much as the town's folk. We pay enough already.

Council tax has been frozen in England. The Welsh government opted

to use almost �39 million from the Treasury to improve school

buildings and create apprenticeships instead of freezing

it here. The Conservatives disagree with that. The question is, who is

best to spend this money? You the individual, or some bureaucrat in

civic offers all Welsh government? I believe we should have frozen

council tax. The money was made available by at Westminster. A both

the Welsh government and the W LGA argue that, even without a freeze,

council tax bills are lower here than in England. �275 less for an

average household. That is an argument for voters to ponder in

the run-up to council elections in May.

If you want to see a full list of the potential council tax rises

across Wales, you can look at the BBC Wales news website.

A health board has paid a five- figure out of court settlement to a

patient to suffered a cardiac arrest after adrenalin was wrongly

injected into his veins. Aubrey Harris went into hospital in 2010

after the injection was wrongly given to him.

The existing unit will be replaced what is more than 50 years old. It

is part of a multi-million pound redevelopment.

14 migrant workers from Poland have been awarded more than two Hutcheon

�50,000 in compensation from a sub- contractor carrying out

construction work in a new port. An employment tribunal heard the men

did not receive the correct overtime payments, were deducted

one day's lodging allowance and did not receive leave payments for

seven months. The GMB union is still working to ensure that Polish

workers get their payout. Latest figures show that unemployment

levels in Wales stabilised at the end of last year. The number of

people out of work for the three months to December stood at 134,000

- that is down 3000 on the quarter. The reduction in Wales has been

welcomed, but business groups and politicians believe it still

remains unacceptably high. Here's our Business Correspondent Nick

Servini. These machines and a major

recycling plant have been left silent for now after hitting

financial difficulties. The administrators have been called

into plastics sorting near Blackwood. They are hopeful of

finding a buyer. Companies going into administration is the big fear.

It has happened at one of the biggest companies in Wales,

Peacocks, but it is happening in other places as well. They are not

necessarily hitting the headlines. The effect is the same. Here at

this recycling centre, nearly 30 jobs have been lost. It is not

clear whether a buyer can be found. Relatively small losses like this

have been replicated elsewhere. Today's figures give an indication

of what happened in the Welsh jobs market in 2011. It began quite

strongly, but figures rose sharply in the summer and autumn, before

coming under control again towards the end of the year. The figures

are still high by any reckoning. This mixed picture is being

reflected on the ground. In recent weeks, Virgin Media has announced

it is taking on 250 people in Swansea, while Lloyds Banking Group

is making 200 losses in Cardiff and Newport. And more than 1000 jobs at

Peacocks are still under threat in Wales as a buyer is sought for the

company. Efforts are being made to try to create employment. This

awards ceremony was held in Cardiff today, to celebrate young

entrepreneurs. The winners who ran a translation company said success

can be achieved, despite difficult times. It was difficult. People

told us not to do it. They said it was too risky, the economic climate

was not conducive to starting a brand new company. But we ignored

them, we took what we think is a calculated risk, and it paid off.

There is a lot of doom and gloom around. I think there needs to be

more encouragement that people can achieve things if they put their

minds to it. We have had sheer determination to get where we have

got to. The champagne corks are not pot -- popping in today's Market,

but many believe it could be worse. It is going to feel very different,

isn't it, for people who were out there looking for a job and

struggling to find work? Yes, on the day that the unemployment

figures have come out, a lot of people have something to say and

many have referred to the competitive nature of the jobs

market. We have spoken about the issue of youth unemployment and

this catch 22 situation - young people needed spirit to get a job

but can't get that experience. I have spoken to a recruitment

consultant who said that in Wales a lot of people who do have jobs

could be in things like agency work, they could be doing part-time work,

and they could be on temporary contracts because the employers

don't have that much confidence in their order book, looking past six

months or so, and as a result are not prepared to offer permanent

contracts at the moment. What I employers saying at the moment?

They are saying that some people are reasonably confident. It is

worth saying that the unemployment rate in Wales at 9% is better than

many other parts of the UK. The North of England, for example, is

substantially higher in unemployment and Wales. And even

London. Within that there are encouraging signs, and 20,000 more

people are in employment on the quarter with our latest figures,

which shows that at least there is some private sector job creation

going on, but whether it is enough is another matter. The man accused

of murdering a teenager from Newport to was two weeks away from

giving birth has denied he was obsessed with her. 27-year-old Carl

Whant has been giving evidence at his trial at Newport Crown Court.

Kate Scott-Williams reports. Nikitta Grender was just two weeks

away from giving birth to her first child when she died. Her baby girl.

The man accused of murdering her is Carl Whant, the cousin of Nikita's

boyfriend. He told the jury he had known Ryan all his life and they

did everything together. He said he thought Nikita was all right, but

denied having an obsession with her. Hours before Nikitta Grender was

murdered, Carl Whant took Ryan Mayes back to the flat he shared

with Nikita after finishing work. Carl Whant told the jury that Rhine

invited him to have sex with Nikita. It was just one of those things.

Carl Whant failed to mention this and his initial police interviews,

saying he did not want to cause embarrassment. Later that night,

Carl Whant and Ryan Mayes went out with friends. The jury was shown

CCTV footage of them in a pub. It was here that Carl Whant said he

was upset by a man who spilt his pint, and that a woman had to

restrain him from chasing after him. This is how he explained scratch

like marks on his wrist to his govern the next day. The group

ended up at a house party and will be and -- early hours of the

morning. Carl Whant said he left the party at around 5:00am to go to

his grand mother to get some cigarettes. When he failed to wake

up, he returned to the House Party empty handed. He told the court,

"instead of taking the shortish route he took a longer tried

because he did not want to be stopped by the police because he

had been drinking and taking drugs". When Carl Whant drove ran back to

his flat, he said they saw the fire engines and police before they

realised what had happened. Carl Whant denies all the charges

against him and he will continue Still to come in the programme:

A rare insight into the RAF search and rescue operation at Valley -

the busiest team in the UK. And we are in Sheffield to meet two

young athletes who have already put a place at the London Olympics.

There's been a safety warning from firefighters after an incident in

which they believe an eight-year- old boy was burnt after using

candles to make a games console work. Kieran Davies from Ammanford

is recovering in a specialist burns unit. His family says it's not

clear yet what happened. They've been speaking to our reporter

Rhodri Lewis. Kieran Davies was upstairs in his

bedroom on Monday evening when the fire began. His stepfather said he

heard screaming and raced to help. I ran in, so he was covered in

flames, so I put him out, whips that he should off, took him

straight... My girlfriend phoned for an ambulance, I took him into

the bathroom to put called water over him because that is what they

tell you to do. And then we had to wait for the services to come out.

Fire Officers believe the eight- year-old had been playing with his

Wii games console. They understand tea lights had been used in place

of a sensor on the machine which was broken. The games consoles have

become massively popular. Infrared technology - picking up your

movements when you play - but if the sensor's broken, using tea

lights has become known as a potential fix - a dangerous one

according to firefighters. I am completely shocked, in all honesty,

that the public are prepared to do this sort of thing in order to get

the games system to work. I would rather see them pay for the report

-- repairs. Kieran was airlifted to the specialist unit at Morriston

Hospital in Swansea with burns to his chest and arms. His family say

he's too upset to talk about what happened, but they denied the fire

service's claim he'd been allowed to play with matches. They say it's

impossible to say how the fire started. I don't understand why my

nephew would do that because he's not one to play with fire or play

with candles. Kieran's already had a skin graft from his leg to help

treat the burns. He's expected to stay in hospital for at least two

weeks. A community group has been moved

from a hotel in Swansea. A judge ordered them to leave the Dolphin

Hotel. The group said it was serving the community by organising

a cafe. They risk their own safety in

rescue operations around the clock, every day of the year. Now, the

work of the RAF search and rescue teams have been captured on camera

in a new documentary. Wales is the busiest area for crews in the UK.

500 people were rescued here last This is how search-and-rescue used

to be done. Over the years, it has changed a bit. BBC Wales has been

allowed access to the two bases that cover the country. RAF Valley

in Anglesey and achieve an hour in Devon. Never before have they been

under such scrutiny with a royal In tonight's programme, the crew

come to the aid of a man who injured himself in a kayak in the

Brecon Beacons. Steady. Height to good. One man who knows the value

of the service is Michael Peck. He was trapped by the tide of on a

Beach in the Vale of Glamorgan. They were circling for a bit and

then a guy came down on a wire. They put a band around my arms and

then started to lift me up. If it was not for them, it would have

been a lot worse for me. They probably saved my life. The future

of search-and-rescue is currently being debated but two helicopters

are on standby waiting for the next rescue in Wales.

And you can see the first programme in the series at 7:30pm on BBC One

Wales. Time for all the latest sport now,

and Claire's here with an injury update on the Wales team.

Good evening. Four of Wales' first choice players are hoping to be

back in training on Monday ahead of the Triple Crown match against

England. Warren Gatland gave a medical update today as thousands

of rugby fans turned out to watch Wales train. And it's been a busy

day at the Ospreys. It's all change. Two coaches cut their ties with the

club as former player, Steve Tandy, was confirmed as the new man in

charge at the region. The Ospreys don't mess around. Out

with the old and in with the new on the same day. Unveiled today, 32-

year-old Steve Tandy. A form Ospreys player now appointed head

coach. It is a difficult situation but I have got a great relationship

with the two coaches. I am sure if I ever need advice they will be

there. It is an honour to be given such a position. I will work with a

young and experienced group. will be aware of the expectation

that surrounds the club. He played 102 times for the region and has

been part of the set-up since the beginning. He leaves his role as

coach of Bridgend's having already taken control of the Ospreys cup

games this season. His outgoing head coach, Sean Holley, Leeds end

in a nine-year spell and his exit is followed by Scott Johnson. It

was thought he would stay until the end of the season before joining

Scotland but he too has cut all ties. It was concluded at the end

that this was the best way forward for both parties. In Steve we see

somebody who has a really strong leadership qualities. He was the

right choice for us. Play is in the Wales squad no doubt keeping an eye

on developments at home. Present but not training today, George

North. His ankle is still being monitored. But he and several key

players are hoping to train from early next week. The weekend has

definitely taken its toll. It was a pretty physical game, especially at

the contact area, so there are few saw bodies, but fortunately we have

got a week off. Hopefully we will have a full squad to choose from.

And that training today, making plenty of noise, half-term

spectators. Almost 13,500 snapped up a chance to watch the session at

the Millennium Stadium. Football, and Wales are up to 42nd

in the latest FIFA world rankings - that's their highest position since

1995. Meanwhile, there was a first win in four for Cardiff City last

night as the Bluebirds moved back up to third in the Championship

table with a win over Peterborough. Peter Whittingham, Rudy Gestede and

Haris Vukic scored all three goals within six minutes, just before

half time, to beat the visitors 3-1. We were playing against a good team

tonight and a team who can really damage opposition and create lots

of chances. We restricted them massively tonight and we ended up

with 21 shots. The goalkeeper made four or five incredible saves as

well. We are delighted with the response from the players.

For many athletes, it's an anxious time as they try to qualify for the

Olympic Games. No such worries for two boxers who've already booked

their place and are confident of getting gold this summer. Fred

Evans and Andrew Selby are hoping to be the first Welshmen to pick up

an Olympic medal in the ring since 1972. Tomos Dafydd went to their

Asking them to look mean in front of the cameras, that is a bit of a

challenge. But it is second nature in the ring. I get butterflies are

now when I think about it. I think 10,000 people, a sell-out, for each

venue. It is going to be unbelievable. Fred Evans from

Cardiff was just out of nappies when he put on his first pair of

boxing gloves. He stood out at just four years old. His coach has

stayed with him ever since. Nigel Davies says he spotted his

potential at an early age. I told everyone this kid was special as a

four-year-old boy. He went through season after season undefeated. He

was a terrific prospect. I wish I had put a �100 on him winning an

Olympic medal in 2012 a. He another short bet for the Games is Andrew

Selby. He is from a family of boxes in Barry but his mother still

doesn't like him getting het up. She has only been to watch me once

but I have got a ticket for her to the Olympics and she is over the

moon. My dad was a boxer and then my brother and I followed my

brother. I won the Welsh title and then I thought I could be better

and I am here now. A over the next few months, both boxes will be

assessing potential Olympic competitors, going head-to-head

with other hopefuls in training camps. Today they are up against

the French. Wales has a proud boxing tradition but Olympic

success has been elusive. No medals for a Welshman since 1972 when

Ralph Evans picked up a bronze. Gold is the aim for these two put

the next few months will be punishing if they are to achieve

their boyhood dreams. Another boyhood dream achieved here.

Derek always wanted to be a I am a lucky boy. It is quite mild

at the moment. It felt more like spring than winter today. The

temperature in Newport reached 11 degrees Celsius. That is four

degrees above average. There is more mild weather to come this week

but it looks like turning colder over the weekend. Not as cold as it

was last week but still some frost on the way. In the meantime, most

places drive. A few spots of drizzle in the north and Ceredigion.

Lowest temperatures around three degrees Celsius. I would not rule

out a ground frost in parts of the south-east. Tomorrow's chart shows

high pressure to the south-west of Britain with a cold front moving

across Scotland. Tomorrow morning, a cloudy start for the south-east

and that goes for most of the country. Thick cloud could be thick

enough for the odd spot of drizzle, otherwise a try morning. High

temperatures in North Wales around six degrees Celsius. Plenty of

cloud again tomorrow but there will be a few gaps and sunny spells.

Mostly dried butter, in parts of the north and west, it may turn

down during the afternoon. -- mostly dry, but in the West.

Temperatures rising to 10 degrees Celsius tomorrow. Tomorrow night

and into Friday, it some rain and drizzle. Some dry weather as well.

Temperatures on the mild side but feeling cooler. As for the weekend,

there is a change on the wave. A spell of rain on Saturday which

will clear up to a brighter weather on Sunday. Temperatures a little

below average, falling close to freezing or just below overnight.

Our picture tonight is from Tabitha Jones, an upside-down rainbow. It

is caused by sunlight shining through ice crystals in cirrus

The main use again tonight, the official figures show that most of

the newly unemployed and are women. The figures fell by 3,000 to

December. And a man described as a sexual

predator has been jailed indefinitely after trying to kidnap

a teenager in Banda. He attempted to update the 19-year-old just

weeks after he was released from prison for a similar offence. --

Bangor or. And that's Wales Today. We'll have

a quick update at 8pm. More after the BBC 10pm News. Don't forget you