31/03/2014 BBC Wales Today

That's all from the BBC News at Six - on BBC One we now

Coming up in Wales Today: Our top story: The Mother's Day walk that

ended in tragedy - a 68-year-old woman has died after being cut off

by the tide as she walked dogs with her daughter.

The RNLI warning tonight about the dangers of fast moving spring tides.

Gleision coal mine where four men died - did the manager disregard

workers' safety? House prices on the move - but the direction depends on

where you live. Melanie got one when she was 13 - it

became infected and now new regulations for tattooists.

And in tonight's sport: Swansea City edge closer to Premier League safety

and Cardiff STILL in with a chance of staying-up but can the fans take

any more last minute dramas? Good evening. The RNLI is warning

people tonight about the dangers of fast-moving spring tides after a

68-year-old woman died during a mother's day walk in

Carmarthenshire. Susan Hackett was walking with her daughter and eight

dogs on Cefn Sidan beach yesterday when they got into difficulty.

Lifeboat teams also dealt with two other incidents over the weekend.

Our reporter Abigail Neal is outside Burry Port Harbour near where it

happened. Abi? Thanks. I'm not sure if you can see

but just behind me you can see a stretch of sand were the seagulls

are now. Within a few minutes that was quite a large sandbank but has

now completely disappeared because the tide is coming in at such a fast

rate and that does illustrate the danger of how you can get cut off

field without realising and it was just beyond the peer over there that

40-year-old Emma Hackett and 68-year-old Susan Hackett were

walking their eight dogs when they became stranded. The lifeboat

station is over there and they were here within five minutes but it was

then too late to save everyone. The two women had headed out from

Cambrai towards Burry Port. By late afternoon, the Mother's Day treat

turned to panic when they were stranded on a sandbank as the tide

rushed in. The RNLI was called by someone on the beach who saw them in

trouble. Rescuers arrived within minutes and spotted the daughter

already submerged in the water. She was very hypothermic and frightened

and concerned for her mother. We didn't have any news by then

other than when she was located in the air and sea rescue said it was

deemed better that they would recover the needy from the water.

This area is known as treacherous because when a person is cut off,

the force of water is so strong that there would be no possibility of

trying to swim for sure. 40-year-old Emma Hackett survived but her

68-year-old mother Susan Hackett could not be saved. Five of the dog

also drowned. Tonight rescue teams are warning people to check the tide

times before heading out. As you can see, we are blessed with a lovely

coastline but it presents a danger. People need to leave enough time to

get back from wherever they walk to but ultimately, if they feel they

are in any danger they need to call the coastguard immediately. The

winning -- the warning signs are there. It seems to be worse since

the last storms we had because I think the sand is a not flatter. The

tide was a long way out yesterday. You have to worry about the tide

because it can come in suddenly. Having said that, it goes out so far

you wouldn't have thought it would be that quick but it is obviously

dangerous. This stretch of coastline has long been notorious for failures

and now it proves it still has the ability to claim lives. There were a

couple of other incidents where emergency crews were sent out

because they had become stranded, one in the mumbles and another near

Penarth on Sully Island. The RNLI said we are experiencing

particularly high spring tides at the moment and we need to make sure

we leave enough time to get back because as we can see here,

especially on the sandbanks, the tide can come in much quicker than

you think. A mine manager facing four counts of

manslaughter through gross negligence - failed to comply with

safety regulations - a jury has heard. The prosecution says Malcolm

Fyfield took "staggering risks" at the Gleision Mine in the Swansea

valley, which flooded after a wall was breached in 2011. He denies the

charges. Cemlyn Davies was in court. A simple but catastrophic mistake

that should never have been made. That's how the prosecution described

what happened at Gleision on the day four colliers lost their lives.

Garry Jenkins, Philip Hill, David Powell and Charles Breslin all

drowned after 650,000 gallons of water poured into the section of the

mine where they working. The men were trying to break through to a

disused part of the mine and the jury heard Malcolm Fyfield had been

repeatedly warned about the presence of water in that area. But according

to the prosecution "Mr Fyfield decided to go his own way. He must

have thought he could breach the old workings without causing danger to

anyone", the barrister said. The jury heard Mr Fyfield told

police he'd gone into the old central workings the day before the

disaster and found there was no body of standing water there. It's the

prosecution's case that Malcolm Fyfield had misjudged where the

water was. The jury was shown these industry regulations which clearly

state "it's the mine manager's duty to prevent any inrush". Mr Fyfield

should have notified the mine inspector of his intention to break

through to the old workings even if he didn't think there was water

there. The prosecution say he failed to comply with that regulation.

Concluding his opening statement, Gregg Taylor QC said, "The mine

manager is there to make the correct calculations and men's lives depend

on him doing so. This afternoon the first witness was

called. Under cross examination Simon Cooke from the Coal Authority

confirmed Mr Fyfield was a meticulous mine manager who always

submitted updated mine plans on time. Mr Fyfield denies four counts

of manslaughter through gross negligence and the mine operators,

MNS mining have pleaded not guilty to charges of corporate

manslaughter. The trial continues. Police have been stopping and

checking cars after a report of an altercation involving a child and a

man in Cardigan. Officers were told of a young girl screaming in the

back of car outside Cardigan Secondary School. She is thought to

be between eight and 12 years old with shoulder-length brown hair.

Officers are searching for a silver to loom -- silver saloon vehicle.

The BBC understands there have been no reports of missing children.

Businesses in Wales could see their rates fall after the Economy

Minister Edwina Hart announced a ?15 million funding package. The Wales

Retail Relief Scheme could provide a discount of one thousand pounds for

retailers, and food and drink premises with a rateable value of

less than ?50,000. The former shadow Welsh secretary,

Nigel Evans, has described the effect of his arrest for rape and

sexual assault as an "absolute hell". The Swansea born MP told his

trial that the accusations would live with him for the rest of his

life. Matthew Richards is at Preston law courts. What has Mr Evans been

saying? He was asked to summarise his

feelings about the past year since he was arrested on a charge of rape,

two of indecent assault, five of sexual assault and one of attempted

sexual assault. All of which he denies. He says it has been hell. He

said as a politician it was bad enough if somebody accuse you of

having six items in your five items or less queue but this was just

awful. What does he say about the men making these claims?

There are seven men in their 20s making the allegations and Nigel

Evans knows them all to a larger or smaller extent. He said that he

couldn't recall specific occasions when he is accused of having

sexually assaulted several of them. On one occasion by putting his hand

down a man's trousers and another occasion of kissing a man. He does

admit to making a pass at a man at his home in 2009 but he said when

that was violently rejected he stopped and he felt like a chastened

child. Of rape, he said that they had had consensual intercourse but

the first inkling he had had that the man was not happy with that five

days later the police called at the door.

House prices in Wales are on the move according to the latest report

from the Land Registry. But the direction depends on where you live.

Monmouthshire has seen the biggest price rise in the last 12 months

closely followed by Cardiff, Bridgend and Anglesey. In some Welsh

counties, though, house prices have fallen, with properties in Blaenau

Gwent taking a 15%. Roger Pinney reports.

In the boom years we never stopped hearing about the endless upward

spiral of house prices with scarcely a thought for those for whom buying

was getting more and more difficult. Then came the best. In

many places rices are moving again. This latest report from the land

Registry shows that across Wales has prices rose in the last year but

there are big regional differences. On Anglesey there was healthy growth

but on this. Said of the men I straight, hoax -- this side of the

Menai Strait, has prices were down. We made a bit of many on the house

we are selling but it is not the type of house you would get a lot of

profit out of so I'm chuffed we made a bit of money from it. A rosy

picture on Anglesey but price rises do bring a downside for those

already struggling to get on the housing ladder. Across Wales there

is a mixed picture. In Anglesey and Bridgend prices are moving. Steadily

upwards. Swansea has seen prices fall but not as much as blind eye

and where property values continue to handle.

-- in Gwent. This estate agency business has

offices in Anglesey, where prices are up, and where prices are down.

He says we should worry less about prices and more about the number of

sales going through. It has been patchy and that is

transferring through to 2014. We are seeing a large number of

transactions selling so that should be the first step to house price

growth. We are seeing evidence of an

increased number of transactions, which is what the economy and the

industry needs in terms of giving certainty there will be volumes that

businesses can work off and people can buy their homes with confidence.

The key point is that house prices are taken as a financial barometer

so there may be no end in sight yet for austerity but some of us are

already feeling more confident about the future.

Much more to come before seven o'clock: It looked all over!

The goal that keeps Cardiff in the fight - it's still all to play for

with six Premier League games left. One of the UK's leading criminal

justice charities has criticised the treatment of youngsters who are held

in custody, especially when they've been in the care system. The Prison

Reform Trust says they're concerned after BBC Wales revealed that a

teenager was held on the same prison wing as the paedophile Ian Watkins.

Leon Meisl, who was in care from the age of 12, spent two months at Parc

Prison in Bridgend last year. India Pollock reports.

Ian Watkins, former lead singer with rock band Lostprophets, a predatory

paedophile convicted of a string of sex offences relating to children.

Karl Mills, a triple murderer sentenced to 35 years for killing

his baby, her mother and her grandmother. And Lionel, sentenced

to a couple of months for burglary. I would sit at the same table with

both of them. I would eat food with them. I was

disgusted. How would you feel if you were sitting down with a murderer

and a paedophile? I wouldn't go and burgle nobody again.

How did he end up with the offenders? Parc Prison won't say.

The prison service says it takes the safety of prisoners very seriously

and that prisoners are monitored closely by staff at experts say the

risks were high. The impact for young people is likely that they

will learn more about crime from people who are experienced in

committing crime so it may become that college of crime that nobody

wants it to be. There are also risks they will be harmed, bullied and

attacked. Violence is high in those institutions. And youngsters who

have been in care are more likely to find themselves in the situation.

Around 1% of all children in Wales and England are held in local

authority care however a third of the boys and 44% of the girls in

youth custody have been our are still in care. Last year the Justice

Committee said that the youth justice system was failing this

group of people. I still believe the cohorts between

18 and 21 when they leave care are not being provided for. There is a

vacuum there and governments have talked about it. Not much is being

done. I hope they will look at the report.

Leon Meisl says the experience is something he doesn't want to go

through again and now he is determined to put his criminal past

the hind him. Plans to give the Welsh Government

responsibility for raising some of the money it spends will clear an

important parliamentary hurdle tonight. The House of Commons has

been debating the Wales Bill, which could lead to the Welsh Government

being able to vary income tax rates. After today's general debate, the

details of the proposed new law will be scrutinised by Mps. Our

parliamentary correspondent David Cornock has been watching the

debate. David, just remind how significant this is?

Potentially this is quite an important day on the Welsh

devolution journey. For years we have been talking about the transfer

of more powers from Westminster to Cardiff. They have been commissions

and committees. Today MPs are getting on with the business of

legislating, passing a new law that will ultimately mean the Welsh

government gets some tax and borrowing powers for the first

time. This is a general day-to-day about the principles of this

legislation. There is a cross-party consensus in some areas that Wales

and the Welsh government should get more responsibility for raising some

of that ?15 billion a year it bends. We had a couple of controversial

areas, there is disagreement between Labour and the coalition over the

detail of the income tax powers. That will be debated as the Bill

continues its Parliamentary journey. The debate tonight will finish at

about 10pm and then it will be down for detailed scrutiny by MPs.

Keep us posted. Thank you very much. First Minister Carwyn Jones says

there are too many career politicians in Westminster. At a

conference in Cardiff he said, it's "absolutely crucial" that aspiring

politicians "get as much experience as possible outside politics." His

party's leader Ed Miliband, Conservative leader David Cameron

and the leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg have spent

almost their entire careers in politics. Mr Jones said it was an

issue for all parties. Fishermen will be able to claim some

of the cost of replacing equipment damaged during the high tides and

storms this winter. The Minister for Natural Resources and Food says

they'll be able to claim 80% of the cost of replacing pots to catch

shellfish, or 20% percent of their value if the equipment can be

repaired. Tougher controls could be brought in

for tattoo parlours, as well as clinics offering cosmetic piercing

under draft public health laws. Businesses would be required to meet

minimum hygiene and infection control standards and be listed in a

new register. Matt Murray reports. Peter to here is a Russian

proverb... For Melanie Smith from Cardiff every

tattoo on her body reflects her passions. From her love of books to

her love for her grandmother. But there are two the 23-year-old

regrets getting. She had them done illegally when she was just 13. This

is one of them, it's always been illegible and after getting it done

it started to scab and she ended up with an infection. I was using

antiseptic all the time and I used the traditional method before I went

to the doctor. It was painful and I couldn't wear anything on my hips. I

had to get it treated with penicillin because of the infection.

Melanie's welcomes tougher controls on staff and premises offering

cosmetic procedures. Under the new law practitioners would need to pass

a test, then they'd need to explain risks to customers before any

procedures are carried out, and to offer adequate after care advice.

Here at Valkary tattoo studio they already follow those procedures.

Justin Oldham operates to the highest hygiene standards but

believes this law needs to be introduced to stop so called back

street tattoo artists operating. You hear the stories about, this

person didn't have this or didn't clean certain sections... They

dropped things on the floor and carried on using them. You hear

these horror stories and it kind of makes you feel a little bit ashamed

of your industry, really. The new law would also cover tougher

controls for clinics carrying out cosmetic piercing, acupuncture and

electrolysis. A new hygiene rating system is also being introduced at

tattoo parlours which will be similar to the scores on the doors

food hygiene rating. The risks of not getting done properly could mean

hepatitis, HIV and scarring. Tattooing done properly is an

expensive feature, the artwork is expensive, the ink is expensive and

it takes time to do properly which is why we are seeing a rise of the

cheap tattooists who can access equipment on the Internet and setup

at home. Melanie now writes a blog advising

people on tattoos. Her experience at 13 didn't put her off and she's now

entering Miss Tattoo UK. But she'll always have a permanent reminder of

the mistake she made. Football and rugby in tonight's

sport. Here's Claire. Good evening. Just six games left to

play but Cardiff City manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, says his team is

displaying the right character to stay in the Premier League. They're

clinging to their top flight status after a dramatic climax at West

Brom. Swansea City's position is now more comfortable after they beat

fellow strugglers, Norwich, to move seven points clear of the relegation

places. Ashleigh Crowter reports. In a match that bordered on the

surreal, it was fitting that a young player called Dali had the final

say. Absolutely sensational! The managers couldn't believe their

eyes. A 3-3 draw was a joke because

relegation and survival flashed in front of their eyes in a minute. In

the final throes of injury time, West Brom seemed to have hammered

the nail in the coffin for Cardiff but the Welsh side refused to lie

down, snatching a point that will prolong their fight.

We have to keep it going for the crystal palace came and see what we

can do but we still believe we can stay up.

Next Saturday's match is crucial for them. Swansea are breathing easier

today. They are seven points clear of the drop zone after beating

Norwich. It was a display that lifted spirits at the Liberty

Stadium, full of invention and skill. It was Garry Monk's first win

in the Premier League since the win against Cardiff. His future still

isn't decided but three more points should make the club say.

We have to win the next game. We have to then win the next one and

the next one. That is my approach and that is why demand. We can be

better and we have to improve. They want to do it and that is the key.

It is important they want to do it and they deserved it this weekend

but next weekend we have to do it all over again. Cardiff fans are

still worried about their future on and off the pitch.

The supporters trust has written to the FA, Premier League and football

league, asking them to impose rules to protect the livery as well as its

name. They are protesting the change of the club's colours from blue to

red traduced by Vincent Tan two years ago.

The 24-year-old who scored against Iceland earlier this month was

injured playing for Burnley on Saturday and will see a specialist

to plan his recovery. Welsh Premier Football side Port

Talbot say they've paid a tax bill in full. The club had the money to

Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs but they say THAT has now been

paid-off. The court dismissed the winding-up petition after hearing

that the outstanding debt had been paid in full.

Rugby, the Scarlets kept their European Cup qualification hopes on

track with a thrilling bonus point win over Connacht yesterday. Gareth

Maule stretched-over, under the posts, for their fourth try in a

dramatic finish. The Welsh region are on target to finish sixth.

Meanwhile it was a triumphant return for hooker Matthew Rees following

his treatment for testicular cancer. He came on from the bench as the

Blues beat title-hopefuls Ulster, 28-23. He said it was good to be

back. It has been a tough couple of months

for myself but normally I am quite a positive person and to reflect

back, I was quite fortunate to be able to train through the

treatment. And the support I've had from throughout the world has been

great. Overwhelming. Nice to see him back. And it's

always nice to see Derek. Some thunder around this afternoon?

A big change this afternoon. Heavy downpours and rumbles of thunder. A

big difference to yesterday which was the warmest day of the year so

far. In Porthmadog the temperature soared to nearly 21 Celsius, 70

Fahrenheit, making it warmer than Majorca! And totally the opposite of

last March which was the coldest for over 50 years. This March has been

warmer, drier and sunnier than average. A welcome boost after such

a wet winter! This evening rain and showers will continue to spread

northwards. Heavy downpours in places too with thunder. Dry weather

will follow from the southwest overnight with mist and fog patches.

And turning cool. Temperatures inland falling as low as two or

three Celsius with a ground frost in places. Here's the picture for

8:00am in the morning. Mixed fortunes. The whole country dry but

some places grey with low cloud, mist and fog patches. On the other

hand some other places will be bright and wake up to sunshine.

Around seven Celsius. During the morning mist and fog will lift and

it will turn into a nice day. A fine afternoon. Most places enjoying some

sunshine. Top temperatures 14 to 17 Celsius. A little cooler on the

coast with a breeze off the sea. A dry start tomorrow evening but a few

showers will spread northwards. The showers hit and miss with a lot of

places having a dry night. Wednesday some dry, bright weather but some

rain and showers as well which could be heavy with thunder. Temperatures

on the warm side with a southeasterly breeze. Some of you

have been in touch to say your car is covered in a yellow dust. This is

sand which has been blown our way. Low pressure over the Atlantic west

of Portugal means Southerly winds from the Sahara. The dust is carried

northwards towards the UK and then washed out of the sky by rain. We

may see more dust this week with more rain and April showers. The

dust is a nuisance but can lead to vivid sunsets! So enjoy the dry

weather and sunshine tomorrow. More unsettled later in the week and

turning cooler. Jamie.

Tonight's headlines. The impact of climate change is likely to be

severe, pervasive and irreversible, that is the stark warning to light

in a report from the United Nations. The RNLI is warning about the

dangers of fast moving tides after a woman died in Carmarthenshire.

I'll have an update for you here at eight o'clock and after the BBC news

at ten. That's Wales Today. Thank you for watching from all of us on

the programme good evening.