29/07/2014 BBC Wales Today

normal temperatures. Peter, thank you. That is all from me. Now on BBC

One The babysitter boyfriend who killed

Alfie Sullock is found guilty Tonight, Alfie's mother speaks of

her disappointment on why the killer We've been through a year

of absolute hell. Some heart patients will continue to

be sent to England for surgery Why is this eco-friendly

home facing demolition? 100,000 people signed

a petition to save it. Good Evening from Glasgow here

at the Games, where Team Wales are The emotion poured out

as she made history - She goes for her second Gold

in the next hour. Jo Thomas proceeds to 800 metres

final after his opponent is disqualified

for bumping him off the track. A motor mechanic, the babysitter

boyfriend, has been found guilty of Michael Pearce was looking

after Alfie for just two hours while his mother had her first night

out following his birth. A jury at Newport Crown Court found

Pearce guilty of manslaughter - There were tears, sobs and gasps of

incredulity from Alfie's family in the public gallery as the not guilty

to murder verdict was returned. However,

after deliberating into their eighth day, the jury did find Michael

Pearce guilty of manslaughter. The family will now have another

wait to hear his sentence. They've been waiting inside and

outside Newport Crown Court for more than a week now - an agonising wait

for a verdict and justice for Alfie. Throughout the trial, his mother

Donna held on tight to Alfie's dummy - a tangible reminder

of a life cut short. Alfie was just six weeks old when he was left

in the care of Michael Pearce, a boyfriend that Donna had known

for just a few months. That evening,

he suffered fatal injuries. Drink the trial, prosecuting counsel

told the jury that in all probability, Michael Pearce had

beaten Alfie with a shoe and the bottom of a plastic bottle. He said

there was a distinctive pattern from the soul that shoe in bruising on

the baby's body. This was not a moment of exasperation he said, but

a case where the baby had ten separate injuries. After nearly 36

hours of deliberation over eight days, the jury found Pearce not

guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.

Pearce had been babysitting Alfie at his home at Station Terrace

in Nelson last August while Donna went for her first night out

We are disappointed that today's that it be satisfied at he will go

to prison for what he has done. Whatever sentence he will get it

will never be long enough for taking Alfie's life away. We have been

through a year of absolute hell. I want to say thank you to everybody

for their support. Friends, family and community and the blue don't

even know me. Everybody has got through this traumatising time. Rest

in baby Alfie. PSI beam baby-sitting Alfie last August in Nelson Terrace.

Pearce sent her a photo message of Alfie and at 20.19 Donna replied:

He's fine now ? sleeping, don't worry".

Donna texts Pearce to ask "Is he still sleeping?"

Four minutes after sending that last text, Pearce dialled 999.

Paramedics arrived at the house in Station Terrace and found Alfie

He died on August 20 last year, four days after he had been taken

This innocent baby was killed at just six weeks old. His mother Donna

and Alfie's extended family have sat throughout this trial at listening

to shocking evidence about the nature of his death. During an

extremely emotional and upsetting time, they have handled themselves a

great dignity and composure. This photograph was taken just hours

before Alfie suffered his injuries. Earlier that day,

the couple and the baby went to While there, the court heard

that Pearce asked Donna Sullock Ms Sullock told the jury

"I'd just had a baby so I said no". Back in the street where Pearce had

lived for just It was a shock to all of us. We

didn't think anything like that could happen in our street. I heard

about the incident and I was totally shocked.

If he'd lived, Alfie would have had his first

But his mother Donna has recorded that date forever in ink -

alongside a tattoo of his hand and footprint on her leg.

"An angel from the book of life wrote down my baby's birth,

and whispered as she closed the book, 'Too beautiful for earth'."

Be judged for pass sentence tomorrow. Alfie's mother and mother

will be here to see justice done and Alfie's killer jailed.

Patients from Wales will continue to be treated in England

This follows the publication of the Welsh Government's first

annual report on cardiac care which says the NHS has "struggled"

Cardiac patients are supposed to be seen within six months,

but the Welsh NHS has not met that target for more than two years.

The Health Minister Mark Drakeford says the report, overall,

Last summer, the Royal College of surgeons issued a stark warning: Too

many patients were dying in -- heart operations. It was later confirmed

night-time patients had died in a five-year period. On a waiting list

at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff and Hospital in Swansea.

In an effort to tackle the backlog, the Welsh Government said around 80

patients could pitch it in England. Including at a private hospital in

Bristol. It was meant to run until September, but it will now be a

policy that is extended. it isn't easy to suddenly turn the tap on in

terms of providing treatment for something as complicated as a heart

operation. I think we recognise that there is going to be a period in

which we will need to continue to use facilities beyond Wales. I'm

absolutely clear that if we need to do that, that is what we will do. So

wide of NHS here need to be English hospitals to treat Welsh arts

patients? The Welsh Government said there are annual cardiac care report

said it is still struggling to meet demand. 95% of patients with heart

conditions should start treatment within 26 weeks of referral. But

that target has not been met since April 2012. And death rates continue

to be almost a third higher in our poorest communities, compared to the

most affluent areas. There is also a big difference in how long patients

have to wait for diagnostic tests. In the Cardiff health board area,

100% of patients got access to an ECG within eight weeks. In a

neighbouring area, over half of patients had to wait longer.

Opposition parties say it is a worrying picture. But it is fair to

say that a more encouraging signs on the way. Fewer patients aged between

35 and 74 or dying -- are dying prematurely. And emergency

admissions are falling. The Welsh Government argues that is because

GPs are doing more to tackle heart disease earlier. the issues are not

necessarily new. We had been aware of these for some time but you have

to make sure that people are trained adequately. We also have the

infrastructure and buildings and resources in place. At a time when

the economy is against that sort of developments, it is not a time to

stop, but it is a time to make sure we do it properly, prudently and

effectively. The Welsh Government says the NHS is recruiting more

staff and opening more intensive care beds so that more operations

can be performed. The Royal College of surgeons welcomes that but argues

much more is left to do to bring care truly up to scratch. But it

will not happen overnight, as today's report proves. The Welsh

rugby international star Ian Gough has been found guilty of assaulting

his ex-girlfriend. Croydon Magistrates' Court heard about Gough

shoved former Miss Wales Sophia Cahill into the door of his camper

van outside her home last January. Almost 100 jobs are under threat

at a recycling plant in Newport. The GMB Union says

a consultation is being held in response to plans to shut the

electronic equipment reprocessing To the Commonwealth Games now where

Team Wales are hunting more medals in the pool tonight -

let's cross to Glasgow and Claire. Good Evening and welcome to Glasgow

where time is flying - we're almost After the medal rush it's been

a bit quieter for Team Wales today, but a medal has come this afternoon

in the Wrestling. News of that in a second and big

hopes again in the Pool tonight - Jazz Carlin won Gold last night

and she goes again this evening We'll have the latest from the Pool

in just a moment. But first,

Ashleigh Crowter on the day so far. So attention turns to

the Pool again tonight. He finished his bronze medal match

on top, in every sense. 27-year-old Craig Pilling made history. He won

team at Wales's 23rd medal in Glasgow. I feel very honoured to be

the first medallist at Wales has had at the Commonwealth Games. I feel

very privileged. It is a dream come true that I can give back. And a

major milestone was passed in the boxing ring. Charlene Jones from

Pembroke became the first woman to box for Wales at a Commonwealth

Games. The 23-year-old lightweight made a winning start, beating

Kercher Lankan opponent to move into the quarterfinals. They got physical

on the athletics track, too. In the 800 metres, words were exchanged

after Wales's Joe Thomas felt he had been barged off the track. When

officials reviewed the replay they agreed that he had been impeded. He

goes through to the semis. But tonight, and the, Moll swimming gala

draws to a close, there is hope. Jazz Carlin drew back tears as she

received the medal last night. She barely had time to pull herself

together before she was back in the pool this morning to qualify as six

fastest for tonight's final. I didn't get much sleep last night, so

we feel that Teddy today. It is amazing to be back in the pool again

and I am buzzing. There is real expectation on Swansea's Georgia

Davis who had already won silver in 100 metres backstroke. Tonight she

is the favourite to take gold in 50 metres. Breaking news about the

artistic gymnastics. The ladies have just won a bronze medal in the team

event. These are pictures of Lizzie Beddoe in action on the beam.

Amazing scenes. It was very nail-biting. They're been hanging on

for the last few minutes in bronze medal position. And now it is

confirmed that yes, they have won the bronze medal. The men finished

fifth in the team event. Welsh gymnastics is on a real high at

these games. Let's head to Tolcross

and join Tomos Dafydd.Tomos. He has been catching up with the

former Commonwealth champion. Exciting night here at the pool. If

anything -- last night is anything to go by, tonight will be buzzing.

The swimmers are warming up behind me. I am happy to say that the

Commonwealth champion and Olympic medallist David Davies is joining me

now. An emotional night for Jazz Carlin last night. Can she do it

again? I would've said it will be pretty similar to night, but this

morning they looked a bit sluggish. So it will be tough in terms of

doing it again to night. But also you have Georgia in the 50 metres

and she has a good chance. Do you think Wales can reach the targets?

They are currently on four models. the need to more tonight and we have

several finalists tonight. So we have good chances. It will be great

to see more people on the podium tonight. You know what it is like to

come but on the top level. Will they be going through now? this last bit

was was my pet hate, because all the preparations and you are just

watching the clock. The preparation pool is behind me here and add in

the last minute preparations, putting on their racing suit and

there is the last minute before you go out. You go away with the other

competitors before you come out of the crowd. Thank you. It promises to

be another cracking night and it all starts at 7pm. I'm sure there'll be

a lot of drama tonight. The build-up was dominated

by missing athletes So expectations had been

definitely flattened. Many conceded it would be

difficult to achieve. But we sit here on Day six of

the Games with a medal count of 23: three Gold,

nine Silvers and 11 bronze - Just one medal so far today,

but all that could change if things So those finals in the pool

starting just after 7 o'clock. Watch the drama as it happens on

BBC One Wales straight after Less than 24 hours

after becoming the first Welsh woman in 40 years to win gold,

can Jazz Carlin do it again? How hospitals struggling with

infections on the wards have turned And a change in the month on Friday

will bring a change in the weather. A family from Pembrokeshire are

a step closer to losing their home this evening after the council's

planning committee turned down their Megan Williams and Charlie Hague

built their environmentally-friendly roundhouse in Glandwr near Crymych

two years ago. They plan to appeal

against today's decision. Megan Williams and Charlie Haig have

lived in this home since their son was born. The environmentally

friendly round house was built with help from friends and family at a

cost of around ?12,000. But the building was never granted planning

permission. This morning, Pembrokeshire Council's planning

committee met to discuss a retrospective planning application.

Despite the fact that many of the councillors said they were impressed

by the use of the land, it was rejected by nine votes to four. They

feared a successful outcome would set a dangerous precedent.

Disappointed, obviously. But I'm determined to carry on to save my

home and get permission. In my home, it should be writes for people. A

Fox bills and then in the woods, why is it different for a human? It is a

human? It is a URI to build materials that are already here

anyway. We're just rearranged the materials in a different pattern so

we can live in it! They had argued this self-sufficient lifestyle was

in line with the Welsh Government's planet 's development policy which

allows for houses to be built in the countryside as long as they meet

certain criteria and don't have a negative impact on the environment.

Councillor Keith Lewis is a member of the planning committee, but

because of the support he has given the family, he was not able to take

part in today's votes. the reason their application was turned down,

was because it was felt they didn't meet the strict criteria laid down

by this one planet to development proposal that has been laid out by

the Welsh Government with planning regulations. Megan and Charlie now

plan to launch an appeal. They say they will do whatever it takes to

keep their home. Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board was

severely criticised last year for the way it handled hospital

infections like C Difficle. Now a fleet of Dalek-like cleaning

robots has been introduced in North Wales to reduce the number

of infections on wards. It's one of several changes being

made by the Health Board It is the latest weapon in the fight

against hospital infections. These machines are called hydrogen

peroxide vaporisers, but everybody here just calls them the Daleks.

This is serious stuff, however. The Betsi Cadwaladr University health

board has higher rates of hospital infections and most of Wales. The

room have to be completely feel so the machines can pump its full of

chemical vapour and eliminate bacterial viruses. Staff have had

special training to operate them. When you bring something new in they

might be resistant, but they see the benefits for the patients. It is

just a matter of explaining to staff on the ward that we are doing this

for the patients and then they see the benefits. But it is not just the

ten knowledge that is new. Staff on using you that I could knew cleaning

fluids and will soon get new microfibre cloth is. This follows an

outbreak of infection last year. 96 people caught it and seven people

who died were found to be carrying the book. In the last year, the

number of infections here at Betsi Cadwaladr has dropped by half. the

board is committed to making sure we jive those numbers down even

further. That is our ambition for our patients. You can't achieve that

overnight. We would have if we could. But, we are moving very

quickly to continue driving those infections down. But hospital

managers admit there is still plenty more work to do, even with the

basics such as keeping hands clean. They say it will not be easy to keep

the number of affections down in the year to come. 40 years ago, Green

technologies were seen as cranks but now they are mainstream. It was set

by radical community were set up by radical community were said to the

Green movement who set up home in a disused quarry. For over two

decades, this old quarry lay abandoned and in ruins. Until, in

1973, a group moved in looking to develop a lifestyle and alternative

sources of energy that will be less harmful to the environment. Led by

an entrepreneurial aristocrats turned environmentalist, the group

called themselves Crazy Idealists. we have been burning up our extra

touch like the resources at a prodigal rates. We will have to

develop a style of life which is much more self sufficient. 40 years

on, the Green energy at the Centre for alternative technology is is

becoming mainstream. The work they do here is more relevant than ever.

Peoples that the people's understanding has grown enormously

in the last 40 years. What was once a fringe activity is now a

mainstream concern. People can about the future of the planet. They know

we need to take action to protect biodiversity and create a healthier

society. In the mid-19 70s, the centre went on the bill of summer

written's first ever in energy electricity generating dwindles. Now

this kind of technology is normal as relying on fossil fuels becomes

unsustainable. They have played their part in this massive shift in

people's awareness of environmental issues. It is not just mindset that

have changed, this place has changed radically, too. It started in this

old building with people working by candlelight. Now, it is a vast

educational centre attracting around 50,000 visitors per year. This is

the original site of the water wheel. Kate Jones showed me around

the centre and explain how they look to the future, they try to reflect

the past. It was a big wooden water wheel that sat here. We have decided

to keep the structure, the slate structure, and integrated into the

new building so the water runs down into the courtyard. So it is like

the whole building is the water wheel itself? yes, we have made a

feature of it. Running out through the old pipes. From a group that saw

themselves as idealists 40 years ago, is a common-sense approach for

many for reducing our carbon footprint.

There's a change on the way weatherwise by the end of the week.

Apart from a few spots of light rain in the north and west, it's been

There's more dry weather to come tomorrow,

but it looks like won't stay dry all week, with showers on the way.

Generally dry this evening and dry overnight.

Cloud will come and go with clear spells.

Temperature inland falling as low as 10 Celsius.

Tomorrow's chart shows a front across Scotland

Further south, a ridge of high pressure will keep things dry.

So here's the picture for 8am in the morning.

Generally dry, some cloud but bright in places.

During the day plenty more dry weather and some sunny spells.

No more than the odd light shower possible in the north.

Highest temperatures in Monmouthshire 23/24 Celsius with

In Torfaen, dry tomorrow with sunny spells

The temperature in Pontypool rising to 21C.

In Conwy tomorrow, dry with broken cloud and some sunshine.

Tomorrow evening, generally dry and overnight most

places bar the odd shower in the north and later the south.

On Thursday some dry, bright weather but a few showers

as well although some places will miss them and stay dry.

Temperatures a little lower at 17 to 20 Celsius with

So a change in the month on Friday will bring a change in the weather.

Heavy in places with thunder but some sunshine over the weekend

as well, with temperatures around average for early August.

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of

Michael Pearce was looking after Alfie, for just two hours,

while his mother had her first night out following his birth.

Whatever sentence he gets it will never be logged in for taking

Alfie's life away. We have been through a year of absolute hell. I

want to thank everybody, friends, family, the community and people

don't even know me, for their support.

I'll be back with an update for you after the BBC News at Ten.

That's Wales Today, thank you for watching.

From all of us on the programme, good evening.