30/08/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Kylie Pentelow and me Dominic Heale.

Our top story tonight - the taxi ride home that ended in terror.

These pictures show just how close he was to the scene of the blast in

Leicester. Debris flying everywhere. I was screaming and I put my hands

over my head and hoped for the best. Or so, another quarter appearance

for a man accused of the murder of Caroline Coyne -- also.

And in the running for a big new rail contract, but is it too late

for Bombardier? And graduating at Grace Road,

India's cricket captain gets an Welcome to Tuesday's programme.

First tonight, the dramatic explosion at a kebab shop in

Leicester. The police have just confirmed it's now a murder inquiry.

In another development, a taxi driver and his passengers have told

us they're thankful to be alive. The cab they were in was just yards

from the shop when the building exploded, killing a man inside.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, the pair described the terrifying

moment when they heard the blast and saw a ball of fire light up

Narborough Road in Leicester, from Good evening, this explosion has

now turned into a murder enquiry. It was not the dog unit that found

the body buried here under the rubble but the demolition workers

brought in to clear the site. I spent the day with the taxi driver

and his passenger who have told me their exclusive story about having

narrowly avoided becoming victims of this explosion.

As we came round the corner, we heard a loud bang and the street

lit up Orange with massive flames. And there were bricks and glass and

I put my hands over my head, I did not know what was happening. I

thought, that is it, not, what is happening? I thought, this is the

end. It was terrible. Danielle Johnson were on their way home from

Leicester when the taxi drove past a kebab shop just as it exploded.

It was horrible, like something on a film. We were screaming and the

taxi driver slammed his brakes and did not know what was happening. I

feel really lucky to be here today. Had it been two seconds different,

it might have been different. Hafeji had been driving a taxi and

described his frightening experience. Before I crossed the

junction of Narborough Road, I saw a flame coming from the takeaway

and before I knew it, it just exploded and debris was flying

everywhere. A large a bit I believe was a metal shutter flew over the

car -- a large object. It hit a building. I feel lucky to be here

today. A passer-by filmed the intensity of the fire on a mobile

phone. People are gathering to watch, seemingly unaware of the

dangers. A day on and investigators have been meticulously examining

the rubble where the body was found. Neighbouring businesses have also

been clearing up. Because of the explosion, the restaurant window

was blown in and destroyed the restaurant upstairs, so we have to

close the restaurant for a month. Nobody is coming here because they

are frightened of what is going on. I think it will affect every

business in the neighbourhood. evening, police are still

questioning four women and two men. The clear-up operation is still

going on here. The latest update from the police is that a post-

mortem examination has been carried out on the man who was killed here,

but police are not revealing his identity until they have contacted

his family. Regarding the four women and two men arrested,

detectives have been granted extra time from magistrates. In terms of

the police investigation, interviews are continuing today, --

today, tomorrow and over the coming days, but they are appealing for

anyone in the area around 2:20pm yesterday to contact them or

Crimestoppers confidentially. Next - dramatic pictures caught by

our cameras on the streets of Leicester within the last hour.

These were the scenes in the St Nicholas Circle area as armed

police moved in to make an arrest. It is understood they took away a

man near the Bar Gaudi. More on that incident as we get it.

A man accused of the murder of Caroline Coyne has been remanded in

custody. Carl Powell, from Nottingham, appeared via a video

link at the city's Crown Court to make a bail application. He also

denies two separate charges under the Sexual Offences Act. Mike

O'Sullivan has this report. On a video link, 23-year-old Carl

Powell from Calton in Nottingham appeared at the City's Crown Court,

charged with the murder of 28-year- old Caroline Coyne. She was found

dead with head injuries in the front garden of a house in four new

would mount in Nottingham on July the 23rd. Today, the application

for bail of Carl Powell was refused and he was remanded in custody

until December. At times, Carl Powell rested his chin on his hands

as he listened. He has not entered a formal plea yet but contests the

allegation of murder. He also faces two separate charges at Nottingham

magistrates' court under the Sexual Offences Act. It is alleged they

were committed against a female on August 24th. He has pleaded not

guilty and is you -- and will face those matters on September 5th.

This is East Midlands Today. Still to come.

All the bank holiday weekend sport, with a very special piece of

silverware! And the weather statistics for August. Find out why

the East Midlands were shining above other parts of the UK later.

-- was shining. The government has announced it is

to delay a decision on who will win a new multi-billion pound rail

contract. That decision is of course keenly anticipated in Derby.

There was anger and disappointment in the city - and across the

country - when local trainmaker Bombardier missed out on the

Thameslink contract, leading to huge job cuts. So could the order

for new trains for London Crossrail provide a lifeline for Bombardier's

workforce? Here's our political editor, John Hess.

Crossrail will link West and East London, and will initially need 60

new trains. The decision has been delayed to early 2012. Crossrail

says that is to "allow the conclusions of the government's

review of public procurement to be taken into account." Bombardier

said today the news was "welcome and understandable." After

Bombardier lost out to Siemens on the last big contract, Conservative

MP Pauline Latham led local MPs to see the Prime Minister.

I think it gives them more of a chance because before, we have not

been able to look at the social context of the bids. This time,

because the government have listened, I think they will look at

that, and that is much more positive for companies generally in

this country, particularly for Bombardier. So there are now four

contenders for the Crossrail contract. Bombardier of Derby, the

Spanish -based multi-national CAF, Hitachi Rail Europe and Siemens.

But Labour MP Chris Williamson insists the original Thameslink

contract remains the priority. It is good news and bad news. It is

good the government is reviewing the specification. The bad news is

it could be too late. Unless they change the decision over Thameslink,

vital to the future of Bombardier, the company could collapse in the

UK altogether. Well, the way these huge rail contracts are awarded

will be scrutinised in Parliament next Wednesday, when Bombardier and

Siemens, and the government's Transport Secretary Philip Hammond,

all give evidence to MPs. The Red Arrows have resumed

training from their base in Lincolnshire after the death of one

of their pilots. Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, from Morcott near

Oakham, was killed in a crash shortly after performing at the

Bournemouth Air Festival just over a week ago. The whole fleet was

grounded for a time. Now they will resume flying with a formation of

eight planes instead of nine. Children starting secondary school

are being warned they are most at risk of being killed on the roads.

The Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership says 11 to 16 year olds

are more likely to be killed or injured than any other age group.

They are urging pupils not to listen to music or use their mobile

phones while crossing the road. Consultants have been brought in to

one of our biggest hospital trusts to help slash millions of pounds

from spending. At the end of July, the University

Hospitals of Leicester had been overspending to the tune of nearly

�3 million a month. But managers predict they'll soon be breaking

even. Our health correspondent, Rob Sissons, reports.

They serve a population of around 1 million, so talk about the running

costs of Leicester's NHS hospitals and the numbers of big, �2 million

a day. Figures showed the Trust was overspent by more than �11 million

in the first four months of the financial year. Consultants will

look at savings, but this campaigner says this strategy is

not without risk. It is good to have fresh eyes looking at problems,

which you have to count -- to take account the effect on morale of

those people who stay. What messages the sending to messengers

-- to managers? There is a cost improvement programme involving

taking out three -- taking out the GAA �0.3 million. It was on track

in July to deliver two thirds of what is needed. The focus is on

modernising services that cost too much and there is pressure not to

rely so heavily on agency staff. And there is a question of raising

car-parking charges. One manager recently reminded colleagues, which

are the National Health Service, not the National car-parks.

A judge has warned a former police officer that he may be jailed after

being found guilty of assaulting a man he was trying to arrest.

The court heard that Timothy Allatt, who's 33, hit Jake Bramley, threw

him against a wall and kicked him during the incident in Nottingham

last year. Angelina Socci reports. Timothy Allatt had served with

Nottinghamshire police for 11 years. In July last year, he was called to

reports of a stolen car. The court was told the suspect, Jake Bramley,

jumped out of the vehicle and ran off. Timothy Allatt chased and

attempted to arrest him and hit Jake Bramley, threw him against a

wall and dragged him to the floor before kicking him in the chest.

Timothy Allatt admitted hitting him but said he used a recognised

arrest techniques. The judge said she believed Timothy Allatt had

struck Jake Bramley in the face with forced which was not just or

reasonable. And she did not believe Jake Bramley had acted aggressively

or Timothy Allatt would have felt under threat. She said a sustained

assault had taken place on a member of the public by a serving police

officer and it was a gross breach of trust. She found Timothy Allatt

guilty and said a custodial sentence would have to be

considered. He will be sentenced on 20th September. He was dismissed

from the forced following a misconduct hearing involving a

separate incident, that he assaulted a man walking home drunk

in 2010. The CPS did not bring a criminal charge but the Independent

Police Complaints Commission said today the level of force used by

Timothy Allatt on both occasions was unjustifiable and excessive.

Figures from the Department of Health show 19% of people in the

East Midlands smoke. That's compared with 21% across England as

a whole. Research suggests one in two smokers will die of a smoking-

related disease. Health experts are trying to encourage more people to

quit by using their local NHS Stop Smoking Service. Digital switchover

is completed in this region tonight and the old analogue signal will be

switched off for good at midnight. It will mean retuning to the new

digital channels tomorrow. There is help for anyone who's having

trouble. There is the phone number. And we'll be repeating that number

before the end of the programme. Hundreds of staff at

Nottinghamshire Police have been on strike today in a dispute

redundancies at the force. The force says the first eight hours of

strike action had no impact on services. Anthony Bartram reports.

Civilian staff are striking over cost-cutting measures up by the

Nottinghamshire force. Unison members have voted for the walkout,

claiming some staff are being made needlessly redundant. By the nature

of the work they do and their loyalty and surface, they are not

militant people. The fact so many of voting in frame-up -- in favour

of industrial action and strike action indicate real concerns.

Nottinghamshire police employees 750 civilian staff and has already

made many redundant as it plans to save �45 million by 2015. The

action involves staff working in support roles across the force,

from from line to forensics, cell blocks to 999 control rooms.

public will notice a different because we value our staff and the

work they do. And when people go on strike, it services will be

affected. The critical functions will be staffed and we will make

sure people are kept safe and well. You have to look at what is

happening to police forces not only here but across the country and the

region, they are faced with 20% of cuts in real terms in their central

government grant and that is putting chief constables in an

impossible situation. We are seeing reductions in police staff numbers

across the region, and I think the people will find that

incomprehensible. We have asked the government to think again and they

should do. There is a plan to deal with this strike and a second

walkout on Friday, and 999 calls will still be answered, it has been

promised. Now time for the sport!

And a giant paperweight! Yes, it looks fantastic, doesn't

it? From rank outsiders to t20 Champions, Leicestershire have

brought the Cup in dramatic fashion at the weekend. Talisman Paul Nixon

is with us very soon. He's not the only one celebrating though,

because the Derby County goalkeeper Frank Fielding has earned his

second England call-up. He's replaced the injured Rob Green for

the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Wales. His club,

though, go into the international break off the back of their first

defeat of the season. Here's Ross Fletcher.

Fly has been brilliant for Derby. Well let's hope England manager

Fabio Capello was not watching the home defeat by Burnley. -- Frank

Fielding has been brilliant. An uncharacteristic mistake from the

usually unflappable Rams keeper. Burnley had already hit the post

before they took the lead through Charlie Austin. It really was not

Derby's day. Twice they had chances cleared off the line and after four

straight wins, manager Nigel Clough did not want to criticise his team.

Robinson scoring what proved to be a consolation. And just to reassure

you, Frank Fielding kept the score down with a couple of top-drawer

saves. His England call-up is richly deserved.

There was welcome first for Leicester here over leaders

Southampton. The foxes were two up and cruising. De Riaz Purcell and

Richie Wellins with the goals. Rickie Lambert put through his own

net to restore Leicester's chances. David Connolly made things tight,

but it was relief full Sven Goran Eriksson whose transfer spending

has not stopped yet with a Bristol City striker, and Nicky Maynard,

back on the agenda. And Nicky Maynard's presence could

be because Leicester have just had eight 6.5 million bit turned down

by Scottish giants Rangers. Nottingham Forest's season will be

decided over the next 28 hours, according to manager Steve McClaren.

He says Sunday's humiliation at the hands of West Ham exposed the

club's need for new players before the transfer window shuts tomorrow

night. The defending, Steve McLaren said,

it was like nothing he had seen for years as Forest conceded an own

goal, gave Kevin Nolan freedom and the penalty area, the lesson was

clear. It is nothing we have not known and we have to do work in the

next few days to redress what we have been saying. We will know the

ambitions of this club and the next few days. They have been good sides,

Miller is a good acquisition and then that was found as a

consolation on Sunday. But if reinforcement is needed, isn't --

is Steve McLaren confident are getting them? That is a good

question. We will see. And as I say, I think for two years, a lot of

people have been frustrated. Now I understand why. Just one question

remains. If you do not get what you want? It is going to be a long

season. That is interesting. There was an

extraordinary goal in Notts County's two-nil defeat at Preston

- the goalkeeper scored. Yes, the keeper. This is Iain Turner's

clearance which turned into so much more - embarrassment for the Notts

keeper Stuart Nelson and no doubt the drinks were on his opposite

number on Saturday night. So, back to that Friends Provident

t20 Trophy - here it is - and the victorious Leicestershire Foxes.

They were the outsiders to win on Finals Day, but came through a

dramatic one over eliminator in the semi and then crushed Somerset in

the final. With me is Foxes' veteran Paul Nixon, who might just

have to delay his retirement again now. What a day, Paul, how do you

feel now looking back on it? It is almost like a dream, it was surreal.

We could not have written the script more perfectly. Everybody

came to the party at the right time and played tremendous cricket,

handled the pressure. We deserved to win. Quite some celebrations!

went on until about 6am! Amazing for you all, really,

because you were complete outsiders throughout. Which is strange,

because we have been to four finals and we have won two and last two,

we proved them wrong! What was the difference? We had more guys that

could clear the boundary, and two good spinners. And everybody was

ranked high. What about you? You say your body's

not quite up to it any more, but you took at least one spectacular

catch. I really enjoyed that moment! The form of Matthew voice

was in, I am sure he would have caught it! -- a voice. You work

hard and strain hard for those catches and to pull that out

against the make man -- against the big man, one of the biggest hitters

been that the world, that is great. He looks even better in slow

motion! Now you get to go to the Champions

League in India. Great for the club, yes? A great pay-day for the club.

It is first phase, so hopefully we will qualify. You were supposed to

have your game -- your last game three weeks ago.

And you, are you going to wear the gloves for one last tournament?

will rinse the champagne out of my gloves and take them over, we

really excited. Is your future with Leicestershire? Yes, I will do some

coaching with the guys. And a few other projects away from the game,

so plenty going on. This victory will have made a great final

chapter. And a fantastic trophy, find you for bringing it in. Take

that away and keep it safe before anyone knocks it over!

So, back to that Friends Provident t20 Trophy - here it is - and the

victorious Leicestershire Foxes. Thanks, Paul. Leicestershire

actually paraded their trophy at the match with the touring Indian

side at Grace Road yesterday. Lots of great pictures from a great day

to come before the end of the programme.

Two well dones to finish with - one is to Hurdler Andy Turner, who took

bronze in bizarre fashion at the World Championships in South Korea.

He finished fourth, but the winner - Cuban Dayron Robles - was

disqualified for accidentally catching hold of the runner in the

lane next to him. A medal for Turner - a huge pre-2012 boost.

The other well done is also to bronze medallists - both the men's

and women's England hockey sides took third place in the Euro Hockey

Championships. Five East Midlanders were in the men's team - who might

actually have been hoping for gold at these games, but picked

themselves up to win the third place play-off. And there were

eight Leicester Ladies in the Women's side, but it was actually a

Nottinghamshire girl who scored the goals. West Bridgford's Helen

Richardson getting both in the bronze medal match. Bravo.

Nice to have a sport full of congratulations! I hope it carries

A truly outstanding weekend of cricket in Leicester - and to see

just what it meant to the city, our reporter, Sumeer Kalyani, joined

thousands of fans at Grace Road watching India take on

Leicestershire. Not quite the stadium of Calcutta,

but still plenty of home support for the Indian cricket team.

Despite being beaten by England, thousands of fans still turned up

to see their heroes. Great to see we can come here and see the

players, families together, amazing. It is cracking! Having a great time,

a fantastic feeling, everyone is in a great mood, family and friends,

top date X Mack the visit to Grace Road has also been made more

memorable for the Indian captain who has been made an honorary

doctorate of Letters, and this was a first for de Montfort University.

Be so is a national and international first, to confer an

honorary degree on someone who is a winning captain, but to do it here

is marvellous stuff like it was supposed to be a practice game for

the Indians but has been a chance for the Foxes to check out their

opponents ahead of their tournament in the sub-continent this year.

Leicestershire lying down after their exertions over the weekend

They apparently only had a few hours' sleep!

They did well! Time for the weather. Not cricketing weather but things

For August, it has been drier than average so not good for farmers,

but also warmer than normal for the East Midlands despite the rest of

the UK having a chilly August. And the sum of 2011 has been the

cruellest since 1993. -- the summer. It will stay dry and cloudy

overnight. Thank you to Nicola for this beautiful sunset taken over

the weekend. Thank you for everybody's pictures. We are

dominated by this area of high pressure. Despite that, it has been

fairly cloudy today and that will continue through this evening and

overnight. The cloud could bring light rain for a time before it

gets drier overnight. Are a few clear spells towards Wednesday

morning, temperatures down to a minimum of 11 Celsius. Tomorrow

will start dry, you might see bright spells first thing. Clouding

over again but hopeful of back- breaking a bit into the afternoon.

Temperatures, quite cool for this time of the year tomorrow, at a

maximum of 17 Celsius. That high pressure has moved towards the

north-east of the UK, it was state into Thursday, but it will stay

cloudy. Into Friday, we should start to see more sunshine,

temperatures also starting to recover. 20, 21 degrees. And into

the weekend, it dry and settled on Saturday. Temperatures of 21

degrees, so perfect weather for Chatsworth on Friday and Saturday,

so say hello to was! Just a reminder - retune the telly

tomorrow, as digital switchover in this region completes tonight. Here

is the number in case of problems. And we'll be looking at common

switchover problems here on East Midlands Today - that's tomorrow at