10/11/2011 East Midlands Today

Good evening. Welcome to Thursday's programme.

First tonight: news on the future of RAF Cottersmore.

The Ministry of Defence has announced which regiments will move

onto the RAF base when the RAF move out.

What is your ideal weight? Researchers say it depends on your

ethnic origin. It is a question of putting your mind to it.

Plus: a special remembrance service for the children of serving

soldiers. And the tattoos tell the tale. Is

Good evening. First tonight news on the future of RAF Cottersmore. The

Ministry of Defence has announced which regiments will move onto the

RAF base when the RAF move out. There had been concerns that the

base would be shut as part of the review of the armed forces but

instead of closing it's been given a new lease of life. Live now to

our Chief News reporter Quentin Rayner. Just remind us what's being

proposed for the base. Good evening. In July the

Government announced that it was bringing back the Army from Germany

and forming the Army into Five Multi-Role Brigades. Cottesmore

will be the HQ for the East of England Brigade split between 4

sites. These Brigades could have up to 6,000 troops and include a

regiment of Challenger two tanks and four Infantry Battalions.

Today we heard the 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment will be

the first to move in. What's the expected timeline?

The whole move's been brought forward by a year. On 31st March

next year Cottesmore will formally close as an RAF base after 73 years

of operating out of here. In July 2012 the Royal Anglians will arrive

from Cyprus rather than returning to their base in Germany. There'll

bring 620 troops. The following July, 450 troops from 7 Regiment

Royal Logistics Corps will move in direct from their base in Germany.

Smaller army units may arrive in future years. It has got health

units, education, road and transport around it so it is wary -

- very well found. It has accommodation, technical

accommodation. It makes sense to use it for an army moved.

Two Royal Anglians have strong connections with the East Midlands,

don't they? They certainly do, they are

Leicestershire's Infantry regiment. Here they are training last year in

preparation for Afghanistan. They are currently based in Cyprus and

are the regiment on standby to be deployed anywhere in the Middle

East on 48 hours notice. Roughly half the regiment is recruited in

the East Midlands, mainly from Leicestershire and Lincolnshire,

and once they're here it'll be unusual for a regiment to be based

so close to its recruiting area. So while thoughts of the Royal

Anglians can turn to a homecoming, the children of soldiers from

Nottingham have been thinking of their fathers. Youngsters from

local schools were invited to Chetwynd Barracks in Chilwell for a

special service of rememberance. It's the first time this has been

done and was especially poignant for those with fathers serving in

If they've laid down their lives, that we might live. -- they laid

The lest we forget, the children remembering the fallen. For some of

them, it is very close to home. dad is in the army and Remembrance

Day means a lot to me because it reminds me of all the people who

have died, and those who've been to Afghanistan and Iraq. It reminds me

of all the soldiers who gave up their lives for as. It makes me

remember when my dad was a way. Afghanistan? Yes. It is important

to you? Yes. My father is going to Afghanistan in about two weeks and

I'm worried in my tummy about quite a lot of people. Remembrance Day

means to me all the people in the army that have fought for our

country and it means a lot. means a lot to me because my dad

goes to Afghanistan. It's a little bit sad. It reminds me of my dad

and all the people who have fought for us. Is the first time they've

done this but it will not be the last. It -- it is. It's a new

tradition to keep old memories What lovely children. We wish them

all the best. Still to come on the programme: fans and enthusiasts bid

a fond farewell to a champion sidecar racer.

David Wells died in a crash at Mallory Park in Leicester. His

A man who tried to rape a student as she walked home has been given

an indefinite prison sentence. 20- year-old Chris Noble from

Nottingham was told he could only be released when he's considered to

no longer be a danger to the public. He'd admitted attacking the 21-

year-old woman in the Lace Market area in June. Our reporter James

Roberson was in court as Noble was jailed. It was in June this year

that the woman university student went out with friends in Nottingham

city centre. Nottingham Crown Court heard she'd had a fair amount to

drink which clouded her judgment. She decided to walk home alone. Her

voice has been altered to protect her identity. I thought I'm tired,

I'm just going to walk home. I know you should not call Co Monaghan but

I did it anyway. As she made her way through the city's streets, she

was unaware she was being trailed by Chris no ball. As she reached

her flat in a secluded area of the city, he grabbed her from behind.

He had been in a loch around the neck. I just had no control at all.

He was pretty strong. Luckily, he was disturbed by a passer-by and

ran off. The victim says it all still seems unreal. I was really

scared and confused because it felt so surreal. Obviously you hear

about things like this happening and you just... Even at the time,

you ask is this really happening? When arrested, the man who has a

history of self-harm, was found to have in his flown pictures of women

he has taken in the Victoria Centre. The Riddick -- the recorder told

him, this event was truly horrific. Mercifully it is also rare which

makes it all the more terrifying. But for the intervention of a

passer-by, you would have raped her. What happened will affect her

always. There was only one person for this attack. I'm pleased today

that he will not be released until the Parole Board deemed that he is

faced -- saved to be released into the community. The sentencing judge

said it was essential he was sentenced indefinitely for the

public protection. Next tonight: A major medical study

carried out in Leicester suggests that levels of obesity among some

Asians needs to be recalculated. Your Body Mass Index or BMI is the

way most GPs determine your ideal weight. But researchers say the

point at which patients who have links to the Indian sub-continent

are classed as obese should change because of their increased risk of

diabetes and heart disease. Body Mass Index is a way of seeing

if your weight is appropriate for your height. All you need to do is

get your weight in kilograms and then divide it by your height

multiplied by itself or height squared. That gives you a number

your BMI. For white Europeans, a BMI of 20-25 is seen as normal

ideal weight. 25-30 overweight and BMI 30 and above classified as

obese. For some Asian people the numbers should be lower.

However you look at it, the BMI index is widely used. Increasing

awareness has arisen that different figure should be used for people of

South Asian origin. South Asians until now, the World Health

Organisation had recommended a BMI of 27.5 as being obese. However,

our study shows that we need to reduce that drastically, to around

23. The team analysed data from 6000 people in the Leicester area

who have been screened for diabetes. We know south Asians have a much

higher risk of type 2 diabetes than white Europeans but so far we don't

really know why that is and even at healthy levels, south Asians need

to be upping their game to prevent tired to do a bit too. This person

has had it for 25 years. Under the current score, he would be normal

weight. The new scale would class him as obese. He is convinced the

new proposals could save lives. would suggest that anybody with a

BMI of over 23 should get their blood-sugar level tested. And not

such -- I'm not saying they should government but, every year.

word on the street is that PMI is confusing. Body mass index. I don't

know much about it though. Body Mass Index has do with your weight

as the height. To reduce it, they suggest healthy eating and you

might know what is coming next, more exercise.

Some people argue fat round our middle our waist circumference is a

better guide to obesity. Once again the research team suggests what

counts as overweight and obese needs to vary depending on people's

ethnic origin. In other news tonight: Police are

issuing a warning after a number of gas pipe thefts in part of

Leicester. In the past three weeks there have been 11 incidents in the

Hinckley Road area. Officers say thefts of this kind are extremely

dangerous. In one case several households were affected. Someone

has gone down the side of these properties and taken the copper

piping. It caused a serious gas leak and resulted in British Gas

being called out and a number of houses being evacuated.

Inmates at a Nottinghamshire prison, accused of trying to smuggle in

vast amounts of cocaine from Columbia, have admitted there was a

plan to import drugs. But they say it was hypothetical and was never

meant to be followed through. It's claimed at least six men were

involved in a multi-million pound plot hatched at Lowdham Grange jail.

They deny the charges. Our reporter Carolyn Moses has been following

the case and joins now. Carolyn, what's happened today?

Good evening. The trial at Birmingham Crown Court's already

heard claims that there was a complex plot to smuggle five tonnes

of cocaine into Britain, all organised from behind the walls of

the Nottinghamshire jail. These are the six men on trial. Three were

inmates at the time and today the court heard from the alleged

ringleader 38-year-old Russell Knaggs, seen here in the glasses.

Today he admitted there had been a blueprint drawn up to import drugs

but he said it had been designed simply as a scam, to try to raise

money by securing a down-payment from anyone interested. There was

never any intention, he said of going through with it.

Why does he claimed he is being charged? He claims there's a plan

by the police and the authorites to get him, to cherry pick the

evidence against him, after he spent a lot of time in Lowdham

Grange helping other inmates with their legal appeals. He helped a

convicted drugs lord, serving a 25- year sentence, avoid having �100

million in assets confiscated. The legal work, he said, kept him busy

behind bars. What happens next? Knaggs is

expected to give more evidence tomorrow. Then another former

inmate, the alleged paymaster, will take to the stand. The others are

expected to follow. This trial which started in September is

likely to last for another six weeks.

A former mayor of Derby has been describing the moment he was almost

killed by a huge wave while swimming on holiday in Portugal.

Robin Turner now wants to return to the spot where he nearly died, to

thank the men who saved him. I reckon it was two-and-a-half

hours' drive... Back at home with holiday memories of a far from

happy time. Robin and Janet had been in Portugal at the end of such

tender when he was knocked unconscious by a large wave. There

was a wave come along and I pulled her will get through this and

quickly go forward again. I was bracing myself for it but it threw

me over. I remember my mouth opening and sea water going into it.

That is absolutely the last thing I remember. I heard the first whistle

of the Life Guards and didn't respond. The second whistle, I

thought that is a bit odd. I looked up, everybody on the beach was

standing up, making it a small group of people and then I thought,

oh, No. He was saved by the Local Life Guards and a German doctor who

happens to be on the beach. But Robin had been hailed a lot of

water and was airlifted from the coast to a hospital further afield

before being flown back to intensive care in Derby. Is only

just been released from hospital but already has plans to go back

and thank the man who brought him back to life. These are young men,

like young men anywhere. They can easily be misjudged but they knew

how to do it and they did it. The company which owns the Victoria

Shopping centre in Nottingham is to take over the city's other major

retail complex. Capital Shopping Centres have bought a seventy five

percent stake in the Broadmarsh centre from Westfield. The deal

went through last night. The Broadmarsh centre is currently

undergoing a multi million-pound refurbishment.

An East Midlands Euro MP has stepped into the row over the

Thameslink rail contract. The Government gave the work to a

German firm rather than Bombardier who are based in Derby. Glenis

Willmott wrote to the EU Commission asking if the UK Government would

face any penalties if it restarted the bidding process. The reply

states there wouldn't be any problems if it was reopened. Mrs

Willmott said the Government can't use the EU as an excuse anymore.

The funeral's taken place of a sidecar racer who died last month.

Dave Wells had been involved in the sport for over 30 years winning

many competitions. He died while racing at Mallory

Park in Leicestershire. This afternoon hundreds of people paid

their respects to him. Around 1000 people gathered at the

village church as family, friends and side car enthusiasts came

together to remember Dave Wells. lived life to the full. I must

commend him for that. It was amazing. He will be sadly, badly

missed. Dave died last month while taking part in a sidecar race at

Mallory Park in Leicestershire. He was a passenger. The driver

suffered minor injuries. An investigation is now under way into

the cause of his death. Racing was his world. He loved it. I guess he

was never going to stop, I suppose. We talked about it so many times.

No, I can go for on for ever, I can. He would jump about and was... It

was in him, part of him. Everyone seems so lost with him not being

around the. Dave's family say he will be sadly missed and that a

bright light has gone out of the racing world. Still to come on the

programme: a boy band's biggest fan. Jane Fogg's devotion to the band

knows no bounds. We'll be talking First, Leicester City may have to

pay Hull City �1 million to get Nigel Pearson out of his contract

in order to join the Foxes. Sources in Hull are tonight saying Pearson

burnt his bridges with the Tigers, so he could be left with little

other choice but to resign. Meanwhile Derby County manager

Nigel Clough has until 4pm tomorrow to respond to an FA charge of

misconduct. It relates to an incident during their defeat to

Peterborough at the weekend. The Rams were 2-0 up but eventually

lost 3-2 after a goal deep into injury time. One more football line

from me. Forest striker Dexter Blackstock's return to match action

after a year out has been put on hold again but we don't think he'll

mind. He had been due to play a behind the doors friendly at the

City ground today but had to dash to hospital instead. All down to

the arrival of his new daughter, Sureya. We wish them both well.

Rugby now and the Leicester Tigers have a big European cup game this

weekend in Italy against Aironi. This Heineken Cup is the biggest

competition in Europe. It kicks off on Saturday and Tigers have a tough

group including Ulster but for a club like Leicester the season

starts here. I think so. We had 12 guys away at the World Cup. We've

had a few injuries as well. We cannot concentrate to worry about

what has happened in the past. We need to build the momentum to make

it to Europe. If you think of a top athlete, one

aiming for a medal at London 2012, you think of someone whose total

dedication means they deny themselves all sorts of pleasures.

Well, sometimes, they're allowed to embrace them. Today I went to meet

Lisa Dobriskey, a middle distance runner, recovering from an

operation, and enjoying her own special form of stress relief.

Not an easy few months for Liza Dobriskey. She's working hard to

reach for fitness. Being laid up and then stuck in the gym has been

astonishingly frustrating for a woman who is only really happy on

the truck.. And get a sense of freedom about love being outside

and just running. It is my favourite thing to do. I wouldn't

want to do anything else. To have that taken away and not be able to

do that has been very difficult. You were in rehab, you've been on

the sofa. What is a deal to do? This is the business that Lisa and

her husband are invested in. They used to come here to relax but now

they are in mint... Do you really think chocolate and being an

athlete go together? I was very grateful to my nutritionist who

told me that part chocolate, over 70 %, is really beneficial for a

year. She told me I've got to eat dark chocolate. This place actually

plays an important role for Lisa in a world where mental strength can

be everything. Even when you are resting at home, you are thinking

things through. This is something completely different and if there

is no relationship to running at all. The question is, can chocolate

help Lisa get further than her 4th at the Olympics last time out?

might think I got it wrong tactically. This is the biggest

opportunity I'll ever have in front of me and I intend to make the rest

of her it. You have to remember that unlike most of us, however

much chocolate she eats or drinks, Lisa will be back in the gym

running it off. Ice hockey and Nottingham Panthers

report they are now down to the last few hundred of ticket for

Saturday's clash with Sheffield Steelers at the National Ice Centre.

Now how big a pop fan are you? Are your walls covered with pictures of

your favourite stars? Have you queued through the night just to

get a glimpse of your icon? Well, Jane Fogg from Nottingham is

such a huge fan of the band Westlife, she's seen them 60 times

and spent thousands on tattoos. Earlier Jane came in to the studio.

We asked her why? I love them so much, and passionate

about them, their music, everything. How long has this been a passion?

Since 2001. Have you ever met them in the flesh? No. And no, never.

is an unrequited passion. What you like to meet the? Got, you have.

How much of your life does it take up? This so that. It has affected

your private life. My husband gave me the ultimatum, my second husband.

They are solitary the biggest thing in your life. They us. Tell us

about your tattoos. What will you have done the next? I would like my

portraits autographed by the boys. They would do it in pen and I would

get it touted over the top. They are splitting up, aren't they?

are, after the tour next Giff. will you do then? I will still love

them. I shall always love them. said you will spend time at cellar

records of. Yes, I am. In Manchester, a week on Sunday, I

will come out all night because they are signing their record. It

is when their greatest hits comes out. There are 400 wristbands and I

want from. When it comes to the final gig, are you hoping to be

there? I am. I've spoken to a radio station this morning in Dublin and

they have actually given me a two free VIP tickets. I really hope and

I am sure that they will sign your tattoos. Your dreams will come true,

I'm convinced of it. If those boys don't know of your name by now,

there is something wrong. Remembrance Sunday is not looking

too bad. We will start to see the skies brightening before this

evening, it is going to turn down overnight. The lovely autumnal

picture to shave. Thank you to Simon. Gorgeous autumnal colours.

We've had a lot of cloud. There was the odd glimmer of sunshine at

times. The cloud will increase again overnight and we will have

mist and fog as well. It will turn drizzly as the night goes on. A

small amount of drizzle coming in through the early part of the

evening. Night-time temperatures dropping to a minimum of nine

Celsius. Thread the night time and early hours of tomorrow morning, it

will stay quite damp. Who will hold on to a lot of that cloud. A murky

starts to Friday. We will still probably hold on to some health fog

across parts of Derbyshire. The further south we are, still very

cloudy but drying out a little bit into the afternoon. A breeze which

is just starting to pick up towards the afternoon as well. Daytime

temperatures tomorrow reaching a maximum of 13 Celsius. Behind me,

there is a band of rain which will cross a so that night. There will

be a cold front coming through. In behind it, there could be a few

showers around. That is how a Saturday morning is likely to sharp

-- start. On Sunday morning, it will be a dry day and it will be

mild as well. This weekend should be quite bright, dry and a little