04/12/2013 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies.

Tonight: Guilty. The sex attacker who targeted six women in one night.

He is found guilty of 18 sex offences. He was filmed chasing one

of his victims along the street. The court has heard evidence of some of

the worst crimes imaginable. A fresh warning that terrorists are

stepping up their attempts to place bombs on freight planes.

Leicestershire's police commissioner gets strict talking from teenagers.

Art as therapy. How a project in Nottingham is helping to transform

the lives of a group of women. Good evening. First tonight: The law

catches up with a prolific and dangerous sex attacker. Harbinder

Khaktar from Derby was today found guilty of 18 offences, including

five rapes. Incredibly, 14 of those offences, including three of the

rapes, took place in just ONE night last February. One of his

traumatised victims said what happened to her had affected every

part of her life. In another twist, Khatkar today became the first

person in Debyshire to be re`tried under double jeopardy laws after

earlier being acquitted of raping ANOTHER woman in 2011.

CCTV footage shows Harbinger on the prowl. He was about to embark on a

horrific catalogue of attacks on women. The CCTV shows one victim

fleeing from him with him in pursuit. She fought him off, as did

another victim on the street. A third is unlucky. He then follows a

woman home from the pub, bursts into her house in attacks but is driven

off. Round the corner, he knocks a double and gets inside. He reaps a

terrified woman downstairs while her children sleep upstairs. Hours

later, 0 children sleep upstairs. Hours

later, he leaves and goes to a flat where he knocks and tries to attack

another woman but she managed to get him to leave with money. This has

been one of the largest and most complex investigations undertaken by

my team of detectives. The attacks were not his first. Two years ago,

he was rested for others. He has also been found guilty of four

attacks. This is the first case in Derbyshire were an acquittal has

been overturned by the Court of Appeal so that the same charges can

be brought against the same man. The court heard a witness impact

statement saying he'd completely wrecked her life, leaving her

terrified to go out and unable to forget her nightmare ordeal. It's

the impact, not just on the victim but on their family as well. The

judge will pass sentence on Friday but has already indicated he faces a

life sentence. There are fresh warnings tonight

that the terrorists who planted an explosive device found on a plane at

East Midlands Airport are using more sophisticated techniques. That's

come from government officials who say bomb makers in the Middle East

are determined to develop explosives that are much harder to detect.

It was the moment East Midlands airport became the focus of an

international security alert. Three years ago, a bomb, sent from Yemen,

was found on a plane. It was disguised inside a printer. Now,

there is a new warning. Officials in Whitehall say terrorists in Yemen

are determined to develop bombs that are harder to spot. The devices are

becoming more difficult because they are sealing them up so that the

papers don't get out so much. They are designing explosives that don't

smell so much so that dogs can't sniff them. They are designing them

so they look like similar things. This professor has spent ten years

developing a special laser that can detect trace amounts of explosives.

He says we need radical approaches to security in order to stay safe.

The techniques we have currently were developed 40 years ago. They

have got used to those and we now need new techniques that change the

game, stuff that really puts the advantage back on the harder `` in

the hands of security people. East Midlands airport is getting new

security body scanners, another element in the global fight against

terrorism. A little earlier, I spoke to the

BBC's security correspondent, Frank Gardner, and I began by asking him

in what way terrorists bombs are becoming more sophisticated. There

is a small group of professional, clever expert bomb in Yemen who have

been devising nonmetallic bonds that are very hard to detect and

disguised in ordinary things, either packed flat against the body or

described `` disguised in printer ink cartridges. One of these devices

was brought out of Yemen just weeks before the London Olympics but

people in Whitehall are convinced they are continuing to devise these

devices and coming up with new ways to fill security. How worried should

booby? Not too worried. Britain has got scanners and efficient systems

for this. The worry is when you get on planes in airports that don't

have sufficient security, where the operator is not paying attention,

where they don't have up`to`date body scanners. I am sure you have

seen people being patted down, but also with these tongs and a little

swab. That is looking with explosive traces. If you have been anywhere

near explosives, you may not think you have handled it, but somebody

you know know somebody who has handled it that will show up. East

Midlands airport are awaiting scanners, but traditionally, airline

travel has or has been the safest way to travel. I don't think it's

becoming more dangerous. Al`Qaeda has had a fascination with using

planes as bonds, as targets. They will not give that up. But the

airline security regime has got harder for them to penetrate in the

last ten years. They are trying to come up with new ways to get through

that, but it is a harder target for them than it was.

Still to come: New slippers for old. Why hundreds of elderly people are

being offered comfy new footwear that COULD save their lives.

The funeral took place today of one of the four people who died in a

house fire in North Derbyshire. 27`year`old Claire James died when

her house at North Wingfield caught fire last month. Her seven year old

daughter survived. The funerals of Josie Leighton and her sons Tyler

and Jordan, who also died in the fire, will be held on Friday.

Hundreds of motorists are stuck on the M1 in Leicestershire this

evening after a lorry overturned and the motorway was 0

evening after a lorry overturned and the motorway was shut going south.

The crash blocked the southbound carriageway between junction 22 and

21A. One person was taken to the Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham

following the accident with injuries that are not thought to be

life`threatening. Recovery work is continuing. The carriageway MAY open

around 7pm. I have seen, at junction 23, cars on the hard shoulder and

reversing back`up, backwards, going back up to junction 23, the slip

road. For the very latest travel news,

keep listening to your BBC local radio station through the evening.

Inspectors say improvements have been made at the Bradgate Mental

Health Unit in Leicester but more work still needs to be done. The

Care Quality Commission previously gave two warning notices over

record`keeping and the physical needs of patients. The inspectors

did find improvements in those areas but say more should be done to

ensure that appropriate numbers of suitably skilled and knowledgeable

staff are on duty. What do young people actually think

about the police and how could relations be improved? Well, over

1,000 young people in Leicestershire have been given the chance to

address just those questions. Their best suggestions will be revealed by

the county's Police and Crime Commisioner later this month, but

will he act on them? Our social affairs correspondent, Jeremy Ball,

joins us now from South Wigston. Come to any high street and you can

bet you will find teenagers who say they don't like the police. You will

hear complaints about disrespect and stop and search. That is why the

local police Commissioner came to the college behind me to look for

solutions. These are Asian and I getting stopped and searched. It is

called the big conversation and it is about making changes to what

young people feel about the police. This is stereotyping. The police and

crime commission won't be surprised by the complaint said. They have

come up time and time again. What ever police do, once young people

are older, it will affect them. Right now, it is more towards hate.

I have tried to look a police officer and the blank you. They

don't interact with young people. If police went into primary schools and

developed positive relationships with children, they are more likely

to not be against them so much. He is planning to use the best ideas to

improve very poor relationships but he knows that way be easy. So,

Jeremy, can this really make a practical difference? The police

commissioner is convinced that it can and here's looking at whether

they can build more trust by changing things like how they train

officers and the recruitment process. I asked him what surprise

to most about what young people have suggested that the sessions. Their

relationships with the police are not what we want to be and we need

to address that lack of warmth and trust. The core issues are fairness

which are shown through today. Some people might say, you will not get

ideas here from people causing problems. Through these 25 people,

we will hit 2000 people, and that is valid. That is valid and a large

number of conversations, and quantity has a quality all of its

own! We're getting that feedback and I don't accept it is shallow. I set

this up because I didn't have the answers. It's worth saying that the

big conversation has even heard from young offenders down the road from

here, locked up. Their views will be considered as well and the findings

will be revealed when the youth commission unveils its final results

at Leicestershire's police headquarters.

Still to come: A key fixture for the high`flying rams. Tonight, Derby

County take on Middlesbrough, where manager Steve McClaren's managerial

career began. Thankfully for those fans, tonight

will not be too windy. Tomorrow, on the other hand, a very windy day

indeed. Full details on the next few moments.

Nottingham City Council is defending paying almost ?600,000 last year in

discretionary redundancy payments for staff who promise not to

complain. The so`called "compromise agreements" are paid on top of

statutory redundancy. The council claims they protect it from further

legal costs like tribunals. The TaxPayer's Alliance has criticised

such agreements as wasteful but council leaders say it only equates

to ?4,000 per person. If you fall and injure yourself at

home, it can be a really distressing experience, especially if you have

to go to hospital. Treating patients who have fallen over costs the NHS

?6 billion a year. Well, today, older people in Leicestershire have

been given advice on how to stay steady on their feet this winter.

For James and Mary, even getting up the stairs can take its toll. Mary

has dementia and suffered a stroke three years ago which makes a

unsteady on her feet. Mary is afraid of the cooker now. When she fell, if

frightened her and she didn't want to get up and I have got to try and

get her up. Four is common after strokes. To give 0

get her up. Four is common after strokes. To give Mary a bit more

confidence, James has brought Mary to a slipper exchange. Anyone over

65 can bring their old slippers in exchange for new ones. It's been

organised by the parish council to make older people feel safer in

their home. Slippers have been fitted by a specially trained team

of fitters who asked them all sorts of questions about their medical

needs. The slippers are Velcro fastenings so they can be

comfortable. Hopefully, that will reduce the amount of force people

experience. One third of over 65 's full every year. That amounts to 3

million people across the country. In Leicestershire alone, 3000 people

have been admitted to hospital with hip fractures, mostly caused by

falls since 2006. After a proper fitting in a new pair of slippers

each, James and Mary arrived back at their house. The slippers are just a

small step in reducing the risk of Mary falling at home.

Eight giant beams that will support the roof of the new food hall at

Leicester Market have been lifted into position. The laminated timber

beams were brought in from Denmark. The longest measures 25 yards. The

work took place overnight to avoid disruption to the market. The

project's costing ?7 million. The existing building will be demolished

and the work's expected to finish in March.

A piece of art inspired by one of Britain's greatest sculptors has

been unveiled in Nottingham. The wedge`shaped work, called Juggernaut

of Nought, has been installed outside Nottingham Trent

University's School of Art Design in Shakespeare Street. It's the work

of Richard Trupp, who says he was inspired by his time working with

Sir Anthony Caro. The 89`year`old, who died in October, was regarded as

the greatest sculptor of his generation.

Coming up: A big night for Derby, but first, breaking news. Nottingham

Forest are tonight going to issue a formal complaint to the Football

League after talented midfielder Nate Chalobah was racially abused

during the game at Millwall last night.

Last night at half`time, he complain to the assistant manager that he had

been subject to racist chanting by a section of Millwall fans. He claims

a group of home supporters taunted him with racist language while he

was injured on the sidelines during the game. In the second half, he

scored the equaliser in the match. But he felt so upset by the alleged

racist incident that he asked his club to report the matter to the

football league. The club are now issue a formal complaint to Millwall

and the league and say they treat any incident of this nature

extremely seriously and will be liaising closely with the relevant

authorities in their investigation of the issue. Nate joined Forest on

loan from Chelsea in September. Onto football matters on the pitch

and Leicester City. They are still top despite defeat at Sheffield

Wednesday last night. Not many would have expected Leicester to lose and

it looked like they would continue their dominance in the league when

Anthony Knockeart put them ahead just three minutes into the game but

Conor Wickham had other ideas. He was the star of the show for the

South Yorkshire team and scored two goals to give the manager`less

Wednesday all three points. Well, Derby County play tonight and

they are really flying at the moment. Since manager Steve McClaren

arrived, the Rams have taken 17 points out of 24. In the next hour,

they take on Middlesborough, a team where McClaren's managerial career

all began. McLaren in George huge success at

Middlesbrough, winning the League Cup and taking them to Europe. That

time was buzzing and rocking! Great nights. Cup finals. That's the kind

of thing we want to create here. He certainly managed to create a buzz

so far. Just one defeat in eight games and they have won their last

three. There is no shortage of belief amongst the players. I don't

think there is anything in the dressing room of any opposition of

players we face. If we bring our best game, we can deal with anybody

and be anybody. McLaren first met the team before the game against

Ipswich. So, could he have imagined, back then, he would have

done so well since? From that position, to where we are now, I

don't think anybody would have dream of that kind of a start. I have got

to give credit to the players, recovering from a setback from the

club, to reacting the way they have, gone on the way they haven't

played the football they have. How far they want to go, it is up to the

players. It's a challenge. We try to do that every game. We have to make

sure we keep knocking them over the head and keep their feet on the

ground. Cricket and no sleep for fans

tonight. The second Ashes test begins in Adelaide, with England

hoping for a much better performance. Two men who know all

about the Ashes are former Leicestershire and England stars

Matthew Hoggard and Paul Nixon. How do you see the test match going?

It's up to England to fight back and make sure the senior players stand

up and be counted. They have been in this situation before. Australia

won't be easy to beat in Adelaide and I'm sure England will be doing

all the right things in the warm`ups and pre`match preparations to put

Adelaide on the map as a victory to England. Your thoughts on the game?

A massive game. It will be interesting to see what England do

with the batting. I think England will win the test. Much flatter

pitches. More batsmen friendly. Ice hockey Nottingham Panthers

secured their sixth straight home victory last night at the National

Ice Centre. They thrashed Elite League leaders Belfast Giants by

8`3. Leigh Salters scored twice and there were also goals for David

Clarke, Matt Francis, Robert Lachowicz, Petr Kalus and Chris

Capraro. Coach Corey Neilson said the win wasn't so much a statement

to the rest of the league but a reminder to his players of what

they're capable of. And now, how contemporary art is

helping transform lives. A Nottingham gallery has been working

closely with a group of women, many of whom have been the victims of

domestic violence. The aim is to boost their confidence through art,

and as Geeta Pendse has been finding out, for some, it's given them a

voice for the first time. Breaking through a mask of silence,

the ethos behind this project. Many here have experienced abusive

relationships and mental health problems. Over two months, these

workshops aim to give the women a new voice through art. Quite a lot

of them have been through traumatic relationships in the past and are

surviving domestic violence, so we decided to set up a project to help

them feel empowered through the medium of art. Louise could barely

speak when she attended the pilot project last year. Now she's back

and mentoring other women. I was quiet on the very first session,

didn't speak to anybody, so the fact I am doing this now is actually

quite a big step for me. Contemporary art is not everyone's

cup of tea, but the project is about making exhibitions like this one

more accessible. The women are encouraged to question what they

see, react and incorporated in their own work. Working with art forms

ranging from photography to painting, for Louise, it's also a

chance to share experiences. It's been humbling to see the other women

as well. State, another exhibition space will be open. This time, it

will showcase the women's work. Tomorrow is a very windy day indeed,

particularly the further north you are. That is why we find ourselves

in the amber warning zone. It's pretty whether we get an amber

warning. We could potentially see blasts of 80 mph, but probably more

likely to be 60`70 mph. Tonight, that is a much easier tale to tell

because there are clearer skies. Then the breeze picks up. Maybe just

a bit of a ruler or frost for tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, you

might see a few people looking like that for a time. But check out

tightly isobars are. That means it be windy. As we make our way through

the afternoon, that band of rain turns heavy for a time and very

windy. Disruption as possible, particularly to public transport.

Amber warning means to be prepared for it. Behind it, we have this band

of high pressure, meaning it is more settled. However, it will also be

much colder. All of this mild there we have had starts to spell away

from behind us and that cold arctic air will start to move down, so

Friday looking like a very cold day indeed. While it will be much drier

and settled and nowhere near as windy, it will be very cold indeed.

We will see a largely settled weekend on Saturday and Sunday, but

tomorrow, one or two hats.