22/05/2014 East Midlands Today

start to the weekend, some sunshine filtering through. By Monday feeling

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

Tonight, pride in Leicestershire, as a fallen airman is laid to rest.

Parts of Leicester come to a standstill for Flight Lieutdnant

standstill for Flight Lieutenant Rakesh Chauhan. He has brought

together a whole entire community together a whole entire comlunity

and he will be remembered as a hero and we are really, really proud of

him. And in Loughborough, there is a

And in Loughborough, there hs a fly`past.

Also tonight, a teenager adlits Also tonight, a teenager adlits

telling police a pack of lies over telling police a pack of lids over

the Leicester house fire murders. Plus, the days are numbered for a

city academy. It is to closd Plus, the days are numbered for a

city academy. It is to closd within two years.

And in the sport, the superbikes tune up for Donington Park as the

tune up for Donington Park `s the Rams tune`up for Wembley.

Good evening and welcome to Thursday's programme.

hundreds of people have attdnded the funeral of Flight Lieutenant

The 29`year`old serviceman died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan

Earlier in the day, part of Leicester came to a

Shops shut and crowds lined the streets to pay their respects.

Victoria Hicks has the first of two special reports on how a colmunity

Hundreds lined the streets, from the young to the old. They came together

to remember Rakesh. They were very sad to hear the news but on the

other side he died as a hero and served his country. At this young

age, he has sacrificed his life for Great Britain and the community and

humanity and I think this is the highest honour we can give him today

for his last journey and so he can rest in peace. He did fantastically

for the country and we are so proud of what he has done. Flanking the

hearse, six friends, as the 29`year`old made his last journey

along Belgrade's Golden mild. Most of the shops closed. An

unprecedented display of respect for a family that has lost so much.

unprecedented display of respect for a family that has lost so mtch. And

a family that has lost so much. And as a private family says goodbye in

the most public of ways, thdy say the most public of ways, they say

they do so because it would have been their son's final wish. For a

young man so committed to his been their son's final wish. For a

young man so committed to hhs life young man so committed to hhs life

in the RAF, his brother says, this is exactly what he would have

wanted. A funeral with full military honours. We wanted to be here today

to show our respect to Rakesh and also to show our support to his next

of kin. Sadly cut down so young in his life, you won't be able to

realise his career, but he will long be remembered as a true hero. From

here, the cortege headed to Loughborough.

The sombre, sorrowful reminder of a war being fought thousands of

And so they came to mourn and to remember a colleague,

a friend, a brother, a son, who died for the country he was

As the cortege arrived, his mum kissed her son's coffin

During the short service, Rakesh's father paid tributd to him,

telling the congregation, we are indebted to you and the

The chaplain, who had known him since he was 11,

said that Rakesh wanted to lake a difference in the world and

After the service, there was a fly`past by an RAF Hawk.

Rakesh's cousins paid tribute to him.

He's a hero and we are really, really proud of him.

Sad but very happy that he lived for the 29 years that he did live to

I was in Afghanistan a week before the accident.

I saw how professional he w`s, saw how highly he was regarded

by the crews that he worked with, and it is a huge loss for us all.

The funeral service was by his school chaplain at his request.

He felt that it was up to him to step up and do the job that he

He felt it made a real difference to the world that

he was doing a good thing and he was doing it with all his heart.

For those here today, Rakesh will always be remembered

as a man with a big heart who was selfless and kind.

A man who everyone is proud to have known.

Still to come, why it's the end of the road

Plus, why this hospital thinks thhs small

device could make a huge difference for patients, even save lives.

A teenager charged with murdering a family of four

in a house fire has admitted lying throughout police interviews.

The botched arson attack in Leicester claimed the lives of a

Today, Nathaniel Mullings s`id it was stupid

But he didn't start the blaze and didn't even know it was going

Sarah Teale has been at Nottingham Crown Court.

Well, it started theatrically, with defence barrister

Dexter Dias QC calling his client to the witness box with the words, "Mr

He then asked the 19`year`old whether had he told the truth to

police in two days of interviews over the arson attack on the

Mullings replied, "I told numerous lies through police intervidws

and it was a cowardly and stupid thing to do but I in these certain

Mr Dias then asked him whether he had known about plans to

firebomb the house in which Shehnila Taufiq and her three childrdn died.

He said, "No, I didn't know but I did know there was a plan to smash

The jury had heard the gang had meant to target

the family home of a man who they believed had been involved

in the stabbing of their friend Antoin Akpom earlier in the evening

And the court had been shown some CCTV

Mullings was asked who it was caught on camera.

He was asked whether that petrol can had anything to do with the fire.

It had been in his boot for several days as a precaution.

He was asked why he'd disposed of it.

He said he was in shock after the firebomb attack and added,

"I was scared and I didn't want to be caught with anything on le".

He also admitted disposing of a phone

because he'd made numerous contacts with some of his co`defendants.

He said when police asked hhm about it all, he was in a desperately

cowardly state and didn't want to admit to anything that night.

And he admitted to the jury he had previous convictions?

In March 2009, he pleaded gtilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He was 14 at the time and it was a fight at school.

He described it as a stupid little feud with

Eight defendants face murder charges which they all deny.

The trial at Nottingham Crown Court continues.

Nigel Farage is to have his dry`cleaning bill paid

by a protestor who threw an egg at him in Nottingham.

Frederick Glenister admitted assaulting the UKIP leader but said

Our chief news reporter, Quentin Rayner, was in court.

Magistrates were shown footage of the moment on May the 1st when

Frederick Glenister threw an egg at Nigel Farage as he was about to go

on a walkabout and greet UKHP on a walkabout and greet UKHP

supporters in Nottingham. They were told Frederick Glenister had not

planned it but when he realised the party leader was in town, hd took

party leader was in town, he took his opportunity and bought some

British eggs. The court heard that 33`year`old Frederick Glenister was

a man of conviction who stood by those convictions. His solicitor

told the magistrates there was a long tradition, rightly or wrongly,

of people throwing eggs at politicians. Frederick Glenister was

politicians. Frederick Glenhster was given a conditional discharge for 12

months. Magistrates told hil he given a conditional discharge for 12

months. Magistrates told hil he had gratuitously degraded the UKIP

leader. He was ordered to p`y 2 0 leader. He was ordered to p`y 2 0

pounds, ?100 of which is to pay Nigel Farage's cleaning bill. But he

says he had no remorse. Frederick Glenister, who has no previous

convictions, was told his bdhaviour convictions, was told his bdhaviour

wasn't acceptable even though the egg was not considered a weapon.

The Metropolitan Police says there'll be a substantial phase

of activity in the Madeleine McCann investigation in the coming weeks.

The force's Assistant Commissioner says it'll be led by police

in Portugal with the involvement of British officers.

Madeleine, from Rothley in Leicestershhre,

went missing on a family holiday in Praia da Luz seven years ago

Earlier this month, British police arrived in the resort

The number of children being discharged

from Nottingham's hospitals overnight has nearly quadrupled in

two years, despite bosses promising to cut down on the practice.

921 patients aged under 15 were discharged at night

That compares with 241 two years ago.

In total, nearly 5,000 patidnts in Nottingham were sent home between

The Hospitals' Trust says it always acts in the best interest

Voting is under way in polling stations across the East Midlands.

Along with a handful of local elections in Derby,

Amber Valley and Bassetlaw, voters are choosing the five Euro MPs

The result of the European election won't be

known until late on Sunday night, after the rest of Europe has voted.

A troubled Nottinghamshire school deemed to have

"serious weaknesses" by govdrnment inspectors is to close.

It was hoped a new sponsor could be found for the

But today teachers told puphls about the plans to completely shut

the school by 2016, as Emily Anderson reports.

The end of another day at school, but today, the students here have

but today, the students herd have been told their school is closing.

And they were given the news before their parents. I'm absolutely

furious, the fact that I'm having to learn this via a text message from

my son! Absolutely livid that learn this via a text message from

my son! Absolutely livid that it has been via the grapevine! While other

parents `` why won't the parents told first? Why weren't we told at

the same time? It's ridiculous! It was four years ago when the parents

fought a long campaign to kdep the fought a long campaign to kdep the

school open. It was turned hnto an academy under the guidance of the

Trust but earlier this year, it lost control of ten schools, including

Sherwood, because of worries about performance. In a statement, the

executive principal of the trust said he fully understands the recent

frustrations of parents and staff. After the decision to close the

school was taken, the redhead school was taken, the redhe`d

academy trust has been asked to secure a good education for all the

students involved. The decision to transfer to the

redhead academy trust is part of an agreement with the Department of

Education to find new sponsors for academies. It means some pupils will

be offered a place here at the Carlton academy next September.

Years ten and 11 will remain here while they take their GCSEs. After

today's announcement, many parents have been left feeling their fight

four years ago was for nothing. A man accused of murder has claimed

that it was another defendant who carried out the brutal attack

in Derbyshire last year. The prosecution says three people

beat 48`year`old Barry Smith to death before setting light to

his body outside a club in Kilburn. James Roberson reports

from Leicester Crown Court. Four people in all are

on trial here at Leicester Crown Court for what occurred last October

at this welfare club in Kilburn, where a father`of`four was `llegedly

beaten to death and then burnt. It's claimed Vincent Aitken

and his daughter Emma and her partner Nathan Doherty were involved

in the murder, while Pamela Aitken But the courts heard Pamela Aitken

had an argument with 48`year`old Barry Smith which resulted

in her losing her job at the club and the attack on

Mr Smith was in revenge for that. Today, 27`year`old Nathan Doherty

in his defence claimed it was Vincent Aitken who alone attacked

Mr Smith with a pool cue and then Nathan Doherty denies attacking Mr

Smith himself or burning his body. All of the defendants deny all

of the charges Next tonight,

the new technology which it's claimed could save lives, s`ve

hospital staff valuable time and cut Yes, King's Mill in Nottinghamshire

is the first hospital in thd East Midlands to use a hi`tech system to

record key patient observathons That's things like blood

pressure and temperature. As our health correspondent

Rob Sissons reports, they hope it'll mean shorter hospital stays

and quicker treatment. Yes, patient notes, observations,

never far from the patient at the never far from the patient `t the

end of the bed and relatives really should not be looking at thdm but

should not be looking at them but sometimes sneak a look. Herd, things

sometimes sneak a look. Here, things are changing, and some say ht could

save and they say it is already bringing

big differences. Do you feel sick at all? Basic observations are input,

including breathing rate, blood pressure and temperature. It's a lot

quicker, more efficient. We haven't got the mess of paperwork, running

around for notes. One, why are you around for notes. One, why are you

in hospital? I keep falling down. King's Mill is still being closely

monitored. They call it special measures. It is after the unexpected

high level of death how to get out of the fastest flow.

Just last week, four teenagers how to get out of the fastest flow.

Just last week, four teenagdrs had Just last week, four teenagers had

to be rescued from a stretch of the Derwent further downstream hn Derby.

Derwent further downstream in Derby. There had been playing in the river

and they had not realised how deep and stronger currents were, and

became disoriented in a way, away from the bank, so they went to a

place of safety, which was an from the bank, so they went to a

place of safety, which was `n island place of safety, which was `n island

they found halfway down the river. We are getting more and mord

they found halfway down the river. We are getting more and more rescues

from rivers. People on a dax like from rivers. People on a day like

today is the Areva like this and want to jump into cool down. Places

like this, keep away from the water. `` people on a day like tod`y

like this, keep away from the water. `` people on a day like today see

like this, keep away from the water. `` people on a day like tod`y see a

`` people on a day like today see a river like this. I was told to then

take one more step out into the fastest flow and it was a step too

far. I am very heavy but the force far. I am very heavy but the force

of the water took me off my feet but fortunately I was attached to his

three firefighters and safety rope. But of course other people in the

But of course other people hn the river wouldn't be so lucky. ``

attached to three firefightdrs. He said on the phone he did that! I

had no idea! Crikey! Still to come,

here comes the rain again! It was heavy overnight, heavy

this afternoon, and guess what? It will be heavy again tomorrow so

keep your water proves handy It will be heavy again tomorrow, so

keep your water proves handy and the umbrella on stand`by. I will be back

in the dry with your detaildd in the dry with your detaildd

forecast shortly. The studio is surprisingly quiet because it is

surprisingly quiet because ht is that time again.

Coming up in the sport, the latest on the Rams' trip to

Wembley for the play`off final, but it's not all football this week

It's also the biggest weekend in Donington Park's year `

The only British round of the series this year.

And today's the day they opdn it all up to the public.

It is the biggest event of our year and it takes a lot of getting right.

It is on my doorstep so obvhously always look forward to Donington.

Even more so for me this year. always look forward to Donington.

Even more so for me this year. What matters in sport is to allow the

stars to be accessible to the fans. I think I've crashed on every corner

here, so I know what not to do and now I've just got to figure out how

to get fast! Leon is a popular boy around these parts. It is hhs home

around these parts. It is his home track, as you saw there. Derby

County pretty popular as well at the moment. They are off to Wembley in

the play`off final looking for Premier League football over the

weekend. It is a renaissance for weekend. It is a renaissance for

them and for head coach Steve McClaren, and this, a chance that

hangs on Harry Redknapp. He was welcomed back into England football

and he was given the coach's job. It will be an interesting meeting.

Well, ahead of this game at Wembley, so much attention on Derby County

and head coach Steve McClaren. Today, the newspapers are focused on

his relationship with Harry Redknapp. Is a great story for the

media, isn't it? And a fairx Redknapp. Is a great story for the

media, isn't it? And a fairy tale media, isn't it? And a fairy tale

ending to the season. Starthng there ending to the season. Starthng there

and ending up at Wembley as our opponents. Only a short while ago he

was part of the coaching staff at was part of the coaching st`ff at

Queens Park Rangers. How ironic it has come full circle. The former

England manager, one of the most famous faces in the game, will lock

horns in a Wembley showdown. There's a lot of pressure on Queens Park

Rangers to go up. A lot of loney. And we all know the story. I think

they are the favourites. I think the bookmakers make them the favourites.

They've been in great form. Had a good run. A young side full of

energy. A good team. Attire at the QPR press call, Harry said he did

not regret giving Steve a route back into English football. `` today at

the QPR press call. He was great when he was here. But you always

knew he would work somewherd and knew he would work somewhere and

when the opportunity came. That was the understanding and obviotsly

the understanding and obviously Derby, it was a job he couldn't

resist. I'm looking forward to a cup of tea and a big hug at the end, no

of tea and a big hug at the end no matter what happens. Now the talking

is over, Steve McClaren is on the brink of one of the richest matches

in football and a return to the Premier League.

So, Derby County, superbikes. Plenty of other sports news as well! Lets

give you a round`up. A new addition give you a round`up. A new addition

to the Leicester City team sheet. The fans favourite Martin Btzza

The fans favourite Martin Buzza Lasky has agreed a new one`day deal

as the club get ready for lhfe Lasky has agreed a new one`day deal

as the club get ready for life in as the club get ready for lhfe in

the Premier League. `` one year the Premier League. `` one xear

deal. In Nottingham, they are gearing up to welcome some of the

best cyclist in the world, `s gearing up to welcome some of the

best cyclist in the world, as the city plays host to the milk race

this weekend. 60,000 turned out last year and Ed Clancy being among the

men taking part, it promises to be quite an event.

The crowds are out to here at Donington. Not for me! For people

like this man. We have adopted him even though he is French. Do you

regard this as your home tr`ck even though he is French. Do you

regard this as your home tr`ck now? Definitely. I'm only about 20

minutes down the road. So for me it is very much feeling like a home

race. We have fans supporting and coming at the weekend so I feel at

home here. You are sitting well in the championship. How do you

home here. You are sitting well in the championship. How do yot think

the championship. How do you think it is going? We have some strong

races. It has gone well. Two wins. So it is going well. Competitive and

So it is going well. Compethtive and there's a lot of fighting going on,

so the first top five riders are very close. You've had a mixed time

after that dramatic high side. Yes, it was going well until I r`n out of

talent! And then irony hurt myself. But, yeah, when conditions are

talent! And then irony hurt myself. But, yeah, when conditions `re hard

like this and tricky, a loss of water, then a smaller `` small

water, then a smaller `` sm`ll mistake is very costly. But so far

things are working well. We see you here on the podium at Donington?

things are working well. We see you here on the podium at Donington I

here on the podium at Donington? I hope so. There are many British

riders and they are not going to make it easy, that's for sure! Thank

you so much for joining us. Despite the accident, very much one of our

own, and looking to get on the podium here at Donington Park. And

it's going to be a big weekend podium here at Donington Park. And

it's going to be a big weekdnd all it's going to be a big weekdnd all

around for sport. The Wembley around for sport. The Wembley

build`up is all tomorrow. It's a huge weekend for sport.

In all sorts of respects. As we hand over to the weather, we havd

In all sorts of respects. As we hand over to the weather, we have been

getting reports from Lincolnshire Fire Rescue Service, who say a

number of properties have bden flooded in South Lincolnshire in

just the last few hours. These just the last few hours. These

pictures were taken by Andrdw in pictures were taken by Andrew in

market deepening. He says hd took market deepening. He says he took

them at the height of the storm Areas of Bourne also suffering from

Areas of Bourne also sufferhng from the downpour. It seems to be

Areas of Bourne also suffering from the downpour. It seems to bd the

south and east of our region which has been particularly affected, so

that there's that out. A lot of water there! Crikey! Let's get the

latest. Yes, you are right, particularly

fantastic storms and rainfall, and we are expecting further rahn

fantastic storms and rainfall, and we are expecting further rain and

we are expecting further rahn and heavy, scattered showers throughout

the day tomorrow with the chance of some thunder again. So a warning for

heavy rainfall remains in force for the rest of the season becatse

heavy rainfall remains in force for the rest of the season because of

standing water and localised flooding, so something to bd

standing water and localised flooding, so something to be aware

through the next few hours. Through the day, we actually had sole

through the next few hours. Through the day, we actually had some fairly

the day, we actually had sole fairly decent dry weather to start. The

rain started to move in at `bout mid`afternoon time with particularly

heavy rain out towards the East. mid`afternoon time with particularly

heavy rain out towards the Dast As heavy rain out towards the Dast As

we go through the next few hours, we had the risk for some heavy,

thundery showers. They start to clear away for time this evening

clear away for time this evdning before we see another band of

showers pushing through again, before we see another band of

showers pushing through agahn, with showers pushing through agahn, with

the risk of the odd rumble of thunder, so further heavy rainfall

expected and minimum night`time temperatures of 10 degrees. First

thing tomorrow morning, the best of the dry weather will be out to the

East tomorrow as we continud to have East tomorrow as we continue to have

these showers rolling in ovdr these showers rolling in over

Leicestershire, Derbyshire `nd even Leicestershire, Derbyshire `nd even

Mansfield, so if you are in Nottinghamshire and out towards

Lincolnshire, you should sed dry Lincolnshire, you should sed dry

spells, particularly in the afternoon, and some long spells

spells, particularly in the afternoon, and some long spdlls of

afternoon, and some long spells of sunshine. If you are lucky to get

the sunshine tomorrow, we're sunshine. If you are lucky to get

the sunshine tomorrow, we'rd looking the sunshine tomorrow, we'rd looking

at highs of 17 or 18. The low pressure is with us Friday hnto

pressure is with us Friday into Saturday and that is set to bring us

further heavy rain and, you guessed it, thundery showers! So if you are

heading to Wembley or staying here, be prepared, as it is looking rather

unsettled. But briefly improving by bank holiday Monday.

I'm glad you said that! It has been a conveyor belt of wetness! A lovely

picture behind us. You are back for the late news? Yes.

When the first travellers crossed America, they were faced with this -

from snow-capped mountains to arid plains and thick forests.

The very nature of the American personality was defined.

Ray Mears explores the land behind the Hollywood legend

and discovers the wild that made the west.