30/05/2014 East Midlands Today

getting to Europe illegally. More than 40,000 have made the journey so

far this year. This is East Midlands Today with

Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies. Tonight:

The teenage neo`Nazi who buhlt lethal bombs and fantasised

about mass murder. Here we go. Michael Piggin `dmitted

making bombs and recorded chilling videos threatening to kill Muslims.

We are against the Muslim invasion of our country.

Also tonight, redundancy begin at Thoresby cholerae. `` mine.

And Richard III was to folder but And Richard III was to folddr but

not a hunchback. Face to face, were at Wembldy

not a hunchback. Face to face, were at Wembley for

Face to face, were at Wembldy for the big match way in.

Welcome to Friday's programle. First tonight, a teenage

neo`Nazi who built lethal bombs has been cleared of terrorism.

After deliberating for a fortnight, a jury failed to agree on

whether Michael Piggin was preparing to copy the Columbine High School

massacre as part of a deadly attack on his home town of Loughborough.

However, the Old Bailey heard that Piggin admitted stockpiling weapons

and filming threats to kill Muslims. He'll be sentenced for a series

of separate explosives and weapons offences next month.

and weapons offences next month Piggin pleaded guilty to testing

petrol bombs that were stored petrol bombs that were stored

in his bedroom. He was making pipe bombs too,

a weapon that was used in Northern Ireland.

And he built improvised explosive devices,

a weapon of choice in Afghanistan. Tonight, a senior detective tells

this programme that those improvised this programme that those ilprovised

bombs could still have killed people in Loughborough,

as our social affairs correspondent, Jeremy Ball, reports.

This is a crossbow. Just got it Michael Piggin was obsessed with

weapons, guns, explosives. This is footage of him testing Molotov

cocktails behind the leisure centre, cocktails behind the leisurd centre,

one of a string of home`made videos found by the police. We tre`t this

very seriously indeed. Anything of this type where a person is putting

together items such as improvised explosive device, one has to assume

that they can prove fatal if handled incorrectly and if someone has a

particular mindset to use them, it can result in the loss of lhfe.

particular mindset to use them, it can result in the loss of life. The

can result in the loss of lhfe. The terrorism investigation was prompted

by a search of an macro's home, but it was the last thing policd

expected. They came here to look for a knife he used to threaten local

schoolboys and they were horrified by what they found. In his bedroom,

a swastika flag on the wall and a copy of Hitler's book. Plastered

with newspaper cuttings abott with newspaper cuttings abott

killers. These bottles were ready to use as Molotov cocktails. They

discovered an arsenal of weapons, a discovered an arsenal of weapons, a

large collection of powerful airguns, a machete, partly built

pipe bombs. My daughter's bddroom airguns, a machete, partly built

pipe bombs. My daughter's bddroom is directly facing the bedroom. My

children are playing on the front, next door. Even if this guy had made

a mistake and had an accident with these bombs, we are running such a

close vicinity. We would have all felt the effects. Terrifying. Really

scared. We were so shocked. In this notebook, something more shocking.

Michael Piggin had returned detailed plans to carry out an attack. He had

plastered the covers with swastikas and English Defence League slogans.

He heard swastika is in his jumper. He did not talk to many people. When

it came to light, people were not that surprised. They assumed

something was a bit wrong with him. The police found a document`ry about

the two American students who carried out the notorious Columbine

High School massacre. They killed 12 students and one teacher. Injured 23

others and then turned the gun is on themselves. Michael Piggin was

obsessed with those killings. In his notebook, they found a chilling

sticks man sketch explaining how to attack his old school. He drew

arrows, writing CO2 and pipd bombs in pockets. Above, he has put,

arrows, writing CO2 and pipe bombs in pockets. Above, he has ptt, sawn

in pockets. Above, he has put, sawn off air rifle and pistol is. He

insisted his plans were a fantasy that helped him cope with pdrsistent

that helped him cope with persistent bullying and the jury could not

reach a verdict. They heard he had a form of autism that had not been

diagnosed. It is ready worrying. Still many people do not get

diagnosed at the appropriate Still many people do not get

diagnosed at the appropriate time. It is really important we phck up

these youngsters so that they can these youngsters so that they can

have the proper support. Grdat have the proper support. Great

people of the UK, which are mosques and other targets,

it is extremely worrying and I think the whole nation should be worried.

Michael Piggin glorified thd leader Michael Piggin glorified the leader

of the English Defence Leagte. This demo was billed as a peaceful

demo was billed as a peaceftl protest against militant Islam but

Michael Piggin was obsessed with violence. One of the countrx's

violence. One of the country's leading experts on far right

extremism. Even though groups like the EDL publicly reject violence,

they do give their supporters a set of narratives that might justify

violence. In this case, you have a student who is displaying a strong

fascination with weapons and far right ideological worldviews. It

really is a no`brainer to refer right ideological worldviews. It

really is a no`brainer to rdfer that individual to local police agencies

individual to local police `gencies or counterterrorism officers. Almost

20 people were named on his fitness. They were warned by the polhce they

They were warned by the police they had been threatened. The jury was

not convinced the threat was real `` on his hit list. Serious questions

on his hit list. Serious qudstions have been raised about warning signs

that should have been acted on. Our correspondent has been following

this trial. Were any concerns raised about his behaviour? There had been

a lot of complaints at his school about his extremist behaviour. We

about his extremist behaviotr. We are not allowed to identify the

school. We heard during the trial from one of his teachers who

described how Michael Piggin asked him which gun he would like to be

shot with. There are formal processes for referring concerns

like that through the Prevent programme. The police were never

told about Michael Piggin and the school told us it is becausd the

school told us it is because the complaints it received one nothing

out of the ordinary and did not indicate what emerged in the trial.

indicate what emerged in thd trial. This is the second time a jury has

This is the second time a jtry has failed to come to a verdict. The

case has been going on for lonths. Why has it been so, located? The

case was not about what he did it was about what he was plannhng

case was not about what he did it was about what he was planning to do

was about what he was plannhng to do next `` why has it been so

complicated? He admitted making the bombs and writing the plans. They

had to decide if he was serious had to decide if he was serhous

about going through with it. At the end of the day, some of them

end of the day, some of thel believed him and others did not.

believed him and others did not That is why the terrorism charges

have been dropped. That is also why have been dropped. That is `lso why

he will be sentenced next month for a less various offences. Thank you.

`` less serious offences. Jeremy Ball, reports.

And you can read more on this case and the background to it by going

online at bbc.co.uk/Leicester. The secrets unlocked by a new 3D

replica of King Richard III's spine. And why they are celebrating 175

years of train travel between Nottingham and RB.

The whistle also signifies the end of a soggy week. What is in store

for the weekend? Join me for the details later in the progralme.

Next tonight, the phased closure of Thoresby Colliery

Redundancy notices have been sent to almost half the workforce

Nearly all the redundancies are compulsory.

The Union of Democratic Mineworkers say there's still a way

of keeping it open for another four years, but UK Coal

expected. UK Coal had announced them last month. All of a sudden, the

eventual closure of the mine is eventual closure of the mind is

becoming more of a reality. As one worker put it, he said, it was

gut`wrenching. The majority of the redundancies will be mine workers

who develop new col fleeces. Managers, officials and clerical

workers will also be receiving workers will also be receivhng

redundancy notices tomorrow `` new col faces. Almost all coming off

shift today did not want to talk. managed closure over 18 months? Last

month, the Government agreed to give UK Coal a loan of ?20 million for

the managed closure. `` ?10 million. It is dependent on it being matched

by the private sector. The deal should be signed and sealed by the

end of next week, UK Coal s`y. Without it, it would go into

liquidation and Thoresby wotld Without it, it would go into

liquidation and Thoresby would close liquidation and Thoresby wotld close

immediately. UK Coal insisted liquidation and Thoresby would close

immediately. UK Coal insistdd is the best option. It means people have

immediately. UK Coal insisted is the best option. It means peopld have 18

months to find another job. It keeps the door opened slightly for any

potential buyer for the pit if there happens to be one out there. Thank

you. One of our major hospitals is to

build a multi`storey car park in the next 18 months to alleviate

chronic parking problems. Queues for the main car park

at the Leicester Royal Infirmary can stretch hundreds of yards

at peak times. Patients and visitors say

the time spent waiting to p`rk We have to leave an hour in advance

at least to be in time for the appointment. If you come in

yourself, you do not stand a chance yourself, you do not stand a chance

of getting to your appointmdnt yourself, you do not stand ` chance

of getting to your appointmdnt on time. You can queue for half an

hour. It is not ideal. If you are lucky like at the moment, you are

straight in. The solution is relatively straightforward. A

multistorey car park on the site behind me. Somewhere around here.

There will be disruption whilst we do that because we will losd

There will be disruption whhlst we do that because we will lose car

do that because we will losd car parking space, but it will be worth

it. We are looking at 600 spaces. Nearly ?17 million pounds could be

spent on improvements to schools The county council says there is

a huge backlog of school repairs Priority is being given to

buildings in the worst condition. The proposals will be discussed by

the authority's cabinet on Monday. A man who was injured

after being trampled by cattle says clearer warning signs need to be put

up to tell walkers of the dangers. Robert Tatler was attacked on the

same day that another man was killed Back at home

after a four`day stay in hospital, but Robert Tatler from Derbyshire

is not yet back to full strdngth. He was attacked by cattle while out

walking his dogs near Ashbotrne They very rapidly all got up

and all charged towards me, I turned around and waved

my arms and made a lot of noise. Didn't make any difference.

They came very close. The black cow in particular just

turned Luckily, I was wearing a

good`quality rucksack with a steel frame and I thhnk

that absorbed a lot of the impact. But he has been left with

a large swelling on his stolach And another walker, a holidaymaker

from Cornwall, was fatally hnjured on the same day and on the same

farm. I gather it was a different herd

of cows. I think it just shows how

unpredictable cows with very young calves, and these were very young,

can be, more than I'd ever realised. You need to be told that thdy can be

dangerous and attack you I would be prepared, if I h`ve to

divert from my footpath, to do that on a temporary basis, rather than

get trashed or possibly killed. Farmers often do put up signs, but

they say walkers need to be aware of the dangers during calving season,

especially if they have dogs. Keep them under close control,

keep them on a lead, preferably. If you feel threatened

by the cattle, let the dog go. But also be mindful

when you enter the field of where the cattle are and do not

necessarily follow the footpath But Robert says that is exactly

what he did when he was att`cked. He will be taking even more care

when out walking his dogs Scientists at the University

of Leicester may have proved once and for all that Shakespeard's

portrayal of Richard III was wrong. They've put together a 3D replica

of the former king's spine. It shows he had severe scolhosis,

but he wasn't a hunchback. For years, this bent over, twisted

figure has been a common portrayal But now scientists at the University

of Leicester have used modern After being dug up

in a council carpark, the former king's bones were put through a CT

scanner and printed out in 3`D. The result is an exact replhca

of Richard's crooked spine. Bruno, the big question,

was Richard III a hunchback? Scoliosis is a separate

condition to being a hunchback. He has an S shaped curved in

his spine whereas a hunchback would But the degree of the curve is

so striking. Classically,

scoliosis of this type is not But as he got older

and had this degenerative change, he would have suffered from

an arthritic back and some pain Could his disfigured spine have

helped cause his death at Bosworth? I think most doctors would recommend

a patient with scoliosis like this But a well`trained soldier with

scoliosis would probably be more effective than

a badly`trained soldier without scoliosis. In fact, this would have

been inconvenient to him, Did Shakespeare do Richard

III a bit of a disservice? I would say definitely yes,

but it makes a more interesting play. While this solves the mystery

of Richard's twisted spine, whether his personality was as

twisted will remain Shakespdare s Yes, artistic interpretation is the

key. What do we know?

A bit of a glimpse into the life of a real King Richard.

You might have to battle the a real King Richard.

You might have to battle thd weather You might have to battle thd weather

this weekend. The forecast later. Fingers crossed for a good weekend.

Today we passed a signific`nt milestone in the history of the

It's exactly 175 years since the first train linked

In Derby today there were celebrations to mark

its transformation from a slall industrial Victorian town into a

Carolyn Moses joined the festivities.

These passengers could be forgiven for thinking it is just another day

on the departures and arriv`ls on the departures and arriv`ls

board. But on the 30th of May, 1839, board. But on the 30th of May, 1839,

the first train steamed is way from Nottingham into the city and

Derby's railway heritage was born. Queen Victoria was less than two

years into her reign and today a little bit of that history was

relived. Now this part of the East Midlands has the largest number of

Midlands has the largest nulber of rail companies in the world. Over

120 companies supply businesses to the rail industry, 25,000 people are

the rail industry, 25,000 pdople are employed, generating ?2.6 million

employed, generating ?2.6 mhllion worth of economic value to the

region. The railways are critical worth of economic value to the

region. The railways are critical to Derby and Derby is critical to the

railways. You cannot celebr`te it railways. You cannot celebr`te it

properly without recreating it. It is time to leave for Derby. The

route may be the same, but the views have changed since 1839. I think it

is an opportunity for us to celebrate Derby's train makhng

capacity. We want to make sure that capacity. We want to make sure that

our heritage built around train making gets passed on to thd

our heritage built around train making gets passed on to the future

making gets passed on to thd future generations. Building trains still

for the UK. We are a way `` railway town. It is not the only

commemorative event. Others are planned. As Derby celebrates its

place very much at the heart of the UK's railway network and history.

I think platform to full sports. I think platform to full sports

Where else would the team be I think platform to full sports.

Where else would the team be tonight but at Wembley for the way hn?

This is it. The final time Nottingham's world champion Carl

Froch check will meet the young pretender George Groves before this

epic fight at Wembley. This is the way in and there are thousands

here. It is the battle but dverybody here. It is the battle but dverybody

in British boxing has been waiting for. Carl French is in good shape

and will earn up to ?10 million if he wins this, the biggest fhght of

he wins this, the biggest fight of his career.

The whole country is getting behind it. Enjoy it. I just think I

The whole country is getting behind it. Enjoy it. I just think H will do

the business in style. I am focusing on the enterprise and this hs my

legacy at stake. `` the end prize. Fight night is approaching. He is in

a fight he cannot win. I have got range and reach. I will knock him

out early. He is at the end of his career. My career is just bdginning.

career. My career is just beginning. Regardless of what he says or I

said, we will be trying to hit each other very hard in the face for the

big knockout. I am looking forward to Saturday. 80,000 at Wembley, the

biggest fight possible. I h`ve all biggest fight possible. I have all

ready boxed him and beating them. I'm very confident. I do not think

anything like this will be seen in British boxing again. I cannot wait.

This fight I'm going to win, obviously. Wow. We hope that wets

your appetite. Earlier at the weigh in, it was pretty heated on the

stage. Carl Froch check seem to get stage. Carl Froch check seel to get

under the skin of George Groves. `` Carl Froch check seemed to get. We

have been on the inside, we have been to meet Carl Froch check's

psychologist and to his homd in been to meet Carl Froch check's

psychologist and to his homd in to his daughter's first birthday

psychologist and to his home in to his daughter's first birthd`y party.

his daughter's first birthday party. The final words with Carl Froch

The time for talking is almost done. A quick word ahead of that. You have

been ready for weeks. Months I have been ready. Potentially, the best

been ready. Potentially, thd best shape of my life. An old cliche.

shape of my life. An old clhche This is fantastic. More than turn up

to most boxing matches. 80,000 coming tomorrow. How much are you

looking forward to settling the score? Really looking forward to it.

Howard is made up, I don't know. score? Really looking forward to it.

Howard is made up, I don't know. The biggest fight of my career `nd

Howard is made up, I don't know The biggest fight of my career and life

biggest fight of my career `nd life and it would be so nice to send

George Groves back into the Holy Cross out of. I have not heard the

Cross out of. I have not he`rd the end of him for so long. I have

nothing but bad against him, but it has gone on. `` back into the whole

he crawled out of. We will speak to you tomorrow after the fight. Best

of luck. With me now is George Groves. Carl

French has told us that you look nervous and you are not ready. ``

Carl Froch check. He has not lied once in the build up to the fight.

You said he is on death row at the moment. Is that disrespectful? I did

moment. Is that disrespectftl? I did not mean he will die. I just meant

he is waiting for an inevitable and he is waiting for an inevit`ble and

he has been sentenced. That was George Groves. Let us get the views

of the fans. Looking forward to it since it was announced. I cannot

wait. Two guys at their prime, fighting, they hate each other.

There will be amazing. It is like a few's who of the boxing world. With

me as a heavyweight of the boxing pundit world. Have you ever seen

anything like this? On the side of the world, no. I have seen it

anything like this? On the side of the world, no. I have seen ht in

the world, no. I have seen it in America with massive crowds. This is

a first time ever in England. For a young promoter, getting what they

want, it put music song, makes the fight, people imagine it. That is

why think this has captured the public's imagination. Wembley

public's imagination. Wembldy Stadium, when it was first set, we

thought, no chance, the place will be empty. 60,000 tickets went in one

day. Froch or Groves? I am going Froch. If it goes the distance, I go

George Groves because he is the younger man. We like your fhrst

prediction! That is it from here. We will leave you now with the shots

and scenes of the fans here today. Amazing scenes of a boxing way in.

We cannot wait for tomorrow night. It looks exceptionally exciting.

It looks exceptionally exciting Quite an atmosphere. OK, the

Quite an atmosphere. OK, thd weather. This is very important.

It has stopped raining at ldast High pressure over the last 24

hours, killing off the showers but hours, killing off the showdrs but

giving us a legacy of cloud. Still grey and gloomy. Subtle improvements

as we head through the weekend. grey and gloomy. Subtle improvements

as we head through the weekdnd. We as we head through the weekdnd. We

are staying mostly dry. I cannot are staying mostly dry. I c`nnot

rule out the odd rogue shower. rule out the odd rogue showdr.

Brightness on Sunday. That is when Brightness on Sunday. That hs when

we will get the best of the temperatures. Warming up. Not a lot

changing for the rest of the day temperatures. Warming up. Not a lot

changing for the rest of thd day and overnight. Quite a lot of cloud. We

overnight. Quite a lot of cloud We stay dry. There could be breaks in

the cloud in the east, allowing the temperatures to slide into single

figures. Elsewhere, we are staying in double figures. Tomorrow

morning, we start the weekend potentially dry. There will be some

breaks in the cloud as we hdad breaks in the cloud as we hdad

through the morning. That could trigger showers as we had an later

in the day, as temperatures rise. Most will stay dry and bright.

Decent afternoon. Light winds. Temperatures warm. 20 degrees is

potentially the comp temper`ture Temperatures warm. 20 degreds is

potentially the comp temperature `` top temperature. More sunshhne as

top temperature. More sunshine as well. Not a bad weekend.

Not a bad weekend considering the week we have had. Good luck to Carl

Froch J`tear league on Saturday Fingers crossed.

CAR HORN BLARES Whoa!

HE GASPS Driving parents crazy.

You have to tell the police whatever it is that you know.