06/01/2014 Look East - West

The headlines : Gangs and guns, the Luton teenagers working to make

their community safer. Good Everton become the next big win for

Borough? Good evening. For the first time in

400 years, lawyers and barristers walked out of court today in a

dispute over pay. They were protesting over cuts to legal aid,

where the government pays lawyers to represent people on low incomes The

disruption meant that in some courts, cases had to be postponed.

Ben Bland joins is at Cambridge Crown Court now. What's been the

impact of today's strike? The honest answer is that it has been hard to

tell. The walk`out happened this morning and we know that in some

courts they rescheduled all the cases until this afternoon. They

knew this was coming and had contingency plans in place. Here at

Cambridge Crown Court, all of the courtrooms were open for business

but they couldn't tell what effect it has had in other areas. We spoke

to some about why they have been so angry. They have never done this

before, but at courts across East Anglia lawyers refused to attend

cases. Officially it is not called a strike but they protested over

government plans to cut legal aid. It is something they say we should

all be concerned about. You will find serious cases being prosecuted

and defended by inadequate representatives who don't make sure

the case has the right outcome and justice will suffer. The government

disagrees and says the new rates will still attract good quality

lawyers. The government wants to cut ?220 million from the legal aid

budget, and some lawyers in this region who only do legal aid work

say they have already seen their pay drop in recent years. They won it

could cause some of the best in the profession to leave. Three or four

years ago it was about 80, now it is about 30,000, 40,000 a year, and I

only do legal aid work so it will be more and more of a struggle for

those with big mortgages and children to pay for to continue

There have already been cuts to legal aid, it is no longer available

for personal injury or most divorce cases. Barristers and solicitors are

warning these latest cuts could leave the justice system severely

weakened. It is a similar argument to the one we have heard from

firefighters and teachers, all of whom have taken action over proposed

cuts to their pay and pensions recently, but the government says

that to balance the books even the lawyers have to take a hit. Thanks,

Ben. Well Shailesh Vara is a Justice Minister and also MP for North West

Cambridgeshire. He told me today that the cuts would not undermine

justice. Know, and I think it is highly regrettable that lawyers felt

it necessary to take the strike action that they have. May I just

put on record that several months now the Ministry of Justice has been

in active dialogue with lawyers We have listened to them and even

revised some proposals. The lawyers are saying have had, in effect, a

70% pay cuts since 1999, something that not many sectors of society

have experienced. We are living in difficult economic times employers

are not immune from the economic pressures that everybody has been

subject to. The statistics show that for a barrister who is working

full`time on criminal work and is being paid by the state, the average

is ?84,000 per year. There are pressures on the legal profession

which I fully appreciate, for example too many lawyers chasing too

little work and crime is going down but these are matters that have to

be sorted out by the professionals themselves. I have a responsibility

to the hard`working taxpayer who pays their money towards the legal

aid budget. Courts already seem to be in a certain amount of disarray,

like interpreter is not showing up for work. This is incredibly costly,

will you be looking at that? Those difficulties have been addressed,

matters have improved, and in the process we have managed to save

several million pounds. And do you think that cuts to the justice

system will make it better? The justice system we have has suffered

many so`called difficulties over the years, but through it all one thing

is clear and that is that it was perceived sufferance and in reality

the legal system we have remains one of the finest in the world and I am

confident that once the reforms have gone through, our legal system will

continue to be one of the best in the world.

A jury is considering its verdict in the case of eight men accused of

sexually abusing five girls in Peterborough. Two 14`year`olds are

amongst those standing trial. It is being held at the Old Bailey in

London. From there, Louise Hubball reports. This complex trial centres

on a vulnerable 13`year`old girl who claims she was raped in parks in

Peterborough. The judge warned the jury they would hear graphic

evidence, and they have listened to allegations the girl was made to

have sex with other men and boys, on the play equipment, in bushes, and

at parties. It was only when the girl was taken into care that the

allegations emerged. Other underage girls in Peterburg also claimed to

have been abused. The defendants face a range of 46 charges. The

abuse is alleged to have happened between April 2012 and made last

year. All of the accused are from check and Kurdish backgrounds. The

man on the left is the boss who forced the girl to have sex with him

and other men to earn money to drink and drugs. The defence say the

evidence is unreliable, saying there are issues of confusion, mistakes

and dishonesty. Wel,l the eight men deny all the charges. Louise joins

us now from the Old Bailey. This is the last time the jury will be

addressed in this case. What were they told today? The judge told the

jury it was now entirely a matter for them to decide and they must put

all thoughts of a majority verdict out of their minds and strive

instead for a unanimous verdict on all of the counts. The jury began

their deliberations here this afternoon and they will be back

again tomorrow morning to continue. A 28`year`old woman has been charged

with causing or allowing the death of her two`year`old daughter. Amina

Agboola died in November after being taken to Peterborough Hospital with

serious injuries. Sarah Raqueman appeared in court today. Her

boyfriend, Dean Harris, also from Peterborough, has already been

charged with murder. It's more than a year since

19`year`old Delaney Brown was killed during fierce gang rivalry in Luton.

Now two teenagers are fronting a project, aimed at stopping more

youngsters spiralling into gang culture and crime. Neil Bradford has

been to meet them. 2013 was a turbulent year for Luton, an

escalation in gang`related crime resulted in more than a dozen

shootings in the first six months. It was a huge challenge for the

police and also the community. Finding the bits of the

interview... These two are the first to benefit from an early

intervention project. The teenagers have been making a programme. This

kind of thing will help us keep away from that side of life because the

opportunity that the radio will bring is a good opportunity. The

pilot project is being coordinated by the Afro`Caribbean strategic

partnership. Young people need us to be interested in what they are

doing, and this has been a small amount of money that has brought an

invaluable result. The young people have gone into college, they are

studying and working on presentation skills and other things around

media. How can you expect people to come forward and give

information... The programme will examine the relationship between

police and black teenagers in Luton. Today Mike and Nathan had the chance

to challenge senior officers. It helps me to build up the confidence

of knowing how to approach certain questions and things like that, also

editing as well I learnt, and also it is a good opportunity. Not many

people get the chance to come to the BBC and do stuff like this. The

police said they are making good progress in tackling Luton's gun

crime problem. Mike and Nathan Seymore projects like this are

needed to stop another generation choosing a life of crime.

Two of our hospitals have declared a Black Alert, meaning there's a

serious shortage of beds. Peterborough City Hospital and

Milton Keynes General both say they struggling to cope with an unusually

high number of emergency admissions. Luton and Dunstable Hospital also

says it's in a similar position Patients are being asked to think

twice about whether their condition is urgent before going to A

like Lucy could be enjoying brand`new facilities within three

years. Still to come: two swimming

champions to inspire you for the New Year.

And Miller Labrador aligns a new trick. `` Miller and the Labrador

learns a new trick. It's that time of the year when

households feel the squeeze on family finances. January is the most

common month for rental payments to be missed and it's when a lot of

people receive the bills for Christmas.

The housing charity Shelter estimates that many thousands of

people in the East region are worried about meeting this month's

demand for rent or mortgage payments. But experts in household

debt say that help is available and people shouldn't despair. Tonight's

special report is from our business correspondent Richard Bond.

Steve Lane is finding his way out of debt. A well`paid job and freely

available credit led him to run up large debts. He had spent thousands

on Christmas presents. He worked out that he owed ?43,000 after being

made redundant. I had fairly large credit limits which had been maxed

out. FDR ?2000 or ?3000 per credit limit and you have six or seven, it

does not take a mathematician to work it out. Steve has a new job and

is getting his debt under control. But according to shelter one in ten

people in the east fear that they will not be a will to pay the rent

or mortgage at the end of this month. The Ipswich building society

says that a small number of customers feel to `` do not meet

their payment in January. We offer the option of paying a little extra

for the other months rather than paying everything in January.

Private landlords say that January is the most likely month of the year

for tenants to Messe rental payment. This year is not any worse than

other years. If anything, things are stable and rent arrears over the

last few years in this area have actually come down. Rents have not

gone up as much as other cost is. Thanks to help from Christians

Against Poverty Steve Lane and his family now hope to be debt free in

two years. We work in cash, we shop to a list. It is the sort of things

that are simple but we have learned them. Steve Lane and his wife now

help other families in trouble, showing that there is a way through

the financial mire. Steve Lane received support from

Christians Against Poverty. You can ring them free on 0800 328 0006. You

can also receive guidance from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. Go to

their website. It's at citizensadvice.org.uk.

And if you have got a story about debt that you'd like to share, do

get in touch. You can phone or e`mail. Or get in touch through

Facebook and Twitter. We look forward to hearing from you.

On to football, and we had six teams in FA Cup third`round action over

the weekend and all six are in the draw for the fourth round. Some face

replays, others managed to win first`time around. Stevenage claimed

the biggest tie in the fourth round. Boro, who are currently bottom of

League One, will host Premier League side Everton in three weeks' time.

This is no ordinary Monday. Since 9am the phones at Stevenage have

been ringing off the book, fans desperate to watch another Premier

League side sent packing. It has been a whirlwind start for the new

chief executive. Only three days into his new job. The financial

injection that the FA Cup brings is essential for us. It is a great draw

for us, it is a way that the football community can connect

again. For some managers the FA Cup is not a priority. Four clubs

further down the chain it is a lifeline. You were standing at our

training ground and that is a product of the FA Cup. It is that

important, we would not be your today if we had not got through a

couple of years ago to league five. Stevenage have proven pedigree,

beating Newcastle a few years ago. 26 places separate Stevenage from

Doncaster, a mere 63 between Middlesbrough and Everton. In the FA

Cup anything is possible. It is not a nice place to come, this ground

can be quite a hostile place. Everton are probably not used to

that. I do not see why we cannot upset them. The FA Cup puzzles got

my pulse racing. We would like to think that we can do something

special again. They have the mantra, the man talent in the

manager for club upsets. The FA Cup is breathing a vital tonic for the

troops. Next, the New Year diet. You can't

put it off any moreand this evening we have got two women from Suffolk

who can give you some inspiration. Nicky Pengelly is a health

professional. She is 46 and she has lost almost eleven and a half stone.

Student Sophie Whelpton has lost ten stones over the past couple of

years. Both ladies followed the Rosemary Conley diet. Welcome to you

both. Congratulations to you both, both

looking fantastic. Let me start with you. You put on lots of weight over

the years because of family troubles, but what actually made you

decide to lose it all. I decided last year after my daughter`in`law

was crowned last year as slimmer of the year. Having a granddaughter in

2012, I needed to change my life. I thought that Rosemary Conley Food

And Fitness was the way forward. What was the turning point for you?

I went back to university as a mature student at the age of 27 and

started to be really happy with the direction that my life was going on.

I felt that the only thing holding me back was my weekend that `` my

weight and that it was time to do something about it. And you are the

winners. This is what Nicky was wearing. She

could fit into one leg of these now. You could get lost in those now. How

do you feel, now that you have lost all of the weight? I feel a lot

happier in myself. I am happy with going shopping and I actually know

no food `` I'm no food is not something that would just put weight

on. It is psychological, you have to change a relationship with food.

When you look at pictures now, does it feel that it was not you? We lead

at some of the photographs this morning. I cannot believe it is

still the same person. I have now got a chin. I think I have got a

waste. I was a size 32, now I am actually in a size 10`12 in the

shops. I now love shopping. Part of it is the joy of getting into lovely

clothes again. What is it for you that is most special now? Just being

able to feel confident and comfortable in situations and not

feel that I am always the biggest in the room and that people look at me

for the wrong reasons. We had some pictures of you as well. It must be

odd, it does not look like the same person. It does not look like you at

all. It is like looking at a different person, I feel like

another person. Diesel confident about keeping the weight off now?

People tend to you or your back and forth. But you did it slowly and at

a good pace. Even if it is just a pound a week, it is still chipping

away. Even if you just maintain, it is still chipping away. If you do

have setbacks, just start back on. It does not mean that it has failed,

you just carry on. I have had the good times and the bad times but

have still carried on. With the support of my class, I have got

where I am today. It is a gradual thing, you did it slowly and

sensibly over a long period of time. Hopefully that means that you will

not go back. Diets are something that temporary, I have changed my

lifestyle. We are so pleased that you have come in the programme to

show us what you'd success you have had. Thank you very much and good

luck for the future. What are we to start the New Year. And an

inspiration for lots of people watching, I am sure.

We all know that guide dogs are smart.

But Miller, the Labrador Retriever is taking things to a whole new

level. Miller belongs to Chris Michaels

from Suffolk. He is Chris's eyes and ears. And when it comes to crossing

the road, his paws and nose are pretty useful too. Kevin Burch has

the story: Chris Michaels is 68 and has been blind for over 40 years.

He runs this nursery. He has had for guide dogs, Miller is the latest.

Working together is like a marriage, a partnership. And this current

canine companion is always keen to help. Use a good worker, very

steady. He likes picking things up to give the people, which can be a

bit annoying. One year he picked up a tomato plant and handed it to a

customer. But it is when Chris heads into town that Miller really comes

into his own. He was specially trained to find the posts at

crossings. But he is keen to go even further and invariably hit the

button with his paws or nose. It has become something of a party piece.

How do you feel about the publicity over Miller and his talent? I did

not really expected, I just thought it was a bit of a nine days's

wonder. I never expected there to be all of this publicity. He is

brilliant, I think. It makes getting around a hell of a lot easier.

Here's something special, look into those eyes.

So David's back tonight with a brand`new series of Inside Out. What

have you got for us? We have been looking into audio

loops and how people with hearing difficulties are being failed by

businesses and public authorities. Audio loops are designed to provide

better sound quality for people with hearing aids. On Inside Out we went

to more than 60 shops and offices in Ipswich that claimed to provide

them. In three quarters of cases they didn't work, or staff didn't

know how to operate them. We do have one but I do not know

where it is, I have never been shown where it is. It is discrimination.

It does not mean that legally enacted discrimination is not taking

place. Costa say that all staff in the shop have now been trained in

how to use the hearing`loop system. Join me for that story and others,

as we start the new series at 7.30pm here on BBC One. Greats `` a great

story tonight about a woman's fight to have people remembered who died

in the town after a publicity stunt for a circus went horribly wrong.

She raised the money for people in the time and finally we see the

memorial tonight on the river bank. We are thankful that we are not in

the south`west. I think we're getting off lightly at the moment.

We have had bright and blustery weather but showers as well. They

have been on the heavy side. We have had some squally winds gusting

between 48 and 50 mph. You can see more showers coming in. Again, some

of those could be on the sharp side and have hail and thunder mixed in.

There could be some torrential downpours. But with the cloud around

temperature should not fall any lower than eight or nine Celsius. We

stay frost free and the wind is a good moderate fresh south`westerly

becoming particularly blustery during any sharp showers. We could

get some further very strong gust is. This is the centre of what has

brought us all of the windy weather and showery weather. We still have

the south`westerly flow drowning in a few showers and the eyes of buyers

are still fairly close together. `` Isa buyers. Moving eastwards, some

of them on the sharp side, but again a few less than today. Some sunshine

and bring this coming through at times. Temperatures at best some

others into double figures. A good two or three degrees above average

for this time of year. For much of the day we will hold onto this

moderate `fresh south`westerly, although hopefully that will ease

down a bit. We finished the day with a few showers around. During

tomorrow night we could get some showers and in together to get a

longer spell of rain. But they should be out of the way by

Wednesday. We are then expecting some rain after dark on Wednesday,

although a bit of a? Regarding how quick the rain will spread on.

Perhaps some rain still lingering on Thursday morning. Friday is looking

a chilly day with temperatures closer to normal, but finance guy

with the next lot expected during Friday night. `` at fine and dry.

That is all from us. Have a good evening.

TOM: # And if there's anybody left in here

# That doesn't want to be out there... #