23/01/2014 Look East - West

Hello and welcome to Look East. In the programme tonight: Attacked with

a hammer in his own home: the 83`year`oldwho says the robbery

won't ruin his life. Is Stansted a free`for`all for

smugglers? A report highlights a lack of customs staff at the Essex

Airport. And we'll be here later in the

programme, where the big talking point is water. This region is the

driest in the country ` but are farmers losing out when it comes to

extracting underground sources? And who lives in a house like this?

The labour of love that's become a thriving business.

First tonight, he was tied to a chair and attacked with a hammer in

his own home. But tonight, this 83`year`old man says he won't let

the robber ruin his life. Ian McCann heard a noise at the back door of

his home in Northampton on Sunday morning. He was confronted by a

masked man who subjected him to a terrifying assault. The former

soldier was badly injured but survived. Just to warn you, you may

find this report by Ben Bland distressing.

He hit me about the face and head with a large hammer. Around the eye

particularly, I had a very large lump there and what has happened

is, it has broken the capillaries in my face. And it is bleeding all the

way down my face, then mine `` down my neck and into my face. It let

this man with severe injuries. The man who broke in and attacked Ian

McCann and stole money and has still not been caught. He broke the

telephone cord off, tied me with my hands behind my back. And then he

demanded money. It was both violent, very violent indeed. He

threatened to kill my dog because the dog was barking. It is only a

little Chihuahua. It is not likely to cost him damage. He is a Nazi,

vicious dog that needs to be caught. About half past six, Mr

McCann heard a noise on Sunday. `` he is a naff day, vicious thug. ``

naff day. I heard a loud noise. I came out to find an assailant in my

kitchen and utility room. As you can see, he has used a crowbar to damage

the lot here in order to gain access police are appealing for anyone with

information to come forward. `` nasty, vicious thug. This is a very

dangerous person. He is attacking this person for financial gain.

Anyone with information, numb at how small, please contact us and

convince someone out there `` I am convinced someone out there will

know who the offender is. After the robbery, Ian McCann no longer feels

safe in his own home and he says he will not until his attacker is found

and brought to justice. A new report has criticised the

"almost total absence" of staff in the customs channels at Stansted

Airport. The chief inspector of Borders and Immigration says

adequate staffing is an important visible deterrent. He's called on

the Home Office to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

When Look East went behind the scenes at Stansted, we saw the

challenge faced every day by the staff of the UK Border Agency, now

the newly`constituted Border Force. Its staff have to be alert for

everything from rolled tobacco and cigarettes to fake travellers'

checks. The paperwork is completely naff, the colours are wrong.

Significant quantities of class A drugs are seized. Smugglers often

swallowing drug pellets. Here we have some suspicious packages.

X`rays reveal the evidence. Today's report praises the professionalism

of staff in the face of fluctuating resources. But it says the need to

check all arriving passengers, and keep to queuing time standards, has

led to pressures elsewhere. It highlights an "almost total absence

of staff in customs channels, resulting in the removal of an

important visible deterrent to smugglers. It says checks on

high`risk parcels were often rushed, increasing the likelihood that

prohibited goods go undetected. And it says weak controls over passenger

movements allowed some to buy duty`free goods then leave without

travelling abroad. The Border Force answers to the Home Office. In a

statement, Immigration Minister Mark Harper says...

Tonight, in the light of the report findings, there are concerns that

the UK'sfourth busiest airport could get a reputation as a weak link in

our border security. Kim Riley, BBC Look East, Stansted Airport.

Our Chief Reporter Kim Riley is at Stansted now. Kim, what is the

airport saying about all this? I suppose the report begs the question

` just how much illegal material is not being seized at Stansted? That

is right. The Chief Inspector and his team came last August, they were

surprised by what they saw, surprised by what they did not see.

They could not assess just what had not been seized but in that report

you saw that x`ray machine, that machine was used only once in the

months of July and August last year and Stansted Airport missed its

annual targets for the seizure of Class A drugs. No heroin has been

seized here since July 2012. We know from recorded seizures that

packages, parcels are used for things like importing a firearm

drugs and indeed endangered species, and if these checks are simply not

up to scratch, you we can only speculate as to what might have got

through unchallenged. Its end worrying for the airport. What are

they saying about it tonight? `` it sounds worrying. They have

emphasised that as far as border concerns are concerned, this is a

border force matter although of course the airport works with border

force, it says maintaining a secure border is important and can be

achieved while also giving passengers a good experience. It

said the two are not mutually exclusive. It says most of the time

passengers have a good experience here but still believed, they still

believe there are too many who experienced delays. It is important

that we continue our work with the border force to find ways of

improving performance. The bottom line is that the message in the

report to the Home Office is simple. You have got to put the resources in

to recruit more people, if necessary, to do this very important

job and do it well. Thank you very much.

The jury in the trial of two men accused of helping Joanna Dennehy

cover her tracks during a killing spree has been shown new CCTV

footage filmed at a service station at the height of a national manhunt.

Dennehy has admitted the murders of three men, whose bodies were dumped

in ditches near Peterborough in March and April last year. Our Home

Affairs Correspondent, Sally Chidzoy, joins us now. They were

shown CCTV images of Joanna Dennehy and Gary Stretch, taken on April the

2nd last year as they walked hand`in`hand into the service

station on the' `` on the M5. They left. Gary Stretch waste his arm

around her and they won't to the car. Later that day, she attempted,

the jurors were told, to murder two men who were randomly chosen in

Hereford. Joanna Dennehy and Gary Stretch were on the run after she

killed men in Peterborough and dumped their bodies in ditches.

Earlier, the jurors were shown images of the pair taken from

service station Dan shops as they travelled across Suffolk, Norfolk

and Leicestershire. `` service station shops. At one garage, they

left without paying ?40 of petrol and the stalled dotted roles and

pasties. The number of shopkeepers noted her tattoos. During this trial

we have heard a lot about Joanna Dennehy's behaviour but we have

started to hear about her mental state. After she was arrested along

with her alleged accomplice Gary Stretch, after the stabbing,

psychiatrists spoke to her at length. She told them she suffered

from depression and was on anti`psychotic medication and had a

history of cutting herself along her arms and her stomach. They concluded

that she had three personality disorders, emotional, unstable

personality disorder, anti`social personality disorder and

psychopathic disorder. The traits include anger outbursts, violence, a

lack of feelings for others, a lack of capacity to show any remorse On

trial, Gary Stretch, who deny to show any remorse. On trial, Gary

Stretch, who denies two counts of attempted murder and three of

preventing the decent and lawful burial of men, Leslie Layton denies

perverting the course of justice and faces two counts of inventing the

Lovell burial of the men. The trial continues. Thank you very much.

The former leader and founder of the English Defence League, Stephen

Lennon, has been jailed for 18 months for mortgage fraud offences.

The 31`year`old from Luton, who s also known as Tommy Robinson,

pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiring with others to obtain a

mortgage by misrepresentation from the Abbey and Halifax banks. `` two

counts of inventing the lawful burial of the men. One of the

properties involved was here at Shingle Close in Luton. `` two

counts of preventing. He committed the offences in 2009 and was

sentenced today at St Alban's Crown Court.

Specialist police officers and divers have begun searching the

river in the hunt for a missing man from Leighton Buzzard. Neil Devlin

was last seen on New Year's Day He was reported missing after failing

to turn up for his job at Morrisons. The 36`year`old has mild learning

difficulties. Police have also been out in Leighton Buzzard, asking the

public for help in the search. We have got some specialist police

search officers from the water search team. We have got the Norfolk

Fire and rescue dive team, Bedfordshire Fire and rescue and

another search and rescue supporting us today. We searched the length of

the live rough time, to the best of our abilities, but because of the

flooded was too dangerous and too deep in places. `` the length of the

river last time. Bedford Hospital is continuing the

reinstatement of paediatric services with the news that children can now

be treated at its A E department. For the past few months, children

have been taken to nearby hospitals at Luton and Milton Keynes after the

paediatric unit was closed over concerns. All children's services

have now returned to Bedford Hospital, apart from long inpatient

stays. Children arriving at the hospital by ambulance or by walking

in will be assessed in the A E department.

The company hoping to build four wind turbines close to a National

Trust property in Northamptonshire took their case to the Court of

Appeal in London today. West Coast Energy is appealing a landmark

decision by the High Courts last year to reject their plans for the

415`feet turbines near the historic Lyveden New Bield. The land is owned

by the Duke of Gloucester ` and the plans are heavily opposed by

heritage groups and local campaigners. Lyveden New Bield, a

unique landmark, said to be the finest example of an Elizabethan

lodge in the country. The question today, will the building of four

turbines nearby have a negative effect on this historic site? There

are many anti`wind farm campaigners who think it will. We had a lot of

support, not only from the local area, Rommel over the country. And

we have a lot of interest from a number of European countries. ``

from all over the country. Even America. People are concerned about

keeping the site as it is. 415 feet on open countryside are still going

to be very interested. An application was admitted four years

ago but that was reviewed by the local council. West Coast energy

appealed that decision, leading to a public inquiry which upheld that

appeal. One year later, East Northamptonshire District Council,

English Heritage and The National Trust then took their case to the

High Court. Which overturned the inspectors' approval and today, this

long`running saga has made it to the Court of Appeal. West Coast Energy

today outlined their case that they believe that the High Court was

wrong to overturn the planning inspectors' decision. They believe

the High Court did not properly assess the balance between the

potential benefits of the wind farm proposal and the potential impact on

Lyveden New Bield. The outcome of this case is not just significant to

Northamptonshire but to the rest of the country. And this appeal is seen

by both sides as a landmark case, which could determine the outcome of

future wind farm decisions. The evidence heard today is now

being considered and Lord Justice Kay is expecting to deliver his

ruling in the next few weeks. The Education Secretary, Michael

Gove, has announced a new Free School for Corby. The 420`place

school will be called Lodge Park Primary and will share the site of

the existing secondary school, Lodge Park Academy. It's expected to open

for the new school term in 2015 It's one of ten new free schools

announced by Mr Gove today, who also earmarked a new University Technical

College for Peterborough. The college will have 500 places and

will specialise in sustainable engineering.

The Queen has been on her annual visit to the Women's Institute in

Norfolk. Her Majesty is President of Sandringham Women's Institute and

likes to attend their January meeting while on her Christmas break

in the county. This year's guest speaker was BBC Breakfast presenter

Bill Turnbull. He brought the Queen some of his homemade honey. It looks

lovely. Those are the top stories. That goes without saying. If I did

not Still to come, the schoolgirl from Suffolk who has become the

youngest woman ever to win the world Bowls Championships.

And the amazing bird boxes selling for thousands.

I know it doesn't feel like it but this region is the driest in the

whole country. Which is why farmers have been meeting today to talk

about water. Here's the problem. They get their water from rivers and

from underground but to do that they need a licence and with all the red

tape they are worried they could get squeezed out.

More than a third of the country's vegetables are grown in the Fens.

30% of the potatoes and 25% of the fruit and vegetables supplied to the

supermarkets are grown here. And water is critical to the whole

industry. Farmers have plenty of water, the fields are sodden and

right now it is not a problem. But in a hot, dry summer, many of our

most important crops would feel if they were not indicated. At this far

they have just built a reservoir to store 45 million gallons of water

but even this will not be enough to whatever crop. We need five inches

per water for every acre of potatoes we go, whether it is raining or not.

That is why we need to build this reservoir to guarantee that supply.

Farmers are concerned because the government is changing the system

for extracting water. They want to make sure they are not left high and

dry. Farmers only use 1% of all water taken out of the ground and

from rivers, but the environment agency says this has a

disproportionate effect. It is taken at the driest time of year and is to

the system. Here in the East, what is it most precious commodity, we

are one of the fastest`growing areas of the country and one of the driest

is with this means more competition here in many parts of the UK. The

farmers have historic rates on the water at the have used in the past,

and so the whole process for us is to make sure that farmers get enough

water to grow the food that we all need. These potatoes were grown in

the heatwave last summer. Here, they may have 30 educators working at one

time. It costs 30 or ?40 to put an inch of water on an acre of ground.

The other like we have had 22 days of recorded brain in the last 25.

There is a huge volume of water going pastors no, it goes 800 metres

down the field and into the salt water. We all must be given the

opportunity to save this during the winter with period and save it for a

dry periods. Overall, it is unlikely farmers will be allowed to take more

water than we do now, the only option now would be more storage.

And more reservoirs. Now we have a new world champion

from this region. Katherine Rednall, who's just 18, has become the

Women's World Matchplay champion in bowls. Today's final at Potters in

Norfolk was billed as an East Anglian derby with Rednall from

Ipswich, up against last year's defending champion Rebecca Field

from Norwich. For a sport often battling its own

image, a welcome sight. The youngest ever ladies final. 24`year`old

Rebecca Seal up against the teenager Gavin the week off school. The

defending champion eager to teach the young pretender a lesson. It was

clear 18`year`old Katherine Rednall would not be overwrought. It come

confident approach that belied her tender years, despite the experience

of her opponent and the magnitude of the occasion. Classmates were given

the afternoon off to watch it on TV and she sure put on a show. At

times, Rebecca rendered helpless. You can just sit back and admire it.

She is having an absolutely blistering match. And after pleasing

a fair set, Kathleen had this ball for the title. That looks very close

for number two. `` Katherine Rednall had this all for the title. A

remarkable achievement on Katherine Rednall's first appearance at

Potters, her family beaming with pride. The 2014 ladies matchplay

champion! Give it up for Katherine Rednall! Quickly study, it youngest

ever winner with a new prize possession. `` quite a story.

There's a gala dinner at Potters tonight. Both finalists are there

and both are with us now. Katherine Rednall, just show is that trophy.

Do you have it? Hold it up. Where's you nervous? Not really, I just sort

of went into it as I would any other game, I knew that if I played well I

would have a chance. Rebecca, was it something you did wrong or was it

just that Katherine Rednall did everything right? I think it was

certainly Kathleen's day`to`day, we all have days like that and she

played exceptionally well. Catiline, when did you take up balls

and who taught you? I started playing at around the age of five,

the whole family have played as well, both grandparents on both

sides. My mum saved in Yorkshire played so it was really dad who

first got me started at the Ipswich district Bowls club and the junior

section he ran. We saw some shots of your family watching, what were the

first things we said? They all just congratulated me massively, I have

had so many XM calls and everything from people who have been

supporting, it has been brilliant. Rebecca, we are so often told that

this is an old people 's game, there you are at 24 and you are the old

person leaving your title to someone younger!

I no, it is brilliant. It is fabulous to see so many young

people. When I play in national competitions I am the eldest. This

is a very good competition. Katherine you are studying A`levels,

so it is back`to`school for you? Hello Mac definitely, I am back for

double history. `` definitely, I am back for double history so it will

be back`to`school. We are seeing some pictures of you heading in with

your trophy, that must have been nerve wracking. I was more nervous

about that than I was about going on the green this afternoon. Can I ask,

firstly, Rebecca, what's next for you? It is crazy, busy, mad at the

minute. I have a national club editions coming up. No rest, that is

for sure. Both of you presumably this will be a challenge between the

two of you, it will go on for years and years? I would imagine so. We

have had a few good tussles already. Congratulations to both of you.

Argue so much for bringing the trophy on to talk to us. Rebecca,

thank you for coming. Consolation prize not what you hope for but

there is a long way to go. Enjoy the evening.

This weekend it's the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch. Nearly 68,000

people here in the East took part last year and I'm sure most of them

had a bird box in their garden. But how about this? 'Den' and 'Simmo'

who live in Suffolk are making bespoke bird boxes.This report from

Mike Liggins. If you have a bird box or bird table

in the garden then the chances are it is cheap and cheerful. It make

even have seen better days. But for Simmo and his friend Den, bird boxes

and bird tables are something more. Much more. We made a few bits for

friends and family and then they told us really to show it to the

wider world and since we have done that it has gone a bit crazy. A

builder from Essex, Den started by making this packing crate. Simmo

from Suffolk works in security, he thought he would then have a go and

created this wheel. It kind of appeals to wives and mums because it

is wildlife, birds, garden, that kind of thing. A lot of it appeals

to dads because it is interest related, sport. Motor vehicles. And

various other interests. Since they started three years ago things have

really taken off. A spark plug bird box, a giant bolt for sparrows. And

this bird table where everything is handmade. Hand cut real slate, every

slate is individually cleaved from a big lump of slate and every mortise

and tenon is a true mortise and tenon with a true peg through to

make the joint. They work apart but share ideas help each other all the

time. For now it is a hobby but they would like it to be a business one

day. Generally you come in here armed with a list of things the wife

would particularly like you to make, occasionally you manage to get that

and get it installed in the house but more often than not you will

make something and someone says, "That's nice," and you end up

selling it. It is a crazy world we live in. You name it, Simmo and Den

will make it. How much? Well, hundreds and even thousands. So, not

for everyone. But how bonkers, how British, how brilliant the bird

boxes and bird tables are. Very clever.

I wonder what the Brits then. Not very much, I should think. Time

for the weather. It is already very cold and if we

look at the Eliot rainfall we will have problems with A/C patches. It

banned of rain coming through but it will brighten up and we had some

showers. For most of us it does look dry. Under those clearing skies a

widespread sharp frost with the risk of icy patches, also turning misty

in places. Quite widely, temperatures down to the teasing and

certainly below in the countryside. These are the values for towns and

cities, certainly getting down to `2 and `3. It will be a bright start

tomorrow if you take away some of the mist patches that will be

around, they should lift away but there will be patchy rain later. It

will come along this weather front and be quite slow moving. As the

rain crosses the country he weather front will weaken so far as it looks

like it will be mainly light and patchy drizzle. Some early mist to

lift with a lot of bright weather in the morning. Increasing amount of

cloud in the West so it will turn cloudy cracker across the western

half and it will be chilly in the West. Five degrees or six hour top

temperatures. Here is the weather front for the afternoon, making its

way eastwards. Eventually getting into Norfolk and Suffolk and Essex

by nightfall. Certainly wet weather too, by tomorrow. It should be out

of the way by Saturday, and head of the two days Saturday looks like the

better of the weekend. An area of low pressure will bring in some rain

and some of that will be on the heavy saves to the afternoon and

evening for Sunday. For Saturday, temperature of the cover and it

looks largely dry and break through the morning, certainly, there will

be some showers that move through the Northwest for the afternoon in

the cold evening follows once more, frost expected. It is Sunday when we

make will start strike across the East, increasing amount of cloud

bringing rain and some of that turning heavy but at the moment it

looks dry. That's it for now. Back tomorrow.

Goodbye. A star will be born

on The Voice 2014!