24/08/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, welcome to Look North. In the programme tonight: In the

programme tonight: The catalogue of failings by police that allowed a

convicted sex offender to groom and murder teenager Ashleigh Hall also

tonight: Taking heart. A big boost for the campaign to

retain a specialist children's unit in Newcastle.

Feeling winded. AB US firm pulls out of plans to establish the

north-east as the bizarre offshore wind turbine production.

I relaunching at a presenter in the heart of Herriott country - from a

time's former toilets. In sport, Durham's County

Championship hopes are fading after defeat in the Midlands. Could Joey

Barton the London-bound? And Sunderland failed to lift the

gloom as the Seagulls not the black cap site of the Carling Cup. --

knock the Black cats out of the Carling Cup.

He was a convicted sex offender who was supposed to be closely

monitored by the police. But Peter Chapman was allowed to roam free

for nine months before he was cot. By then he had already killed 17-

year-old Ashleigh Hall after befriending her on the Net working

site face that. Today the Independent Police Complaints

Commission highlighted a number of fillings made by Merseyside police

who were supposed to be supervising him. And this afternoon, speaking

to look north, Ashleigh's mother said she was shocked by the number

of failures. The confession of a killer. Peter

Chapman was a violent sex offender. He was supposed to be closely

monitored. But he went missing for nine months before anyone noticed.

When he was finally caught, it was too late. He had killed Ashleigh.

This afternoon, the teenager's mother was shocked by the number of

mistakes at Merseyside police made. When I started reading it, it was

reliving it all over again. I did not really realise how severe it

was. It is really bad at, I think. It is worse than I ever imagined. I

have cried all morning because it is that bad. Today the Independent

Police Complaints Commission said the police officer who was supposed

to be in charge of Chapman had to monitor more than 60 other sex

offenders. She had also had no training in managing sex offenders

despite repeated requests. Before a Ashleigh's death, he had already

been in jail for raping another woman. Before being released, he

had committed other offences. But he was deemed to be of medium risk.

It's would not make things better or write but an apology would be

nice. Even to say sorry, we do not this could have happened. Just even

that one word, Surrey. Nearly two years after her daughter's death,

she confirms this is what she already knew. If they had done

their job properly, Ashleigh would already be alive. -- would still be

alive. I campaigned to save children's

heart services in the north-east has been boosted showing that there

is a strong report far this in Children's Heart Unit at the

Freeman Hospital. The survey was commissioned by it NHS safe and

sustainable, the body charged with deciding the future of children's

heart surgery. Under one option, services at the Freeman would be

switched to Leeds. But the survey reveals there is all a localised

support for the plans. For but despite his popularity this

unit is threatened by plans to reduce the number of specialist

heart centres from 11-6. Under three of the four options being

considered, Newcastle would be the North's main house centre at the

expense of Leeds. But under the 4th, Newcastle would miss out. -- main

heart centre. We have gone from strength to strength there. We have

done more Berlin hearts than any other unit in the country. This

girl has just had her second heart operation. She is more likely to

continue her treatment in Newcastle after a 75,000 responses to the

survey revealed strong backing for the Newcastle option, while the

Leeds option had little support outside Yorkshire. But having

commissioned the survey, will the decision makers listen? Part of the

reason for public consultation was to see if there was balls local and

national support for the Newcastle u-net. Today that does seem

vindicated. The head of the hospital agrees.

Businessman Graham Wylie is about to stage a race night to raise

$50,000 by the Freemen. Like this girl's parents, he had cause to

thank the Freeman when his daughter took ill. The first heart

transplant was done here nearly 25 years ago. From a business point of

view, it seems crazy to abandon Detectives investigating the murder

of a 70 off -- 77-year-old woman believe she was beaten to death

with a hammer. They have released pictures of a hammer similar to one

found in an Aldi carrier bag and during searches of Judith

Richardson's house in Hexham. A woman and the man, was pensioners,

were arrested on Monday in connection with the murder.

And a man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in Frizington

in West Cumbria. The body of a 60- year-old woman was found there on

Monday night. As 63-year-old man has been questioned.

The tenants of a farm at the centre of a major murder investigation say

they are devastated by the tragedy. Police found the bodies of the

Polish brother and sister in and around New Moor Farm near

Darlington. Today, officers confirmed that body discovered at

the weekend was Danuta Domagalska. Her brother was found hanged last

week. The couple who run the farm have been speaking publicly for the

first time about the shocking events.

For this couple, by any measure, the last 10 days have been

horrendous. The police came and gave us the first inkling that

there was something wrong. After that it has just been more and more

dramatic. We are about numbed now. We have had very little time to

think very much but it has been very hectic and a dramatic time. It

has been devastating. The police investigation here will finally

conclude tonight when the last officers are expected to leave the

farm. That will allow the couple to get some air of normality into

their lives. That will not be easy for them. They were close to the

brother and sister, so much so, they are considering to go to

Poland for the funerals. First they will reopen their ice cream

business this weekend. Last night Danuta Domagalska's husband was

here to Mayflower's at the spot where her body was found. He has

now returned to Poland, a broken man. Durham police think she was

murdered. With her brother Piotre also dead, they are not looking for

anyone else. He has battled through major heart

surgery to take his exams, but now a student shows of Purves says he

is worried he cannot afford to continue his education. Joseph is

from wet May and one of thousands of students waiting for tomorrow's

education at exam results. He is unable to get the education

maintenance allowance. They may look relaxed, but his

family are actually on pens. 16- year-old Joseph gets his GCSE

results tomorrow, but it is a miracle here is here at all. At a

few days old, he had his first heart operation. Since then there

has been eight. I cannot count how many altogether. It does get hard

to work. But I have still tried my hardest. For you it must be

fantastic because he has reached the stage? You cannot understand

how absolutely pleased we are to have a mother is age. He lives

before mile bus ride from the school. The Government has scrapped

EMA which would help pay the fares. Where I am living, I have to get a

bus to school. For a bus pass, it is 300 and something pounds which

is not affordable with no money. Students could claim up to �30 a

week in EMA, the total scheme cost �560 million. The Government says

it was wasteful and have replaced it with the �180 million fund for

low-income earners. At Joseph's school today, they started to

gather the results ready for tomorrow. The head says scrapping

EMA means many students could be put off education. In the past,

students have used this type of fund to access College in terms of

transport and to support their education and learning in terms of

equipment. Families who are under real pressure financially are going

to find it tough. The Government says scrapping EMA will allow

funding and support to go to the poorest students.

Disappointment on the jobs front. A giant American manufacturer has

scrapped a plans to develop wind farms. Clipper wind power was

developing the biggest wind turbine in the world. It has pulled out.

Turbine factories in the Humber and Firth of Forth could steal a march

on the north-east. Aidan, who are up this company and what were they

preparing? They are a giant Californian company that were

developing the biggest wind turbine in the world, aged 10 megawatt

giant that would have stood as dull as the London Eye. There is a huge

market for wind power offshore. There are developing here and it

was to be constructed across the Tyne. There are redundant yards

that are scheduled for wind turbine manufacturing. Those plans look

like there are now on hold. To give you a -- an idea, one of these

would provide a least enough power as 18 coal-fired power stations. It

is a drive to produce Green Howard -- green energy. There was a

promise of 1000 manufacturing jobs, what a boom that would have been.

Sadly, those plans are now on ayes. Tyneside could be them loser.

Humberside could be the winner. That is a good point. Another big

company have committed. They will build a plant at Hull. They have

got Government funding to deepen the water there at the port of Hull

and they are talking about creating 700 jobs. It will happen on

Humberside and could happen on the Firth of Forth of the Scottish

Government gives an additional subsidy. We are lagging behind.

What are the National Energy centres saying? They are trying to

put a brave face on it. They do a lot of turbine testing here. You

can see that Rigg behind me, the test turbine blades. These say we

can attract other manufacturers and that has to be the hope tonight.

giant turbine production for the time, but still the Rev there is

building partnerships. -- still building. HMS Queen Elizabeth is

the biggest warship built in the UK, as section to be put together in

six sections, among them Tyneside. 500 workers have been working on

his contract for 18 months. Among them, the project director who 30

years ago worked on the predecessor HMS Ark Royal. I moved out of the

region, step in -- still in shipbuilding. It is great to come

back to my local town and to be part of some - like something so

prestigious. The first part for HMS Queen Elizabeth was completed five

weeks early. It is a fantastic achievement. They have pulled

together earlier than expected and to cost. And remarkable piece of

Engineering. To give you some idea how big the ship is going to be

when she is finished, this is just one small part of the flight deck.

It is 63 metres long. Police check section will sail out next month. -

- the pitch should section. Let's see what John Grundy has found.

This could be the place for you. And according to the Met Office,

there are seven days left of summer. Will the weather get its act

A North Yorkshire Tourism Office in the heart of Herriott country which

were shut down by Hambleton Council has been officially re-opened today.

Doing the honours were the son and daughter of All Creatures Great And

Small author Alf Wight, better known as James Herriot. The Tourist

Information Centre in Thirsk is now thoroughly known by it --

completely run by volunteers. It used to be a toilet, but now

crowds of people are gathered to see it and the relatives of a local

legend are opening it. I am delighted to declare it officially

open. Having a famous father, James Herriot, he would have approved of

this. In this era of greed, people are working for nothing. I am

delighted to be here and extremely proud of being his daughter. He

would be delighted. Anything that brings benefits to the town, and

there is no doubt that this will. The original centre was closed down

by Hambleton District Council because of cuts. It is now run

entirely by these people, unpaid and passionate about their work. So

is this an example of Cameron's big society, or is it just cutting

services and getting volunteers to run them instead for free? The, I

think we are always dependent on volunteers. People are retiring

earlier, living longer. They are very fit. And this is a wonderful

views of their time. I hope his Budget will point the way forward.

The council provided a start-up grant and now 28 volunteers run the

place. But the centre is still confusing some, who remember its

former use. Thanks for that! volunteers say they are committed

to providing a supply -- a public service, but of a different nature.

And with more than one reason people -- 1,000 people visiting a

week, they are well on their way. Flushed with success!

For this week's Summer Jaunt, John managed to catch some sunshine in

north Northumberland, as well as two castles, two delightful

villages and much more. He has been to Ford and Etal in the value of

their -- valley of the River Till. North Northumberland is a lovely

area. It is beautiful, empty, peaceful, and it is rich in

unspoilt farming and rolling countryside. And among its

principal delights is the Ford and Etal Estate, which as you can see,

is absolutely thronging with things that you can do and see. They are

two castles. One is open to the public. Ford Castle is not opened

that you can get great views from outside, across a lovely pastoral

landscape. And the villages beautiful, pretty as a picture.

There'll wonderful gardens. There is an arts and crafts gallery in

the North's most picturesque blacksmith's shop. And the

wonderful, evocative Hall here, where the walls were covered with

biblical scenes in the schoolroom, using local people as models. The

Countess was a key member of the Victorian art scene said that robs

it is not surprising that her own grave is a war broke one of the

greatest Victorian artists. -- her own grave is a work. And here it is.

He models of the angels on his wife. Barack Obama claims that a painting

by this artist is his favourite work of art. In the 18th century

and 19th century, the Ford estate was a hotbed of the Industrial

Revolution. This was an iron forge. And a spade factory opened here in

1767, which I think makes this one of the oldest factories in the

North. And across here there is a mill, a fully working industrial

scale one which was rebuilt in the 1830s and is still fully

operational. So you can watch the milling process, which is

absolutely fascinating. It sounds wonderful. And it smells... Oh,

it's not like a male. Lovely. -- it smells like a milk. All driven by

water from the River Till. There was a whole industrial complex. And

there is a little railway, too. It goes to the village. I bet I will

beat it there. This village was built by the owners of the estate.

They bought it in 1907. They rebuilt the lot. Such a varied and

picturesque mixture. The thatch is the traditional. This village has

the only examples that are left now vote has actually, it is the

Sleights that blow me away. It is not often you find a man standing

in front of a village hall gasping with pleasure at a few Sleights.

This might be the one and only time! But that is one superb Ruth!

I feel the need to show you a building at the end of the street

It is down by the River Till, where there were beautiful walks to

complete your visit to one of the Last night you might remember

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew said once again how he did not want to

lose Joey Barton, but he could be on the move? It looks like that. In

London Alan Pardew is having a -- Joey Barton is having talks with

QPR. Before we came on air he treated. He says he's having a

medical now. He says he does not want to leave Newcastle but his

hands are tied. It looks like unless there is a contract for the

coming from the Newcastle board in the very near future, he will end

up as a QPR player. So Joey Barton might not be featuring for

Newcastle in the Carling Cup this week. Sunderland will not be

featuring in the Carling Cup at all! Not this season. They were not

out of the Carling Cup last night by a team that last season were

playing their football in League 1. In their previous home match in

this continue stadium, Brighton through a way a two goal lead.

Victims of Kevin Phillips. How the Wearside us could have used his

goal-poaching instincts as they took on Gus Poyet's newly promoted

side. Steve Bruce made three changes to Saturday's team but the

to this tendency is in front of goal of threatening to undermine

confidence. The Sunderland squad will need to jail quicker. Brighton

came closer to scoring with Craig Mackail-Smith running the Premier

League side added. The Brighton defender Calderon was judged to

have dived, picking up a yellow card. This was as close as

Sunderland came to snatching victory later on but five minutes

into extra-time, the home side scored. Perhaps it was no surprise

that Craig Mackail-Smith turned out to be the winner. Although

defensive slackness was to blame. We have created enough chances and

with our ability, it is worrying that we have created so many a game

tonight and not taken them. When you do that you are liable to what

has happened to us tonight. three matches in an already one

derby defeat and one cup exit. Not an ideal start. The pressure to get

something from Swansea this weekend just went up a notch.

Middlesbrough are on a bit of a role at the moment but they have a

tough second round tie in the League Cup tonight. Up against

alleged Championship side Peterborough away at London Road.

Boro have not lost so far this season and a third in the table

after their visit to Birmingham at the weekend. But Peterborough --

Peter Bright got seven goals past Ipswich on Saturday. Tony Mowbray

does not regard the Carling Cup as an unwelcome distraction, though.

Football is about confidence and the longer you are still going,

winning football matches, the better chance you have of being

successful. We are taking a full squad with this. For the fans, we

will go in there to try to win the match and understand that

Peterborough have had a pretty good start of the season themselves and

opera to point at home particularly. Highlights on the Football League

Show tonight at 11:30pm on BBC One. In the Scottish League Cup last

night buried SPL side Hibs. Meanwhile, the wayside for

Gateshead and York City in the conference. Darlington had to

settle for a home draw. Cricket and Durham's hopes of

winning the County Championship are slipping away after they lost to

Notts County at Trent Bridge this afternoon. Despite a great

Yorkshire are trying to put the Thank you. Cricket season is nearly

over because the summer seems to be going. There was a sniff of autumn

We certainly saw the best of the weather on the east coast this

morning. Lots of sunshine in sunny The East did not escape the showers

through the next few days, though. Generally unsettled just about

everywhere. As we look at this evening in particular, it looks

like the showers of the day are drifting into the North East at the

moment. But they will keep on in their journey out into the North

Sea. Most of us there should be dry for the bulk of the night. A surge

of blue, some hefty rain coming up We start Thursday, then, with this

surge of rain coming up from the south. It will turn heavy. Parts of

North Yorkshire in particular. A concentrated downpour. Could cause

some problems on the road. For the rest of the day, the rain continues

on its journey and eventually we get a clear sky along the North

East coast and for Cumbria tomorrow, all day you have the best of things

with drier skies and the brighter That is tomorrow. What of the rest

of the week? Friday, we still have this low pressure circulating

around so a fair few showers. It The good news is that through the

weekend, it starts to improve so showers will be fewer and further

between. I am told there is a bank holiday. If we are quiet and we

whisper this, it does not look too bad for Monday! So high pressure