10/01/2012 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Look North. On the programme tonight: Jailed - four

badger baiters are sent to prison in a case described as one of the

worst of its kind in Yorkshire. We will hear how this barbaric

practice is becoming more widespread. Also tonight: approval

for high-speed rail routes to the north.

But, what will a shorter journey to the south-east mean for us here in

Yorkshire? And, Otley's Olympic medal hopeful

Lizzie Armistead visits her old school to pass on some expert

It was a cloudy seen in North Yorkshire earlier this afternoon.

Sky's similar tomorrow, but there will be some brightness in the east.

Welcome to the programme. Four men are in jail tonight for badger

baiting in North Yorkshire in what is described as one of the worst

cases of its kind to come to court. The group dug out and killed two

badgers from a sett on farmland at Howsham outside York. The district

judge that she was sending out a clear signal to anyone involved in

such activities that they would be sent to prison. In a moment we will

speak to Geoff Edmond from the RSPCA, but first, Nicola Rees has

this report. You may find some of the pictures disturbing.

Badgers - they are one of the nation's favourite wild animals and,

of course, they are a protected species. But there -- badger-

baiting has been illegal for 100 years but the law means nothing to

some people. This morning, seven men arrived at Scarborough

magistrates to face sentencing after being found guilty of taking

part in one of the most brutal attacks on a set of badgers. On

13th January last year, these men spent the day in a field in Howsham

New York. They took 13 dogs with them and five weapons. They were

there for one reason - to track down and kill badgers. Local

wildlife artist Robert Fuller was out walking that day and was

shocked by what he came across. came to the head and out in front

of us I could see this horrific sight of two large pitbull lurcher

type dogs worrying a badger. They were just tearing it and shaking it.

There was a group of men stood here up against the fence. One turned

around to his mates as if to say, you see that, that was great? They

were smiling and laughing. The men had died down into a badger sett

and released the docks on to their badges. Robert kept his distance

but managed to take these photographs. To catch somebody in

the act was unusual and Robert was brave that day. The judge called

the so-called sport of badger- baiting as abhorrent and barbaric

and filled the local community with a sense of revulsion. She said this

case should send out a clear message that anybody appearing in

front of her for a crime of this nature would face a prison sentence.

She kept her word. Today, four men were sentenced to four months in

prison. Two more men, also from York, received suspended sentences.

A 17-year-old offender was given a youth rehabilitation order.

Joining me now is Geoff Edmond from the RSPCA. Is it widespread,

badger-baiting? We have certainly seen an increase in North Yorkshire

in recent times, but that is thanks to people reporting suspicious

things. Robert has been very brave in what he has done. We owe a great

attitude to people like him. Why do people do it? It is sport - they

have got dogs, they want to go out and commit this sort of sport. It

is, without doubt, the worst case I have dealt with. These dogs are

ripping them to pieces. It is that sport and drive to be able to

commit what those activities are. Thank heavens for the bravery of

this wildlife artist who showed the pictures in the first place, and to

stick at what he realised was a crime being committed. He was in a

difficult situation that day. He responded and he called the police.

The police responded very quickly, and we are grateful for that. But

he was brave. These men were armed. He stood up and went to court and

we have seen the results today of activities that will not be

accepted. Other dogs involved actually bred for the purpose, or

part of the purpose, of badger- baiting? What we have seen is a

change in the circumstances. Badger digging has always been done with

carriers, but more and more they use ball crossed with lurchers

which will rip the badger to pieces. We have seen an increase in that

sort of dog which is causing concern, so we are gathering

intelligence to target this. you across this problem? We hope to

be. We launched an operation in September and we rely on the public

giving us information, stand up and let us tackle it and wipe out this

crime in North Yorkshire. Thank you for joining us.

Next tonight, the Government has confirmed it will build a high-

speed rail link from London to Yorkshire - our first new main

railway for more than a century. The trains will travel up to 250

mph. You will be able to get from Leeds to London in 80 minutes. And,

from Leeds to Paris in just 3.5 hours. But, it will be more than 20

years before the line is built. This is what the fuss is all about.

A new breed of super train capable of shaking of an arrow of the Leeds

to London journey. Today's announcement means this will change.

A modern, reliable and fast service between a major cities befitting

the 21st century will transform the way we travel and promote Britain's

economic and social prosperity. route will run from London to

Birmingham and then spit to serve Manchester and Leeds with a station

for Sheffield, too. Each train will carry up to 1000 passengers. Leeds

to London will become one hour 20 minutes. Officials say ticket

prices will be broadly comparable with fares on the existing lines.

But, is it really going to happen? There are worries because the

government is only planning to get legal powers to build the line as

far as Birmingham. Critics say that puts a question over phase two, the

line to Leeds, which will meet its own Act of Parliament before it can

be built. It will be 2033 before the line opens to Sheffield and

Leeds. What will today's commuters make of that? Hopefully, it would

be good for the North. We need it, don't we? Instead of everything

being in the south. For me to get from where I live up to Sheffield

and beyond, or other cities in the north, ideal. Britain has only one

high-speed line, but on the Continent they are commonplace. One

city in France fought hard to get the limelight to the centre and it

has paid off with huge economic growth that has created a

completely new business dipped -- district. Yorkshire officials say

that is a great reason to get on board. There is a credible reason

to build the line from both ends at the same time. We don't need to

wait until 2033 to see benefits in this area. One group says a third

high-speed route linking key northern cities will bring more

benefits than a new line to London. Most of the benefits will actually

go to London, and that will only widen the North-South divide. We

believe greater benefits could be brought to the north without

damaging London. There are still a lot of unanswered questions about

this project, but now it is gathering pace it will be difficult

to stop. Be honest. We have been working out

how old we are! Later: Leeds's brave fight against Arsenal. Their

efforts were overshadowed by the feet of a returning legend.

There is concern about the number of children who are not getting any

kind of education in Sheffield. Charities who work with excluded

pupils say they are concerned the problem is only going to get worse.

Look North has been speaking to two young people who haven't been to

school for the past eight months. In a moment we will hear from

Sophie Maxwell, whose organisation works with young people like this,

but first, Emma Blackburn has this exclusive report.

Studying at home when he would rather be at school. This boy was

permanently excluded last May in year 8 for throwing a can of Coke

at a teacher. He should now be well into your nine, but his family said

they had not had help getting him into another school. As one of 10

children, his home education is not consistent. We have not had any

communication. No one has visited the family or given us any support

so we feel very let down. My brother has been lost in the system.

According to one Sheffield charity, this is not uncommon. It works with

excluded pupils like these teenagers at this youth club, and

makes sure they get back to school and stay there. But, with

increasing funding cuts, this type of service is diminishing, and this

charity faces closure in March. am not even sure about how the

welfare service works. I am appalled by the amount of people I

have come across one not in school, and it does not appear they have

been picked up by the welfare service. Kirsty stopped going to

school last made while in year 9. She says it was because of

brilliant. Her mum wants her back, but has not found enough support to

get her there. It is really important, and education for my

daughter, but there is no help. What education has Kirsty had since

May? None, absolutely none. We have contacted Sheffield City Council

about these cases and they say they had offered a place at another

school do Ibrahim and they are investigating Kirsti's place.

is a risk that more children may slip through the net in times of

reduced economic resources, but we are intensifying our efforts

because of that. Anybody who is aware of a child to is not in

education who should be, please make contact with us. It is hoped

that Ibrahim will return to school this month after nearly eight

months away, but the worry is that there are many more like him lost

from education. Joining us now is Sophie Maxwell,

who was herself excluded from school, and now runs an

organisation called "The Really Neet College", to help children who

have problems with mainstream education.

Thank you for joining us. Tell us your story. I was 14 when I became

a disengaged from school. It was quite a Dromore take time --

traumatic time, and I never engaged in secretary at occasion again. I

was excluded for behave real issues driven by a difficult home

circumstances, so deterioration at home, school becomes a difficult

place. Quite clearly you are intelligent. You run this

organisation and you are articulate, you must regret not finishing

mainstream education. I could never regret that because of the journey

it has taken me on. I always stay with people and said that my

qualification for doing my job was my exclusion, but clearly, that is

not the case for everybody. So you say it has helped to to get where

you are now and you are helping other children, but presumably your

advice to them would not be that it is good to be excluded. But it will

give them a difficult journey. What would you say to them if they are

on the brink? Wherever possible, mainstream education should

hopefully work for young people, but there are cases where

mainstream education does not work for young people. In those

circumstances, small organisations like mine need to be supporting

schools in of re-engaging them in something to get them passionate

and believing that they can achieve in life. It is not just an academic

argument, is it? Some people just feel excluded from life at that

particular time. It is very isolating. I don't think - there

are lots lot of people out there who are not aware how isolating it

can be when you miss out on your education. A lot of these young

people develop a fear of the classroom. Even mentioning to

somebody about getting them back into a classroom of 30 young people

in a mainstream school brings their heart pumping very quickly.

were 24, you run this organisation, it has happened to you. I will give

you all the money and resources you need, or the support from schools,

how would you support -- solve this? We need to walk-in -- work in

small colleges such as mine. They can make it personal, get to know

the kids and really engage them in lots of different things to inspire

them to do something with their lives. I think you might have just

inspired a few people. Thank you. A 26-year-old man has appeared at

Leeds Crown Court charged with two counts of causing death by

dangerous driving. It follows a crash on the Stanningley bypass

near Leeds on New Year's Day in which 68-year-old David Metcalfe

and his 65-year-old wife Dorothy were killed. Eduard Mereohra was

remanded in custody. An arms dealer from York has

appeared in court accused of exporting huge number of guns from

China to Nigeria without the proper licence. Gary Hyde from Newton in

Derwent is accused of organising the shipment of 80,000 weapons and

32 million rounds of ammunition. He The Mayor of Doncaster is being

accused of misleading the public after criticising a four percent

pay cut for council workers in the town. Peter Davies says he would

have made cuts elsewhere if he had the power. But his opponents on the

council says he was part of the decision process. I was taken aback,

you can see I am speechless at a factory turned up and said those

things! I think he is irresponsible, years untrustworthy, and either he

doesn't understand his budget or he is being dishonest!

Before seven o'clock: Lizzie goes back to school. Otley's Olympic

hopeful passes on some expert cyling tips to youngsters.

And the 18th century landmark that's being given a 25-year

Now, the sports news. I know you were watching the football last

night! Sometimes sport is just pure

theatre and so it was last night. Leeds United took on Arsenal at the

Emirates in round three of the FA Cup for the second year in a row,

hoping for a giant killing. But this was a story that, as the

evening wore on, only had one Jimmy Saville is a Leeds fan!

His spirit may have been with them, but could he fix a classic cup

upset? There wasn't much for either side to shout about in the first

half. Arsenal dominated, but their aim was off target, as was Leeds

United's. In the second half, there was more intent from the home side,

pinning Leeds back and putting goalkeeper Andy Lonergan to the

test. On the sideline Thierry Henry prepared. Arsenal continued to

press. The impressive Tom Lees header keeping it goalless. Midway

through the half, with neither side able to break the deadlock the

prodigal son made his entrance to a rousing reception which included

special guests. The scene was the set, the script written, all it

needed was the chief protagonist to deliver. Leeds didn't lie down -

twice Szcenzy was forced to save, but at the final whistle you had

the feeling that this particular ending was pre-ordained. We didn't

demean ourselves, we look strong mental the end, and we didn't get a

chance to break from the script. Of course he was going to score. We

should be proud of ourselves tonight. It was always ridden that

he might do it. Abid of quality! Fantastic for Leeds tonight. They

didn't let me down. It was probably written in the stars that what

happened did happen and that is the class that showed that so many

times. I thought that our young boys did really well, an average

age of 23, 24, that were not fazed by any of the game tonight and came

out with a lot of credit. Leeds and their fans head south again at the

weekend to the slightly less glamourless London location of

Crystal Palace in search of three points as they bid to join Arsenal

in the top flight next season. There's been a lot of talk about

Doncaster Rovers striker, Billy Sharp, being sold this month, but

the club's fighting back today. They accepted a bid from Leicester

City, but Doncaster have hit back by offering a new contract which

they claim is the biggest in the club's history. He is probably the

highest player that they have, but we are not sure. He has proved so

crucial in recent weeks and they clearly want to hang on to him. He

had talks with the club this afternoon about his contract and we

think he has spoken to Leicester. There are other clubs sniffing

around, so we have a couple of weeks before the end of January.

Does he have to sign a contract? Is there a deadline for him

personally? No, he is under contract, but they have accepted a

bid from Leicester, so it is a juggling act for him about where he

wants to go, but Doncaster are fighting to keep him. Everybody

would probably accept that he was on his way.

Sheffield United are in action tonight against Yeovil in League

One. A win will take them second. There's commentary on Radio

Sheffield. And you can see action from Bramall Lane on the late Look

North at 10.25. As the countdown continues to the

London Olympics, one of Yorkshire's main medal hopes has been back home

today, to pass on some tips to her old school in Otley. We're hoping

cyclist Lizzie Armitstead will be going for Gold, but clearly, she

hasn't forgotten where it all started, either. Paul Ogden reports.

When you know there's a national cycling champion coming to the

school, you bring your best wheels. What every shape or size they are

or you are. Lizzie used to roll her weals across the same playground,

but in 2012, she is preparing for the Olympic road race in July with

a real chance of gold. Today she was a guest speaker at the morning

assembly. It is like training with the less air, so your body gets

used to training with less air and when you have more air, your body

is like, oh, lots of air, I can go really fast now! She answered the

questions very well. And I hope she comes to the school again. It is

really good for her to be here. It is nice that she came to this

school and that, and I hope she wins the Olympic medals. Then it

was time for the children to get on their bikes, led by Lizzie in the

art of riding, balancing and control. She is an athlete that

knows where she is going throughout her career, and if there is any

doubt about who should lead the Olympic road race, today, she spat

it out for us all. ABA make sure the time leading the team, if I am

not, I would be very disappointed. ABA do everything up until then to

make sure that I am. You wonder read today's trip back to school

might have inspired even more people to head for the Olympics

like she did! Thank you.

I think she would do very well. They're an eighteenth century

engineering masterpiece, which have been attracting visitors to the

Leeds Liverpool Canal for more than 200 years. We used to go there for

a picnic and hope that a boat had come through. And work has now

begun to replace four of the six giant gates on the Bingley Five

Rise Locks. It's a huge job, which only takes place every 25 years as

Olivia Richwald has been finding out.

At the very bottom of the Bingley Five Rise Locks, trained and ready

for a pair, this staircase Lough raises narrowboats by 60 ft in five

steps, and is known as one of the wonders of the water away age. The

Bingley Five Rise Locks is the steepest in the UK. When they were

built, they were a feat of engineering genius, built with bare

hands and hard work. When they opened and 1774, a crowd of 30,000

people came to watch. Engineering was amazing. It is

amazing what went on. If you asked us to build a lock like this now,

they would stand and scratch their heads. They remain a tourist

attraction, and the work to replace the gates cost �200,000. It is also

a chance to clean them out. find jewellery, motorbikes, bikes,

mobile-phones, while its, its from boats, frying pans, it is a range!

And then the creatures that you find, the stick insects, the fish,

the heels. The gates are made of solid, British oak and are still

manufactured using traditional methods in Yorkshire. Each one of

the gates is specifically designed for batch chamber. Every single

gauge is different in size, with the and height, and the same

manufacturer type is used for one they were first made. They each

take three weeks to make, and outside, their new ones are piled

up and ready to be transported. They will go by road, and not by

canal. Work like this happens once in a generation, and British

Waterways is planning two British public open days at the end of

January where people can walk the length of the five rise to the

anti- lock chambers, unchanged since the 18th century.

I have just realised, the next and a clean that, we will have a high

speed rail link! It goes to prove that old things

are worth preserving! You will still be sat there

Let's have a look at some of our That one daffodil hardly heralds

spring in its glory! If you have any pictures, you can

The mild weather continues, lots of cloud around. A little bit of

drizzle and light rain confined to the Pennines. Bridlington,

Northallerton, 12 degrees Celsius tomorrow. It will have the

daffodils in Wakefield century. -- cemetery. The drizzle will become

extensive overnight, damp and dreary. A little bit of that will

move across the east coast. As a general rule, the Eastern areas are

getting across the dry night. See sun will rise in the morning at

8:20am, setting out for role 9:00pm. The -- Act 4:09pm. The drizzle will

peter out. The Pennines will see some patchy, light rain. Conditions

improving into the afternoon. As South westerly breeze once more, so

we can expect some sunny breaks. Nice temperatures will stop 12, 13

degrees in some places. Around nine degrees across the Pennines. 11

degrees in South Yorkshire and into North Nottinghamshire. Habit of a

change under way, there has become a cold front bringing rain from the

north-west. The rain will clear round in the afternoon it should

turn sunny and cold. A frost on Thursday night means that Friday

will be cold, but dry and bright with sunshine. Saturday, dry, cold

but sunny spells. The end surprised you didn't react to the fact that