03/04/2012 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Tuesday's Look North. On the programme tonight: The

former soldier who shot dead his landlady is cleared of murder. He

claims post-traumatic stress disorder caused him to carry out

the brutal killing. We'll be asking another veteran just how widespread

the disorder is. Also tonight, staff are asked to

take unpaid leave. One of the suggestions by bosses at a

Yorkshire hospital trust in a bid to save around �24 million.

And the brave five-year-old girl from York who's survived heart

surgery and is getting ready to meet a very special guest. My face

will be shocked. I think it will. And snow will be falling across

parts of Yorkshire this evening and overnight. The Met Office have

issued a yellow warning. I will have the full details later in the

programme. Good evening.

First tonight, a former soldier suffering from post-traumatic

stress disorder has been cleared of murdering his landlady despite

shooting her dead in January last year. Aaron Wilkinson still faces a

long prison sentence, after being found guilty of manslaughter. He

said he'd "gone crazy" in the incident at the Yorkshire Game Farm

in the village of Woodlesford, near Leeds. Here's our crime

correspondent, John Cundy. Hidden from view behind the police cordon

there lay a scene of tragedy here in January last year. Judith

Garnett had been shot dead at her home at the Yorkshire Game Farm.

The killer, Aaron Wilkinson, who had worked for her for ten years.

He had been her lodger but Mrs Garnett had told him to leave.

Aaron Wilkinson said he had gone crazy and lost his head when Judith

Garnett asked him to move out of her home here at the Yorkshire Game

Farm. He shot Mrs Garnett three times in the face, chest and head.

Wilkinson admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming he was

suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving six

months with the Army in Afghanistan. Following his return, Wilkinson was

said to have been preoccupied with his experiences in Afghanistan,

where he had suffered a minor shrapnel wound. Apparently he had

been disappointed at not having fired a single shot in come bat.

Flanked by Judith Garnett's sons police read their statements in

tribute to their mother today. took in Aaron Wilkinson when he was

homeless, gave him a roof over his head, employment, and treated him

like part of the family, like she did with autumn her staff and

workers. She was kind, a generous woman, and a remarkable woman. No-

one could have predicted the dreadful events of 24th January

last year when a young man Judith Garnett had supported for many

years turned on her in such a violent and horrific way. The court

agreed that Aaron Wilkinson is suffering from a serious mental

abnormality. Two psychiatrists will spend the next two months deciding

whether he poses a serious risk to the public in future then the judge

will sentence Wilkinson. He will receive treatment either at the

beginning or towards tends of what is bound to be a long period of

detention. This is just one of a number of

cases involving members of the armed forces who have been

diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. One man who was

also disagnosed is former Gulf War veteran Shaun Rusling, who now

campaigns for better health care for veterans. He says even the

toughest soldier can became deeply traumatised. It doesn't matter

which part of the service you come. From I was Parachute Regiment

soldier. It can affect the SAS or any walk of life in the British

forces. Do you think we don't even know the number of soldiers

suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder? We certainly don't

know how many are suffering from that because the Ministry of

Defence don't wish to keep records. If a serviceman becomes ill while

in service he is entitled to a pension, so subsequently they try

overtly to not allow servicemen to have a pension. How key is early

intervention? The trouble is I suppose you are in a macho

environment and to admit that you are suffering from a serious mental

health issue doesn't fit in to that kind of environment, does it?

it doesn't. It is not helpful to the servicemen themselves to admit

they've got a psychological dysfunction. It is sometimes not

helpful to your colleagues or an officer to show that you are

suffering with ill health. But it is paramount that a servicemen is

treated earlier. The earlier he is treated the better the outcome.

What are the consequences for not diagnosing soon enough?

clinical facts with post-traumatic stress disorder is if it is not

early diagnosed and treated it develops into major depression. If

major depression is not treated properly it can turn into a

personality disorder and then it will have difficult problems them.

You are very critical of the Government, saying sometimes they

don't recognise that can take years to develop this kind of disorder,

and that pensions should be paid, medical help should be sought, and

in fact people should be helped. Most certainly the Government are

trying, but I don't feel quick enough. For 15 years our charitable

organisation has been asked on bringing to attention the problems

relating to Combat Stress. But we seem to be moving very slowly. I

think it is the Ministry of Defence dragging their feet. Sean, thank

you very much for speaking to us. And you are well now are you?

afraid you never get well from it cystta. You have good days and bad

days, and you try to make the best of them. Thank you. You are welcome.

Well, this time last week we were talking about drought orders in

Yorkshire and temperatures of 23 degrees. Tonight we're preparing

for snow! Gritters are on standby throughout Yorkshire and we could

see as much as 10cm overnight. Olivia Richwald is on the North

York moors for us. Or I thought she was. She looks to be inside in the

warm! Yes, Christa, I am on the North York Moors and we are going

outside in a minute. It is snowing so hard now the know is coming

downside ways and it is windy. I'm at the Lion Incapacity benefit on

Blakey Ridge. Just last week it was 23 degrees here and the customers

were outside in the beer garden in shorts and T-shirts. Dave Crosland

is one of the landlords. How unexpected this weather change?

Compared to last week when the beer garden was full of people in the

sun, this is a big shock. We hope to get the sunshine back tomorrow.

Your family has been here for 30 years. You must be used to weather

like this? Usually in January time, not in April. We like nice weather

for Easter, so hopefully it won't stay for long. I will take you back

to December 2010. That's when we had all that snow. The snow came

down in six-foot drifts, and seven people were stranded in this pub

for eight days. It was interesting to start with but apparently after

that it got quite boring. As you can see the snow is coming down, it

is starting to settlement. It is bitterly cold and windy. We've just

heard that two cars have slipped off the roads here. There is more

snow on the way. Lisa will have a full forecast later in the

programme. I think she chickened out there

don't new She should be there all the time that. Looks chilly.

Do stay with us. Later on Look North: Could he be the first from

the Steel City to star at the Crucible? We look at the chances of

a young man from Sheffield making it to the last 32 in the Snooker

World Championships. Hospital staff are being asked to

reduce their hours and take unpaid leave to try to save millions of

pounds at one of Yorkshire's biggest hospital trusts. The plans

have been announced by Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, which oversees

Pinderfields, Pontefract and Dewsbury hospitals. Jamie Coulson

is here with more. Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust certainly has its money

worries. This year it has blown its Budget by nearly �20 million. But

now it has been told it must find �24 million worth of savings next

year to try and balance the books and meet Government cuts. The new

chief executive says urgent action is needed, so he the plans to offer

staff extra unpaid leave, reduce weekly hours for new members of

staff, and by putting tighter controls on agency staff and lo

come doctors. I would hope our staff here recognise that we've got

a very significant financial challenge in making sure this trust

can operate on a sound financial basis in the future. I am looking

forward to working with our staff in making these plans happen, so we

can put the trust in very good shape for the future. Mid Yorkshire

NHS Trust employs over 8,000 staff, which account for about 70% of the

cost. But the unions are worried that the proeseed cuts could be

damaging. -- Proposed cuts could be damaging. Full-time staff are

proven to give extra. It is called the goodwill factor. It could

damage morale, but I think the key factor here is the potential loss

of staff goodwill. These plans come at a time when the trust remains

under pressure to re-open overnight A&E services at Pontefract Hospital,

which closed due to doctor shortages, and criticism from the

Care Quality Commission over the staffing levels of maternity

services at Dewsbury Hospital. These new cost-cutting plans will

be put out to consultation. At the moment the trust says there are no

compulsory redundancies planned but they can't rule them out in the

future. More of today's news now. The

former President of the union of democratic mine workers, Neil

Greatrex, has been convicted of stealing nearly �150,000 from a

charity which run as care home for ex-miners. The money paid for a new

kitchen at his house and other home improvements. Mr Greatrex had

nothing to say to reporters this morning. He formed the UDM in the

1980s to represent miners who didn't agree with the way Arthur

Scargill was handling the year-long miners' strike. Today he was found

guilty of 14 charges of theft. The Liberal Democrats have launched

their campaign for the council elections on May 3rd. They've

published their regional manifesto for Yorkshire and the Humber on

their website, promising to protect public services while sorting out

the country's finances. It is going to be a tough contest. The last

time we fought these seats were four years ago when we weren't in

Government. Now we are doing difficult, controversial things.

When people look at our record of delivering the millions of ordinary

people in Government, they will actually reward us with their

support. It seems we can't get it right with our rainfall and rivers.

For several years we've reported on floods. Now we've got a drought.

Today the Environment Agency moved in to save the wild fish population

strandedly falling river levels. It's the earliest time of year

they've had to do it. It is only just April, but the

Environment Agency is carrying out a fish rescue because of drought.

Parts of the River Rye have dried up. Fish that can normally go where

they will are trapped in the prools that remain. They will run out of

oxygen and die, so they have to be moved. An electric current stuns

them. They are netted and popped into buck bets none the worse for

their brief orderia. It is not that unusual. Not in high summer. In the

first week of April it is unheard of this. Is how bad things have

already got. That's where the guys are fishing just a few yards away.

And just here where I'm standing the river has run dry.

In parts of Yorkshire the Environment Agency has already

declared a drought. There is plenty to drink but very obviously not

enough for wildlife. It is not just fish. Dozens of species of insect

will suffer and so will the birds that eat them. And it is nesting

time. After months of unusually dry wects what's needed is heavy,

prolonged rainfall. Otherwise the outlook could be bleefpblgt Could

it be terrible if it doesn't rain and if -- could be bleak. Could it

be terrible if it doesn't rain. In terms of at the Colonel Gaddafi,

yes kite have a long term impact. This was the same stretch of river

in June 2005, when devastating floods swept through Helmsley.

Another extreme of our change climate somehow the river and its

wildlife seemed to recover but they benefit from a little help. These

have a new home, where the river flows clear and high.

But with problems like this in April, there is genuine concern

In today's time we have a bit outside broadcast to celebrate the

Queen coming to the city. For one little girl it is a very special

day. After surviving heart surgery, the bravery of a young girl from

York is to be rewarded by being given a chance to meet the Queen.

More on than later. Now, later this month we will see the best snooker

players in the world compete for the most prestigious trophy in the

sport - the World Championship, at the Crucible in Sheffield. The

title has been won by a Yorkshireman in the past, but never

has a player from Sheffield qualified as one of the 32 players

to compete in the opening round. But we could have the first by this

time next week, as Shamir Masri's been finding out. This report

contains flash photography. crowd are going mad for Bradford's

Joe Johnson. These were the scenes of celebration back in 1986 when

Bradford's Joe Johnson came out of relative obscurity to become the

first and only Yorkshireman took lift the world championship trophy

at the 13th Fred. Never in the tournament's history at the

Crucible has a player from Sheffield made it into the first

round proper of the tournament. This was Adam Duffy when we first

met him in 2008. He had become the first amateur to be awarded the

Paul Hunter scholarship. His ambition then as a teenager was to

turn professional, which he achieved bustier. Now he is just

four matches away from Crucible history. I have to win 40 frames,

basically, to get to the Crucible. It sounds a lot, but when you will

play, it is not a lot. Why has no one from Sheffield qualified for

this tournament? There is so many good players out there, the game

has come on so much, look at all the youngsters coming through. It

is so difficult to qualify, there is so much talent in Sheffield and

all around the world. You have the Chinese coming through. It is a

tough game. How much would it mean to you to get through to poke

Crucible? It would mean everything. It is something I have dreamt about

four years. To be there with a chance to qualify is unthinkable,

really. As a kid, I have always gone to the Crucible on watch the

likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan doing his thing. I am lucky enough to

have witnessed or one for seven there, by Ronnie, something special.

Every time I go there I think, I would love to be here and playing.

It is a massive step for me. It is probably the hardest I have worked

in the long time. I had been preparing for about a month now,

the fitness as well, you need both. It is a lot of hard work. I think

them ready for it. Let us hope that come a week on Saturday, Adam has

booked his place at the Crucible. He will certainly have the support

of the home crowd. It was a press conference with a difference at

Odsal today, as the Bradford Bulls were joined by the Leeds Rhinos

ahead of Friday's derby. The usual rivalry has been put aside - for

the moment - because of the Bull's ongoing financial problems. They

recently launched an appeal to raise a million pounds - with a

warning this could be their last ever game if they don't raise it!

It probably puts a little more spice to this actual game. It is

against a local rivals, it will make for a great spectacle for the

fans. Let us hope it does not get that was ever against an area.

think they will pull through it. I do hope that whatever decision does

get made is in the best interest of rugby league. I think Super League

without Bradford Bulls becomes a less a sport.

Huddersfield Giants coach Nathan Brown will take over at St Helens

when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 38-year-old

had been expected to return to his native Australia - but instead will

be moving to the Lancashire club. Brown is in his fourth season at

Huddersfield, who are top of the Super League after seven wins from

their opening nine matches. The bravery of a young girl from

York is being recognised this week during the Queen's visit to the

city. Five-year-old Margot Barker was born with a hole in her heart

and underwent life saving surgery when she was just three. Now she's

been chosen to give Her Majesty a posy when she arrives in the city

on Thursday to distribute Maundy money. Well, up my face will be

shot, I think it will. I will be like this. And he would not be a

little overwhelmed if they had been invited to meet the Queen? Two

years ago, Margot Barker was in intensive care recovering from

open-heart surgery. We found out she had a heart problem when she

was three weeks old because she had a cough and we did not like the

sound of that. The doctor heard that she had a murmur and then she

had a few tests and we found she had a hole in her heart. She had

been monitored for the first three years. We found out then that she

would have to have open heart surgery to allow it to have the

normal lifespan. Now she is a happy and healthy young girl, just like

her sister. After winning the local community pride award for her

bravery she has been chosen to present the Queen with flowers this

Maundy Thursday even Bjork. And go to curtsy and give her some flowers.

She will remember meeting have been all of her life and it puts the

trauma in a positive light, actually, because, as she said

recently, actually it is really good to have open heart surgery

because I am getting to do fantastic things I would not have

done otherwise. Meeting the Queen is indeed an honour, but 119 Fred

is prepared for. I'll be really excited and I am wearing a parade

dress with pink flowers on. That is her out for it sorted. I wonder

what, Her Majesty will be wearing? Bless her! When you see her so

poorly in the hospital and then so full of life. And, of course, we'll

be reporting all day from York on Thursday, as the Queen attends the

Royal Maundy Service at York Minster. It's the first time the

ceremony has been held here since 1972 and it's also a very special

year for York, as it celebrates 800 years since it was awarded the

Royal Charter. The Queen is 85 this year, it so that people get 85

chorines. I thought she was 86. think it is 85, but no doubt

somebody will e manners! -- e-mail us. I have been there today and it

was pouring with rain. I hope on Thursday it will be better. I think

it is could be cold. Finally tonight, if you had 800 quid

burning a hole in your pocket, what would you like to splash your cash

on? Well, how about this. It's an original recording by a

famous artist lovingly preserved on a fan's cassette tape. It went

under the hammer at auction in Leeds this afternoon. Well you're

going to need "a little patience!" but Tom Ingall went along to see if

it "lit anyone's fire!" Oh, Gary. Oh, Gary. Eurgh, Gary! Kerry. Put

it away. Actually, this is his best look. And not too long before he

posed for this picture, he gave his number-one fan these tapes, full of

original songs. Could it be magic? Patience! Let's find out.

# I did my never ending love to you goal. Anyway, long story short,

this is the second time they have been sold at auction. I'm not

seeing lots of screaming fans here ready to shell out for a battered

cassette. # Ab I want to. The Gary Barlow and tapes. 350... In the end,

two phone bidders took the price to 800 quid. And it only took a minute.

If there is no copyright or you can do is sit there and listen to them.

So it is of this Diarmaid Japan. The quality is not that great,

there's a lot of his and noise. that is just the music! We do spend

�800 for a tape by Gary Barlow? I haven't got that money! We don't

know who the buyer was. Perhaps it was Gary himself. If so, now he has

got those tapes back for good. You cannot beat a bit of Gary! The

Queen is 85 at the moment, but Her Majesty to said the number of coins

for the deer, and she will be 86 at the end of April. But we don't

really know, but we have time to find out! What we Juno is that the

We have to go back to 2000 a date for the last time we had snow at

this time of year, so it is not that unusual -- 2008. We start

tonight with a weather warning. A dealer warning from the Met Office

for snow. We expect snow to settle on the high ground above 650 feet.

This weather system will be pushing south with colder following behind.

This afternoon we had outbreaks of rain slowly moving eastwards but

the band of rain that has arrived from the North has already given to

snow across Wensleydale and down to Grassington. It will continue to

fall as sleet and snow. But it resettling above 200 metres by you

could see two to five centimetres. Also a very strong wind which will

give temporary blizzard conditions. We will see a frost as well with

temperatures down to freezing. A particularly nasty to the day

tomorrow with outbreaks of rain and sleet and snow for the higher

ground. Gradually clearing southwards as we go through the day.

It will be late in the day by the time it leaves South Yorkshire but

it should have brightened in North Yorkshire by then. Where it

brightened we will see the highest temperatures, but only around six