26/09/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening and welcome to Thursday's Look North. Tonight on

the programme: Are betting shops and money—lending outlets taking over

our high—streets? There's concern in Sheffield about the rate at which

they're opening up. Also tonight — Little Hamza Khan was

found cuddling a teddy but the four—year—old had been starved to

death according to medical experts at today's Bradford court hearing.

And that's not cricket! Anger as a West Yorkshire club is kicked out of

its local league. The blue sky here was taken in West Yorkshire. But

what are the next few days looking like? Join me later to find out. Are

Yorkshire's high streets in danger of being overrun by betting shops?

Campaigners in Sheffield say one new bookmakers is opening every six

weeks in the city. They fear independent shops and traders are

being crowded out by the big gambling companies. Latest figures

show that there are 771 betting shops in Yorkshire. Organisations

that work with gambling addicts say the increased profile of bookmakers

on the high street is feeding their addiction. And the amounts spent on

gambling are massive. Last year, £3.1 billion was gambled across

Yorkshire on roulette machines alone. Dan Johnson reports.

The opportunities to gamble have increased in the last few years.

There is more online and there are more acting chops on the high Street

as well. It means more temptation for people like James who was

addicted to gambling for 13 years. I had to bet every day. I was probably

gambling up to £3000 a day. I had access to many at work. I took a

little bit to start with that over the course of oral five years, it

ran into hundreds of thousands of pounds. —— course of four or five

years. The residents groups say it is just too much. We have gotten

issue. We have betting shops opening in specific areas in the city

centre. Raise the area, . The local MP shares their concern. Betting

shops have changed at the significantly dominated by netting

terminals which are gaming machines with very high stakes. People are

sucked into losing large amounts of money in small periods of time. That

is causing real problems for individuals. Do you see a

correlation between the amount of shops, the time the open and people

like yourself having a problem with gambling? Yes, I do. The roulette

machines, they play a big part in bookmakers expanding. James went to

prison and his marriage collapsed. He now has a job and has not gambled

for six years. The government says it has given councils more powers to

control the numbers of betting shops. Sheffield Council told us

they don't go far enough. Derek Webb, founder of the Campaign

For Fairer Gambling, joins us now from our Derby office.

£3 billion gamble on machines in Yorkshire alone. Is this a big

problem? Absolutely. Out of the £3 billion, £100 million was lost and

it is from mainly poorer people in some of the deprived areas. It is

the most addictive form of gambling and the government has the power to

do something about it. You can reduce the stake post then on the

left content from £100 to £2. There is evidence, that is academic

research, to show this is the strongest addiction form of gambling

in the UK. We had done our own research that was commissioned for a

polling company. The average amount is put into the machine to start

with is £55 and the average amount gambled Perce Bain is £17. You make

a living out of gambling, why is this so important to you? I have

done very well from gambling, I have retired. I have the knowledge of the

ex—tees and they are putting something back in an area that they

understand. I have two colleagues working with me, a young gentleman

who was addicted at extreme. He allowed him into the betting shop

every day in his school uniform. And another man is poacher turned team

keep her. This problem is going to increase. The local authorities

don't have enough power, the gambling commission is keeping the

evidence speak up, write to their MPs, visit

our sites, —— visit our website. Thank you very much.

The mother of the four—year—old Bradford boy who's said to have

allowed her son to starve to death, cried in court today. She broke down

as she heard details about the condition of his body when it was

discovered by police. A jury has heard that Hamzah Khan was left dead

in his cot for nearly two years before he was found in September

2011. Our Crime Correspondent John Cundy reports on today's hearing at

Bradford Crown Court. Home Office pathologist told the

court the condition of the remains of Hamza Khan's body had made it

almost impossible for him to identify the exact cause of his

death. The boy 's mother, Amanda Hutton, who denies his manslaughter

by gross negligence claims he died of natural causes on December the

15th 2000 and nine. —— 2009. The doctors said he had found the boy's

body surrounded by Bekele in food and flies in the squalor of his home

which has been described as a test. There was evidence of a nappy

infected with flies. He said he could find no evidence of physical

trauma on the boy. It was when Doctor Lyle started to describe how

there had been little left in turn only that the boy 's mother, Amanda

Hutton, began to cry in the dock. Doctor Lyle said it was possible

that malnutrition had in whole or in part because of Hamza Khan's death.

But he concluded that whatever the cause of the malnutrition, you would

have expected a competent parent who have recognised the poor growth and

to have sought medical advice. Jury was told that Amanda Hutton will

give evidence in her defence from the witness box on Monday as the

trial goes into its third week. Later on Look North: It's a big

weekend for one of our local athletes. Otley's cycling sensation

Lizzie Armitstead isn't leaving any of the preparations to chance.

The Leeds based supermarket chain, ASDA has apologised and withdrawn

from sale a Halloween outfit called "mental patient fancy dress

costume". The item included clothing, a mask, fake blood and

meat cleaver. Following criticism from mental health groups, ASDA said

it had made an unacceptable error and apologised for the offence it

would caused. The supermarket said it would be making a sizeable

donation to the mental health charity MIND.

The architects who re—designed the Park Hill flats will find out

tonight if they've won a prestigious design award. The flats are one of

six buildings nationally in the running to claim the Royal Institute

of British Architecture's Stirling Prize. The flats are up against the

Giant's Causeway visitor centre in Northern Ireland, and a castle in

Warwickshire. Carlton Main Frickley Colliery Brass

Band have raised half the money needed to take them to the National

Championship Finals at the Royal Albert Hall next month. Since

appearing here on Look North a couple of weeks ago they've had just

under £3,000 given to them in donations including from two little

girls who donated a week's worth of pocket money.

It's the second largest athletics stadium in the UK and it's where

Jessica Ennis—Hill trained for her Olympic gold. But after a last ditch

attempt to save it failed it'll now close at the weekend and be

demolished. Campaigners say they're taking legal advice. The council say

its now time to look forward. But as Tanya Arnold reports, the new

replacement stadium isn't yet ready. The emotions will draw last night as

a final attempt to keep Don Valley open was rejected. Jessican

Ennis—Hill came from this fantastic arena. Names that have big resonance

here. It is a crazy decision because this is about the community in the

city region. Campaigners had hoped it would be registered as an actor

of community value but the council said failed to meet the Chretien for

that because it is induced by enough people and there are alternatives.

—— match the criteria. Despite their best efforts the group don't have a

business plan, the don't have in that any money. They were seeking

another six months for the councils are mothballed that area. This is

just phase one. The people behind the project said in a couple of

years time we hope to build an indoor track and have fun venue that

people are Sheffield can be proud of. There is work to be dead and the

transition is not as seamlessly as you would hope. —— there is work to

be done. We are looking at a number of potential operators, especially

than the question of health. Hopefully, over the next few months

we will be talking to people very seriously about a £2 million

investment into that as well. As for Don Valley, they are talking about

what they put on the site rather than about the stadium.

A Bradford cricket club is reeling after being banned from the local

Cricket League for allegedly failing to pay its fines and not keeping its

pitch up to scratch. The all Asian Manningham Mills club was expelled

last week after the League held an extraordinary general meeting.

Manningham Mills denies that the club is at fault and it's holding a

public meeting to gather the support needed to re—instate itself back

into the League. Ian White is there. That is about 100 people here at

this meeting this evening that has been hastily called. The message is

simple from the protesters, they are saying, look beyond the boundary, it

is just not cricket. It had decision that has ripped the heart from this

community, they claim. It is a team with a proud history spanning 150

years. Manningham Mills Cricket club says to the centre of Bradford has a

reputation for bringing on stars of the future. We have two youths in

the club who play for Yorkshire. Many people started off their

careers here that Manningham Mills. The all Asian club is fighting for

survival after being thrown out of the Bradford Cricket league in a

vote against them. It followed admissions that squashes were not

delivered on time and the clubs facilities and not up to scratch. We

found out originally, it was a big shock, we could not believe it. I

can't imagine Manningham Mills not playing in the league. It is a

shame. The first team captain should have been sat down and they should

have addressed it. Many clubs in the league could only dream of the

facilities Manningham Mills have a from the grants by sport England.

When we developed this community centre it was about developing the

community, developing the cricket and football. This development has

gone on since 2006. For the league to say this ground is not up to

standard is a shocking statement. There are a number of areas where

doubts are raised in your mind as to what has happened here. The club is

so powerful and useful in this community, as it is in a deprived

area of Bradford. No one from the Bradford Cricket league was

available for interview but they said they regretted the situation.

But they do say it was not a decision they have taken, it is a

decision members of the Cricket league have taken. They need to look

to the future and consider all sides of the argument. Rules have been

broken. Best tour quickly to Adam who is the team captain for the

first—team. What do you hope to get out of the meeting this evening? We

would like to lead to reconsider its position. If it were to go to a free

vote, we would like clubs to take it seriously. You must be pleased with

the support you have to night as Mac it means a lot to the community. The

people of Bradford, not just manning him, we would like the league to

take this seriously. One other bit of news, George Galloway has

intervened and said he is willing to mediate, be the middleman in all

this row. It is one of the biggest leagues in the whole country. It is

remarkable. Before seven o'clock: Yorkshire's first ever marathon is

just weeks away but someone may have peaked too soon. I am ready. I am

ready. We are already! And from Punch and Judy to the Sooty Show.

England's largest puppet festival comes to Skipton this weekend.

In football, I'm afraid Yorkshire will have just a single

representative in the last 16 of the Capital One Cup and that's Hull

City. Leeds United were the only remaining

candidate from our Look North region, until last night's third

round match at Newcastle United. Leeds started strongly and hit the

bar in the opening stages through Ross McCormack's chip. But

Newcastle's Premier League qualities eventually came to the fore, and the

Magpies ran out winners by 2—0, to set up a fourth round tie at

Manchester City. Super League now and Huddersfield

Giants are one win away from their first ever grand final. They reached

the semifinal by thrashing Hull 76—18 last week, Leroy Cudjoe with

the try that started the rout. But Warrington Wolves are sure to set a

sterner test tonight as they've already beaten Huddersfield three

times this season. I don't feel any pressure on that. We have excited

about going to Warrington. We know it is a fair challenge. The biggest

challenge is ourselves in turning it around. This is what it is all

about. This is why I play. As a kid you dream about playing in the

semifinals and get yourself to Old Trafford.

Yorkshire's Ed Clancy has won open pursuit gold on the first day of the

British National Track Championships. The two—time Olympic

gold medallist took the crown at the Manchester Velodrome in four minutes

and 26.015 seconds. Well done to him.

And could his fellow GB cyclist Lizzie Armitstead also be in the

medals this weekend? Lizzie Armitstead has won World

Championship gold on the track before, but never on the road. On

Saturday afternoon though, she has a great chance of finally grabbing

that rainbow jersey in Florence. You can watch it on BBC television. And

Paul Ogden's been looking at Lizzie 's preparations.

You get an Olympic medal and you think you get an Olympic medal

anything that is is still a big struggle.

Lizzie Armitstead still speaks on this Yorkshire. Even though her

routine racing career happens mostly on continental Europe these days.

Like this one in Brittany, during the build—up to the world

championship. And having warned that British champions jersey again since

June this year, the whole cycling world is looking forward to another

amateur dead showdown —— Lizzie Armitstead showdown. You need a good

day to beat the Dutch cyclist. She is consistently the best. The funny

thing is for most of the racing year Lizzie is the overseas staff this

Dutch team. She will be racing for Team GB against some of her mates in

Netherlands colours will stop knowing the opposition is useful for

the long—term. Everything I do is aimed towards the Olympics,

definitely. That is why if you have a bad race you have to learn from it

and takes dark and not get too disheartened because there are big

as that bigger goals. The BBC is the place to enjoy the colour and drama

of a great race into skinny on Saturday. Online from one o'clock,

then on the television from two o'clock on BBC One.

Former Leeds United player Eddie Gray has been added to football's

prestigious Hall of Fame. Gray who played for Leeds for 18 years was

inducted at a ceremony at the National Football Museum in Salford

last night. He follows in the footsteps of Leeds icons John

Charles, Jack Charlton, Billy Bremner, Johnny Giles and Don Revie.

It is a great honour. I joined Leeds over 50 years ago and I watched all

the great players playing. To be in the Hall of Fame and look at this

names that are in it. It is a reflection on the players I played

with. I was very lucky to play with great players and that is a great

help when you play for all. Now we've grown up with the Muppets

and Sesame Street. I think my favourite was Cookie Monster! But

there's nothing like watching a proper live puppet show. And if

you're in Skipton this weekend you'll have plenty of choice.

England's largest puppet festival gets underway with everything from

traditional Punch and Judy to a giant puppet parade. The three—day

festival will see 30 companies from across the world giving more than 80

performances. We pulled a few strings to get Spencer Stokes an

early preview. What a cast of characters. It looks

like our newsroom. These are not going to be coming out over the

weekend by hundreds of others are. You are the festival director and

you are expecting thousands. It is a phenomenal presale, more than 90% of

all available tickets have sold out in advance of the festival

happening. One of your puppet friends seems to have arrived. This

is Bush baby from Norway. He likes being in Skipton. My Norwegian isn't

that good! What do you think of Yorkshire, Bush baby? He seems quite

happy. I have never interviewed a puppet before! We have puppets from

all over including Germany. You are doing the smelliest puppetry of all.

Her puppets are her feet. Lots to talk to Daniel. What would make

anyone turn their feet into the pits? This is a special thing.

What, I years may feet. Here is the body who creates in front of your

eyes a character and performing with her feet. How does that go down with

the audiences? It is something that is so unexpected, having people

think, I have never seen anything like this. This is going to be very,

very special. It will be the highlight of this festival. He will

be in Skipton with about 500 other puppets over the weekend. They are

getting ready. Some of the events are free. No strings attached!

It's now just three weeks to the first ever Yorkshire marathon. You

may remember a few months ago we introduced you to the White Rose

Runners. All ladies, all with a story to tell about why they want to

run 26 miles. They are also my training partners. But more than

that, my inspiration. They have never run a marathon before.

Everyone of them has a story to and, boy, can they talk! I am concerned

about my what the bits wobbling. We are going through so many injuries

at the moment. We have been going since April, we have gone through

shin splints, hit problems, we have them taped up. But they turn up

weekend, we can still smiling and we have increased the miles gradually

each week. Each time are still smiling. Let me introduce you to

just three of the runners. Even at that had made double mastectomy I

was feeling low and I decided to take up running. Training for the

marathon has made me feel great, exhausted map that great. I lost my

sister to breast cancer. This year I am challenging myself to run a

marathon. I remember when my sister could not get out of bed because of

the disease of the disease services at great challenge for me. I would

like to increase might total. I lost my dad to cancer in 2011. The care

he received through the Sue Ryder Hospice made me run. This seemed to

be the perfect challenge and here we are with three weeks to go. We have

friends of 13, 16 and 20 two miles in the bag. Still, they never stop

talking. I am useful! I am with the incredible White Rose Runners.

Absolutely fantastic. They have got a really, really

special picture to show you. That is the reflection of light through ice

crystals so that is about 35,000 feet up in the sky. Keep those

pictures coming up. Some nice weather to come over the next few

days. Tomorrow it will start cloudy but the sun will break through

courtesy of hype pressure keeping this weather system at bay, said bad

weather across Portugal. That is keeping it at bay and it means

weekend and perhaps Monday we'll be fine. We're watching this week

weather front, it is lit thing up the western side of the country and

this could bring patchy rain especially for the Pennines

overnight. No further east than Leeds, I don't think. It is dry with

clear spells further east. We will see temperatures coming in at around

nine Celsius. So the sun will rise in the morning at seven o'clock and

the high water time is 10:25am. A lovely day along the coast with some

sunshine. Quite a bit of cloud in the west and a damp start but any

patchy rain will soon clear away. Skies will brighten up to by the

time we get to tomorrow afternoon it is very nice. Some decent spells of

sunshine coming through. Breezes will be light to moderate. Top

temperatures from which the two Scarborough about 15 degrees. ——

from Whitby. The weekend, I bring good news because it is fine, bright

with good spells of sunshine. It will be breezy along the coast and

that will take the edge of the temperatures but we will settle for

that. We are more interested in Pontefract

than Portugal!