04/10/2013 Look North (Yorkshire)

Welcome to Friday's Look North Tonight.

Fifteen years for starving her son to death. A judge condemns Amanda

Hutton's wicked conduct as Hamzah Khan's father also speaks out. There

will be loads of fathers like me all over, but nobody listens to us.

Nobody will listen to the father and look what has happened. I have a

debt. We will hear much more from Hamzah

Khan's father. Also tonight: Drivers fury — the

closure of York's Lendal Bridge rakes in thousands of pounds in

fines in a matter of weeks. And it seems early to talk about

winning games, but Sheffield United has lost six.

All lit up — Leeds Civic Hall as you've never seen it before. See who

you can spot. It was looking miserable earlier,

but it looks more promising this weekend. Join me for the forecast.

Good evening. A mother from Bradford, who starved her four year

old son to death and concealed his body for nearly two years,

threatened to kill her other children if her eldest son revealed

what had happened. Today Amanda Hutton, was sentenced

to fifteen years in prison, for the manslaughter of Hamzah Kahn and for

neglecting her five other young children. Her eldest son, Tariq

Khan, was given a two year suspended sentence for preventing the burial

of his younger brother. Hamzah was kept in his travel cot in squalid

conditions for twenty—one months. In a moment we'll hear from Hamzah's

father, Aftab Khan, who's given an exclusive interview to the BBC. But

first our Crime Correspondent John Cundy reports on today's sentencing.

Amanda Hutton held in custody overnight after her conviction

yesterday arrived at Bradford Crown Court to face penalties for a cruel

crimes against children. Four—year—old Hamzah Khan staff to

get —— starved to death. 15 years jail for Amanda Hutton for that and

her cruelty to her other five young children. For three years, her

children had been forced to live in unspeakable conditions of squalor in

the family home. Amanda Hutton seemed in passive as she was jailed

for 15 years for manslaughter, preventing his burial and cruelty to

have five other younger children. The prosecuting QC said of the pain

and stress Hamzah suffered must have been dreadful.

Judge Roger Thomas QC told Hutton she had shown terrible failures to

fulfil the most basic responsibilities of a mother. She

had hidden his death for fear of being found out as his killer. She

must be regarded, he said is a real danger to any child she may live

with. The surviving children were found in squalor. How is it

possible, he asked, for a child to be starved to death?

Hutton 's eldest child, described as a mummy 's boy, connived with his

mother to cover up Hamzah 's death. He pleaded guilty to preventing the

lawful aerial of Hamzah. The judge suspended his sentence for two

years. There have been few words of support for Amanda Hutton, but a

family friend spoke briefly. I saw a lot of love from her to her

children, something happened to her. Publication of a review of the roles

of police and child services is now awaited.

Throughout the trial the jury heard how Amanda Hutton was subjected to

domestic violence over many years by Hamzah's father, Aftab Kahn. When he

was arrested in 2008 for assaulting Amanda, he told police that Hamzah

was undernourished and claimed he was going to inform social services.

But no record of the call was ever made.

Well, our correspondent Ed Thomas has an exclusive interview with

Aftab Khan. He joins us now from outside Bradford Crown Court. Ed,

the judge was critical of Aftab's role in the welfare of his children?

Yes, he was. Aftab Khan has a conviction of domestic violence and

today he was criticised for not doing more to help Hamzah. It told

me that he said to police a year earlier to check on Hamzah and check

how malnourished he is. Aftab Khan feels he was not listened to. It was

a very good family that she destroyed. A jewel heritage family.

It has gone down the pan because the police did not listen to me. They

should have done something years ago. If they were aware of the

family, why not check? Why believe her all the time? At first she was a

very good mother, but since her mother died she went completely down

the pan. Heavy drinking. Even I didn't know how heavy she was

drinking. Digital know the house was in such a state? No, I didn't. I

went round once and nobody would open the door. There were so many

flies around the window so I rang her ass why so many flies. —— rang

her up and asked why so many flies? She said to mind your own business.

Can you tell people what you remember of your son. I took that

picture and he was fit and well. How do you think that makes me feel? Did

he deserve that? No he didn't. Why do new go round, why weren't you

knocking on the door? I gave up. Why should I take the persecution of the

police all the time. Domestic violence, domestic violence. Look at

the evidence now that has come out, yeah. I had the police, it was on

the transcripts. Go and check the children, see what state they are

in. They would not believe me. Nobody listens to the mail in this

country. There will be a lot of fathers like me, but nobody listens

to us. Look what has happened, I have a dead son. I have to live with

this for the rest of my life. You guys it will be brushed under the

carpet. Why, because they have messed up big time. Should it only

be Amanda in the dock for what happened? She is the mother. If an

animal has children, that animal looks after the children, the female

does, right? That is all I have to say. Do you accept any

responsibility? I feel guilty that I should have done more, but I was

pushed to one side. How can I do anything if the law does not do

anything? Who am I? Nothing. Aftab Khan clearly unhappy with the

authorities. What has West Yorkshire police had to say?

We have a statement in response to the comments. It said

carry out checks before Hamzah died in Amanda Hutton 's home. At that

time, when officers saw Hamzah, there was no cause for concern. Even

further, the court was told that in the months before Hamzah died, there

was a welfare cheque by a police constable on the home and on the

other siblings inside the house. At that time as well, there was no

cause for alarm. You have also spoken to a friend of

Amanda, what did she have to say? This was a friend who did not want

to be identified or films, but she has been here every day. She has

known Amanda for a number of years and wanted to show support. She said

that she knew a completely different woman and that Amanda Hutton was in

the grip of alcohol and severe depression. She asked one question,

why was more done to help Amanda Hutton? Not just from authorities

and social services, but the family unit around her.

Shaun Kelly is Head of Safeguarding at the charity Action for Children.

And earlier I asked him whether there was a danger of abuse going

unreported because people were afraid of getting it wrong.

What we know from research with social workers, police and other

professionals is that professionals are suing neglect on a regular basis

and occasionally feel unable to act. They feel that the

other agencies are too high or concerned that they don't fully

understand what services might be available. Occasionally this leaves

them so worried about taking the wrong action that they sometimes

take no action. We had from the father he said he

repeatedly asked police and social services to check on the children

but no one listened to him. The judge criticised his lack of action.

That shows it is complicated. Do you have some sympathy with the

authorities, who do you believe? We know there are a lot of complexities

and issues around neglect. We know that domestic violence, mental

health, drug and alcohol abuse can be linked to neglect and other forms

of abuse. We need to ensure that which I understand and professionals

understand the experience of children's in this family.

The pressure is growing on mandatory referrals of child abuse. What is

your view on that? Action for children will be in favour of

anything that makes children safer. In other countries where mandatory

reporting exist, it does not offer more safeguarding and thresholds are

as high in those countries and —— as in this country.

Later on Look North: More controversy over High Speed Two.

Arguments in Sheffield as to whether Meadowhall or the city centre should

be the station's location. jailed for eighteen months and

sacked by his club after he was found guilty of punching two men in

separate nightclub attacks in Sheffield. Leeds Crown Court heard

that Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Madine, who's twenty three,

also has a previous conviction for a similar attack. Danny Carpenter

reports. Goals, money, prestige. Gary lived

the dream. According to his own lawyer, it was a light while of

girls, booze and fast cars. The weakness. Drink and a violent temper

proved his undoing. And nightclub assault in February left a man

unconscious. Just one month later he did it again. Another nightclub,

another assault. And he had done it before at his previous club,

Carlisle United. He had been sentenced to community service order

for another nightclub assault. Today he was jailed for 18 months. The

judge told him he would not take account of his so—called role model

status. He said that was an unrealistic and unfair burden on

young men from relatively humble backgrounds who, through their

talents, were thrust into the public view. At the same time, the fact

that he was a footballer and perhaps seen as having more to lose was also

simply neither here nor there. Perhaps the most telling next change

of this hearing came after the sentence was announced. Gary 's

lawyer told the judge that a footballer who had been earning

£5,000 per week could not afford to pay costs or compensation. The

family home is on the market, the lease car has gone back and he will

come out of jail without a single asset to his name.

In other news now, and a 25—year—old nursery worker has pleaded not

guilty to the manslaughter of a three—year—old girl who died at a

playground in York. Lydia Bishop died there when she became entangled

in a rope in September last year. Sophee Redhead is jointly charged

with York Council, which faces two charges of breaching health and

safety laws, which it also denies. Their trial is due to take place in

January. A pensioner who was given sanctuary

at a West Yorkshire school at the start of the second world war has

made an emotional return after more than seventy years. John Karlik, who

now lives in Australia, spent seven years at Fulneck School in Pudsey

after he managed to escape on the last Kinder Transport train allowed

out of Czechoslovakia in 1939. The trains were used by Jewish children

who were permitted to travel to England to escape the Nazi regime,

leaving their families behind them. My parents were killed, well, my

father was and then my mother in the concentration camp during the war.

If I had stayed in Czechoslovakia, something horrible would have

happened to me. Next tonight, more debate over the

proposed High Speed Two Rail line. Sheffield City Council have brought

out a report in which they say the station should be closer to the city

centre. They say more jobs would be created

if it were in the city, not out at Meadowhall. Here's Tom Ingall

Closing one of York's bridges to motorists could

Sheffield Ston Valley where road, rail and canal meet. It is also

where the HS2 station is to be built. The council want the station

closer to them. In their plans, services with snaking from the east,

stop here and curve through tunnels heading northward to regain the

roots that the government would like. They are so sure of their case

they have commissioned to independent reports. They would

appear to show that if you put the station at Meadowhall, you might

create 3500 jobs. Here at Victoria, that figure could be as high as 9500

jobs. City centres attract higher end

occupiers. The kind of companies that will benefit most from HS2 and

group around station locations. Our section of high—speed two is

expected to open in 2015. The total price is given as £50 billion.

Moving it away from the Don Valley will also take it further away from

Rotherham and Barnsley. The balance of economics to the whole region has

to be right. Sheffield has every right to put

that case. We feel that Meadowhall is the best option for the whole of

the region. The HS2 company are still discussing

the exact route. They told us: changes would have implication to

the budget and journey times. It has cost £3000 to draw up the report.

For the city council, it is a stand worth taking and ultimately it could

define the landscape of Sheffield for generations.

That would evoke some fond memories if Victoria Station was brought back

into existence. It would indeed. I can't even

imagine, it is such a long way away. Closing one of York's bridges to

motorists could make the council hundreds of thousands of pounds in

fines in just a few weeks. Nearly two thousand cars have crossed

Lendal Bridge every week since it was closed to drivers at the end of

August. Each has been clocked by number plate recognition cameras and

sent a sixty pound fine. It's angered many motorists, who say they

didn't know they were at fault, though the council insists the

closure is working well. Here's Cathy Killick.

It is one of the classic routes into York. Over the river on Lendal

Bridge. The bridge is particularly pretty with lovely views of the

river, but it is also one of only three bridges in the city centre and

therefore an important thoroughfare. When the council decided on a

six—month trial to close the bridge, it was controversial. Drivers

predicted traffic chaos and businesses worried about a lack of

trade. The immediate impact has been peace and quiet. But it has come at

a price. Figures show thousands of motorists have been fined 30 or £60

for crossing the bridge. Many had no idea they did anything wrong. Do you

know you should not be on the bridge? No, I have not seen any

signs. In fact, I haven't a clue where I'm going. Just following the

sat mouse. We only saw restricted access when we were coming. Didn't

you think that would apply? We didn't know, we were just following

the sat mouse. You know all about it? No worries.

There are signs everywhere. We are looking at Dingwall signs in, but

they are there and visible for to see.

These are some of the 60 signs warning motorists. Plenty clear

enough says the council, and they deny that the fines are a money

spinner. Motorists that have been spine —— find feel stung.

I have lived in York for 14 years and I don't recall anything as

controversial as this discussion. It's controversial because there are

a lot of signs, you can't deny that. Perhaps on the road you don't notice

of signs. Let's move on. Now it's not been a good start to

the season for Sheffield United. No, after nine games they're bottom of

league one with just one win to their name. Tonight they take on

Crawley and Tanya's there. It seems early to talk about must

win games, but it has that feel about it because Sheffield United

bottom of the table. Manager admits that does not make good reading.

Hopefully they can give us a level of trust and belief in terms of what

they are doing. Fans have been really positive. They have

understood that it won't happen overnight and we are trying to do

something. With me is James Shields who covers

the club for the paper. Is this a must win game?

When you are on this type of run, every game is a must win game. We

are not aware of any ultimatums, but this is a results based business and

he's pressure to deliver. He was hinting that they are getting

better, but they can't score goals. That is the key. Goal—scoring is

poor, but in his defence, the last couple of games against two good

teams, there have been genuine signs of improvement. For the first time

this season, rather than the first game at home when they won 2—1 on a

Friday night, for the first time since then they have looked like

they are going to be scoring. They looked like a team. What to think

the fans will be like tonight? I think there will be nervous. There

is pressure on the team and the fans. It is a club that is genuinely

used to winning things. This used to challenging and expecting to

challenge for promotion. A lot of it depends on how the game goes. I am

guessing you want a quiet weekend, so you will definitely want to win,

won't you? Absolutely. There is full match coverage on BBC radio

Sheffield. Fingers crossed indeed.

Tonight is Light Night in Leeds city centre. It's part of a special

celebration of arts and many public buildings, museums and

galleries opened up until late. One of the highlights is the special

lighting up of Leeds Civic Hall, with twelve hundred Leeds folk from

all walks of life being projected onto the side of the building. Ian

White is there for us now. I bet you have never seen it looked

like that and four. It is just about dark enough to get a feeling of what

it will look like. Let me show you last night. This is what it looked

like. Really spectacular in the dark. The man behind it is Rob Vale.

This is spectacular. Give it another 15 minutes or so and it will come

alive. This is what it is all about, isn't it? Absolutely. Five

generations of clockmakers and we wanted to bring that up to date.

Over the summer we have had thousands of people and put them all

together into this huge mechanical clock. Every quarter hour, this

thing comes alive with people from Leeds. 80—year—olds line dancing and

all sorts. Skaters, solicitors, gardeners, people from the street,

it has been fantastic. There are a couple of people I know, some look

North presenters. Yes, we were lucky enough to go in the studio. It has

been great. At the moment we are waiting for the quarter hour, so

this is all moving. Just further down there is a winding mechanism

allowing people to control the cogs and gears. The winding mechanism

just over here. Before we go back to the studio, let's have a quick turn

of the car. Is it good? If you want to come down, what do people have to

do? Just come down to the square. It really gets going at 7:30pm.

Well worth a visit. Thank you very much. Quite scary to

see people from look North appearing on the Civic Hall.

I have a compare —— confession, I didn't pay attention to your

forecast yesterday and then went for a walk with the dogs at 9am. Guess

what happened. That downpour call my golf off as

well. Nice to have you in on a Friday as

well. Let's have a look at some pictures

over the last couple of hours. Keep the pictures coming in. E—mail

or tweet me. Not a bad weekend to come, partly cloudy and some

sunshine. One or two showers across the Pennines and a little light rain

late on Sunday. Effectively we are looking at high pressure, which

means generally find conditions. There are a number of sharp showers,

especially Krantz eastern parts of the region. What will happen is the

showers fizzle out and we will see clear spells develop. A fresh wind

will ease later. 13 Celsius the high. The sun will rise in the

morning at 7:15am. Your next high water time at 5am. Saturday will be

bright with some sunshine, but thicker cloud further west. One or

two light showers. Very much the exception to the rule. Basically a

fine day. The best of the weather will be towards the coast. A lovely

weekend for our favoured coastline. 17 degrees in Scarborough. Further

west will see highs of 15 Celsius. Sunday, some sunshine and then

clouding over. Next week looks mostly fine and settled. Quite warm

for this time of the year. That is the forecast.

We must mention Harry is doing the Huddersfield half marathon. If you

are going, please give him some support.

We will leave you with shots of the Civic Hall. Good night.