30/06/2014 Midlands Today

indecent assault against women and children. That's all from the BBC

The headlines tonight: News.

It could have been a robbery that went wrong, say

police investigating the murder of a grandmother found dead at home.

Whoever killed Cynthia went to significant lengths to hide her body

There's an urgent appeal out this evening to

No prospect of Coventry Citx Football Club returning to the Ricoh

Inspectors start work at Stafford Hospital investigating

They are trying to find a rdason to reduce these services and transfer

them earlier than was agreed. Despite England's early exit

from the World Cup, heading out to And today may not have dazzled,

but there's a part Hear all about it

in the forecast later. A grandmother's been murderdd

at her home in Halesowen by a killer who then went to significant lengths

to hide her body. Detectives discovered 80`ye`r`old

Cynthia Beamond's body two days They found her body after spending

all weekend searching her house Police believe she could have been

the victim of a robbery which went wrong, but they say they're also

following other lines of inpuiry. A man and woman are tonight being

held on suspicion of murder. Cynthia Beamond was a vibrant

and much`loved member Yesterday, detectives

discovered her body in the home They described their search

as meticulous and extensive. Her body eventually being found

two days after she was reported Tragically, we came across Cynthia's

body, which had been very, very well I can't say more than that

because at this time, the only other person who knows

where it was concealed is the person There are some items missing from

the address which make it look like Equally, this could've been a murder

that could've been subsequently So we're ruling nothing in

and nothing out. Among those missing items,

Cynthia's Vauxhall Astra, along with This is usually

a peaceful cul`de`sac and one neighbour, who didn't want to appear

on camera, described Cynthi` Beamond as incredibly friendly woman,

mother and grandmother who would Other neighbours here have been

giving their reactions, too. It seems out of context with

the area all together. How Cynthia Beamond died sthll

hasn't been revealed, though Detectives believe she may have

known her killer, though stress her devastated family

are in no way involved. A 23`year`old woman and 32`xear`old

man remain in custody tonight. Where Cynthia's body was hidden is

still a secret known only by her killer, and the detectives

tasked with finding it. Meanwhile, a man's been arrdsted

on suspicion of killing his ex`partner and attacking

the couple's two children as they Police were called to a house in

Erdington yesterday morning where the 42`year`old woman, named locally

as Luan Leigh, was found de`d. Her 15`year`old son had

a stab injury to his chest. Her nine`year`old daughter's

been treated for neck injurhes. I couldn't believe it because,

you know, you hear every dax of the week if there's been a lurder,

"Oh, they were a lovely couple! Coming up always later

in the programme: Birmingham City footballers

back for in are pre`season training ` how are the therd's

nine new faces settling in? Investigators have started work

at Stafford Hospital The hospital's been strugglhng to

recruit and retain nurses, `fter a series of negative headlines and

the transfer of some servicds to The hospital had 85 vacancids for

nurses last month, but camp`igners are worried that this inquiry could

undermine attempts to keep dssential Our health correspondent,

Michele Paduano, is at a public How real are these concerns,

Michele? While the concerns are extrdmely

real. Their business problel, this toxic miss bat`macro mix thd

historic problems it which leans that people don't want to come here

to work. That has now been `dded to by the fact that there is

uncertainty about the hospital's future because the takeover won t

happen until November. Baby Jack is 12 days old, born with a cord around

his neck. His mother has absolute faith in the hospital, the laternity

is one of the areas to be looked at. Eyed about 15 doctors in thd room

because his hotly would not go back up. When he came out, got the cord

wrapped really tight around his neck so the doctor managed to and angle

him and get him out safely. But I can't fault them. Patients `re

getting their chance to egg good and bad experiences here tonight. Very

kind, very professional. My point was at 1030 and the actual job took

about 25 to 30 minutes. But, I came out a woman past 12 fully informed.

The medical side of the service I received from the dogs and

consultants was not a probldm at all. It is to do, finally, with the

support, the lack of resources, support staff and they are very

short staffed. The Care Quality Commission but the investig`tion

will also look at accident `nd emergency, medicine, and crhtical

care and radiotherapy. It al it s been called him a management is

unusual. we have the abilitx to provide external judgement `nd view

which will be helpful to thd Trust. But more importantly, helpftl to the

quality of care received by local people. As he said the problems of

recruitment long`standing and it is precisely because they are taking

their duties so seriously that they have called in the Care Quality

Commission. Jack is briskly unaware, but there is real concern as to what

his local hospital will provide in future. There is a national shortage

of nurses in particular and other types of staff. I'm joined now by

Karen from support at Stafford Hospital. You must be aware that

there are problems in terms of staffing? There are, but thd Royal

College of nursing reports there is a 10% national shortage of nurses,

so the shortage that is described here is no different to what is

going on around the UK. you think there is something conspiratorial

about this, can you explain that? first of all, we have a judhcial

review and we feel they havd called in the body who are being used as

pawns to ensure that the services were transferred much service ``

earlier than November. But ht is not functioning properly doesn't and it

have to be transferred? the services have been functioning properly.

Before the admin process, this hospital was running at a hhgh

quality service and safety level. Since the ministry does havd come

in, they have undermined it. They have undermined the morale of the

hospital and in recruitment and retention. They have continted to

undermine our hospital. Tell us briefly about the radiologist who

went to Stoke`on`Trent? the radiologists were being poached as

far as we are concerned frol the NHS. They should have remained at

Stafford and the administration .. Clearly, the healthy economx and is

part of the law has a long way to go before it is feeling better. Thank

you. The owners of Coventry City say

a High Court defeat today rdmoves any prospect of a return to playing

football at the Ricoh Arena. Sisu had claimed

a ?14 million loan of taxpaxers money from Coventry City Cotncil to

the operators of the stadiul had been "unlawful", but a judgd today

ruled in favour of the council. The loan was used to allow

Arena Coventry Limited to p`y off debts which had mounted aftdr the

football club stopped paying rent. Eventually, Coventry City qtit

the Ricoh, and now play thehr home The club says it will appeal but

the leader of Coventry City Council This is not the first and Sky Blues

have taken the council to court over the issue of the loan. An e`rlier

claim was also thrown out. Dven so, the club is to appeal. we whll apply

for leave to actually appeal against the judgement. I suspect, this will

be heard in the Court Of Appeal in front of three senior judges. We

believe there are substantive errors with regard to the facts and the law

that is presented in the judgements. The judge described the football

club as ?badly managed?. It's owned by SISU Capital,

who's CEO, Joy Seppala, here in the sunglasses,

attended some of the court hearing. Today, Coventry Council reissued its

offer to meet her, but also said they wanted payment for thehr legal

costs, said to be in six figures. We did not take out the judhcial

review. That was Coventry Chty Football Club, we had to defend

ourselves. And we will be looking for recovery.

The judgement may be seen bx some as a two`nil victory for the council,

but the fact is, Coventry Chty are no closer to returning to the Ricoh,

Michael Orton is campaigning for a return to the Ricoh and claims

That offer is on the table, it is set to SISU. We can kick off back

here at the Ricoh Arena in @ugust, we just need SISU to sit down with

us and say yes. Meanwhile,

Coventry City say they're continuing with plans for a new stadiul ` but

after more than a year therd's been no announcement of a site, let alone

a possible date for work to start. Police and council officials across

the West Midlands are joining forces to make people more aware of the

sexual exploitation of children The "See Me Hear me"

campaign will focus on new ways of recognising children at risk and

offer advice on protecting them It will target schools,

parents and the children thdmselves, as well as people working

in hotels and taxi companies. To get more awareness from

communities so that victims feel more confident to report, so that

agencies can combat this drdadful crime more effectively, we do want

to see the numbers go up, bdcause we know we are only looking at the

tip of the iceberg at the moment. After the many twists and ttrns in

the tale of the Cheltenham Banksy over the weekend, it looks `s if Spy

Booth could well stay in thd town. Discussions have been going

on behind closed doors ` With the latest in this story

of art and intrigue, here's our Gloucestershire reporter,

Steve Knibbs. In Cheltenham this morning, the

London dealer brokering the deal, his phone still ringing with offers

from around the world. But behind the scenes: The freehold of the

house was working to sell what is technically his Banksy to a

consortium of local businesses. It was the impression of the local

community would protested against the removal of the peace. The

freeholder had no idea. He hs `` has bowed to pressure. We are hoping so,

anyway. the dealers to secure the mural with an extra ?550,000 in the

next few days. Both the house for a quarter of a million. It coles to a

total of million. Tonight, that deal has stalled over a failure to raise

enough money. However, it does not appear to be over yet. Everxbody

involved wants to see this happen. This is fantastic, positive. So

there are `` the art dealer wants us to succeed and the owner of the

Banksy wants to succeed. So does the owner of the house and the general

public. People for this. Evdrybody is for it, it just needs to come

together. Los Angeles auction house told me they still have sevdral

clients who want to buy this Banksy, presumably with deep pockets. So the

question is whether the deshre on all sides to keep it he is real we

will be money when out in the end. Another plot twist, in this by

thriller that seems far frol reaching its final chapter.

Police investigating the murder of a grandmother believe shd may

have been the victim of a robbery that went wrong.Your

detailed weather forecast to come shortly from Shefali.

Also in tonight's programme; Seeking to restore English pride in Brazil

in the finals of the FIFA interactive World Cup.

Time for sport ` Dan's here with the focus on

One season hasn't finished `nd the other has already

It's just 40 days to the st`rt of the new Football League season,

and clubs across our region are starting pre`season training.

For Birmingham City manager, Lee Clark,

that means working with a host of new players after no fewer than nine

The first few laps of Birmingham City's training ground

this morning were not only ` chance to stretch the legs, but also

the opportunity to find out exactly who that was running by your side.

Everybody's come round and hs like, my name's such`and`such,

then someone else tells you and you forget!

So it'll probably take a cotple of days to get to know everxbody

properly, but it is good, I'm enjoying it.

That's because Mark Duffy is one of nine new players signed

by Birmingham City boss Lee Clark ` even before a ball was kickdd

He knew something had to be done after they only avoided reldgation

from the Championship in the final minutes

The big difference is that last season, Birmingham City relhed

But of these nine new signings, eight are permanent,

and the only loanee is guar`nteed to be here for the whole season.

Team spirit can play such a vital role in football,

that building it will be high on the manager's list of priorhties.

It'll be fine, because we h`ve got them in from day one, they have

quickly mixed in with the players and we go away, pre`season, on

Sunday, to Cork, and they'll be with each other 24`7, they'll get to

understand each other, they will get to know each other's person`lities.

None of these new players cost a fee

Still, they will have to colpete with teams dropping out

of the Premiership who've b`nked millions of pounds in payments

Sometimes it's difficult to get them in terms of the financial shde,

but we have convinced players to turn down better financial offers to

They see the facilities, thdy see the size of the club, and, lost

importantly for them, is seding they support the get from the terraces.

There are bound to the be difficult moments ahdad, but

as the sun shone on the plaxers this morning, they were just enjoying

And the Lee Clark interview is `vailable

England's World Cup squad m`y be back home after being knockdd out

at the group stage for the first time since 1958, but two English

players from the West Midlands are off to Brazil tonight hoping to

Ty Walton from Redditch and David Bytheway from Wolverh`mpton

have reached the finals of the Fifa Interactive World Cup.

Ben Godfrey caught up with Ty before he boarded his plane to Rio.

You're looking at a genuine World Cup superstar,

a man with golden thumbs and no shortage of confidence.

Tonight, Ty Walton leaves Redditch for Rio

I am naturally good at the game But before I have a big tournamdnts I

tend to be the a few more hours I try and stay as calm as possible

because it is not all about the skill level, it is about how good

you are mentally as well. Won tonight, he leaves for real. `` Rio.

The 21`year`old is one of 20 competing

2 million others missed out on this opportunity.

If he wins on Thursday he whll come with 20,000 US dollars. So H better

not get in a way of his practice. Some in 200,000 a year, that fever

is not at that stage yet. In case you haven't noticed,

Ty's conducting this intervhew Into this tournament in 2012 and up

to the quarterfinal where I got knocked out on penalties, so busy I

hope to do one better. He's travelling light to Rio `

egged on from home by his older We always grew up with games being

part of our life. He started beating us all at the games so I no longer

wanted to play within! Are xou addicted to gaming? no. When I'm not

doing a tournament I don't play I definitely learn things, like

keeping common pressure. Thdre is some things he could do, whdther it

is game developing or providing feedback the developers. Thdre are

some avenues of this has opdned up for him.

Where England's footwork faltered in Brazil ` Ty Walton's handiwork

So the Australians are corrdct, we are good at sitting down sports

For the next two weeks, Stafford Castle will be homd to the

Around 15,000 people will go there to watch a play.

So what is it about these outdoor perform`nces

And what does it mean for those who put on the production?

Our Arts Reporter, Satnam R`na, has been finding out.

For over 900 years, Stafford Castle has stood over town and people,

No, not a music festival, but for two weeks, this is the home

of Shakespeare's musical coledy As You Like It ` with a '60s twist.

When people arrive on site they walk up this ancient monument, it's very

pretty, you can see all arotnd you, it's really a very beautiful vista.

The backdrop of this castle and being surrounded

by such stunning scenery is a great way to enjoy the Bard's words.

And organisers say around a quarter of the people coming to watch have

So what is it about outdoor theatre that makes it so appealing?

It brings in a lot of peopld and it's an institute in St`fford.

It's pleasant because it is outside, so we are quite enjoying thd

It's not really Shakespeare`n people, but it's nice to be out

And making his entrance is Shropshire`based actor John Challis

It's open`air theatre so yot've got even more freedom to express

yourself and there's somethhng about being surrounded by trees

looking at the sky, the sun going down, the theatre lighting coming

For former Coronation Street star Eric Potts,

this is how Shakespeare's plays should be performed.

It takes what I call "the elite curse" off it.

Shakespeare was never meant to be highbrow and studied as English

heritage, it's entertainment for massds.

It's the combination of livd theatre, nature and a '60s take

on As You Like It which makds this outdoor space the perfect stage

Another warm one today, and it could be getting even warmer,

Thank you Nick. They will not be a bad week. We have settled wdather to

come through the middle part of it, and generally speaking, temperatures

will be rising. Certainly after the week and we have just had you will

appreciate that, even if it means pollen levels will rise. Basically,

we have some decent days sandwiched between some better ones.

Unfortunately, it is the wedkend that is going to fall victil to the

showers. We have a few showdrs through this evening, brought in by

this low pressure, coupled with a frontal system that is merghng in

from the south`west. That whll then be replaced by that I presstre for a

time through the middle of the week, before it moves away `llowing

for the threat of these systems pushing down from the North during

the weekend. But, back to the showers for today then, and it looks

as though they will not be `s widespread as we first thought,

mainly the southern half of the region for the next couple of hours

I will be affected. The showers will be light, but one or two cotld be

heavy. Be dry throughout thd night with largely clear skies, btt

temperatures still up to ten or 13 Celsius. This is where the high

pressure kicks in, you can see that tomorrow, we start of sunshhne,

sunshine, pleasant, warm sunshine. That will stay throughout mtch of

the day. It is a dry picturd, too. There is the day. It is a dry

picture, too. There is a slhm chance of an odd shower cropping up around

parts of Staffordshire, but nothing to complain about. Temperattres on

the warm side in that sunshhne, rising to between 20 or 22 Celsius

with light easterly winds. Xou can tell we are sitting in a warmer air

mass because even though evdry shred of cloud melts away through tomorrow

night, we are still looking at temperatures settling down hnto

double figures, so, again, lows of around ten to 13 Celsius. It is a

dry night, but there could be the odd mist patch here and there. It

takes us into a beautiful d`y on Wednesday. Because of that, we have

got practically wall`to`wall blue sky and sunshine, temperatures

should be catapulted up to `round 22 and 24 Celsius. They made up

slightly on Thursday, but that is because the threat of those frontal

systems pushing down from the north. That will result in an incrdase in

cloud in Thursday `` on Thursday, and was as well on Friday. Veteran

entertainer Rolf Harris is found guilty of 12 counts of indecent

assault against women and children. And police investigating thd murder

of a Black Country grandmother believe it could be a robbery that

went wrong. David Gregory will be here `t ten

o'clock with your next update.