21/03/2014 North West Tonight

Whittington Hospital in London and another man are charged.

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson `nd

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story: Inside a break`out. Extraordinary

pictures from a prison van `s two men escape in an audacious raid

Today, the gang who pulled off the ambush are told they face j`il.

Also tonight: Honoured and humbled ` Liverpool's new Bishop says the

church must be relevant to the victims of modern life.

See the ups a little time for the peopld, and

they are hungry, they can't give their children things that their

children deserve. Sealy ups and not the Down's ` We'll

meet Abigail and Isobel, thd twins who're one in two million.

And saying it in lights: thd lasers celebrating a wartime code`breaker.

It was an audacious, carefully planned and brutal few minutes that

brought Manchester's early lorning rush hour to a halt. A gang ambushed

a prison van on the way to court, freeing two violent criminals.A huge

manhunt followed and Ryan M`cDonald and Stevie McMullen were evdntually

caught. Today the ten peopld who organised the break`out or helped

the prisoners stay on the rtn ` including a 64`year`old grandmother

` were convicted. Judy Hobson's been looking at dramatic CCTV footage of

the incident. The ambush happened during the

morning rush hour on Regent Road, one of Salford's busiest colmuter

routes. The driver's window was smashed and the driver was

threatened with a shotgun. This CCTV footage shows the moment ond man

armed with a sledgehammer enter the van. A second member of the gang

climbs on board, clearly holding a shotgun. They force the sectrity

guard to open the first cell door. Moments later, you can see convicted

robber Ryan McDonald escaping. In the background, the guard is opening

the second cell door and prhsoner Stevie McMullen quickly runs out.

McDonald escaped on the back of a motorbike, McMullen in a car. Both

have admitted conspiracy to escape from lawful custody. Ten others have

also been convicted. This footage shows two of the gang,

Michael Morrison and Stephen Wilson, buying the sledgehammer used in the

hijacking from a store in the Manchester Arndale Centre.

also been convicted. This footage shows two of the Both

have been convicted of conspiracy to escape from lawful custody. And

Mavis Chapman, a 64`year`old grandmother, helped hide thd

sledgehammer as the gang went on the run. She was found guilty of

perverting the course of justice. They'll be sentenced next month

Liverpool's new Catholic conmen have robbed pensioners of

thousands of pounds using a tedious phone scam. They target elddrly

people to obtain their bank card details and even their cards, before

emptying their accounts. Detectives have now launched a major c`mpaign

to heighten awareness of thd con. So far, around 250 people in Greater

Manchester alone have becomd victims. Our chief reporter Dave

Guest has been to meet one of them. For Alan Griffiths it all started

with a phone call. A chap s`id, Mr Griffiths, I'm DCI Wilkinson. We

have a chap in custody here that has tried to use your card to bty a

laptop computer, and he said, I will let you speak to my colleagte, and

this lady came on the phone. She said, could you give me the

numbers. I said no. I said, give me your number, and I will ring you

back. I rang back, and the same lady answered the phone. She said, we

will cancel your cards now, Mr Griffiths. We will send a c`reer to

your house to collect the c`rds The following morning, I went into town

and said, let's check out the bank to see if the card has been

cancelled. We did, and they said, no. At that stage, we realised that

we had been fooled. ?500 had been taken from his account. A fdature of

this con is that the scammers will insist that you should phond them

back to check out their credentials to make sure they are genuine. They

may even give you a genuine number two phone. Your natural instinct is

to pick up the phone and di`l the number that you have been ghven The

problem is, the scammers have kept the line open at the end, so you

think you are going through to a genuine number, but you're heading

back to the con artists. If anybody brings you and asks for bank

numbers, credit card details, bank details, that won't be the police.

The police will not do that. Alan Pardew ACPO advises straightforward.

Be very, very cautious. One of the region's biggest Academy

providers has been told that it will not be able to take over anx new

schools until concerns about its schools' performance are addressed.

The University of Chester Academies Trust ` UCAT ` which runs nhne

schools, is one of 14 acadely providers who've been placed on a

restricted list by the Department for Education. UCAT acknowlddges

improvements have been slow in some cases, but says it has impldmented a

strategy of support. The Queen's visit to Blackbtrn next

month could be worth a millhon pounds to the local economy,

according to the council le`der The royal visit is expected to hncrease

trade in the town. The Queen's is attending the Royal Maundy Service

at Blackburn Cathedral, along with the Duke of Edinburgh.

Still to come on North West Tonight. The not`so`terrible two by two's:

why campaigning toddlers Abhgail and Isobel are one in two million.

And from House of Commons to classroom, we need to be politician

tackling educational problels by training as a teaching assistant.

Liverpool's new Catholic Archbishop says the church needs to re`ch out

to people affected by government cuts. Malcolm McMahon was speaking

to North West Tonight shortly after his appointment was announcdd today.

He's currently the Bishop of Nottingham, and will start his new

job later this year. Our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill, has bedn

speaking to him, and Andy joins us live from the Metropolitan Cathedral

now. So, a big job for him, Andy? It is, Roger. Malcolm McMahon 64 and

originally from London. He came to the priesthood relatively l`te in

life, after studying enginedring at the University of Manchester

Institute of Science and Technology. Then he worked for London transport.

He replaces Patrick Kelly, who retired through ill health just over

a year ago. Some commentators say it's a vital appointment for the

Catholic Church when it's f`cing a number of challenges.

The new archbishop poses for photographs outside Liverpool's

Catholic Cathedral. He said he was honoured and humbled to havd been

chosen by Pope Francis. He paid tribute to the Hillsborough families

in his first press conference. The determination of the people of

Liverpool to seek justice for the 96 who died so terribly in

Hillsborough, and the dignity of their families, when they wdre left

voiceless, is a powerful witness to us all. When we spoke in thd

cathedral, he said too often when the church faced criticism, some

justified, it turned inwards instead of out, to people who need ht. We've

got to be relevant to peopld who are the victims of modern life, people

who are suffering from the cuts with the government cuts whhch have

hit so many people. It is a difficult time for people when they

are hungry. Liverpool has a strong division of Anglican benefits that

were bishops and Catholic archbishops working together? Are

you going to carry on its own? s this is not an optional extra for

people of our faith. It is has them and essential, and has been for

years. This is not obvious to be true, but it is actually wh`t we

believe. After he led mass, we asked the congregation what they think of

the appointment, and what they think the new Archbishop's biggest

challenge will be. I think the biggest challenge in the face these

days is to bring people back into it. Liverpool has got a lot of

problems with poor people. Lalcolm McMahon is an Arsenal fan, `nd is

said to enjoy golf. He's promised to serve Catholics and non`Catholics in

his new role. There are mord than half a million baptised Catholics in

the archdiocese area, but church attendances falling, and thdre is a

shortage of priests as well. They are just two more of the issues

which Malcolm McMahon will let the deal with in his new job, and he

will be installed as the new archbishop in a ceremony here on May

Day. Thank you very much, Andy Gill. It's estimated that the odds of

having identical twins with Down's syndrome is around two millhon to

couple of lively guests in the couple of lively guests in the

studio. A couple from Chorldy gave birth gave birth to daughters

Abigail and Isobel. Both have Down's. They are now two and a half,

and like all toddlers, very bouncy and beautiful. It's lovely to have

them here. And today, espechally, because it is world Down's syndrome

day. Their parents Matt and Jodi Parry have now started up a campaign

to raise awareness called Twincess. We'll be meeting them all, plus big

brother Fin, in a moment. Btt first, let's have a look at them from

nought to two. A very happy family album. Let's

talk to the family. Jodi, M`tt and the twins. Then, of course, we will

hear what you have to say as well. But you have lodged a campahgn to

raise awareness of pounds. Just take us back, you are pregnant whth two

little babies. Just what is it like to get their babies is? It's a

devastating diagnosis, becatse I think everybody that has a baby when

they are pregnant, they expdct to have a perfect little child. I'm not

100% sure what perfect is, but to then find out that something is not

quite what you expect it was absolutely devastating. It `ffected

all of us and our family. Wd will sort of very ignorant to wh`t Down's

syndrome was. None of this new. You see people in the street, btt we had

no idea what to expect from it. Now, we would just not change these

two for the world. Absolutely not. They are gorgeous, and Fin hs too.

We mustn't forget you. But having twins anyway, plus a little boy

that must be a handful. The figure has been different? Have people told

you it has been particularlx different having twins with Down's?

I wouldn't say with any different. I've never had twins without it So

it is a difficult question to answer. I would say he has ` lot

harder work than she is! Abhgail is particularly inquisitive, isn't

she? Very much there. Matt, tellers about the campaign. Down's syndrome

is something everybody knows about. What are you hoping to achidve? To

be honest, a lot of it comes from prejudice. We don't see sochety as

prejudiced in any way, shapd or form. We see it as more of ` naivete

towards the condition. Like Jodi said, we didn't know everything

there with anything, and we were thrust into this world not knowing

anything about it. So we just want to spread awareness and education

about the condition, the side`effects, and some of the myths,

to try and dispel some of those They don't sever, you can sde that.

They are now! They have gond. So they don't sever, and there is every

chance they will achieve. I was going to ask, long`term, do you have

fears for the future as thex get older, as you get older? I fear for

thin as much as the girls. Ht is fair to say that we don't know what

the future holds. Thin is in mainstream primary school. We hope

the girls will also enter that. We have a great primary school lined up

with them should everything go to plan. We're not 100% certain of high

school, but we will enjoy the first eight or nine years of their life

before thinking about that. You have been a very good growth. Thd girls

have been great too. Tellers, what are your sisters like? ? Thdy are

very good. Our floor manager is now on all fours, keeping them both

entertain. Have a look. Verx quickly, you have your webshte, what

is it? It has been launched today. It is Twincess .co .uk. It has our

story, blogs about our first encounters will stop A627(M( and

lots of information. Thank xou so much for coming in. It was `n

absolute pleasure and a joy. It is wonderful, and they are all now over

there. Well done, Donna. Shd is now the crash.

The Barrow MP John Woodcock has swapped the House of Commons for the

classroom for a few hours a week. He's decided to train to become a

teaching assistant to highlhght the need to improve educational results

in the area. It's all part of his plan to launch a summer school aimed

at improving academic achievement in his constituency. Peter Marshall

reports. A world away from Westminstdr, but

happily behaviour at this jtnior school in Barrow beat flat `t Prime

Minister's Questions. I don't want them to see PMQs, because I think

people behave so disgracefully, shouting, and they couldn't get away

for this for 30 seconds. Thdy would be in detention immediately. I think

we have a lot to learn from this classroom, getting on very puietly

with their work. With six hours training a week, he will be

qualified by summer. The move follows serious concerns about

secondary education in Barrow, where schools are failing in GCSE results

are below the national aver`ge. That is why he has helped launch a summer

school for primary pupils. H want to try to make whatever differdnce I

can, and therefore bringing together businesses and volunteers in a

summer school this year could really focused minds and help thosd

children, but also try to spread the idea that we have got a

responsibility. Problems ard exacerbated by high levels of child

poverty in the area. Earlier intervention, where there are

problems, is very useful, bdcause it then prevent it becoming worse later

in secondary school when thd pressure is on. Can he cut ht in the

classroom? Simek are definitely I would have him back tomorrow. It is

great to have another role lodel in primary school. He asked a lot of

questions all time, to see how we are doing. He tells us words that we

don't understand in a way that we don't feel we are not very smart.

How strict is he? He's not strict. The pilot summer school will last

three weeks and involve 5010 `year`olds. If all goes well, it

will get bigger and hopefully become an annual event.

And they're also at education on this weekend's Sunday Polithcs with

our political editor Arif Ansari. Yes, we will be looking at funding

for science and research, and asking if our top universities and local

businesses get enough to colpete with the Golden Triangle of Oxford,

Cambridge and London. I will chew over the budget with the Labour MP

di Maria is Google and the Conservative MP Stephen O'Brien

Join at 11am on Sunday. And now back to the appointment Livdrpool's

new Catholic archbishop. Today, he said the church ndeds to

reach out to people affected by government cuts. Joining me now is

Christopher Lamb, from the Catholic weekly magazine The Tablet. This is

an important appointment in Liverpool, isn't it? Very

important. This town is traditionally the stronghold of the

Catholic religion in England away. It has the biggest number of

Catholics in England and Wales, and so the leader is a very significant

figure in the church. Social issues seem to be particularly important to

him. What sort of man is he? He is a very pastoral man. He is very

concerned about social issuds, particularly the poor and the whole

question about their cuts. Before he became a priest, he was working for

London buses, Sony has a good understanding of the world outside

the church. I think he will be a pastoral man, someone who whll reach

out not only to Catholics btt to non`Catholics as well. Do you think

this is the direction the Pope particularly want the church to be

going in now? Yes, I think so. Pope Francis has been clear he w`nts a

poor church for the poor he wants his bishops to be, as he sahd, smell

of the sheep. He wants them to do the people, to understand that their

concerns, and he tried to ldave them forward. Many thanks. Lots to fit in

with the sport. Richard is here Let's start with the Champions

League draw. It couldn't have gone any worse for Manchester Unhted

could it, Richard? No. Unitdd face defending champions Bayern Lunich in

the quarter finals. It's a repeat of the classic 1999 final, which United

won 2`1 with those two unforgettable goals in injury time. But B`yern are

favourites to retain their title. Real Madrid and Barcelona are also

still in there of course. Hdre's the full draw. Some bookies are offering

their biggest ever odds on ` United home win at 5 to 1. Those odds could

increase. We have just heard that Robin van Persie, who scored against

Olympiad cross, is injured, and could be out for up to six weeks. If

United do win on April first, then it could be the bookies who are made

to look like fools. United will have to do without Van Persie ag`inst

West Ham in the Premier league. Four of our top`flight clubs are in

action tomorrow, and are thdrefore still have a lot

five Premier league wins in a row, 18 goals scored, and just nhne games

left, serious momentum. Still an air of caution at Anfield. Therd hasn't

been talk of any league title. We are just enjoying how we ard

playing, and our world has been focused on

since Manchester City lost `t home to title rivals Chelsea, thdy have

been dumped out of the champions league and the FA Cup, and hnjuries

and loss of form have put the brakes on their season. With a couple of

games in hand, many still fdel the title is theirs to lose. Oh, what a

goal! You have to win the g`mes The important thing for the momdnt is,

we just depend on what we c`n do in the future.

Last time out, Everton put their FA Cup disappointment is firmlx behind

them with another victory and Goodison Park. In all competitions,

it is six straight wins at home for the blues. Their boss is confident

of making it seven. Our footballing has been full of confidence and full

of good play. We want to get as many as we can, our average of .7 home

having been exceptional. With the euphoria of Wednesday night's

Champions League fightback behind them, Manchester's red is now turn

their attentions to the Prelier league. Basically can't afford

another red face. There is no guarantee that one result ldads to

another, but you'd rather h`ve a good run than a bad one, and we got

a really good one midweek, so hopefully we can build on that.

In the Championship, Burnlex will be aiming to make it 15 games

undefeated tomorrow when thdy travel to Charlton. The Clarets ard already

ten points clear of the chasing pack in the second automatic prolotion

spot. In Super League, champions Wigan

Warriors won for the first time in eight visits to Warrington Wolves

last night, with a 12`4 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Thd

visitors scored two tries, one in either half, Liam Farrell crossing

before the break, then setthng up Blake Green after the re`st`rt.

Warrington's consolation trx was a solo interception by Gene Ormsby

near the end. The result le`ves both sides in mid`table.

Now, a reminder that Sport Relief begins tonight on BBC One straight

after this programme. Some of our football managers and former players

took part in a BBC Four programme that you can still see on iPlayer

called Some People With Jokds. Here's a snippet from former Bolton,

Everton and Manchester City player Peter Reid and Oldham managdr Lee

Johnson. Breaking news. Wayne Rooney's asked

for a transfer. David Moyes has asked him to put it in writhng.

That's the end of that one, then. Two monkeys in a bar. One ttrns to

the other and goes, HOWLING. The other says, put some more coal and

then. I can do this. Two goldfish in a tank. One says,

how do you drive this thing? Well, if you fancy a laugh, look `t these

pictures. We were running on a treadmhll

today. Here is an adult. Goodspeed, looking good. Graceful. Not so sure

about that. I did get a bit of speed up eventually.

He was taking the photo? Old dodgy knees.

Somebody didn't want to havd anything to do with all this

nonsense. She has done outshde. Apparently, there's something

unusual going on above the skies of Salford. Eno's there.

Yes, if you are in Salford tonight, you might catch them so these `

laser beams, which are being projected from the roof of The Lowry

Theatre just across from us here at Media City. It's part of an

exhibition to commemorate the code breaker Alan Turing. Suzannd Hailey

reports. Bright, inspiring, and far

reaching, not unlike the man these lights are dedicated to. It was

developed a couple of years ago for his centenary, and I really wanted

to bring it to Manchester and be able to show it here as part of the

keys culture. It is a brillhant thing to happen. The exhibition is

attributed Alan Turing, who spent the last six years of his lhfe in

Manchester, and he was credhted with cracking the Nazi Enigma Code. This

is more than just a laser show. This colourful display has been designed

using Morse code signals, translated into beams of light, making up the

word thank you. The tribute comes to Salford in the week the govdrnment

announced it would provide over ?40 million for a new research Hnstitute

and be set in al ensuring's name. It is a really great place for it to

have ended up. It is like the end of the stories that the piece. It was

shown in Conway, then in Liverpool at the 70th anniversary of the

Battle of the Atlantic, 2020 here to his spiritual home is a really

fantastic conclusion to the story. The lasers will be on displ`y for

the next week. It has been a day of sunshine and

showers, and as we look at the headline for the weekend, it is not

looking brilliant. It has got cold over the weekend, chilly, and will

be a mixture of some sunshine, chilly over the next two or three

days, and wintry showers as well. For tonight, for example, wd start

up with heavy, wintry showers, slowly working in across thd Irish

Sea. They will be falling on high ground as sleet and snow, clearing

the way overnight on the other side of the Pennines. Under clearing

skies, a chilly night, tempdratures down to maybe two Celsius, `nd we

are likely to see icy patchds and frost as well. The headline for

tomorrow is very similar to today, a mixture of sunshine and wintry

showers. We start our chillx and mostly dry, bright, plenty of

sunshine around, but in between plenty of showers working in. These

will again be wintry, so maxbe sleet and snow on high ground. We could

see Hale and thunder as well in between the sunshine. I think there

was a little bit of everythhng tomorrow. It will not feel

particularly warm, because ht is quite breezy. Eyes of seven

Celsius, six Celsius in one or two spots. We head into Sunday `nd it

would be a touch dry. Maybe brighter, highs of eight Celsius.

For next week, we will see the temperatures will not recovdr. They

will stay in single figures. Actor you in the studio. Thank yot very

much. Sport relief, 7pm. Looking forward to it? I am looking

forward to it. I promise I promised do some extra swimming tomorrow to

do some extra money. It is `ll worthwhile. Drop a pound in that

part as you go. Here's the view of Salford. Have a lovely evenhng. Look

out for the lasers. Good night.