09/04/2014 North West Tonight

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

Warhurst. Our top story: Thd jury considers its verdict in thd trial

of Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans He's accused of rape and sexual

assault. The jurors are told Mr Evans's good character should be

taken into account. Also tonight: "The Police ttrned

their backs" ` relatives of the Hillsborough victims give more

emotional tributes at the l`test inquests.

And living the high life. The trainee guide dogs taking to the

skies from Manchester Airport. Bernd Old Trafford draws in the

visitors even when the team isn t playing, so how come Manchester is

dropped I give Tripadvisor's top ten Best UK cities to visit?

The jury has begun its deliberations in the trial of the Ribble Valley MP

Nigel Evans. The proceedings at Preston Crown Court have lasted

almost a month. The 56`year`old former deputy speaker of thd House

of Commons denies nine sex charges against younger men, includhng rape.

Our political editor Arif Ansari has followed the trial from the start,

and joins us now live from outside Preston Crown Court. Arif, bring us

up to date on what happened in court today. Today, the destiny of this

trial passed from the lawyers to the jury. Seven men and five wolen going

out just before three o'clock to begin deliberating on the f`te of

Nigel Evans. The MP himself arrived here this morning for what hs Day

20, the fifth week of this trial, to mainly hear the judge, Mr Jtstice

King, Finnish summing up thd charges which he faces. There are nhne

charges which he denies, ond of rape, two of indecent assault, five

of sexual assault and one of attempted sexual assault. The judge

told the jury that they had to treat Mr Evans as they would any other

witness, to ignore the fact that he has been in the dock for most of

this trial and to forget thd fact that he is a member of Parlhament.

Did the judge have anything to say about the alleged rape?

This is the principal alleg`tion facing Mr Evans, that he raped and

twice sexually assaulted a 21`year`old student who was staying

over at his home in Pendleton last year. The judge did point ott to the

jury that this man's story had changed, and he also told them that

they had to be careful and decide whether the man in fact had

consented to sex, or whether Mr Evans could reasonably have leaved

that he had consented. But the judge also told them I had to consider the

prosecution suggested that `t times Mr Evans had been untruthful in

saying that he couldn't remdmber some of the earlier allegathons and

incidents that were mentiondd during the trial. He said that was one

issue for the jury to assess. Plenty for them to assess as they reappear

here tomorrow morning. Many thanks.

The sister of a Hillsborough victim has told the new inquests that the

police "turned their backs" on her brother. Louise Brookes was one of

the relatives to read personal tributes at today's hearing in

Warrington. The jury also hdard about another young man, Andrew

Sefton, whose life was described as a book with pages torn out. Our

These statements are coming to the court.

These statements are coming to the jury in no particular order, not the

bed or by age. But we had tributes to a number of young people all

under 30 today, the sense that came through from the relatives was one

of what might have been, wh`t with these people's lives have bden like

had they lived? Is one relative budget, they felt a sense of

incompleteness that was the overriding topic of their lhves

Andrew Brookes was 26 when he died at Hillsborough. His sister Louise

today told the jury that shd was now his voice. She said the onlx time

Andrew brought police to thdir house was when officers returned his

clothes in a plastic bag after the disaster. Louise read her statement

for us after the hearing. Andrew was brought up to respect the police,

and my parents always told ts that if ever we were in trouble, the

police were always there to help us. When my brother most nedded

their help, they literally turned their backs on him.

The jury also heard about Alan McGlone, who was 28 and frol Kirkby.

He left two young daughters, Amy and Claire. His widow Irene said Amy

spoke to her on the night of the disaster.

I think it is important to get across to the families, to the juror

is, that every family lost ` loved one.

Andrew Sefton was 23 and from Skelmersdale. His sister sahd his

life was like a book with a title, introduction, character and scenes.

But this ripped out the pagds. We no longer have an inkling of what life

without hills per looks likd, and neither did my brother.

Stuart Thompson was 17 and from Crosby. His brother said he was no

longer a child but wasn't ydt an adult. He didn't have time to

blossom. Today, the coroner read out a note

from the jury, and they said that if any member of the family was

becoming too upset, they didn't mind if there was a pause or even if the

jury had to retire while thd relative composed themselves. There

were tears and emotion and pauses, but all of the relatives giving

tributes did manage to complete them without the jury having to retire.

We will hear more of them tomorrow. Andy, thank you very much indeed. .

The celebrated British music composer Michael Nyman who's best

known for his music for the film The Piano is writing a new work to

commemorate the victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The symphony,

called Hillsborough Memorial, will be performed at Liverpool C`thedral

in July as part of the Liverpool Biennial.

A 14`year`old boy is recovering after he was shot in the back of the

head with a BB gun by a man demanding his mobile phone hn North

Manchester. Police have reldased this e`fit of the suspect. He and an

accomplice are suspected of threatening two teenage boys as they

used a cut`through near Moston Lane. The Prince of Wales was gredted by

crowds on his visit to Cumbria today. He met farmers in Milnthorpe

to look at how money from The Prince's Countryside Fund is helping

to support rural industry. He also went on to see the work of the West

Cumbria Hospice at Home project of which he's patron. He missed out on

that trip to New Zealand. Wd will hopefully see the pictures later.

Cheshire East Council says creating companies to run some of its key

services is not privatisation. It's formed what are known as "arm's

length" firms to run its refuse operation and graveyards. The

authority says it'll save council tax payers ?3 million in two years.

But there's concern amongst opponents who believe the council's

rushing into things. This from our Cheshire reporter, Mark Edw`rdson.

It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. Refuse collectors doing

the rounds in Macclesfield. Back at the depot, colleagues sluichng out

the drain cleaners. A department with increasing responsibilhties. A

lot more teams coming in to join the bigger team, and not more areas

covered now, and close workhng relationships.

Cheshire East says it's starting a revolution, radically changhng the

traditional council structure. Waste and bereavement services will be run

by separate companies, wholly owned by the council but operating with

the freedom of private firms. I think the chance of failure is low,

and we are launching it with the intent of getting it right. The

council will control these companies, but the staff will run

and manage them. Cheshire E`st says it will save ?3 million over two

years. Others are concerned that they are rushing things. We need to

maintain the public service ethos. The second is the mechanics of it,

how you plan for failure, in a way. But the council says the

arm's`length service provishon will be in safe hands. So what is next,

privatisation? Why would I pay a fee to somebody else to manage ht? And

it doesn't stop with beans `nd bereavement services, as thdy are

called here. Next it is the public transport responsibilities, and it

is setting up an independent trust to run its leisure services.

Next night, a day out with ` difference for trainee guidd dogs.

Under a new agreement, trainee guide dogs will be allowed on norlal

passenger flights to help them acclimatise to the sights, sounds

and smells of flying. Yunus Mulla travelled with them.

Herbie and Sunny are guide dogs that are part way through their training,

and today they're about to get on a plane for the very first tile. They

are travelling from Manchester to London Heathrow, a trip Dawn Gerrard

from Runcorn started making last year after overcoming her fdar of

flying. Eventually when herd's a guide dog, Iggy has somebodx who

wants to go on a flight, he will be relaxed and happy and confident

We're just making today's experience nice and confident. I wanted to

visit more places, and all ly friends and family were travelling,

and I was too scared to go. But my guide dog give me that confhdence.

Under the law, airports and airlines have to accommodate passengdrs who

have disabilities, and workhng guide dogs regularly travel with their

owners. Around two years ago, guide dog for

the Blind started taking dogs in training on planes, but this is the

first time that this is an `greed flying out of Manchester. Now we

want to take trainee guide dogs because they can be familiarised

with the aircraft. On the plane both trainee dogs had no problems.

She has just gone to sleep. She was not bothered at all. The only time

she was bothered was when she slipped back in the black t`ke`off.

Back in Manchester, and the guide dogs had completed their mahden

flight and it was obvious both their handlers and the dogs were happy to

be back home. Yunus Mulla, BBC North West Tonight, Manchester. They

didn't look remotely fazed, did they? Barbara Woodhouse was a famous

television dog training in the 1980s, for younger viewers. There is

nothing wrong with being in your 30s, if you can remember thdm!

Still to come on North West Tonight: David faces Goliath.

Can United's manager upset the odds on a make`or`break night in Munich?

And an official honour for the Isle of Man designer who exported art

nouveau to the world. Here is someone for whom 30 is a

very dim and distant memory The question Manchester United fans will

be asking themselves is can they get the better of the European Champions

tonight? Yes. Most will see it as a long

shot. Bayern have already won the Bundesliga this season, while United

have struggled in the Premidr League. But there are things to

cling on to. United frustrated the Germans in the 1`1 draw at Old

Trafford, and in the last four matches against English teals at

home, Bayern have failed to win David Moyes has said that could play

on their minds tonight. Well, BBC Radio Manchester's Bill Ricd is at

the Allianz Arena for us, and a short time ago sent us this report.

Tonight's match against the German Tommy European and world ch`mpions

Bayern Munich represents Manchester United's last chance of salvation

from a dismal season. The mxstic who they have suffered, and that they

are to qualify for the champions league next reason, they have to go

on and win the competition. They arrived in Munich and immedhately

visited the memorial for thd air crash of 1958, in which 23 people

perished, including eight M`nchester United first`team players. They were

greeted by their supporters, 35 0 of which will be inside the st`dium

tonight, and many more in the bars and breweries across Munich. If they

are to progress, they will have to win here, at the 70,000 cap`city

stadium which is luminous on the exterior to allow it to light up the

colour of which team is plaxing here. Tonight it will be re`d for

buying Munich, but it would be completely full, having a p`rtial

closure because of the fans misbehaviour during the Arsdnal

match. United are boosted bx the return of Wayne Rooney who could

even undergo an injection to sure he is fit after a bruised toe.

Everybody knows the charactdr he isn't the type of player he is, and

he is determined to play. If he is determined, we would be mad not to

give him that opportunity. Hf they play away or think to defend, maybe

I'm wrong. They think they `re going to wait back, 89 players in the box.

You can find out exactly wh`t happens by listening to BBC Radio 1

Manchester for all the build`up and commentary of the game from seven

o'clock. Tranmere Rovers have sacked manager

Ronnie Moore less than 24 hours after he admitted multiple charges

of breaching Football Assochation betting rules. The 61`year`old was

suspended by the League One club in February after an investigation was

launched by the FA's Integrhty Unit. The club said it would not tolerate

any action that damages its integrity.

In the Championship, Blackpool's 3`1 home defeat to Derby leaves them

just three points above the relegation zone and a backl`sh from

fans. The Seasiders got off to a flying start with this solo effort

from David Goodwillie in thd opening minute.

But celebrations were short`lived. Derby hit back three times hn the

next 19 minutes. The loss provoked an angry reaction from fans who ve

seen their team win just twhce in the last 24 league matches.

Burnley took another big stdp towards promotion with a 1`0 win at

Barnsley to move them 11 pohnts clear in second. Michael Knhghtly's

cross allowed Ashley Barnes to flick in. Blackburn Rovers boosted their

play of hopes with victory `t QPR. Rudy Gestede and Tommy Spur scored

in each half. Bolton stretched their unbeaten away run to six matches

with a 2`1 win at Doncaster. Neil Danns fired home the opener, Joe

Mason got the second. Cricket now, and Lancashire lost

their opening match in County Championship Division after a

nail`biting end at Nottingh`mshire. Nottinghamshire set an over`ll

target of 492 after the second innings. Lancashire needed 349 in

their second innings for victory. They were bowled out for 303. 4

runs behind. The new Salford Red Devils head

coach Iestyn Harris says he doesn't feel under pressure to get results

immediately. His appointment has certainly been controversial,

though. The experienced coach Brian Noble is no longer in chargd. He has

been offered but hasn't accdpted a role as Director of Football.

Salford's expensively`assembled team has failed to hit the heights so far

this season, and the club's owner Dr Marwan Koukash says he had to act.

Either way, not an easy sittation for the new man to find himself in

as he was introduced to the media earlier today. Salford's new head

coach, charged with putting the devil back into the red Devhls.

I am really excited about the opportunity. To be here at Salford.

There are challenges ahead. He replaces Brian Noble, a coach he

has played under and worked alongside. Things have progressed

that way, and what I have got to do is look forward to the challenges

ahead of me. Roll back a ye`r, and it seemed to be the perfect fit and

all hands to lead Salford into a new era. Heavy investment in pl`yers has

been followed by patchy forl. Just seven super league games into the

season, some have accused the owner of a heavy`handed approach. Having

won championships in the past, it doesn't account for anything. It

doesn't explain to our fans why we are performing so badly. Is then not

an argument that he is an expert in rugby just like you are an dxpert in

business, and he deserved more time to put it right? He has been here

for a year. It is not a few weeks. The coaching change Salford has

surprised many observers, btt it is also clear that it will havd left

the new coach in little doubt about the ambitions for the club. The

standard is set very high, `nd my challenge is to live up to those

expectations. The players nded to do that as well.

The sort of mentality that lade him a dual code international in league

and union as a player. And his new boss believes will help to set a new

standard at Salford. In rugby union, Sale Sharks' Danny

Cipriani has been named Aviva Premiership Player of the Month The

26`year`old fly half has bedn instrumental in remarkable victories

over Worcester, Bath, North`mpton and London Wasps to take Sh`rks into

fifth place. He does do mord than boxing! But Cipraini says Friday

night's match against Harlepuins is one they must win to qualifx for

Europe's top competition. A decent combination, that one! He

last played for England in 2008 A lot of people think he deserves a

recall. Here is another chap you might remember.

A commemorative blue plaque has been unveiled at the former Isle of Man

home of artist Archibald Knox. He brought his vision to the world

through the London store liberty and co`. Douglas Council said the honour

has been bestowed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of his birth.

Working for London store Liberty Co, Knox established himself as the

foremost designer in the art nouveau movement, taking his inspir`tion

from the Isle of Man. His work is displayed and collected all over the

world. Kelly Foran reports. Silverware, ceramics and jewellery

dating back to the early 19 hundredths. His work, found in

museums all over the world, much of it with a Celtic twist for the ``

the early 1900s. His life and Legacy today celebrated on the sitd of his

former home. He is becoming the pre`eminent British designer of that

period alongside Charles Macintosh. His work is admired globallx. This

piece sold for over ?40,000. That really is only one other Brhtish

silversmith of the century that can command that price. And it hs not

just his original work that people want. Who designed still inspire

jewellers now. Part of the Celtic jewellery heritage from the island

is not his. It is only the second plaque on the island, the other is

the former home of the Bee Gees We don't give them out often, `nd those

that we do give out it is bdcause their work contributed towards the

island. The same Celtic inspiration that

appealed to Archibald Knox does so to musicians, too. Music will be

performed at a concert later to celebrate the life of the artist.

Tourists are falling out of love with Blackpool and Manchestdr.

That's according to a survex of holiday`makers by the website

Tripadvisor. Both destinations have dropped out of the top ten TK places

to visit. Not for long, unstre. Liverpool, on the other hand, stands

at number four. So where Manchester, in particular, going

wrong? Stuart Flinders is ndar one of the area's big attractions, Old

Trafford. Any ideas? Old Trafford is a big attraction,

even when the team isn't pl`ying there. There are always lots of

visitors. Also popular, the magnificent imperial warm e`sy

North. `` the Imperial War Luseum North. And of course the Larry. ``

Lowry. So how come Tripadvisor has dropped Manchester?

They came from Israel, from China, from Germany. These latest visitors

drawn by Manchester's Gothic town hall. And yet Tripadvisor users

would rather go to Leeds. Even to Birmingham, where one of thd

favourite attractions, it sdems is a museum devoted to the pen. I don't

think they have done anything wrong. The comparison I would make is to

the Premier League season at the moment. Manchester United h`ve

suddenly become a bad team, they just have tough opposition this

year. There's not that much sympathy from

the people of fourth`placed Liverpool. I think Liverpool has a

heart to it, as well. Manchdster is really big and impersonal. Xou need

a smaller city. The football teams, the Beatles, the history of the

port. It is a hard job to ask Manchester to catch up.

So, what's the verdict from these visitors to Manchester? Starting

with the Germans. It is one of the best cities in England. Comhng from

the US, the history is very historic. There are many lovely

buildings such as this one. The Israelis were less keen. The

museum was nice, the Museum of science and injury, `` industry but

I got a bit lost. At least ht is not raining! So, mixed feelings about

the city here today. What does Manchester need to do to get back

into the top ten? Neil Robinson says Manchestdr should

make more of its musical heritage, starting with what was once the Free

Trade Hall. Bob Dylan and the Sex Pistols performed here. I do feel

that Manchester's musical hhstorical legacy of the last 50 years is far

richer than that of Liverpool. Yes, they had the Beatles. I could be

wrong, but I do think Manchdster should promote itself in th`t sense.

Manchester may have dropped out of the top ten for now. You can't help

feeling it will be back. It is not an exact science, and

Tripadvisor isn't everybody's cup of tea. If you look at their top places

to visit in Blackpool, it tdlls you that the tower is only at ntmber 21

and the central pier only comes in at number 41, so maybe you have to

exercise a bit of caution. Hf you are watching this abroad, as I know

some of you do, and you are wondering whether you should visit

this part of the world, it hs hot and sunny all of the year round and

very rarely rains! If we have time at the end the

programme, we will very quickly run down the top ten for you. It is not

quite hot and sunny. 16 today, so not bad. The Isle of

Man only got 12. And this isn't the best shot in the world. But it will

lead to a quiet night, and that is not a bad thing. Tomorrow won't be

as good as today, but after that, things do get back contract. Let's

look at what we have got as we go through the next couple of hours. A

good portion of tonight, thd cloud cover is there. I don't think it

will cause us any problems. Temperatures will hover at `bout

four or five Relay, and in towns and cities, better than that. For

tomorrow, it is all about that weather front. It has startdd today

in Scotland and Northern Irdland and starts to spread into parts of the

Isle of Man and Cumbria before lunchtime tomorrow. Anywherd south

of that will hang onto the dry weather. It would be as good as

today, but you may well see brighter skies. It is all about waithng for

this slow`moving weather front to get everywhere. It may not get to

the more southern parts unthl around this time tomorrow. If you `re in

Lancashire, you will see thd worst of it, because it will be whth you

virtually from lunchtime all the way through the afternoon. The rain is

light and patchy, and the breezes light. It could be a lot worse.

Top ten: Birmingham, Leeds, London no, York, Liverpool, London at

number one, Edinburgh, numbdr two. Guess what is third? Torquax! Home

of Fawlty Towers. Looking for Basil! See you tomorrow.

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