15/08/2014 North West Tonight

to be lower than average. Make sure you pack your jumpers if you are

going away. Welcome to North West Tonight with

Beccy Meehan and Roger Johnson. A woman is held on suspicion

of murder after a three`year`old is The little girl died

in hospital after medics The former policeman convicted

of abusing a young girl over five More relatives are jailed

after fraudulently claiming ?160,000 The gardeners raising money

to make their allotments A woman is being questioned in

Lancashire after the death of a child. She was rescued from a

swimming pool. The woman, believed to be her mother, is being

questioned on suspicion of murder and child neglect. Bring us

up`to`date with the latest. That woman is still being questioned

tonight, 40 years old but not named officially by the police. This is

the Hotel that yesterday was at the centre of those frantic but futile

attempts to save the little girl's life. The flags are flying at

half`mast, a mark of respect for the little girl from Scotland who died

on holiday. Paramedics were called at 11am yesterday after a child was

reported to have drowned in the hotel pool. Before they arrived

Carol Greenwood, a retired lifeguard, intervened. I came to the

hotel pool to use the pool with my grandson. As we came out of the

changing rooms there was an incident on going and I noticed there was a

child on the bottom and I dived in and rescued the child and followed

with resuscitation. She did start to breathe and then the ambulance came

so they took over. The girl was brought ` brought first`tier to the

Blackpool Victoria Hospital and then sent for more specialist care to the

Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. Yesterday evening, after

nearly nine hours of medical attention, she was pronounced dead.

At the hotel the police investigation got underway. We just

arrived after the incident happened and as we were checking in, a

policeman came and spoke to the receptionist and asked what had gone

on and they said somebody had been taken away in an ambulance not long

beforehand. From there it seemed to snowball with lots of other

policemen coming in. The woman questioned by the police is 40 years

old and from Galashiels in the Scottish Borders. She's not been

named officially, but is believed to be the mother. A Home Office

postmaster is being carried out to establish the cause of death. `

postmortem. Tonight the senior investigating officer tells us we

are treating this tragic incident as an unexplained death and are

continuing to investigate just how the child came into difficulties in

the pool. Thank you.

A retired Greater Manchester police officer is behind bars tonight

John Travis has been sentenced to 17 years in prison.

The court heard he subjected his victim to a campaign

of physical and sexual abuse while he was a serving officer.

North West Tonight has been told Greater Manchester Police knew

about his violent behaviour decades ago, but did nothing about it.

It was his job to uphold the law, but in the ?80s, when he was a

serving police officer, John Travis repeatedly raped a young girl.

And tonight it's being claimed Greater Manchester Police were

told at the time about his violent behaviour but didn't take action.

Jailed for 17 years, John Travis subjected his flicked into years of

mental, physical and sexual abuse. He met her in the line of duty `

she was 11 when it began. On one occasion,

he abused her in a police gym. And she's not

the only person he abused. The police were called quite a lot,

but he would either walk out when he came or they would tell him not to

do it again. Did they ever ask if you wanted to take any action

against him? No. He was a police officer. They look after their own

in some cases. This woman, whose identity we're

protecting, says she reported John Travis to the police more than 30

years ago ` at around the same time I feel so sorry for that girl, what

he's put her through. If they had taken me seriously, it might have

stopped that and it might never have happened.

Greater Manchester police have confirmed they're aware

This comes as the police force is already facing criticism about

The Chief Constable facing a criminal investigation over the

The victims of John Travis do now finally have justice.

There are questions, though, about why it took so long.

A murder investigation is underway in north Manchester

Police were called out to an address in Cheetham Hill this morning.

Outside, they found the body of a 38`year`old man with gunshot wounds.

A post`mortem examination is due to take place.

The Chief Inspector of Prisons says Hindley Young Offenders Institution

near Wigan is still struggling to keep its inmates safe.

An unannounced inspection in March found bullying and on average,

But it praised the quality of education, which it said

An elite cycle race that went through Barrow is estimated to have

been worth more than ?100,000 to the town's economy.

A report says the Pearl Izumi race in May attracted 12,000 spectators.

13% came from outside the county and 85% stayed overnight.

A new record has been set in Blackpool today

At 18 metres, it's around the height of two houses

Organisers claim it would bounce 115 feet if dropped from the top

It's part of a campaign by Visit Blackpool and Merlin

Entertainments to try and encourage more visitors to the resort.

Not sure how you would get it to the top of the Blackpool Tower! A couple

who fraudulently claimed almost ?90,000 in benefits are beginning a

jail sentence. Shirley Patterson and David Tracey were motivated by

greed, the court heard. They were also part of a wider family group to

fraud in the system in their own way.

Between them they fraudulently claimed around ?160,000, a father,

his son and daughter and their partners. Liverpool Crown Court

heard one of them was Cheryl Patterson, who claimed around

?89,000 in various benefits. She said she was a single parent living

alone. In reality she was sharing a home with David Tracey, her

partner. Between them they fabricated documents, created a

false tenancy agreement and claimed benefits. She claimed tax credits,

income support and council and housing benefit over a five`year

period. David Tracey was the owner of the house. We need to distinguish

between those people genuinely entitled to benefits and working

hard and receiving benefits justifiably, and we want to support

those residents, we have a full system in place here, but when

people defraud the system they get punished. Earlier this year another

family member, Victoria Tracy and her partner Andrew Kennedy, were

convicted of benefit fraud totalling ?55,000 and sentenced to nine months

in jail. Just like the other couple, they spent their money on cruises

and spent lavishly. Today Dennis Tracey, who owned one of the

properties and made. In severe housing benefit of around ?14,000,

which he has since paid back, was ordered to pay a fine of around

?2000. But in sentencing Patterson and Tracy, the judge told the

pair... The couple were sentenced to 12

months in jail. Ready for lift`off `

we look ahead to the new Premier And harvesting goodwill `

the gardeners raising money to make their allotments

wheelchair`friendly. The Mayor of Liverpool,

Joe Anderson, says libraries in the city will have

to close because of budget cuts, The city council's cabinet this

morning approved the closure of 11 of the city's 19 libraries,

saving ?2.5 million. Mayor Anderson says the council has

to cut more than ?150 million In a moment, a report

on today's events in Liverpool. First here's Roger with a look at

how libraries across the north west During the financial year 2008`9,

the North West had 474 libraries. They included everything

from council`run facilities to But by 2012`13,

the most up`to`date figures In fact, during the course

of that last year alone, the North West saw the amount of money

spent on its libraries cut by nearly Our Merseyside reporter Andy Gill

reports on today's protests But not from a small

but vocal group of protestors Among them a best`selling children's

author who says Liverpool should be I think it would be a catastrophe

for the city. It was city of culture, I don't want it to be city

of philistinism. The 11 libraries earmarked for

closure are located across the city. The council says most

but not all have lower numbers Manchester already has seven

community`run libraries ` I'm sure there was some apprehension

about how it could be run by volunteers, but we've had so much

support from the city councils that kind of working out at moment. This

might happen here, but the mayor says the financial situation is such

that the library budget must take cuts and the passion of those

opposed won't make any difference. We simply have to make that tough

choice about how we reconfigure the library service. We have to save

?2.5 million. If we don't, it will have to come from elsewhere.

The council has to save a total of ?157 million by 2017.

But the opposition Green Party says libraries are important enough

for the mayor to use discretionary funds to keep them open.

I think because it's part of the cement that hold the local community

together, anyone can go into a library, whatever age gone income

gender, it's a place for everybody. Today, the cabinet approved

the closures in principle. A final decision is expected

towards the end of the year. Earlier, I spoke to the chairman

of the Library Campaign and started by asking her

about the impact of the cuts to A lot of people

in Liverpool are going to lose a really precious front line

service which is useful in so many ways I can hardly begin to

count them, for very little saving. But with the amount of information

available on the Internet these days, surely fewer people are using

libraries and it makes sense to make If you go into a library,

they all have Internet access Eight million people in this country

don't have access to the Internet, a bunch more don't know how to use

it and need help with it. That's one of the main functions

of libraries these days. Councils are facing

difficult decisions. Many people would say make cuts

in libraries They are useful for health and crime

prevention, keeping people independent in old age and just

giving people some free fun locally, pre`schoolers learning to read

and there's no more useful space What do you think will happen next

in terms of library provision? What is the future

of library provision in the UK? The future looks very grim

unless something happens Liverpool is the worst

of the beginning, as it were. We are looking at mass closures,

an attempt to dump libraries onto volunteers, none

of whom want to do it and none of The library service is a precious

asset that can be used in so many Richard's here with

the sport now and fans of our Premier League clubs will have one

or two butterflies in the stomach. At one point it felt like half the

Premier League teams were up here, last season we any have four and now

it's back to five. Back up to five with Burnley promoted and what a

season it is for whoever you support,.

Whether it's fans of the champions, Manchester City,

or newly promoted Burnley, they'll all have everything crossed.

It starts with Manchester United at home to Swansea followed

Liverpool welcome Southampton to Anfield in their opener on Sunday,

Burnley are preparing for the little matter of Jose Mourinho's Chelsea

Burnley are in the Premier League! We understand the challenges, some

of the powerful clubs out there and some of the good players out there.

All the mantras we believe in, we want to be relentless in our

attitude and our thinking. Still Lukaku! 2`0! To maintain the

level we showed last season with the extra demand of European football,

it's as simple as that. It's not about reaching certain positions or

certain levels, it's about replicating what we did last

campaign with the group a year wiser. Lovely ball round the

goalkeeper, Sturridge! Gerrard! Irrespective of what happened with

people leaving, we needed to add more depth and I'm happy with the

people we've brought in. This summer has been our biggest window for a

couple of years. We hope to get one or two more. Yaya Toure, what a

Behrami, what a goal! I think the Premier League will be like the last

Premier League. Five or six every strong teams. All of them want to

win the title. We also want to retain it. We'll see over the year.

Wayne Rooney! What a goal. I'm very confident, I'm not nervous. You

don't see it? Nine players injured and I'm not nervous. We have beaten

them all until now, but tomorrow is the most important thing. Can't

wait! Let's talk through some of the issues with Danny Mills. Start with

Manchester United. They play in the lunch time kick`off tomorrow against

Swansea. What do you make of them under Louis van Gaal and how much

stronger will they be? Nothing has really changed. There might be a

change in formation, but they've lost a lot of defenders, Ferdinand,

Vidic, Evra. That's a big weakness. A lot of experience as gone. The

formation of top will be different, maybe two up top with Mata behind.

Unless they add two or three players in the next two weeks, I think they

will find it difficult to reach the top four. They are trying to sign

players. Manchester City will definitely challenge for the title,

but what about Liverpool? Have they've replaced Luis Suarez? That's

almost an impossible task. His goals last season were fantastic, the way

he played, the partnership with Daniel Sturridge. Can Sturridge live

up to expectations for a second season? I'm not sure he'll be as

good without Suarez. They've brought in a lot of players and a lot of

those are maybe squad players. Lambert won't play that often. Even

the likes of Lallana? Is he better than what they've got already and

will he play ahead of Sterling? Lovren is probably their key

signing. Their defence wasn't good enough last season. City had

problems last season, but they've sorted out that problem. Man City

will be very strong. What about Everton? They've signed Lukaku, who

was there on loan last season, Gareth Barry. How difficult is it

for Everton to stay in the top five? To stay in the top five will be a

huge achievement. No one expects Manchester United to finish seventh

under Louis van Gaal. The assumption is they will add players. If Everton

can finish in the top six, it will be a fantastic achievement. Lukaku

was vital season. To replace him would have been almost impossible.

We shouldn't move on without talking about Burnley. They have added half

a dozen players, but no standout signings where you would say they

would really be a Premier League signing. They haven't got marquee

players, but they never had them in the Championship it was a team

ethic. They played some very, very good football. They will be a

surprise package, they will surprise a couple of things. Some teams will

go to Burnley and look at the little ground and underestimate them. They

will cause upsets. Whether they have enough strength in depth and quality

to last the season, it will be very difficult, and it doesn't come

tougher than Monday night, at home to Chelsea. You can hear Danny on

five live at seven o'clock this evening.

In Super League, Wigan missed the chance to go to the top

after a dramatic down`to`the`wire 14`14 draw at Hull KR.

Josh Charnley's last gasp try on the hooter levelled

the score after Warriors had been trailing for much of the game.

Matty Smith then had the chance for a sensational victory,

In tonight's fixtures, three of our teams are in action at home.

St Helens will be aiming to increase their lead over Wigan at

Salford host Catalan while Warrington play Castleford.

In cricket's LV County Championship, it's the first day of Lancashire's

match against Durham at Old Trafford Emirates.

The visitors batted first and are 328`8.

Whatever your sport ` whether it?s cricket, Premier League or

Super League ` there's coverage and commentary of this weekend's action

on your local BBC radio stations either on FM, AM, DAB or online.

The official launch of Bolton boxer Amir Khan's charity,

the AK Foundation, has raised ?218,000 so far.

The money will be used to help disadvantaged young people

around the world as well as supporting disaster emergencies.

Great effort by his foundation. I can't wait for the Premier League.

Interesting to hear from Danny Mills. The last couple of nights

we've had some detailed looks ahead to Burnley and Manchester City as

well. Thank you. Yesterday on North West Tonight, we

told you about a group gardeners who are hoping to raise money to make

their allotment wheelchair`friendly. The Crumpsall and Cheetham Hill

Allotment Society are gearing to host Veg Fest, their biggest ever

event and hoping to raise ?10,000. In the second part of our series,

Elaine Dunkley has been to see how There have been rich pickings

at the Crumpsall and Cheetham Hill Allotments, but with Veg Fest

looming, Val is out and about looking for the cream of the crop

of musicians to draw in the crowds. We have got a little bit of a drama,

a band may pull out. I'm here today to see

if we can get another one Time is ticking, but Manchester

indie band The Dead Seas have agreed It's going to be a big thing

and we just want people to hear Val may have musicians,

but she also needs a stage Next stop, the Blackthorn Festival

near Stockport. Local entrepreneur Craig West is

doing the stage and lighting and Basically it was a good cause and

we try to help out where we can. Make sure it goes smooth and it's a

good event and happy to be involved. Things are also going well

for organiser Matt, who's turning home`grown rhubarb

into a tipple for the event. Back at base,

it's not all going to plan. One of the prize hanging baskets has

been stolen and there's a whiff Been a few pumpkins sabotaged `

slashed. The best

in show is fiercely competitive. Emelio knows what it feels

like to hold the coveted title. So it's finally coming together

for Sunday's show and it's green I'm worried about Veg Fest! Because

of the forecast. I thought today would have been a great day for the

gardeners. You need the visitors in to get to ?10,000. It's going to be

blustery, very blustery on Sunday. It's a weekend of two harvests. A

little bit of everything. Saturday turns wet eventually because the

rain will take some time to reach all of us. Sunday is very windy with

blustery showers. Look at this on Saturday. This is why it takes so

long for the rain to get to us. Look at the isobars and the wind. Up to

gale force on Sunday around coasts and hills. Over the last couple of

hours we've had showers here and there. They haven't been that

widespread over the afternoon. Mostly in the Pennines. For the most

part it should be dry this evening. Most places see temperatures up at

in the towns and cities a little in the towns and cities a little

higher. If you're coming home at 5am, you deserve to bump into a

shower! They could be around for a short while, but most of Saturday is

relatively quiet. Not much going on. A lot of cloud cover which will

break from time to time. As the morning goes on, one or two showers

coming in from the Irish Sea, but not that widespread. Not a great

deal of sunshine soaked it will looked us appointing. In the

afternoon, signs of more organised rain pushing in. That's when it

tries to start to move south, but by tea`time it hasn't made it

everywhere so most of Saturday for most of us is fairly usable. 17 and

18 Celsius. After that, the rain works through on Saturday night and

it's fairly heavy, and the wind picks up. The Met office have issued

an early alerts that the wind could be an issue. 40 to 50 mph. In the

winter that wouldn't be an issue, but at this time of year it could

cause disruption. The showers will be blustery, but away from them,

some spells of sunshine, but poor temperatures.

Veg Fest has to be worth a visit because you'll get a chance to meet

Doug the gardener! And Russell the leaf cleaner. Have a lovely weekend,

thanks for watching. the good, the bad

and the soggy-bottomed. I'm Jo Brand and I'm serving up

an Extra Slice of Bake Off action I'll shine a spotlight

on all the goings-on in the tent - the good, the bad

and the soggy-bottomed. And every week, I'll be joined by

the latest baker to leave the tent.