06/01/2017 Points West

Just to see him put one foot in front of the other without tripping

up is just incredible. But do families have to go abroad

to get the help they need? now the campaign to double sentences

for offenders has been won. the Olympic medallist Peter Reed

pledges to make it to Tokyo in 2020. We investigate

the noise inside Stonehenge. A three-year-old boy who went

to America for an operation to help him walk again

is making good progress. Jacob Baird, from Weston-super-Mare,

underwent surgery in the US It wasn't cheap, and doctors say

the surgery is available One day it's hoped the NHS

will offer the operation, for free. Our health correspondent

Matthew Hill reports. After an operation in America last

month, Jacob Baird is already Just to see him put one foot

in front of the other without tripping up

is just incredible. Jacob was born with cerebral palsy,

which makes every step a struggle. But his parents heard

about a surgeon from Missouri who had pioneered an operation

to reduce the spasticity Called selective dorsal rhizotomy,

or SDR, it involves testing which spinal nerves are causing

the leg stiffness, and then The family set a target of ?75,000,

which they have exceeded by ?12,000. The surgery itself was just over

?29,000, and then it's really the rehabilitation,

physiotherapy, that costs the money. People would e-mail me out of the

blue, saying I'm going to do a sponsored walk or run a marathon,

it's just been insane. The operation was available

here at the Children's Hospital, on the NHS, until April,

as part of a national But until those results

are evaluated, you can only get it here privately for around ?20,000,

that's significantly less This Bristol surgeon has just

returned from Russia, where he's been teaching

the operation he learned in America. But he is warning parents to think

twice before going abroad. I would be a bit concerned that

you're having an operation thousands of miles away from your home,

so if there are issues post-operatively, you've got

a clinical team that really would have to look after you back

in the UK, who wouldn't have a full understanding of what's gone

on in the US. Jacob's parents say that there

was never an in-depth discussion with doctors about having

the operation privately in Bristol. They wanted to go to the surgeon

who had the most experience, and who told them he'd developed

more advanced surgery, something disputed by surgeons

on this side of the Atlantic. This is his best shot at being able

to walk independently. But as more and more families look to raise

money for treatment abroad, the NHS is going to have to sell its private

services better if it's going to offer treatment closer to home.

How is supposed to make a decision? Very difficult choice, until NHS

England decide whether they are going to fund this on the NHS,

parents liked Jacob's find themselves in a difficult position.

They are being told by the American surgeon that they have an add-on

operation for which there is no real evidence, and doctors here are

saying they would not do it, and parents need to pick their way

through this. Jacob's parents have raised ?12,000 more than their

target, they are going to donate that to families who are facing a

similar situation. But it's not available on the NHS?

No, it could be some time. Thank you.

A man who was allegedly attacked with acid in Bristol has died.

Mark Van Dongen was injured on Ladysmith Road in

Berlinah Wallace has been charged with throwing

a corrosive fluid at him, with a trial due to start next week.

But it was halted today after Mr Van Dongen's father,

who lives in Belgium, confirmed his death.

The trial is now due to start in April.

An online petition to honour the last British

"Dambuster" has received more than 166,000 signatures.

Last night we told you how TV presenter Carol Vorderman had taken

up the case of George "Johnny" Johnson, who was overlooked

in the New Year's Honours List despite being nominated.

As well as leading the petition, Ms Vorderman is also preparing

a new nomination to get Mr Johnson a knighthood.

The parents of a three-month-old baby from Gloucester who died last

year are to be prosecuted for his manslaughter.

Ah'Kiell Walker died after being rushed to hospital

have already been charged with child cruelty and neglect.

Following a hearing today they were released on bail,

and will appear in court again in April.

The maximum sentence for stalking in England and Wales is to double,

from five years to ten, following a campaign

Alex Chalk fought for the change, after hearing what happened to one

Dr Eleanor Aston was working as a GP when she started

Over seven years he slashed her husband's tyres;

bombarded her with messages; even turned up at her child's party.

She became so anxious, she gave up work.

It's a huge relief for me, and it's going to make a big

difference to me and my family, because although at the end

of the day five years, ten years, it's just a number,

and an end will always come to that period of time,

but it gives us that little bit of longer respite, it gives us

a chance to have a breather, to get back to a normal life,

Not look over our shoulders all the time, which is what we do

One of the MPs who took up Dr Aston's campaign to change

the law was Alex Chalk; he joins us from Cheltenham now.

You must be very pleased - why was this so important?

I'm absolutely delighted, this is the culmination of a long campaign,

but this sends a message out that protecting victims has got to be the

first priority, and the courts have the powers now that they need to do

that. Alan has shown such astonishing bravery, and I am

delighted today. -- Eleanor. Surely this is only

the tip of the iceberg and for very extreme cases -

what more can be done Well, it is critically important

that the courts and the law enforcement agencies have the powers

they need to intervene early, because we did not want things to

get to the stage where people need to be locked up for a long period of

time. Early intervention is key, and the Government has come out with

these national stocking prevention orders so that we can try to nip

these problems in the bud, get medical intervention if that is

required, and it's only for those very serious cases where people need

to be taken out of circulation, that the courts have the powers to do

that. In a statement you said,

"This is the culmination of a long and difficult campaign both

inside and outside Parliament" - First of all, there's the

Parliamentary procedure, you have to build the case, speak to the right

people. Richard Graham and I created a long report which was

evidence-based, so it is all about making speeches in Parliament, and

then it's building that Coalition outside Parliament as well, of

people who recognise the force of the campaign and are prepared to

write in, to put pressure as well on the Government to do the right

thing. So it is inside and outside Parliament, both have got to happen.

Thank you, Alex, for joining us today.

You're watching Points West with David and Alex -

stay with us, as we've plenty more for you including: Lights out time.

But how do you manage when you've got thousands to take down?

And tonight's rain will gradually cleared away towards the south, the

weekend's looking largely dry, but cloudy. Details at the end of the

programme. The number of incidents

of domestic abuse rises at this time of year,

according to a And although the majority

of victims are still female, an increasing number of men

are now coming forward. Paul Chivers from Wiltshire

was physically and emotionally He's been talking to our Wiltshire

reporter Will Glennon. Paul Chivers suffered at the hands

of his wife for ten years. She coerced, humiliated

and isolated him, and she physically There was one incident

where a painting was taken off and my ex-wife split my head open,

and I needed eight staples But that was the turning point

for me, that I decided I could Since 2012, the number of male

domestic abuse reports being reported has increased across all

our forces. That shows more men are willing to

come forward. But the Home Office says men are still far less likely

than women to report abuse. This charity has a campaign showing

actors and hidden cameras to show how quickly the public intervene

when a woman is assaulted, but in the situation where a man is being

abused, he is left helpless. Social Services have started to

realise that men are also victims, so if men do come forward, they will

get a better reception -- reception than they have ever done.

Paul is now putting his life back together.

It was the toughest thing I have done in my life, to make that step

and do it, but I'm so glad that I did. Luckily, there was a

sympathetic ear. Paul says help is still hard

to find, but it can be done. He hopes by speaking out,

he'll encourage others to avoid Family and friends of a missing

paramedic from Bristol have volunteered to help mountain rescue

teams search for him this weekend. David Skeen has been

missing since Tuesday. He left his home near

Brecon in Wales, saying he was going for a run,

but never came back. The 51-year-old moved to Wales

at the end of last year, after living and working

as a paramedic in Bristol. People in Bristol might

already have a Lord Mayor and an elected mayor,

but later this year they'll It's a new job that's been created

by Government to help devolve more money and power to the city

as well as South Gloucestershire, Today, the first candidate

in the contest was announced. The Labour Party has selected NHS

manager Lesley Mansell. She said alerting voters to

the new role would be a challenge. A former Royal Marine from Bristol

who's recovering from post-traumatic stress disorder is now trying

for a world record. Louis Nethercott will try to crawl,

swim and trek his way across the world's five

largest islands unaided. He's already completed the first

stage - the jungles of Borneo. Next he'll head to Papua New Guinea,

then to Madagascar and Greenland, where the temperatures could reach

minus 25 degrees, before finishing We were just completely

on our own in the jungle there, It was an incredible experience,

but it was also incredibly tough. It took just 40 days for former

Marines Louis Nethercott and Anthony Lambert to get

across Borneo, the first of the world's five biggest islands

they are determined to conquer. Loads of people will go to the Poles

nowadays, up Everest - we wanted to come up with one

that was a bit unique. For Louis, the challenge has

become a way of coping with post-traumatic stress disorder,

a condition he developed after returning home from the front

line in Afghanistan. We lost a couple of blokes,

my section lost two guys, and a few others were injured

in a significant blast. I felt like I was

sort of in a different world. I struggled just to be around things

- loud things, busy things. I found it very hard

to relax and chill out, I was always, um, expecting

something to happen. Before you know it, it is all on top

of you. Louis was medically discharged

from the Marines a few months ago. By taking on this expedition,

he wants to raise awareness about the impact psychological

injuries have and raise funds for the Forces charities

that are helping him I'm still pretty tired

and pretty hungry, so... I mean, to think we've got

another four ahead of us, I think we just have to look at

one at a time and put If I think of all four in my head,

it becomes a bit of a disaster! The pair will set off

for Papua New Guinea They hope to finish all five islands

at some point next year. And endurance test that will push

them almost to the limit. But Louis knows it is nothing compared to the

horror he has already seen in Helmand province. What an amazing

thing to do. We wish him well. I was thinking of going to Lundy Island

this year, it's not quite on the same league! I might grow a beard.

You can swim to it. Will the famous old trophy bring

Bristol City a change in luck? We said on Tuesday Bristol City

needed reinforcements. They've not wasted any time -

today Australian defender Bailey Wright has joined

them from Preston. And they've also signed German

midfielder Jens Hegeler on the left here, and Bosnia international

striker Milan Djuric. If international clearance comes

through, all three could play I'm 28 now, and to play in England,

football is huge here and it is something special. I was glad that I

had now the opportunity. Away from the Cup, home games

for Bristol Rovers and Swindon. And there's rugby tonight -

Bath are in Newcastle. Gloucester and Bristol

play tomorrow. Peter Reed, the triple Olympic

rowing champion from Nailsworth, has told me he's determined to make

it to the Tokyo Games in 2020. Several of his team-mates

have retired since Rio, but the 35-year-old says he's

still got more to give to the sport. I joined him for his return

to training this week in Berkshire. Welcome to the Redgrave

and Pinsent Rowing Lake. He's signed up for another four

years of early starts We've got the men's pairs over here,

the training boats. The Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Centre

has been Pete Reed's base COMMENTATOR: And it is Great Britain

in the men's eight, It's helped him win gold medals

in Beijing, London and Rio. Representing my country

is the most wonderful thing, it's an honour that I think

for the first Olympiad I don't want to be lying down

on my deathbed when I'm an old man, thinking, "What if I'd gone

for that last Olympics? I don't want those questions,

I want to answer them now This is where I'll spend

most of the time over the next four years,

and there's this sinking dread feeling to know how

painful it's going to be. His first job is to lose

the ten kilos in weight And he may also need surgery,

to correct a problem with his hips. I think we will do everything

to help him to do a good job. We want him, no question,

he is in a competitive The young guys coming in,

they want his seat - he has to demonstrate

he can earn his seat. Pete will be 39 by the time

the Tokyo Olympics come around - a year older than Sir Steve Redgrave

was when he won his I think it's important to say that

I'm not chasing Matthew Pinsent, and I'm not looking for a fourth

gold because he's got one, or then It's not for fame, it's not for ego,

I really just love my sport. I'm still just Pete from Nailsworth,

just a young lad that's It means his other career

as a lieutenant in the Navy COMMENTATOR: Well done,

Great Britain... This officer is not ready

to abandon his boat just yet. Well, today one of Pete's

team-mates, Alex Gregory, has announced his retirement

from the sport. Alex, who's from Cheltenham,

won gold in the men's four at London 2012 and defended that title

in Rio last summer. If Pete wins another gold, they will

have to rename that rowing centre! I think we should follow him during

his training. I definitely think so too.

Stay with us for a moment and have a listen to this sound.

That's normally the noise that follows my jokes!

It's apparently how Stonehenge may once have sounded.

An archaeologist is trying to recreate the acoustics

of the ruins - and hopes it will unlock some of

The BBC's arts correspondent David Sillito reports.

People have been coming here for at least 4,000, 5,000

years, so we're walking in the feet of history.

When the wind blows, some people say they hear a strange hum.

Thomas Hardy wrote about it in Tess Of The d'Urbervilles,

and Dr Rupert Till is convinced the sound of Stonehenge

You hear between each beat a little echo.

As the sound leaves you, hits the stone and comes

The problem is, this is just a fragment of the sound people

I met the site's historian, Susan Greening.

So, this is the front door of Stonehenge we're

That's right, yes, and we are coming into the central space now.

It does change a bit as you walk through, doesn't it?

It does, you get that feeling of being enclosed within a space.

And that's with many of the stones having gone?

What we're looking at today is the ruin of Stonehenge.

Many of the stones have been taken away from the site,

many have fallen down, lots have been eroded,

So it would've been a completely different atmosphere

What this new VR technology offers is a possibility -

return back and see, and also hear, what this place used

We've reconstructed it by rebuilding Stonehenge digitally, and using

software to reconstruct the acoustics of the space

as it would have been when all of the stones were here.

So how different is the old sound to the sound we have today?

Well, if I tap this drum now, you hear

When all the stones are put in place, there's a much more

powerful sense of enclosure, a slight reverberation,

more echo, and it changes more as you walk around.

And the reason he's convinced ancient people were interested

in sound, is because of his work on caves...

Hundreds of metres underground they've found ancient

So today, it's just a ruin beside a city road.

This, a chance to say goodbye to the 21st century and experience

It's not exactly Julie Andrews, is it, the Sound of music!

Now, it's high time all your Christmas decorations

were taken down - at least according to tradition.

Spare a thought though for those who've got enormous light displays

or entire streets to dismantle - like this one in Burnham.

Our reporter Scott Ellis is at another well-known display

It is bad luck if you have still got your decorations up, if they are

still up you are supposed to leave them up all year now. Given there's

55,000 bulbs here to extinguish, the family behind it have left it to the

weekend. How long will it take? Were hoping to take about three days, as

long as the weather stays nice. Where does it all go? And how do you

know where to start? We basically go backwards. Clear the

garden away, and then the House, the roof, the last stage. As it proved

popular again this year? Yes, I think we've done quite well

with the charity. We've made at least ?7,000, were hoping to hit the

?9,000 to take our grand total to ?50,000. Next year will it be open

for longer? Will probably find some new lights to put up, to keep people

guessing, but yes, it's all happening again next year.

If you don't mind, you've had your turkey, you've had your Brussels

sprouts, and there you go, we are plunged into darkness. But don't

worry, it's only 352 days until Christmas.

And the Easter eggs already in the shops!

Let's catch up with the weather. Good evening, everybody, a fairly

soggy story across the region. It's looking for the majority, that dry

weather will prevail. There will be some damp aspects to the forecast,

more particularly in the shape of light and patchy rain at times over

western parts of Scott -- Somerset, but in between, generally a lot of

dry weather. There will be a lot of cloud around, extensively so, pretty

murky visibility associated with that but it will be a mild weekend.

And it will be one with light winds, so absolutely fine for sporting

events. No risk of frost on football pitches. Here is a wider look at how

things are shaping up. We have this front going south eastwards across

us, introducing the rain. During the course of tomorrow that fades away

southwards, but there is still this -- the hang or certainly not -- a

lot of cloud around, and at times, some spots of rain about as well.

For the rest of this evening, some of the rain is still moderate in

places, most of it fairly light, a lot of hill fog associated with all

of this, and all of this trembling its rate further southwards as the

night waves on. Those of you in northern districts tomorrow will get

underway on a mostly dry note. Temperatures tonight will remain in

a frost free territory, we should be in a range of about two to five

Celsius. The cloud cover will be extensive, a low cloud base as well.

Whether the Upland parts of the region you will notice the

visibility is fairly cloudy all round. It's looking effectively dry

on the whole, winds will delight and temperatures will be mild, and on

average getting up to about nine or 10 Celsius. They will slip back

during the course of December, and next week it is looking brazier and

eventually colder. That's it from us for now, we hope

you have a fantastic weekend, whatever you're doing, and the late

bulletin will be here with you to take you into

Panorama investigates the deadly terrorist attack

and should British tourists have been warned about the risks?

We're looking for someone who can sing, someone who can move.