19/09/2013 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Natalie Graham. And I'm Rob Smith.

Tonight's top stories. The NHS failure with fatal consequences, as

a man with mental health issues was sent home from hospital — and then

killed his wife. Macro my daughter's missing. She'll never be

a holiday photos. Shall never be here, will she?

Radical plans to privatise a swathe of front line services in Kent as

the County Council looks to save a further £240 million. We'll have

details and reaction from County Hall.

Also in tonight's programme: the man who fought off a woman wielding a

kitchen knife when she tried to rob his service station.

Mini Me — the 3D printer in a public library which lets you create tiny

replicas of yourself. And hits as you've never heard them

— we're live with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Good evening. A man who stabbed his wife to death in front of one of

their children could have been stopped from doing so — if he'd been

properly assessed by an NHS psychiatric clinic. A former

soldier, Gary Walker had a history of mental health issues. He took

himself to hospital with cuts to his wrists just days before the fatal

incident in Broadstairs, but he wasn't admitted. A report into the

case says it was a "missed opportunity". He's now in jail, and

his victim's family say they'll now take legal action. Simon Jones has

this exclusive report. Killed by her husband after the NHS

missed the opportunity to ensure the safety of Gary Walker's family and

of him. My daughter's missing. It is like my grandson said to me the

other day, he was having an update, it is all right for you, none. You

had your mum all your life. I had one for a short time. And you feel

failed by the NHS? Yeah, yeah. Those children have been let down. Not

just me, but the children. They have got no mum. Carry water had

previously displayed psychotic symptoms, believing he was being

harassed by the Taliban. In February, days before stabbing his

life, he went into Margate with February, days before stabbing his

wrists. He was put into the care of a psychiatric nurse. The psychiatric

nurse failed to carry out a full assessment, concluding that Gary

Walker did not pose a risk to himself or to others. They told him

to go home and seek further help from the community mental health

team. Begin depended report concludes,

they would have been dismissed if they had not left the trust.

Could what Gary Walker did have been prevented? I think it's good, and I

think the reports that quite clearly. I think the NHS is doing

its job properly now in taking what steps it can to put its own house in

audible. Natalie's family had also told more could be done when Gary

Walker sought help months before the killing. I have apologised for the

two key missed opportunities to prevent this tragedy, and I have

explained the actions we have taken to strengthen the skills of our

staff in risk assessment, to ensure that all our staff get clinical

supervision on a regular basis to review their work. Painful reading

for the family, the report concludes that the violence could reasonably

have been predicted, even if how far it would escalate could not.

Joining us now from Central London is Marjorie Wallace from the mental

health charity Sane. Marjorie, what's to blame here — the

individual who didn't assess Mr Walker properly, or failures in the

system? The individual, certainly not. She should not have been left

with that kind of decision. I think it goes beyond an individual, and it

is actually the system that seems to fail, and do so again and again. We

rely so much a community mental health teams. Many of them don't

have the skills and resources to deal with compensated cases such as

that of Gary Walker, and this was really an unforgivable list of

opportunities in which he was actually ringing up, asked for help,

his GP was asking for help, and the services did not respond. I gave up

appointments and weeks ahead and did not respond to this crisis. This

isn't an isolated case, we've reported on similar ones recently,

such as Nicola Edgington, who killed her own mother in Sussex, and after

release went on to kill again. The NHS says it is learning the lessons

of these tragedies and putting its house in order — do you think it is?

We have been following enquiries into cases like this over about 20

years, and we do not see many of the lessons being learned. It is

actually not just a lesson to be learned, it is a lack of common

sense and judgement, and the fact that we are relying more and more on

treating people, however disturbed they may become, in the community,

because we are closing down more and more psychiatric head. There should

have been a red alert system for someone with that degree of violence

in the past, that he would have been in a system whereby the moment he

sought help, he would have been taken into hospital, seen a

consultant psychiatrist, which he did not, and was probably assessed

for medication which he was not, and given the therapy he should have had

to control his anger. Thank you very much for joining us.

Radical plans that could lead to the privatisation of a swathe of front

line services across Kent have been approved by county councillors this

afternoon. Kent County Council needs to save almost £240 million over the

next five years — that's 10% of the authority's total budget. The ruling

Conservatives believe they can save £40 million by reducing

administration costs, and millions more by putting services out to

tender to be run by private sector companies.

We will apply real commercial rigour and make a decision by April of next

year in who is best able to continue to deliver good quality services,

whether in—house, in the public sector, or the charitable voluntary

organisations, or the private sector. That is an ongoing programme

which hopefully will deliver some substantial savings. So which

council services could in future be run by private companies? Kent

County Council will look at outsourcing the county's libraries.

Then there are things like adult education, foreign language courses

and apprenticeships which come under the umbrella of Community Learning

and Skills. And some residential care homes for the elderly could

also be run by private companies. Union leaders say they fear the move

will damage services for some of the most vulnerable people in the

county. They shouldn't be making cuts, they

should be providing services for local communities. Why should the

poorest and the most deprived areas have their services cut? It is

wrong. Charlie Rose joins us from County Hall in Maidstone. Why is

Kent County Council under so much pressure to cut spending? Well, this

is all about central government imposing heavy cuts on local

government budgets, so councils like Kent would argue it is hard for them

to keep front line services as they are, and they need to look at new

ways of delivering those services. Critics would argue, however, that

the outsourcing and privatisation of these services will result in a loss

of quality, and things being done on the cheap. One thing is sure, the

breadth and scale of what is happening here is huge. This is a

significant and historic development in the way Kent County Council

delivers its services. Thank you very much. The details of these

proposals will be finalised by April, but every major change will

still need to be voted on by the full council.

In a moment: let's frack, burn coal and build nuclear power stations —

the UKIP leader Nigel Farage has the answer to all our energy problems.

A worker at a service station in Ashford who managed to fight off a

woman wielding a kitchen knife, despite suffering injuries to his

hand, has been awarded for his bravery. Michael Whybrow endured a

30—minute attack from Anna Chambers, after she came into his garage

demanding money. She's now been jailed for six years, as Fiona

Irving reports. This is the moment Michael Whybrow

tussled with a woman wielding an eight inch knife. She then managed

to get her other arm around my neck, and was pulling me down. I

think that is when I lost a little bit of grit, and she managed to pull

the knife back, and so she cut me right across these forefingers. As

the woman started wielding the knife, Michael push the panic button

and locked the doors. The whole attack was captured on CCTV. With

such compelling evidence, 29—year—old Anna Chambers pleaded

guilty. Last week, she was jailed for six years for an attack that

left Michael traumatised. I couldn't sleep. I was suffering from sleep

deprivation. I didn't sleep properly for a number of weeks. I was

basically thinking of what could have happened, what would have

happened if it had gone wrong, and that. In a bizarre moment caught on

camera, Chambers fetched kitchen roll to stem the blood from

Michael's hand. He has been given a high Sheriff award for bravery. He

has stayed extremely calm and be unable to control the situation long

enough to keep himself safe and call the emergency services, and we've

been able to come here and control of the situation, restraint

and detained there. She wasn't threatening the shop, she wasn't

threatening my boss, she was threatening me personally. That

doesn't work. I protect myself, and that's what I've done. That's how I

treat it. I was protecting myself, and I dealt with at the way I think

I should have done. Michael says he is amazed to have been given and

award, and just did what anyone else would have done.

Detectives investigating allegations of racial abuse on a train in Sussex

have released CCTV images of a woman they want to speak to. The incident

started on the platform at Lancing, and continued on the train until the

alleged victim ——a 16—year—old girl — got off at Brighton station.

A man who broke into the home of a woman in her 80s and raped her has

been jailed for ten years. Daniel Hewett, who's 23, pleaded guilty to

attacking the pensioner in Hove in May. Claudia Sermbezis joins us from

Hove Crown Court. Claudia, the circumstances around this case

really are shocking. The victim was subjected to a horrific attack. That

is right. This is a really horrible story. It was the early hours of May

25, the victim, an 82—year—old woman, was asleep in her bed in her

home, when she woke up suddenly and saw Daniel Hewett, 23, standing

above her in her bedroom. He then raped her in what the police

describe as a sustained attack, and a very horrible attack. He then sat

down on her bed and told her all about his life and fell asleep in

her bed. She then managed to go to a neighbour, who called the police.

The police found him still asleep in their bed, and she was arrested.

They say she has been very dignified through the last four months, and

that today's sentencing has given her some closure. Thank you.

The leader of the UK Independence Party and South East MEP, Nigel

Farage, says it's time to scrap the Climate Change Act and promote

fossil fuels and nuclear energy in Kent and Sussex, to ensure the

lights stay on. On the eve of his party's annual conference, Mr Farage

claimed Labour and the Conservatives had allowed Britain's energy policy

to be controlled by Brussels. But climate change experts say his

comments are "political sensationalism" which fail to grasp

the scale of the global crisis we could face. Our political editor

Louise Stewart has the details. Nuclear power at Dungeness, a

coal—fired power station at Kingsnorth near Rochester, these are

symbols for some old—fashioned energy polluting the planet. But our

wind farms like this one the ants to our energy needs? Not according to

Nigel Farage. I look at the fact that we have had a nuclear power

stations is 19 six the one, I look at the Romney marshes, compulsory

purchase, and the ugliest wind farm I think in the whole United Kingdom,

which produces hardly any energy at all and massively adds to

everyone's fuel bills. I look at Kingsnorth, coal—fired power station

being closed down under EU directives. You realise the reason

the lights may go out is we don't control our energy policy, Brussels

does, and we are saying, that reject the Climate Change Act. The Climate

Change Act he would like to see scrapped sets out plans to cut

emissions in the UK, including the 2050 target which commits the UK to

reduce emissions by at least 80% from 1990 levels. The carbon budget

is designed to cap the amount of greenhouse gases emitted over a

five—year period, and a plan requiring the government to examine

the climate change risks and a strategy to address them.

Campaigners say the act is essential, and accuse Mr barrage of

trying to score political. I think that smacks of

trying to score political. I think provocative politics, as we have

come to expect from UKIP. It is ridiculous, and it is based on false

facts and evidence. We know that investing in fossil fuels won't

guarantee that the lights will stay on, and we are far better off

investing in renewable. We asked residents in Medway towns if they

were more concerned about cheap energy being green. I think he is

right, actually. I think it should be scrapped, because then we could

get more power. Where are we going to get coal and nuclear energy from?

It's running out. Wind is a perfect solution, is it not? Mr barrage

claims the UK's energy policy has been run by Brussels, and said that

both Labour and the Conservatives have failed to defend British

interests. I can see why having Cameron or Milliband is going to

affect the current crazy energy policy. Frankly, we finished up with

a very bland form of politics in this country. All major parties

agree the UK faces an energy shortage, but not how to use tackle

it. Running up to the next election, voters will have to decide who they

trust most to keep the lights on. Louise joins us from Westminster.

Louise, you also asked Nigel Farage whether he's going to stand for

parliament in Kent — did he give you an answer? Well, that is right. It

has to be said, UKIP did very well at local elections, although much

dilapidation, they still don't have a single MP at Westminster. I did

ask him, given the success in Kent, where they are now the party of

opposition, whether he would stand as rumours are going, at the next

general election in Kent. He told me his focus is on the European

elections next year. He refused to be drawn. I am not a betting woman,

but if I were, I think I would have a wager on the fact he will stand at

the next election, and it is most likely to be in Kent. I might join

you ! Thank you very much. The time is quarter to seven.

Our top story tonight: A report into the case of a former soldier who

stabbed his wife to death says it could have been prevented if he had

been properly assessed in an NHS psychiatric clinic. Former soldier

Gary Walker went to the hospital with cuts to his wrists just days

before stabbing his wife, but was not admitted.

Also in tonight's programme: Fancy being born again? In plastic? Now

you can, thanks to a new facility in a public library! And I'm at the

assembly all theatre in Tunbridge Wells with the ukelele Orchestra of

Great Britain. If you want a bit of feel—good factor and a bit of a

surprise, don't go anywhere. Environmental campaigners say it's a

disaster that a huge chunk of ancient woodland in Kent will now be

destroyed after a High Court ruling that quarry can go ahead there.

Oaken Wood is at Barming, near Maidstone. It's been essentially

untouched since 1600, and that continuity means that it is the sort

of habitat that supports endangered species like bats, dormice, and

reptiles. It will affect a total of 81 acres of woodland — which

campaigners say simply cannot be replaced Our environment

correspondent Yvette Austin has our story update. Designated as ancient

woodland, this is what the residents have been fighting to save form or

than three years. 81 acres, mostly chestnut coppice, will now go to

make way for a quarry. This is the start of the buffer zone, so from 50

metres into here into this ancient woodland in front of us is where the

quarry will be. A High Court challenge withdrawn today over

concerns of high costs. Devastated. Such a big visible in them. I don't

really feel that justice has been done today, but I don't think there

is nothing to do. I think this is the end. Yellow macro today's brief

hearing, final attempt to stop a local firm extending hermitage

quarry in arming to the West. A public enquiry held last year found

in favour of the plan, which the company say will supply stone for

the next quarter of a century. Next year, we will form a tunnel through

that cliff face, which gives us access to the new quarry area, and

we will then progressively quarry and reinstate over 25—year is in

different phases. All the processing equipment remains here. By

reinstating, they mean filling in and replanting. The firm has argued

all along that what goes in will be far better for diversity than the

cop being taken out. If it was OK —— trees, I guarantee you, no matter

what was on, it would have to be gold or Pat Gallagher to dig that

up. But it is a woodland. It could be a lot, lot better. Campaigners

and the Woodland Trust, who supported them, say the decision

could set a precedent for more ancient woodland to be lost.

The thought of seeing a "Mini Me" staring back at you from the

mantelpiece may not be everyone's cup of tea. But thanks to new 3D

technology, people in Brighton are walking away from the city's library

with tiny replicas of themselves. As part of the Brighton Digital

Festival, people can walk inside a giant statue of a pregnant woman to

have themselves scanned and "reborn" as a little plastic person. As you

do ! It's all very bright. Brighton. Juliette Parkin has been to find out

how it works. A 3D printer busily and meticulously

replicating a person. Made from corn starch, a form of biodegradable

plastic, this tiny army of all shapes and sizes is taking Brighton

by storm. We have noticed that a lot of people have heard about 3D

printer, but have never of people have heard about 3D

it. We wanted to come up with something immersive, and engaging,

that would grab people's attention. The scanner uses technology from an

old video game console, polling gap and colour data, which is then

processed on a computer and sent to print. All of this technology is

encased in the frame of a pregnant woman. Technology is usually

associated with very angular, masculine things, and I wanted to

put something a bit more the opposite, curvy, feminine, fertile.

The price tag on a mini view is £20, and £45 for the family set. But the

attractions have no shortage of interest. I want to try out the

latest technology, be part of it. It is an art installation as well. A

Mini Me. It's a bit accurate for my liking ! It's the sort of thing I've

seen on television, but it sort of feels like the future has arrived

now. Encased in a work of art, it produces a tiny 3D printer. Form.

But will we eventually see this kind of technology used more widely in

the home? It is emerging technology, and something that is certainly

happening. You can buy printers online, and I think one of the big

High Street electronics shops is going to start selling them soon.

This sort of thing isn't practical for the study, but it will be

touring around the city until early October, leaving a band of tiny

followers in its wake. Staying in Brighton, and onto

football, and Brighton and Hove Albion drew 0—0 against QPR last

night in the Championship. The Seagulls went close early on, but

Keith Andrews failed to keep his drive down. Former Premier League

side QPR then had a goal disallowed — Shaun Wright—Phillips was offside

when he passed to Joey Barton to tap in. Then a Barton free kick was

superbly saved by Brighton keeper Tomasz Kuszczak to keep the game

goalless. I don't think I pronounce his name right !

They've played Sydney Opera House, New York's Carnegie Hall, and

tonight, the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. The Ukulele

Orchestra of Great Britain's world tour comes to Kent tonight,

performing tracks from Nirvana to Adele, classical to hard rock. The

group has inspired thousands of new ukulele players, with even the

Education Secretary Michael Gove said to be learning the instrument.

Chrissie Reidy joins us at the Assembly Hall Theatre. Chrissie.

You are so in for a treat this evening. Let me introduce the

Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. They have been together 28 years.

They are the originals, the first ukelele Orchestra. Any ideas of

George Formby and the ukelele, you can throw them out of the window,

because this is a whole new take on the ukulele. You might be surprised

by what you hear. If I come across to George, the founding member, what

are you going to play for as? We're going to start with a piece by Daft

Punk. So it's all singing as well.

Probably not what would expect from the ukelele. What is going on? There

is clearly a surge. We have lots more people playing, even Michael

Gove. Lots of children playing, Mumford and Sons, leaving it is

having a resurgence? I think it is. We have been playing for 28 years.

We can't take all the blame for the current resurgence? ! And because we

have been all over the place, from Sydney Opera House to the North

Pole, and Connie Hall a couple of times, clearly something is going

on, and it might actually have something to do with the performers

and the way they sing and play. Really? They make the audience have

a good time and feel like they have a good time. It is easily been

around for a long time, the two two, but it seems to catch peoples

information. Well, it is popularly technophobes like myself ! Yellow

macro lets hear a bit more. A bit of scat singing, written by an Irish

performer. OK, so they are completely sold out

the night here at the assembly hall into Ridgewell is, but hopefully we

will have given you a bit of their unique talent. Don't go anywhere,

because there is more later. We did a lot of jiggling while that

was going on ! Infectious stuff will stop Rachel's here, and you have

been promising the weekend will be lovely. The good news is, that is

for today. We will see some sunshine tomorrow. Hang on in there. Today, a

miserable, great day, without breaks of rain throughout the afternoon.

Tomorrow, it looks like it will still be dry and much warmer for the

weekend as well. The reason is this area of high pressure building, and

we will see that come up from the south—west. It will be warm and

moist, so quite a bit of cloud cover around, but by Sunday, some

sunshine, and for the East, temperatures in the low 20s. Today,

quite a different story. Lots of loud, highs of around 15 or 16

degrees. South—westerly winds strengthening throughout the day.

The rain is mostly clearing as we go into tonight, and we have clear

skies developing as well. Winds ease off, and temperatures drop to single

figures, particularly in rural areas. Lots of eight or nine degrees

areas. Hill fog as you start the day tomorrow. That will burn back pretty

quickly and some decent spells of sunshine. The window stays light,

and by the afternoon, temperatures are around average for the time of

year. Quite a different feel to today. Highs of around 15 or 16

degrees. We will continue with that trend towards the weekend as well.

Try into Saturday, temperatures not quite as chilly as the night. Widely

in double figures, with lows of around ten or 11 degrees. On

Saturday, at the day starts, missed will burn back. High pressure will

stay with us, and in the East, we have the best in terms of sunshine.

Top temperatures around 19 or 20 degrees. When we see the sunshine,

but Italy into Sunday, quite a warm story. Overnight temperature is into

Sunday drop to around nine or 10 degrees, and for Sunday, you will

see highs of around 20 or 21 degrees. Into the new week, that I

pressure stays with us. We have been promised some dry and bright

weather, and the good news is we will still see it for tomorrow.

Heading into the weekend, topped average just 20 or 21. That's jolly

good news ! She did not and you down. We're going to celebrate their

sunshine by going straight back to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great

Britain. Goodbye.