09/01/2014 South East Today

George. Thank you. That's all so it's goodbye from me and on BBC One

we join Good evening. Police investhgating

the attempted murder of a Kdnt pensioner during a savage beating at

his home have released a new image of a man they want to trace. The man

travelled on a bus with 76`year`old Ken Seymour and may have bedn the

last person to see him before the he was attacked. The incident happened

on Saturday December the 14th, but Mr Seymour, who's from

Clifftonville, is still so seriously ill in a London hospital th`t

detectives have only today been able to speak to him about what happened.

Simon Jones has our report. Left four dead in his own home. With

a fractured skull and back. Needing 40 stitches to his face. Police want

to speak to a man seen talking to Ken Seymour as he took the bus home.

They believe he may have vital information. It was a cowardly

attack on a vulnerable elderly gentleman. I find that type of

offence absolutely appalling. We are very keen to trace of the m`n seen

very keen to trace of the man seen on the bus. He is likely to be the

last person to see Ken Seymour. Ken last person to see Ken Seymour. Ken

Seymour had been at the pub in Margate on Saturday the 14th of

December. He got on the bus at about 330 in the afternoon travelling

towards North Down Road in Cliftonville. He is seen getting off

the bus with the man he had been talking to as they both head in the

direction of his home. He w`s direction of his home. He was

discovered crying for help that evening. Absolutely horrendous. He

was one of the nicest guys `nd was one of the nicest guys `nd

always kept himself to himself. I hope weather did this get c`ught.

hope weather did this get caught. People in the area are concdrned. I

have got no time for people who think they can push people `round

and do all sorts of things. It is worrying to think people can come

into your home and do whatever they please. It is disgusting. Why did

people do it? Police say they don't people do it? Police say they don't

know what the motive for thd attack know what the motive for the attack

is but stress such incidents are rare.

Simon is in Cliftonville now. How is Mr Seymour's recovery going? He is

still in hospital and until today he has not been well enough to speak to

officers that this morning he was able to speak to the police for the

first time. The bad news for the investigation is that he does not

investigation is that he dods not remember anything that happened. His

neighbours are worried and H spoke neighbours are worried and H spoke

to the woman earlier who faxed `` who actually found him. The police

are stressing they don't believe this was a random attack. There was

no sign of forced entry so they believe Mr Seymour must have known

believe Mr Seymour must havd known the person or let them

involuntarily. That is why the police are unclear about thd motive.

Tonight they are desperate for help from the public. Anybody who might

be able to identify that man on the bus.

Residents in Brighton and Hove are furious that bins in some p`rts

Residents in Brighton and Hove are furious that bins in some parts of

furious that bins in some p`rts of the city haven't been emptied since

the city haven't been emptidd since before Christmas. As the rubbish

piles up, some streets are beginning to look as they did last sulmer

piles up, some streets are beginning to look as they did last summer when

to look as they did last sulmer when a six week dispute made national

headlines. Unions are blaming today's situation on cutbacks

introduced as part of the ddal agreed when that strike ended. Our

agreed when that strike enddd. Our reporter Piers Hopkirk is in Hove

now. How bad is the situation? If you lived here you would see it is

you lived here you would sed it is pretty terrible. The rubbish has not

been collected for three weeks and been collected for three weeks and

there it is piled high and festering. No collection since

Christmas and there are those who say this collection service in

Brighton and Hove simply isn't delivering.

The holiday season might be over but some people they are still facing

this unwelcome reminder of Christmas past. You can see what it's like.

It's not fair. I have been out and picked up dirty sanitary towels and

nappies. It is not their fault but nappies. It is not their fault

nappies. It is not their fatlt but we have all got our jobs we have to

do. How does it make you feel seeing do. How does it make you feel seeing

that? Embarrassed. We should not have to put up with that. This man

faces a similar problem. This was faces a similar problem. This was

the growing pile of refugees he s the growing pile of refugees he s

had to contend with. `` rubbish. the growing pile of refugees he's

had to contend with. `` rubbish. We have had so much rubbish, it has

covered the whole of this area and we've had nothing but foxes and

squirrels coming in. It is an squirrels coming in. It is `n

environmental health issue. Here in hold the council said its trying to

create a more efficient service but admits the transition has not been

smooth. It also says sickness absence over the holiday period and

an ability to recruit agencx absence over the holiday period and

an ability to recruit agency staff added to the problem. Back hn

an ability to recruit agencx staff added to the problem. Back in June

added to the problem. Back hn June refuge collectors in Brighton and

Hove went on strike over pay. refuge collectors in Brighton and

Hove went on strike over pax. The Hove went on strike over pay. The

union says the decision by the council to take five lorries off the

streets has made roots and manageable. `` and manageable. Even

if they get that to an even keel on Monday, the backlog will be created

again because the rounds ard too big again because the rounds are too big

and the workforce cannot get work done. For a green lead counsel sites

like this are becoming an embarrassing eyesore.

When it gets as bad as this and wildlife get involved, foxes break

open the bags and seagulls spread it around. Then potentially come the

rats. It's no wonder that the people want this problem disposed of.

In a moment: Pipped to the post The In a moment: Pipped to the post The

gay couple angry that they won't become the first to get married in

Brighton. A woman from Kent who until recently

was a Merseyside police officer A woman from Kent who until recently

was a Merseyside police offhcer has appeared in court charged with

misconduct in public office after an alleged fight involving the

Liverpool and England captahn Steven Gerrard last year. Helen Jones,

who's from Chatham, is accused of taking CCTV footage of the incident

taking CCTV footage of the hncident whilst off`duty. Well, let's cross

to Chatham and speak to our reporter Ellie Price. Ellie, what more do we

know? We understand the dispute happened last August when the

football got out of his range Rover outside a shop near his home

football got out of his range Rover outside a shop near his homd in

Merseyside. It is alleged that Helen Jones went into that shop to recover

the CCTV of what happened and that she misled staff into thinking she

was an on duty police officdr. she misled staff into thinkhng she

was an on duty police officdr. In fact she was on a career break at

the time. The full details of the nature of the crime were not gone

into during the hearing and she spoke only to confirm the n`me and

address and she did not enter a address and she did not enter a

plea. What happens next? Helen Jones was granted bail on the condition

she stays at home in Chatham and she stays at home in Chatham and

will appear at Preston Crown Court on January 23.

About 24,000 UK homeowners, many of them in the south`east, are

receiving letters this week, explaining how they can clahm

explaining how they can claim compensation after the recent floods

knocked out their power over Christmas. Affected residents will

be given anything from ?75 to ?432. The Consumer Action Group s`ys flood

victims should also consider going through the county court to get what

they're owed. Mobile phone services are to be

improved for people travellhng through the Channel Tunnel. 2G and

3G services will be available to passengers in the north tunnel

heading towards France from March. And by the summer, the whold Channel

Tunnel is due to be covered by G. More than 3,000 people have called

for the leader of Canterbury More than 3,000 people have called

for the leader of Canterbury City Council and his cabinet to resign.

It's in protest over a rangd of issues including the proposed

issues including the proposdd increased beach hut rents, the

development of Kingsmead Field and development of Kingsmead Fidld and

reorganisation of traffic at Westgate Towers. The campaigners are

due to present the petition this evening.

A gay couple who claim they were told they'd be the first to marry in

Brighton when the law allowhng same sex marriage comes into effect

Brighton when the law allowing same sex marriage comes into effdct say

sex marriage comes into effect say the council's gone back on hts

pledge after it opened it up to competition. James Preston `nd

pledge after it opened it up to competition. James Preston and Phil

Robathan, who are from Portslade, believe the paperwork the council

sent them is evidence that the first available slot would be theirs

sent them is evidence that the first available slot would be thehrs on

available slot would be theirs on the 29th of March. Juliette Parkin

spoke to them. The paperwork they felt spelt it all

out. The earliest possible slot for their marriage which James and Phil

interpreted to mean they wotld be interpreted to mean they wotld be

making history. Having a special inscription on it would be lore

inscription on it would be more special. This was the coupld

inscription on it would be lore special. This was the couple making

plans in December after being the first in the city to registdr.

plans in December after being the first in the city to register. Today

first in the city to registdr. Today the mood was very different after

the council announced a competition for the earliest ceremony. Ht was

going to be special because it was going to go down in history and it

will be our day that makes history in Brighton. The coalition

government published its bill in January last year and in July the

legislation was approved to allow same`sex couples to officially marry

in England and Wales. The first in England and Wales. The first

same`sex weddings will be hdld from same`sex weddings will be hdld from

the end of March. No less than three moment in history will be celebrated

here just after midnight on the 29th of March. The city 's first same`sex

marriage, the first late`night wedding and the first to take place

in the Royal Pavilion 's music room. But this couple feels the sdlection

process is inappropriate. Something that took so many years and after a

lot of campaigning and suffdring in lot of campaigning and suffdring in

the community is now being turned into a lottery or a raffle. It is

turning into a circus. The number of civil partnerships in Brighton has X

`` exceeded expectations. But civil partnerships in Brighton has X

`` exceeded expectations. But the council says such was the interest

in marriage they could be no guarantee of the first slot. I

understand their position but would understand their position but would

it be fair on all those couples we `` all have been contacting us for

over a year to say a first people through the door. Phil and James say

they have entered the competition in the hope they still might be in with

the hope they still might bd in with a chance of making a piece of the

city's history. Our top story tonight: Police

investigating the attempted murder of a pensioner from Kent, bdaten at

his home in Thanet, have today released a new image of a m`n they

released a new image of a man they want to trace. The man left a bus

just before the attack happdned at Cliftonville on Saturday the

just before the attack happened at Cliftonville on Saturday thd 14th

just before the attack happdned at Cliftonville on Saturday the 14th of

Cliftonville on Saturday thd 14th of December.

Also in tonight's programme: We talk to Les Dennis about his latest stage

role based on the work of a Sussex crime writer.

And from Uckfield to Nashville, the Sussex teenager who's making her

name in country music. If you have a story you think we

should be covering on South East Today, we'd like to hear from you.

You can call us on 0845 300 37 7. Or send us an e`mail to

[email protected]. We are also on Facebook or you can tweet us

` '@bbc south east'. Until seven months ago, it lay at

the bottom of the sea, having rested virtually intact for nearly 75

years. But last June, the one remaining Dornier bomber was

recovered off the coast of Kent. The recovered off the coast of Kent. The

recovered off the coast of Kent The bomber was shot down in August

recovered off the coast of Kent. The bomber was shot down in Augtst 940

bomber was shot down in August 1940 over the Kent coast during the

Battle of Britain. In 2008, the plane was located off the Goodwin

Sands. And in May last year, the salvage operation finally began.

Now, a huge restoration project is underway at the RAF museum `t

underway at the RAF museum at Cosford in Shropshire, from where

Sian Lloyd sent us this story update.

It looks like a crumpled wreck update.

It looks like a crumpled wrdck but gradually every part of the last

remaining thorniest, is being brought back to life. `` Dornier

bomber. The engine is beginning to look recognisable again. Thd

barnacles and seaweed washed away by citric acid. Simple lemon jtice

citric acid. Simple lemon juice. Cleaning the aircraft is a

labour`intensive job. The wreck had been Kevin in 3500 tonnes of sand

and the breach and it will be at least two years before they can

rebuild it. We are trying to get the citric acid onto the metal that

there is a cement left by the sea life so we're trying to remove it.

It was lifted out of the English channel six months ago, virtually

intact. The wings were later removed for the journey by road to the RAF

Museum 's conservation centre at Cosford. It is thought the plane was

shot down on the 26th of August 1940 when it's wing tip it the w`ter the

bomber spun and tipped onto its back before sinking of the Kent coast.

Two of the crew survived. Two others died. It was a mainstay of the

German fleet, attacking British cities in the Battle of Britain

They went out of service in the mid`1940s and it was thought that

none had survived. It was nhcknamed none had survived. It was nicknamed

the flying pencil big cause of its narrow views are large and when you

up crouching inside it you can see why. They would have been four crew

members cramped inside this narrow space. Eventually it will be rebuilt

here inside the museum 's workshop. But for the moment, only a few

pieces are ready to be workdd on. This woman is one of six apprentices

involved in the task of restoring each item. This small strip of

aluminium was found near the release system. The German instructhons can

still be seen. The idea would be to take and flick the corrosion rather

than indenting the artefact underneath. This oxygen cylhnder is

underneath. This oxygen cylinder is one of nine recovered from the plane

and looks as good as new. This has had eight or 12 hours work on it.

But there is plenty of work ahead and funding to be found unthl the

plane goes on show at the R@F Museum in London.

Now, you could say he's had mixed fortunes of late. Famous in the

eighties and nineties for hosting Family Fortunes before a very public

marriage breakdown to Amand` Family Fortunes before a very public

marriage breakdown to Amanda Holden stole the headlines. But Les Dennis

tells us he's now back up and running, starring in a murder

running, starring in a murddr mystery written by the crime writer,

mystery written by the crimd writer, Peter James, who's from Sussex. Jane

Witherspoon met them both this afternoon.

We are standard people to n`me a slang term for a man. He made a name

for himself as a game show host. But Les Dennis worked hard for his

success having started out as Les Dennis worked hard for his

success having started out `s a success having started out as a

comedian in working men's clubs Now comedian in working men's clubs. Now

he's back entertaining audidnces in he's back entertaining audidnces in

Dartford in the stage adaptation, Dartford in the stage adaptation,

the perfect murder. This is a different world. In a club you

the perfect murder. This is a different world. In a club xou are

competing with bingo and people getting together socially. Hn

competing with bingo and people getting together socially. In a

getting together socially. Hn a theatre, they have come specifically

for that entertainment. The play is based on the book by novelist Peter

James. He is looking forward to taking the show home to the Theatre

Royal where he spent most of his childhood. I would sit therd

Royal where he spent most of his childhood. I would sit there and

dream of one day something H childhood. I would sit therd and

dream of one day something H had written being on. When the curtain

went up last night it was a special moment. What is the point? They

don't care. As well as the Corio highs they have been a few lows. It

was during a stint on celebrity Big Brother in 2002 that he had a

publicised breakdown. I havd Brother in 2002 that he had a

publicised breakdown. I havd come through all of that and I am living

through all of that and I al living proof that even when you go through

things in your life you can come through the other side. If we asked

a hundred people which lead they would like to see, that is the one

they would like to come out tops. The former Chatham schoolbox and

The former Chatham schoolboy and Maidstone United footballer, Chris

Smalling, has apologised for wearing a suicide bomber fancy dress

costume. Smalling, who began his career in Kent but now plays for

Manchester United, was attending a private party. The 24`year`old says

it was "an ill`thought`out and insensitive decision".

Crawley town 's hope of a good FA Cup run are over after surprising

defeat to Bristol Rovers. They were ahead thanks to Jamie Proctor's

first half header but Rovers scored twice.

The Winter Paralympics in Rtssia are The Winter Paralympics in Russia are

now less than two months aw`y and as part of the countdown a skier from

Kent has a particularly unusual role to play. Charlotte Evans, who comes

from Chatham, will be guiding a partially sighted Paralympi`n,

from Chatham, will be guiding a partially sighted Paralympian, Kelly

Gallagher, down the slopes tomorrow in their first World Cup race of the

season. Neil Bell reports. Negotiating an icy slope with up to

60 miles an hour is daunting but having to help it partially sighted

skier at the same time is a real skill. 22`year`old Charlotte Evans

skill. 22`year`old Charlottd Evans has been working with Kelly

Gallagher for three years. I am no Gallagher for three years. I am no

longer thinking about myself, it is thinking about what commands I am

going to get and making surd going to get and making sure

everything I feedback to Kelly is correct. There is no room for error.

Charlotte commutes between Kent and Belfast to train with Kelly. We have

helmets with two tooth attachments. Charlotte can tell me what's coming

up. I can tell her what's going on. We always think we are quiet and

when we look at the video analysis we are yelling at each other. During

the last three years that they have enjoyed plenty of success winning

enjoyed plenty of success whnning six world championship medals and

World Cup gold on the panel at the course last year. The World

Championships was probably our best result and receive the World Cup at

the end of the season. We h`d never won a World Cup so it was big and

exciting. Kelly and her previous guide finished fourth in the last

Winter Paralympics but with Charlotte's help and encour`gement

Charlotte's help and encouragement and medal in March would be a real

achievement. She's more used to singing for her

supper on the streets of Sussex, but now a former student and busker has

fulfilled her dream of recording a country music album in Nashville.

Katherine Anderson is now twenty three, and her song "Write `

Katherine Anderson is now twenty three, and her song "Write a letter'

made it to number two in European Hot Disc chart. Her album, The Road

Less Travelled has now made it onto the ITunes chart. Who better to send

along to meet her than our very own country music fan, Chrissie Reidy.

They are stories about her journey as she follows her country music

dream. Now thanks to some h`rd dream. Now thanks to some h`rd

earned cash, Catherine has recorded an album in the country music

an album in the country mushc capital, Nashville. Nashville has

definitely been more the type of definitely been more the type of

sound I wanted. They know country music better than we do in the UK.

It started when I listened to Taylor Swift. Then I would dig deeper into

it and I really like the classics. It is pretty excited. It is good to

have a talented daughter. She can write on songs and travel to

Nashville on her own and be successful. During her last visit to

Tennessee she was asked to sing harmonies at a benefit gig with the

cast and crew of the TV show Nashville. It was really surreal. I

am huge fan of the show so it Nashville. It was really surreal. I

am huge fan of the show so ht was am huge fan of the show so it was

great to get to meet some of the cast members. They invited me to be

cast members. They invited le to be an extra on the show so it was

exciting. Catherine says she hopes exciting. Catherine says shd hopes

to sing in Nashville again one day as long as she keeps her feet

to sing in Nashville again one day as long as she keeps her fedt on the

ground, the sky is the limit. Let's move on to the weather.

Today is the first day sincd the 1st of December that somewhere has not

had a weather warning. What a welcome change. We have had a few

showers first thing and a bht more cloud cover but thanks to a ridge of

high pressure it brightened up by the afternoon. Let of sunshine for

the afternoon. Let of sunshhne for us all. Still a bit breezy. Those

wins still around the `` 20 miles an hour. Temperatures around nine

wins still around the `` 20 miles an hour. Temperatures around nhne or

wins still around the `` 20 miles an hour. Temperatures around nine or 10

hour. Temperatures around nhne or 10 degrees. Tonight is the night for

star gazing because we have cold and clear skies. One or two isolated

showers but for the most part it will stay dry with clear skhes.

showers but for the most part it will stay dry with clear skies. The

will stay dry with clear skhes. The wind is still there but easing of

wind is still there but eashng of little bit. A lovely bright start to

the day tomorrow. But it won't stay dry. But the rain a lot lighter than

what we have seen recently. The wind will be easing of as they go through

tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine during tomorrow. Plenty of sunshine during

the morning but more cloud cover by the afternoon. Some light r`in but

the afternoon. Some light rain but mostly dry during daylight hours.

Top temperatures tomorrow around 10 degrees. As we go through tomorrow

night they will be rain for a time but it's fairly light and patchy and

but it's fairly light and p`tchy and it moves through relatively quickly.

Temperatures dropping to around five or six degrees. For the weekend

some high pressure around so dry weather and we will season decent

spells of sunshine. The wind will be staying light and that band of rain

clears out of the way and it will be sunny on Saturday. As we head toward

Sunday, eventually we will see some rain but mostly during daylhght

rain but mostly during daylight hours it will stay dry. Eventually

on Monday the rain will fall and Mendes looks to be mostly dry by the

afternoon. Tuesday and Wedndsday, afternoon. Tuesday and Wednesday,

further up the sovereign. We will be back with our late

balloons `` bulletins later. Goodbye for now.