18/02/2014 South East Today

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

And I'm Polly Evans. Tonight's top stories.

Exclusive footage of the convoy that a Sussex man travelled with before

blowing himself up at a Syrhan jail. Was flood prevention work in Yalding

scrapped two years ago becatse of budget cuts? Residents get ` chance

to grill a government minister. We'll have the latest live from the

Kent village. Also in tonight's programme. The

Sussex fraudsters jailed ovdr a multi`million pounds bogus jewellery

heist in the Caribbean. Rumours of his death have bden

greatly exaggerated. The Sussex man who returned from holiday to find

everyone at home thought he had died. They came out from thd office

and said to me, you're supposed to be dead. That is when I took it

seriously, that it wasn't a joke. High fashion influenced by high

minds, the new collection inspired by the Sussex country home of the

Bloomsbury Group. Good evening. BBC South East Today

has uncovered video of a ch`rity convoy headed for Syria that was

used as cover by the Sussex man believed to be the first Brhton to

carry out a suicide bombing in the country. Abdul Waheed Majeed, a

father of three from Crawlex apparently drove a lorry packed with

explosives into a jail in Aleppo. The emergence of the video comes as

the British government says the country faces a major securhty

concern from people who travel to Syria and end`up being radicalised.

Our news correspondent Mark Norman has this exclusive report. `` and

end up. The first pictures of the convoy leaving for Syria. Wd now

know Abdul Waheed Majeed was a volunteer on this convoy. Hd was

using the trip to get to Syria where he was to become the first British

man to carry out a suicide bombing. The trip was organised by a

Birmingham charity. It's not clear at this stage the role the charity

played. However, a key disthnction must be made between giving

humanitarian aid and fighting in a war is on for an ideological aim,

alongside terrorist organis`tions. The convoy left in July last year,

almost 150 volunteers, dozens of vehicles all organised by Mtslim

charities across the countrx. It's made its way through Europe finally

arriving at the Turkish border with Syria almost three weeks later when

they began distributing aid. On the convoy returned home, Abdul Waheed

Majeed stayed in serious sending home pictures of himself with

refugee children. Last week, dramatic footage emerged of him

before an apparent suicide lission driving a truck full of explosives

into a prison wall in Aleppo. The charity have made some dram`tic

appeals for help including this one filmed by the boss of the charity

late at night in a refugee camp in Syria. Our brothers and sisters are

dying, take this matter serhously. In the last hour, the charity have

claimed that Abdul Waheed M`jeed didn't complete the journey into

Turkey and that this inform`tion has been passed on to the relev`nt

authorities. Mark Norman is with us. Our smaller

charities more prone to being used by extremists? That is exactly what

the Red Cross have been telling us, telling us larger organisathons can

deliver smaller scale `` can deliver the funds. Interesting the charity

and the mosques in Crawley `re telling us today the day won't be

organising any more convoy hs all funding any more convoys following

Foreign Office advice. But hf the government think they have ` major

security concern, how did they not spot this man leaving on an eight

convoy heading to Syria? Th`nk you. A government minister visithng

flood`hit Yalding has been confronted by an angry resident

demanding to know why it cotld take 20 years to improve flood ddfences

in the village. Ericka Oliv`res told the Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Danny Alexander that getting insurance for properties is proving

impossible. He denied that work on flood defences had been scr`pped due

to government cuts. Simon Jones is in Yalding. What did Danny @lexander

have to say to the residents of Yalding? I think anyone hophng he

was going to arrive with sackloads of cash would have been

disappointed. But I think f`cing criticism, the government is

increasingly seen the need to be out and about in communities th`t have

been hearted. This post offhce was under over Christmas.

We've been told it will takd 20 years. What good is it doing us

This resident told the minister she simply wants the place to stop the

suffering. I can't afford to go to the rest run. It has a knock`on

effect. We can't go on and spend money because we've got to replace

everything. This was how many experienced Christmas. A fedling

that this place was abandondd. It was a mess. One of the placds

flooded was the local post office. Well, I am disappointed. Thdy have

said they will put money in, no object, but no specifics. They going

to pay for the defences? Whdn we asked for help, we got no hdlp. We

were told to go and buy sandbags. Mr denied that ?200,000 worth of

defence work that should have been implement between 2011`2013 was

scrapped due to government cuts `` the minister denied. There hs a lot

of money set aside for new flood defences of precisely the sort the

Environment Agency are workhng on. There is no treasury barrier in

regards getting that money to these flood defences. And I have ` close

personal interest in these schemes having her for myself the bdnefit

they would bring to this colmunity. But Erica still needs convincing. As

I told him, we were told it was going to cost millions of pounds and

it is going to take up to 20 years. What is going to happen in 20

years? Until I see it, I'll won t `` I won't believe it. The govdrnment

says it is ready to push ahdad for two new schemes for the are` when

other organisations contribtte to funding, too.

Many residents were keen to tell the minister today how much trotble they

are having getting insurancd. There was a meeting today between the

government and the insurancd industry. And there will be further

meetings in the coming weeks. Tonight, here, residents will get a

chance to confront the Environment Agency at a meeting discusshng what

happened over Christmas, and concerns that not enough warning was

given to people about the scale of events. Coming up, one`week`old and

undergoing major heart surgdry, the babies that could be helped by a

simple test. A Sussex couple who posed as

millionaires and claimed th`t they were robbed at gunpoint at ` luxury

resort in Barbados have been jailed. Edward Denney and Tululla S`lvatori

from Polgate said designer jewellery worth millions was stolen from their

apartment at the exclusive Sandy Lane resort. The couple told police

that the haul included a ?7 million engagement ring and a platinum

necklace worth nearly ?2 million. But officers became suspicious later

after Salvatori tried to hire a car with a bounced cheque. Rebecca

Williams has more. They lied saying masked men had stolen around ?1

million worth of goods from their rented home in Barbados. Now both

Edward Denney and his partndr Tululla Salvatori who are originally

from Sussex have been jailed. I think the sentence is justified The

police have a job to do, it's to prevent and detect crime. There were

stopped from doing that bec`use this couple appear to be involved in some

sort of fraud or attempt to take money. And that distracted the

police from their core responsibilities. In this country

for a matter of this sort, custody will inevitably follow. The two

British nationals accused of falsely reporting a multi`million dollar

armed robbery... The news has made headlines across

Barbados. The couple claimed they'd had millions of pounds worth of

jewellery and cash stolen. Local police became suspicious after a

cheque bounced when Salvatori tried to hire a car. The pair latdr

pleaded guilty to wasting police time. Both Salvatori and Denney who

from Polegate, left East Sussex in May last year. They moved to the

luxury Sandy Lane resort in Barbados. A popular destination with

celebrities, including Hugh Grant, Tiger Woods, and Simon Cowell. Here

in Polegate, people have today spoken of their shock at thd crime

committed by Salvatori and her fiance Denney. Each of them

sentenced to nine months in prison for wasting police time. Salvatori

will serve an extra nine months in a Barbados prison for obtaining

services through deception. A stretch of the M2 will be closed

overnight tonight and tomorrow for ongoing work to repair a large hole

that opened in the central reservation last week. The lotorway

will be shut between junctions five and six, Faversham and Sitthngbourne

from eight o'clock tonight `nd tomorrow night. It's expectdd to

reopen fully on Thursday morning. First Capital Connect, which

operates services out of Brhghton, is to carry on running its trains

for an extra six months to bridge the gap between the end of hts

current contract and the st`rt of a new franchise. A new servicd, called

Thameslink, Southern and Grdat Northern, will take over in

September. A Tunbridge Wells man who rdturned

from holiday to find everyone back home thought he had died saxs the

error has cost him thousands. Well`wishers wrote moving tributes

to Lloyd Bryan on the internet, when a rumour started that he had died of

a heart attack. But the 74`xear`old, who runs a vintage car repahr

business in the town, says customers thinking that you're dead isn't good

for business. Ellie Price rdports. One of the nicest, most gentine guys

you could ever meet. The warm words of a customer when they heard the

news that Lloyd Bryan, `` that Lloyd Bryan had been dyed. But reports of

his death had been exaggerated. A lot of the traders told me that you

are alive. They kept coming up and pinching me. The

TIM HENMAN: Does know who started the rumour but months after

returning from holiday, thex are having to live with the

consequences. My workers or word`of`mouth from these people And

quite a few of my customers run up to see if it was true. How luch has

it cost you? Roughly about ?200 a week. It was shock at first.

Obviously. I was glad that when we heard about it that I knew that we

were on holiday together. Btt if we hadn't have been, then it could be

devastating. A number of people words devastated when they heard the

news. Neither of them use the Internet but it was an online forum

where the room and contribute spread. Unfortunately, it is all too

common these days. With the likes of Facebook, Twitter, and a pl`tter of

the social networks, people can put a lot of information online. A lot

of it can be completely madd up lies or malicious fraudsters, or

whatever. Unfortunately, people if they see it online, they believe

it. If you could speak to customers, what would your lessage

be? Comeback. I'm alive! Ellie is in Tunbridge Wells now I

understand Mr Bryan is conshdering take some sort of action? Lloyd

Bryan and his wife are sure this rumour was started for malicious

reasons, somebody trying to damage their business, a business they ve

worked so hard for. They told me they will be referring the latter to

police. I should also say they said they were grateful to those tributes

paid by well`wishers who genuinely thought Lloyd Bryan had died.

The mother of a baby who underwent major heart surgery when shd was

just a week old says a simple test would have detected her daughter's

life threatening condition sooner. Helen Willis from Folkestond was

told her daughter Minnie had wind, but just days later she was rushed

to a specialist London hosphtal where she underwent the operation.

Now Helen is supporting calls by the Children's Heart Foundation charity

for every new born baby to have its blood oxygen levels tested to

highlight heart problems sooner Peter Whittlesea reports.

This baby is happy and healthy but she was born with a heart ddfect.

Her parents believe that if the medical team at the hospital in

Ashford hadn't carried out ` simple text went `` test which was born,

she might never have survivdd. We are so thankful. We've been very

lucky and it shouldn't be ldft up to luck but with Minnie it wasn't

picked up, and it was thanks to the doctor that suspected something was

wrong with her, she didn't look right, they did the check and that

saved her life. Mums like Hdlen and campaign groups want the silple test

to be carried out on all newborn babies within 24 hours of bhrth to

detect congenital heart defdcts A placed on the baby's fingertip to

determine oxygen levels in the blood and this test alone can detdctive

and 90% of life`threatening heart defects. Each year, that around

5,000 babies born with congdnital heart defects, about a third of

those are regarded as critical. And it is very important that they are

treated as early as possibld. That is exactly what happened to them

Minnie. Her condition was stabilised and within a week, she had open

heart surgery. Afterwards, there was a difference. Initially, we didn't

realise there was anything wrong. For you to see it in a child is

difficult but a machine is very sensitive. It can show you signs

that you can't see with your eyes. That's why Minnie was Mac p`rents

believe that this test should be a standard procedure in every

hospital. `` that's why Minnie's parents believe.

This is our top story tonight. New video has emerged of a charhty

convoy to Syria that was usdd as cover by Abdul Waheed Majeed, the

father from Crawley believed to be the first British man to carry out a

suicide bombing in Syria. The Children in Deen charity drove

vehicles and aid to the Turkish border in July last year.

Also in tonight's programme. When Burberry met Bloomsbury, thd fashion

label inspired by the Sussex country home of the famous intellectuals.

I am better than you becausd I am a marquis.

The Sussex schoolboy with star quality. Toby Murray lands the lead

in Emil and the Detectives `t the National Theatre.

He's a distinguished musici`n and conductor who also composes his own

work. But at the age of 42, James Morgan from Hayward's Heath has been

diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. At the moment, around 8,000 people

in the South East are living with Parkinson's. While 127,000 have been

diagnosed with the disease `cross the UK. One in 20 are under the age

of 40 at the time of diagnosis. For tonight's Special Report, Hdlen Drew

has been to meet James Morg`n who wants to raise awareness of how the

disease can affect younger people. It was while conducting an orchestra

that James Morgan had an unpleasant feeling in his hand. He went to the

doctor and was diagnosed with the start of Parkinson's diseasd at the

age of 42. I am still mostlx in denial about it, if I'm hondst. It

is devastating to get news like that. But at the time I didn't take

it in. His wife, Juliet, is also a musician and, together, in their

house near Haywards Heath, they ve written many TV and film

soundtracks. I don't think `nybody wants to watch somebody then go

through something like this. It s hard to have the whole family to

watch him. But we are in it together. And we are determhned to

carry on and it is not going to let us stop doing all the things we want

to do. Having Parkinson's dhsease at James' age is not rare. It hs much

more common to be diagnosed with Parkinson's disease before 40 but

not enough people are aware of the condition and where it can `ffect

people who are younger. So for people who I am good Parkinson is,

life can be very challenging and that is why we need to do more

research and raise awareness of this condition.

More people became aware of Parkinson is when Michael J Fox got

the condition at the age of 30. In order to raise awareness further,

James and Juliet are organising a charity concert at the Royal Albert

Hall. The concert is called Symphony. It is a mixture of music

and comedy. We have worked with all sorts of people. We have Arlstrong

and Miller on the bill. Rebdcca Ferguson. Jason Munford. Julian

Webber. A real mixture of dhfferent kinds of acts. The concept dxploit

is on 4th of June and the money raised will go towards Parkhnson's

research which this to term and couple hopes will get closer to

finding a cure. `` which thhs determined couple hopes will get

closer to finding a cure. Burberry is one of the country's

leading labels, a byword for the best of British around the globe and

their London Week Fashion Show attracted Oscar nominees, pop stars

and the top fashion editors to its front row. It is London Fashion

Week, absolutely my thing. But how many would have recognised the

inspiration behind the clothes? The label's designer revealed hd taken

his muse from the decorations at Charleston near Lewes, the country

home of the Bloomsbury artists. Sara Smith reports.

It's one of London Fashion Week s hottest tickets. Today's wrhte`up

suggests Burberry's chief ddsigner Christopher Bailey didn't dhsappoint

his admirers. The swirls and motifs which decorate his pieces m`y be new

to the fashion world but thdy have their roots here, at this f`rmhouse

in the Sussex countryside. This is the sparing at Charleston, this is

where you would have stayed if you are visiting for the weekend. It is

decorated `` it was decoratdd in the 1930s. It was the home of the

Bloomsbury artists and they made it their own. Billy everything is under

wraps this time of year to protected and `` during winter but evdn now a

quick look around and you c`n see that designers everywhere. @nd it

was this that intrigued Burberry's designer. On visits here, hd took

his inspiration from the myriad of patterns. It shows how relevant

these designs are. How even though these designs were done in the 0s,

they store have a freshness and impact that a designer todax can

take on board and adapt and present back to the people. The collection

was even called the Bloomsbtry Girls to further draw the link to the

inspirational set. We're talking about late 20th century

inspiration, writers, liter`ry stars altogether, artists. What wd have

seen in London is exactly the same. It is the best of music, fashion and

film all coming together and being celebrated. It is not Burberry's

first appearance with Charldston and Bloomsbury. Virginia Woolf was

referenced in 2009. It is understood there may be a more formal

connection between fashion house and farmhouse to come.

That is a very inspiring pl`ce. Now, the football.

A late strike denied Brighton victory in last night's fifth round

FA Cup tie against Hull at the Amex. The Seagulls took the lead following

clever play between Will Buckley and Leonardo Ulloa, with the Argentinean

striker coolly lifting the ball over the Hull keeper. But five mhnutes

from time, Yannick Sagbo eqtalised for the visitors. If Brighton win

the replay next Monday, thex'll face former manager Gus Poyet's

Sunderland in the sixth round. Sadly, Crawley town's confidence

that night's league match against Tranmere would go ahead was

misplaced. That match is postponed. A 12`year`old school boy from Hove

is being billed as a future superstar. Toby Murray is ctrrently

playing the lead in a stage adaptation of Emil And The Detective

at the National Theatre. Jane Witherspoon has been

`` Jane Witherspoon has been to meet him.

Huxley, greet the Lord. Are you an Earl? That's one down from `

marquis. I am a marquis so H am better than you. He is such a whit!

Not many 12`year`olds have `` can say they have start alongside Alan

Rickman but it is all in a day's work for Toby Murray. He is

currently making a name for consulting the read role at the

National Theatre in London. Cos I wanted it so, so much, I gave

everything, and I knew that if I didn't get it, I wasn't right for

the part. And I just had to move on. But then I really wanted it. So I

gave it my all and this is where I am now and it's great. He appeared

in casualty by the time he was eight and see BBC viewers will recognise

him as Dylan from Danny's C`stle. That's it! I'll call you colmon

He's a combining work with dducation but it can be tough. I am in year

seven now. So it is very different from primary school anyway. But it

is hard to catch up and most of my weekends are, literally, work. But

it is definitely worth it bdcause if you really want to do something

you've got to make sacrificds. And that was my sacrifice and it has to

be done, doesn't it? He has got his family on hand for support. You must

be proud. Delighted, I am over the moon. I cannot believe he is here

playing at the National The`tre At what age did you know he had this

battle ability to act? Him `nd his sister are very talented. Hhs sister

is an amazing actress. I thhnk he went along to an audition whth her.

He got a part in Matilda. And it took off from there. I hope it

carries on because I love what I do it is great. And the people I work

with, as well, they are lovdly. So I hope it carries on. From Hope, to

Hollywood. Watch this space. He is like a 30`year`old in a

12`year`old's body! Proper work ethic. It's not much like primary

school he said. It certainlx isn't. Now, the weather.

Some Halen Thunder mixed in with the rain and tomorrow is a calm day

Into Thursday, it turns wet and windy but by Friday, those winds

stay with this particular in the coast. The mainstream this week

temperatures are actually going to be staying mild, particularly with

overnight lows. Earlier, sole showers around, but also sole

brightness. Top temperatures nine or ten. The winds are not strong,

around ten or 15 miles an hour. The night, some showers still lhngering,

but some clearer skies inithally, more cloud cover tomorrow morning,

and temperatures dropping only a couple of degrees. Where we see some

clear skies, some mist and Fog up. First thing tomorrow morning, it is

going to be cloudy, but then the brightness comes in. These HSA bars

indicate the winds are light. First thing, overcast, some showers, but

by the afternoon, we see sunshine, lighter winds and temperatures at

11. It is going to be pleas`nt. Much, then the weather we wdre

seeing last week. Eventuallx we will see some outbreaks of rain. It's not

typically heavy and it will be staying mild. Those of seven or

eight. The winds pick`up into Thursday because of this arda of low

pressure. This weather front, not heavy rain, but it will be wet and

windy. Temperatures, highs of 1 , but it will feel significantly

cooler. As we go into Fridax, actually it will be a drier picture

with some outbreaks of rain, potentially, but many of us staying

dry, there's isobars staying tightly spaced, indicating breeziness. As we

head towards the weekend, on Saturday, some showers, but mostly

dry Witcher in the South East. It will stay pretty breezy. Thd next

couple of days, , , Thursdax, some rain, the wind is picking up, but it

is much,. I will be back with the upd`tes at

8pm and 10:25pm. Have a lovdly evening.