13/02/2017 South East Today

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

35 years jail for the Bulgarian gang, who smuggled dozens

of people into the UK in specially-adapted vans.

We'll be live at Maidstone Crown Court with the details.

Fishing on the high seas. How illegal drug use is leading to

accidents and deaths. We have to try to get the fact it is an unsafe

practice to the fishing communities and seafarers as a whole.

Also in tonight's programme...

On the eve of fresh talks, a fresh war of words between the RMT

Celebrating 100 years with a special journey in a Spitfire.

And a piano concerto in a skate park.

Two worlds are colliding in Hastings tonight.

Six Bulgarian people-traffickers have been jailed for a total of 35

years for bringing at least 37 illegal immigrants, including

The gang used vans fitted out with hidden compartments,

in what the judge called a "well-organised

Simon Jones reports from Maidstone Crown Court.

Look in the side of this ban and all appears to be in order. But the

doors at the back of fake. In this gap between the genuine doors and

the pretend ones, migrants had to sit on makeshift benches. 37 people

on five different trips. One of the drug is putting garlic bulbs into

the floor of his van to try to put sniffer dogs off the scent. This is

a highly sophisticated concealment from a well organised crime group

with capacity and serious intent. The nature of the concealment is

extremely life threatening. On these occasions, we are lucky we are not

talking about fatalities. Today, these cousins were given jail

sentences of three and a half years. On Friday another two people were

also jailed. Together with another two. The trips were made from Calais

and Dunkirk in today that and Hook of Holland into Harwich. The judge

said, you knew full well there was very good money to be earned at the

state of desperate people. This shows the extreme length that people

traffickers will go to to help people break into the country. That

is why it is so important we work with France to ensure we tackle the

people traffickers and end the illegal trade of modern slavery and

make sure the Calais jungle does not return in the spring. Last year, two

men worse -- were jailed for smuggling migrants into the UK when

their inflatable boat started sinking. The Home Office is stepping

up the battle against the people smugglers. Many migrants remain in

northern France, still desperate to get to the UK.

And he's live outside Maidstone Crown Court.

Simon, what do we know about the people smuggled

37 people in total. Largely from Afghanistan. Including several women

and children. The Home Office said all had claimed asylum in the UK

although they could not tell us today how many of those claims have

been successful. With regard to the two men sentenced today, they have

been told they would be paid 3000 euros. Illegal migrants are paying

much more to people smugglers for getting across the Channel. The

judges said they had played an important role.

BBC South East has learned that around one in seven of all fishing

boat accidents in the last two years has involved illegal drug use.

It's prompted the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

to launch a campaign, warning fishermen of the dangers

Last June, Darren Brown, from Newhaven, drowned after jumping

into the sea to try to untangle a rope.

Investigators discovered amphetamines

This is Our Sarah Jane, an under-10m fishing boat

The drugs amphetamine and cannabis were found by the

Marine Accident Investigations Branch hidden in his bunk.

It is an occupation where you need to be in

If you take drugs, that affects the way you behave.

June 9th last year, 30 miles of Eastbourne, of rope got

Darren decided he was going to untangle the

rope by jumping overboard in the channel.

He had no life vest on and no safety rope attached.

The fact that he thought he could jump into this very cold water

against a very strong tide with a knife,

indicated that perhaps he was under the influence

Mark Brown didn't have a clue is older

brother Darren was using drugs whilst at sea.

Simon is not something I was aware he was doing.

It's not something even his daughters were aware he was doing.

Talking to people he was working with, it's not something they were

So what is amphetamine and why does it appear

to be the drug of choice for fishermen going to see?

They are drugs that will increase alertness,

For some people, it increases confidence

Professional seafaring and drug abuse don't mix, just like

driving cars and drug abuse don't mix.

We've got to try and get this sort of consciousness that it's an

unsafe practice across the fishing communities, through families,

through the seafarers, through the industry as a whole.

The Fishermen's Mission is just one charity that

is gearing up to try to how educate and support the families of

We're putting extra resources into greater changing for

our port staff on drug and alcohol awareness

so they can spot some of the issues so we can help.

It also beginning to roll out a programme of

drug awareness for fishermen of all ages,

but particularly aimed at the

Our research indicates drug use at sea by young

In the last two years, 15% of fishing vessel accidents have

Glen Campbell's full report, outlining what more is being done

to try and tackle the problem of fishermen using drugs,

is on Inside Out tonight at 7:30pm, here on BBC1.

The bereaved mother, who's opening a garden

A fresh war of words has broken out between the RMT

Union and Southern Rail, on the eve of talks aimed

at thrashing out a deal to end their bitter industrial

The union claims that, on average, three services a day are running

without a safety-critical staff member on board in addition

to the driver, which they claim puts passengers at risk in the event

That equates to 1000 trains a year. That is probably trains that were

not reported. It is 1000 trains year that people will be unsafe and

disabled passengers cannot travel on. The promises from Management

have been broken already. Southern managers deny passenger

safety is being put at risk. Our reporter, John Young,

is at Haywards Heath Station now. John, this goes right

to the heart of the dispute, which has been going

on for nearly a year now. That is right. Exactly the same

arguments. The union saying we have to have the second on-board

supervisor. Seven today saying, you will unless there are exceptional

circumstances. When I pushed southern on what that meant, they

are very cautious about spelling it out. It means the on-board

supervisor being suddenly ill or stuck on a late, incoming train

because of problems beforehand. Moving things on till tomorrow, the

13th day of talks, the seventh set of talks between seven and the RMT

foot I asked passengers were they made of that. They did not think

much. I don't think anything

is going to be sorted. Nothing has been sorted so far,

so what is to say anything I can't miss my train

because I've got lessons. I think it may well do

in the end but would So, what is the timetable for

tomorrow? Talks start at 2:30 p.m.. The unions are saying, if Southern

won't budge on the issue of the second safety critical person, then

nothing doing. Campaigners calling for lifeguards

at Cambuslang are a step closer to victory after funding was approved

of ?51,000 towards the service. Seven men drowned, including five in

one day. The funding proposal will be put to full council in two weeks'

time. A footballer attacked a nightclub

bouncer with a bottle, leaving him with a head injury

requiring seven staples, Brighton and Hove Albion footballer

Rohan Ince denies wounding with intent outside the nightclub

in Windsor in the early hours of Christmas Day in 2015,

and the trial continues. The Government has failed to make

a convincing case for opening a new wave of grammar schools

in England, according to MPs Their latest report has cast doubt

on claims that new grammars will help improve social mobility,

and they're sceptical about claims that entrance tests can

be made "tutor proof". A new grammar school annexe

is being built in Sevenoaks, and the Prime Minister says creating

more will increase the number of good school places

available across the country. When her baby son Devlin died

at just five days old, Kent mother Natasha King made

a promise that she would turn the tragedy into something positive,

and set up a charity to provide Six years on, with help

from the Prince's Trust, she's creating a new garden

in Folkestone, that will provide a haven for people

to remember their loved ones. When baby Devlin died at just five

days old, his mother Natalie King made a promise. Transforming this

disused play area is all about fulfilling that promise. Nothing.

Nothing is worse than losing a child, a baby. Nothing whatsoever.

It is his sixth birthday tomorrow. I promised my son, before I laid him

down to rest, that I would do what I can to live in other people's hearts

and do what I can to help out families in the same situation as

myself. With the help of volunteers, the memorial garden for parents who

have lost young babies will be created in just two weeks.

Especially helping Natalie, it is good. Especially helping others is

good. It is good to start something and see the finishing project. It

will be really good and help the community a lot. It would be really

good. Those who campaigned for the garden to be reopened a glad it is

finally happening. I am absolutely delighted. There has been a fight to

try to get it going but it has been worthwhile. A community thing can

only be good. A lot of these areas and places have closed down and kids

have nowhere to go. Families have have nowhere to go. Families have

nowhere to go. This brings the community together. For Natalie,

bringing the community together is a fitting tribute to her baby son.

Six Bulgarian people-traffickers have been jailed for a total of 35

years for bringing 37 illegal immigrants, including several

They had fitted out bands with Daschle hiding compartments. -- vans

with special hiding compartments. What happened when a Sussex

skate park invited Turning milder this week. The

details in the forecast and later in the programme. If you have a story

you think we should be covering then do get in touch. You can call. Or

e-mail. We're also on Facebook, or you can

tweet us. A key date in Britain's military

history has been celebrated today On this day, the 13th of February,

in 1917, the War Office opened the first military installation

there - an experimental wireless By World War Two, Biggin Hill had

grown to become a key strategic base for Hurricane and Spitfire aircraft,

as one of the principal Battle of Britain airfields,

protecting the skies over Kent In the 1970s, RAF

operations there ended. And since 1974 it's been used

commercially for private Sara Smith is there for us now and,

Sara, the unmistakable sound of a Spitfire engine

was heard there today. Yes. This time, eight two seater.

On-board the passenger was one of the special guests at today's and

is. 100 years ago today the first flight arrived here. Then it was

owned by the War Office. They were carrying out experiments into air

communications which would prove so important in the years to come.

Begin Hill's past and its president, flying wing to wing. The Learjet for

transporting today's wealthy clean towel and a Spitfire, for many, the

emblem of Britain's World War II victory. This airport played a

crucial role in that victory as a fighter command base. It was

guarding the southern approaches to London and therefore it was one of

the first to meet the Luftwaffe. They came over this place 25 times

until was hardly anything left standing. It was always operational.

Among those celebrating the airport's 100th year, Ray Roberts,

also 100. Today he got to fly again in a Spitfire, the aircraft he had

been learning to fly in 1940 before an accident during his last training

session. The aircraft caught fire. I had to bail out. My parachute did

not open properly. I was injured. My right leg was badly injured. I was

lucky to be a live freely. Today's flight, alongside the Learjet, a

very different scene to that of 1940 when the Battle of Britain raged

here. The enemy aircraft were trying to attack the airfield. The squadron

here would all have been up to try to defend the airfield. And of

course the capital. Hectic period or through. Fighter planes like this

one based at begin Hill brought down 1400 enemy aircraft. It was at a

heavy price. 453 M based here lost their lives. The role they played

has never been forgotten. Neither, for Ray, as the Joy of flying. I

definitely enjoyed it. Any flight. Any time. In any thing. The RAF has

long gone, stopping its last operations here more than 40 years

ago. The future of the airport much more gloss than great.

It is the luxury side of the airport which keeps it going. People using a

private jet to get from a to be. Many without an idea as to the

incredible history. The scientific examination of a dead

body for clues has long been a staple of murder mystery

books and films. And today, families in Sussex have

had the chance to speak first-hand to a forensic science expert,

and find out how real-life As part of the BBC's

"Terrific Scientific" project, Chrissie Reidy's been

to the Brighton Science Festival to learn about the dark arts

of analysing fingerprints, human Blood. In a world where there is

always a crime to solve. The suspect must have cut themselves breaking

the bust. It is often the wonders of science that enables sleuth like

Sherlock Holmes to unlock the all important clues. As part of

Brighton's science Festival, these youngsters are trying to solve their

own murder mystery. We need to find out the weapons that they used to

kill the person. We are trying to find some fingerprints. There are

two on this side. We are closer to solving the murder. We have found a

footprint of one of the pieces of paper. Science festivals like this

really do help bring the subject to live, where youngsters are getting

first-hand experience at using tools that are actually used in the real

world. The workshops provide a chance to explore beyond the

classroom. About 10% of a class will end up going on to do science

seriously. That is about three and 30. Not a big number. The week-long

festival aims to remind people science is more than textbooks. The

Aasking questions and thinking things through. Getting methodical.

They will remember this. They can find out how science works in

everyday life. They are part of an occupation and doing it for real.

While some shudder at the mere mention of science, the festival

hopes to inspire young budding scientists just waiting to be

unleashed on the world of crime. If that's whet your appetite

for some hands-on science, then there are activities all this

week at Brighton Science Festival. Or you can find some family-friendly

science experiments that you can try out at home on the BBC

Terrific Scientific website: The Source Park in Hastings

is the world's largest And when BMX bikers and

skateboarders try out their stunts, they usually do it to a background

of rock, punk and hip hop music. This afternoon, though,

they've been accompanied by something a little different -

Russian concert pianist It's been brought about

by a partnership with Hastings International Piano

Concerto Competition, It is all about the music. And the

skating. And the music. This skate park in Hastings is opening its

doors tomorrow with a bit of a twist. Clashing urban street prowess

with classically trained musicians. Classical music, the people who were

in here most of the time, they would not listen to classical music

normally. When you put them together it will hopefully bring back... You

see two different sides and everyone can appreciate each other. What do

you make of it all, having the piano here whilst you are shredding it up?

I think it is cool. Something I have never seen before. The whole ten

years I have been skating, I have never seen anything like this. I

woke up this money was thinking about it. It was pretty wild. What

is it like riding and skating? Is it tight? Restricting in some places.

After the first two Rands, you're used to it. Did not want to rip it

up. The man here playing is the 2015 of the Hastings International

Concerto competition. He is more used to playing in theatres than an

underground skate parks. I really liked the idea of reaching to a new

audience. It is nice to see people coming here and just get them

interested in yellow music. It is really great. Hastings concerto

competition and source park may draw a slightly different crowd in the

coming weeks. Very different talents, very different outfits, but

the same passion. I love the way they swapped outfits.

Excellent. Oil paints or watercolours on canvas

are the traditional components But "Entangled: Threads and Making"

at the Turner Contemporary in Margate features materials

as diverse as plants, Forty international artists -

all women - have contributed. Their work features

sculpture, installation, But what they all share

is a fascination with You really do take a step outside

the real world, for sure. There are things in here

hanging from on high, as well as things that you have

to crouch down to see and take in. They are all designed,

crafted and sculpted by women. There are works dating back

to the early 20th century, and there are some brand

new pieces created specially There is lots of sculpture in this

exhibition, lots of colour, and really it's about celebrating women

artists who are working with the Reds and tapestry and a whole range

of techniques but then doing something very different and

something radically new with those While there are some pretty

sophisticated items of artwork on display here, the atmosphere, to me,

is pretty much very friendly There are materials

that are familiar. And, of course, the penguins

are irresistible. I hope it really does open

people's eyes and challenge their percepttions about what is

art and what is craft. artists who are really celebrating

production and creativity. They are wanting to get messages

across in very different ways. the possibilities of creativity,

using materials everyone knows But it makes art which suggests

old statements on all Entangled is a free to enter

exhibition which goes on The cold wet weather's

made things pretty muddy But it's created a playground

for Rukuru, a baby rhino born at the Port Lympne Reserve

in December. Mum Nyasa has been giving her

daughter a bit of a lesson in mud wallowing at the wildlife

park near Folkestone, and they both seem to be

enjoying themselves. I think Mum is enjoying herself more

than the little baby, isn't she? Excellent.

So, if you are a mud wallow, what is the forecast like?

Good news if you have not been enjoying the cold and wet weather.

Today lots of sunshine. Still chilly easterly breezes. Still feeling raw

despite the best of the brightness. Highs today five, 6 degrees. It is

all change. We still have bitterly cold easterly winds. Back to a

westerly direction. The general trend for all of us is slowly things

are turning milder. By Wednesday highs of 12 degrees are expected. By

Saturday we could see two or three. Tonight we will be staying dry again

with the clearer skies. Because of the winds we will see temperatures

hovering above freezing. Temperatures in rul spots perhaps

one macro, two degrees. Lots of sunshine around. By the afternoon we

will be losing it a bit but we will be staying dry. The winds factories

south-easterly direction and temperatures. To creep upwards.

Slightly duller by the afternoon. Temperatures should be reaching

highs of around nine, 10 degrees. There is some rain out to the West.

In the South East corner we should be staying dry. Still breezy. Not

feeling quite as raw. Very mild Tuesday and Wednesday. Overnight

lows if you can call it that, of around seven, 8 degrees that there

will be spits and spots of rain but mostly dry as you start the day. By

the afternoon will be some light rain. Temperatures as I mentioned up

to 11, 12. Really feeling very mild. As we enter the week, we will be

seeing high pressure built. Bloodthirsty, decent spells of

sunshine. Temperatures ten, 11. A similar story the day. As we look

towards the weekend it should be dry. On Saturday perhaps some rain

on the way. It will be increasingly mild, particularly on Wednesday. Not

so good for mud wallowing, I am afraid.

I will be back at eight p.m.. That is it from me for this evening.

Goodbye.