08/07/2011 South Today

Hello. Welcome to South Today. In a programme tonight: One of Dorset's

most dangerous sex offenders is jailed for raping and assaulting

vulnerable women. Shutting up shop. Is there a retail prices as one in

10 shops in the High Street stand empty. The people just cannot

afford the rents and rates in this area. It kills me.

Raise the saddle to buy you like it. Our reporter gets a lesson in the

fold-up bicycle to use on the train. And the giant of the deep. The most

ferocious predator that swam the He used extreme violence and preyed

on his victims. Tonight, one of Dorset's most dangerous sex

offenders is behind bars. Gene Benjamin has been given four life

sentences for a series of rapes and assaults. Caroline has been

following the case at the Crown Court in Bournemouth. These attacks

happened over years. How did the police track him down? This was a

very dangerous man. He repeatedly attacked vulnerable sex workers in

Bournemouth. In 2060 was arrested for one of the assaults but the

police had to let him go. What was pivotal was gaining the trust of

the women that he harmed and persuading them to give evidence,

of women that were terrified that if they spoke out, he would find

them and heard them again. It was a sensitive operation that finally

put him in jail. Gene Benjamin won the trust of his victims and then

overpowered them, injuring them and thinking they would never go to the

police. The police knew that Gene Benjamin was a violent predator but

they could not prove it. They needed evidence and they needed his

victims to come forward. It was here in the East Bournemouth area

that the attacks took place. Benjamin subjected women to

terrifying ordeals between 2005 and 2010. Police began an investigation

in July 2009. Detectives working on the case interviewed 25 potential

victims. 10 of them agreed to give evidence. We had information that

these women were victims of Gene Benjamin. It was a case of pro

actively approaching them and seeking their co-operation with the

inquiry. It was incredibly brave of them to come to court to give

evidence against a very frightening man. We commend them for their

bravery. Benjamin lived in the community of his victims. He

befriended them, help them and then attacked them. As well as raping

the women, he strangled them, attacked them with hammers and cut

off their hair. Tonight he begins life sentences serving a minimum of

11 years before he will even be considered for release. The strong

message coming out of this case is that if you are a woman and you are

attacked, the police will take you seriously, irrespective of what you

do for a living. Benjamin's victims have to give details of their

personal lives to the court, but the jury believed them without

judging them, and that is why Benjelloun is in court tonight.

Investigators are in an attempt to find out the cause of a fire at the

Hermitage barn. There are some explosive gas cylinders with own,

which will only then allow experts to move in to determine the cause

of the fire. Two dock workers from Southampton

that attempted to smuggle cigarettes have been given

suspended prison sentences and been ordered to carry out 250 hours of

community service. Boxes of cigarettes were thrown from a

container ship to Christopher Gregory and Stephen Le Carpentier.

They were stopped by its security staff and charged with handling

stolen goods. Roll has raised has seen a big

increase in sales during the first half of this year. -- Rolls Royce.

There was an increase in the delivery of cars between January

and June of 64%. Most of us love to go shopping but

more and more outlets on our High Streets of falling victim to the

economic gloom and changing buying habits. We have discovered that one

in 10 shops in the region is standing empty. Some of them have

been vacant for more than a decade. Leigh Park has the second worst

shopping centre in the country. Latest figures suggest that one in

three shops are lying empty. The council disputes the findings, and

says it is more like one in four. What is being done to help our High

Streets and what do shoppers make of the situation?

If you walk around the centre of Leigh Park, you get a graphic

example of the way that the recession and changing shopping

habits are having an impact on our High Streets. It is not just the

big names that have gone in recent years. Many independent retailers

have also disappeared. Retail experts say that empty shops have a

negative impact on the High Street. So in the Havant area, they are

using a �52,000 Government grant to cover up some vacant premises. This

has invited plenty of comment. are nice, but it would be nice to

have some shops. It would be nice to have some actual shops to bring

people down here. There is nothing behind it. The council says it

would like to have the power to reduce business rates for start-up

ventures. The new Government is talking about giving us control

over business rates. If they do that, we have the power to change

business rates and encourage more people in. That is the sort of

power that would be good for local authorities to have. You research

out today shows that shopping habits are changing. -- new

research. Having a new washing machine will not make you feel good

every day, but having your hair done and your nails and a cup of

coffee, that will. People are going for the feel-good factor, rather

than building up additional things they possibly don't need in their

houses. There is a general change taking place in retail, a retail

shift, if you will, whereby people are buying more goods online. There

is a need for less shop space. On the other hand, high rates are

stunting economic growth. Some areas boast a national retailers

and local independent shops, at but the career of High Streets is

changing. The number of coffee shops and takeaways is rising, and

there are fewer traditional butchers, Gross's and bakers. --

greengrocer's. Are there any glimmers of hope?

in Leigh Park some people are using the recession to their advantage.

Businessmen are buying up premises at rock-bottom prices. Mike Jones

owns a number of properties in the area. He has been actively looking

for shops and flats put up for sale by property companies and investors.

Now is the best time to buy. Prices have never been so low. The

economics of what we are buying for just makes sense. With the right

rents and the right businesses here, I think it could thrive again.

Today the British Retail Consortium called for urgent Government action

to revitalise our retail areas. They have said that action is

needed to promote retail areas in the High Street. They also think

that lower business rates are required to get people moving into

businesses and they want ordinary things, like lower parking charges

and to public transport. Thank you. -- cheap public

transport. Hundreds of families that lost out

when a skiing trip operator went bust are not likely to get the

money back. Skiing Europe owes money portrait that did not happen.

Reading School paid �80,000, and the Ferndown and probate schools in

Dorset were also affected. The AM Trust that had insured the company

revoked its policy. Walkers have staged a protest march

because of the closure of a path at two to an academy development. The

Midhurst Academy say they are working properly and are trying to

find a new route. The organisation wants to hear from people that have

used it for more than a decade. want to hear from people that use

dipped from before 1999, as far back as we can go. -- that use it.

We want to get the message across that it is a statutory right of way.

We want to talk and find a compromise. Stay with us. Still to

come: Find out why Alexis is scaling the heights tonight.

certainly am. I am hanging around here in Dorset. Find out later what

I got up to. That looks very scary!

A controversial Planning application to develop a Restorick

hospital on the South Downs is expected to be rejected. --

historic hospital. Developers want to build a housing estate on the

King Edward VII Hospital site near Midhurst. The planning authority

will consider the pros will on Monday and they are expected to

turn it down. HMS Navy has returned to base. She

has been in Libya distributing medical supplies. Families lined

the docks to welcome her home. In the South, something new has

been discovered. It is called the pliosaur and it was the giant of

the deep. This is the skull, and it alone is huge. It was found in

rocks on the Dorset coast. Scientists have claimed it up to

put it on display, but now the search is on to find the rest of

this monster's body. A monster of our ancient seas. The

pliosaur was the most fearsome predator that the Earth has seen.

This skull belonged to one of the biggest ever found. When it rained

the ocean 155 million years ago, this beast would have dwarfed

everything else. Look at the size of it compared to me. Scientists

estimate it would have measured 18 metres long. It would have devoured

anything and everything in its path. I have looked at some of the papers

of describe animals and it looks different. It is much more massive,

much more robust. But to determine if it is something new is a whole

study in its own right. I would not be surprised if in a year's time,

we will see some more. The Dorset coast is a treasure trove of

fossils. This skull was found by a local collector, who has collected

many pieces. The body is missing but he would love to find it.

would be amazing if that creature was still around. That would fill a

hole Museum, it would be seriously massive. Mind-blowing. But never

mind, we have one piece of it. without its body, this monster is

ready to meet its public. It is going on display at Dorset County

Museum in Dorchester, a rare chance to come face to face with a true

The traditional holiday camp is alive and well on the South coast.

What would a holiday camp beat without the friendly metres and

gritters that smile their weight through the day? Today, our

reporter has been training to be a fund staff. I think you would be

quite good at this, Alexis. Thank you! Today was fun-filled. We did

lots of activities. The entertainers are here all day to

entertain the children and the families. It is quite a big effort.

But this morning started off quite quietly. We entertained the

children with the character breakfast. Our role is to enhance

everybody's experience. We need to have big smiles. Give me a cuddle.

That was huge. I would like a cuddle, now! Can I have one? Many

years ago I worked for Hove and as a lifeguard and I am itching to get

Stewart, one of the entertainers that I am working with, had his

audition in January, 2009. remember saying to my mother when I

was seven or eight that was what I wanted to do. My expectations of

the job at the auditions was nothing compared to what if I

thought it would be. I thought it would be as a lot different. The

job was much more work than I thought and I have loved it more

than I thought. Some facts and figures for you. We have been open

There are 1000 caravans on the site. In peak season, 5000 guests stay at

this park each week. 90,000 people Oh, my lord, it is windy. I'm

really scared. How have I done? We have been really good. You have

had a lot of energy and lots of fun. Really good. I just hope you have

got a good weather report for the weekend.

Will it be sunshine and showers? I will tell you shortly. But first, a

few things you can get up to in the next few days.

Four date of multicultural folk and jazz, including the Bollywood brass

This year's Flower Festival as a theme of musical theatre. There's

theme of musical theatre. There's in Worthing tomorrow. 400 dancers,

plus visitors from America and plus visitors from America and

Switzerland, will bring music and fun to the seafront.

Lots of fun things to do if you want to get out this weekend. I

will have a full forecast later. We have got Roger here for the

sport. I want to do some shooting. One of those sports which is

sometimes controversial, but when it is done properly, as it is where

we have been today, it is fantastic and we are very good at it. We are

going to meet a woman in a man's sport. Don't underestimate her,

though. Emma Nuttall makes a living targeting criminals. Sights and

targets play a key role in her sporting career as she prepares to

make their senior debut for Great Britain in full bore rifle target

shooting. -- make her seniors debut. Boys like to shoot guns, but it is

not something that gales think of. Emma Nuttall is blazing a trial.

She is only one of two women in the British team to shoot in Canada

next month. You have got to be really precise

with everything you do. There's de wind. Somebody can be doing

opposite things and you have no idea what they are doing. It is a

lot of skill involved. Sometimes a bit of luck.

M I started as a cadet in Derbyshire. -- Emma Nuttall started.

As a police officer, it could be useful for her career.

Shooting is a hobby and it is my stress release at the end of the

day. To do it all the time might be a bit much. But it is something I'm

thinking about. She hit a perfect score when we

were filming, almost. At best of the year. She will be hoping for

similar alacrity when she makes her debut next month.

-- similar accuracy. We wish her luck. In football,

Southampton have signed Chelsea's former England Under 21

international Jack Cork on a four- year contract. Now 22, he was on

loan three years ago. Reading have completed the sale of their captain

Matt Mills. He was discussing personal terms with Leicester City

after the club's agreed a fee in the region of �5 million. And

Herman Hreidarsson has agreed a new deal at Portsmouth.

In cricket, the Sussex batsman Murray Goodwin has been suspended

for one match. It relates to the Zimbabwe and's conduct in three

matches between April and July, when he was alleged to have shown

dissent. He was also ordered to pay five under pounds in costs. The

match he is missing is tonight's Twenty20 fixture with Kent. It gets

under way at 7:20pm. Hampshire also a -- are said to qualify if they

beat Surrey. Finally, well done to a group of

intrepid fundraisers who have just returned from an epic trip. For

most people, cycling from Land's End to John o'Groats is enough, but

these friends came back from the ride through the Three Peaks

Challenge. They have raised �125,000 to provide sports

equipment for worthy causes in the local area, and have done it to

keep the memory of their friend alive after he was killed in a car

crash five years ago. Well done to all the guys he went up the

mountains but cycled all the way from Land's End to John O'Groats.

It is nice to end of cycling. Bicycles are next thing. I have got

a challenge for you. South West Trains has opened its first folding

bike rental scheme. Have I got to build that? Yes. This is one of 80

available. The interesting thing is that they are stored in a solar

powered dock. What I want you to do, we have got five minutes to the end

of the programme - I want you to put that together and to cycle in

at the end of the programme. With a little help from his friends, Joe

Campbell has been testing these out. Surrey's big on bikes. The cycle

ranks at the station are proof of that. But it has been a long time

since people have been throwing their backs on to the trains.

-- throwing their bicycles on to the trains.

We will accommodate bikes as best as we can. We think we have got the

balance right. That is what this is about. While

those heading for London can use a so-called Boris back, in Guildford,

things are not so straightforward. You get your bicycle out and this

is what you are confronted with. I have never ridden a collapsible

bike like this. Mark, I am going to need some help. How easy is it?

It is very easy. Released that and raised the saddle to approximately

where you would like it. The bicycles may take a bit longer

to get going but they beat the Boris bicycles on higher costs.

Folded up, you will have no problem to take them on the train.

Guildford cyclists still have their reservations, they have.

They are OK for a short distance. They are not good for long

distances. You have still got a lot of weight to carry on the train.

use my bicycle for skate park, so having my folding bike is a bit

much. Those behind this game say -- the

scheme say it is not for regular riders.

It is for those who are thinking of getting a bicycle. We are saying,

you can try it before you buy it. All I have done is take the bicycle

up and down the car park. But I would not be worried about using it

on the road. But I think I need a bit more practice in getting it out

of the locker and being ready to use it.

That was a first! I have never seen him on a bicycle.

How you getting on, Roger? Look at this!

Not going well, it is it? It is quite simple, I'm told. Let's

move on to the weather. Look at this first. It is the result of

extreme weather in Bognor Regis this morning. Residents are

describing it as a mini tornado. Houses in Lindon and Dorset Road

and Highland and Murina Avenue were damaged. One family watched as

their travelling through through the air, landing in a neighbour's

garden. -- their trampoline. We saw the twist to come into the

garden and it blew all the toys around the garden. -- we saw the

twister. It was like happening in slow motion.

Extraordinary. Let's join Alexis now.

So we had what they call a mini It is quite breezy here. But

tornado was confirmed by the Met Office as being genuine. It is

rapidly rising and is sending, causing the winds. This is the --

is rapidly rising and descending air, causing the winds. The showers

will continue for the first part of the night. One or two Macro clear

spells, but a lot of cloud around. Temperatures will stay mild, and

expect lows of 13 Celsius. It will be a breezy start to the Day

tomorrow. Expect conditions to be around 13 or 15 Celsius. There will

be some sunny spells. Cloud will break up. A risk of some showers

will be mainly light and well scattered. The showers will become

less frequent and the sunshine will make more than appearance. More

sunshine than today and highs tomorrow of around 20 or 21 Celsius.

So, feeling pleasantly warm in the sunshine. A bit more cloud in the

afternoon. Tomorrow night there's a risk of some showers but it is a

fine, doesn't end to the day. A dry night for almost an temperatures

and that the skies will be a touch lower than tonight. Still in double

figures for most. Sunday daytime, probably a better day for the

weekend to get out and about. A decent amount of sunshine. A chance

of some showers but most places will stay dry Andy showers will be

light. Here is the summary. -- dry The winds will be light. Back to

the studio. Thank you very much! We set the

challenge. Here he is. He has built the bike. How good is that? Oh,

goodness me! Was it easy? As long as you pull it, it is quick

to put up. In the rain, at the station, you want to get it up