12/07/2011 South Today

Hello I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. A holiday drama after

a coach crash in Berkshire. Genetic testing - why this mum wanted to

find out whether she had an aggressive cancer gene. That

terrible fear that you hang on to as a heavy weight has gone and I

feel incredibly lucky. Local objections as an inquiry looks at

plans to build hundreds of homes. And facing a difficult future toe

veterinary service for those on benefits which may have to close.

Sadly people will be faced with difficult decisions about what best

to do for their animal. A coach carrying a group of school children

from Croatia has been involved in a crash in West Berkshire. Almost 20

youngsters are understood to have suffered minor injuries. The

accident happened on the A417 Wantage Road during this morning's

rush hour. After the crash, the coach party was taken to a local

school. The coach driver has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous

driving. Joe Campbell was at the scene this morning. The coach was

on its way to Oxford when it collided with a lorry at about

8.306789 on group a group of 40 teachers and pupils from Croatia.

They had been staying with families in the Reading area. This man has

been walking his dog and went to help after speaking to the driver.

He said he dry tried to avoid them, but with the truck tilting over, it

caught the back of his truck and took the windows out. With most of

the 20 youngsters hurt having suffered only minor injurys, the

decision was taken not to transport them to hospital. Instead they were

brought to this school, where paramedic were able to treat them.

Mostly for injuries suffered when they showered with broken glass.

The damage was clear as police removed the coach from the crash

scene. The vehicle's 43-year-old driver, a Croatian national, was

awe rested at the roadside. -- arrested at the roadside. They

struggled with the language barrier. Back in the children's home town,

it emerged part of their reason for the visit had been to improve their

English. TRANSLATION: Colleagues tell me everything is OK. We have

had text messages, all positive. I have spoken to the grandmother of

one boy who says he is OK. They were frightened, but that is normal

for a 15-year-old kid. Today a second coach picked up the 36

teenager and their teachers from the school. Taking them on to tour

Oxford as they had planned. Police were speaking to the coach driver

through a translator to get his account of the crash. One of the

men at the centre of the infamous Lapland New Forest theme park has

been found guilty of threatening a senior Crown Court lawyer shortly

before his trial got underway. Henry Mears from Brighton was

originally sentenced to thirteen months in prison after being found

guilty of deliberately misleading visitors with false advertising.

Today a judge also found him guilty of contempt of court and increased

his sentence. Allen Sinclair's been following the case. Remind us of

the background to all this. Henry Mears was responsible for the

advertising of land land New Forest. That advertising in newspapers

promised much. But the event failed to live up to to promise. Instead

of winter Wonderland, visitors got a day of disappointment. The

village was a few sheds in the field with some fake snow. There

were long queues to see father Christmas. Trading Standards

received 5,000 complaint and prosecuted those responsible with

false advertising. It was during the run up to the trial when Henry

Mears threatened the then prosecution barrister, Gary Lucie,

that was taken as a potential contempt of court. The evidence was

heard yesterday and today he was found guilty. Yes. Two different

versions of events. One was relayed to the judge and she has decided

that Henry Mears was indeed making a threat. He did indeed commit a

contempt of court. The original barrister had to be replaced. That

delayed to the trial and added to the costs. Today Lenry pleers was

give an 28-day -- Henry Mears was given a 28-day sentence and ordered

to pay costs. Mears and his brother, Victor are now actually out of

prison again. They're back at their homes in Brighton, serving out the

remainder of their original 13- month sentence on a home detention

curfew. Thank you. The number of women being referred for genetic

testing for cancer has almost doubled in the last four years,

according to doctors in the south. One in 10 cancers is genetic, and

patients found to carry the BRACCA 2 gene can be up to 85% more likely

to develop cancer. A young mother from Newbury opted to have her

ovaries and breasts removed after testing positive for the gene.

She's now calling for more research into preventative medicine.

Katharine Da Costa has been to meet her. Quality time with the family.

Claire savours every momentment last year she was told she had

inherited a gene which put her at a higher risk of developing ovarian

cancer. It was so horrifying and my instinct was to think about my

children of realising the implications for them. And on a

selfish level thinking I might not be here to look after them. Because

several members of her family developed cancer at a young age,

she was referred by her GP to a genetic clinic. Doctor here test up

to 70 patients a week. Those found to be carrying the BRACCA gene are

given advice and support. They're mums, aunty, grandmothers never had

these choices and had to cope with the cancers. Whereas at least the

patients that we have now can choose if they want to undergo

risk-redueing -- risk reducing surgery or undergo screening.

Claire opted for surgery. After having her ovaries removed, a

surgeon carried out a 13-hour operation to remove her breast and

reconstruct them using fat from her stomach. Claire has been blogging

about her experience for eight months and got 15,000 followers

from all over the world, and says it is a huge relief her journey's

finally over. It is euphoric. It is that sudden, it's gob, -- it's gone

that, risk has gone, that fear that you hang on to has gone and I feel

incredibly lucky. Ben and Jemma have a 50/50 chance of carrying the

same gene. Claire wants to see more research to protect not only her

own children, but thousands of other families too. A little

earlier I spoke to Dr Kat Arney from Cancer Research UK and I began

by asking her why there had been this rise in the number of people

seeking genetic testing. It is difficult to know exactly why the

numbers are going up. Maybe people are hearing you can get a test. And

you can help reduce your risk. It would be interesting to find out

why there is this increase and whether it is people wants to take

positive steps to controlling their cancer risk. It is very invasive

surgery, if flay do discover they have this particular gene, bra ka 2.

Are there other treatments? It does tend to be nor more aggressive

cancers that are caused. There are some exciting new drugs that are

being tested that are designed to target these faults in those

particular cancers. It is a very difficult decision that women need

to make if they discover they're carrying these breast cancer genes.

Because it is a big step and a very big step to have have your breast

or ovaries removed. Some women may not want to do that. Or may not

want to know they have the gene. But it is something they should

talk about with their family and doctors. Because it can help to

reduce their risk. Of course, if there is a child, there is the

chances if that is being pass on they have a 50% of chance of having

the gene. At what age should we be testing? There noise at prescribed

age. Many people say that when a child is an adult they can make

decision about what they want to know about their own health. Again

that is something to be discovered within the family and with the GP

and medical practicers. Practitioners. Thank you. Still to

come in this evening's South Today: A full weather forecast with Reham

and Tony Husband takes to the crease. Find out if my batting

skills can stand up to the rig ours of virtual cricket. A 21-year-old

has been arrested over the death of a Bournemouth man who was found

stabbed in the street. Glyn Helliwell was discovered seriously

injured in Southbourne last week and died later in hospital.

Detectives are questioning the 21- year-old man on suspicion of murder.

Police are asking people living in the Parkwood Road area to look in

their gardens and dustbins for a knife. Detectives in Brighton have

issued CCTV pictures of a man they want to question in connection with

a robbery at a betting shop yesterday. He threatened staff with

a gun and escaped with around five hundred pounds. Police are linking

the robbery with one at another bookmakers in Hove last week in

which a man with a large fake beard demanded cash. The Eastleigh MP,

Chris Huhne, has entered the controversy over allegations of

phone hacking at News International newspapers. It comes as the

Guardian newspaper claims a police officer was paid to reveal details

of the former Reading West MP Martin Salter, after he opposed the

News of the World campaign for the introduction of Sarah's Law

designed to protect children from paedophiles. Mr Huhne says the

revelations throw into question whether News International under

Rupert Murdoch can be seen as fit and proper owners for BSkyB.

this is going right the way across news corporation, there is a real

problem for Rupert Murdoch. He has to pass the fit and proper test as

a person to own a broad casting organisation F he does not pass,

this won't with be a question of stopping the BSkyB deal, but of him

having to get rid of Sky, because he won't be a fit and proper person

to control it. Getting your car clamped can be a stressful

situation on its own - even if you know you were in the wrong. But it

can be made worse due to the fact there is no law capping the limit

for what can be charged to release the car. Clamping firms can demand

what they like as it stands. Motorist Matthew Bernard has been

describing his experience when he had to pay hundreds of pounds in

cash in a public car park to get his vehicle back. Catharina Moh

reports. Matthew checks his car having received it back from a a

clamping company in Southampton. He admits he was in the wrong and

shouldn't have parked in this private space over the weekend. His

car was clamped by one company and then towed away by Whites Car Park

Solution. They said he had to pay a �250 fee. A �160 release fee and an

�84 holding fee. The total including VAT � 564. If he can't

pay in cash, an extra 5% would be charged. Mr Barnard said they asked

him to meet in car park and if he was rude an extra �50 would be

charged. No filming of the dealings took place as the company refused

to go on camera and threatened to withhold the car for another day if

cameras were present. But we did watch what happeneded Mr Barnard

and his friend waited here and then one man from White's Car Park

Solutions pulled up. Mr Barnard said cash in an envelope was handed

over. I felt intimidated and I was unsure about the whole process and

I whether I would get my vehicle back and lose the money I had

If you're experiencing clamping on towing, then they hold all the

cards. Because threfr got your car. You should certainly tell Trading

Standards if you think what happened was unfair and do tell

your local MP if you have a bad experience and you would like an

easy way of sorting it out. Next year the law will change,

preventing clamping and it will be a criminal offence to move or

prevent the moving of a vehicle without lawful authority. If you

have a story you think we should be A cross channel ferry service will

be withdrawn in October, eight months after it restarted its

crossings. Brittany Ferries will stop its Barfleur passenger and

freight service between Poole and Cherbourg. It says it wasn't making

enough money, and there was a lack of demand from the freight industry.

An inquiry into plans to build hundreds of new homes on one of the

few open spaces left in Poole has begun. The area in question is next

to Talbot Heath, often described as the "green lung" of the town. This

is an area of farmland next to the heath where the Talbot Heath Trust

wants to build 400 homes, student accommodation, new university

buildings and affordable housing. The scheme was granted planning

permission by Poole Borough council in June last year, but that

decision has been called in by the Secretary of State. Tristan Pascoe

reports. The village Trust was set up by two Victorian sisters, but

the Trust's plans to turn farmland into hopes and student

accommodation sparked protest and the decision was called in by the

Secretary of State. As well as increased traffic, locals are

concerned the proposed development will encroach upon the heath land

and the species on the habitat have the highest level of local wildlife

proTex and should be preserved. is an internationally important

site for wildlife. It is home to precious and rare creatures such as

the dart Foard warblers. We have been told there noise building

within 400 metres of heath land and this could seat precedent for other

heath land areas in Poole and other parts of England. The Trust says

the application includes fence and measures to help the heath land.

We're providing accommodation for local people. A lot of social and

lost cost housing. As a charity, of course, anything that is made out

of this goes back to local people. The inquiry lasting two week will

sift through mountains of documents and evidence. The community

Secretary will neighbouring final decision towards the end of the

year. -- will make the final decision towards the end of the

year. $$WHTIE A veterinary clinic that treats pets for reduced rates

has been given just six months to break even or close down. The RSPCA

clinic in Shirley in Southampton helps animals belonging to people

on benefits or with disabilities. Demand has grown, but donations

have dropped. So now, as Roger Finn reports, the clinic has taken

drastic action to survive. For 50 years the RSPCA the clinic has been

helping those who would struggle with commercial vets fee. I'm a

pensioner, with a mortgage to pay. This is a blessing in distpwie.

the retriever has a swollen ear. His owner is a carer on limited

funds A consultation here was �15. But last year the clinic lost

�90,000 and four staff were made redundant and prices went up. A

consultation is now �18. People aren't happy, but the bottom line

is either we put up our prices now and keep going, or we don't and

next year they will have to pay private fees. So it is the lesser

of two evils. The value of the clinic is something this family

knows well. Because they can take their pets to the clinic. Having

animals has made a huge difference to their daughter who has autism.

She feels hen she is feeling low, she wanders off to the cat and dog

and spends time with them. She wants to work with animals as an

adult and our animals are good practice. At the clinic, this cat

is being given a general anaesthetic, prior to being

castrated. The family could no longer cope. In these tough times,

the clinic has seen a boom in demand, 100 animals are treated

here. But can the clinic pleat the demand? We're not here to make a

profit. That is not what this is about. But we can't leak �90,000.

I'm hopeful within six months we will look at it and hopefully keep

it going. A huge crane has begun the process of removing the masts

of HMS Victory in Portsmouth. Nelson's flagship is undergoing

what's been described as her most extensive restoration since the

Battle of Trafalgar. It'll be paid for by the Royal Navy. In the

coming weeks, 26 miles of rigging will be removed so a team of master

shipwrights and other specialists can work on them. Just a fifth of

the original ship remains. That will be one to watch. And now sport

and Tony is here with us. talking about the mental side of

sport. At this point of the programme, we all know what Sally

will say, it is on to sport. I know every move you're going to make.

You know what I'm going to do next? Of course it is the same, always.

OK. I wasn't expecting that actually. Well we have lost Sally.

We will look after the rest of programme and sport. Tony is here.

Cricket and sports science in Sussex. I've been to meet a

researcher from the University of Brighton who's helping give

cricketers a bit of mental stimulation. It is cricket's

ultimate challenge - batsman against bowler. They say catches

win matches, but runs and wickets are decided at each end of the

pitch. I have taken my guard against some good bowlers. Remember

Mushtaq Ahmed? He made me look silly. Then Shane warn at the rose

bowl and I had a good go against him. But this next challenge is

difficult. I'm against a computer. In a manner of speaking. A batsman

has Milly seconds to decide how to play a delivery. Karl Stevenson is

study this beheyior. 20/20 is so short and sharp you have to make

the right decisions. This is a way to help batmen do that 5 get in a

mind frame where nay look to pick bowlers and it is who can score the

most runs the quickest. I was challenged with facing a virtual

Saqlain Mus rack -- Mustaq, who bowls the doosra what fools the bat

mab. It is different and there is a slight subtlety. Using slight

variations. Its touch to pick and practicing on regular bowling

machines would not help. We train so much on bowling machines and all

it is training is can you see the ball and hit the ball. Not can I

tell where the ball's going to go and look for things in the bowler's

run up. The tests have been used by Hampshire and Sussex player, keen

to get an edge. Played. Plenty more practice needed for me. Good luck

to any players who have a goo go. They're having -- they're asking

for more volunteers. Onto day two of the County Championship match

between Sussex and Hampshire. It's been a frustrating day. This was

the scene about an hour ago at the Probiz County Ground as the players

were forced off for another shower. Amongst the rain 22 wickets have

At the Oval there is a thrilling Rob Key is leading the way. Just

two wickets in hand. That will be a close finish. I'm back. Glad your

back. You were lonely. We want to pick you up on something. Did you

really hit Shane Warne? Don't you remember. It was my greatest moment

in life. Virtual? No real. This was real. That was real. It wasn't

special editing. But I think Shane went easy on me. You do surprise me.

Mustaq just said no, I'm going to bowl at this guy and we saw what

happened. You're quite good on the ceez? Not bad. -- crease. Now the

weather it was a bit, I felt hevy, it was heavy fade. -- it was hev --

it was heavy today. It felt it wz trying to rain. Was pull a lot of

pictures, there is not much sunshine to. -- to report. The warm

weather bringing out the butterflies this afternoon. Angus

took this picture in Oxfordshire. It was a dull day, unventful.

Tonight not much change. Cooler lan last night with some mist a -- and

the sat lie showing the cloud cover. -- the satellite showing the cloud

cover. We should have a fresher night than last night with those

breaks, temperatures around 12 Celsius. We're losing about three

degrees from last night. It is a cooler night and I think by the

time we head into tomorrow, again a lot of cloud to contend with. But

this time I think not as disappointing in term of sunshine

as today. There will be some sunny spells. The best further inland and

probably more during the morning. A sea breeze along the coast.

Otherwise, light to moderate northerly breeze. Temperatures

around 20 Celsius. In the evening we may see some showers in the west.

Otherwise it will be dry, but cooler. Temperature around eight

Celsius in the clear spells with the risk of some patchy mist and

fog. Thursday is the best day of the week. There will be plenty of

sunshine and it will be dry. The winds will be light inland. But

breezy further east. On Friday, I think the bulk of day will see a

lot of dry weather. Some sunny spell and varying amounts of cloud

but rain is pushing in. You can see today's area of low pressure

pushing away and behind it a weakening front heading in on

Thursday night into Friday. Perhaps later on Friday bringing some rain.

Then Wednesday not too bad. Better than today, Thursday the best day

of the week. Friday, quiet with plenty of dry weather. Saturday, no