11/10/2013 South Today

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's

programme... Jailed for an abuse of trust — the woman who stole more

than £90,000 from the elderly man she was meant to care for. I just

cannot believe that someone would behave like that. It is beyond my

comprehension. Anger over care home closures — as

relatives claim dementia patients will be put at risk. This is her

home, this is where they should stay to the end. It is not fair.

A fishing ban on oysters amid warnings that stocks could vanish

completely from the Solent. And as popular now as they were in

the '70s — the toy stories that continue to run and run.

A carer has been jailed for abusing her position of trust and taking

£92,000 pounds from an elderly and vulnerable man she was meant to be

looking after. Sarah Biggs helped John Gallo sell his family home in

Surrey and took much of the money. She helped him move to an isolated

flat in her home town of Worthing, where she financially exploited him.

West Sussex County Council said it's one of the worst cases of financial

abuse they've seen. Our Home Affairs Correspondent, Alex Forsyth, is at

Chichester Crown Court tonight. As you say, John Gallo was a

vulnerable man who suffered from dementia. Sarah Biggs was implied to

care for him. Instead, she financially exploited him. She

transferred large amounts of money into her bank account. In total, she

took £92,000 over three years. Much of this came from the sale of his

house in Surrey. It was something Sarah Biggs was able to arrange

before moving him to a sparsely furnished flat. She exploded him and

isolated him from his family, who did not know where he was. His

sister spoke to us. I cannot believe that someone would do this. It is

beyond my comprehension. I cannot believe that someone would be so

unkind. And having got so much out of him, to have dumped him in that

place. That is an awful thing to have done. After John Gallo moved to

Worthing, the council became involved in his care. They realise

something was wrong. The picture of abuse emerged during an

investigation. In terms of financial abuse and in terms of the

manipulation and premeditation that I think was present, this is

probably the worst case that I have seen in 15 years. The customer was

so vulnerable. That is what is really awful about it. Sarah Biggs

admitted taking the money but maintains it was a gift she should

not have accepted. She was sent to sue 21 months in jail. In a

statement, the council said... Meanwhile, John Gallo's family have

praised West Sussex County Council for their hard work in this case.

The family have made sure that he is now somewhere where he is well cared

for and say. There's anger over proposals to

close a residential care home in Lyndhurst. Cranleigh Paddock is one

of four homes under threat in Hampshire. The county council wants

to make way for modern facilities that will encourage independent

living. But Cranleigh Paddock specialises in dementia care, which

staff and relatives say is not available elsewhere. A consultation

is currently underway and, last night at a public meeting, they

voiced their concerns, vowing to fight the plans. Ena Miller reports.

This seems to be a persistent ignorance on part of Hampshire

county council to recognise that we are dealing with advanced dementia

here. The community came to talk and the council said they would listen.

Who is in favour of closure of this site? Anybody? Can we admit that

nobody in this room is in favour of this motion? The proposal to close

Cranleigh Paddock has been met with strong and emotional objection. It

has a highly trained and caring staff who make people 's lives that

worth living. Hampshire county council says that care needs are

changing. The sort of care that people want now is not the old style

care that is being given in residential homes. People want more

freedom, more ability to control themselves will stop that is not the

same as dementia care, but we need to make sure we provide modern type

care for people nowadays. The council says that the layout of

Cranleigh Paddock is poor. Cranleigh Paddock should not be closed until a

purpose—built alternative facility has been created. Trevor Williams

has acute dementia. He does not understand what is going on but what

he does know is that Cranleigh Paddock is his home. They are

neighbours are going one another's rooms. If he was to move, what do

you think would happen? It would kill him. People are making sure his

voice is heard. This is where they should stay until the end. It is not

fair. A health care assistant has denied having sex with a patient who

had a mental disorder at a hospital in West Sussex. It is claimed when

the woman was recovering after an operation at Saint Richard's

hospital. The defendant has pleaded not guilty. It was in January that

she that a 22—year—old woman was taken to Saint Richard's Hospital in

Chichester with a dislocated shoulder. She was treated under

anaesthetic and kept in for the night on a board.

In court, it was claimed that a member of staff had sex with her.

The prosecutor said that a patient in an adjoining bed heard panting

and pull back the curtain and saw him standing the 's standing beside

the bed. He guessed. The police were called and swabs were found to

contain the defendant's DNI. —— DNA. The defendant has pleaded not

guilty. The prosecutor, Marcus Fletcher, said the woman was

vulnerable and an easy and obvious target because she had a mental

disorder. He added there were issues about her credibility because she

has previously thanked illness and made demonstrably false claims of

rape and so she will not because as a witness. The prosecution said it

instead it would rely from evidence from other witnesses and a forensics

side is. The case is expected to continue.

Oyster fishing in all but one small area of the Solent will be banned

this year after surveys revealed a dramatic drop in the number of

shellfish on the sea bed. The oyster season was due to open in three

weeks' time. In the '70s, it provided a winter living for

hundreds of fishermen. But stocks have been declining ever since and

now there are warnings they could vanish entirely. James Ingham

reports. Today, as ever, they are the biggest

and the best. Once plentiful and cheap, now most hard and find, much

highly pride. 50 years ago, the Solent was the biggest wild oyster

fishery in Europe. The population has declined to a critical light.

Drastic action is being taken to reverse the decline. Oyster fishing

will be banned this winter in most of the Solent, with just two

exceptions, the harbours at Langstone and Portsmouth, open for a

shorter season. While stocks do not have much success alone without our

help. We are looking into creating oyster parks that will allow oyster

la they too —— larvae to recover the stocks. This fisherman knows that

the stock bans are needed but he is frustrated his voice has not been

heard. The fleet have doubled in size in the last five years, so you

have lots of different people with different needs. The fishermen are

being forced out. Something is happening, we do not know what it is

put up their contribute in fact is that we see but nobody took any

notice. So, yes, I think it is a good idea that the door has been

shut. Just for the time being. But when will it open again? Probably

not for several years, which means that Ted and others have to find an

Ortona to catch but greater environment protection around

inshore waters, coupled with continue commercial and developments

of the ports makes that harder. A plan to build over 200 wind

turbines off the Dorset coast has been criticised by county

councillors. Dorset County Council's Planning Committee says the Navitus

Bay project could pose a threat to the World Heritage status of the

Jurassic Coast and impact on tourism. The council comments came

as part of the public consultation for the project, which closed today.

Mike Unsworth, the Project Director at Navitus Bay, says he will use the

feedback to help with the company's planning application next year.

Still to come in this evening's South Today — Alexis has the weekend

weather and Tony's here with the sport.

Rugby, ice hockey and football coming up as Eddie Howe reflects on

one remarkable year at AFC Bournemouth.

Plans have been unveiled to build a £70 million distribution centre in

south Wiltshire. Discount retailer Home Bargains says 1,200 jobs will

be created at the Solstice Park site near Amesbury — plus hundreds more

positions at new stores across the South. The distribution hub, which

will be the size of 32 football pitches, will open

The SailLaser centre, seen as part of the 2012 Olympic legacy left to

Weymouth and Portland, is to close at the end of December. The

facility, which is based at the National Sailing Academy, ran

projects such as the sail—for—a—fiver scheme to encourage

children to take up the sport. At least 20 instructors will lose their

jobs as a result of what it's parent company calls a restructuring

process. The Academy is trying to find another company to take over.

More than 100 soldiers have arrived back in Hampshire after a tour of

duty in Afghanistan. Soldier's from 1st Battalion Irish Guards have

spent six months in Helmand Province — they were greeted with a heroes'

welcome in Aldershot this afternoon. The troop's return comes as the army

prepares to bring in major changes to troop bases in the area. Well,

Rob Powell was at the homecoming and is live at the Mons Barracks for us

this evening, Rob. The final minutes of a six—month

wait for the families of over 100 soldiers. Novas, excited, every

emotion possible. We are waiting for him to come back. And then, under

typically British rain and delayed by British traffic, a hero 's

welcome for 111 soldiers from the Irish Guards, returning to base in

Aldershot after six months on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. How does it

feel to be back? So nice. Such a release relief. It is such a relief

to get back home. How were the last six months? It has gone very

quickly, I have learned a great idea amount. We have been praying for

this for six months. They know they are back in England after this

weather, won't they? The soldier 's main duties were disrupting the

enemies by finding weapons, in —— improvised explosive devices and

someone. There were no casualties. They have been thorough throughout,

as has the leadership, who is a phenomenal leader. The return comes

ahead of significant changes to the Army in this part of Hampshire. Over

£100 million of investment is expected here as troops return from

Germany. For now, the strips are glad to be back on British soil.

Not every soldier returning from a tour of duty or leaving the armed

forces gets a happy homecoming. Some ex—military personnel feel very

isolated when they return to civilian life. As the Irish Guards

were turning home, an Aldershot charity which helps veterans who've

become homeless was marking its fifth anniversary by opening

improved facilities. It was post—traumatic stress

disorder that triggered Dave's downward spiral into drug and

alcohol addiction and homelessness. I was living in a car for a little

while and then a tent in a local park in Aldershot. Today, Dave who

solved —— who served in Afghanistan, is an aspiring writer.

I know postherpetic stress disorder can take years. I felt anxious over

time. Just flashbacks as well. Smells, noises, just things you see,

simple things. The problem is, people don't realise they have it

until a lot of the time it is too late. Since opening five years ago,

or than 200 ex—service men and women have moved in and out of the

one—bedroom flats. 90% of them have permanent homes and many are working

as well. Paul Hawkshaw is making the most of these facilities before he

moves out. He did not expect to become homeless. It did not work

according to plan. But I have a job now and some to live. It is all

looking up. The Ministry of defence to a trim and is of work with

veterans but some people do not —— do need that extra bit of help. We

are looking to expand further into catering for an increased amount.

Dave is not able to work yet but he has been clean and sober for 11

months. I am proud of that. I am proud of the people that it helped

me do it. There were celebrations today with the opening of a new room

in the garden, which is free for anyone in the community to use.

Plans have been announced to replace Eastleigh's Fleming Park Leisure

Centre. More than a million people a year use the current building. But

it was built in the 1970s and is beginning to show its age. If the

proposals are approved next month, the new building will include two

larger swimming pools, as well as an upgraded gym and restaurant. Onto

the sport. We will look back at amazing year for AFC Bournemouth.

Eddie Howe came back, I was one of the people saying it was not the

right move but he has done it and pull that off.

Take a look at Howe's record since returning a year ago. He's won 31 of

his 52 games, lost only 13 and drawn eight. Promotion last season and the

surprise package for some, this. What a year! Eddie Howe's been

talking to Kris Temple. One year on and Eddie Howe is a man

at ease. At ease with his decision to return to Bournemouth although he

is prepared to admit now what a gamble it was. My credibility as a

manager would have disintegrated very quick and if I hadn't been

successful. I had a lot of phone calls and e—mails and allsorts,

saying what are you doing? A lot of people I spoke to could not quite

understand it. I think it has been fully justified in terms of a

footballing decision. It was a must for me. He returned to a club with

deeper pockets than in the past and ambition to mirthful —— to move

further forward in the future. The powers want go higher in future. How

high can we go? Can the Bush the —— can we push the top of the table?

Time will tell. His experience as a player and a manager belies his age.

He will be 36 next month. My thought processes now are different to work

when our jungle. I have a macro to when I was younger. My mindset as a

manager is different. It is a different job. I want to succeed in

my job. They prayed —— they played some great football. Their movement

is great. I think they will finish in the top half. Bournemouth fans as

witnessing —— are witnessing a great new manager.

Harry Redknapp has had his book out this week.

Bournemouth have the weekend off, due to internationals. The main

focus tomorrow will be on Portsmouth's trip to the fellow

dockyard city of Plymouth for a lunchtime kick—off. It was relief

all round at Fratton Park last week as Guy Whittingham's men beat

Rochdale after two successive losses. They followed that up with a

win at Oxford in the JPT this week. Pompey start the day 15th, two

points above their opponents. No action for Reading either. You can

follow the live coverage of who is playing including games for Swindon

and MK Dons in League One. BBC Radio Oxford has coverage of Oxford's game

with Northampton in League Two. We'll have the highlights on Monday.

In ice hockey's premier league, Guildford look to build some

momentum this weekend when they take on top—of—the—table Manchester at

home and away. The Flames split their double—header with Basingstoke

last weekend. The Bisons host Telford this weekend. Bracknell and

Swindon also face off at home and away.

London Irish kick off their Amlin Cup campaign tonight at the Madejski

Stadium. They take on Italian side Cavalieri. Brian Smith will rotate

his team so the likes of Marland Yarde will be rested. Yarde was

sporting England colours this week. He's being tipped for a bright

future with his adopted nation after a breakthrough campaign last year. I

was quite a late starter. I did not start until I was 14. I try to take

everything in my stride. I tried my hardest to learn the game. I still

feel I have a lot to work on in my game but pre—season I wanted to make

sure that I get my feet firmly on the ground and work desires I could.

I'm happy with the season so far. Once a watch for England. A couple

of marathons this began, the Oxford half marathon. You will be at

Chichester. Yes, I will be starting it. One guy

is running barefoot, so he'd better watch for the forecast. Hundreds of

toy are on display this weekend because it is a toy festival which

will probably appeal to the child in most of us. Many of the more popular

in the 60s and 70s and they remain a pillar today. We sent our own relic

of the dip age —— of the age to see what was on offer.

I'm a child of the 60s and 70s. Everyone had to have a Action Man.

This guy came onto the market in 1966, modelled on the American GI

Joe. They were both such a hit that they and other action figures

marched into the 1970s and our friend became the official toy of

the decade. How collectable are these guys? Massively. Every toylike

has a section of followers and enthusiasts, so to the right person,

they will pay a lot of money for something. We have a transformer,

and action Force, which action man then became. —— which Action Man

then became. And then the gripping hand. One of the special guests we

have this weekend is a designer who was the original designer of the

gripping toy. He modelled his hand and reversed it for the other side.

Then he got the Eagle Eye 's. I did not like them, they followed you

around the room. They were very cool. There was a leader in the back

of the head, so you could make the eyes swivel. If you have got

hundreds of figures and props to get out this weekend, it will be busy.

Tomorrow, we will have everything set up, the old toys and the latest

toys. What will be big this Christmas? Transformers. Go retro.

It is coming up to 30 years will stop the fathers who are into it are

introducing their kids to it. It could be an action figure, action

packed Christmas. I quite like the beefy version of you there. I got a

bit grey overnight! You are looking interesting! Hard to see we saw some

sunshine today. We do have some lovely weather pictures.

Blue skies this morning. This photo of Salisbury Cathedral was taken by

Christopher Snelson. Robin Boultwood captured the

Sandbanks ferry in the blustery conditions this morning.

And Heather Brooks took this picture of her dog who didn't mind the rain

in West Wittering. We saw some quite heavy rain this evening and

overnight tonight we will hold onto that rain. Maybe some mist patches

as well once the rain clears in some places but there will be heavy and

outbreaks, particularly in the South Eastern corner. Temperatures stay in

double digits, dipping to around nine and 12 Celsius. A wet start to

tomorrow but the good news is it is a slowly improving picture. The rain

will disappear northwards, sunny spells will start to develop. The

best of any sunshine is south of the M4 corridor. In almost all areas, ——

in northern areas, you may hold onto a shower. A high of just 13 Celsius.

Still two or three degrees below the average. Some mist and fog

overnight, maybe some rain drifting in from the north and East.

Temperatures fall to 9—11 Celsius. They —— a murky start to Sunday. Not

the best of days of the weekend. We will see some rain had a sea of this

area of low pressure swinging in. On Monday, it disappears out again,

dragging the rain with it, so a few showers dotted about eight on

Monday. On Sunday, not the best day of the weekend. We'll have heavy

rain at times will stop there will be a fuchsia hours. This is the

outlook into the weekend. Tomorrow starts on a damp vote, with a lot of

cloud around. And improving picture and the wind will gradually ease

during the afternoon. Sunday, some heavy rain at times. The Met office

are keeping a close eye on the situation. There may be a weather

warning issued on Sunday for their heavy rain. The winner will be brisk

as well from the Northwest for the mundane. See more cloud but sunshine

will start to develop. You'll be showers dotted about. Some sunshine

on Tuesday. Good luck if you are joking in those marathons over the

weekend. Next week... We're going to be taking a look at

the South's links with China. Our business correspondent, Alastair

Fee, has been on one of the huge container vessels bringing in high

street goods manufactured in China that will be bought for Christmas.

We'll also be looking at what we export, what the education links are

and the types of sectors the Chinese are investing in. That's the China

Connection and it starts on Monday. There'll be a news summary at 8pm

and we'll be back with a bulletin at 10:25pm. Have a great weekend. We

are back on Monday. Should these guys say goodbye? Look how friendly

you have got! I like the moustache. You should grow one. Good night.