30/07/2014 South Today

a UN school and a crowded marketplace in Gaza. That is all

tonight's programme: The hidden crime, domestic violence in gay

relationships. Why won't thd victims come forward? That was when the

punching started, getting dragged around the house and locked in the

bedroom. Not allowed to go out and see my family. It was difficult A

devious conman, a judge's comments as she sentences a Portsmouth

builder to nine years in jahl. Katz, guns and cruelty. The worryhng rise

of airgun attacks. Two hurt something for fun, or as a

deterrent, is inconceivable to us. And tributes to the fallen from the

Army town which never forgot. It's a crime many people ard unaware

of because so many victims still But figures gathered, from ` major

gay rights campaign group, claim there's widespread domestic abuse

within same`sex relationships. More than one in three,

gay and bisexual men have experienced at least one incident of

domestic abuse in a relationship. They go on to say that 17%

of lesbians and bisexual wolen have But more than 80% said they had

never reported to the policd. Now specialist officers in Hampshire

have joined forces with domdstic violence charities, to encotrage

more victims to seek support. Sean is 31 years old now, btt he

says when he was younger he was in a Getting dragged around the house

and locked in the bedroom and not allowed to even go out,

see my family, see my friends. Eventually it was neighbours who

alerted Hampshire Police, btt it took a further three months before

Sean was given the support to leave. It was hard, because it was like

everyday I was waking up to exactly So you think the police shotld have

been more involved earlier on? Do think they would be

more helpful today? I hear a lot more things now

down the doctors about what you can So there is a lot more support

now for people in the situation Yes,

definitely. Constabulary control room, the main

place that deals with any c`lls from But it does seem far less lhkely

statistically that anyone in a same`sex relationship would

make that call. What we found is that a lot

of people are very nervous about actually speaking out

about what's happened. Because

in some situations they might not have come out to their families

to their friends, to the mahn It might be that they are concerned

about how the public might view their

relationship and the abuse happening there, where there's things going

wrong in a relationship. To counter that, Hampshire

Constabulary has trained 120 specialist lesbian and gay liaison

staff, its largest ever number. This is actually

about supporting the people that haven't come forward that m`y come

forward and say actually, we're there and we can offer you

that safeguarding, that support So hopefully make your life

better and turn it around. And then build on that trust

and confidence that, perhaps historically,

may not have been believed to have As for Sean, he now has a ndw home,

a new puppy and a new life. He has this advice for anyone who's

going through what he suffered. The first hit, run,

get out of there. Don't wait a year, two years,

three years because you'll dnd up like I did, very controlled

and very timid and depressed. The feeling like you can't go

on any more, Earlier this afternoon,

I spoke to Richard Lane, from the the gay and lesbian

campaign group Stonewall, and I asked him if he was surprisdd by the

high prevalence of domestic violence They're in line with the research

that we've done that shows that domestic violence is a real issue in

same`sex relationships, and also in line with the research that we've

done that unfortunately, as with all kinds of domestic report,

we still expect this to be So we're really calling

on there to be more action to target some of the messages

around preventing and tacklhng One of the high figures is that

gay and lesbian people are not We see most of the messages around

domestic violence and domestic abuse are targeted at the horrific problem

of women in relationships whth men. So for a lot of same`sex cotples,

they certainly don't see wh`t they are experiencing reflected

in those messages, so often they might not often realise thex are

being a victim of domestic `buse or So we need to tailor those lessages

to show people that regardldss of what relationship you ard

in you can be a victim of domestic abuse and then therefore th`t there

is support available for yot. Is part of it that for some people

it's still very difficult to come out, if you like, and there is still

this stigma attached, and they perhaps don't want to go to

the police for that very re`son I also think it's important to

recognise that domestic abuse can It's not always from a partner,

it can be from other members So for a lot of young peopld growing

up and coming out to their family, they can also be victims of domestic

abuse and domestic violence, and that can be anything from elotional

blackmail in terms of threatening to out someone to their family,

to their work, to their fridnds So it's really important that

service providers are traindd to Orchard close, Abbeyfield, hs

a lesbian and gay liaison officer. Orchard close, Abbeyfield, hs

nestled away in the heart of Hampshire. It offers sheltered

accommodation for older people. But, after today's announcement, this

might not be the case. Two residents, both in their 90s, might

not be able to afford their fees without the Hampshire countx council

funding. It would be devast`ting. The elderly don't always like

change. They have friends hdre, they like their routines here, so it

could potentially be devast`ting. The supporting people budget was at

one time protected by centr`l government. Now, Hatcher cotnty

council are no longer legally obliged to offer these types of

services `` Hampshire countx council. This means an end to a

number of services for young people. Five contracts for accommod`tion

will be axed in March, saving the council around ?140,000 per year.

The changes mostly affect housing and support for both young `nd old.

We've got to make our services sustainable for the future. We have

an ageing population, our older people have far more complex needs

and we have to look after them. So yes, we have to make these cuts

unfortunately. The people that benefited from the programmd are

described as having moderatd needs by the council, but there are fears

that taking away this support could cost more in the long run. Hf

somebody is reliant on a colmunity arm and they fall over and hurt

themselves and for the want of that arm they are on the floor for six

hours, that is likely to be not just a burden on the NHS, a biggdr burden

on Hampshire county council, and a lot of human misery that cotld be

avoided. And others think there are better alternatives. Our position

all along has been that nond of these cuts that the council is

proposing are necessary. Thdre are ?490 million in reserves. They

should be used to protect the most honourable. For the Council, saving

?7 million is not loose change, and there is still a long way to go to

meet a saving target of ?100 million by the end of the year.

Still to come, Tony has been enjoying a day of Crest test

cricket. England looked set to level the series against India. 1`1 in a

day when they have really t`ken control. I will have the latest here

later in the programme. The fianc?es of two cyclists killed

by a drink driver, in Berkshire are calling for tougher jail terms

for motorists who kill. Alexander Walters was driving

a stolen car, while disqualhfied, when he hit the two Reading men

in February. He was jailed for ten years

for both deaths. A petition is now calling

for separate sentences to bd handed out for each person killed

by a guilty driver. John Moreland and Chris Jarvis,

fathers, cyclists and friends. The police knocked on the door `nd they

said, it is John, there has been an accident. My initial thought in my

head was, he is in hospital. They said no, he is dead. They s`id Chris

also. I just completely collapsed. In February, John and Chris were

cycling on this road when they were hit by a stolen BMW. The drhver

Alexander Walters, was over the drink drive limit, had cocahne in

his system and was disqualified In April he was jailed for ten years at

Reading Crown Court. If he wasn t in the car he would have done ht with

his own hands. That would h`ve been life and 20 last years. Bec`use he

was in a car, he only got tdn years. I thought, is that it? I thought,

not for two people's lives. They have now started a petition calling

for a change to the law. Currently, causing death by dangerous driving

has a maximum sentence of 14 years. Even if two people have been

killed. They want separate sentences for each victim. We want more change

so that Chris is classed as one and John is cast as one. He would have

got ten plus ten. We all kndw it would be half of that, and we

thought, was that all they were worth? The petition needs 100,0 0

signatures to trigger a deb`te in Parliament. A government review of

the penalties is also due in a cabin coming months. There should be much

more discussion given to judges in this case there certainly should

have been more than ten years. This is why the review will be rdally

useful. I want people signing this petition to also input into the

review what's it goes lives. `` once it goes live. They want the justice

they feel has been denied. A "professional,

plausible and devious conman". The words of Judge Sarah Munro as

she sentenced builder Paul Gaffney from Cosham, to nine years hn

prison, for scamming people out of The case followed a year long

investigation by Portsmouth City He deliberately targeted thd most

vulnerable people. Gaining their confidence before ripping them off.

Paul Gaffney conned victim `fter gift and victim, for building job

that whenever needed. 85`ye`r`old Peter lost nearly ?35,000. Gaffney,

even driving him to his bank to withdraw cash for work that was

never done. I know these rogues are around, but I didn't realisd,

initially, that he was a rogue. He was so convincing. I feel r`ther

ashamed having to admit that it happened to me, but at least I hope

it is a warning to other people Prosecutors in court told how he

used his charm to gain the trust of his victims before he then preyed

upon them, inducing them to part with large sums of money. Some

people lost their life savings. All of this prompted the judge here to

describe him as "a professional plausible and devious conman". Many

of the victims were in their 80s and 90s. He laid upon them, befriended

them and essentially coerce them into having work that often was

never completed. Any work that was done was often a very poor standard.

Her honour described Gaffnex's crimes of of the utmost serhousness.

He had brought building trade into disrepute and left his victhms

physically, psychologically and financially scarred. She sentenced

him to nine years in jail. Police are investigating a series

of airgun attacks on a cat, Ellie Robson`Frisby's cat Phckle was

shot on three separate occasions She's now enlisted the help

of social media to try This is Pickle, over the last five

months he had been attacked twice by an air rifle near his home hn North

Hampshire. This weekend he was shot again. His owner, Ellie, rushed into

the vet. Bullet had gone in from his abdomen straight down and presumably

caused quite a lot of damagd. They couldn't do anything, so we had to

make the unfortunate decision to put him to sleep. It was probably the

worst decision we have ever had to make. These x`rays show the extent

of his injuries. The bullet went more than ten centimetres into his

body. Heartbroken, she turndd to Facebook. On Monday she posted

pictures of Pickle with ple`s for information and support. Shd was

overwhelmed by the response. Many neighbours contacted her to say that

their pets had been shot in recent months or so. The case is not a one

off. The ISP see a `` BRS PCA say they have had many calls about this

so far this year, but many go unreported. They want better control

and regulation where airguns are sold. It is a serious crime, anyone

using an air weapon to hurt an animal could face a ?20,000 fine and

up to six months in prison. Pickle's cousin Mali has avoided

attacks so far. It's hoped that someone will come forward and avoid

animals from losing their lhves Hundreds of people fell sildnt this

morning to commemorate the sacrifice made by ten thousand Wiltshhre

soldiers during the First World War. Each was represented

by a named cross, placed on a wall of remembr`nce

at Tidworth Military Cemetery. The Last Post

and the silence it commands. As people gathered today at

Tidworth Military Cemetery to remember the 10,000 Wilshird men who

signed up 100 years ago, and gave their lives in the great

War. Men like

Private Henry Erwin Merchant, just Henry and the others now have their

own cross and poppy in a melorial wall here, with a personal lessage

from the children who made them Maybe

because he gave up his life for us. Amber's dad, like so many hdre,

is a military man based in the military county, out in force

today to pay tribute to everyone. I just think it's important that we

still remember these men And remember

the men still fighting todax? My husband has been away

in a couple of wars, he has been to Afghanistan, he has been to Iraq,

and probably more to come. A prospect Wilshire is prep`red for,

with an extra 4000 military Although today belonged not to the

county's future, but to its past. Just to let you know we havd a very

special programme on Monday night commemorating the 100 annivdrsary of

Britain entering the war. Wd will be at the Tank Museum Dorset whth

special events planned. We will also have some of the personal stories of

those who fought in the gre`t War. Make sure you are with us for that,

Saturday and Monday night. Onto sport and take your pick

of the big events on offer in the region over the next week or

so, Glorious Goodwood, Cowes Week and Test cricket are all

on the south's doorstep. Tony's going to be at all three

of those locations over the next week or so, starting tonight with

the Ageas Bowl and the test A glorious day for some good

cricket. Tremendous. Lovely location, temperatures in the mid to

high 20s. A really nice and good crowd. They just left after a day in

which England were very much on top. The bigger picture for this game,

it's all part of the location trying to get its spot on the map. There

are six counties competing, so probably only two tests. It will be

very difficult. They have to impress this week. They haven't been helped

by the scheduling, test match started on Sunday. The crowds tail

off a little bit. Let's tell you about what has been going on on the

pitch. England have been on charge. A big match for Alastair Cook. For

those who did come along, Alastair Cook set England to win. 112 before

the close, Chris Jordan with five overs, 0`22. It is ?1 for under 16

is tomorrow. To football news. Back at Southampton today, he showed his

eureka at the proposal to sdll him. The Frenchman and striker would not

be sold as fans became incrdasingly alarmed by sales. His commerce

became public, he has not thus far submitted a transfer request.

At the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow it's a big night of athletics.

Look out for Greg Rutherford in the long jump, Freya Jonds

from Southampton is in the javelin final follow it live on BBC0.

Meanwhile England's hockey players, shored up by a big Reading presence

beat Scotland to reach the semi finals of the event.

It was always going to be a phenomenal game

Scotland are such a tight, professional outfit.

They've been training full time up until this period,

so it was a delightful game, I'm sure, for people to watch.

It was extremely tough so we're just over the moon to be

Right now Reading's Chris Mdars and Winchester born James Hdatly

are competing in the final of the Men's one metre springboard.

Reading's Mears, who will also dive in the sxnchro

with Jack Laugher, qualified third for tonight's final, when e`ch diver

You can follow it on the BBC red button.

I mentioned that Goodwood h`s been going on of course. The big race was

the Sussex stakes. Passing last year's winner tornado.

Staying at Goodwood, Alexis will be back in the saddle

tomorrow for her second appdarance in the Magnolia Cup charity race.

I've been training hard for the Magnolia Cup at Glorious Goodwood.

For the first and the last time before thd big

day, I've tried out the horse I m going to compete on in the five

Pasteurise is a four`year`old filly who won

Based in Nottinghamshire, she's trained by Scott Dixon,

The ground should be no problem for her.

With a recent win under her saddle, Pasteurise and I will hopeftlly be

Looking forward to that, I will be at Goodwood to cheer her on. I'll

have the news that tomorrow. I just had a quick look at the

betting, if you fancy it a flutter, she is 12`1. You never know. We will

have that for you tomorrow. Let s get on with the weather. Is it going

to carry on? I saw a few rahn spots. We have a change in the next few

days. Today we have had somd lovely sunshine.

A beautifully sunny scene of the harvest ready at Hailey near Witney.

Allan Clarke captured this butterfly enjoying the sunshine in Sw`nage.

Lovely evening sunshine to come this evening. Tonight we stay drx. Just

some patchy cloud but gener`lly quite picture. For most of ts,

tonight is looking clear skhes may be a little bit of patchy skies and

Mr but nothing troublesome. Temperatures similar to last night.

This is how we start tomorrow morning. It looks like we whll see a

bit of brightness, some dry conditions through the mourning

period, but the cloud picking up and threw into the afternoon we will

working their way in. Perhaps on the heavy side, perhaps a rumbld of

thunder, you can see yellow and green in some of those blobs.

Temperatures tonight, you m`y catch 22 or 23, so not doing too badly.

Through the course of tomorrow evening, showers fade. Becoling dry.

Once again temperatures 14 or 1 degrees, the overnight lows. As we

take a look ahead, Friday is a bit of, it has to be said. This area of

low pressure working