05/04/2012 BBC Channel Islands News

Good evening. The top stories: In court - two men in Jersey are

charged in connection with a million pound drug smuggling ring.

Plus, as Jersey's same sex couples celebrate the right to a civil

partnership, why is Guernsey lagging behind?

And voters put the candidates on the spot as Guernsey gets into

Good evening. Two men, charged in connection with an investigation

into a million pound drug trafficking ring in Jersey and the

UK, have today been denied bail. Liam Norris and Benjamin Bishop

appeared in Jersey Magistrate's court following the seizure of six

thousand pounds worth of cannabis and thousands of pounds in cash in

the island. Edward Sault was there. Drugs officers from Jersey have

been working with a UK force carrying out simultaneous raids,

with the combined operation seizing cannabis with a street total value

of a million pounds. Raids were co- ordinated with police officers in

Staffordshire after an investigation into suspected drug

trafficking. 31-year-old Liam Norris from St Saviour is charged

with possession and intent to supply and with supplying drugs.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Benjamin Bishop, originally from

Northallerton, is charged with possession with intent to supply.

This morning, in court number two behind me, Relief Magistrate Peter

Harris was also told of a further charge in connection with Bishop -

that he was found to be in possession of cannabis at his home

address in Jersey on the 16th of February this year. In court, both

prosecution and defence lawyers made pleas for and against bail

being granted to Norris and Bishop. The defence claiming both had

families and the risk of them interfering with witnesses was low.

But, after an adjournment, the magistrate said that risk was too

high. Both - standing in suits, shirts and ties with their hands

around their backs - were told they would be remanded in custody.

They'll appear again here on the third of May.

A bank that has operated in Jersey for 30 years is pulling out of the

island. More than 50 jobs are at risk at the Allied Irish Bank in

Jersey. Staff were told this morning that it's winding down

operations here and in the Isle of Man. It says it's because of

ongoing uncertainty for the industry. It will cease trading

from Jersey at the end of 2013. is disappointing and concerning to

the staff involved but not entirely unexpected. Allied Irish Bank is

there nationalised bank and is going to be an Irish League

domestically focused bank again. Gay couples in Jersey now have the

right to a civil partnership. It means they have the same legal

rights as married couples. But there are concerns that Guernsey is

still lagging behind when it comes to updating its laws. Nafisa Sayani

reports. As a symbol of my love...

momentous occasion that all couples on Jersey can now enjoy. The law on

the island changed this month to allow same-sex couples have their

relationship legally recognised. Steven Edwards has spent years

campaigning for this and is delighted at Jenai is finally over

-- the journey is over. We are a very fair Ireland and the quality

is important to most people. I am pleased Jersey has stood by what I

thought it was. But it is still early days and there has been no

mad rush at the register office. have had people inquire who are

waiting for the Law to come in and they make contact or send an e-mail.

It is gradually building. But it is an opportunity that couples in

Guernsey still do not have and with the government lagging behind, some

say now is the time for action. is another rights issue and it is

something they need to address and direct their resources that because

I believe, in this day and age, that the right of the individual to

be able to conduct they affairs - might their affairs in whatever

manner they choose should be right up there on the agenda. Steven is

now looking forward to tying the knot with his partner of 16 years.

It might have been a long time coming but he says it is definitely

Two people arrested in connection with a serious assault on a man in

Guernsey have been released without charge. It follows an attack on a

man in a house on Mount Durand in the early hours of Tuesday. Another

man, who's 28, was arrested yesterday. The victim who had to be

rushed to hospital is recovering well according to the police. No-

one has been charged in relation to the incident.

Education, unemployment and housing. Just some of the big issues that

came up at Guernsey's first hustings meetings ahead of the

election in two weeks' time. And last night candidates in the West

and St Sampsons were put on the spot. Penny Elderfield reports.

They came, they listened, they questioned. A room of voters, a

panel of potential deputies wanting to represent their parish. And it

was the same out in the Western district as the candidates there

faced the public too. But back in St Sampsons, what were the big

issues for voters? Parking and social security. They have to sort

out this kerbside recycling for us. I would like to see the deputies do

more for the ordinary man on the street and less for finance.

then there were more of these. desperately-needed housing. What

would you be prepared to do to get something done about it? What

initiatives would you introduce...? A lot of the issues where issues

that were met on the doorstep. I think it achieved its objective.

But did the public agree? I am not going to vote for some people. I

think I have changed my mind. has opened up my mind to even more

and we can only vote for six. will ensure that young people use

their votes more. Out where stand- up north, these were the first of

many hustings across the island as the public is ready to pick

Guernsey's next government. The Jersey People's Choir was only

formed a few months ago but it is taking on a big event, the town

If it sounds professional that is because they have been practising

for the performance of their lives. The choir only formed a few months

ago but have had to learn a complex choral piece commissioned by the

BBC. It is called the passion and will be performed at this year's

Easter Mass. It involves the community as opposed to either

auditioned folk or people who have been in something for quite a while.

I think it is tremendous, basically, because the theme of the whole work

was for everyone. And it is for everyone. Require say they feel

confident and have a range of tactics to cope with nerves. We are

a big group and can hide a bit. Just practising a lot. A large,

deep breaths, I think! That is all The performance will be on Good

Friday. They hope it will be a mixture of raising their hearts to

And now I look at the Bank Holiday Did evening. I think we have dry

weather to look forward to and some sunshine. -- good evening. We see

some rain arriving on Easter Sunday and a change in wind direction over

the next three days. At the moment, we still have those north-east wins.

Some players died tonight for a while before we see more cloud from

By late morning and early afternoon, the son will be back out. Lighter

winds also say feeling quite a bit Any beach exposed to the north will

Not too bad for Saturday but it will cloud over on Sunday and maybe

a little light drizzle, especially late in the day. On Monday, we see

south-west wins and outbreaks of And finally, a wartime mine has

been detonated in Jersey. It was destroyed this afternoon after

being moved to Seymour Tower in Grouville Bay. The live shell was a

type used by the Germans during the Occupation. Bomb disposal experts