09/08/2017 BBC News at Six

Tonight at Six: The Newcastle network who groomed,

drugged and raped young girls and women over a four-year period.

Seventeen men and one woman, mostly of Asian descent,

Despite the abuses they've suffered, the victims have demonstrated great

bravery in recounting their experiences in court.

Operation Sanctuary relied on evidence from an informant,

a convicted child rapist who was paid ?10,000 -

There are dangerous men behind bars and vulnerable people protected,

that would not have been the case if we had not used that informant.

This isn't the first abuse network that's been exposed.

Threats and counter-threats from President Trump

First time in court for five men charged over

The financial crash that changed our lives.

Ten years on, the couple who are still rebuilding their lives.

We have cash and cash only and that's that.

if we can't afford it, we don't have it.

And the women's Rugby World Cup is underweight in Dublin with a win for

the defending champions, England, a defeat for Wales and the host nation

And coming up in athletics on Sportsday, we look at all the action

on the fourth day of these championships with five more gold

medals to be one. Good evening and welcome

to the BBC News at Six. 17 men and one woman have been

convicted of sexual exploitation Most of the men were from Pakistani,

Indian and Bangladeshi backgrounds. The convictions are the result

of Operation Sanctuary. Controversially, Northumbria Police

paid ?10,000 to a convicted child rapist for information that helped

to expose this network of abuse. Our correspondent Fiona Trott has

been following this case. Guilty of causing girls and women

serious harm, court as part of Operation Sanctuary, one of the

biggest sexual exploitation investigations in the north of

England. Almost 100 perpetrators have already been convicted.

117-year-old was raped at a party session organised by local men. It

is a familiar story. I woke up in the morning, the wardrobe was pushed

up against the door. Her police interview was played to the court.

To protect her identity we have asked actors to read what she said.

He had had sex with us while I was asleep. I am still a bit confused

about it. How did you feel when he told you he had done that to you?

Dirty, confused. How many sessions have you been to? About 60. It is in

houses like these were the sessions took place. Victims were given drink

and drugs and were unable to defend themselves against sexual abuse. But

in 2013 two of them came forward. One had been trafficked from a

children's home, the other had learning difficulties. It started a

long and complex investigation. Controversially officers recruited a

convicted child rapist as an informant. He was paid around

?10,000. It is not an easy decision, it is a decision we have had to

wrestle with ourselves. What I can categorically state sitting here

today, there are dangerous men behind bars now and vulnerable

people protected that would not have been the case had we not used that

informant. What beggars belief is the decision to cross this child

protection line about employing a child rapist. Most of the

perpetrators were from Pakistani, Indian or Bangladeshi backgrounds.

This city councillor says leaders from all faiths should re-educate

local men to stop similar exploitation in the future. People

should not be telling the Asian community had to live their lives or

what to do. It is like saying to the white community we should be talking

about what Jimmy Savile bid. We should not do that. However, there

is an opportunity to talk about issues on a regular basis about the

rights of women and it is important to use religion, like Islam, to

educate some of these people. The chief executive of Newcastle City

Council says a serious case review is being carried out but it is

not the only authority with problems of this kind. We do not believe that

what we have uncovered in Newcastle is unique. There has been evidence

of similar offending in many other towns and cities. We believe that

any area that says it does not have a problem is simply not looking for

it. It has been a long and traumatic journey for the victims, but their

evidence has helped jail four perpetrators. The rest are due to be

sentenced next month. People will be thinking shock at

paying a criminal for information. The police paying informants for

information is controversial. There is nothing new and out of the

ordinary of it, police in England and Wales have paid about ?20

million to convicted felons in return for information that might

prevent crime. That in this case there was another question. This was

a convicted rapist who was put in proximity with young women who were

being groomed for sex. Many people might feel more uneasy about that.

It is also indicative of a determination by the police and

authorities to show they will do what it takes to get results in

these really very difficult cases. There have been dozens of grooming

gang cases and the authorities have been under pressure to do more

because of suggestions they had not done enough because they were

worried about a backlash of racism. Police officers are routinely

briefed on how to spot this kind of abuse, who the victims are, where it

will take place, types of grooming behaviour. Prosecutors are advised

that victims might not believe they are victims because they are so

controlled by their abusers. These are hard cases to prosecute and what

we are seeing today is a sign that authorities are getting convictions

because they are better at identifying these victims.

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has visited the Pacific

island of Guam after North Korea threatened to strike the US

territory which is home to a major American military base.

It follows remarks from President Trump in which he said

North Korea would face what he called fire and fury

Here's our North America correspondent Nick Bryant.

A far of American air post in the tropical waters of the western

Pacific now finds itself at the centre of a dangerous stand-off.

This is Guam, the site this summer of US military exercises, American

territory, that North Korea says now could be in the firing line. The

warning was delivered on North Korean state TV. The chilling

headline, Guam could be targeted by its medium to long range rockets. It

came hours after President Trump had threatened Pyongyang with some of

the most incendiary rhetoric used by an American president in decades.

North Korea best not make any more threats to the United States. They

will be met with fire and fury like the world has never seen. And more

tough talk on Twitter this morning. My first order was to renovate our

nuclear arms strength and it is now stronger and more powerful than ever

before. Hopefully we will never have to use it, but they will never be a

time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world. The US

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson used more soothing language. He said

the island faced no imminent threat and Americans should sleep well at

night. The president in sending a message to North Korea in language

they will understand because they do not understand diplomatic language.

Why would they target Guam? It is over 2000 miles away from Pyongyang,

but is a strategic hub for the US military in the Pacific. Home to

6000 troops on two military bases with a population of 160,000. This

American paradise is being disturbed. The first thing that

comes to mind immediately first word is my family. I am not nervous, I am

confident in our military capability. With the rhetoric at

such a perilous pitch, there is a danger most sides become captive to

their own tough words, that they'd talk themselves into a more serious

confrontation. Five men, including former

senior police officers, have appeared in court for the first

time to face charges in connection The men were charged in June,

28 years after 96 people died as a result of the crush

at the FA Cup semi-final between Our correspondent Judith

Moritz was in court. Many of the families who lost loved

ones at Hillsborough have become close over the last 28 years. Today

they were together again in court to see those charged in connection with

the disaster and its aftermath. This is the chief constable of two police

forces and the families stood outside the Magistrates' Court

building as the former officer walked inside. This was the company

secretary and safety officer at Sheffield Wednesday football club in

1989. 96 Liverpool fans died as a result of the crash at the ground

when the terraces became overcrowded at an FA Cup semifinal. Nearly three

decades later prosecutions are under way. Mr Mackrell is charged with

breaching health and safety and safety as was ground legislation.

Two senior police officers and a solicitor are accused of perverting

the course of justice by amending witness statements in the wake of

the disaster. Sir Norman Bettis and is charged with misconduct in a

public office, accused of telling lies about his involvement in the

aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans. The five men

sat in a row inside the glass walled dork of the court. They all

indicated they denied the charges they are accused of. A former

commander faces the most serious charges, 95 counts of gross

negligence and manslaughter. He did not appear in court today because

prosecutors must apply to lift an existing court order. The men were

always on bail and they will appear at Preston Crown Court next month.

Six French soldiers have been injured, two of them seriously,

after a car was driven into them whilst they were on patrol in Paris.

Counter terror police shot, wounded and arrested a man

Our correspondent Jonny Dymond is in Paris.

Paramedics swarm around injured soldiers.

Just moments after a car ploughed into a military patrol.

Six soldiers were injured, three seriously, after the car,

waiting for the men, accelerated sharply and knocked them down.

Residents looked on as the emergency services went to work.

TRANSLATION: I heard a loud noise and I looked out my window,

I saw the ambulance and the fire engine arriving and I didn't go out.

It was a truly odious attack, said the neighbourhood mayor.

To target soldiers who were here to protect the French people.

After a morning of intense investigation, the operation

This is a quiet suburb, some distance from the bright lights

This morning's attack a reminder, if one were needed, that France

TRANSLATION: It's a problem for us French people

Even foreigners do not feel safe in France.

It ended with a hail of gunfire, the suspect's car brought

The country's long struggle with terror continues.

Two months on from the fire, the BBC has learnt that hundreds

of people affected by the Grenfell disaster have been referred

Officials say it is the UK's largest effort to deal with mental health

trauma. An estimated 80 people were killed in the fire in June and the

Met police believe there were 255 survivors.

Assemar Kedir lost her brother, sister-in-law, a niece and two

She's been speaking to our special correspondent Lucy Manning.

You've got the words to change a nation... You spent a lifetime in

silence in case you say something wrong. She could certainly sing.

This 12-year-old with a shy smile as the audience join in. Her voice

would be silenced by the Grenfell Tower. Her and watches with tears

the home videos she has shared -- her anti-watches with tears. Little

Yacob full of life in the flat where he would die with his sister, his

brother, mum and dad. His small body yet to be identified. The

six-year-old, his sister and their 13-year-old sibling loved to dance.

Their aunt gave these tributes. He was the most intelligent, wise,

elegant person I ever knew. So talented, so kind and humble. Might

most pure hearted, handsome sweet nephew. He was a very energetic,

lively boy. He loved to dance and joke around. Assema wants to bury

the family together but eight weeks and there can be no funeral. Waiting

this long for them to be identified, to bury them and have some type of

closure. Two months on and those connected to ground fell still bear

a terrible toll. The BBC has learned more than 500 people have been

referred for mental health assessments, nearly 100 of them

children. And having panic attacks and having trouble sleeping. When

you usually have a support network that will help you get through these

times but a lot of these people that you would normally rely on are in

the same trouble as you are. And with only 14 Grenfell Tower it

rehoused the council leaders still can't offer all the relief of

long-term housing. How long will it be until all these families are

permanently rehoused. I would say, it is difficult to answer that

question. Let me explain why. One month, two months? It is not from

lack of resources. It is not from lack of willingness. We are doing it

absolutely as quickly as we can. The judge leading the inquiry will write

to the Prime Minister this week to explain what it will cover. The

family of these children want the inquiry to look at not just how they

died and why the fire burned for so long, making identification so hard.

Lucy Manning, BBC News, West London. 18 minutes past six.

17 men and one woman have been found guilty of grooming,

drugging and raping vulnerable young girls and women in Newcastle.

Could there be a way back for the Botswana sprinter

banned from competing at the world championships?

And coming up in Sportsday on BBC News England's women open their

Rugby World Cup defence with a big win over Spain in Dublin. Wales are

thrashed by New Zealand. It's ten years since the start

of the global financial crash, the biggest banking crisis

since the great Depression. The meltdown, which came

about because banks had racked up massive mortgage-related

debts that customers eventually led to the collapse

of the American investment the nationalisation

of Northern Rock, the wider bank Our business correspondent

Emma Simpson's been speaking to those affected

by the crash about how they've had Two very different tales of jobs

lost and lives gradually remade. London's Canary Wharf, workers

leaving with whatever they could carry. Mass lay-offs after Lehman

Brothers collapsed. You think you've made it, think you've got a great

job and then your whole life is pulled from under you. Jennifer

Duthie had been there only six days as a graduate trainee. She still has

the e-mails. But now she is her own boss swapping finance for footwear.

My entire life up until then had been focused on getting myself set

up for the best possible career. That got completely taken away and

it was going to be starting again from scratch. The ripple effects

were felt far and wide as the recession quickly followed. This

time last year did you ever imagine you would be in this situation?

Definitely not. I thought I would be here for the rest of my life.

Unbelievable. Nine years ago I met Winfields in Stoke, their home was

repossessed. Steve lost his job as a kitchen fitter and debts were piling

up. Today things are looking different. Dianne is now a chef and

Steve is working as well. It's not easy, nine years have not been easy

at all, there have been ups and downs but I think finally now we can

see the light at the end of the tunnel. What lessons have you

learned? We use cash only and if we don't have the cash we don't have

it. If we can afford and we don't have it. We don't even talk about

it, we know what we can afford and we can't and if we can't that's the

end of the question. Older, stronger... Why definitely. Food for

thought perhaps for many households today. Emma Simpson, BBC News,

Stoke. On the World Athletics Championships

now, and the controversy around the decision to bar the Botswana

sprinter Isaac Makwala from competing in the 200 metres

heats because he was supposed to be quarantined for

a norovirus infection. Officials have now decided

to allow him to take part in a time trial to see if he can

compete after all. Natalie Pirks is at

the London Stadium. Natalie, this is an extraordinary

turnaround. What is the latest? George, this tale keeps getting

stranger. This morning I interviewed him at his hotel. He set his heart

was broken, he was on the verge of tears. Then this afternoon a

reprieve. His official incubation period ended out 2pm and following

an appeal by the Botswana Federation and a medical, the IAAF said he

could run in a time trial in the next 20 minutes. If he gets through

you make the semifinals and he'll be running in lane seven. He must go

and 20.53 seconds, something he is perfectly capable of but where will

his mindset be. And does this set a precedent for other athletes in a

similar situation? The IAAF said this morning, there's nothing we

want more than extraordinary competition in these championships

and this situation certainly is extraordinary. A site of a man about

to run on his own in front of thousands of people in the lane.

Natalie, thank you. The new football Premier League

season gets under way this weekend. Spending by British clubs

is expected to exceed ?1 billion for the first time ever this summer,

but the league's chief Executive says the rate of

commercial growth has peaked. It is back with the help of some

famous faces the Premier League launched the countdown to the start

of the new season today and amid the hype talk of the lengths clubs are

going to do in the pursuit of glory. Chelsea, the champions, have spent

?125 million on players this summer, even their manager is surprised by

the amount spent. The money is amazing but it is important to

improve our sport and quality because we need to win the com

petition. The club knows very well what my opinion is on this issue.

These are just some of the big-money signings Premier League clubs has

splashed out on this summer with a total of more than ?1 billion set to

be spent. For the first time the Premier League season will kick off

on a Friday night, at the Emirates Stadium when Arsenal take on

Leicester City. With the transfer window open until the end of the

month the spending spree is set to continue in a way never seen before.

Gary and Allen like the rest of us looking forward to a new season with

a new league. 25 years ago was the first Match Of The Day of the

Premier League era and since then ever more lucrative broadcast rights

have transformed spending power but will it continue. When the Premier

League began in 1992 with our turnover and where it is now, ?40

million then, ?3 billion then, if you compound that growth you can't

see the next 25 years having that same level of growth. What I can see

is reasonably sustainable growth which will allow the teams to

continue to grow and invest. With newly promoted clubs alongside some

familiar faces the Premier League is set for its latest chapter, the

challenge to maintain the drama and the interest that has made its first

quarter of a century so lucrative. Dan Raonic BBC News.

England's women began the defence of their Rugby World Cup title today

They weren't the only sides in action though -

all 12 teams in the competition play today, with home nations Wales

Beats and brass welcome the World Cup to Ireland.

For fans flying in, a chance to soak up the early

And England, defending champions, the world's best side,

soon had Spain dancing to their tune.

In less than a minute, Megan Jones marked her

England for now are the tournament's only fully professional side.

Ten tries under their belts, England found themselves on the right side

A successful defence of their title would see England cap a summer

of sport that has seen Johanna Konta become the first British woman

in 39 years to reach the semi-finals of Wimbledon,

England's women win the Cricket World Cup,

and the women's football team only stopped in the semis

of the European Championship by the eventual winners.

We have obviously been following how fantastic women's sport has

So we're inspired by that and all the messages of support

we have been having from home, it really helps us and really

For Wales, no dream start against a formidable opening prospect.

The Black Ferns on the battlefield and in rampaging, ruthless form.

44-12 the score, two Welsh tries not enough.

For home supporters watching on, Welsh disappointment was simply

the warm-up act as Ireland prepares to enter its own World Cup and rally

Just over half an hour before Ireland face Australia in Dublin. It

should be an entertaining match, Ireland semifinalists from the last

World Cup, Australia the Olympic Rugby Sevens champions. England go

away to prepare to face familiar foes Italy, but for Wales am afraid

their tournament doesn't get easier, for them next it's Canada,

runners-up in the next World Cup. Thank you.

For many of us the weather looked like this today, in Orkney and

Cornwall, look at the scene in Saint I've is. You are probably looking on

with envy if you spend your day in East Anglia of the South East

because the radar reveals it has been drenched, torrential downpours

drifting very slowly through with the odd flash of lightning. The odd

rumble of thunder, could be some travel disruption or further

localised flooding before the rain clears overnight. Then we will be

left with clear spells and it will be quite a chilly might particularly

in the countryside, Northern and western areas, maybe all the way

down to between four and seven Celsius. The cool start but a bright

one tomorrow and with this bulge of high pressure building it means we

are going to have brighter prospects, particularly in the

south-east, compared with today, early rain across parts of Kent,

that should clear smartly and then we should see sunshine, a bit of

cloud bubbling up into the afternoon, maybe patchy rain into

the far north-west of Scotland, generally a fine day. Temperature is

nothing to write home about four August, but with sunshine and light

winds they won't feel bad and tomorrow decent for getting out and

about all the notice of rain up towards the north-west, that's

Friday, band of rain working in from the West, heavy rain in the west,

east Anglia and the South East dry for most of the day, gusty winds

into the far north-west, 16-21d, but might not bode well for the weekend

but it should be mainly dry then with spells of sunshine.