23/10/2013 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today. A multi`million pound scam involving

wine. Please arrest a woman and two men. Detectives said 200 people were

conned into spending money on wind it did not exist. Also, jailed for

life, the man who murdered his former landlord. And later on: Top

of the Pops, the girls aiming for number one as they raise money for

the Poppy appeal. Hundreds of people have been conned into investing in

what police are calling a wine scam operating out of the Thames Valley.

BBC South can reveal that a police investigation has been taking place

into a firm based in Milton Keynes. It claimed to be a high end Bordeaux

wine company, but police say the firm made three million pounds out

of selling wine that didn't exist. Some elderly people had invested

their life savings. Emma Vardy has this exclusive report. Raids were

carried out by Thames Valley Police early today, at two properties in

Essex. Officers arrested a 22`year`old man, a 23`year`old

women, and a 47`year`old man on suspicion of fraud and money

laundering. Police say a company called 'World Wide Wine Investments'

based in Milton Keynes, claimed to have been offering customers the

opportunity to invest in fine wine from Bordeax. The firm marketed

itself nationally, with advertisements in the the Telegraph,

and had printed brochures and a website. Investigating officers say

the company had been carrying out its business from rented space in

this office block in Milton Keynes. They say many victims were elderly,

and had been cold`called by the firm and persuaded to invest. It was

sophisticated in that they set up a scheme whereby the wine was being

imported from France and people invested in it before it was

bottled, which meant people had a long wait before they realised their

investment, and in that time the money was shipped out of the country

and they left the premises. In total, police say victims have lost

more than three million pounds, some paid out large sums from their

pension funds. The arrests are the first in what the police are calling

a serious financial fraud. Officers say they're now trying to trace the

large sums of money they believe World Wide Wine Investments made in

profits and suspect much of this has been transferred abroad. Officers

say the victims of this scam are spread all over the country, and

that more may yet come forward. A man wanted for evading millions of

pounds of tax in Germany has been arrested by a police community

support officer near Swindon. The PCSO stopped him in Cricklade

because he was suspicious of his car. Police then discovered a

European Arrest warrant had been issued for him. He's alleged to have

avoided paying more than four million pounds in tax. He will now

be deported. A man from Aylesbury has been sentenced to life in jail `

after shooting his former landlord with a crossbow. The Crown

Prosecution Service said Russell Gill carried out a clinical

execution when he killed Darrell Farnham at point`blank range at his

home in June. The two men were in dispute over a drugs debt. Peter

Cooke reports from Reading Crown Court. Described as a cold,

dangerous and evil man Russell Gill showed no emotion today as he was

found guilty of murdering Darrell Farnham. The victims family said

Gill had carried out the attack with calculation and precision leaving no

opportunity for self defence. The prosecution said he was an extremely

dangerous man who had come to hate Mr Farnham. Darrell Farnham bled to

death on his doorstep after being shot in the chest with a crossbow at

his home in Aylesbury in June. His killer, 42`year`old Russell Gill,

was a client, an amphetamine addict who owed Darrell Farnham ?6,000 for

drugs. He claimed the death was an accident, saying he'd only gone to

Farham's house on Belgrave Road to scare him. During the trial the jury

heard Gill feared being attacked by Farnham over the drugs debt. He

showed his nephew the crossbow saying he would get to Farnham

first. He has always maintained that he killed Mr Farnham, but he has

maintained that the crossbow went off accidentally, and that was

clearly not the case. The evidence showed that that did not happen, and

the jury saw through that. That night armed with the weapon, similar

to this one, he shot Farham at point blank range. Th 44`year`old victim

managed to pull the bolt out of his body and was found holding it in his

outstretched hand. Sentencing Russell Gill to life with a minimum

term of 24 years, the judge revealed Gill had two previous convictions

for possessing offensive weapons. He said regardless of any threats made

against him, Gill had no justification for the drastic steps

he took to end a life. He added 'you took that lethal weapon, pointed it

at his chest and killed him' . The campaign against a development of

student flats in Oxford has been told it can't challenge the plans in

court. Oxford University has built the flats opposite Port Meadow, but

today the Campaign to Protect Rural England asked the High Court for a

judicial review. That's been refused, but the university has

offered to do a voluntary environmental impact assessment. An

attempt is being made this evening to block the sale of an Oxford

shopping centre. The West Way centre in Botley is due to be sold to a

developer ` who wants to build a cinema, supermarket and student

accommodation. But opponents say the scheme is too large and out of

keeping with the area. Tonight the Vale of White Horse council will be

asked to stop the sale. Five tower blocks in Oxford have been earmarked

for multi`million pound improvements. The buildings haven't

had any major work done since they were built forty years ago.

Engineers have been surveying the buildings, and have needed some

special skills, as Charlotte Stacey reports. This really is life on the

edge. These specialist surveyors have been surveying this tower in

Cowley today to see what condition it is in. It is one of several tower

blocks being assessed for renovations. These ad sailors will

hopefully find out what the building facades are made of, how much

insulation is there and what we can do to improve the buildings for the

residents. `` at sailors. As well as this tower, they will be assessing

other towers. These buildings have not had a major refurbishment since

they were built in the 1960s, but now Oxford City Council has

allocated ?15 million to help improve them. More than 700 people

live in these buildings, and it is hoped the work will give these

buildings are a longer life span and make them a nicer place to live when

the refurbishment start in 2015. I feel light`headed looking at that. A

four`year old boy from Milton Keynes has become one of the first people

in the world to undergo a pioneering bone`marrow transplant technique at

Great Ormond Street Hospital. Doctors have said that the method

should help with donor shortages since it does not require a perfect

cell match. Helen Drew reports. Four year Mohammed Ahmed has waited four

years for a bone transplant. He has a weak immune system, as did his

sister who died before he was born. This is his only hope, otherwise he

will die. We haven't got a chance. The treatment was carried out as

part of the study at the great Ormond Street hospital. The key to

the new technique is that it allows use of cells that are not a perfect

match. That has applications beyond this study for other types of

leukaemia that are not treated with normal chemotherapy. For Mohammed

and his family, it has been a success. The hope is that this

technique will help with donor shortages so that children will not

have too wait years for life`saving operations. Football. All three of

our regions league sides were in action last night ` but Oxford

United were the only team to avoid defeat, as Swindon and MK Dons

slipped up at home. Ross Heaton rounds up the action. Undefeated at

the County ground since February, Swindon's home record is now over

after they came unstuck against Walsall. Goals either side of

half`time put the visitors on course for their win in Wiltshire. The

match was over as a contest when the second goal came with 12 minutes to

go. A late effort could not prevent stinging criticism from the boss.

The MK Dons tasted defeat on home soil for the first time this season

thanks to one of their former players. The only role of the game

came from him. In League Two Oxford United were held to a goalless draw

by Exeter. They failed to find a breakthrough but the major talking

point was the late dismissal of this man. Two of the stars of this

year's Strictly Come Dancing have been practising hard Swindon. ``

near Swindon. Former Bond girl, Fiona Fullerton, and her dance

parter, and one do Beck have been training at a dance studio near the

M4. It was fair because I did goof up, and I did not perform it as well

as I knew I could. I think the thing is, because I have been out of the

business for so long, the whole performing thing I find terrifying.

Fingers crossed she stays in the show. That's all from me for the

moment. More from me at 10.25. Now I'll hand you over to Sally Taylor.

it too fine. His defence team said the tanker was travelling too fast.

They said it was an accident in which no`one was seriously hurt, and

a prosecution was not proportionate. Still to come in this evening's

South Today: A miracle recovery for the former Saints footballer who was

fighting for his life just weeks ago. I was very close to dying.

There were decisions that had to be made which I cannot comprehend.

Former patients, distinguished surgeons from across the world and

hospital staff gathered at Romsey Abbey today to pay tribute to a true

unsung hero. Outside the medical profession, James Monro was little

known. Yet his skills as a heart surgeon saved the lives of

thousands, including many children. He was one of the key figures behind

the world`renowned children's heart unit at Southampton General

Hospital. Briony Leyland reports. The crowds were not for a

celebrity. " EU 's James Monro built a pioneering reputation. `` N 30

years James Monro. He did not just treat the problem or

the issue. He supported you in leading a completely normal life. He

helped me get into university. He also came to my wedding they see me

and was extremely supportive to my family. People will not appreciate

now that children's heart surgery was in its infancy when James Monro

started. To get all children through these complex operations and for

them to live was a remarkable achievement. The service heard how

he was totally dedicated to his job. You was also a devoted father

to his children. He was an amazing technician. He was

an important man. Everybody loved him. We were fortunate to have him.

James Monro died of prostate cancer in August. He had retired in 2004

able to look back on a career that had saved and changed thousands of

lives. I asked him did he miss it. He said he did not. He puts down his

scalpel on his 65th birthday. He felt he had done enough.

Portsmouth's game never made it to the second half thanks to the

extraordinary storm at Fratton Park. This was the scene pre match as the

game kicked off in dry conditions. By the time Wycombe took the lead

the rain was falling, and already the pitch was very wet. Billy Knott

with the goal and the slide. Portsmouth equalised right on half

time, Patrick Agyemang pouncing from close range. With the conditions

worsening the referee Lee Collins consulted both managers, but play

continued for another few minutes. But it was apparent from these

pictures just before the whistle for half time went that the conditions

were unplayable. Just after the players went off for half time more

lightning was seen in the sky, and then Fratton Park was subjected to

sweeping wind and rain as the match was officially postponed.

England's cricketers fly out later for this winter's tour of Australia

and the Ashes series. Hampshire batsman Michael Carberry will be

among the party. Another fine season with the bat has earned the opener

his place. Also on the plane former Hampshire team mates Chris Tremlett,

now with Surrey, and Kevin Pietersen.

Now to the remarkable story of the former Southampton academy player

who grew up playing alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Theo

Walcott but whose recovery from a life threatening illness is being

described as a miracle by doctors. In August, Kyle Critchell who was

playing for Weymouth Football Club, was diagnosed with a condition known

as Severe Sepsis. Months of rehabilitation lie ahead, but Kyle

is on the road to recovery and he's given his first interviews to the

BBC's Laurence Herdman. In 2005 precautions can sign up to

the youth team. But eight years later he faced his darkest hour. I

went to a training game. I had a sore back. The pain was terrible. We

called the paramedics. They gave me a lot of pain relief. Sepsis is

accounts for 37,000 deaths in the UK every year.

Very quickly he became dangerously ill. I asked my partner and brother

a few questions regarding am I dying? Doctors prepared his family

for the worst. He was in hiding tendency unit. It was a case of

whether he should go into life support. They tried three different

believing machines. `` believing. They were not expecting me to make a

full recovery. It has to be a minor miracle. I am so happy to see I have

come through it and hopefully I can live my life normally. Football

means everything to Kyle but whether he resumes at playing spell remains

to be seen. Now the focus is to get well and raise awareness of sepsis.

It is our wonderful story. As a teenager he kept an appeal out of

the academy team. `` Gareth Bale. Two Hampshire schoolgirls have been

chosen to perform on the British Legion's first ever charity single `

and it means they'll be singing in front of the Queen at the Festival

of Remembrance in November. Alice Milburn from Southsea, and Florence

Ransom from Petersfield competed against 1,000 other young hopefuls

to become part of a five`strong girl band. Their single will go on

general sale on November the 10th, but let's hear some of it for the

first time. They sing in the hope we will

remember them. It reminds you of them. You are singing for them.

Florence is the daughter of navy officer from Petersfield. But she's

also part of a five girl band, has a record deal and will sing in front

of royalty at the Festival of Remembrance. I do say to myself, I

am ten years old and I am recording an album and I am going to sing in

front of the Queen. Not many people get to do that.

She'll also be joined by 13`year`old Alice from Southsea. Like Florence,

she was chosen after an X Factor`style talent`spotting

competition by the Royal British Legion.

Every word the girls sing is personal, because only children

whose parents or siblings are in the Armed Forces could enter the

competition. Military children are part of the military culture. They

do not ask to be. They support people who have served four hours.

`` people who have served for all of us.

And on the day Alice and Florence stand up to sing in front of the

Queen, millions of people will be supporting, watching and

remembering. The single is called The Call (No

Need To Say Goodbye). You can hear it on the one show immediately after

this. Here is the weather.

Not uncommon to have a thunderstorm at this time of year.

It was an active band of thunderstorms. It was similar to the

storm we had on Saturday and Sunday. Is there more of this to come?

On Sunday night we could have more storms.

Fork lightning captured by Will Evans from Mudeford Quay in Dorset.

This shot of the lightning over Ryde on the Isle of Wight was taken by

Steve Wright. And Charlotte Sloman who is aged 14 took this photo as

the sky lit up in Hedge End. One or two showers. Most places

stayed dry. The winds will stay dry tonight. Still the possibility that

temperatures will fall away. I called start to the day tomorrow.

Winds will increase from the Southeast. Most places will stay

dry. Still a pleasant day. I dry start tomorrow night. A band of rain

pushing up from the South. Temperatures stay miles despite the

cloud and the rain. A wet start to the day on Friday. The front will

move North and East words. Strong south`westerly winds. Some showers

hit and miss. We will see sunny spells for the rest of the week.

Through the course of the week it will stay and settled. We are

expecting rain at times. Friday and very wet start to the day. The

Southwest. Wet and windy on Sunday. Now, what can you do with a pumpkin?

But what you might not think of doing is using it as a boat. But

that's just what Dmitri Galitzine, who's an artist, did in Portsmouth

today in one of the most bizarre world record attempts you're ever

likely to see. And tomorrow, he's hoping a pumpkin will carry him even

further ` all the way across the Solent in fact. Sean Killick watched

his record attempt. This giant pumpkin is not our goal.

This giant pumpkin is about. `` is a brought. This man wants to set a new

world record. It is impressive. He set of two beat

this three`minute target time. He paddled his pumpkin as if he were

being chased I ghosts. He soon crossed the line but was less than

three minutes? Two minutes .3 seconds. It was great. Pretty

tiring. I practised yesterday. We went on a straight line this time. I

am worried about ten. Tomorrow he will attempt his next

challenge. To cross the Solent. But for now he is happy to celebrate

success with pumpkin soup. That is what we will be talking

about tomorrow. Good luck. Let us hope he does not

sink. Good night.