17/06/2014 BBC Oxford News

following a breakthrough in relations. --

The arson attack that left two children dead, a court hears

from a key witness as a wom`n stands trial for their murder.

We meet the mum of nine testing a project to improve

Could these floods have been prevented?

A report says poor river mahntenance may have been to blame.

And family donation, the student saved thanks to

A jury's heard how a woman was "hell`bent and lad"

as she travelled towards a house which was later burnt in an

Fiaz Munshi is accused of their murder in 1997.

Five men were convicted of killing the children in 0998

A year later, Fiaz's sister Riaz Munshi w`s

Today, the jury heard from one of the men who travelled as part of a

group of men and women to the house in Oxford where this arson `ttack

took place. Sunder Khutan told the court that he told the court that he

thought he was going to Oxford to beat someone up. He said thd other

men in the group were like his brothers and often went on lissions

like this. They dropped off at a petrol station on the way and a red

jerry can was filled with pdtrol. Once the cars arrived in Oxford he

said that Fiaz Munshi pointdd out the house. One of the other men

said, the lights are still on, let's give a while. When asked wh`t her

mood was like,, he said, shd was erratic, like a psychopath. He went

on to say she said that she would make sure the house got burned down.

He said he was sparked some way away from the house and it was sdt alight

and he was unaware of what had taken place. He then said that he

travelled back in two separ`te cars to Hertfordshire with the rdst of

the group, based on the way and discussed what had happened. He told

the court that two of the mdn had singed eyebrows and smelt of petrol.

They were laughing, he said. Sunder Khutan broke down in tears when he

told the court he had spent his life trying to get over what had

happened. I had tried to forget about it, smoking and drinkhng. I

was told to move on with my life 16 years ago, but 16 years latdr, the

police knocked on your door and ask you to remember everything. Fiaz

Munshi denies two counts of murder and the trial continues.

Police say they're becoming increasingly concerned about

a 14 year old boy who's gond missing from his home in Buckingham.

Steven Tiffin was last seen by a relative wearing jeans

He has links to Aylesbury, Lilton Keynes, Oxford and Northamptonshire.

An intensive parenting course that's helped vulnerable families

in Oxfordshire is to be offdred to new parents in Buckinghamshhre.

The ReConnect service was sdt up to support mothers

and fathers struggling with mental health problems,

Course leaders say it's vit`l to develop a healthy bond

It is not easy bringing up one child, but how about bringing up

nine? Logan is the latest addition to this household in Blackbhrd

leads, as the mother Tina f`ced a custody battle for her children she

needed support and sign up to the ReConnect programme. If you have got

a screaming child having a tantrum, it is

a screaming child having a tantrum, it easy to think the child hates you

and you are not doing a good job. The course teaches you to sde it

differently, to think, why hs it having a tantrum and how can I solve

it. As well as one`to`one stpport, parents are invited to group

sessions. ReConnect was launched on a small scale in Oxfordshird but has

had a make `` big events. They are able to respond sensitively when a

child is in distress, or evdn crucially when a child looks like he

is a cable underneath they `re suffering. This psychologist has

written a book about the wax that children are brought up. Parents who

are angry and harsh and forceful for their children are likely to set up

aggressive behaviour problels. Helping parents to understand the

children so they can behave in a warm supportive way is likely to

help the child avoid developing difficulties. The ReConnect project

is now being extended by thd NHS trusts to families in

Buckinghamshire. The backlog of dredging and

maintenance work on our watdrways must be sorted out by the government

to prevent future flooding. That's what the Environment,

Food and Rural Affairs Commhttee is calling for in its report on

Winter Floods. The study, released today, says

the situation in the Thames Valley may not have been so bad if the

river had been better sustahned Our reporter Helen Catt has been

reading the report and joins me now. On a beautiful sunny day like today,

it's hard to imagine that jtst four months ago significant parts

of Oxfordshire And that's sort

of what this report is saying. MPs have said that throwing money

at clear`ups is all very well but actually the priority should be

protecting communities from being It says that when it comes to

routine maintenance to do that, like clearing rubbish out of rivers,

the bare minimum is being done at the moment and that if more had

been done, the Thames Vallex might Anecdotal evidence we heard said

that had there been regular dredging over the period of time of the last

15 to 20 years, not just thd last three or four years, then it would

have had quite dramatic imp`cts on resisting flooding in this last is

of winter floods. A lot of farmland in Oxfordshire

was flooded, does the report These pictures are from a vhsit the

Prime Minister made to Tim Hook s Mr Hook told us that the dalage

done here cost him ?50,000. In this report,

MPs acknowledge that, when budgets are tight, farlland is

often sacrificed to save towns. It says the government needs to

re`examine its policies to recognise What is currently being dond

to stop more flooding? Many hopes for Oxford are bding

pinned on building the Western Conveyance Channel which is

the big trench which would divert water around Oxford and efforts

continue to get that funded. However, this report

from MPs does suggest refoctsing money from big engineering projects

to routine maintenance. Meanwhile, the Environment @gency

says it's spending ?2 million this year in maintenance on rivers

in the Thames Valley. The cost of improving Didcot's

railway station's been incrdased by over ?1 million

after engineers discovered `sbestos Work on the project started in April

2012. The improvements aim to makd

the site safer for cyclists, The station revamp is now

costing more than ?8 million. Researchers from Oxford University

say they've made a breakthrough in developing smart glasses

for people with severe sight loss. The glasses are connected to

a camera Here's our

Health Correspondent Adam Brimelow. Directly in front of you,

we have a chart with letters. Lyn Oliver has

a progressive eye disease which I could tell there is something

on it. But I can't see anything to

tell me what letters they are. It's thought in the UK therd are

nearly 2 million people with a slight problem which seriously

affects their daily lives. Most, though,

have at least some residual sight. Researchers at Oxford University

have developed to enhance this using They are fitted with

a specially adapted 3`D camdra. The images are processed

and projected onto the lensds so people and objects nearbx become

bright and clearly defined. If you're walking around,

you're able to navigate doorways, see hazards on

the floor that might trip you up. People have commented how they have

seen their guide dog for the first time, or seen

their limbs or things around them. Just like cool sunglasses,

aren't they? This new prototype provides

the clearest images yet. Soon the surroundings

are coming into focus. Oh, there they are!

Lovely. Even since we've been

down this corridor, it's improved. So, I'm just standing here

talking and not thinking. The researchers are confident

in time they can be made Eventually, they say,

they could be available for the cost of a mobile phone, saving the NHS

millions by preventing falls. One

of the UK's most recognisable screen actors has spoken of the sphn`off

economic and tourism benefits for Damien Lewis is currently working

on a BBC television adaptathon of Hilary Mantel's novels,

Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies. He's playing Henry VIII

in the drama, filming at Every time a film crew comes

into a region, we bring a crew of, And we use the hotels

and the local shops, etc, etc, etc. It's good thing,

it's just a little boost. Finally, an East Oxford's couple's

bizarre attempt to fill a World Cup sticker album with

their own drawings of players has Alex and Sian Pratchett beg`n

their sketches of players on the opening day of the World Cup

and aim to finish by the final. Here's England's midfield dto

of Gerrard and Lampard. There's more on our website,

bbc.co.uk/oxford. I'll have the headlines at 8pm

and a full bulletin at 10.24pm. serious impact on communitids and

the environment. Gatwick Airport the environment. Gatwick Airport

and boost the economy by ?40 and boost the economy by ?40

billion. Still to come, and Napoleonhc fort

defending the coast from thd French. Now a stylish hotel, we visht

Spitbank Fort. A ski instructor claims that he is a

victim of racism and protectionism by the French authorities. Simon

or go to jail after they sax he or go to jail after they sax he

taught without a licence. Hd has been working in the French @lps for

14 years, but the French authorities 14 years, but the French authorities

will not recognise his qualifications.

Simon Butler has been instrtcting for more than 40 years. But in

on the slopes and told that he was on the slopes and told that he was

teaching a legally. All this despite the fact that he has the highest

level of British qualificathon that you can get.

want British or other citizdns to want British or other citizdns to

the French market. Simon Butler has the French market. Simon Butler has

parties. parties.

It comes after a French judge said that he was teaching a legally. He

was sentenced to 200 days in jail or a ?24,000 fine.

and I work in France. But it does and I work in France. But it

The story is not uncommon. @ police The story is not uncommon. @ police

`` a BBC journalist was arrdsted in France.

I had to show my documents. I had to explain that I was just an

assistant. Simon Butler has been told that he

is operating illegally. His latest appeal could take three years to go

to the courts. Meanwhile, hd walked continued to work for the btsiness,

using instructors with the same qualifications as him.

Holidays are meant to be melorable, but for Aidan Sheikh`Husseyhn, a

trip to Turkey turned out to be unforgettable for the wrong reasons.

The Dorset student picked up an infection that lead

failure. He is recovering from a failure. He is recovering from a

transplant after his father donated one of his kidneys.

Father and daughter looking forward Father and daughter looking forward

to a life that could have bden very to a life that could have bden very

different. Two years ago, Ahdan Sheikh`Husseyin recognise something

was very wrong. I went to the toilet and thdre were

bubbles in your room. After a while, I went to the doctors and took a

European sample. My GP said that I had to go to the hospital now. `` a

medical sample. He had E. Coli.

pool. I was put on antibiothcs. pool. I was put on antibiothcs.

had to 12 months to find a latch. had to 12 months to find a latch.

His father stepped in. He said that his kidney function had

reduced, and if he did not get a kidney within a year, he wotld have

to go onto dialysis. He did not even let me finish my sentence.

He volunteered straightaway. After six months of testing, he had

the transplant. It happened very quickly.

We have always been close, but it We have always been close, but it

has brought us closer. It is now six has brought us closer. It is now six

weeks since the operation, `nd he is weeks since the operation, `nd he is

outside again playing with his daughter.

A life made possible thanks to the gift from his father.

It will be very important to note that he has provided for our family.

Building extensions can takd months to complete, but today the council

has provided an extension to one of its properties like no other. In a

first for the city, a crane made the preview rooms built. The idda is to

help those tenants who might otherwise have to leave thehr home.

received by the Queen today. received by the Queen today.

But a more low`key visit from China has been taking place in thd South.

Chinese journalists are touring schools in the UK, starting in a

boarding school in Sussex for children with special educational

needs. Tourists visiting a school. But

these are Chinese journalists, on a tour to see UK's independent

?27,000, but most of the boxs have ?27,000, but most of the boxs

learning difficulties, and the learning difficulties, and the

will be positive. We hope that we will be positive. We hope that we

Kong and China, because thex will Kong and China, because thex will

know that we are a highly specialised school for children who

Independent schools already have Independent schools already have

many Chinese students. Wellhngton College or `` even has its own

special garden and has opendd a sister school in Beijing. Vhew

schools in China have speci`list schools in China have speci`list

learning support like this hn learning support like this hn

Swindon. Today's visitors wdre very impressed, but others were keen

import skills rather than export import skills rather than export

their students. We can organise students and parents

to visit the school and learn from the headmaster. We might nedd to try

schools in the UK and then learn schools in the UK and then learn

from each other in this are` for special education.

cricket. The sun has shone on in cricket. The sun has shone on in

James Vince all season. Gre`t prospects for him. Second`bdst score

in the country today. Very impressive. He has become the first

player this season to get 1000 runs. This morning, he had 154, and got a

double century before lunch. It is a record partnership. Will Smhth

scoring 151 not out. Essex were dismissed for 134. These

side are to the top of division two tonight.

Yorkshire batting in reply to Sussex's first innings. At the close

of day two, a 208`3. There was an extra half`hour. Read,

they bowled out. I have 21 to chase tomorrow.

A Hampshire gymnast has been named for the England squad for the

Commonwealth Games. Kelly Shm has been called up. She lives in

Whyteleafe. She is 19. Prepare yourself for the publication

next season. There are road trips next season. There are road trips

for Oxford, Swindon and Bournemouth. MK Dons will host Wimbledon.

One in and one out at Portslouth. Sonny Bradley has joined Cr`wley

Town. Craig has arrived at Fratton Park. He has signed a two`ydar deal.

a tall of his new working a tall of his new working

environment. He was shown at the plans for completion of the ?30

million complex. He will hold his million complex. He will hold his

first press conference at the beginning of July. He is already

eager to get on with the job. He has got two weeks holiday, but he is

straight to work. Here is a list. The sterling cable building and the

Princess Meads shopping centre. Hate it.

Littlehampton's East Beach cafe I love it.

That was your verdict when we asked you about landmarks.

Yes, we have been to one buhlding to Yes, we have been to one buhlding to

show that radical design is not confined to modern architecture

The thing about doing a serhes on buildings is that they are dasy to

find that they are land`basdd. There is one incredible building hn the

south that is located offshore. Spitbank Fort, built to defdnd us

But after an investment of nearly ?4 But after an investment of nearly ?4

million, it is now a hotel. It is the most expensive pl`ce that

you have ever seen. Everythhng was handbuilt here on the fort,

handcrafted. That is the lovely thing. Everything is person`l.

The Fort was the most expensive defensive system built by Britain,

named after the then Prime Linister who was paranoid that a French

invasion was imminent. It h`d 9 2 and a half inch cannons, but after

the decommissioning, they ndver `` but throughout its use and

decommissioning, it did not fire a shot. It was part of the defence

during the World War I. 200 men were stationed here, packed

duty. in and marooned for their tour

Conditions were dirty and spualid Conditions were dirty and spualid

but self`contained. As you light expect `` expect, they do not have

There is a well 400 feet into the There is a well 400 feet into the

sea bed. The water is not h`rd like sea bed. The water is not h`rd like

the mainland water in Hampshire the water is soft. Which means that

Spitbank Fort is stealing French water.

It is an ancient monuments `nd it even has its own ghost, of ` man who

The brick is stunning. We h`d an The brick is stunning. We h`d an

institute of bricklayers here and institute of bricklayers here and

they were astounded about the quality. Each of these bricks in the

archways are on an angle and they are done by hand. Some of the bricks

have nine angles on them. The hotel is cost thousands to rent

exclusively, but can cater for 0 people. Like this birthday party.

used to work nearby. I have never used to work nearby. I have never

been on it. You are French. We were meant to

defend against you? I know, but nothing is impossible. Over the last

response about the best and worst response about the best and

buildings. Get in touch with us on our Facebook

page or by e`mail and tell ts what is wonderful all wonderful. We look

at every single post and we could be at every single post and we could be

coming to your area to take a closer look at you or Cassells.

And we have some beautiful weather photographs.

And we have still got some lovely evening sunshine. It looks like the

cloud will come through frol the North. There will be some p`tchy

drizzle. The cloud will spill in from the North.

We will have a double figurds. Lows of 13 or 14 degrees. There will be

dampeners, we will see a bit of a grey start. Warm air over Scotland

today moving gradually southwards. Through the course of tomorrow,

after a grey and damp start, things will dry out and improve into the

afternoon. Brighter spells developing and sunshine on offer.

Temperatures around 21 or 22 Celsius. The showers will bd around

anywhere. If the showers fade away. Tomorrow night looking largdly dry.

We will see a view clear spdlls tomorrow. Temperatures around 1

degrees. As we look ahead to Thursdax, there

are high pollen levels. Thex could get up to very high on Thursday It

will be another warm day on Thursday. Good sunny spells. It

could be a warm week. Temperature wise, 22 or 22 degrees Celshus.

but still feeling warm. Thursday a but still feeling warm. Thursday a

bit more in the way of brightness. We start to lose that warm `ir mass

as we head towards Friday. Things will they settled as we go to the

weekend. Police stopped a motorist weekend. Police stopped a motorist

during 100 miles an hour on the during 100 miles an hour on the

motorway, only to find a wolan in the advance stages of labour being

driven to hospital by her f`ther. The baby was delivered, surrounded

by police vehicles. She was then by police vehicles. She was

taken to the hospital. Police say taken to the hospital. Police say

that they will not take any action about the speeding. That is it from

us. Good night.