03/07/2014 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

The man accused of killing ` Didcot teenager talks

about his own troubled childhood as his defence begins in cotrt.

Could a new Oxford United ground be built on this field to repl`ce

175 years of Henley's Royal Regatta, we assess if the event helps local

And later on, life after thd landslip, nearly five months after

this happened and people ard still living in temporary accommodation.

The man accused of murdering Didcot teenager Jayden Parkinson h`s told

a jury he loved her and never intended to kill her.

22 year old Ben Blakeley told Oxford Crown Court he grabbdd his

girlfriend's neck with two hands for seconds then she fell off a bridge.

He admits killing her but denies murder.

Victoria Cook was in court and joins us now.

Victoria, what more did Ben Blakeley say about

Ben Blakeley told the court that they had met up that afternoon

because Jayden Parkinson had told him she was pregnant. He had bought

pregnancy test. When they mdt up, she said she was not pregnant. She

then travel to and area in Didcot, where they often went to thd

Internet together and smoke cannabis. Once there, they started

kissing and undressing. The QC said, is that when things changed? Yes,

she said. I asked if she was lying about that dude, she looked down and

then I grabbed her. Ben Blakeley explained to the jury that he

wrapped her around the thro`t seconds before she fell over the

bridge and fell into some mtd, he tried to revive her by pressing on

her chest and blowing into her mouth, but was unsuccessful. At this

point in court, he broke down in the witness box and several members of

Jayden Parkinson Mac family left the court in tears. And the jurx heard

about his troubled childhood? He described how his father be`t him

regularly, wanted to leave him at the hospital when he was born, and

used to pick up by the thro`t. He said, one of my first is hil coming

into the room with a boot and hitting me, I was five or shx. By

the age of eight, he was sldeping with a knife under his pillow and by

the age of 11, he was taken into care. He said he wants saw his

family on a shopping trip once he had been taken away, and asked his

brother, why aren't I with xou? His brother replied, because yot are

evil. Ben Blakeley rip `` ddnies murder and the trial contintes.

Part of the M40 near Banbury is still shut this

The vehicle was carrying thhrty tonnes of straw and caught `light

at just before three o'clock this afternoon

It's caused delays of up to an hour for drivers at junction 11,

with traffic being diverted along the nearby slip road.

Police have arrested a man who escaped from a prhson

Ricardo Dunn had been serving a sentence for causing grievots bodily

harm with intent, at HM Sprhng Hill open prison in Grendon Underwood.

Another man also escaped from the same jail.

Darren Douglas was serving a life sentence for murder.

Officers say he shouldn't be approached if spotted.

Discussions have begun about plans to build a new stadium for Oxford

The leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Ian Hudspeth, has spoken to

representatives from the cltb about building on green belt land near

He says the existing Kassam Stadium could be sold off for housing.

Could this become the Oxford United's third ground

Land behind Water Eaton park and ride.

Nine miles further north from the clubs current home

The proposal's being supported by one

I want Oxford United to havd their own stadium in a good place

That's my purpose, it is obviously up to the consortium

and the owner as to who he wishes to sell to if he wishes to sell.

Well, supporters of the plan say it's becausd

of the transport links, with the Water Eaton park`and`ride, the A34

nearby, and the new Oxford Parkway train station just behind md.

But some feel the environmental consequences don't make sense.

It just seems crazy to knock down one building and put it somdwhere

else, and build on the land where that one building was, can't we just

keep that building and then look at whether the other land that's being

proposed is suitable for housing instead?

Something appreciated by Cotncillor Hudspeth.

It is in the green belt and I understand the sensitivities around

that, we have to work with Cherwell district Council to see if they d

At the moment a number of dhfferent groups are looking to buy the club.

But they wouldn't be buying the stadium or surrounding land

as that would remain in the hands of Firoz Kassal.

However, tonight BBC South Today understands the proposed Water Eaton

development is being taken seriously by the club's current owners,

potential new owners and other senior politicians in the county.

A man's appeared in court accused of murdering a 60 year old lan

Tom Rogers was found by a cycle path near the town's

Jason Voong has been charged with stabbing and killing hhm.

The 27 year old is also acctsed of attempting to murder

He's due to appear at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow.

Tens of thousands of visitors travelled to Oxfordshire today

putting on a display of colourful club jackets, ties and flor`l

The 175th Royal Henley Regatta is underway.

The draw for many is the opportunity to watch rowers from

around the world battle it out on the water, but are the town's shops

In 1839, Henley hosted its first regatta. 175 years on, and the

competition on the water has grown in stature. This event attr`cts the

top Olympians. For the UK crews and from all over the world, it is the

Mecca. It is the race to race and they are so pleased to even be here.

The crowds do not disappoint either. Turning out in their hundreds of

thousands, it is these visitors and the cash they bring with thdm which

is such a vital injection for the local economy. It is thought as many

as half a million people cotld come to the Henley Regatta this xear The

question for local businessds is how many of those will leave thd river

bank, crossed the bridge into town and spend their hard earned money?

It is much easier for us to have our freshman is here and watch the

races. It is convenient to tse the catering here, but we will be dining

out in the town. We have had lunch here, we have tried all the

different bars, we have popped into town and have lunch today. Dither

way, it seems one unintended consequence of the strict dress code

might be boosting business for dressmakers at least. Our ctstom

yesterday and today has been women who have been turned away and need

to come out of the town and buy a dress because theirs is too short.

Despite the searing heat, short dresses cannot be forgiven `t

Henley. Isn't it those kind of archaic rules which are sceptical

coming back for so long? `` which have kept people coming back for so

long? Motorists caught flouting 20 miles

per hour speed limits in thd Thames Valley could escape having

penalty points added to Offending drivers will instdad be

offered the chance to compldte Police said the 20 miles per hour

limits have been ignored by some motorists in the St Giles

area of Oxford and they want to Traffic on the A43 is set to be

disrupted for the next thred days as the 50th British Grand Prix is

staged at Silverstone. It's a big weekend for thousands

of race goers and for the local Formula One tdams who

consider it their home race. BBC Radio Oxford's breakfast show

presenter has been training for the perfect pitstop with Enstone

based Lotus. A couple of seconds ago,

the place was swarming with people, All I had to do was take ond

nut off and put it back. Not sure if he'll be joining

the Lotus team any time soon! You can hear more from Phil's time

at Silverstone On BBC Radio Oxford's special British Grand Prix build up

show Blood Sweat and Tyres. It's live from Silverstone

tonight at 7pm, that's on 94.2FM. I'll have the headlines at 8

and a full bulletin at 10.24. Now more of today's stories

with Sally Taylor. aircraft will change that. Norwegian

certainly has ambitious plans. Still to come

in this evening's South Tod`y. Big hitting with a big star,

the Sussex and England all rounder showing the kids how it's done

at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl. Residents on the Isle of Wight

affected by large landslip say they still don't know when

their lives will return to normal. Part of the road along Undercliff

Drive near Ventnor ` an are` notorious for its instability `

dramatically collapsed in Fdbruary. The council and army helped

the residents of nine properties evacuate ` five months on,

some still can't return homd. The council will discuss repair

costs on Monday but Chrissy Sturt has been to

meet those affected. Baked dry under a hot sun today

but it was rain that destroxed this road.

After weeks of wet, Underclhff Drive fell apart in February.

Six months on, this road is still closed.

Five families whose homes are on the other side of that b`rrier

still cannot live in them and one business, a caravan park,

Gary's five`star holiday holes would normally be fully booked,

I am just landlocked now, I can't operate.

And children are not allowed on site, it is a building shte now.

It is spiralling me into more and more debt.

Retired couple Barbara and Peter are living here

They don't know if they will ever be able to return to their famhly home.

The thing that is holding us back is, our money is in the famhly

I said, it is an impossible situation at the moment,

we don't have any answers and no one seems to be able to help us.

Now residents want an independent investigation

into whether road works being carried out in the autumn dhrectly

Yes, we had an amount of rahnfall, I can't remember seeing rain

And that would exacerbate the situation.

It is just strange that where the work has been taking pl`ce there

Island Roads built or startdd to build this project.

They need to be held to account and the council are not looking

into the fact that they could be to blame for this.

We put these claims to Island Roads and the council but wd have

Work drawing up plans for a new super garrison on Salhsbury

But at the same time as mord troops prepare to return from Germ`ny to

Wiltshire, some of those already based there where today looking for

jobs after being made redundant in the last rounds of military cuts.

As Joe Campbell reports, a growing number are looking to stay

in the area rather than rettrn to the towns they signed up from.

This man is preparing to sax goodbye to the Army. He will not be bidding

farewell to Wiltshire. After 30 years, his wife has a job hdre and

employment prospects mean the family home in Yorkshire has been sold

ready for Wiltshire becoming bare lasting peace. It was going back 15

years when I first came herd, quite rural, now with the expansion of

Southampton, cruise liners, other expansions, it is a viable thing to

look at. In the past events like this were dominated by businesses

from far and away to look at. In the past events like this were dominated

by businesses from far and wide but even the national companies here

today are looking to build jobs locally. We are building a lassive

distribution centre. It is not just those hanging up their uniforms who

are altering the face of Wiltshire. This has long been the Army's main

training location so it was inevitable that many troops

returning from Germany would end up living here, some 4000 extr`

soldiers will be based here by 019 and it is expected accommod`tion and

new training facilities will inject around ?1 billion into the local

economy. We are planning for schools and health so it is all in the

planning. It is not here yet because the soldiers are not here ydt but it

will be. That will mean the Army and local authorities working together

in a way they have never done before to manage the change coming

Wiltshire's way. Another glorious day today with

the temperatures getting A great day to head for

the beach perhaps but with the main school holidays still weeks away

and most of us stuck in work, how Sean Killick is live in

Bognor Regis. I will be honest, I was expdcting

shorts and maybe a knotted handkerchief. You are a verx

sartorial in a jacket. That was this afternoon, it is the cocktahl hour

just now. You mentioned the school holidays, either never add ` child

once July arrive, that psychological barrier was breached, I could almost

Melba seaweed. At the moment it is not just the children getting

excited, but also the traders. The weather today was very much good for

a screen but when it comes to attracting visitors, Bognor has got

it sorted. Butlins in town has almost 400,000 visitors per year,

most of them pre`booked it will be easier whatever the weather,

although many do not leave the site enough do to ensure the numbers on

the beach are swelled. We are staying in Butlins. First thme here

for years. We are having a great time. The little one is lovhng it.

The weather is perfect. It hs glorious. There is no need to go

away on holiday when it is `s beautiful as it is. It has been the

perfect week. Traders say the good weather at this week has improved

business in advance of the school holidays. Busy days are usu`lly

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesd`y. And that is people who are coming

whether it is sunny or not. It is pretty much steady although the good

weather brings the residents out also. Bognor is proudly displaying

its new beach award and another flag will be flying this year as well,

for the lifeguards. There whll be the first`ever lifeguard patrols

working with colleagues who started the service last year. The lifeguard

is just about it finishes d`y. He went in with his rescue board and he

got there, a girl went underneath the water, it was a three`ydar`old

Carole and he managed to save her from under the water. That service

will launch this weekend, it is funded in part by the Counchl and

the RNLI and despite a panic engine of lifeguard services by thd RNLI

which the only launched recdntly. No need for it this evening, it has

turned a bit chilly. I think there may be some rain on the way.

We will find out shortly. This Saturday BBC News celebrates

the 60th Anniversary of It was broadcast on the 5th of July

1954. And to mark

the anniversary we've posted a special film on our Facebook page

for "Throwback Thursday". There's a look back at the summer

of 54 here in the South, whdre it looks like they were enjoying the

same sunny weather we are today A diver from Gosport is hophng to

reveal the secrets of an unusual ship which sank off the

Isle of Wight almost 160 ye`rs ago. Jane Maddocks lead a dive on the

SS Faith. It was one of the first ste`m

powered warships and also h`d sails. It was being delivered to Ttrkey

at the height of the Crimean War All but one

of the crew were rescued. Let's discuss sport. He did well in

cocktail hour, our reporter. We featured Gaby Taylor yesterday.

Gaby Taylor went out of Junhor Wimbeldon at the third round stage.

The 16 year old who trains hn Spain, was beaten by a Spaniard, P`ula

The first set went to a tie break with Gaby losing out 7`5.

Her opponent wrapped up the match with a 6`4 second set

scoreline but Gaby could reflect on an important week of development.

I have learned a lot here. H have gained huge experience. It has

boosted my confidence. So yds, I am just waiting to come back ndxt year

and play again. One of English cricket's new stars

has been in Hampshire today to pass on some of the skills which have

taken him to international honours. The Sussex all`rounder Chris Jordan

has forced his way into contention for the England Test

team with some dynamic displays over Today he was coaching youngsters

on a ground where he hopes he'll be playing Test cricket

in just over three weeks' thme. He is one of modern cricket's rising

stars. This is the modern w`y children are playing the gale. Chris

Jordan was not too concerned about seeing a straight bat or high elbow,

the sport has evolved. I watched a lot of 2020 cricket on TV. Ht has

been fun working with him. He taught me a lot about batting and hitting

the ball out of the park. It will be to keep my feet separated at my head

still. When fans come to Agdas Bowl, they will hope to see Chris Jordan

display form that he had displayed in the last couple of years, batting

and bowling, the form has bden so good he has made the intern`tional

selectors take notice. It is a very family oriented environment.

Everyone at the club from d`y one have helped me settle off of the

field which helped me get on with matters on the field which hs a

massive help. Ageas Bowl st`ges its second test against India l`ter this

month. I have good memories of this venue having made my intern`tional

debut here. This is a lovelx ground especially when the weather is like

this and I hope people, can support us because that is when we get to

play our best. England's disastrous winter and series defeat to Sri

Lanka have increased the prdssure on the captain but Jordan does not see

the England cap as a stressful place to be. The environment allows

players to go out there and express themselves. It is not presstre at

all. By the time the series reaches Hampshire, England will need to

rediscover their winning waxs. There has been some great wdather

today. close to raising ?100,000 from fans

for a new training ground. The appeal was launched 6 wdeks ago.

The club hopes to raise a qtarter of a million pounds by the start of the

new season. It comes just a year after fans raised two and a half

million pounds to save Pompdy from And set in motion a community club.

That is all of the sport on a lovely sunny day.

Hundreds of school pupils h`ve marched through a New Forest

town today to remember the local men killed in World War One.

It's part of a project to hdlp the teenagers understand what h`ppened

100 years ago as we approach the anniversary of the Great War.

Some of the pupils have been to France and Belgium to leave letters

on the grave of those men from New Milton who never came home.

And some of them found out they even had

The uniforms may be different but the route the schoolchildren are

marching in the same, 100 ydars ago men from New Milton what on this

road as they left for war. The students wanted to capture the mood

of the day. Your country is up to its neck in a fight. One of their

pupils is Josh who today land about his connection to the war. Ly

great`great`grandfather was a great`great`grandfather was a

Sergeant and he died at Gallipoli on the 21st of August 1915. By a lot.

Only last week Josh and his pupils went to France and Belgium to visit

the war graves and pay their respects. It was upsetting seeing it

all. You almost tried to block out the amount of graves. During their

visit, pupils wrote letters to those who fought and left them on graves.

After the march, a service was held in front of the town's Memorial The

school presented the Royal British Legion with it a nation of ?100 . We

are incredibly proud of our students today, they are respectful `nd the

took their occasion with appropriate seriousness and paid respect to the

people on the war memorial. The pupils are learning about their

family history in the classroom and that of some of the staff. No my

great uncle was a teacher. On the second day of the war they joined up

and within one month he was killed. Unfortunate. I have things H can

remember him by. I hope to help the pupils to say things that wdre going

on at that time, what it was like and make it real for them. For the

pupils, it has been a history lesson they will never forget. It hs

important it does not happen again and people know the amount of people

who died. It is important it is remembered. It is wonderful to see

another generation understanding exactly what went on. Let's move on

to the weather. Alexis is whth us tonight. It has been lovely. We got

into the 70s. Yes, in some parts of the country we

got into the 80s. I have sole temperatures for you but I will

leave that for the forecast. We have some lovely weather pictures.

That is a big coffee. Lots of sunshine today as I was sayhng. We

reached a high of 77 Fahrenheit 25 Celsius in many places across the

South. The towards the south coast, slightly cooler, 19`20?C, not bad at

all. Early one temperatures today and we could have similar

temperatures inland tomorrow, always cooler along the coast with the

onshore breeze. Mild overnight, it will feel quite humid and sticky,

increasing cloudy during thd latter part of the night for some. There

will be clear spells down towards the south and east of elsewhere with

the increasing close for northern and western areas, we look `t

temperatures remaining in double figures, maybe in the countryside

and 29 Celsius but these ard temperatures in towns and chties,

14`15?C. It cloudy start to the day tomorrow, brighter start for the

southeastern corner but it hs an east`west divide tomorrow. The

further north and west you `re the chance of a shower with increasing

cloudy during the latter part of the afternoon and rain by the evening

and overnight tomorrow. Temperatures tomorrow 23 Celsius, in somd places

to the south`east it might be up to 25. Doing exactly what it dhd today.

One temperatures and then the rain arrives tomorrow night. Oncd that

clears the lead early hours of Saturday morning, the era bdhind it

will be cooler, there could be some rain on this front pushing through

tomorrow night and into the early hours of Saturday morning.

Temperatures down to 15 or 06 Celsius, so quite uncomfort`ble for

sleeping. A very humid night to come tomorrow night. An area of low

pressure causes this weather front to push through towards southeastern

corner of the through Saturday, paint it a cluster of showers so

there will be an improving picture Saturday afternoon but still the

rest of the shower which cotld be on the heavy side, but also sole drier

conditions and some sunshind. Plenty of events taking place this weekend.

The music festival is on from the fifth and sixth near Winchester

Temperature is 21 or 22 Celsius A food and drinks festival on Saturday

and Sunday also run by The National Trust. All in all, looking good for

the rest of the week and into the weekend.

Trust. All in all, looking good for the rest of the week and into the

weekend. To model the naming of the new

aircraft carrier and the 40th anniversary also, we will bd

reporting on both. Thank yot for watching. `` tomorrow.