15/09/2014 BBC Oxford News

Hello and welcome to South Today from Oxford.

The investigation into the killing of a busindsswoman

is back in focus as police search for the murder weapon.

Splitting up siblings ` the cruel reality of a systdm with

Brothers and sisters separated or moved elsewhere in the country.

And the oldest hospice of its kind re`opens after a major makeover

And later on, all the goals from the weekend's football plus a triumphant

Detectives investigating thd murder of a Buckinghamshire business woman

have started a new search for the weapon used to kill her

Patricia Goodband died at her home outside Aylesbury

Christopher Symons is serving life in prison for her murddr.

Today officers are examining a garden at the house

That's why 15 officers are carrying out a fingertip search of a garden

They believe the final clues may lie herd in the

We are looking for items of her personal effects which are

missing which include a handbag a mobile telephone and a di`ry.

And also a weapon which we believe was used in that murder

Patricia Goodband was 76 when she died in December 2012.

Her body was found concealed in a well in the grounds of her home near

Christopher Symons, her bushness partner for more than 30 ye`rs,

was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

It's believed he was after her considerable financial estate.

The house being searched is that of Robert Taft, a friend of Christopher

Symons who, during the Patrhcia Goodband murder trial, was convicted

of perverting the course of justice and jailed for 10 months.

Police say that today's operation is down to new information that

We had information that suggested that items of property may be

at this address, we are acthng on that information and carrying out

the search, so whilst the mtrder investigation is concluded, these

items that are missing, it hs important that we locate thdse.

His house was searched as p`rt of the original investigation

Now officers could take up to three days to see if

the answers to what exactly happened to Patricia Goodband lie here.

Thousands of rail passengers have facdd a day

of disruption following an hncident this morning at Banbury station

Some commuters have spent more than five hours stuck on tr`ins

The line through Banbury was closed just before 10 o'clock, affdcting

British Transport Police attended the station

A spokesman said he came down at around 2pm.

Wiltshire's Chief Constable is being investigated by the police watchdog,

following complaints about the way the force handled

It is claimed Patrick Geentx kept back information and misled members

of the public, and relates to an inquiry from 2008.

The actions of an inspector and Detective Constable are being

examined. He said he is shocked at the allegations and welcomes an

investigation. A man ` arrested following the death

of a schoolgirl in Witney ` Liberty Baker, who was 14,

died after a car mounted the kerb in Curbridge Road

in the town and collided with The 18`year`old from Bampton was

arrested on suspicion of catsing He's due to answer bail

on the 8th of November. Those in charge

of protecting vulnerable chhldren in Buckinghamshire say therd's

a shortage of foster carers prepared to look

after more than one child from The County Council says

the problem's so bad it is having to split up brothers

and sisters or take them out The decision to foster

a child shouldn't be taken lightly. But for Christine it has bedn part

of her life for the last 15 years. In that time she's looked after more

than 150 children for anythhng At the moment she's caring for three

` two sisters and their brother It can be heartbreaking

when they leave, but when they come they are not staying, so yot have to

build yourself against that. But yes, it is very rewarding,

watching them be happy, plaxing Because they are treated as part

of our family and while thex are But in Buckinghamshire therd's

a shortage of people, like Christine, prepared to look after

children from the same family. It means many siblings kept

together have to be found a In all,

there are only 53 foster carers willing to look after children from

the same family in Buckingh`mshire. It means around a third of `ll

siblings are being separated. One concern is that the mondy paid

to foster carers by the council for It's something those

in charge say is under revidw. Allowances possibly haven't kept

up with inflation in recent years. So what we are working on at the

moment is a new and improved package of allowances for all of our foster

carers to make sure that we can attract foster carers and that they

are properly rewarded for doing it. The problem isn't one which only

affects Buckinghamshire, but it is Tom, you touched on it

in your report, but part of the problem causing the shortage in

foster carers seems to be ftnding. One explanation why there's

a shortage of carers coming forward is because

people aren't paid enough to do it. Most people do it out of love for

the children. But if the money doesn't cover

the basic costs of looking `fter So for example, Buckinghamshire

County Council pay foster c`rers just under ?170 per week if that

person looks after a child `ged 4 or younger, but some argue with all the

costs of nappies, food and heating a house during the day

the money isn't enough. Ironically, if the council doesn't find a foster

carer themselves, then they may end up paying an agency sometimds

double that weekly amount. Police in Buckinghamshire are trying

to trace a prisoner ` 43`year`old Michael Rothery was last

seen at the jail in Grendon Underwood

in the early hours of this lorning. He's described as white,

5 foot 9 and bald. He may have been wearing

a green jacket. A fire at a recycling plant

in Swindon has finally been put out Crews from the Wiltshire Fire

and Rescue Service have been working at the Averies site

since the blaze started. Thousands of litres

of water were needed to get It's understood the owners lay now

face action over breaching It's thought to be the oldest

of its kind ` now Helen House ` the hospice for children with life

limiting conditions ` More than a million pounds has been

spent on the home ` and it's been officially reopened

by the actor Tom Hollander. Katharine DaCosta has spent

the day there. It is light and bright

and there is plenty of room This is the first major reftrb

here in more than 30 years. I am joined

by the manager who is also ` nurse here, what are some of the big

changes that are happening here Principally we have opened tp

the space, we have lots of room for whdelchair

games, as you can see behind you. And for us to be able to brhng beds

down into this area with chhldren who maybe are not mobile

but they can really enjoy Due to advances in medical

technology in particular, children are living longer, living lhves that

perhaps need to be supported by increased technology, such as

ventilators, oxygen as a rottine. And we have had to adapt

to those needs as well. If we walk over here to the art area

we have got actor Tom Hollander Tom, you have supported the charity

for a long time, haven't yot? It is light and open and yot can see

the garden everywhere Louise, what difference

will it make for families? I think there is more space, so the

kids can interact together lore The sensory room is great,

we have been in there today. With more space, more things can be

done with the children, 12 families have been invitdd

down for the lunch today. They are getting a chance to look

around and enjoy the new facilities. Thank you. A goal from a new home

town hero on way in the sport. I'll have the headlines at 8

and a full bulletin at 10.24. Still to come in this evening's

South Today ` a triumphant dnd to a We speak to Saints' Francis Benali

after his home run. The mother of an autistic boy says

she's lost her job because of cuts to a school bus service in

Berkshire. Tracey Kerrison's teenage son Niall has severe learning

difficulties and a mental age of five. He's one of 12 students in the

Woodley area who are no longer picked up from their home. @s a

result she has abandoned thd school bus altogether, and now drives her

son to school. Ben Moore reports. A new term and a new routind. For

over a decade, this boy got a lift to school from his front door but

now he will have to walk half a mile to catch a bus. He can physhcally

walk but not on his own. He must be accompanied. He is always w`ndering

off. He has no road safety awareness. He has no strangdr danger

awareness. He will just run if he sees something he doesn't lhke. The

council brought a bus to take them and classmates to a special school.

It is not done on cost but this is about teenagers who we would like to

help in line with national policy to promote them becoming more

independent and learning skhlls about travelling independently.

Tracing now drives her son to school every day but says it has mdant a

huge sacrifice. I have lost my job because with the new timetables I

can't get into work any mord. I have been laid off from my job and am

having to claim benefits, b`sically to stay at home and do the school

a concern for any council. Hidden a concern for any council. Hidden

disabilities should not be overlooked. It is important that

people think about autism and don't just assume that because solebody is

physically able to carry out a journey that they are actually able.

It is not just about whether you can walk. It is about whether you can

manage without support. Tracy says she has no choice but to be a

full`time carer. Uncertaintx brought by a new bus timetable.

The man has been cleared of causing death by dangerous driving. The tide

after the car hit a tree last July. The court heard they had bedn racing

a car driven by the accused. The man was found guilty of a lesser charge

of dangerous driving and fined 250 and banned from driving for 12

months. The results of a survey comlissioned

for BBC Inside Out reveal why the majority of British workers don t

have a pension. While the government's auto enrolment scheme

is making it compulsory for companies to offer staff a pension,

most of us are not signing tp. Who has got a pension? OK... Who

does not have a pension? Whx not? Saving up for a pension just is not

feasible at the moment. This man earns ?500 a month and cannot afford

to save retirement. Pension specialists think it might be a

problem. Younger people will know that when they get to retirdment,

the state pension is going to be around ?20 per day. Unless xou do

some saving now, you would have the right thing by investing in a

buy`to`let instead of a pension My property will be let out to

students. There is a high student population here. It is right in the

centre of town so it is a whcked location so it will always rent

There is clearly more than one way to manage your pension. Just don't

miss the bus. And you can see Jon's full report on

Inside Out at 7:30pm on BBC One New trains. More services. Faster

journeys. All are promised with the start of a new rail franchise

covering much of southern England for delays in finishing the project.

Nikki Mitchell reports. This seemed to car park is dxpected

to be filled with visitors when the mill opens to the public next month.

Some of Bombay Sapphire's ndighbours have had enough. It is the noise.

They have been working 20 47. It has meant a really bad disruption. They

have a late`night licence. We were woken by the cleaners at 3al,

shouting in the street. Thex have sold us a dream. They've delivered a

nightmare. The consensus among people living here is that noise at

night time has intensified. Bombay Sapphire has told us it is `dhering

to all construction limitathons and the work at night is planting and

cleaning, operational work which falls within planning permissions.

We have made sure we have done noise monitoring and are signific`ntly

within the World Health Org`nisation guidelines. However, all colplaints

and concerns from neighbours are important to us and we will not rest

until we are satisfied that everyone has had their concerns lookdd into.

Turning this into ageing distillery has been a complex process. Some

people here believe the destruction is worth it. No Mac it is nhce to

see someone doing work and ht will put this place on the map. The

council says it has investigated complaints linked to constrtction

work and noise, with one ongoing. So far, any problems have been

addressed. Onto sport, what a win for Saint!

Yes. An important win. Striker Graziano Pelle scordd twice

as Southampton moved into the top 4 at St Mary's. The Italian's first

came after just 6 minutes, heading home Ryan Bertrand's cross. His

second was a little more fortunate after his shot`come`pass fell to

Dusan Tadic... Jack Cork made it 3 in the second half... beford Morgan

Schneiderlin provided the pdrfect finish to a 41 pass move ` curling

in this superb late fourth. A good win for Saints, here's a

roundup of the weekend's other Five goals on the road

and a fifth straight game unbeaten. The MK Dons have their eyes firmly

on automatic promotion after Afobe and Carruthers put thd

visitors two up before half time. And after the break it just got

better. The Tykes were torn apart, @lli

Grigg and Ben Reeves all netting Ferocious firepower which h`s now

produced 21 goals this season. Barnsley did battle back with some

impressive sharpshooting of their own, but it was too lhttle too

late and MK Dons move up to third. Swindon Town have also kept up with

the promotion pacesetters whth a win at Bradford which maintains

their place in the play`offs. After the keeper had saved

a penalty, an own goal from Louis Thompson put

Town one down but a double from debutant Obika ensured Swindon left

the stadium with all three points. Oxford United are still waiting

for their first victory of the season, but they took

a share of the spoils at Exdter George Long conceded a penalty which

Graham Cummings tucked home, and Callum O'Dowda was rewarded for a

lung`busting run with the epualiser, their FA Cup first qualifying round

last week...They beat Longwdll Green from Bristol, 1`0 ` Michael Turvey

with the goal and will now host Cricket now ` and Hampshire can all

but secure promotion back to Division One with a victory over

Kent at the Ageas Bowl. On Day One, Kent won the toss and deciddd to bat

` at one stage Hampshire had them at 86 for 3. But the runs started to

flow in the afternoon and Kdnt resume tomorrow. Meanwhile, Surrey

were bowled out for 181 agahnst A short while ago, the visitors were

155`5. In division one, Sussex reached 358`9 at Nottinghamshire.

Now, perhaps the defining ilage of this weekend's sport was former

Southampton footballer Francis Benali completing his epic charity

run. He ran 1000 miles betwden all 20 Premier League grounds. @nd has

so far raised more than ?120,00 for Cancer Research UK. Franny was given

a hero's welcome at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, finishhng with

an emotional lap of honour. I'm delighted to say he joins us in the

studio along with his physio, Kelly Rutledge.

You must be relieved just to sit down. Very much so. It is nhce not

to have to go out and run any distance. Have you had a ch`nce to

reflect on what you achieved? It is still early days. Over the coming

days, there will be that reflective time. The welcome back to St Mary's

was something I will never forget. You're expecting it to be tough but

was it harder than you barg`ined for? Yes. To be honest, it was,

Laura. It was physically delanding and I wanted to test myself in that

kind of environment with an extreme challenge. There were tough moments.

I had to dig deep. With Kelly and my family on the road with me, they

kept me going. You can see the conditions they look bleak. Kelly,

it was your job to patch hil up and roll him back out for the ndxt day.

How was the impact on his body? We were getting him up about one and a

half hours before he was dud to start. We would finish late at

night. It was just a case of keeping the muscles moving, keeping the feat

in a condition to run in. Blisters! Yes. Just me each his energx levels

were up to running that sort of distance. We would go from the early

hours of the morning to the late evening. And that is a ment`l

challenge as well as a physhcal one. How did you do it every day in such

bleak conditions? I had a ntmber of people joining the on the road. It

helped having company. Therd were times when I had to just go into a

bit of a zone and blanked ott pain or discomfort. There was wonderful

scenery around the countryshde. I scenery around the countryshde. I

would like time to reflect `nd take it all on board and give thd injury

is a chance to recover. Not pleasant to see! What was it like coling into

St Mary 's? I knew there wotld be a big crowd in the stadium because of

the home game against Newcastle But what took me back was peopld lining

the streets on the way into the city. People quite literallx

throwing money into the support vehicles to make donations. It made

the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Did you run the? H will be

walking from now on. Thank xou for joining us. No time for our latest

weather forecast. This week, we will see some rain and

the odd thunderstorm. But there will be sunny spells. It will turn cooler

by the weekend. Clear skies overnight bring the risk of mist and

fog patches. Some low cloud will feed in and a lot of places will

have dry weather. Temperatures will fall to eight Celsius in thd

countryside. These are the temperature is in the towns and

cities. In some places, a f`irly mild night. A predominantly dry

start to the day tomorrow. The mist and fog will lift in mid`morning.

There is the chance of a shower But there will be sunshine, with a high

of 22 Celsius. Temperatures may be higher than today and Windsor coming

from the east, so the chancd of a shower tomorrow is present. There

will be clear spells tomorrow night with increasing low cloud, which

means maybe some hilltop mist and fog and temperatures falling to 12

degrees. A dry start to Wednesday. High pressure will hang on hn there.

It should be mainly settled but like every day this week, there hs always

the chance of a stray shower drifting up from France across the

English Channel. Most places will remain dry with sunshine. It will

feel warmer each day. Temperatures on the up this week and by the

weekend we could see 24 Celsius The weekend will be slightly cooler but

there will be thunderstorms this week at some point.

And you can see more on inshde out of Francis Benali's run. We're back

this evening. Goodbye.