03/01/2012 BBC Points West

Good evening and welcome to our first regular programme of 20 fell

-- 2012. The man who killed his wife and threatened to blow up the

family home. The West is battered by eight New year's storms. Left in

the lurch, a wedding venue goes bust leaving couples fearing for

their big day. It was devastating. All the planning has gone to

nothing. Bristol Rovers buckle under pressure. The clubs sack

their manager after four losses in a row. -- the club sacked their

manager. The jury has been hearing how hate

-- a has been battered his wife to death with the pipe from a vacuum

cleaner when he tried to end their marriage. Stephen Hotson is on

trial accused of murdering his wife. Her body was discovered by her

brother days later after Mr Hotson tried to blow up their marital home.

He denies murder but has admitted killing her on the grounds of

diminished responsibility. For four days Hotson lived in this

house with the body of his wife on the lounge for. He had battered her

to death with a metal pipe from a vacuum cleaner after he told -- she

told him at their marriage was over. When Julie Tottle failed to turn up

to work one day last July colleagues became so concerned they

rang her home. Stephen Hotson answered the telephone. He told

them they had both been ill for the weekend. That you was asleep

upstairs. By then she had been dead for several days. -- that Julie was

a sleep. A her family had details in court

of how she died. They also heard how the marriage had run into

difficulties in the months leading up to the attack. How once before

Hotson had attacked his wife grabbing her by the throat. On

another occasion he threw a chair at her. It was Julie's brother who

discovered her body when he broke into the cottage. Friends and

family became concerned for her welfare.

He saw his sister dead on the lounge floor. He also saw Stephen

Hotson trying to light a can of oil with a match. There was also a

strong smell of gas in the house. The brother wrestled him to the

ground but he broke free and jumped from an upstairs window, badly

injuring himself as he landed on the tarmac.

It is the defence case that Hotson was suffering from clinical

depression at the time of the attack. They say it is manslaughter

on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The prosecution say

they do not believe it. Julie Tottle's killing they say was

murder, plain and simple. The trial will last for a week.

A former monk who taught at a school near Bath has been sentenced

to five years in prison for sex offences against children. 66

rolled Richard White taught at Downside School in Stratton-on-the-

Fosse in 19 -- in the 1980s. He admitted five accounts -- counts of

indecent assault. Police became aware of the abuse in 2010, after

finding a file in the school while investigating an unrelated incident.

The Abbot of Downside said they were sorry any child should have

been abused at Downside. A 22 of man from Bath is being held

in a Thai prison after being arrested on suspicion of drugs

offences. Ben Cox was taken into custody after allegedly being

caught with crystal meth- amphetamine. He is now being held

in prison awaiting trial. Speaking to us via Skype, one of the

journalists covering his case in Thailand said he faces a tense wait.

Under Thai law it can take up to 81 days for the court to decide

whether there is a case to answer. They will look at all the evidence,

similar to the Crown Prosecution Service in the UK, where they

consider what the evidence is and whether there is a case to answer.

It is a tents Tice 4 -- a tense time for him and his family.

Now for the weather -- a woman has been rescued from a river when her

car was washed away by rising storm waters. For the works... Gusts of

more than 60 mph were recorded here, trees were brought down and some

homes left without power. Swept away by the force of water.

This car was carried 100 metres down what is normally a small river

in Chew Stoke, but today had unusual power. The driver was a

woman in her Forties, who could not swim. She got stranded and was

pulled out by two Environment Agency workers who happened to be

following behind. The car was gradually being pulled

away by the current, and you can see the water had reached just

below the top of those posts, so quite deep. The Environmental

Agency chap got out of the car, with a rope tied to him. At that

point the car moved away. It was taken downstream.

But the woman was said to be shocked and distressed but

otherwise escaped unhurt. This is the weather system that caused

today's problems. An inch of rain fell in West Somerset in just six

hours. Winds gusted over 60 mph across Exmoor and parts of

Wiltshire. The roof was blown off a lorry on the M5 near Bridgwater.

Debris covered the carriageway. The motorway had to be closed for a

time and there were long tailbacks northbound. Trees were up rooted,

torn from the wet ground. The Christmas tree in Devizes town

centre came to a sorry end. A stone wall near Melksham could also no

longer resist. With much of the ground already saturated, the next

danger was localised flooding. Water fed straight into the rivers,

swelling them and causing the Environment Agency to issue a

string of flood alerts. As the storm passed, water levels rose but

are now dropping. Those alerts are being downgraded. Much to the

relief of many communities near by and those who, today, had an narrow

escape. Thanks to those of you who sent

pictures in to us via e-mail. What is the situation tonight? Ian is

here to tell us. An improving story in terms of

rainfall. It is a combined issue we have had. The rainfall coming down

this cold front today, and also the wind as well. If you combine the

two, with rivers close to saturation point, it is not

surprising we have had issues. It is worth noting we do have a flood

warning in place for the Wynford Brooke. We will keep an eye on that.

Thank you. Now some breaking news, and in the

last hour it has been announced Bristol Rovers have sacked their

manager, Paul Buckle. He has lost half of his league games since

being appointed. The club says he has been relieved of his duties and

will no longer be in charge of first-team affairs.

The message came loud and clear from the terraces at the last home

game. Rovers' fans wanted the manager out. He has got to go,

absolutely terrible. This is the worst manager we have had here for

years. I have been a supporter for 30 years, no passion. I can't

believe it. He has got to go, simple as that. This is the end of

it for loss of Rovers' fans. We have had enough. Paul Buckle

arrived with high expectations, having taken Torquay to the play-

off final. Despite bringing in new players they have struggled. They

have won just six times and have lost more than half of their home

games. Even after Saturday's 5-2 defeat, the manager remained

defined. There has been a dark cloud over the club for a long time.

I was selected to come and change things and at the moment it is not

going well. But at the same time it will not scare me away. Not in a

million years. But a 4th defeat in a row was the final straw for the

board. They decided they had to act. The chairman said, although we are

aware of the need for stability we felt we could not go any further

with the current situation as the threat of relegation was becoming

too real. Battle is the third manager to be

sacked in little over a year, after four Paul Trollope and Dave Penney.

His assistant will take charge. Our sports editor is at Ashton Gate,

where Bristol City are preparing to play Millwall tonight. What is your

reaction to this news? I cannot say I am surprised. As

Alastair said in his report, they have lost four games in a row. It

is relegation form. The board did have to act. I have been shocked

and surprised at quite how vocal the fans have been. He was a

popular appointment. For one man who knows about this is

a former manager here, Gary Johnson. Are you surprised? No, I am not

surprised. I live in Bristol still, I get to hear the news. Not

surprised, really. It will be a decent job for somebody. It is a

big club. A great fan base. Lots of potential. Somebody will enjoy

taking over. When things start to go, how difficult is it to turn it

around? It is always difficult, but sometimes the board have got no

choice. They were probably at that stage now. Now they have got to

find somebody who can turn it round quickly. And get the Rovers back up

that table. You say you live in Bristol. You are out of work at the

moment. Will you be putting in for the job? That would not be fair to

say just now. I have enjoyed my time in Bristol, I have enjoyed my

time here at Ashton Gate. There is no decision to be made. He was

saying before Christmas you would be keen to get back into management.

-- you were saying. Yes, I definitely want to get back into

management. I cannot sit at home, it is driving me up the wall. I

need to be doing something. We will wait and see. You just have to wait

a while, try and enjoy the rest. I always get itchy feet to get back

in. Gary, thank you. Plenty more from he -- me here. For now, back

to you guys. David, thank you. I think he is

interested. We move on. Bad weather and back to work today for many

people after the Christmas break, and for those travelling by rail it

was a rise in fares. The increase is just below six per cent on

average. Some routes have gone up by four more. Train companies say

the extra money will fund new trains and improve services but

passenger groups of passengers are paying too much.

He is paying more. She is. They are. Anything between just a few per

cent if travelling from Swindon to London, to more than double

inflation on some other routes. Many passengers are angry but

others are resigned to the annual increases. We are already paying

for a season ticket to London. It is already taking up a fair whack

of the Budget. For it to go up more, we will have to cut food! Might

other beef is the parking at stations, which has gone up by

about 50 per cent. -- My other beef. Somebody has got to pay for it.

Whether it is the tax payer or the passenger. And that is the point.

The government won those who travel to pay more so all taxpayers

contribute less. -- the government want. One group has condemned the

industry as fractured and inefficient, not worth the money

tickets cost. �7 billion a year goes into the rail industry from

passengers. It is going up each year. There is plenty of money

going in already. The industry has to become more efficient at using

it. But what is agreed by everyone is that people are catching trains

in huge numbers and ongoing investment is vital. We are going

to see a large number of extra platforms. We need more

environmentally friendly trains and the more reliable service. That is

all in the pipeline. It has to be funded. It could be more expensive.

The Chancellor changed his mind in the autumn and reduced the cap on

ticket rises. Some solace at least for long-suffering commuters.

Police say the remains found on a Bath golf course over Christmas are

those of an unknown man aged between 40 and 65. Detectives are

satisfied he died from natural causes. They are now carrying out

DNA and dental tests to identify him from lists of missing people.

Investigations are continuing into what caused a fire at a holiday

camp near Weston-super-Mare. Five people needed treatment for

breeding in smoke after a group of eight chalets caught fire at at the

Pontins Brean Sands Holiday Camp the earlier -- early yesterday

morning. An engaged couple from the West

have spoken of their shock after discovering the venue they had

booked for their wedding this year had closed. They have paid deposits

to before Christmas it was announced Aspire Venues Limited had

ceased trading. Now some people could be out of

pocket. It should have been the perfect

start to the new year format and Jordan. After a year of planning

they were set to tie the knot next month. Just before Christmas, bad

news from the company which runs their wedding venue. It said they

had gone into administration. The wedding had to be cancelled. Is

said to contact the insurance company. -- it said for his dog

this is the venue, Chewton Place just outside Keynsham. A mansion

that has been popular for weddings for many years. They wore one of

its 60 couples hoping to get married here at Chewton Place this

year. -- They were one of the 60 couples. It went into

administration and all their plans had to change. It was devastating,

all the planning we had put in place. It has gone to nothing now

until we can find somewhere else. We do not know where we stand.

insurance company does not pay out, we do not know what we are going to

do. Some couples have paid up to �4,000 to secured the venue, which

the administrators say people should try and get back from their

insurance companies if they can. Although they may be a glimmer of

hope. This is the drawing room at the front of the house that leads

out on to landscaped gardens. Rebecca, along with other employees

at Aspire Venues Limited is now talking to the owners of Chewton

Place to lease the building and reopened it for weddings. Because

this is such a wonderful building and it is a viable business, and

because we know people are booked here. I had seen so many successful

weddings taking place here. -- I have seen. It is our intention to

give people the wedding they would like to have. Rebecca will find out

sooner for a plan to run Chewton Place will be successful. It will

make it a waiting game for the couples who want to see the gates

of their dream wedding venue reopened.

Now, after the News of the sacking of Bristol Rovers manager Paul

Buckle we go back to sport on the field tonight. And a vital game for

Bristol City as they continue their battle against relegation.

Much better festive period for Charlton -- Cheltenham and Swindon.

Hello, do a bid. Thank you. As you say a vital game

because it is always the matches against the sides around you in the

table that are the most important. If we look at the bottom of the

table, we have got Millwall in 20th place, and City in 21st. A win

tonight would move them above Ipswich, at least until they play

tomorrow night. Joining us again is Gary Johnson. How d'you see this

one going? It is a key game. You get these key games in that the

season. If they be more teams below them it will be better. This is one

that they can get above Millwall. Millwall will see it as the same.

It is a key game. When we spoke before, before Christmas, I do not

think either of us predicted City would lose to bottom club Coventry

but beat top clubs Southampton. at is the nature of the

championship. All teams can beat any other team. -- that is the

nature. A fantastic performance by Bristol City at Southampton. They

were beaten twice in a short space of time. I know the manager and the

players felt they were unlucky and disappointed at Coventry. But that

is the way it goes and are picked up three points in two games. They

have got to pick up three points today. Gary, thank you. A recap on

tonight breaking news, Paul Buckle is no longer the manager of Bristol

Rovers. But it is not all doom and gloom in the League Two because

Swindon and Cheltenham are doing particularly well at the moment.

They are pleased with the Christmas period.

Cheltenham followed up a draw on Boxing Day with a win over

Rotherham and they also beat Port Vale 2-One yesterday. They remain

in second place with a 7th win in nine games.

Swindon stepped up to Torquay before a winner at Northampton in

the 90th minute. The manager was sent off for his over enthusiastic

celebrations. They then beat Wimbledon yesterday 2-0. They move

up to 4th place. Yodel slipped back into the relegation zone of League

One after two defeats. -- Yeovil. But it will be a long slog for them

through until May. Gary, things not looking so good

for your old club, Yeovil. Which one will come out of top -- on top

between Swindon and Cheltenham? is hard to called because they are

both consistent, recently. Cheltenham have been there or

thereabouts from the start. Swindon had just got their game going. They

are all passionate. They will both be there, actually. Thank you, Gary.

We will let you get off to join the commentary dream for BBC Bristol.

Back to you. OK, David, for entry. He has

climbed Kilimanjaro, run marathons and is now on the verge of becoming

the first visually-impaired person ever to trek across Antarctica.

His name is Alan Lock and the former Navy man from Clevedon has

become something of an adventurer after beginning to lose his sight

at the age of 23. We are going to be talking to his

proud dad and his wife, but first we have been following his progress.

For 38 days, Alan and his team have been walking, across ice, against

winds and in temperatures of -45 degrees Celsius. Unsupported and on

foot, from the Antarctic coast to the South Pole. The bewildering 550

mile trip does require preparation. First at home, and then abroad.

This is Canada, the team's chosen training ground where they spent

time getting used to the cold, becoming familiar with the supply

sledges they have to drag along with them and finding their ice

feet, so to speak. Now they are just minutes away from reaching the

South Pole with Alan becoming the first ever partially sighted person

to do so. This will be his second world record. He is the first

partially-sighted person to row across the Atlantic. Judging by the

smile and his photo from Saturday's new year celebrations, this

challenge was every bit as gruelling.

Now, time is of the essence, as Alan's father and his wife will

tell you. We had to part you from your fine, didn't we? A Yes, that

is right. He might be calling any time. -- yes, that is right. So he

will let us know if he calls! It would be lovely to get him on

the air. How bad is his eyesight? He cannot see... He has lost his

central vision. He can see to the side of his few but he cannot see

anything directly where he looks. - - the side of his view. It would be

a fuzz. His response to such a thing happening at a young age has

been remarkable, hasn't it? Yes. By remember about 10 years ago, he got

diagnosed. -- I remember. He was in the Navy. It was the end of his

life as far as he was concerned. He had to leave the Navy. But

immediately, what amazed me, he picked himself up and he started

studying for a degree for the Navy. He is a remarkable guy for.

Did you know about this adventurous spirit when you married him? You

only recently got married! That is right. That is the main reason why

I fell in love with him. The first moment we met, he told me about all

these adventures he has had. I was speechless. Go how nerve-racking

has it been for you? -- how nerve- racking. I feel proud of him, but

as his wife, every night... A he didn't invite you?

You want him home! We are assuming no news as yet because we have not

heard from him. Thank you for coming in. Thanks Exmoor and very

nice to see you. -- thanks!. Pretty grim storms, I think I even

Pretty grim storms, I think I even So far as tomorrow is concerned, it

will be a windy day. Not as windy as today. The rain will hold off

until later on. A reversal of today's fortunes. As you see from

the isobars, it does remain a breezy story, right the way through

tomorrow. It will be later on we see rain approaching once again.

Here is the cold front which came through today. Giving some very

squally winds and heavy rain. Now the rainfall radar has effectively

cleared. That is how things will remain tonight. The sky is clearing,

the wind is starting to gust. A pretty stiff westerly up through

the Bristol Channel. By dawn tomorrow it will be chilly.

Tomorrow, it will be a decent enough note. A good deal of dry,

bright weather. But the wind at that point will not be much of an

issue. More clout will come in from the west, so it will be dull. --

more clout. That will then be superseded by heavy rain,

effectively in western areas. Winds gusting tomorrow at the speeds. --