19/09/2013 BBC Points West

Hello and welcome to BBC Points West. Our headlines this evening...

Police officers charged with gross misconduct. Six members of the Avon

investigated over their handling of Are there flaws in the case against

Shrien Dewani? The BBC examines South African police files about the

Also tonight, no change signalled on South African police files about the

Also tonight, no change signalled on our railways as First Great Western

looks set for a franchise extension But sometimes delays just can't

looks set for a franchise extension helped — the bovine on the line

looks set for a franchise extension charged with gross misconduct,

death of a man from Bristol. Bijan following an investigation into

death of a man from Bristol. Bijan Ebrahimi was killed near his home in

Brislington in July. He was beaten and his body set alight. Three

officers have been suspended while the police watchdog investigates how

Avon and Somerset police handled the case. Sabet Choudhury reports.

Bijan Ebrahimi was found beaten case. Sabet Choudhury reports.

A few days before his death, Mr burnt near his home. He had lived

A few days before his death, Mr Ebrahimi was arrested on the 11th

July after allegations were made about him by neighbours. He was

questioned and then released without charge. And it was this contact

which led to an investigation by the charge. And it was this contact

Commission about the way Avon and Somerset Police handled the case.

The IPCC say six officers have been Somerset Police handled the case.

The IPCC say six officers have been charged with gross misconduct. Three

constable who dealt with Mr Ebrahimi charged with gross misconduct. Three

constable who dealt with Mr Ebrahimi interviews in the next few weeks.

But they remain on a normal duties. In a statement, Avon and Somerset

Police said they took the decision to suspend three of the officers

when the information from the IPCC came to light, adding that "A number

of members of police staff are also currently being investigated as

of members of police staff are also of these inquiries but they remain

on normal duties." Two men from Brislington have been charged with

the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi. Lee James and Steven Norley are due

the murder of Bijan Ebrahimi. Lee appear at Bristol Crown Court next

The South African police apparently failed to test key evidence in the

Anni Dewani was shot dead on her honeymoon in Cape Town three years

businessman, Shrien, is accused honeymoon in Cape Town three years

ordering her murder. Now the BBC's Panorama programme has obtained

Panorama presenter Jeremy Vine joins us now from our London studios.

Panorama presenter Jeremy Vine joins investigating the murder of Anni

Dewani, she was 20 years old when she was killed in her honeymoon

Dewani, she was 20 years old when Cape Town. But he immediately,

Shrien Dewani, her new husband, Cape Town. But he immediately,

accused of her murderer —— of her murder. He has come back to the

accused of her murderer —— of her and the South Africans are trying to

extradite him. Panorama has crucial new details of the taste from what

is called the docket, the South African police files on the case. We

have all kings of evidence that African police files on the case. We

not been seen before, CCTV footage, video interrogations of suspects,

statements and so on. What we found as we pieced this together is that,

in various ways, it contradicts evidence from three key witnesses.

These witnesses are very important to the South African state's case

against Shrien and their testimony is in collision with some of the

factual evidence. We have brought in forensics evidence —— experts to

look at the evidence and you can hear from one of them, Professor Jim

Fraser. This is not an investigation that would meet the standards of

this country, this would not be considered to be good practice.

this country, this would not be also failed to test the evidence, to

corroborate key facts and crucially to challenge things that were not

corroborated that were central to the story. So, again, we brought in

the forensic experts to look at the story. So, again, we brought in

police docket contents. All of the evidence has come forwards now and

we are comparing it to the evidence given by the witnesses. This is

we are comparing it to the evidence firearms expert talking about the

fact it is very strange that has not been enough investigation into

whether the gun being used to kill accidentally. I think we actually

have a clip to go along with what you were just saying, Jeremy. We do,

we have the firearms expert. There seems to have been no examination of

the pistol to determine whether seems to have been no examination of

had a propensity for accidental discharge. Could it go off in a

struggle, for instance? There are standard tests to carry out, all we

have is a blanket statement that it was in working order. What do the

authorities say about all of this? We put our findings to the South

African police and they said it would not be right to engage with

the media because it would create a situation of trial by media. Indeed,

it should be said that Anni's family have complained about tonight's

Panorama, saying it is not the right we have brought out this evidence,

there are facts inside it which we have brought out this evidence,

think should be brought to light and tonight on Panorama you will be

think should be brought to light and to compare them with the witness

statements we already have from those involved. Very, very important

of course in the case the South African state is making against

extradited and goes back to South Africa faces life imprisonment.

Jeremy Lomas IQ very much, and of Two men who terrorised their elderly

and vulnerable victims in a burglary spree across the West have had their

jail sentences increased. Patrick Connors from Stoke Bishop in Bristol

and Michael McDonagh from Yate, Connors from Stoke Bishop in Bristol

sometimes forced their victims to watch as their homes were ransacked,

will now serve six and nine years. Our Home Affairs Correspondent,

Steve Brodie, reports from the Court 93—year—old Phillip Jenkins from

Somerset is forced to sit and watch while the two men strip his living

I had a feeling that someone was —— when I go to bed I get the feeling

that someone is coming in, someone is breaking in. You never get over

it, it is always on your mind, and when you go out, like I have this

afternoon, it is still on your mind. Another 84—year—old victim is left

helpless and distraught as her room is turned over. But neither of the

burglars are aware of the hidden Lord Justice Pitchford agreed that

the original sentences handed down at Bristol Crown Court were too

lenient. He said the two men had left a trail of misery in their

sentence from seven to nine years, and Connors' from five to six years.

The two men left emotional and think any victim of this type of

burglary will have a long—term effect, especially the elderly,

burglary will have a long—term fear they may feel in their homes

now, the lasting emotional and psychological trauma can be quite

impacted on the health. —— can take their health. We are really pleased

today. The police are still looking for this man they say is the third

member of the gang. We still have an unidentified Male, so anyone who can

assist us in identifying that man, we are still really interested in

The men were caught when they threw their hats out of their car as it

was being chased by the police, Three men from Coventry have been

charged with robbery after a violent smash and grab from Deacon and Sons

jewellers in Marlborough. The shop was attacked on Tuesday morning

jewellers in Marlborough. The shop men wearing balaclavas. Police

arrested three men after a car chase which ended in a collision on the

Summerfield, Marcus Cohen, and Paul Gallimore have been remanded in

The coroner at the inquest into Gallimore have been remanded in

deaths of two men who died in a head—on collision in Somerset last

October has said road rage "consumed crash happened on the Axbridge

Bypass in the early hours of the coroner said 31—year—old Vincent

Atkinson from Cheddar had been grossly negligent when he overtook

another car on a blind corner. 35—year—old Richard Parker's car,

coming in the opposite direction, was hit head on. Both drivers died

at the scene. A third man is still in hospital with serious brain

Three more people were arrested in hospital with serious brain

officers policing the badger cull. A 20—year—old man from Walsall, a

52—year—old woman from Pittsburgh in America, and a 26—year—old woman

from Croydon were all arrested in the early hours on suspicion of

three are still in police custody. This is Thursday's Points West,

three are still in police custody. Alex and Will. Coming up a bit later

We're joined by Martin Hughes Games I am on a mission to find wildlife

in the heart of the city, and here in Bristol, the West's biggest city,

I have found loads of people getting stuck in, getting involved in some

really exciting community projects. And who lives on a yacht like this?

An announcement is expected within weeks that a deal has been struck

for First Great Western to continue negotiating with the company to

extend its franchise for another three years. But there has been

criticism that passengers aren't getting a good deal. Our political

editor, Paul Barltrop, is at Bristol Good evening. It has been a very

busy evening here at Bristol Temple Meads. This is the very heart of the

West's railways, and that is of official terminology, the great

Western Railway franchise. I should have been there a couple of months

ago telling you that our brand—new operator had been chosen to run

ago telling you that our brand—new for the next 15 years, but things

went rather wrong, so the government are finalising a deal with First for

them to stay in charge for three They have run most of our trains for

seven years and are about to get an extension until 2016. First should

have been competing with other firms who hoped to take over the great

Western franchise. But because of national franchise programme, it ha

been postponed. So, the Department for Transport is asking First to

I think at the moment the vibe in the industry is that First I going

to get it, and I think that would be government. It doesn't surprise

to get it, and I think that would be after the announcement with Royal

privatising things, which makes after the announcement with Royal

Renationalising the railways isn't on the cards. But unions aren't

alone in complaining that passengers are losing out due to the franchise

One Devon and Somerset business group say they have been warned

That is incredibly disappointing and a very minimum position that we

regard as an essential investment is the introduction of Wi—Fi so that we

have business we can conduct on the introduction of Wi—Fi so that we

train in a modern and efficient the introduction of Wi—Fi so that we

But First point to record passenger numbers — up by nearly a half in the

last decade — and say customers numbers — up by nearly a half in the

So, First will get another three years. A Government announcement is

passengers? First Great Western years. A Government announcement is

that customer satisfaction surveys are showing a steady meet —— steady

improvement. We have been having a word with rush—hour travellers this

evening and one thing commonly mentioned is cost. I am generally a

bit disappointment, as Michael disappointed, especially with the

expensive to get to London. I find it very easy, it is a bit expensive

but very easy. Yes, they are quite good, I catch them everyday, so

but very easy. Yes, they are quite too bad. I have had no problems

whatsoever, occasionally a few delays but it doesn't bother me

because I am never really in a rush, I have the whole day free to travel.

I love them. I appreciate them and I expect them to be there when I am

Money is a big consideration for the government. For the past seven years

First have received a subsidy for income. The government will expect a

cut in that subsidy when they make an announcement. As to when that

will be, politics comes into play. Party conferences are currently

going on, we will have to wait until Westminster at the start of October

announcement, but First will stay in charge of the West's railways.

People living near Stonehenge are meeting Wiltshire Council this

evening to discuss problems created by closing one of the roads beside

A344 towards Shrewton was dug up and Campaigners say the closure and

A344 towards Shrewton was dug up and roundabout at Longbarrow has caused

delays and long tail—backs forcing motorists to find short cuts through

Wiltshire Council is being held motorists to find short cuts through

the village hall this evening. There are plenty of local people lining up

to complain. They believe that closing the road past Stonehenge and

poor design of the roundabout at Long Barrow have not only brought

thousands of vehicles on narrow Long Barrow have not only brought

runs through Amesbury and local villagers. English Heritage has

runs through Amesbury and local to close off and unsurfaced byway

near Stonehenge because coach driver started using the old track to

bypass the traffic jams. Saturn Avenue will tell you when there

bypass the traffic jams. Saturn queue ahead. You then reschedule

where you are going and it dumps everybody into Mark Hill. —— Satnav.

working with Devon, Somerset and the enterprise partnerships to bring

that forward. We are talking about feasibility study has been agreed.

Wiltshire Council acknowledges there has been significant delays this

summer. The Highways Agency says it is monitoring traffic levels though

it declined our requests for an interview. The calls for a dual

carriageway are in the short term perhaps realistic —— unrealistic.

Some smaller local measures are perhaps more likely. But there could

be other reasons for the traffic problems here. Stonehenge has just

had record visitor numbers this summer. Devon and Cornwall have

had record visitor numbers this a good tourist season and there

had record visitor numbers this been more traffic heading west down

the A303. There is evidence that traffic growth here is rapid and

possibly ahead of the national average. So, there are a whole range

of reasons for this increasingly A support group that helps people

suicide has been launched today A support group that helps people

Swindon. It is being led by Jacky Parry, whose brother took his own

She found that there was very little help available for those he had

She found that there was very little behind. Tracey Miller went to meet

Jacky's brother was 37 when he took When a loved one takes their life by

suicide, it is instant. You go through crying... It is just very

Five years after losing her brother, Jacky is now launching the Wiltshire

branch of Survivors of Bereavement brother, to a degree, and I think to

pioneer of this in the local area is just to give of the support I have

There has been a rise in suicide amongst young men and researchers

from Bristol University say that there is a link between this and the

emotional stress that recession Mental health workers say that their

experience backs up these findings. because we are seeing more patients

every year. What we try to do is see people early, so if you can teach

someone strategies about how they can thought challenge, what they may

do differently, because there is a connection between how they think

The challenge for mental health professionals is to reach those

The challenge for mental health For those who are left behind after

I think if you have gone through that journey yourself, you can have

identification and empathy for those who are also suffering bereavement

can contact the charity featured in our piece on 0844 561 6855. Calls

are charged at local rate, it may be more from a mobile. They also have a

website — www.uk—sobs.org.uk. And if you're worried about someone who

might need help then there is advice on dealing with suicide on the BBC

On Points West this Autumn we have introduce wildlife into city spaces.

And it turns out Bristol is quite a Tonight Springwatch presenter Martin

Hughes—Games meets an organisation in the city that supports people who

I am on a mission to find wildlife in the heart of the city, and here

in Bristol, the West's biggest getting involved in some really

exciting community projects. I have support, if you know where to look.

Underneath a green roof of grass, by a railway line and a busy road,

Underneath a green roof of grass, by the home of a national organisation

that helps foster urban community Jeremy Corbyn we have seen people

growing things —— Jeremy, we have seen people. Your organisation deals

with larger projects, what is the range two we are trying to support

people who may be trying to grow in demonstration plot, right up to

people who may be trying to grow in Farms and community agricultural

Is there an appetite for this sort of thing, do people want to get

We know from the allotment waiting list that many people are looking

for land and part of our job is list that many people are looking

help them find land if they cannot find an allotment. We then give

because many people have forgotten how to grow, process and preserved

food. You said about growing things, I think people are involved in a

range of this use and they are interested in sustainability and we

provenance. They are also interested in wildlife preservation and want to

see butterflies, birds and hedgehogs in the gardens and allotments. Is

the south—west particularly good? Bristol and I think Bristol is a

hotbed of green things. There are lots of towns and villages in the

south—west from Stroud, Trowbridge, Swindon, Wales, there are a lot

south—west from Stroud, Trowbridge, people getting their hands dirty in

leading the country? I think you If you would like to help the West

makes sure that matter stays top of the league there is pointy of help

on the BBC summer of life website. Now here's something you don't see

every day — commuters from North Now here's something you don't see

every day — commuters from North Somerset were kept waiting yesterday

station! Services between Temple morning when a cow strayed onto

station! Services between Temple Meads and Exeter were stopped for

two hours. One traveller, Aimee Ramsay, decided to film what was

happening — so she could prove to her boss why she was so late for

incursion. Now do something of a canine infatuation, because not

surprisingly thousands of people have queued to see the Gromits in

Bristol today with some people Organisers have announced that,

Bristol today with some people to popular demand they're going

Bristol today with some people keep the exhibition open just a

little bit longer! The Greatest keep the exhibition open just a

Show on Earth will now open on Monday for an extra day. And they'll

stay open a bit later on Saturday Monday for an extra day. And they'll

stay open a bit later on Saturday before the auction which takes place

That will be exciting. Well if Gromits don't float your boat,

there's something else impressive in A 40—metre luxury yacht has sailed

into the harbour—side. Apparently it A—lister Nicolas Cage. So what's it

We sent Sally Challoner along to Welcome aboard the Lady Sandal.

We sent Sally Challoner along to mine, sadly. It belongs to the owner

of Sandals luxury holidays — and it's here as part of a nationwide PR

This is the main lounge area. We have dining facilities year. Also,

our chairman and his family relax, chill out and enjoy the yacht. We

housekeeping staff, Joe runs the bar area, and we —— he will welcome

housekeeping staff, Joe runs the bar with a premium brand liquor, which

is familiar at all of our resorts in the Caribbean. But we do welcome,

Bristol we have the sunshine so the Caribbean. But we do welcome,

Hollywood A—Lister Nicolas Cage owned this for a while. Not sure why

he would have given it up really. 40 owned this for a while. Not sure why

he would have given it up really. 40 metres long, top cruising speed

he would have given it up really. 40 12 knots It's beautiful But there's

something more I need to do where's Leonardo when you need him... ?

She got into the spirit there, The actor Bill Wallis has died at

his home in Bath at the age of The actor Bill Wallis has died at

Bill, seen here appearing in the drama series Dangerfield in the

nineties, played numerous roles drama series Dangerfield in the

television and radio, as well as on the stage. In recent years he had

appeared at both the Bristol Old Vic appeared at both the Bristol Old Vic

Bristol. He was probably most famous for appearing as the character

Ploppy the Jailer, in Blackadder. Now for the weather. Before we start

the forecast, it is no secret I Now for the weather. Before we start

Portishead girl born and raised Now for the weather. Before we start

congratulations to Portishead and Bloom who today scooped gold in

congratulations to Portishead and regional south—west horticultural

Society awards. The weather is not bad for gardening, we start off

cloudy, that pushed eastwards taking the rain with it. It made the day

rather autumnal for a while. Light drizzly rain pushed in behind the

weather front, that cleared away nicely in the afternoon and behind

sunshine. That is the tone for tomorrow and the next few days

high—pressure bridges and from the site. Its pounds one, much more

settled, no significant rain for the next few days. This evening and

tonight, clear skies, meaning that apart from along the coast it is

quite chilly. Temperatures across the board in rural and urban areas

in single figures, warmer on the and breezy with the south—westerly wind.

Tomorrow morning, although chilly, good spells of sunshine, more than

the graphics are showing here. I feel confident we will see decent

amount of sunshine lifting the highs amount of sunshine lifting the highs

sunshine for the time of year. afternoon, pleasantly warm in the

sunshine for the time of year. Tomorrow night, we begin to see

cloud build a little as the high pressure builds, because mild air

brings up moisture from the site. We may see overnight guzzle into the

Saturday is not too bad, as is temperatures climbing full stop

Saturday is not too bad, as is Sunday, because a big area of high

pressure moves up from the south bringing more cloud, maybe the

outside chance of drizzle from time outside chance of drizzle from time

to time, but we should see some outside chance of drizzle from time

bills of sunshine Saturday and Sunday and into the beginning of

drizzle may be Friday night into Saturday morning, and tomorrow a

good chance of enjoying some decent Very optimistic and well done to

A quick reminder, Panorama, The Honeymoon Murder: Who Killed Anni?