23/02/2012 BBC Wales Today

Welcome to Wales Today. The top story tonight:

Mohammed Abdin is jailed for eight months. He was arrested at a

Cardiff Community Centre after an operation by Anti-Terror Police.

His father vents his anger outside court. I tell you what, er he is

one of the brightest boys. Just because he has a beard and his

Tonight's other headlines: While a fifth of our Peacocks stores shut

their doors, the new owners say they'll be keeping the company

Welsh. They've had their say. After the

final hustings tonight, members will begin voting for their

favourite to become Plaid Cymru's leader.

Our first dedicated hovercraft rescue service designed to reach

the places that lifeboats can't go. And as we build up to a big weekend

of sport we hear from the three men with the hopes of the nation on

Good Evening. A Muslim man arrested at Canton Community Centre after an

operation by Anti-Terror Police has been jailed for a total of eight

months at Cardiff Crown Court. He threatened Police and council

officials, saying he'd shoot them. This happened just days after he

received a suspended sentence for affray at the Muslims Against

Crusades march on the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Nick Palit

reports. Mohammed Abdin, 21-years-old and,

according to his family, a university graduate. But also a man

who had, on two separate occasions, threatened to kill the police. The

first time last September on this march by a banned group of

extremists called Muslims Against Crusades. Then again, last month,

at this community centre in Cardiff. Counter terrorism officers raided a

meeting of another group, The Supporters Of Tawheed, claiming

they were linked to Muslims Against Crusades. The court heard that when

there police tried to break up the meeting, Mohammed Abdin became

aggressive. He shouted at police officers saying he will cut their

heads of ensued them. Mr Abdin was already on a suspended

prison sentence after the Muslims Against Crusades demonstration in

London. It was held on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. When arrested,

he told a police officer, "I'm going to hunt you down and kill you

- you're going to burn to death." Today, as his father and sister

left court, they were adamant he'd never taken part in any Muslim

Against Crusades march and had just got mixed up in the crowd. No, no,

no! I am telling year, he did not go to the march. He protected his

rights, freedom of speech. It is like triggering something, when you

press the button. That is what happened to my son, they knew when

to press the button. They knew that if they do this they get him.

Today, that original suspended jail sentence for the London offence was

enforced - Mohammed Abdin following proceedings via a video link from

Cardiff Prison. The Supporters Of Tawheed, the group whose meetings

he'd been attending in Cardiff, is now banned from all council

facilities. But Abu Hajar, its leader, says that far from being

extremists, they're just a group of Muslims who get together to study

the Koran. He says he had no idea that Abdin was on a suspended

sentence. Mohammed Abdin and his family live

in the Grangetown area of Cardiff. His father says Mohammed had a job

spray- painting cars. But claims he was sacked after this latest arrest.

I tell you what, he is one of the brightest boys. Just because he as

a beard and his Muslim. He is a graduate. Because of something that

happened, he got sacked from his work and got paid wrongly because

he is a Muslim. My whole family has been destroyed by the stupid thing.

There is nothing you can prove that me or my family are criminals.

Nothing! Sentencing Mohammed Abdin to four months, the Justice said

that this country cherished freedom of speech, but what was not

permitted was threatening unlawful behaviour.

The new Scottish owners of the retail chain Peacocks say it's

important to them that it's seen as a business that's based in Wales.

Edinburgh Woollen Mill bought the firm out of administration

yesterday; but 11 of its stores in Wales have closed their doors

already. Here's our business correspondent.

New day, new owners at the Peacock store this morning. 80% of its

Welsh will survive the axe. In this town there is some relief there

will not be another empty unit on the High Street. Peacocks is a

well-known name and I am glad they are staying open and, otherwise it

is another nail in the coffin. town at the moment is like a ghost

town so I am very pleased it is staying. But the doors went open

everywhere. There had been casualties including this one and

two stores in Cardiff. So what do we know about Edinburgh Woollen

Mill? The group has around 800 stores and behind the original

image of tweed, lies an ambitious firm. They took over Jane Norman

last year and a had other acquisitions in the past. The

retail industry is polarising. The sad thing is that 3000 jobs will be

lost from Peacocks, but the good news is 6000 will be protected.

There were fears that if another British-based retailer bought

Peacock's it would put jobs at risk because they already have

headquarters and distribution networks. Those concerns are less

of an issue now because, as much as anything, Edinburgh Woollen Mill is

such a different type of retail at then Peacocks, this store is a

world away from the kinds of Peacocks stores you see on the High

Street. As pointed out, the company has a

huge amount of work to do rebuilding a supply chains and

morale. Charlotte Church has settled her

claim against News Group Newspapers, for phone hacking. The singer had

claimed that 33 articles in the News Of The World were obtained by

hacking into her family's voicemails.

Pre-tax profits at the homebuilder Redrow, have seen a significant

rise for the six months to December. The Flintshire-based company made

�15.3m - up 80%. The firms says the turnaround is down to its strategy

of building more family homes rather than flats. Local councils

have been told that extravagant legal costs of defending

councillors must end. Wales public service ombudsman says councils

must introduce a �10,000 cap on legal costs. BBC Wales can reveal

that one council currently based is a potential six-figure bill for one

case. Local democracy in action - or

Wales has 22 councils and hundreds of councillors, but what happens

when one is accused of breaking the rules? Then, in serious cases,

costly tribunals can result. There have been 43 since 2006 and it is

common for councils to pay for legal defence. A single case in

Flintshire has lasted over a year with potential bills stretching

over six figures. At least nine local authorities

offer uncapped a defence cost. The Public Service Ombudsman argues

that his extravagant. He says authorities must put a �10,000 cap

on backing individual cases. think we have seen cases where

costs are disproportionate to the subject-matter. That is clearly not

a sensible use of public funds at a time when councils are hard-pressed

in times of funds for delivering services. Those concerns are shared

Baikal sergeant. He wants the new system before the council elections.

The Welsh government association is also considering the issue. 10,000

maybe the amount that is absolutely right, it depends on the nature of

the accusations. We need to look at it and put a gate keeping process

in place. That may involve an independent committee. With service

budgets under pressure, many believe it is more difficult than

other -- than ever to administer support for councillors accused of

wrongdoing. The demand for change is only likely to grow. Still to

come: How it celebrities are bought on Twitter is helping the campaign

to save the community centre. And the Welsh team on their way to

Twickenham ahead of their clash against England and the bid for the

Triple Crown. After two weeks of debate across

the country, it is finally time for Plaid Cymru members to vote for

their new leader. In the next hour, the three candidates take part in

the final hasting of the campaign. That still leaves three weeks of

campaigning before the winner is announced.

Despite appearances, this is a serious time for Plaid Cymru as it

looks to elect a new leader. There the last fortnight, candidates have

been making their case to the party faithful in hustings like this one.

This is a first for Plaid Cymru. The only one of eight hustings to

open doors to the public. Any card- carrying members can vote, but

Plaid Cymru are looking to widen the debate because not only are

they voting far are party leader, but a potential leader of Wales.

So he could that be? There are three members to choose from. Elin

Jones is a former rural affairs minister. She enjoys the support of

the majority of her fellow assembly members. Critics suggest she is a

continuity candidate. I consider I have the right blend of character,

experience and an -- ambition. I consider myself a bold politician

willing to take risks. If elected, Leanne Wood's leadership would be

the first non-Welsh speaker. With no experience of frontline politics,

what is her vision? I believe that Plaid Cymru should prioritise the

economy and I think we need to make sure we have a party that is in

good shape to put together a long- term economic plan. This is

familiar territory for Lord Ellis Thomas. He led the party 10 years

ago. Where some see experience, others fear it would be a step

backwards. No, it will be a step forward otherwise I would not be

standing. My commitment is to ensure that the party extends the

base of its support. With no big- name endorsements, it seems that

the party grandee is out of the race. Nothing can be taken for

granted, so where can they expect to pick up votes? With Leanne Wood

you would say that geographically she has support in the south in the

valleys and young supporters. Lord Ellis Thomas, particularly his home

patch. Supporters tend to be older and male. Elin Jones, I think she

will pick votes up everywhere. Members will receive ballot paper

shortly and have three weeks to cast votes before the winner is

announced on 15th March. And 18 year-old man has been

arrested in connection with a fire at the Asda store. Last night blaze

started in a food aisle. There were 60 customers and 25 staff inside,

but no one was injured. The shop re opens tomorrow morning.

The UK culture minister has been holding talks on the future of

broadcasting. As part of their visit he took a tour of the new

drama village. He has been speaking to BBC why Wales, ITV Wales and

boomerang. He has said that Broadcasting is something that

binds all the nations together. Each nation should have a NICE --

different broadcasting needs and desires. Wales now has its first

dedicated Hovercraft Rescue service to help locate and recover people

trapped on sandbanks or stuck in mud. The charity, based in

Flintshire, will work alongside the lifeboat and fire service in

emergencies. Matthew Richards is down on the waterfront for us,

Matthew. Thanks Sian. These impressive machines have only just

gone into full service but have already rescued a number of people.

They'll complement the existing coastal rescue agencies and can

also be used in flooded streets. I've been getting a close-up look

The daytrippers down on Talacre Beach near Prestatyn today got more

than they bargained for down on the sand. Hovercraft Search and Rescue

UK have saved people from flooded homes and even quicksand here on

this stretch of coastline. benefit is that it does not need

water, it can go through anything. It is a fantastic advantage.

Obviously, it is water, it will float. Ith they do not have enough

water, we will assist. After several months in training the crew

based in Flint are on standby to ride to the rescue. These �30,000

vehicles can be a bit of a handful. It is pretty difficult to start

with, but I have been with them for 15 years, and I know the ins and

outs of them. It is like driving a car on ice with no brakes and no

steering! That is the way it is. When you have got to stop, you have

got to stop. The advantage of these machines is they can operate at

very low tide and across sandbanks which could be inaccessible for

inshore lifeboats or rescuers on foot. The hovercraft will be

dispatched by the coastguard if its appropriate in assisting the local

RNLI and fire crews. The powerful fans which lift the craft have

certain advantages over outboard motors particularly in flooded

areas. This is a real ambition being fulfilled. The troubles at 60

mph on land. The ride is very smooth. These are likely to prove

life-savers for anyone unfortunate need -- to need their help. I'm

feeling a bit windswept. Explain to me first of all, why is this area

it suited for hovercraft? It is suited, especially because of the

mud flat. The hovercraft are designed to work in these locations,

and they really do work well. Aspects of both mean they have to

stay in the channels. With past experience, it can be difficult for

them, but this is an export -- extra resource to be called from --

called for in the estuaries. have been involved in rescues for

training? Yes, we did have one on the peninsula, and we were called

to a man who had been in a collision with a jet bike, and we

have to deal with that scenario. There was concerns for spinal

injuries, but we were capable of dealing with it, and the tender he

was OK. Thank you very much. Let's hope they save many lives. Back to

Celebrity tweeter Stephen Fry is urging his four million followers

to donate money to help build a community centre in Glyncoch near

Pontypridd. The QI host is calling on fellow Twitter users to help

raise the final �30,000 need by the community, before time runs out on

March 30. Caroline Evans has been to the estate to find out more.

Jobs are hard to find here, and with the others in the class,

Gareth is training for a construction Certificate. I am

hoping this will give me something extra to an employer. From the

outside, it is not difficult to see why they need a new building. For

the last seven years, the community has been fund-raising. They have

raised more than �700,000. But they are �30,000 short. Unless they find

it by the end of March, they will look forward to more used in this

hall, because they will lose the grants. When Stephen Fry got

involved, they could not believe their luck. It has been fantastic.

It has meant so much to the community. Stephen Fry is not just

a star of television. He has a million -- will million fans who

follow him on Twitter. It is vital if they are to make their March

deadline. This man has lived here all his life. He says he does not

know much about weeding, but he knows how much a new centre is

needed here. The centre is 40 years old, and it is oversubscribed. The

new centre would mean everything, really. No one has asleep spoken to

Stephen Fry. He picked it up after it was highlighted by a London

group coup was involved in a project. They have invited Stephen

Fry to open the new centre. Now Thanks Sian. There are serious

prizes up for grabs for Welsh sportsmen this weekend - the Triple

Crown, a boxing World title belt and also this - the Carling Cup.

Cardiff City hope to be bringing it back to Wales on Sunday night after

their final against Liverpool at Wembley rounds off a huge weekend.

And today, Wales's rugby players, boxer Nathan Cleverly and the

Bluebirds all chose to hold their final press conferences in the same

hotel. I am here at the Vale Hotel in Hensall ahead of this massive

weekend for wealth sport. -- Welsh sport. All three are here at the

same time. First stop boxing, and they think cleverly's press

conference for his world title belt. It is a special occasion for me and

four Welsh sport this weekend. Wales, -- Wales-England, Cardiff

City at Wembley, and the title fight in the night. A massive

weekend, and on a personal note, great joy to be involved. I am

looking forward to being world champion and flying the flag for

World Boxing. Upstairs, Cardiff City were holding their final press

conference. One of the busiest they had ever had. The manager has

signed a new contract on the eve of the Wembley clash with Liverpool.

am delighted and proud to be the manager. I'm delighted and proud to

be the merger going forward as well. I think they would like more of the

same. We have had a bit of waiting around, but now we have finally got

the photo that everyone wants. It is what will sum up this weekend.

Sam Warburton and the Cardiff City 20-year-old: Farrell has been

switched to fly half for England. It is going to be a tough game for

us. He is an outstanding player. We know how good he is, and we are

expecting a tough game on Saturday. I Wales start this as favourites.

That does not happen at Twickenham very often! Will sports stars will

be trying to make it three out of three this weekend. In the last few

moments, some breaking news. James Kirk has not recovered from

chickenpox, so it he will not play. Stephen Jones will take his place.

Tomorrow night, Clare will be live at Twickenham. We will be looking

forward to the fantastic weekend of sport. Hollywood actress Minnie

Driver has returned to her Swansea roots for the film Hunky Dory,

which had its Welsh premiere last night. The film - set in a South

Wales comprehensive school - has been produced by the man who

brought us Billy Elliot - and features a host of home-grown

talent, on both sides of the camera. I want to make a show that William

Shakespeare and David Bowie would be proud of. Swansea, 1976 - during

the long hot summer, a drama teacher tries to convince her

pupils to stage a rock and roll version of Shakespeare's The

Tempest. That's the plot of Hunky Dory - and taking the lead is Oscar

nominated actress Minnie Driver. Although she was born in London,

her father hails from Swansea so was this a film close to her heart?

Yes, it was on some level. Definitely. I have never been to

Swansea before, and it was amazing going there and seeing where he

grew up and seeing the house he was born in. It was amazing. Hunky Dory

was filmed on location in Swansea and Port Talbot - with an almost

entirely homegrown cast. It's yet another independent Welsh

production which is getting our film industry noticed. In the last

18 months, we've seen World War Two drama Resistance, the Bafta

nominated Submarine - which was also shot in Swansea - and the

Welsh language film Patagonia, who's director - Carmarthenshire

born Marc Evans - is also at the I don't know whether it is a trend

or whether these blips happen. We ended up at Sundance at the same

time a few years ago. I don't know whether it is sickle. Hunky Dory

has been billed as a fun, feelgood film. And it shares the same as

producer as the hit movie Billy Elliot, so box office expectations

are running high. Cinemagoers can judge for themselves when the film

goes on general realease on the 2nd of March. The weather hasn't been

hunky dory in Swansea today but in some parts of the country it has.

some parts of the country it has. Derek? That's right. Mixed fortunes

today. Most of Wales grey with low But it was a different story in

parts of north and east. Richard Hopkins took this snap looking

towards Colwyn Bay and Rhyl. Sunshine and a taste of spring. The

warmest place today - Hawarden in Flintshire. 17 Celsius, 63

Fahrenheit. Warmer than Crete and the warmest February day in

Hawarden for 14 years. But we didn't break any records. The

highest temperature in February was in 1990 when Velindre near Glasbury

recorded 18.6 Celsius. Tonight generally cloudy. Spots of light

rain and drizzle. Mist, hill and coastal fog. Dry in parts of Powys,

the north and east with lowest temperatures 8 to 11 Celsius.

Tomorrow's chart shows high pressure over the Bay of Biscay

with a cold front over Britain moving slowly south. So tomorrow

some places will start dry. A little sunshine in Monmouth but

most of the country cloudy. Some mist, hill fog and spots of drizzle.

Temperatures in Caernarfon 8 Celsius. Later in the morning some

rain will reach the north. This will spread further south during

the afternoon. However, in the north it should eventually dry and

brighten-up with some sunshine. Top tempseratures 10 to 13 Celsius with

a west to north-westerly breeze. As for the weekend, Saturday the odd

spot of light rain or drizzle in the south otherwise dry with some

sunshine. Feeling fresher with light winds. Sunday cloudier. A few

spots of light rain or drizzle. Otherwise dry. Temperatures 8 to 11

Celsius. If you're off to Twickenham for the rugby - Dry on

Saturday. Fairly mild too with light winds. For the football in

Wembley on Sunday. It should be dry. Temperatures rising to 11 Celsius

with light winds. I'll be back with the headlines just before 8 and the