05/10/2011 East Midlands Today

Good evening. Welcome to East Midlands Today. First tonight, the

young for -- father taunted by crowds moments before he fell to

his death from the top of a power bloc.

Len climbed up the building in Nottingham last July. An inquest

heard today that Osman was seriously depressed after a long

battle for asylum. Osman mother and peasants travelled

from Iraq to hear it chilling details of how he died -- cousins.

He was goaded to jump by a crowd below. TRANSLATION: I was waiting

for him for 10 years and well and I heard about his death, I was

devastated and became ill. It was shocking that some people

encouraged him to drop -- jump. Today's inquest heard that he had

become distressed because he could not get a clear decision about his

immigration status. He had been fighting for asylum almost 10 years.

It climbed on to the railing of the 7th floor balcony, he had taken

cannabis and seemed to be praying. A neighbour and police spent two

and was trying to persuade him to get help but suddenly he jumped off

fell after prawns were shouted from below. Be carrying -- coroner said

it was horrific, a baying crowd willing him to jump. One witness

said they thought it was funny. It even carried on when the police

arrived. It was exactly what happened in Derby where another

crowd encouraged a 17-year-old to jump off a car park. That prompted

calls for extra police powers. Some of Osman's friends were at the

inquest. They are astonished that people can be so Palace. It is

disgusting. I cannot understand it at all -- so callous. It is verbal

abuse to a vulnerable man. Man at - - Osman's family say they blame the

Immigration Service fought his death. They say that his legal

status had caused immense anxiety. They should put the questions to

the Home Office, they were told. What are the immigration

authorities saying about Osman's death? We approached the Home

Secretary and the immigration minister at the Conservative

conference in Manchester. They did not have time to speak to us. I

have heard from the UK Border Agency. They described his death as

a tragedy. They say deepest sympathies go out to his family and

friends. They told me that they had been helping him return voluntarily

to Iraq. Today's inquest suggested that his legal status was pretty

unclear and he had been at his wit's end over this. Why was it so

confusing? In it is often confusing. Asylum cases are often difficult to

prove either way. We know he had made an asylum claim. He had been

turned down. He was in the process of making a fresh claim. Then the

people -- people living giving him a legal help ran out of funding. It

left him homeless without permission to stay here or work. He

didn't have any money or legal support. He couldn't go home either.

His friends think that was the final straw. What a sad case.

A judge has described the case of a driver who caused the death of a

young student as one of the worst he has ever come across. The court

heard how 11 years ago Naeem Imran Rashid was involved in a high-speed

car chase. In the crash that followed, student Nadeep Singh

Walia was killed. Afterwards, at Rashid fled to Pakistan evading

justice for 10 years. Today, he was finally jailed for dangerous

driving. Nottingham, summer 2000. A night

out for four friends, among them 19-year-old st University student,

Nadeep Singh Walia. As he and his friends left a club, a nightmare

journey began. Nottingham Crown Court heard that Naeem Imran Rashid,

then a 23-year-old Nottingham taxi driver and father of four, was also

out with friends. Drunk but driving his Peugeot, Rashid started to

trace the -- chase the car that Nadeep Singh Walia was in a

passenger in. They were terrified. The Rover crashed and Nadeep died

instantly. A year later, Rashid skipped bail to Pakistan where he

has lived for 10 years, marrying for wives and having 10 more

children. This year, he finally returned to Britain saying that he

wanted freak NHS surgery on his injured back. Today the judge said

that it was one of the worst cases of causing death by dangerous

driving he had ever seen. He also said that Nadeep's family had been

waiting for 10 years for justice and now they are going to get it.

Rashid was given nine years to two months in jail. Outside the court,

Nadeep's family thanked the police for pursuing the case. One officer

even worked into his retirement. has tried every which way to get

away with this crime. As you have seen today, that has come back to

haunt him and he has been sentenced accordingly. It has been 11 years

now and it has never been closed for us, this sentence. We are going

to carry on reliving it because we will always miss our brothers.

Rashid's family left the court without comment.

We have lots more to come. A peek at a very 21st century building. It

has got wood on the walls, grass on the roof and these in the garden.

Stay with us for a look around the From new buildings too old. We are

off to one of our most famous tourist attractions, Newstead Abbey,

on the edge of Nottingham. It is the ancestral home of the

Romantic poet Lord Byron, once described as mad, bad and dangerous

to know. According to conservationistss, the

Abbey which is now owned by Nottingham City Council, is itself

in a bad way and needs urgent renovation work. Our reporter is

there. Where have these rather alarming claims come from?

Good evening. It is an American organisation which has put Newstead

Abbey on the watch list. At the moment, around 80,000 visitors come

here every year. They come to be learned about Lord Byron and the

history. Tonight, it is the future that is under threat.

It's Gothic arches mate history to rival any tale by it Lord Byron. It

dates back to the 12th century and was built as penance by a pink for

the murder of an archbishop. Today, they are newer concerns about

keeping the historic stately home intact. It has just been classed

among the 30 monuments are most at risk in the UK. A second blow after

the city council closed the Abbey to the public six days a week.

building is suffering and. You can see that there is water coming into

what was the medieval chapter house. For the long term, there needs to

be investment to stop Newstead Abbey from corroding, decaying. It

also needs to be open to the public. After the some of opening it just

one Sunday a week, people really should be able to get to have

Newstead Abbey more frequently. is not great news either for local

enthusiasts who have already thought one -- fought one bitter

campaign to try to keep the house and Lord Byron collection open.

This is a jewel in Nottingham's crown. It is somewhere we should

maintain and somewhere we should be proud. So much wonderful history

here. Unfortunately, it has been laid to waste at the moment. It

needs a massive programme of work doing to it. In these days of

modern budget pressures, any immediate rescue of this historic

home could be nothing more than a romantic notion.

Joining me now is Nottingham City Council. How much money does the

council put into Newstead Abbey? council has subsidised the

operation for about �600,000 a year. This year, we introduced a new

business model which we had talked about introducing far a number of -

- a period of time. It is looking to reduce cost and it has proved

very successful. This report says that a strategy of maintenance,

long-term maintenance, is urgently needed. Isn't that the criticism of

your department? I do not see it that way. An estate such as this is

very large and this property requires a great deal of

maintenance and upkeep. We are pleased that the list recognises

the importance of this attic for loss -- assets. That will open up

new doors for benefactors. They may help and assist us in terms of

maintaining the building. Shouldn't money have been put in before now?

Money is put in on a regular basis and we have quite an extensive

maintenance programmes. We raised money for the west wall which

needed restoring and we make sure it is not at terms of risk in terms

of English Heritage. But to the building is now on the danger list.

If their organisations come forward, will the council fund it? It is not

a list of danger. But it does recognise that there are challenges.

This is a way of opening up the international profile and the

council is committed since its ownership in 1931 of maintaining

access to the abbey. A very briefly, the organiser is saying that you

have not done a good enough job. It is a criticism of your department.

Will you be put in a -- more money in? There is a lot of different

requirements for the council to fund. With an estate such as this,

you are constantly doing different work and new work. I think it is

saying that there is an opportunity, it has its challenges, and if

people will work with us, we cannot be used -- looked to sustain its

future. A it was Lord Byron who said that building and I --

Newstead Abbey and I stand and fall together. Campaigners will be

hoping it is still standing in many years to come.

In other news, around and 90 jobs will be lost in Derby after Royal

Mail confirmed it is shutting its sorting office. The closure was

first proposed back in May after a fall in the amount of post there.

While they also all operations in Derby will move to Nottingham by

2014. Just over half of the 200 staff will also be transferred.

Power has been restored to homes and businesses in a town in

Derbyshire after a fire at an electrical sub-station knocked out

their electricity. The blaze at Long Eaton started in the early

hours of this morning. Some buildings were evacuated because of

fears of an explosion. Around 50 houses and local businesses spent

much of the day in darkness but the power is now back on.

Good to hear. Next, a challenging time for every teenager. What to do

when you have to leave school. Thousands of school leavers have

been thinking about just that at a huge Careers Fair in Nottingham.

Figures suggest that the vast majority of them will choose to

stay on in education. Fewer than 10% get an apprenticeship or a job.

As our reporter has discovered, some -- many are pretty hopeful

despite the economic gloom. Meet the future. Heading your way

soon. Thousands of school leavers have been looking at their next

step at this Careers Fair in Nottingham. The young people I have

been speaking to know all about the economy, had taffetas out there,

they know about the big jump in her university fees as well. What I

have been struck by is that of -- their optimism and their

determination. It is going to be quite hard so we really need to

work hard and get the qualifications we need which will

help us postop a lot of pressure on people but you have got to ignore

it and go with what you want. Apprenticeships are quite low, on

minimum wage. The best way To do It... The choices seem bewildering

but careers advisers already know the trains. Last year in Nottingham

and Nottinghamshire, 86% of school leavers stayed in education. 8%

went into employment with training. 1% got a job without training. That

leaves around 5% with no job, no training or doing something else.

It is incredibly tough for students to go straight into employment at

the moment. We are in an economic recession. The opportunities for

state employment are very very limited indeed. Unemployment become

so more complicated -- as an climate becomes more complicated,

they realise that they needed the qualifications before they can

enter the world of work. Many are determined to follow their dreams.

Even if dream jobs might now be A new school which you have a

taster offer has now been officially opened, and could remain

the newest school in Derbyshire for many years to come. Shirland

Primary was just completed before tougher restrictions took hold.

Welcome to Shirland Primary which has just officially opened at a

cost of just over �5.5 million. I want to find out more. We are going

to show you round our new school. The school was previously on at two

sites. This distinctive would frame gives it a very natural feel.

mosaics were made by a year six. We will always remember them. As you

can see this school is curved, this half of the building is where the

junior pupils are. Over there it is a multi- used airier, you can play

sports like tennis and badminton. How do you feel about being the

headteacher of this brand new school? As you know, I'm very proud

of this school. They have a lovely new environment to learn in.

A former Olympian came to improve Davington schools. Donna Kellogg

has been teaching us Badminton. What do you think about the new

school? I think it is an amazing new school, you are very lucky to

have these facilities here. Everyone has had a go at Badminton.

Hopefully you'll be a to pay its -- deal to play lots of new sports in

the future. A grass roof complete the school, and is one of many new

Eco beaches. Thank you for showing us around. We are reporting from at

Shirland Primary in Derbyshire. Getting the children to do his job

for him! Are a major crackdown on

environmental crime has been successful. Council enforcement

officers say they have seen massive reductions in letter and fly-

tipping. North-west Leicestershire District Council tackle the

offences across both district. They find it a 53 people for the

offences. Work is at the British Sugar

factory in Nottinghamshire -- workers at the British Sugar

factory have accepted a pay offer. After insufficient support for

industrial action they have accepted a free 0.5 % increase.

We are heading back to Newstead Abbey for the weather forecast.

I am keeping my fingers crossed, the rain clouds are lingering

the rain clouds are lingering overhead. I'll have more at the end

of the programme. You could almost feel Lord Byron

You could almost feel Lord Byron striding through the grounds. Now

the sport. We are deliberating in the sport,

Nottingham Forest are still searching for rainy manager. They

have received more than 40 applications in the post. They are

hoping to make a shortlist, interviewed and -- and appoint a

new man a four-day game against Coventry in one week.

At Leicester City, Sven-Goran Eriksson has not given up hope of

bringing David Beckham to the club. He is trying to persuade the backs,

and their owners have the resources, he has promised in a coaching role.

How could he resisted the East Midlands!

At the cutting -- at Notts County, Martin Allen has been shortlisted

for the League One manager of the for the League One manager of the

Month award. They have gotten into the play-off places.

The curse must have struck already, they lost last night in these

Johnston's Paint Trophy. It is a chance for your club to

make some money, in the first half Notts County look like a good bet.

They scored a goal, in the second half the opposition produced at

three goals in 30 minutes. Mark -- Mark Randall let fly. They are out

of the Johnston's Paint Trophy, but the fans are pleased that lead you

signed a new contract. He revealed that he had taken a pay cut.

The boxing and bin-man and may be no more, Randall a Munro is

determined to become a world champion, he lost his first title

fight last year, he is considered to -- considering quitting his job

to continue training full-time. He is as famous for his day-job as

the is for his boxing prowess. Rendall Munro has made a virtue of

doing the been rounds in Leicester. That could all begin to change.

Once you get into the lead, you need to start thinking ahead of

yourself. You need to make that one or 2% difference. That could be the

step to becoming a world champion. To be able to go full time he needs

a sponsor, tricky Indies economic times. It is going to be a hard

life. The guy driving my truck has been there since the beginning, it

is going to be hard, true friend stick by you. His camp are lining

up a world title eliminator for next month. He's going to move out

of home to concentrate on the build up. This time there is a twist.

said if I can afford to get a track -- to get a caravan, I would move

in. He started laughing. He told me he has got one per May. I am

sleeping outside of the gym in a caravan! If it means being world

champion, that is what it's is all about. When it is knowing comedy is

not coming in! We you cooking breakfast, -- with you cooking

breakfast? I will. A boxer looking for me access --

looking for success, whatever it takes.

We ended the sport on cricket, sad to report the death of former

England cricketer Graham Dilley, at just a pity two years old. -- 52-

year-old. He was best known for England's famous Ashes win in 1981,

the Botham Tests. A sad day for sport.

If the two, that is nothing! If you're driving past Lubbenham,

you may notice something unusual. It is a straw bale pirate ship,

built for the annual scarecrow Festival this month. It has cannons

and sales, it is all right, it is still standing. The farmer who owns

the field says they are planning something even bigger than next

year. It takes months of planning, there is a team a people who spend

six or seven weeks making it. Next year we're going to build something

spectacular. Excellent staff. From spectacular. Excellent staff. From

pirates to poets, one of those nights.

Newstead Abbey looks rather beatable.

-- beatable. Driving up the A60, lots of excited

faces. Tonight is the first night other a new festival. Lots of rides

to have a go at, candy floss, lots of sweeties. A family occasion. A

blustery night, at the moment it is dry. We have rain on the way, the

clouds starting to gather overhead. The rain will move southwards.

Becoming quite heavy and persistent Borrie time, a little more showery

later on. It is going to turn quite chilly, down to single figures,

nine Celsius a bizarre minimum temperature. -- that is a minimum

temperature. Tomorrow morning, blustery south-westerly winds.

Showers will start to form early on tomorrow morning, a fee of those

showers -- a few of those showers will go towards the Peak District.

Some thunder, and unsettled day, some sunshine makes dinner. One

thing that we will notice, it will feel much colder, maximum

temperatures of around 14-15 degrees. Feeling a little cooler

with the wind. We have a low pressure towards the north of us.

High pressure is trying to build up in the south. That will squeeze

asked, is staying very windy. It will remain quite unsettled at

times, rain and showers. The weekend will see the temperatures

paid a down a little bit. Leading quite chilly. It is getting dark,

still feeling quite barmy. Before you go, are you partial to

the bright light of Leicester? BBC Radio Leicester is working with the

local council and businesses to celebrate what Leicester has to