25/10/2011 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Dominic Heale and me, Anne Davies.

Our top story tonight, the months of harassment that ended with a

fatal heart attack. This man collapsed and died after

one final confrontation with his tormentors. Without him, we are

falling apart. Also to lead, two men attacked with

flammable liquid at this pub in Leicester. One is still in hospital.

Plus the departing Sven Goran Eriksson said he was treated like

taking by the staff at Leicester City. So who was going to be

crowned the new manager? And from a baby in a bubble to a

boil on a bike, Christopher's big thinking for Great Ormond Street. -

Good evening and welcome to Tuesday's programme. First tonight,

grieving family members have expressed dismay at the sentences

handed out to two brothers, one of whom carried out a targeted

campaign of harassment against a 62-year-old man.

Roy Pedley from Leicester died from a heart attack after being

threatened and tormented by Dean Stephens and, to a lesser extent,

his brother Wayne. Today Mr Pedley's family said they'd been

badly let down by the judicial system. Victoria Hicks reports.

Very quiet, very intelligent. I have never heard him say him one

bad word or raise his voice. He was the kindest, gentlest man you would

ever meet. He was like the glue that held us together. Without him,

we are falling apart. On Mother's Day, Roy and his wife, Bridget,

were walking in this park when they were spotted by this man. He is a

man with a history of violence. He targeted Roy ever since their dogs

had defied last summer. He threatened to smash Roy his wife's

face in. Roy suffered a heart attack as a result. They are

totally responsible for Roy Dyer. If Roy had not meant them that dive.

-- had not met them that day, he was to be here. It Rye Pedley had

heart disease so no one could prove the brothers caused to the heart

attack. Dean Stevens got 27 months, his brother, Wayne, four months for

a public order offence. A very disappointed. They got away very

lightly. We are disgusted. This is over an argument with a dog. It's

been clear that it was a case of bullying. Dean Stevens saw the

older man as being weaker than him and he enjoyed bullying. He got a

sense of believe that he was persecuting someone. The recorder

said Mr and Mrs Pedley were in effect terrified of taking their

son's dog for a walk. Censored -- sentencing Dean Stevens, the judge

said you have a complete lack of respect for old people, people in

positions of authority and the police. He said there have no doubt

you were acting as a bully and enjoyed getting one over on Mr and

Mrs Pedley. Bridget Pedley could not face court today but she says

my whole life disappeared the moment Roy was taken away from me

on that fateful day. 24 hours ago we were on air as the

news came through that Sven-Goran Eriksson had lost his job as

Leicester City manager. The former England boss left,

officially by mutual consent, after an inconsistent run of results and

a poor home defeat at the weekend. Tonight, the club and its fans are

wondering what happens next. Colin Hazelden is at the King Power

Stadium. Dramatic, wasn't it? And even a

full day on I feel like we're still trying to get our heads round it

all. Today Sven said goodbye to his players and to the club where, he

said, staff had treated him like a king. He's convinced the club will

reach the Premier League and that they'll do it this season. We, he

says, just couldn't quite get things right enough of the time.

Some fans had been calling for his head after Saturday's defeat at

Millwall. The mood's a little different now. It is a bit harsh.

We had not done too badly but having said that, he looked like he

did not know how to turn it around. We should have given him to

Christmas time and we should have kept him on. The turnover of

managers is too fast for everybody, not just him. A girl want to get

Martin O'Neill but he will not come. -- for they will want to get.

That last one illustrates the hopes of many. Wood, we wonder, Martin

O'Neill really come back to the club where he is regarded as a folk

hero? It seems doubtful but interestingly, figures around the

game are not dismissing it completely. Whether or not Martin

would want to go back, it is a different club to when I was there.

When Martin took over, there wasn't the money around them. They did not

have the ground and infrastructure that they have. I don't know

whether he would want to go back. There does seem to be momentum. He

is odds-on at the bookies but there are plenty of other names in the

framers of. Later, will be exploring the future for Leicester

City with another former striker. A man is in hospital tonight with

serious burns to his face after a liquid was thrown at him. Another

man was also injured in the attack in the early hours of this morning

at a bar in Leicester. Police say they have no evidence to suggest

it's a homophobic attack but are keeping an open mind.

What we know at the minute is that people were drinking in the beer

garden of the club. We believe a male who had been in the pub

earlier and had been rejected, returned to the pub where a liquid

was thrown. Two males received very serious burn she is as a result.

is not known whether the attacker lit the liquid or whether it was

accidentally let. Staff this afternoon were clearing up and

police have been talking to one man who was attacked. The other victim

is in an extremely serious condition and has severe burns to

his face. We are not being told life-threatening at this stage but

he has a lot of recovering to do. It may well be that we will not be

allowed to speak to him for a couple of bricks. Colleagues of

mine have been liaising with the gay community to see if they have

any information. Police say this kind of information -- incident is

extremely rare and they will leave no stone unturned in tried to find

the person responsible. Still to come on the programme:

find out which of our MPs were revolting in Parliament.

Plus a look inside this new Cancer Support Centre for the East

An inquest jury has decided that notorious killer Paul Hutchinson

did commit suicide in a cell at Nottingham Prison. Hutchinson had

taken an overdose. Just eight months before he'd been

jailed for the murder of teenager Colette Aram. Our Social Affairs

Correspondent Jeremy Ball has been following the hearing at

Nottingham's Council House. Paul Hutchinson lived with a

terrible secret, he murdered an innocent schoolgirl. Justice caught

up with him after more than 25 years but eight months into his

life sentence, Hutchison killed himself. The inquest heard that he

might never get out of jail. He was depressed, his marriage was falling

apart so he wrote a series of suicide notes and took an overdose

of prescription drugs. Nottingham prison has learnt lessons from the

stuff. His family were worried about his mental state but said

they couldn't get help. He had been given drugs in seven day packs

after being taken of suicide watch, a decision that was taken without

mental health staff. Now procedures have been tightened up. We ensure

that health professions -- professionals are included in the

meetings. Also the voice of prisoners' families. We ensure that

there is an advocacy service available for them as well. Paul

Hutchison had committed a crime that shocked the nation. It was the

first ever Crimewatch appeal. He left Colette's naked body in a

field near her home. The coroner was sympathetic towards the trauma

that his family had experienced over the last few years but the

trauma of my sister have experienced over the last 20 are

tears is still not concluded in as much as they don't know why he did

what he did. Paul Hutchison took that secret to the grave., smother

said he took the Coward's way out. The University of Nottingham says

more young people are applying for courses than at this time last year.

The university says the number of applicants is up by almost 4%. This

is despite tuition fees going up to �9,000 a year. Figures for the

whole of the East Midlands show that 20% fewer students have

expressed an interest in going to university next September.

The future of Leicester's �19 million Peepul Centre is unclear,

once again. The community centre first opened in 2005, as part of a

landmark Millennium Project. But its been dogged by financial

problems and three years ago was taken over by a housing association.

It says it hopes a charity can now take over the running of the site.

It's emerged that several Tory MPs from the East Midlands played a

part in the biggest Commons rebellion of David Cameron's

premiership so far. And one of the rebels Andrew

Bridgen said today he would continue to defy Downing Street,

until the people get a vote on EU membership.

We'll hear from him in a moment. But first, a look back at that back

bench revolt. Here's our Political Editor John Hess.

Politics is like poker, especially when the stakes are high. David

Cameron is discovering that on Europe, he may not always have a

winning hand, more so when 13 East Midlands Tories decided to rebel.

This is Heather we lay in the lilac jacket. The people of South

Derbyshire he sent me here so we can talk about these issues. I have

had dozens of the males, telephone calls and letters from constituents

urging me to support this motion and the only communication I've had

saying I should vote against it was from the whips Office. Defying the

party whips was getting infectious. It was a political project which

people feel have gone too far, too fast and with many things that

determined their daily lives deterred by Brussels, not

Westminster. One influential conservative urged caution. I am

not going to be voting with of them tonight for the following reason.

While they have the passion, the idealism and the personal courage,

and afraid they lack good sense. There will be groans at the

European Parliament were the East Midlands has a reputation at the

ballot box for Euro-scepticism. array great tit -- trading nation.

If we turn our backs on are -- hour trading partners, people would

leave. What a stupid thing to do. If it becomes necessary for David

Cameron to call a referendum, then let suffice -- fight it and lance

the boil. Let's get the real truth out. The Prime Minister is not a

busted flush but the rebellion and the support it had from East

Midland Tories could become a habit in this Parliament.

With us now is the Conservative MP for North West Leicestershire,

Andrew Bridgen. This rebellion, was it aimed at the coalition, as it

was against Europe? I think it was. There is a disconnect between

numerous backbenchers over this issue and the coalition government.

The debate yesterday was a pressure valve for that. Is it could go

anywhere because you may want to be out of Europe but for the Dems are

never going to want to get out. issue will not go away and there

will need to be some movement on this issue. You can hear that in

the Prime Minister's rhetoric today. It is like an argument with my

family. It can be quickly healed. It is not helpful for David Cameron.

We understand he has had fairly frank exchanges with Merkel and

Sarkozy and yet in his own country, people are cutting him off at the

knees. MPs are representing their people and that is what was

happening last night in the chamber. Is this uppermost in people's

minds? It is an issue that was brought forward by a public

petition via e-mail. It didn't need to be whipped at all. Could it be a

coalition breaker? They possibly could be but I will guarantee but

at Prime Minister's Questions time, Ed Midland -- Ed Miliband will not

be a will to resist go on the attack over it. Ed Miliband will be

wrong to do that because it is not an issue of politics to the right

or to the left, but of right and wrong. We will see what happens

tomorrow. Next, the first glimpse inside an

amazing new cancer support centre for the East Midlands. It's a

Maggie's Centre. It's the tenth to be built in the UK and will

officially open next week at Nottingham City Hospital.

Maggie's is run by a charity that offers free advice, support and

relaxation for anyone affected by cancer. As part of our breast

cancer series our health correspondent Rob Sissons has been

taking a look around. This is it, it is finally here. To

me, it looks like something that would not be out of place in Dr Who.

If you come inside, it is like a tart this. There are so much light

and space. Thousands of people have raised money for these stylish

surroundings. This clinical psychologist says anyone can drop

in. There is counselling, relaxation classes and a chance to

meet other patients. Like all good parties, the heart of this house is

in the kitchen. That's right. This is where people are able to meet

one another and chat about anything and everything. It's not just about

cancer. There will be people who don't feel able to talk to their

family. It can often be read difficult to speak to her family.

We are not a replacement but sometimes chatting things through

with a professional can help you have conversations with families

that you need to have. Come upstairs and I'll show you the rest

of the centre. What do you think about it? It is fantastic. One of

the first to see it, Teresa, who was diagnosed with cancer four

years ago. Patients who struggle emotionally will definitely find

benefit from using the service. A we will be back next week when a

fashion designer Paul Smith will be here and Sarah Brown, wife of the

former prime minister Gordon Brown, to do the honours at the opening

ceremony. The University of Leicester's

announced multi-million pound plans to upgrade its famous engineering

building. It was created in the 1960s is classed as one of the

country's most inspirational buildings. But parts of the roof

are leaking. It'll mean replacing the main architectural feature,

hundreds of striking glass panels. Still to come on the programme:

Christopher's amazing journey. From a baby, desperately ill, in a

specially built bubble, to this, a fifteen-year-old on a charity bike

ride. Sorry, he is 10 years old.

Let's go back to Colin. All the attention here at Leicester

City now is turning to who is going to be the next manager. A big game

at the weekend away at West Ham. We've just seen the chief executive

leaving. Who will she get to replace the former England manager,

Senor and Ericsson. This is the last year in the story of Sven.

He was the perfect appointment last October, a high-profile manager

known around the world but even 12 months ago, he was well aware what

was expected, demanded. They want Premier League footballers quickly

as possible and this year or next year, I don't know, but he wants to

go on to be successful. appointment had immediate impact.

Big-name players arrived on loan but there was a sense of under-

achievement. This summer came 12 more signings and �12 million spent

on players. They rarely hit top form and Robbo just two points away

from the play-offs, the boos ringing around the stadium on

Saturday brought consequences. Let's look ahead to the future. But

first, the past. It feels like an early sacking. It does. They say

nothing in football should ever surprise you but I'm afraid I was

flabbergasted. Why so shocked? you look at the last three games...

But Birmingham, we were poor. We came home to Watford and we beat

them. Everyone was expecting us to beat Millwall and it didn't happen.

It is then that the owners made their mind up and got rid of him.

What is interesting is the look at Brighton who we beat at home by and

who for the last seven games have not had a win. What do they do with

their manager? Be given a four-year contract. What about Martin

O'Neill? If Martin was not going to take it, he would have said so by

now. He would have gone public and said I don't fancy that. I think

his silence is deafening. We've been getting reaction to this.

is very tempting for him. There is a good foundation that Leicester.

The Leicester fans would be more than thrilled to see him back

because he had such great success there. It is going to be very

interesting to see what happens next. Plenty of names are in the

frame. Nottingham Forest have finally

signed a left-back. Craik Cunningham will be on loan until

the end of December. The is only on -- 20 but is a familiar face. He

had 13 matches on loan at Leicester City last season. It is Steve

controls first signing. Notts County are in action tonight.

Evenley been beaten once in nine league games and tonight they head

for Bury. By serious not the only name in the

frame here. -- Martin O'Neill is not the only name. They are looking

for somebody with an ambassadorial role. They want to get success

which is most important. We will see who they choose in the end.

Christopher Reid is a very special boy and a lucky one. He was born

without an immune system which meant he spent all of his early

years inside a bubble. He survived, thanks to pioneering gene

replacement therapy. Now aged ten, Christopher, from

Derbyshire, has just completed a bike ride to raise money for the

hospital. Getting ready for the like -- ride

of his life. It's fantastic because this is a boy who used to live in

isolation. He is out in his wonderful environment today,

something that was unthinkable a few years ago. It is a big time for

us at the moment. We're very excited and Chris was very excited.

We are hoping to raise lots of money. Born with a rare genetic

condition which left him with no immune system, Christopher spent

his early years living in a bubble. His parents were told that he would

not see his first birthday. But he defied the odds after receiving

pioneering gene therapy treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. A

decade on, it was his turn to give something back. It has been 10

years and we're raising money for the charity to say thank you.

saved my friends live and we very grateful. And it doesn't stop here.

He has already organised his next charity event for later this year.

Isn't it great to have followed him We've got quite a win the picture

to show you. It was captured by Gavin Henderson. They are rather

nice autumnal day. We have seen a few hefty showers around during the

early part of the evening. A couple merge together and it was teaming

it down in the centre of Nottingham an hour ago. We are still going to

see a few of those showers. They are pushing northwards throughout

the evening and by the early hours, we will see the clouds clearing.

Temperatures will drop to around eight Celsius. It is cold enough in

rural areas to have a slight frost first thing tomorrow morning. A

cold start initially. It will be bright start but the date changes

again. The cloud will increase and we will start to see showers into

the afternoon. There will not be quite as many as we are

experiencing at the moment but the odd one or two could become quite

heavy for the early part of the afternoon, before they start to die

away again. It will be a little bit breezy and a bit cold at times

under those clear skies. We start quite wet on Tuesday full --

Thursday. We could end up seeing quite a wet day in store on

Thursday but we will keep you informed a better picture for the

time of year on Friday. We have a ridge of high pressure over us so a

decent day with light winds and a little bit more sunshine around.