13/12/2013 East Midlands Today

This is East Midlands Today with Anne Davies and 0

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

Tonight ` could the authorities have prevented the death of a toddler?

Two`year`old Riley swallowed his mother methadone. People were not

sufficiently sited on the needs of this little boy. Also, store wars in

Leicester as independent shopkeepers take on Tesco. Plus, give me a tram

after midnight. Our Nottingham's new fleet is being tested in the wee

small hours. And the astronauts who became a big hit in cyberspace.

You are weightless. You get so used to flying, touching something with

your finger and flying across the room. Good evening and welcome to

the programme. An investigation into the death of a toddler has found he

would probably still be alive today if concerns about his care had been

shared correctly. Two`year`old Riley Pettipierre, from Belper in

Derbyshire, died after swallowing some of his mother's methadone. A

report that's just been published has ruled there were "significant

failings" by the authorities. Simon Hare reports.

Reilly dies after swallowing some of his mother's heroin substitute. She

poured it into one of his drinking beakers at his father moved it

within his reach. The youngster was found lifeless at the family flat in

Derbyshire. His parents were convicted of manslaughter and

jailed. But now a so`called Serious Case Review has ruled health workers

and the police could and should have told social workers about the family

circumstances. This report, whilst it identifies some good practice in

the work undertaken with the mother, doesn't find there were

serious failings. Failings in the way the focus was maintained on the

mother and people were not sufficiently sited on the needs of

the little boy. The methadone should have been stored in this box but she

had been selling it on to find her habit for illegal drugs. Days before

the death, police had been tipped off about drug dealing at the

property. But they were not aware a child was at the address. The

tragedy is on that day that Reilly died, the information around drug

dealing at the address would have been June four will `` for review

and we would have decided what enforcement activity to take.

Officials say action has been taken to stop something similar from

happening again. Today's report concludes that have social services

been told about the living conditions, he would still be alive

today. A supermarket giant has called a

meeting with a Leicester MP because of a row over plans to open a new

store in 0 of a row over plans to open a new

store in the City. Tesco says its new express shop will create twenty

jobs. But independent traders in the Clarendon Park area have told us

they're furious about the plans. Eleanor Garnier is there now,

Eleanor it sounds like this is getting quite heated.

Yes, it is getting tense tonight, this is the local independent flower

shop, there is a vegetable shop, and a 0 0

shop, there is a vegetable shop, and a butcher and 50 metres down the

road is the bank that Tesco wants to turn into a new store. But they have

a fight on their hands, there is a well`organised campaign group

determined to ruin the plans. Queens Road, Leicester with a

reputation for independent shops and cafes. Over the years, the national

chains have crept in and now Tesco wants to join the club. It has taken

over an old bank and says a new store will create 20 jobs. The

independent shops cannot take any drop in trade whatsoever. Because of

the 0 drop in trade whatsoever. Because of

the economic situation, we are hanging on by our teeth and any drop

in trade could see the end of us. They say they will create 20 jobs

but how many jobs will be lost? Chris 0 0

but how many jobs will be lost? Chris employs seven staff, if the

shop goes, that will be seven jobs gone. I have walked up and down

Queens Road and every shop now has these say no to Tesco signs. There

were a couple 0 these say no to Tesco signs. There

were a couple of traders who said they are in favour of a new store.

Interestingly, they would not speak on camera. We go where we are wanted

and there is support for this store, it will bring lots of people to this

side of the street and this area of the road, we think it will be a

great addition and it will be welcomed. 2000 people have signed

the petition, the traders are against Tesco but I am sure people

have different views so I am launching a survey to get views and

I am putting the concerns of residents and traders directly to

Tesco. As word got out a news camera was in the area, campaign is

mobilised. This is a fight that is only going to get louder. Their rear

is some way to go before Tesco can bring in the builders, they have

secured the release and it has planning permission to be used as a

shop but they need consent from the City Council for a cash machine and

signs for the store. Local campaigners tell me if the plans go

through, they will boycott not only the store but all Tesco shops and

products. Later in the programme ` coming home ` for Christmas. Des

Malbon was forced out of his bungalow by this Summer's flash

floods. Now, he's home and dry. A woman's appeared in court charged

with the murder of a Derbyshire pensioner. 70`year`old Sandra

Bainbridge was discovered in her home on Short 0

Bainbridge was discovered in her home on Short Row in Belper on

Tuesday night. Andrea Cutler, who's 37 and from Derby, appeared before

city magistrates accused of her murder. She's been remanded into

custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court next week.

Dramatic footage has been released of the moment a jeweller is attacked

in his Leicestershire home by a robber posing as a delivery man. He

uses a taser stun gun on Nigel Blackburn, who falls to the ground

with the burglar on top of him. But Nigel's screams alert his fiancee

and her friend, who chase off the attacker with kitchen knives and a

cleaver. The robber, who's from Lancashire, has been jailed for

eight years. An appeal is underway to improve

maternity facilities for women who deliver still born babies. The

Leicester Baby Loss appeal aims to raise ?100,000 for a new bereavement

delivery suite. On average 17 babies are stillborn every day in the UK.

Our health correspondent Rob Sissons reports.

The joy of a healthy baby, Keith and his wife know about the shattered

dream, a stillbirth. They are returning to the counselling room

they set up for other grieving parents at Leicester general named

after their lost daughter. It took a long time for me to accept that that

had happened and I felt at the time that when I gave birth, the baby was

going to be born alive and it would be OK. It is important we try to

discover the reasons for this, 20 years on, the figures are the same.

You never get over the loss of that baby. Even 0 0

You never get over the loss of that baby. Even if you have others. Last

year, there were 10,000 babies born at Leicester, there were over 200

stillborn. The current setup for delivery is not ideal. The worst

thing is being in the area where you have other mothers giving birth to

live babies, listening to those babies being born and crying when

that isn't happening for 0 babies being born and crying when

that isn't happening for you. The plan now is to create a more private

space. This is the main delivery suite, the delivery rooms are down

there. What we aim to do is develop the room up there near the offices

so it is out of the way from the main delivery suite and the noise.

We are trying to make it the best it can be under the circumstances, you

never get over losing a baby, you never would. You think of that baby

at every stage of its life. Money from the appeal will improve

facilities at the Royal Infirmary. The latest batch of Army Reservists

have held their passing`out parade at the Prince William of Gloucester

barracks at Grantham in Lincolnshire today. For them, it marked the end

of an intensive, two week training course. But for the new Army

Reserve, 0 0 course. But for the new Army

Reserve, it's the start of a big recruitment push as the regular Army

faces big cuts. Here's our political editor John Hess.

Drilled up and ready for inspection, these reserve this completed the

first stage of training at the Prince William of Gloucester

barracks run them. Next? I have commando training. They are among

more reservists which the government hope and offset the Treasury squeeze

on military budgets. The MoD wants to expand the Army reserves to

30,000, a third higher to make up for cuts in the regular forces. It

is doable. We have looked at the Australian and Canadian models. We

can have a larger percentage of the army being made up of reserves. Anna

Soubry visits the hate queue of the reserves formerly known as the

Territorial Army near Nottingham. We have a good history of reserves and

we want to build on that and quite frankly these passing out parade,

which the public what the reserves are about, shoulder to shoulder with

serving personnel. The Shadow Defence Secretary fired this salvo.

Can you reduce the number of regular troops at the speed and in the

quantity the government are doing? And also recruit the reserves to

plug the gap? There are issues and that is the concern people have. The

regular Army is being cut by 20,000 in the next seven years, the MoD

hopes these reserve list and more to follow will be a bigger part of

Britain's defence front line. Nottingham's 0

Britain's defence front line. Nottingham's fleet of new

futuristic`looking trams are being put through their paces in test runs

being conducted throughout the night. It's preparation work for

this time next year when the city's ?570 million tram extension should

be up and running. So 0 ?570 million tram extension should

be up and running. So far, six of the new trams have arrived and Mike

O'Sullivan's been out on one of them.

All aboard the futuristic looking service from the Wilkinson street

tram depot in Nottingham. No pain passengers, this is a test run for

one of the cities new trams. Only allowed out when the existing

services have finished for the night. More comfortable? And doubted

Lee. Ten years since the last freed of trams as ten years makes a lot of

difference with technology. They should notice a big difference.

This is the sixth Fleet arrived, are driven from France where initial

testing is done. Built in Barcelona by 0

testing is done. Built in Barcelona by a 0

testing is done. Built in Barcelona by a French multinational. They

still have to add the finishing touches but this is one of 20 new

trams arriving. A top speed of 43 miles an hour, enough seats for 58

passengers and a few stand`up, room for 144. The new trams are a model

already used in cities including Paris, Madrid, Dublin and Istanbul.

It is the first city to have a low floor version in the UK. Late`night

testing has brought the crew into contact with the 0

testing has brought the crew into contact with the night`time economy.

One or two people are lying down in front of the tram, they soon move

when we blow the hooter. When the policeman comes, they move even

quicker. Night`time testing is due to start

next year. A poem written by Nottinghamshire Police to raise

awareness of rape and sex attacks has been criticised by a women's aid

charity. The force's Christmas campaign includes an adaptation of

the poem The Night Before Christmas. It's aimed at potential attackers.

But Midlands Womens Aid has called for it to be withdrawn because it

says the poem trivialises the long term effects of rape. A police

spokesman says the poem was written using accounts from victims and

rapists. A multi`million pound redevelopment

of Leicester's Haymarket Bus station IS to go ahead. The Department for

Transport's confirmed it will pay three and a half million pounds

towards the 13 million pound scheme. It'll involve a new central

concourse and bus bays. Work's expected to start in the summer.

However Leicester's mayor has warned it'll 0 0 0

However Leicester's mayor has warned it'll mean some 0

However Leicester's mayor has warned it'll mean some local businesses

being forced to move. Derby is mourning the loss of a 21`year`old

celebrity ` a water buffalo called Oink.

A victim of attempted poisoning, Oink attracted worldwide attention

when 0 Oink attracted worldwide attention

when he got 0 Oink attracted worldwide attention

when he got his own CCTV security. He even had a website. Then came a

bitter battle over his ownership which ended in the Appeal Court.

Sadly Oink has died after a long illness. He'll be remembered as one

of the region's 0 illness. He'll be remembered as one

of the region's most unusual inhabitants.

Everyone wants to spend Christmas at home if they can, but one pensioner

had almost become resigned to spending it elsewhere. Along with

others, Des Malbon was forced out of his bungalow after flash floods

swept through Southwell in Nottinghamshire five months ago.

Since then he's been living in temporary accommodation. The good

news is that with days to go he's moved back in, and now has plenty to

celebrate. Quentin Rayner reports. In July, a trickle turned into a

torrent, a months worth of rain fell in 80 minutes and they could not

cope with the water. A group of pensioners bungalows was hit forcing

most to move out. But now they are returning, including wall Navy

veteran Des. Fantastic, there were no words for it. Wonderful. I will

have more friends down here. A hamper from the Rotary club. He

was one of those affected by the flooding. The presents are already

arriving. Des, you have a hamper from the Rotary club. 0

arriving. Des, you have a hamper from the Rotary club. Thank you!

That's wonderful. On the close, people are still worried about

another flood. Very very worried, in the back of my mind, it is not far

away now. Water came over the hedge at the top. It's taken five months

to dry out and repair the bungalows, too long, says Des. It is

disgusting. I could have been back sooner. I am not looking at myself,

the old folk around me. Des has turned 91 and will be dressing up as

Elvis at his birthday party. He has what he wanted to Christmas, being

back at home. Happy birthday and happy Christmas, Des. Over to the

sport. First Leicester City's leading goal`scorer says he wants to

start contract talks and is desperate to stay at the club. David

Nugent is one of 11 players who'll be free agents come the end of the

season. The Foxes remain in the top three and face top of 0

season. The Foxes remain in the top three and face top of the table

Burnley tomorrow. Angela Rafferty reports.

It is a massive week at Leicester City, three really important games

in the space of seven days. The team need to stand up and be counted and

one man will be leading from the front. He is the leading goal`scorer

who says he has fallen in love with Leicester. It is hard in recent

weeks. 60 minutes, 65 0 Leicester. It is hard in recent

weeks. 60 minutes, 65 minutes. The gaffer thinks I haven't been playing

well enough in the game. Off the pitch, a momentous year, putting

football in focus. I have had a baby girl, three months old, the best

feeling ever. I cannot explain how good it feels. Seeing her little

face, you cannot put words to describe 0

face, you cannot put words to describe it. 0 0

face, you cannot put words to describe it. It has been an eventful

couple of months. What she wants now is success at the club who have

taken him to their heart. Out of contract in the summer, and no word

from 0 0 contract in the summer, and no word

from the board. I know I want to stay here, and the lads out of

contract. My heart is here, I fell in love with the club and the fans,

a close`knit bunch here. I am enjoying it. And no lack of

confidence at head of three huge fixtures. What is the best of the

matches? Six points would be nice. Nottingham Forest go into a home

game with Ipswich tomorrow in fifth spot, eight points off the top.

Manager 0 spot, eight points off the top.

Manager Billy 0 spot, eight points off the top.

Manager Billy Davies met with the chairman this week to discuss

January targets and say despite suggestions on social media of

problems behind the scenes he and the chairman have a great

relationship. One change kit created a fuss because it was a shade of

red. And the one they're wearing against Charlton at the weekend?

Well, it definitely reminds us of something.

You can see the link straightaway, the club have gone out of their way

to embrace it and have fun with it. It really doesn't matter what Derby

County wear, look at the record, only lost once and a Steve McClaren.

The only danger is overconfidence. Feet on the ground, focus and

concentrate. Make sure we do it on Saturday.

Heroes are nothing without balloons, that part is played by Charlton

Athletic. The FA be team had brains, Derby County have McLaren and

however much they have improved, Steve says the team never needed

international rescue. It wasn't a rescue job, we have found very good

players, good football players. It has been fantastic for us. As for

the shirt, the kids just love it. As long as they are winning, they can

wear what they want. The weekend, very simple, make sure six wins out

of six and if the Rams can achieve that, it will be Derby County, well

done. I brought the toys back to play with. Nottingham Forest go into

a home game with Ipswich tomorrow in fifth spot, eight points off the

top. Manager Billy Davies met with the chairman this week to discuss

January targets and say despite suggestions on social media of

problems behind the scenes he and the chairman have a great

relationship. I am here until 2017 whether you

like it or don't and I am going nowhere. They can write what they

like, I will ignore it in the past and at the moment and will continue

to focus on the job and the team and the club and give these great fans

are best and do what we can with what we've got available. 0

are best and do what we can with what we've got available. You can

hear an extended interview with Billy Davies on the BBC sport

website or a full interview on our face book page. Full commentary or

goal updates of your teams game from your local BBC Radio station this

weekend including Notts County's trip to Colchester and Mansfield's

game at Wimbledon. Rugby Leicester Tigers are in

Montpellier on Sunday in the Heineken Cup ` a victory would be a

massive step towards qualifying for the knock`out stages. Tennis and the

women's tennis association has announced that the Nottingham Tennis

Centre will host a pre`Wimbledon tournament from 2015 onwards. Great

news because the male equivalent was axed five years ago after 14 years

as a warm up tournament. And finally from me good luck to a

really top man. Colin Magee from Burbage in Leicestershire has given

up nearly 50 years to volunteering, getting thousands of young people

into sailing. He is our BBC East Midlands Sport Unsung hero 2013

which means Colin, who is 71, is in contention to win the National

Unsung 0 contention to win the National

Unsung Hero Award at the BBC Sports Personality event this weekend.

I have met him, he is a great guy, and of course hope he scoops the

title! Leicester played host to a visitor

today who became famous floating around many miles above planet

Earth. Yes, retired NASA astronaut Chris Hadfield was at the University

of Leicester visiting the Space Research Centre. He became an

internet sensation earlier this year with his series of videos about life

on the International Space Station. Our reporter Navtej Johal went to

meet him. Chris Hadfield here. One small video for him, one giant

internet sensation for mankind. Chris was the first Canadian to walk

in space and has orbited the planet 2500 times but these videos helped

him become a social media phenomenon. He was at the space

research Centre where he held a Q and A with some lucky students. It

was a nice interaction, to see their studies and the areas they are

becoming expert in and to increase my own understanding through their

eyes. Until I was 12, I wanted to be an astronaut. Incredible. I am

presenting in front of one of my biggest heroes. The most unusual

thing on a space station is adapting to the fact you are weightless. You

get so used to flying to touching something with your finger and

flying across the room and moving effortlessly, you are adapted to

having a superpower. What advice do you have two young and old to

achieve becoming an astronaut? Physical fitness, you have to be in

shape, and advanced technical education and we need people who

have proven ability to learn complicated things as

decision`making, proven ability to make decisions and stick with them,

especially when the consequences matter. Wise words from a man who

once said he wasn't destined to become an astronaut, he turned

himself into one. What a bloke. I would love to fly.

Christmas jumper day`to`day. It is cold in the studio. Mine is at the

ready. We had a damp end to the afternoon and the weekend by

daylight looks generally dry with decent sunny spells. You will notice

a fresh breeze but thank you for this photograph from Haddon Hall. Do

see your photograph used, e`mail to them `` e`mail them to us. The

pressure chart shows 0 them `` e`mail them to us. The

pressure chart shows the rain with us for the last hour or so clearing

away, the isobars are squeezed together. This low pressure and rain

is moving in during the night on Saturday clearing to give 0

is moving in during the night on Saturday clearing to give a decent

day on Sunday. The rain is quickly going to clear away to the east and

behind it the skies are clear so temperatures dropping quite quickly.

One or two showers possible in the early hours but they cleared to give

a clear end to the night. Temperatures, lows of three

Celsius, enrol spot is low enough for frost. A beautiful start on

Saturday, 0 for frost. A beautiful start on

Saturday, lots of sunshine to be had throughout the morning, it will stay

that way into the afternoon. Slowly we will see Cloud pushing in from

the west and then the rain will eventually arrive to end the

afternoon. A breezy day with highs of 10 degrees. The rain pushes

slowly through Saturday night but clearing away and we should be

generally dry on Sunday with some lovely sunshine, I will join you.

Yours has a jingly bit. We look like Bridget Jones diary. I love these.

They are super. Goodbye.