29/03/2017 East Midlands Today

It's almost 6:30pm - you're watching East Midlands Today.

Our top story tonight - why a teacher's concerns

about a young girl were dismissed by colleagues.

That girl was seven-year-old Shanay. Also tonight a retired teacher takes

to the stand to deny a string of historic sex offences against

children. Plus as Article 50 is trickled in Brussels your questions

are answered. What happens to my children and is very chance that we

will be deported or even separated? We be necessary to have a Visa? And

meet the rare five Legoland. Good evening and welcome

to the programme. Tonight with Maurice Flynn

and me - Geeta Pendse. First tonight coroner has criticised

two staff at Nottingham primary School who as undermined the safety

of a little girl who died because they failed to pass on concerns

about abuse. Seven-year-old Shanay Walker died. Her art and Jane

grandmother were jailed. Today the coroner delivers her conclusions.

Simon is outside the court. What do the coroner 's say? That article

coroner has said a narrative conclusion. She said Shanay died by

nonaccidental injury. She was critical of the headteacher of the

primary school and another teaching assistant. She said they did not

pass on say safeguarding concerns after a number of other teachers saw

bruises on Shanay. And when she died she had more than 50 injuries.

Shanay Walker's mum, Leanne, suffered anxiety and postnatal

depression after giving birth to another child.

Shanay went into care at the age of four.

Foster carer Alison Robinson said she was

desperate to live with her mother and Shanay would say, "I want to be

I go to my friends house and have a midnight

feast and eat my breakfast and go to sleep.

People started noticing a change in Shanay.

Eight months after getting permanent guardianship this

video was taken by child psychologists, as they assessed how

They roleplayed different games given to them by the assessors.

The experts thought they had a good relationship.

But the inquest heard this wasn't a true reflection.

Kay-Ann Morris was putting on an act for the video session.

Doctor Zoe Kyte said at the time of the video and

afterwards, she saw positive interaction between them.

We heard a more sinister side to the aunt in this audio.

Kay-Ann Morris recorded a meeting with Shanay's teacher at school.

As they walked away after the meeting, her own recording

continues, as she shouts abuse at Shanay.

Shanay was at Southglade Primary School in Nottingham.

At the inquest, assistant headteacher Lisa Hyland

said she was suspicious someone was deliberately causing

Multiple child safeguarding concerns were raised

when Shanay lived at her aunt's home, but throughout the inquest

questions were asked about information not being passed

Teaching assistant Linda Simms said Shanay "looked scared of aunty".

She made a referral, after bruises were seen

In September 2013, the inquest heard Shanay told her school

she'd been beaten with a belt and hit over the knuckles with a wooden

Kay-Ann Morris, who had experienced violence from her

mother, was allowed to dominate meetings with professionals.

She was even permitted to bring so-called

"spiritual guardians" to meetings - they were her friends,

who backed up what she was claiming about Shanay and

The inquest continued to hear about missed

It emerged during the inquest that soon after Shanay's death,

Southglade School headteacher Peter Smalley and teaching assistant Laura

Shreaves recreated a child safeguarding document.

It has gone missing, the inquest was told,

They did this on a day the teacher who raised

the original concern about Shanay was not in school.

Just hours before she died, seven-year-old Shanay was

filmed on CCTV, in her pyjamas, going to a corner shop alone.

Shanay's aunt, Kay-Ann Morris, was cleared of murder.

She and Shanay's grandmother were jailed after being found guilty

Shanay Walker had been beaten, burned and abused.

Her young life ended due to a brain injury, in July 2014.

The coroner praised the dignity of Shanay's mother saying she bears the

greatest loss of all. A family friend spoke on her behalf.

This inquest has shown the number of services involved with Shanay

It also shows the number of missed opportunities, where different

actions may have resulted in different outcomes for Shanay.

Leanne believes Shanay was let down on many occasions.

The journey doesn't end here for Leanne.

Leanne still wants justice for Shanay.

No one has been held to account for her death.

We are sorry for the poor sound quality An clip. Now a serious case

review report is due to come out soon and the coroner said that any

lessons from that, any improvements in safeguarding will be a tribute to

Shanay Walker. Thank you, Simon. Earlier I spoke to Alison Michalska,

who is Nottingham City Council's Corporate Director

of Children and Adults. I started by asking her if anyone at

the school who was involved should be disciplined.

Well, I can't really comment on individual HR matters

but obviously there has been a serious case review

which, as the coroner said, was very comprehensive,

and new issues have emerged through the coroner's court.

So they are obviously now subject to an in-depth investigation at the

But you can't just point the blame at the teachers all the

school, this was professionals from the local authority which the

The requirements at the time were not adequate, so the

Government actually changed the rules around a year ago around

Sorry to interrupt, but you essentially

saying that your department everything right?

No, I'm not saying that we did everything right.

And it's with the benefit of hindsight

that we see where things could have been changed.

And since actually Shanay died a number of things have changed

Retrospectively, this young girl was failed.

Do you not feel any sense, as the head of a

department, that that was not good enough?

It's never good enough when children are harmed.

I think what we have to remember, though, is that,

as the coroner has said as well, that the aunt who we entrusted the

care of Shanay to actually managed to deceive most of the people

A serious case review was done shortly after her death.

It will be published now, when we can take into account what

the coroner is saying, to see if there are more

But there has been a lot of action and improvement since.

OK, Alison Michalska, thank you for joining us.

You're watching East Midlands Today - and if the triggering of Brexit

has left you with some questions, you're in the right place.

Very shortly we'll be putting some of your questions

to our local experts, here in the studio.

Nottinghamshire Police have made a direct appeal to a missing mother,

asking her to contact them to let them know

that her and her two children are safe.

42-year-old Samantha Baldwin from Newark is believed

to be with her two sons, nine-year-old Louis

The family were last seen in Nottingham on Monday.

Today, the police have urged her to pick up

the phone and let them know that she and the boys are OK.

A 19-year-old has appeared in court after being charged

22-year-old Pedro Godinho died from a stab wound after being found

seriously injured in Beaumont Leys on Sunday morning.

His family say he had a good heart and promising life ahead of him.

Ezekiel Braithwaite, of no fixed address,

is also charged with attempted GBH and will be back

A retired teacher from Nottinghamshire has taken

the witness stand to deny a string of historical child sex offences.

Christopher Metcalfe's accused of raping a teenager,

Our social affairs correspondent, Jeremy Ball,

He said the abuse simply didn't happen.

He was asked in detail about allegations, that go

and he repeatedly denied sexually abusing a nine-year-old pupil,

She says Christopher Metcalfe kissed and touched her inappropriately,

at a swimming pool, during a story-time class,

He told the jury that pupils did sometimes visit,

And he also explained why he took a teenager home,

after he moved to this street in Kirkby in Ashfield.

He said he was simply dropping his dogs off

from the Skegby Hall children's home, where she was a resident,

His barrister said, "Did you rape her, Mr Metcalfe?"

He replied, clearly and confidently, "No, I did not".

Under cross-examination this afternoon, he was challenged over

why he changed his account of what happened -

because he told the police he wasn't aware of whether he'd kissed

Today Christopher Metcalfe told the jury it was because he'd

"I was suffering from shock" he said.

And "I didn't really know what was going on".

Sarah Knight, for the prosecution, said "Do you feel ashamed and sick

Again Christopher Metcalfe replied, "I did not do it".

He'll be back on the witness stand tomorrow.

So the letter has been signed, sealed and sent and Britain's

divorce from the European Union is officially under way.

"It's happened - and there's no turning back."

That's what Theresa May said as she formally triggered Brexit.

Responding to the UK's notice to quit, EU President Donald Tusk

But things are far from over - in fact, the questions,

uncertainties and complex negotiations are only just starting.

Before we look at those, just what has the EU ever done

The EU is the East Midlands biggest market.

About 200,000 jobs, that is one in 11, I linked to trade with

Most of those jobs are in manufacturing metals, cars and the

Nearly 44% of the region's exports go to the EU

generating about ?8.5 billion a year.

And virtually half of the East Midlands imports are from the EU.

That is worth about ?10.8 billion a year. In the past five years more

than 220 investment projects have received money from the EU, creating

or protecting 16,000 jobs here. Almost quarter of a million EU

citizens living East Midlands. That is one in 18. They worked mainly in

hotels and manufacturing. 9000 are employed in the NHS and adult social

care alone. In a moment we'll be

putting some of your Brexit First, though, our political editor

Tony Roe has been in Westminster Tony, all eyes have once again

been on the Commons. As you say, historic day, and it

shows you just how quickly politics changes. As I was looking down at

the packed benches, there was the Eurosceptic fur North West

Leicestershire. He's been there since 2010 and he's always been a

thorn in the side of the Conservative Government. His own

Government. It was that awkward minority that forced David Cameron

to hold the referendum to give the British people their say. And we

know what the British people have said. He predicted it would happen.

It leaves now a minority on the Conservative benches of those who

are worried about what is going to happen over the next two years.

People like Nicky Morgan and our Subaru. Don't forget, Theresa May,

the Prime Minister, that we should come together. As a nation, does

that mean we are all now Eurosceptics?

We're joined by two experts who we're hoping will be able

Professor Jeff Kenner, the chair of European Law

at the University of Nottingham and Chris Hobson from

Let's get our first question - it's from West Bridgford,

My name's Lee, I'm 45 and self-employed.

I would like to know what assurances we can get from the

politicians that will help business to continue to trade with the EU

when exporting and importing, enabling trade to carry on for

The EU is our biggest trading partner. It's unlikely to be as easy

as it currently is. It's important in the negotiations that we put low

tariffs or no terrace at the heart and when it comes to customs

barriers that they are minimised as far as possible. Each MRC need be

properly resorts to Gilles with this. I think it will continue to be

really important to trade with the EU.

Next up, a question from Derby - which voted to leave -

My name is Katie, I'm originally from the Czech Republic.

I live in Derby, I'm married to a British

citizen, and I work in the public sector.

I would like to know which rights I will have after Brexit.

The good news is that the Government has given a commitment today that

people's existing rights will continue during the Pope period of

membership. And also both sides have agreed that it is top of the agenda

for the negotiations. I think the EU will not be prepared to reach an

agreement with the UK unless all of the acquired rights that EU citizens

have now are preserved. I think that will be a deal-breaker.

Our third question is also from Derby.

The main thing I want to know about Brexit and the

reason why I voted out was because of the immigration question, and

whether we're going to be able to control the people coming in.

It's unlikely that it is going to change very much, because Theresa

May says she wants this deep and special relationship and the EU is

going to insist that as far as possible there is free movement of

people, not the Surrey in the way we know now, but that would have to be

the condition of trade agreement. There will have to be something very

close to what we have now. And of course we are going to continue to

need those EU workers to perform essential services and functions. EU

employees are really important part of the workforce in East Midlands.

That is not going to change. I enjoy travelling to Europe and my

question would be is it going to be necessary to have a visa for every

time I want to travel to a European Providing the security issues can be

dealt with quickly in the negotiations, I'm sure there will

continue to be visa free travel. It is in everyone's interests. I'm

pretty confident. Time for one last question.

I'm wondering whether Al country will be

as strong economically after Brexit as it was before.

What we can say is we are going into it in a strong position. We serve

via our members every quarter and they have been investing. They are

looking to grow so we are coming at it from a position of strength.

And if you have a question to ask our experts, then

they're staying with us for a special live Facebook

discussion straight after the programme this evening.

You can post your questions now, and watch it live on our

A week on from the attack at Westminster in London,

a vigil has been held in Leicester in tribute to the victims.

Dozens of people from all faiths gathered on Welford Road this

It's one of a number of events being held

across the country to mark the attack, which left four people

We all need to work together to ensure that the safety

and the security of our nation is of paramount importance.

What took place at Westminster Bridge attacked the very

heart of the foundation of our democracy, and we need to stand

together to say that people of all faiths and of no faith

It's a busy day everywhere and for sport as well.

Sadly they don't include how to spot a winner -

but sports news first because Claudio Ranieri has spoken

out saying his sacking by Leicester City was one

The Italian was dismissed nine months after winning

He's told media in Italy, "I have been through a lot in my long

career, but never anything like this."

It's been a busy day at the Leicester Tigers.

Ex-England international Mathew Tait and Italy prop Michele Rizzo have

both agreed new deals to stay at the club.

As have talented youngsters Harry Thacker and Tom Wells.

Frantic work's being done to make sure the first speedway

meeting of the season goes ahead in Leicester.

The Lions have a new owner and new signings -

but they've had problems with the track.

An open practice session had to be cancelled today because of surface

The team are due to meet Swindon on Saturday.

The management insist it'll be all right on the night.

You know, it don't look the best but it is...

It looks a lot worse than it is, just because we've

And by tomorrow it should all be laid back down and everything

I'm very, very confident, to be honest.

What's the secret of a successful horse racing trainer?

Mick Appleby is currently the champion on all-weather tracks.

He's just moved from his hired yard at Newark to a purpose built complex

And Mark Shardlow has been to see him.

A man and his horses - Mick Appleby trains 92 of them

It's not something you're going to get rich out of,

unless you're lucky enough to have some very good horses.

It's a way of life, more than anything.

I've done racing ever since I left school.

But I've never done it for the money.

It's a way of life that starts at dawn and

In the morning, the horses go on the gallops in their groups,

alongside the Melton to Oakham Road in the new purpose-built

His secret is to get the horses fit and

He's just fantastic with the horses, he

seems to know what horses want - his horses are very, very happy.

A lot of the horses that we've bought,

they've come from other places and sometimes they've maybe got

And he's very good at getting them sweet, getting them enjoying life.

And whenever you come here you see happy horses.

There are 22 staff in the yard and lots of casuals.

It's a team that are currently the all-weather track champions, and

with the season coming to a close, are hoping to retain it.

I mean, it wasn't something I was going to try

and win this year because we're moving yards halfway through the

winter campaign, so it'll be hard to retain the title,

so we didn't really concentrate on doing it.

But now we're in with a good chance of trying to win it again.

And then there are the owners - always welcome here,

Some have a string of horses, others, a tiny part-share in

I mean, it's a privilege to be able to come to the yard like

this and meet up with other owners, but then on race days we go

You know, you see them here, we feed them carrots

There may be no star horses, big race winners, but Mick

Appleby's string are winning enough to make him one of the kings of

Just finally from me, last night we were at the East Midlands newest

And Nick Matthew, who we spoke with last night, led Nottingham

It means Nottingham and Leicester are both challenging for a semifinal

I have no doubt will follow them if they get there. Thanks, Colin.

Now, is it something in the air, in the water?

Are the sheep locally increasing production because of Brexit?

Well, whatever it is, it's certainly proving to be

an exceptional lambing season in parts of Derbyshire.

Yes, stand by for a rare five-legged lamb!

Plus another set of sheep each giving birth to four young -

also highly unusual, as James Roberson reports.

Two sheep at this from, each with three lambs, that's a lot of lambs

each but still not the full set. In one of the stables are two more

lambs being hand reared. They are the children of those out there,

which have had for lambs each this year and cannot feed them all. The

family who run the farm is a last autumn was ideal for the sheep to

have multiple offspring and not just on their farm. On a commercial scale

I've heard that there are a lot of triplets and quads this time. We had

a lovely autumn with lush grass, a good time for the sheep when they

got pregnant, so it made their lives easier. Meanwhile, just up the road,

this flock look normal enough except for this fellow. Yes, he really does

have five legs. Yes, very surprising to us. Saw him running around. And

it's been fine? Yeah, he's healthy. Unusual? Yes. We believe there was

one in Wales a few years ago. This sheep was named Forest after Forest

Gump. So we have spring lambs, do we have

any more spring weather? Something a bit warm and brighter on

the way tomorrow. Today was fairly cloudy with outbreaks of Rhine, but

brightening up tomorrow. Temperatures ran about 17 or 18

degrees. Here is what is going on. The low pressure is still out the

West, still sending us some weather fronts but it is a slight shift in

the wind direction to a southerly that will drag in the milder air

tomorrow. Through tonight, and this evening, a few outbreaks of rain. It

will be fairly cloudy, will see more showers in the early hours but again

a mild night. Ten or 11 degrees. Tomorrow has a fairly cloudy start,

a few outbreaks of rain, possibly heavy, but brightening up in the

afternoon, still some high-level medium cloud. Not total blue skies

but it will be warm. Temperatures at a maximum of 19. If you see the sun

it will be lovely. Friday has a cold front moving from west to east. That

will bring some rain. There will be sunshine around but it will

introduce some cooler air. By the time we move into the weekend there

will be April showers on Saturday. Don't take the location of the blue

to literally. It just means we could see showers through the day.

Temperatures as a maximum of 14. There could also be some thunder. I

pressure building in Sunday, so turning drier and brighter. Slightly

clearer that will see the tomorrow. Not a bad forecast, definitely

starting to feel more springlike. Very shortly, our guests will be

back for the Brexit special. Do join us on Facebook. Send us your

questions. For now, from us, goodbye.