12/12/2013 Look East - West

Hello and welcome to Look East. On the programme tonight: He killed a

man in a row over a parking space. Tonight, Alan Watts is starting a

five`year prison sentence. Hundreds gather for the funeral of a

26`year`old man found murdered in a Northampton churchyard.

An extra ?6 million for a new city railway station.

We go behind`the`scenes at Sizewell's new centre designed to

deal with an emergency. And he's just a few hours away from

being the first double amputee to reach the South Pole.

Good evening. A pensioner who killed a man in a

row over a parking space has been jailed for five years. Alan Watts

was caught on CCTV punching Brian Holmes in the car park of Asda in

Biggleswade. The punch knocked Mr Holmes to the floor and he later

died in hospital. Today, a jury found the 65`year`old guilty of

manslaughter. Neil Bradford has been following the case and joins us from

Luton Crown Court. Neil, it didn't take them long to reach a verdict.

No, after a trial lasting three days it took them just three hours to

reject Alan Watts' version of events, that he was acting in self

defence. There was grasping and cries of, yes, in the public

galleries. The four`man gave the jury's verdict to the court. They

accepted the prosecution's version of events, that this was an

unprovoked attack with unnecessary violence, a moment of madness that

changed people's lives forever. It lasted a few seconds but was a

confrontation with fatal consequences. 64`year`old Brian

Holmes had just been given the all clear from cancer. On the 3rd of

August, he went shopping with his wife, Christine, at their local

supermarket in Biggleswade. Also shopping at Asda on that day,

65`year`old Alan Watts, on the right. He parked alongside Brian,

who was using a disabled space and he lost his temper because he

wrongly believed he was not entitled to park there. CCTV recorded what

happened next. After making a sarcastic comment, Alan Watts

stepped out of the car and punched Brian Holmes, first with his right

arm, then with his left. As Mr Holmes fell to the floor, Alan Watts

got back in his car and drove away. The following day, Brian Holmes died

from serious head injuries. Today, outside court, his family explained

the impact of his death. Brian was deprived of his life and our family

have been deprived of a loving husband, father, stepfather and

grandad. Many more people have been deprived of a good and loyal friend.

Brian was, in every sense of the word, a gentleman, a caring, loving

man with no enemies and many friends. He was a man for whom

caring was second nature. Alan Watts claimed he was acting in self

defence but the prosecution say it was an unprovoked attack and an

extraordinary show of violence, a moment of madness that changed

people's lives forever. Today, the jury agreed. This shows that you

have to think before you act and speak. A family have lost their

beloveds gentleman. And that is shown today. Just as he tried to

hide from the cameras, Alan Watts tried to hide the truth. But he must

now pay the price with a five`year jail term.

Giving evidence yesterday, Alan Watts said he was sorry for what had

happened. Sentencing him, the judge said this was a case of manslaughter

akin to a road rage. He told him he had the opportunity to leave but

instead he did not, and there were serious consequences. After the

verdict, I heard applause from the family room, as the prosecutor

entered, such is their relief that the case is over. But it is not just

their lives that have been ruined. Alan Watts' family face their first

Christmas without him. A 16`year`old cyclist has died

following an accident in Cambridge city centre last night. Beth

McDermot was involved in a crash with two cars on Milton Road just

before 7pm. She was taken to Addenbrooke's hospital but later

died. Long Road Sixth Form College says the student was popular with

everyone and was committed to her studies. Police are appealing for

witnesses. A Luton man has appeared in court

after heroin with an estimated street value of ?40 million was

found crammed into the bodywork of a Jaguar car. The National Crime

Agency says the car was discovered in Essex on Friday evening.

34`year`old Israr Khan from Luton, and a man from Bradford, have been

charged with conspiracy to supply heroin.

Dirty, poorly maintained and a potential risk to patients. Just

some of the findings of inspectors who assessed a GP surgery in

Peterborough. The Lincoln Road practice was one of ten across the

country which was found to have "very serious failings.

This is one of the worst GP surgeries in the country, saying

inspectors, with failings that put patients at risk. Those seeing their

doctors today were surprised and stunned. Shocking, surprised, very

surprised. Does it put you off coming here? Definitely. I need to

have a think about it again. I did not think it was like that. The

doctors I see here are really good. That inspectors criticised the

surgery for being visibly dusty, poorly maintained, with inadequate

infection control. Staff were not familiar with fire alarms and risk

assessments were not in place. We work closely with NHS England and

their Clinical Commissioning Group to try to improve the quality of

care. But if we do not find any improvement, we do have enforcement

action. We will not tolerate very poor and dangerous practice, and we

have had to take action already Across the street, planning

permission has been granted for a brand`new surgery. But for the

drawings to become a building, GPs here say they need the go`ahead from

the NHS. In a statement, the practice say they're building is

more than 100 years old, and they do not think it is appropriate for

Ponty first century health care. Ponty first century health care

They say since the inspection they have had two deep cleans and brought

their infection control up to date. Those in charge decided not to go on

camera today. What does in charge of a surgery now under scrutiny. ``

doctors in charge of the surgery now under scrutiny.

" The East Anglian Air Ambulance grounded its helicopters today for

engineers to carry out an emergency inspection.

The aircraft, based in Cambridge and Norwich, are the same type as the

one involved in a crash in Glasgow earlier this month. They were out of

action from 9.30pm last night but cleared for use again at 3pm today.

The charity says ground crews responded to all call`outs whilst

the helicopters were unavailable. Detectives investigating the

exploitation of migrant workers in the Fens have arrested four more

people. Two women from King's Lynn and two men from Wisbech have all

been questioned on suspicion of fraud. They've since been released

on police bail. It's the latest development in the operation which

saw nine people arrested in October. The Deputy Prime Minister was in

Cambridge today to sign a deal which will lead to the city having more

control over its economic development. Nick Clegg said the so

called city deal would create thousands of new jobs and speed up

the building of homes and transport projects.

This is a relatively new idea which the government believes will speed

up growth and bring major economic edifice to Cambridge. This morning,

the Deputy Prime Minister was at a local company that develops remote

access software for computers. City Deal status, he said, would

encourage or firms like this. Cambridge will be able to grow

faster in future, build more affordable homes for people in

Cambridge, invest in infrastructure, railway

infrastructure, road infrastructure, which needs to keep pace with

growth. Cambridge can do that in the future without waiting for the green

light from Whitehall. City Deal status gives an area more of a say

over development. It will be able to apply for extra grants and borrowing

for infrastructure projects at preferential rates of interest.

Historically, we have been waiting for government to recognise this and

do the job for us. It has not happened. This gives us the

opportunity to be given the resources to get on with the job.

The full details are being worked on but they are expected to create

45,000 jobs and help to build 33,000 new homes. There was another boost

for the city today. Government announced ?6 million to go towards

the new rail station for Cambridge. It is an important project. It helps

to do everything we are here to do today, in terms of making the

economy of Cambridge work, but it actually does something that gives

better access to this great economy. The mood was one of optimism. There

is talk that these announcements could bring more than ?1 billion of

investment to the city. Talking about investment is one thing, but

it will only be when jobs are created and things start to be built

that we will see if city Deal status has really worked.

Around 300 people have gathered today for the funeral of Jamie

McMahon, whose body was found in a Northampton churchyard in October.

The 26`year`old snooker club worker had suffered head injuries. There

were so many well`wishers at the service, some had to listen from

outside, as Louise Hubball reports. It was a funeral for a young man

that friends and family say was taken to soon. It was a funeral full

of personal touches. Jane in Marne, making his final journey in a camper

van. `` Jamie McMahon. Friends and family wrote tributes in marker pen

on his casket. The congregation was 300 strong and full of young faces,

lining the driveway. Described by friends as a ray of sunshine, Jamie

McMahon was just 26. His ordeal was found in Saint Giles Churchyard in

October. `` his body. Police think he may have been attacked after a

night out while taking a short cut. There were so many here today, each

reflecting on their own memories. More tributes were visible when the

casket was lifted into the chapel. There was not enough room for

everyone inside, so some spilled out and listened through an open

doorway. At one point, spontaneous applause could be heard rippling

through the congregation. And there were more personal touches. The

messages again and again read that Jamie McMahon will never be

forgotten. Two men aged 33 and 19 forgotten. Two men aged 33 and 19

have been charged with his murder. With links to royalty and historic

connections to Luton, the Wenlock Jug was one of the town's most

treasured possessions, until it was stolen last summer. But after a

lengthy police investigation the jug was recovered. And today, as Anna

Todd reports, it returned to its rightful place, back on display in

the Stockswood Museum. The Wenlock Jug, back where it

should be and hopefully where it will stay. Prized by Luton, pinched

by a burglar, picked up by the police, and is now home at last It

is good that it came back because we were worried about it. It is

precious and it represents us for a long time. The people that stole it

should not have done that because it could have been gone forever. There

was always a doubt in my mind that maybe someone would realise it was

not made of solid bronze and would melt it, throw it in a river or

something. But I always felt in my heart that we would get it act one

day. This was the moment when a man used a drain cover to smash and grab

the medieval relic. A Crimewatch appeal led the police to a man in

Surrey. We executed warrants and found the Wenlock Jug in the Garrard

`ish, along with a small drugs factory, some stun guns and

bullet`proof vests. At over 500 years old, it has been on quite a

journey. Do you know, I feel I have seen this somewhere before. 480 000.

journey. Do you know, I feel I have seen this somewhere before. 480,000.

seen this somewhere before. 480 000. They are trying to decide whether

half a million is too much. ?500,000. Last chance. Any more? It

?500,000. Last chance. Any more It was bound for New York, but an

export and stopped it in its tracks, allowing Luton Museum a chance.

?750,000, and worth every penny. ?750,000, and worth every penny

This is one of three in the UK of a similar period and royal

connotation. One in the British Museum, one in the Victoria and

Albert, and we have got one. We are so lucky. While its attacker is

behind bars, the jug is back behind glass, very tough glass.

In the varsity rugby match at Twickenham this afternoon, Cambridge

University were soundly beaten by Oxford. Although it was tight up to

half time, in the second half, despite having their scrum half sent

off for foul play, Oxford pulled away to win the match 33`15. It s

away to win the match 33`15. It's Oxford's fourth win in succession.

BBC Radio Cambridgeshire is holding a special debate tonight looking

into the controversial plans for a solar farm on land at Newborough

near Peterborough. The City Council's leader, Marco Cereste, and

MP Stewart Jackson will be taking part in the discussion which will be

broadcast on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire tomorrow night at

7pm. You can also hear highlights tomorrow morning on the Breakfast

Show with Paul Stainton from 6am. And we'll bring have a report on

that debate tonight at 10.25pm. Those

Clacton while trying to stop a man who'd fired at two people in the

street. PC Dibell is the first police officer in more than 20 years

to receive the award. Still to come tonight: The

shotputter training for the Olympic Games in 2020.

And Duncan Slater from Norfolk is just a few hours away from being the

first double amputee to reach the South Pole.

After the Fukushima disaster two years ago, the owner of eight

nuclear power stations in the UK agreed to spend ?180 million on

extra safety measures. The first result of EDF's investment was

opened today near the Sizewell B plant in Suffolk. It's cost ?12

million and as you'd expect for that money it can withstand earthquakes.

The first emergency response centre to be built in the UK since the

Fukushima disaster. Today it was opened, a mile from Sizewell B, by

the global head of EDF. This centre is intended as an additional line of

defence. It will enhance our capability to recover during and

after an extreme natural event. There was a review of UK nuclear

safety after the Fukushima incident in Japan two years ago. A tsunami

caused nuclear meltdowns and the release of radioactive materials.

The Office for UK Regulation found UK stations had no fundamental

weaknesses but recommended robust off`site back`up. `` Nuclear

Regulation. There's already an emergency control centre at Sizewell

B itself. This place is in addition to that. The company says it has the

ability to take control of the station in a dire emergency. There's

a control centre and lots of serious kit. Vehicles carrying diesel

generators ` capable of driving through floods. Cutting equipment,

firefighting gear... Why build this place? We're not in an earthquake

zone and don't intend to get tsunamis... The point is to make

sure we can respond to whatever may happen. Some events you can't

predict. We've worked on the principle of what the worst thing is

that could happen and how we'd be best placed to respond. We want to

protect the public, our environment and our personnel. Not everybody's

convinced. If there was an emergency around here there would be absolute

chaos. No fancy emergency centre will hide that. It won't do a great

deal to mitigate the impact of an accident. Sizewell B continued to

generate during last week's exceptional storm surge. EDF says

the new centre will only add to its resilience.

It's been a fairy tale year for the 19`year`old Norfolk shot putter

Sophie McKinna. She's broken a British junior record which stood

for 30 years, won a Silver medal at the European Under 20 Championships

and made her British senior debut. Sophie has also been included on a

list of athletes who have the potential to win a medal at the 2020

Olympics. She's coached by the former world strongest man Geoff

Capes. She may be Britain's number one shotputter, but Sophie McKinna

doesn't escape the basic chores. Today it's a short, sharp training

session for the 19`year`old. Normally a session's a little but

longer, but because of the weather I don't think we'll be doing too much

more! ?? WHITE There are few girls as strong as Sophie ` and her coach

knows a thing or two about strength. Former World's Strongest Man Geoff

Capes was also a shot put champion. He's been working with her since she

was 12. I saw a bit of me in her. This aggressive, nasty little piece

of work! She wanted to throw the shot out the park but didn't know

how. It's just about channelling aggression and everything else, then

developing her over a period of time. Sophie's made big strides this

year ` making her senior British debut, winning a Silver medal at the

European Under 20 Championships and breaking a 30 year British junior

record. To cap it all, she's just received funding for the next four

years ` deemed as having potential to win a medal at the 2020 Olympics.

I just really, really enjoy the sport. As soon as I picked up the

shot, I knew it was something I'd really enjoy to do. Basically, I

just love athletics ` the atmosphere at all of the different events, not

just my own. I've always been a competitive person in whatever I do.

30 centimetres... Come on! Fire it up! Sophie's strength is phenomenal.

She can lift more than current British weightlifters of her age. If

there's a downside, it's people's image of shotputters ` particularly

in a world dominated by looks and appearance. If you're a little bit

physical... Bigger than most girls... They can look at you

sideways... Blinkered. They haven't got a clue about sport, in the

realistic sense. They don't realise the effort and time that people will

place on training and commitment. Obviously, I'm slightly bigger than

the average human being. Slightly stronger, too. But once you have a

conversation with somebody, there's always really supportive of what you

do. They're interested and even come back to you to ask how you're doing.

It's things like that... To me, it's not a massive problem. You have to

make sacrifices to get places in your sport. One of them, I suppose,

is what you look like. The 19`year`old's target next year is

the Commonwealth Games. Her coach won it twice in his heyday. Sophie

is keen to lay down her own marker. Very confident! Those weights would

crush me! Congratulations to golfer Charley

Hull from Northamptonshire who is on the short list for the BBC's Young

Sports Personality of the Year award. Charley's been selected as

one of three from an original short list of ten. The 17`year`old turned

professional this year and made her debut in the Solheim Cup. The winner

will be announced at a ceremony in Leeds on Sunday night. Good luck to

her! A former RAF gunner who hopes to be

the first double amputee to walk to the South Pole is just hours away

from making history. Duncan Slater, from Norfolk, lost both his legs in

an explosion in Afghanistan. Duncan and 11 other injured servicemen and

women set off for Cape Town three weeks ago ` and then on to Novo

Airbase in Antarctica. From there, they were flown to the start line

200 miles from the South Pole. The start line of the South Pole allied

challenge 12 days ago. Three teams racing to be the first to the bottom

of the world. Many of these disabled veterans have lost limbs in war. One

is completely blind. After this roadside explosion in Afghanistan,

Duncan Slater lost both his legs. After months of training, tonight

he's in a tent, in a gale, just 16 miles from the South Pole. It's 70%

mental. 20% physical. 10% luck. You can see that when you get here. I

can't wait. To be able to say we made it. We've worked really hard.

The teams are skiing up to ten hours a day, pulling these behind them.

Temperatures are dipping to `45 Celsius. Seven days in, those

extreme conditions took their toll on some and a decision was made to

suspend the race. With advice from my medical team, we felt it was

sensible to stop here. It doesn't mean it's over. We proceed to the

last checkpoint. We're still skiing. That decision lifted morale. As one

united team, they pushed on. This Norfolk`based charity helps injured

service personnel back into work. That's where they started. This is

the track. They dreamt up this adventure. We're showcasing these

individuals coming back from injury and adversity. Duncan is the first

double amputee to get to the South Pole. Amazing. Prince Harry has also

joined us. Outstanding. Fantastic. He's strong as an ox and helping to

pull it all. Great to have him in the tent! He skips around like a

ballerina! Tent`mates and team`mates together, Duncan and his fellow

veterans should reach the Pole tomorrow afternoon ` Friday the

13th... Lucky for them! It looks like hard work!

Now for the weather. Chance of some rain on the way. High pressure being

pushed eastwards. Milder Atlantic air coming our way. Thicker cloud in

the west producing patchy rain. High level cloud ahead of it.

Temperatures ` lows of four or five Celsius. Isolated pockets of frost.

The breeze starts to freshen. Tomorrow will be governed by two

weather fronts. Some rain but not too heavy. Expect

a cloudy day with rain at times. Light and patchy. It should start to

clear away. Drier and possibly brighter interlude. It will feel

slightly less cold. You might feel a little chilly. Rain late afternoon.

Much of this out of the way on Saturday.

Rain overnight on Saturday. Breezy through the night. Fairly bright but

some cloud around. It will stay largely dry. Overnight rain Friday.

By Saturday night, another spell of rain. Out of the way on Sunday.

Here's the barometer. Thank you. Goodbye.