08/09/2011 Look North (Yorkshire)

Good evening, and welcome to Look North. On the programme tonight:

Back on the agenda. The mother of Ben Needham, who went missing in

Greece 20 years ago, is granted her first ever meeting at the Foreign

Office. Four years for a drink-drive killer.

Jamie Still was killed in Otley on New Year's Eve, knocked down by a

drunken reveller. And here come the girls, as the St

Leger's Ladies' Day adds a bit of glamour to today's racing card.

More rain and drizzle tonight. Something brighter and one Russia

come, but the full forecast coming After more than 20 years of

fighting, Kerry Needham was today granted her first ever meeting with

the Foreign Office over her search for her missing son. We caught up

with her as she came out of the 30 minutes' discussion with the Europe

Minister. She said the meeting had lifted her hopes of finding her son.

She has never given up hope of finding her son, who was only 21

months when he disappeared on Kos. It has been two decades of

frustration and heartbreak for Kerry Needham. Anniversaries of her

son's disappearance have come and gone. Today at least with the

meeting here, she feels that the search for Ben has taken another

step forward. Her life changed for ever when he disappeared, and for

20 years, Kerry Needham has been determined to find her son. He went

missing during a family holiday on the Greek island of Kos, in July

1991. He was just 21 of sold at the time. Now at the age of 21, this is

how he might look. Over the years, Terry has made many emotional

appeals for help. He will come back, and then I will just watch him grow

up for the rest of his lies. I'm just waiting. Now she is pushing

the Government for more resources to investigate a case. Today, she

has been in London for a long awaited meeting with the Europe

minister. He is aware of the case obviously, from 1991. And he said

that he can't imagine what it has been like for us. I asked for a few

requests, from governmental status. And he seems to listen, with great

interest. And I think that he will do what we have asked of him. At

the end of the day, I am just a mum who wants to find her son and needs

all the help she can get. And I feel that after leaving a meeting,

I will get it now a. Today's meeting has been a long time coming.

She wrote to the Prime Minister asking for help. Since then she,

she has been pushing for a meeting at the Foreign Office. Now that it

has happened, Kerry Needham will no doubt be making sure that the

search for her son stays in the public spotlight.

Angela Smith is a South Yorkshire MP. She joins us tonight from

London. Angela, Kerry Needham is saying she is delighted how them --

with how the meeting went. What do you think? I think it went very

well. The Minister sat and listened very carefully to what Kerry

Needham had to say. He had clearly read very thoroughly the details of

Ben's case. And I think that more than anything else, he was

absolutely clear that the government will do whatever it is

reasonably able to to support Kerry Needham in her search. I have to

say, I had been covering the story for 20 years. Kerry Needham's

determination has never cease to amaze me. But why on earth has it

taken two decades for the government to actually say, this is

something we should talk to his mother about? Absolutely, it has

taken far too long. I do not think anyone can deny that. What I can

say is that we do now appear to have things coming together, quite

well now, we have South Yorkshire police working with the Greek

authorities, very very co- operatively. And we have the

government saying at last that it will do whatever it can to support

South Yorkshire Police in the work they are doing. And I think that

means, as I have said, we had everything coming together now a.

And I think that's one of the reasons why Kerry Needham is so

pleased with the outcome of today's meeting.

The mother of a teenager killed by a drunk driver has described her

son's killer's sentence as no where near long enough. Jamie Still was

knocked over on New year's Eve in not leave. Max McRae was found to

be nearly twice the drink-drive limit. And he was speeding when he

hit Jimmy. How do Tomlinson is in Otley.

December 31st last year was a busy night here in Otley town centre.

Lots of people were out wanting to celebrate and look ahead to 2011.

But it was to be the worst year imaginable for one family. That

night, Max McRae consumed twice the legal limit of alcohol before

getting into his car. In that half hour before his accident, his

girlfriend phoned him 12 times pleading with him to get out of the

car and hand her the keys. But he chose to ignore her. 21-year-old

Max McRae walked into Leeds Crown Court to hear the consequences of

his actions eight months ago. It was New year's Eve. He was out with

friends in Otley, he drank five pints and a shot and decided to

teach his friend how to drive. Behind the wheel, and at speeds of

up to 50 miles an hour in a 30s own, he hit 16-year-old Jamie Still, a

student at St Mary's School he was out buying some Chinese food. The

teenager was thrown into some metal sheeting at the Methodist Church.

He died at Leeds General Infirmary two hours later. After pleading

guilty to the charges, Max McRae was sentenced to four years in

prison and disqualified from driving for five years. Today, we

watched her son's killer being sentenced. I should have been

juggling my son off at school. We are glad that Max McRae has been

sent to prison, and we can now properly grieved over Jamie.

hope that anybody tempted to drive the vehicle whilst under the

influence of alcohol may think twice. The maximum sentence is 14

years. Why four years has been handed down, what is the point of

having a maximum sentence if it is not handed down? It would make

people stop and think before they drink and drive. In court, Jamie

Still's mother gripped a friend's hand, holding back the tears as she

heard the details of her son's last minutes. She has vowed to campaign

for zero tolerance on drink driving. Included in pre-sentence reports

today was a letter from Max McRae to be judged. In it, he said, I

deeply regret what happened Iron so sorry, I cannot do anything to make

things right. But the family still maintain he has not shown them any

remorse. Later on the programme: Give

yourself up. Lindsey Scholes died in an arson attack. 10 years on,

her mother appeals to her killers. And nine-year-old boy he was badly

injured when he was attacked by two dogs vast playing in woods in Leeds

has spoken of his ordeal. Eating she looked suffered a broken wrist

and cuts to his face and head after being dragged to the ground by the

animals -- Ethan Hewitt. Police are trying to trace the dogs.

Ethan Hewitt and his friends regularly play in these woods. On

Sunday afternoon they built a rope swing, and he did you it was on the

swing when he sold dogs coming towards them. They jumped up,

pulled into the ground, and began mauling his face and dance. Four

days on, Ethan Hewitt can vividly recall how the dogs victim, and how

he tried to protect himself. For I curled up into a little ball with

my arms around my head, and first of all they started on my head.

Then they started on my elbow. And that one hurt. But the one that

hurt the most was my eye. It was Ethan Hewitt's cousin he came to

the rescue. Set in year-old Matthew wrist injury to himself when he

told his cousin away from the dogs and carried him out of the woods.

don't know what I did. I cannot thank Matthew enough. If he had not

been there, I think that Matthew saved his life. He has been a real

hero. In Yorkshire last year, the number of people who went to

hospital with dog bites was 881. In West Yorkshire, there were 121

cases of dogs being dangerously out of control in public spaces. For we

are concerned to prevent anything like this happening to other

children in future. And we need to speak with this man as a matter of

urgency. Eating Hewitt is expected to make a full recovery. But he

says he will not go back to return in their -- play in their woods if

there is any chance of the dogs being there. -- Ethan Hewitt.

Police are investigating the deaths of a man and woman in Huddersfield.

Officers and their bodies after being called to a house in Deighton

just before midnight. Tests are being carried out to establish how

they died. Police are not looking for anyone else in connection with

the deaths. Two men have appeared in court

charged in connection with the death of Jason Hall in Leeds. Mr

Hall died after being found with debt -- head injuries. 36-year-old

Steven Starkey is charged with murder, 37-year-old Paul Carey is

accused of assisting an offender. Both were remanded in custody.

Journalists in South Georgia had returned to work after eight weeks

on the picket line. They were on indefinite strike up -- over job

cuts. They have now voted to return to work, and Johnston Press has

agreed to resume talks. A campaign by M leads charity to

get a brand new bone cancer drug made freely available has been

successful. The Bone Cancer Research Trust teamed up with the

family of Alex Dawson, who died of osteosarcoma in 2007. They lodged

an appeal to the regulators, NICE. NICE has approved the drug for use

on the NHS. A mother has pleaded with her

daughter's killer to surrender to the police 10 years after her

murder. Lindsey Scholes died following an arson attack on a

house she was staying at in Royston near Barnsley. In the decade which

has passed since, there had been several arrests, but nobody has

been brought to justice. Today, Linzi's mother joined police in a

special anniversary appeal. That house which has held an

murderer secret for a decade. Lindsey Scholes was the innocent

victim of an arson attack which has never been solved. Lynsey was left

-- fantastic young woman, full of life and loves. She loved her

family and friends. 10 years ago, the fire was deliberately started

at this house, which led to Lindsey Scholes' debt two days later. A man

and a woman had managed to escape from an upstairs window, but she

could not get out and suffered extensive burns and smoke

inhalation. Today in Royston, her mother hoped -- helped police

relaunch their inquiries to find the killer. Think back pleased to

what she went through on that night. That pain and fear that she will

have been going through, panic. Think. They had no right taking her

life. And I want you please to ask yourself, why are you protecting

someone who is an arsonist and a killer? Relationships break up. And

people do move on and loyalties change. And what we are asking is

that one person or more may have a vital piece of information and that

they come forward and speak to us, and let us know who is responsible.

She was a big part of my life, and of her brother's' lives. We will

never get up part back. But at least if we get our justice today,

we can try and move on. But at this moment, we can. Four the last 10

years, Lindsey Scholes has been fondly remembered by her family.

Detectives firmly believe her killer came from the local

community. And they want their help to try and find the person

Thank you. Before 7pm -- Harry Gregg's plant Tel has reopened the

majestic. -- Harrogate's has reopened the majestic.

And Ladies' Day at St Leger's. How was the racing?

And did not see too much of it. I was busy working. Is that what they

call it these days? Funny you wonder why did not get that job!

And you would -- you would have out staged all the ladies. Have you got

a bucket? Shall we do support? -- sport.

They rain has not helped Yorkshire's outside chances of

avoiding relegation. Somerset resumed on 140 for 3. Yorkshire

bowled them out. They have got maximum bowling points at least.

Yorkshire closed on 20 without loss. In football, Sheffield United may

re-sign striker James Beattie. Danny Wilson confirmed he would be

interested in bringing Beattie back to the club. The 33-year-old left

Glasgow Rangers and a free transfer last week. The Blades boss has held

informal talks with him. On to rugby league, as Halifax and

Batley prepared to go head to head tonight in the championship play-

off semi-final. Halifax have learnt why their Super League licence

application failed in July. The RFL describe it as falling below the

standards expected of a Super League club. Halifax had failed to

provides a vision determine their marketing, media or commercial

plans. Tomorrow night, Wakefield play host

to Bradford, and it will be John Kear's final game in charge of the

Wildcats. He joined them in 2006, when they looked odds-on to get

relegated. He kept them up and has overseen the five and a bit years

that have been turbulent. It is sad, but there is an air of

contentment from a personal point of you. I feel the club is in a

better state than it was when I joined. Meadows are tall! Wakefield

will survive! We were staring down the barrel of possible relegation.

So many games we had included St Helens, Leeds, Bradford. We played

really well. We managed to escape relegation. I feel we have

progressed, despite lots of topsy- turvy situations and sad situations.

John had to guide the club when some people died. When you reflect,

Adam and Liam, they it ripped their heart and soul out, and it was

really difficult. You can put things into perspective, money

troubles against a loss of life, that is nothing. They have been

some tough times, but there have been great times as well. A roller

coaster is an accurate description. Having won the Challenge Cup, John

is happy to step out of the limelight for a while. Will we see

him in Super League again? I hope so, at some stage. That's down the

line. The jobs are all taken up, anyway. It will do me good to have

a look apply for elsewhere. -- it will do me good to have a look at

life elsewhere. Will you be emotional about final whistle?

will be. I think you would be inhuman not to be. I think I have

to accept that. An element of dignity and respect has to be

attached to it. I will be respectful and dignified.

It was quite something to get him to talk about himself. He was all

for talking about the players. We meet lots of different people in

our job. He is one of the nicest guys in sport.

A absolutely, and so enthusiastic. Thank-you.

It is your last chance to nominate someone for the Yorkshire Community

Hero Awards. Previous winners include Ernest Hibert, who provides

food for homeless people in Wakefield, and Val Lepedat, who set

up a care centre for people with cancer. What a wonderful legacy she

left. You have until Sunday to nominate anyone you think has made

a difference in your area. If you what to put someone forward,

One of Yorkshire's most famous hotels has risen from the ashes and

reopened. I remember going to this on the day of that enormous fire in

how good. It has taken more than a year to repair the damage. It has

cost a fortune. It is truly magnificent. You could say, bit of

a clue here, it is majestic. Past staff and guests have trawled

advice and them is for a new exhibition, which is open to the

Opened in 1,900, described as the finest hotel of the world's

greatest bar. Ravaged by fire in 1924, bombed during the war, then

this, a fire in 2010. The burning building evacuated but kitchen

porter Nigel Butterfield lost his life. From the ashes, this

exhibition charts the journey of the Majestic. This was a bellboy in

the 19 forties. He is wearing a new uniform, ready for royalty. 1949,

and we all got new uniforms. Princess Elizabeth was in one left,

right up Prince Philip in the other left. This letter from Clarence

House thanks the hotel. These maps were salvaged from a cross German

bomber. The majestic was in that seat target, highlighted here in

red. These ladies helped to clear up after a bomb landed in the hotel

grounds. We were sweeping it up. The photographers came. A we are

part of history! I think they eat Majestic has always been a

fundamental part of Harrogate's business. When you merely lose

something, it makes you think a bit more about it. It is not known

exactly what caused last year's fire. The damage was extensive, but

after 111 years of history, the Majestic survives.

Looks fabulous. I could do with afternoon tea.

Scones and cream Trey! Very civilised.

I bet it was not scones that was being enjoyed in Doncaster today.

It is one of the classics, and is Britain's oldest and richest flat

race. I have a thoroughly good time when I go to the St Leger, which

runs at Doncaster on Saturday. Today it was the girls chance to

take centre stage for Ladies' Day. Always a highlight, and thousands

arrive to enjoy a spectacle. A we sent him!

The band played, the sun shone and the crowds converged on the lawns,

as Doncaster are dressed up for the You cannot come here and not have a

flutter. If you want to back a winner, you have to study the form.

Trackside, the thoroughbreds are paraded for the punters. In the

Champagne Bar, the fashion Easters sit Pym's and watched the world go

by. Have you come for the racing are to look at the Ladies'?

Ladies. Definitely be the ladies. Will you be when yesterday? Yes.

Are you feel a lucky? Ferry. I do not know. Malloch has just changed!

That's one way to upset the wife. Alongside their hands and heels,

though St Leger is a big event and has an impact on the local economy.

We cater for over 10,000 people. It is incredibly important to the town.

Be is this wise, it is one of the best of the year. Ladies' Day is

very popular. Saturday is massive. It is on a par with the Grand

National. Business is tremendous. If for most, today was about fun

and a chance to let their hair down. Are you going to behave today?

We would like you to come with us. Is at an imitation? We would like

you to join us when you put the microphone and the camera down.

That's an offer we cannot refuse, Keith!

Why were you not there, Christa? I is suggesting I am not a lady?

Not at all! She'll be there on Saturday. I have

never been on Ladies' Day. And Armley go on Saturday. -- I

normally go on Saturday. Statistically, Yorkshire has had a

quite a bit of rain. Doncaster is quite a dry spot. I have not a clue.

I will show U2 pictures. The first It has rained on and off all week.

This is a second. What a contrast. The headline is a damp one at first,

but it will turn bright and eastern areas could be warm. 22 degrees.

Low-pressure but takeover. Not a write-off, but there will be

weighed. Some sunshine thrown in for good measure. Monday and

Tuesday, there could be severe gales, a risk at least. But cloud

melts away. Clouds and rolling back into the Pennines. It will turn

damp and drizzly. We are expecting some rain and drizzle to push up

from the south-west. Some persistence stuff across northern

areas. Light and patchy. 13 Celsius below. The sun will rise at 620 9am,

starting at 7:37pm. Misty over the hills with outbreaks of rain and

drizzle. Slowly, the rain should move away into the North Sea. Bit

of an improvement developing. As we head into the afternoon, it is

brighter and warmer. Headingley should get a good deal of play. The

Pennines may go down held later. Basically, a better picture after

what will be a damp and dreary start. We are looking at top

temperatures of 21 of 22 across eastern parts of Yorkshire.