16/02/2012 Midlands Today

It welcomed to Look North. The headlines: Jailed for a minimum of

34 years - the man he beat an elderly couple to death in their

Wolverhampton home. It is so hard to grasp that your

grandparents have been murdered. You would never put of those

sentences together. On track at last - the green light

is given to run metro drums through Birmingham city centre. We have

effectively secured �75 million from government. We can now start

construction. There may be budget cut but we can

still cope with any future riots, say police.

And a big night as Spanish giants Valencia warm-up for their clash

with Stoke City. It will be a great, Good evening. Her family have been

talking of their grief at losing an elderly couple to a brutal killer.

This afternoon, Ireneusz Bartnowski was found guilty of the murder of a

devoted couple Giuseppe and Caterina Massaro in their

Wolverhampton home. They had been beaten and stabbed during a robbery.

The judge said he had almost been moved to tears by the anguish

Bartnowski had caused. The pain the cobbles of that in the dying

moments was almost unimaginable, he said. The couple's bodies were

found by their granddaughter, who has been talking about the impact

on the family. Giuseppe and Caterina Massaro came

to the UK in the 1960s from Italy to start a new life. Alive which

ended horrific the last year. -- a life. They were battered and

stabbed to death by 22-year-old Polish Matt -- National Ireneusz

Bartnowski at their Wolverhampton home. He was sentenced to a minimum

of 34 years in jail. We are so relieved that justice has been done,

and that is all we can say. Justice has been done and that is all we

want. Many of the UK Massaro family, including their granddaughter, were

at Wolverhampton crown court while the sentence was passed. She was

the first to go to her grandparentss' home and sensing

something was wrong, she dialled 999. I was walking up the stairs

and I literally just pushed the door, and I saw my granddad first.

I walked round and saw my grandmother. The paramedic asked if

they were breathing and I said, "may be they are still all right

and I can do something". I touched them and they were called. That is

just something that... You know, a granddaughter should never have to

do. The Massaros were popular and well known in Wolverhampton.

Flowers were laid at their home after their murders last April.

They are remembered fondly and much missed by everyone. It messes with

your head how scared they must have been. I have been listening to

Italian music and it reminds me of my grandparents and when I hear it,

I break down because I miss them so much. Bartnowski will be at least

56 before he is allowed free. His actions have left a devoted couple

dead and a family traumatised. Ben Ando is still at Wolverhampton

Crown Court. A deeply distressing case, Ben, with some strong remarks

from the judge. Yes, I have covered many trials at many courts and I

cannot recall seeing many judges as angry as the judge in this case was

here in Court Number Three at Wolverhampton. He said to Ireneusz

Bartnowski, "knew that all humanity. You are evil beyond belief. This

was cold-blooded murder". When he talked about the victim impact

statement from the couple's granddaughter, who we heard from

there, he said that had moved him almost to tears and he put his

finger on what is perhaps the most awful aspect of this case when he

said, "the fear and pain they must have felt in their dying minutes is

unimaginable". He was given an extremely long sentence. Yes, at

least 34 years. The judge made it plain that this is not half of 34

years or two thirds of 34 years. He said he would serve at least 34

years of prison before he was even eligible for parole. This is a

young man of 22, Ireneusz Bartnowski, who will not now be

freed until he is at least 56 years old. Some of the details of the

case are quite bizarre, including the killer going back the day after.

Yes, CCTV from a garage opposite beat me tos' House shows that

Bartnowski went back the day after the killer looking for more things

to steal. He stole two televisions that were sold for �200 and a car

that was later abandoned. Thanks for your company. Later in

the programme: Howard new mums and dads could be breaking the law,

through no fault of their own. The go-ahead has been given today

for trams to run through the centre of Birmingham. The project is seen

as crucial to Birmingham's future image, as it competes with other

cities in this country and in Europe. It will cost �28 million,

half of which is from the Department of Transport. 1,300 new

jobs will be created and by 2015, but first of a fleet of new trams

will be running. Let's go to our Environment Correspondent. When was

the last time we had trams in Birmingham city centre? It was back

in the 1950s. They are now returning to the city centre. This

is the point in Birmingham where the tram to Wolverhampton stops at

the moment. Let's see why the extension will take the route. It

will push south and then turn it right to end up in front of

Birmingham New Street station. Let's talk to the man who can tell

us more about it. We have heard about the money and the jobs - what

else will it bring to this part of the city? It is about delivering

for passengers and business. For passengers in the Black Country, it

means that with 20 new trams, we can give them an enhanced, better

service with more Trans every hour. Businesses have been asking for

this extension because it will bring �50 million of economic

activity to the region. For people who take buses on Corporation

Street, you are shifting those to make room for the trams. That is a

bad deal for bus users. We are delivering for businesses in

Corporation Street because they want to thrive there and they feel

that the tram will allow those businesses to have a better deal.

It will bring a lot of people by tram into Corporation Street, so

they will benefit that way. For bus passengers, we are moving them out

of Corporation Street but they will still have the convenience of being

right in the middle of the city. the height, Birmingham had 800

trams. We will have 20 of this new fleet.

The extension of the Midlands Metro may be seen by some as yet another

example of Birmingham playing catch-up with its greatest northern

rival, Manchester. Today's Times newspaper says Manchester, not

Birmingham, now deserves to be seen as the second city. As a political

editor is with us. Does Birmingham have ground to make up? Is the

Metro part of that? Does city- centre trams have become a symbol

of ways in which Manchester is seen to have stolen a march on

Birmingham. The marketing people here have been doing their best

event that off, pointing out that article in the New York Times,

which places Birmingham in the top 20 worldwide destinations, the

respected Mercer's quality of life guide, which places Birmingham

second only to London in the UK quality of life rankings, with more

Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else outside the capital.

It sounds like a political leaders have their work cut out to get this

message across. It they have, and they are planning a major eventer

Westminster, hosted by the City of Westminster Council. That is where

Birmingham will be fighting back with things like the New Street

station, the airport redevelopment, which will be enshrined in the UK

aviation strategy in March, and other things like the City of

Birmingham Library and the orchestra. We are hosting American

and Jamaican athlete in the run-up to the Olympics and it is fair to

say our football teams have some making up to do against their

Mancunian counterparts! We will be able to cope with any

future riots or disorder, despite serious budget cuts - that was the

message from the man at the helm of West Midlands Police Authority.

Derek Webley spoke out after a meeting where it was revealed that

the West Midlands force now has a higher percentage a riot trained

officers and London's Metropolitan Police. The details were revealed

in a final report on last summer's riots.

Three nights of riots across the West Midlands last summer. These

are just some of the scenes. Disorder broke out in Birmingham,

or Wolverhampton, Cape Hill and West Bromwich. So far, 750 people

have been arrested and will than 300 charged. -- 760. That is

according to Chris Sims, presenting his final report to the police

authority. But at a time of �120 million of budget cuts, how does

the chairman think the force would coping future? I am confident, in

spite of those budget cuts and the challenges that we face, that the

police service - in terms of the broader context of aid being

available from other forces - will be able, though it is difficult to

address the issues. 2,200 West Midlands officers on riot trained -

26% of them. That is more, proportionately, than the

Metropolitan Police. This hairdresser stood defiantly outside

her Wolverhampton shop, defending it against the terror. Today, it

was business as usual for her - are the only difference being the many

bravery awards decorating the walls. In her view, though, more guidance

is needed for young people. They are bored. They need to have more

apprenticeships for these kids. When they leave school, get them

something to do. When they are staying at home and doing nothing,

they lose interest completely. They have no interest in and nothing so

they don't care. The Mailbox in Birmingham was a target, too. Today,

outside the same building, an academic said there were wider

social issues. It was not just unemployed people or people who

don't have a stake in society, in terms of a job or the institutions.

It was also people with jobs, so it is really about that idea about

what are the social problems? What are the social issues, and how do

we bring people into society? Investigations into the rioting

continued and the second largest police force in the country say

they are prepared and ready for any future problems, despite cutbacks.

Later in the programme: The Birmingham riots on stage, but is

it too soon to make a drama out of such a sensitive subject?

Smuggled alcohol worth more than �1 million has been seized in Coventry.

Customs officers raided a warehouse in the City on Tuesday and found

more than 91 litres of vodka and more than 63,000 litres of beer. It

is estimated at the hall would have abated more than �1 million in tax.

The President of the Royal Academy of Arts has called on the

government help save the Wedgwood collection in North Staffordshire.

Christopher Le Brun and 18 other academics have written a letter

asking for help to defend 10,000 pieces in the collection from being

sold to plug a pensions black hole. The hunt for the rightful owners of

a memorial plaque stolen for a scrap value in Wednesbury has taken

a step forward. It is dedicated to members of the Welch family, who

served in the army. Last night, we heard from police who want to trace

the family. He was have contacted us to say it may be from one of

Still more to come including a huge night for Stoke City. A discount to

the last 32 in the Europa League. Stoke City against Valencia and the

manager said it could be one of the biggest night in their history.

But the heat is on for Stoke City in more ways than one, temperature

is rising and we will have more for New mums and dads are facing long

delays to officially register their baby's birth. Parents must register

within seven weeks or risk a �200 fine. The problems at the

Birmingham Registry Office mean that many parents could break the

law through no fault of their own. Baby just there is four weeks old.

This is how he and his mum spent most of their mornings. -- baby

Jasper. Officially he does not exist because his parents have not

been able to register the birth. didn't think we would have a

problem for a moment so when we rang to book Jasper's in first baby

could not get through and then when we did get through eventually, it

was a long time before the appointment, the first one was

available. The losses parents must register their baby's birth within

42 days. The earliest appointment offered to Jenny was in March, a

total of 41 days after Jasper arrived. One practical thing for a

parent, you can't apply for a job benefit before the birth

certificate so that is one thing but it is not great, it is not

something you anticipate. Outside the register office in Birmingham,

we met another couple who had faced similar problems. Catherine and

Adam have registered baby Irish this morning but also faced a long

delay. -- baby iris. We registered her to date so it has taken as five

weeks. There in a statement, Birmingham City Council told us

around 34,000 births and deaths arm raised -- are registered each year.

The statement from the council also said that due to a reduction in

maternity services in both Sandwell and Solihull, more babies are being

born here in Birmingham and that is only increasing the pressure on

staff here at the register office. But one of the city's MPs says the

way they are doing it is not working. The General Registry

Office suggested that Birmingham should improve its service by

offering appointments rather than having a queue. A queue is more

efficient because you deal with more people over a period of time.

While the backlog is cleared, parents are being assured they will

Back to last summer's riots and they are the background for a new

play that looks at what happened through the eyes of three ordinary

couples. Written by a former journalist who witnessed events

first-hand but just a few months after the turmoil, is this a

suitable subject for a stage play when memories are still raw for so

many people? You're just making yourself a

target. To defend by property? a play depend -- depicting one of

the worst night in Birmingham for The play focuses on the lives of

three very ordinary but very different couples. Just going about

their daily routine and examines how they become embroiled in the

riots and the effect it has upon their lives. We have deliberately

avoided the extremes, people died during the riot and we did not

concentrate on that. We have concentrated on the middle of the

road, normal people and how they were affected by the riots. Riot

was written in conjunction with former students from Birmingham

School of Acting who formed the Studio Three Theatre Company. Their

aim - to explore the thin line between order and chaos.

The girls are carrying off a television. The riots so fresh in

people's memories, the question is if this is a suitable subject for a

drama. The drought history, theatre has reflected the social happenings

of the time -- throughout history. Even back as far as Shakespeare,

you are looking at a record of the times those people lived in. This

is really no different. With such a controversial subject, there is

hoped that the community will see that it will reflect the positive

aspects. Labelling answers would always inflame so if we stay away

from that I am sure it will be something that will be thought-

provoking and perhaps help people to reflect on what our society is

like. Opening next week at the Old Joint Stock Theatre in Birmingham,

it promises to be a night of And you can see Riot at the Old

Joint Stock Theatre on Temple Row in Birmingham on the 24th and 25th

February. This weekend some of the biggest

names in athletics will be in Birmingham for the Aviva Grand Prix

for the Americans and Jamaicans and it will be chance for them to spend

time in the city where they will be for the Olympics. Our reporter has

met some of the world's best there will be -- will be calling

Birmingham home. Jamaican sprinter Michael freighter

and American hurdler Danielle Carruthers were given a quick tour

by Hannah England. City resident from one of the UK's top middle-

distance runners. I love it, that the UK public are getting behind

this. My two main training venues are the university and the

Alexander Stadium Sellafield like I am closely linked to that and I

can't wait until they go and play use the facilities. The Aviva Grand

Prix will be at the National Indoor Arena and it will give the athletes

a chance to get a feel for the city. I visited the bitter that he where

we will be staying and everything seems to be focused. We should

enjoy it and it should be enjoyable. But the Jamaicans and Americans

will be based in Birmingham for a couple of weeks -- both the

Jamaicans which means they will have plenty of downtime to spend

The main goal is to train. At that point you have done everything you

can do to make sure you will fit. Now it is time to relax and let

your mind relax. Birmingham will be great for that.

COMMENTATOR: He is looking at Tyson gay, it is Usain Bolt and again he

has done it again! So don't be surprised if in July you see this

man taking a stroll along the canals of Birmingham. Most people

in Birmingham will see these guys wandering around town, in and out

of restaurants. So it actually is a great city that suits everybody.

All the athletes competing this weekend still have to qualify for

the Olympics but for those in Jamaican and American colours, they

will be hoping that they will get to see the sights of Birmingham

Usain Bolt strolling along the banks of the canal, what a thought.

Staying on the Olympic team, there are just 162 days to go now before

the start of the Games in London. For the next four games, Britain's

top cyclists will experience their top action at the new Olympic bell

at Rome. The latest round of the World Cup is a test event for the

venue -- Bella drome. We are represented by Andy Tennant and

Jess Varnish. It is a nice atmosphere when you walk in and the

track feels really really smooth, it is a really new building as well

so I get a good feeling when I walk in there.

On to football, a big night at the Britannia Stadium. Stoke City

taking of Valencia, a club with a real European pedigree. Our

reporter is there. This is where the Europa League gets exciting.

think so. If you look at the teams left, teams like Ajax, Manchester

United, clubs who have done very well in Europe's top competitions.

Stoke City, Valencia, and Tony Pulis says tonight will be one of

the greatest in Stoke's history. After a group stage exploring the

far corners of Europe, Stoke City have now got the glamour tie that

the fans craved. The Potteries are buzzing. The games we have had at

our place, the atmosphere has been great and what we have done so far,

you can double that on Thursday night because they will know that

we are up against it. They are at their best when they are the

underdogs. On the fans believe they can exploit the underdog status.

Fantastic. By its hope Stoke win! I am sure they will. -- let's hope.

They may snick it in. I'm not sure they are ready for that kind of

game. Stoke City, 60-0. Let's hope it is 3-2, two Stoke. This will be

stirred's 50 the game in Europe. Plenty have played 100 and this

competition alone -- Stoke's 15th game. Valencia were trying to get

TRANSLATION: It is not just our souls who are aware of Stoke City's

style of play, we set a lot of fear about these teams. Stoke are feared

among European teams. But Stoke obviously fancied their

chances, a blank signed on the signpost waiting for the next

The fans are obviously very excited, a big turnout expected I expect.

Absolutely. The Stoke fans have really embraced the European

adventure. Remember Stoke played their first game back on July 20th

and the fans have turned out to see the games and have been rewarded

because the club have played superbly, only losing once and that

did not matter because they did so well in the group stage. But in the

leak, the form is a bit grim. -- in the league. Yes, but they have had

two FA Cup games with tricky ties away from home. A bit of a blip in

the lead in the autumn and they still played well in Europe then.

Hopefully they can stay on course. They are at Crawley Town, and if

they beat Valencia, they will play Barcelona, a bit of a contrast!

For that match, it should be OK. A bit of Spanish influence, I don't

think Valencia will like it but we have got lows of seven Celsius but

ten Celsius at the match for the mob built up areas and a bit of

drizzle for the match. It will not make the match too slippery. A rain

of line to the north-west and that will affect Northern patches and

also the western side of the region. Elsewhere further south, a lot of

cloud and dry. Temperatures down to around seven Celsius in the north,

around eight Celsius the further damage will you go. -- the further

south you go. A lot of cloud, the front is struggling South and a bit

damp for northern part of the region and also the West but we

will start to see temperatures rising to around 10 or 11 Celsius,

into double figures. These two cold fronts moving down into the self

later on tomorrow and into Saturday will finally bring that rain

southwards so tomorrow night not much in it between tonight and

tomorrow night, still a lot of cloud and damp, chilly stuff there.

Temperatures like tonight down to around seven or eight Celsius. For

Saturday itself we are looking at fairly wet weather, and that will

clear up to showers later on and behind that front, colder air so by

that time you will see it kick in and temperatures starting to

decrease. By Saturday night we are looking at widespread frosts and by

Sunday, it is dry, fairly sunny but much colder. Temperatures half up

Unbelievable, the English weather. A look at tonight's main headlines.

More powers for Scotland, David Cameron makes a new offer in the

devolution debate. And a devoted couple murdered in

their own home, their killer is jailed for a minimum of 34 years.

And going back to the football, there will be full match commentary

on Stoke City's tie against Valencia on BBC Radio Stoke with