04/12/2013 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight: He died after

a scuffle on a night out. It has destroyed the family. Our lives will

never be the same again. Now, his family win the right to a review of

the case. Policing on the cheap? Ten years

after their introduction, our biggest force is taking on more

PCSOs. We find out why West Midlands Police are recruiting when other

forces are getting rid of them. People have accepted us as the

police family and that we are here to stay.

An appetite for fast cars, and now fast trains ` the growing China

connection with Midlands manufacturing.

Join me live at Villa Park where we'll celebrate all that's good

about Midlands sport and look ahead to the crowning of our unsung

sporting hero. And from no warnings yesterday to

now yellow and amber alerts for strong winds tomorrow. More details

on the worst affected areas in the forecast later.

Good evening. The family of a man who died after being restrained by

bouncers have won the right to a review of the case. Two men were

arrested on suspicion of murder but no`one's ever been prosecuted over

the death of Julian Webster four years ago. On 10th April 2009 he'd

been out in Manchester with friends from Birmingham. After a

disagreement, he was restrained by bouncers outside a bar and was

unconscious when police arrived. In July 2010, the Crown Prosecution

Service said there was insufficient evidence to prosecute anyone. Then

in November last year, an inquest heard that although he had an

undetected heart condition, restraint played a significant part

in his death. This report from Lindsay Doyle.

Four years and a mother still waiting for justice but finally

today a glimmer of hope ` the right to challenge the Crown Prosecution

Service decision not to take anyone to court over her son's death

outside a Manchester bar. There was more than enough evidence. I don't

know what more they wanted. Did they want to witness it themselves or

something? I don't know. But there was more than enough evidence.

Julian Webster, who was 24 and from Edgbaston in Birmingham, died on

Easter Sunday in April 2009, after he'd returned to the Pitcher and

Piano in Manchester City centre to retrieve a mobile phone and was

allegedly restrained by door staff. Someone had him in a headlock. That

is assault. Someone accuses you or intimidates you all lays a hand on

you, that is assault. But someone can have my son in a headlock. They

caused his death. And that is fine by the CPS. The family's last throw

of the legal dice ` an application in the High Court to challenge the

CPS decision. Today's ruling in their favour means the CPS must look

again at the evidence. the file will be looked at again. There is now ``

there is now a better or more realistic chance of prosecution.

Julian Webster was fit and healthy and keen on sport. But he had an

undetected heart condition, a blocked valve. When he struggled for

breath, it brought on a cardiac arrest. He was held for eight

minutes and that significantly under beauty to his death. And hence, this

is one of the reasons why the High Court has granted permission to go

ahead opt the CPS said: what really hurts me more is knowing

that he died on his own. There was not a familiar face, nobody around

him. Coming up later in the programme:

What the future holds for the region's last deep`seam pit and the

millions of tonnes of coal still beneath it.

More community support officers are to be recruited by West Midlands

Police. It's ten years since the first PCSOs began to pound the beat

and most forces are reducing their numbers in the wake of budget cuts.

PCSOs were initially dismissed by some as so`called plastic police

officers without real powers. Our special correspondent Peter Wilson

has been out on the streets to find out what their job is really about.

I am lucky to have this role. They have recently recruited 50 more

people. Recruitment was frozen for a while. It ticks all the boxes, I am

out in the community, I love what I do.

Vicky Rogers was the first of the first. Dudley had the first police

community support officers and she was one of them. Ten years on and

she's still doing the job. That job mainly means walking the streets

around Brierley Hill, ten miles a day in heavy leather boots. But can

PCSOs really gain useful intelligence about what's going on

in their communities? Have you reported? He has recently had his

catalytic convert a stolen. Unfortunately, he hasn't reported

this. That is something we will have to look into because we cannot do

anything unless we are informed of these crimes. Community support

officers are increasingly dealing with traffic offences. They were

first used to counter anti`social behaviour problems, now it's more

about community reassurance and neighbourhood policing. We did have

a lot of anti`social behaviour, fighting at 12 o'clock, one o'clock

in the morning. All of that has disappeared. It is very, very quiet.

The police are always on hand which is greatly appreciated by us all. We

do speak to people, children speak to us. We're out there in the

community and we are available for people to approach us and give us

information. Officers like Vicky Rogers don't have the full police

powers of detention. They've only recently been given stab proof vests

and they don't carry batons. Ten years ago, their reduced powers

meant they were criticised as cheap ` plastic police officers, not the

real thing. We have had many aims `` name is aimed at us. I think people

have now accepted us as part of the police family. We are here to stay.

And we are making a difference to the communities. Vicky Rogers has

stayed as a community support officer because she does love the

job. For many people on her beat, she is the face of the force.

Peter joins me now from Digbeth in Birmingham. Peter, what's happening

there? I am at the police station with the city centre neighbourhood

team. The man in charge is Sergeant David Francis. The officers will

join the rest of the colleagues. We have plainclothes officers on the

ground. We will keep the market say. so, a busy team here. We saw in your

report the positive part that PCSOs play what is the bigger picture? we

have seen big police cuts in the last two years. Almost more than

1,300 police officers have left the West Midlands force, many through

retirement. That's almost the equivalent of a small force in it's

own right. The top brass have addressed that and have started

recruiting again. They are looking for 450 police officers and 50 extra

PCSOs. the best decision by the crime commission up Jones about the

top job, Chris Sims's contract was coming up for review in the summer

and he has been guaranteed staying as Chief Constable for the next

three years. It sounds as if PCSOs are here to stay top yes, but as you

have seen in my report with BT Rogers, the community trust them.

These officers are just about to go out to the German market. Seeing

these officers, the high visibility, that stops crime.

The police officer at the centre of the Plebgate row is to sue the

Sutton Coldfield MP Andrew Mitchell for libel. It follows an accusation

from the former Conservative Chief Whip that officers hadn't told the

truth about what happened in Downing Street in September 2012. PC Toby

Rowland says he stands by his version of events.

Police have begun naming drivers charged with being over the drink

driving limit during the festive period. West Midlands Police say

they'll keep it up until January in the hope that publicity will deter

offenders. The names of 13 drivers arrested and charged appeared on

their website this morning. Police have arrested two men over a

series of hypodermic needle attacks in Birmingham City Centre. They were

arrested after their CCTV images were circulated following assaults

on women in Broad Street last month. Officers in Walsall are

investigating two similar attacks in a bar.

Refugee workers in Coventry say they're liaising with the

authorities to help identify a man who says he doesn't know his own

name. He's become known as Mr X. He came into the country illegally as a

child and says he 's been living on the streets since 2008. Joan Cummins

has been looking into the case. It sounds an unusual case. How old was

he when he came here rushed and Mark it is every bizarre. He claims he

was around six or maybe eight. He doesn't actually know. He admits he

came in illegally in the back of a van and then went to live with a

woman in London. The day, speaking to the city, they told me that this

woman, although she, in one respect, cared for the boy, also threatened

to break his legs if he escaped. He has mentioned that the woman

consonant to threaten him on a number of occasions when he was

younger if he tried to escape. He is the only client who has ever

presented in the history of the charity as saying he doesn't know

his name. How did he arrived in Coventry? He had been living on the

streets, he had been kicked out by this woman, he had been living on

the streets in London with cash in hand jobs, he came to Coventry to

the bus station behind me and simply asked somebody to look after him.

They took him in, they since referred him to a solicitor, the

police have been informed and also now the Home Office. The refugee

centre say it is highly unusual for somebody like this now seeking

asylum who is described as status to actually say he has no idea of his

real name. Birmingham's been named as the

fastest growing Christmas destination in the world. Figures

from travel website Expedia say bookings for trips to the city have

increased by 118%. It's thought attractions like the Frankfurt

Christmas Market are part of the reason.

Coventry's considering bidding to become the UK City of Culture. The

Council has agreed to commission a report looking at the potential

benefits. Hull, which recently won the title for 2017, is expecting to

enjoy a ?60 million boost to its economy. Coventry, which could also

bid for the European Capital of Culture could be entered for either

2021 or 2023. Our top story tonight: He died on a

night out. His mother winds the right to a review of the case.

Your detailed weather forecast to come shortly.

Also in tonight's programme: I'm live at Villa Park for the first

ever Midlands Community Sports Awards. Tonight we'll find out who's

won our unsung sporting hero award. And fifty years on, plans to bring

back a race around a historic hotel in the Worcestershire countryside.

If you have a story you think we should cover, with the glove to hear

from you. Deals worth billions of pounds have been signed in China,

where the Prime Minister has been on one of this country's biggest ever

trade missions. More than 100 British companies went with him,

including several from the West Midlands. Among the biggest

headlines ` Jaguar Land Rover announced its intention to invest

more than ?4 billion in China. Peter Plisner joins us now. China is a

force to be reckoned with and the underlying message is that our

companies just have to be doing business with them? I don't think we

can do without them. China is a growing economy and they are eager

to invest. The Chinese firm which owns a Coventry `based taxi company

has invested ?30 million. And a further ?50 million on a new hybrid

model. They have also announced with `` a ?2 million deal with another

company. Another automotive company based in China have put `` have

talked about putting a research development centre here. They are

spending ?60 million. And Warwickshire `based train maker

announced they were providing steam trains to a northern Chinese theme

park. That investment in China, what was that all about? we know that

they building the fact three China. We now know they will build 100,000

cars. I think the opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover in China is

immense. Soon, China's middle of us will be 600 million people. That is

bigger than the European market put together. Jaguar Land Rover has been

one of Britain's's best industrial success Tories. Great brands, great

craftsmanship and it is wonderful to see them selling. Also, possible

Chinese investment in HS2? They have said they are interested in

investing in the line. That'll be good news who are `` for people who

are concerned about the use of taxpayers money. Thank you very

much. An untapped reserve of 50 million tonnes of coal remains under

the ground at the now`disused Daw Mill colliery in North Warwickshire.

Demolition is now underway at what was once the country's most

productive pit. It shut with the loss of nearly seven hundred jobs

after an underground fire in January. As Kevin Reide reports

there's still no decision on what will happen to the site. This

historic mine has been reduced to rubble. In its heyday, thousands

worked here at the last walked out in March as 300 years of mining is

to reinvigorate came to an abrupt end. This was the canteen. It is a

sad sight for the local minor. We have children today who don't even

know what a piece of coal is all by it comes from. In March, I was

talking to you and here we are in November, and it is completely go ``

gone. Warwickshire's coalmines provided jobs for many people. This

is just one of two memorials left in the whole county to this once great

industry. Just five years ago, Daw Mill colliery broke the record for

the most coal produced at one mind. Now, some like local artist and

local Dorian Susan Moore want it to be remembered properly. She believes

that the pithead power should be saved. if they take it all down, you

cannot do anything, it is lost for ever. It all to be saved, it ought

to be there for our children's judgement to see, as a sculpture

because it is so iconic. The Calumet become part of the new business park

on the site but with BT 6 billion tonnes of coal beneath the surface,

some may have other ideas. They might use gasification to extract

coal. we have always been told that would not be viable here. That is a

matter for the developer to discuss with the County Council but we have

heard no plans that that is likely or even viable on this site.

Whatever happens, the scars will make for some time, not just on the

surface but agony hearts of the communities who once thrived here.

`` but deep in the hearts. This evening, we will be finding out who

is this year's unsung sporting hero. Good evening and welcome to the

first ever Midlands community sports award. Have a look around, 300 get

are starting to arrive to celebrate the very best of sport in our

region. The BBC Midlands sports unsung heroes award has been running

for 11 years. The standard is as high as it ever was and later on

this evening, one of our five finalists will collect this trophy.

For almost 30 years, Graham Watkins has been getting on his bike to

encourage young cycling and in Shrewsbury. He even persuaded the

council to build this cycle track. It made Cricket weather at the

doesn't stop Colling, whether it is mowing or coaching, he is the heart

of the cricket club. Frankly they set up this that will up 34 years

ago and they have never looked back. They have 450 players. Barry

Ewington joined Nuneaton Harry and as a 15`year`old runner. Gordon

Evans helps run more than 20 teams at Stafford town football up where

he is so popular the ground even named after him. They are all heroes

to their clubs. Tonight, one of them become the BBC Midlands unsung

sporting hero for 2013. Find very worthy finalists and no one knows

better than Jenny Price about the Bible work of these and sung heroes.

`` about the work. Without these people, grassed breeze would not

happen. RB fitter and healthier than we were around 2012? we have been

building the participation legacy for seven or eight years now and we

are certainly healthier, fitter, playing more sports than we were

then. There are 1.4 million extra people playing sport every week

since we won the bid for the games. Much was made about the legacy but

from what you are saying, there is a tangible legacy to be had. There is,

and in many ways, it is a hidden legacy. Look out of your window

tomorrow, look at the people you see running, on the bikes, on Saturday,

you see young people dying football, that is the legacy of the Game. We

will talk to the unsung winner later tonight on our bulletin at 25 `` ten

20 5pm. `` 1025 PM. David had, born with one arm, won the inaugural race

in 1957. He became the British hill climbing champion. The thrills of

motor racing went on for a decade at twitch which in Worcestershire with

some of the West known names in hell climbing events taking part. This

was the grand venue. This man was driven around because today for the

first time in nearly 50 years. David Goode is a former British hill

climber champion and one of `` and won the first event here in 1957,

despite the one with one arm. yes, it was a challenge and I think that

helped me commendably because I was so passionate about the sport but

any sport. I have taken part in many different sports, including the

two`man bob in St Margaret's. I was the fastest in the year 1964. Soap,

you know, one is always trying. I have paid golf, cricket, tennis,

squash. I have always wanted to do that much better than anybody else.

Rots pollen is the director and wants to bring the event back. The

length `` the courses doubled the length of the first one. He says the

original hill climb was hugely popular. at that time, there were

far less clear line between the amateur racing driver and the

professional drivers of the day. There were some hundred competitors

at every vent. It was always oversubscribed. All of the major

British hill climb contenders attended the event. Standing on the

bridge that was once the original starting line for the help climb,

and one of the leading motorsport magazines back in the 1950s

described this as the most hit `` picturesque hill climb location in

the country. This place was built in the eight team hundreds by John

Corbett. It later became a hotel and of course, a venue for the kill

climb. It is something that is hoped will return here by 2015.

This was built by the salt of the poet which and I think we will

doubly need more salt on the roads. Yes, it is always the way, you say

something will not be bad and all of the sudden it is. Yesterday, we had

no warnings across the region. Winds but now we have yellow and ample

warnings. The amber warning only applies to the north of the region,

Staffordshire. The yellow will apply to the rest of us. Both represent

the likelihood of the event occurring and also your level of

response. So, do take precautions with the strong winds. We are

looking at us of up to 70 mph tomorrow but this is the beast that

is going to be steering it all up, and intense area of low pressure

that will be sitting to the North East and that is ripping the winds

into a frenzy. By the time they reach the Midlands, they will be

veering around to the north`west and West. Right now out there, it is

looking fairly quiet across the region and with clear skies and

falling temperatures, tempered is down to below zero. The

authenticated festival, ground and air frost but as the crowd opens up

and the winds start to pick up, the cold will ease and the temperatures

will gradually rise. We're into a windy day tomorrow, writes through

the morning and the afternoon. The winds could peek at 70 mph. It will

also be fairly cloudy but also miles. Temperatures will rise in

some places to 11 Celsius. Some of the cloud could produce rain to the

north initially and will gradually slipped southwards towards tomorrow

night. It'll be largely patchy rain with the odd heavy burst here and

there. Tomorrow night as the temperatures tumble, we could see a

little bit of snow across higher ground. It'll be a cold on Friday

with highs of 45 Celsius Fahrenheit. `` 4th`5dC. The headlines: My

journals and admits she has taken cocaine though she denies being an

addict. Photographs of the Queen and her sister onstage in pantomime are

being put up for auction in Gloucestershire. The images were

taken between 1940 and 194044. There were 60 big as in total. Some of

them are actually bearing royal signatures. They are all part of the

collection. That was the Midlands today. I will be back at ten

o'clock, I hope to have your company there. Goodbye.