05/02/2014 Midlands Today

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Welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines: Missing from Birmingham

for eight months. Police arrest a 34`year`old man on suspicion of

murdering Lisa Bennett. I know in my heart she's no longer with us, but

where is she? Police reveal Lisa hadn't touched her bank account

since she went missing. Also tonight: A brighter future for the

Blues. The promise from the owners of Birmingham City after the

departure of Carson Yeung. The new chairman will take over now and he

is a very experienced person. Dishing the dirt. A Black Country

council promises to get tough on dog muck. They're knowingly doing this

when they think less people are around, particularly in the winter

and it's got to stop. We are fed up with it. Farewell to Bert Williams.

Warm tributes to the former Wolves and England goalkeeper at a packed

memorial service. He was a wonderful man to the people. If you consider

the effects of today's weather and multiply it by three you know what

to expect before the end of the week. There will be more details

later in the forecast. Good evening. Police investigating

the disappearance of a woman who vanished eight months ago have

arrested a man on suspicion of murder. Lisa Bennett was last seen

in Birmingham in May last year, in the Northfield area of the city.

Officers have spent the day searching an address at a block of

flats after the arrest of a 34`year`old. Lisa's mother made a

tearful appeal for information about her missing daughter. Joanne

Writtle's report contains flash photography.

This is the worst day of my life. I always expected that one day I would

get a knock on the door to say that Lisa had an overdose or something

but never expected it to be like this. Janet Bennett speaks out as

police launch a murder inquiry following her daughter's

disappearance. Lisa Bennett was a cocaine and heroin addict. She also

had alcohol problems and needed regular medication for Crohn's

disease. She disappeared in Birmingham eight months ago but what

happened to her is a mystery. I know in my heart she's no longer with us

but where is she? There's nothing of her. There's no clothes. Just

nothing at all. It's as if she didn't even exist, but she did. I

just want to find her and bring her home. And have closure so we can

grieve. My concern is, and I have to conclude that, she has been in some

way taken advantage of because I can't see that she's still with us.

All of the usual things that you and I would do during the course of our

daily life, make calls, contact your bank, go to the Post Office, she's

not done any of that. Lisa's family ties are in Staffordshire. Police

have searched a flat here in the Bournbrook area of Birmingham. A man

arrested on suspicion of murder is being questioned. Meanwhile, Lisa's

sister and mother say she was trying to kick her addiction problems and

as the search for clues continues tonight, they're desperate for

information. She ale never be able to sort herself out. `` she will

never be able to sort herself out. It's not knowing and not being able

to find her that's the most upsetting part, somebody must know

what's happened to her, somebody. I just want somebody to come forward

and... Find her. We want closure. I am joined now by our special

correspondent Peter Wilson. Can you put things into context for us, how

often do people go missing? When you look at the figures they're

absolutely staggering, for a period between 2011 and 12 across England

and Wales, 280,000 people went missing. That averages out at one

person being reported missing every two minutes. Here in the West

Midlands it was 14,500 and national nationally 350 unidentified bodies

turned up linked to missing people. So would you say the police are more

professional f you like, about the way thee deal with these cases? I

think in the past with my own personal experience the police

sometimes useded to dismiss the disappearance of teenagers and

especially drug addicts. They are much more scientific now and are

aware criminals will target people like Lisa Bennett. We have seen very

high`profile cases of missing people here in our region, what springs to

mind is the two schoolboys, who disappeared together on Boxing Day

1996 and just like Lisa Bennett, they haven't accessed any medical

services or bank accounts and you saw with Lisa's family today the

terrible heartache that occurs when families don't know what's happened

to their loved ones. Thank you. You are watching Midlands Today.

Coming up: Stoke celebrates one of its most famous sons, a Blue Plaque

for Robbie Williams '40th birthday. The owners of Birmingham City claim

the football club has a brighter future after shareholders today

agreed a plan to raise up to ?20 million in new investment. Former

chairman Carson Yeung, who faces money laundering charges in Hong

Kong, resigned all his positions at the club yesterday. Juliana Liu

reports. The Shangri`La Hotel in Hong Kong,

the setting for a special gathering of investors in Birmingham

International Holdings, the company that owns the Birmingham City

Football Club. Its chief executive, Peter Pannu told me that all

shareholders have agreed to this plan to raise almost ?20 million in

new money to repay debt and improve the club's finances.

Trading in the company's shares has been suspended since the then

chairman Carson Yeung was arrested on money laundering charges in 2011.

Something it is trying to reverse. If we assume we will have capital,

we will support the club, the new chairman, we will take over now and

he is a very experienced person and I am sure he will lead the whole

group and including the club to a right direction and brighter

direction. MrYeung, seen here at his trial, stepped down from all

positions with the company and club this week. He remains the club's

majority shareholder. A verdict in his trial is expected this month.

That's potentially good news for the Blues ap the manager Lee Clarke ``

and the manager Lee Clarke. The club has struggled under Mr Yeung. Fans

are hoping a change of leadership will put the team on surer footing.

Breaking news, a Midlands MP who found himself at the centre of a row

over a Nazi`themed stag party in France has announced he is to stand

down at the next election. Aidan Burley was elected as Conservative

MP for can knock chase `` Cannock Chase in 2010. What has he had to

say? It's all very positive and makes no mention of the Nazi`themed

stag party that got him into this mess. It starts by saying that it

was a wonderful surprise to win Cannock Chase, it was the biggest

swing of the 2010 election, a majority of around 3,000. It goes on

to say he has been proud to deliver positive things and it's been a

privilege to represent the people. In the last paragraph does he go on

to say after a difficult time that he has decided to announce that he

will be standing down at the next general election. And so an internal

Tory Party investigation said he caused deep offence by organising a

Nazi`themed stag party in 2011. How much damage did that do to him

politically do you think? I think probably massively. There was an

enormous furore at the time when the pictures were published. The

incident was a French ski resort in December of 2011. It was about the

extent of MrBurley's involvement. There was Nazi saluteking and

chanting. He did distance himself. `` saluteing. It never really went

away this incident. He seemed to recover and has been in the Sunday

papers for the past two contechtive weeks. The `` consecutive weeks. The

Prime Minister saying it was offensive and foolish. It appears it

has broken MrBurley. Thank you. The Metropolitan Police have

confirmed that the commissioner has met MP Andrew Mitch toll apologise

for the role `` Mitchell to apologise for a role of an officer

in the plebgate affair. The meeting, described as private, took place

this afternoon. MrMitchell left his position as Chief Whip after a storm

of controversy followed a row at the gates of Downing Street.

A fresh report into the death of four`year`old Coventry schoolboy

Daniel Pelka murdered by his mother and stepfather nearly two years ago,

has highlighted problems with communication and staffing across

child protection agencies in the city. Today's revelations follow

Government demands for more information after an official

inquiry into Daniel's death. Joan Cummins joins us from Coventry. What

more have we learned? We have heard about haphazard record`keeping,

overstretched and inexperienced teams lacking supervision, those

were basically the themes of today's 18`page report. Human error cannot

be eliminated from child protection while staff are unsupervised and

lacking training, that was one of the quotes. The relationship between

agencies was described as poor. An example given, that the

communication between hospital and health visitors was actually

ineffective. The result of underresourced departments, errors

in decision`making by professionals trying to juggle competing

priorities. What has the safeguarding board said? They've

said that there are no surprises within this report. They've said

they have 15 recommendations, eight of which are still outstanding and

today they admitted that there was still work to do be done in the ``

to be done in the city. What I need to say is that we have identified

problems around in 2012. I cannot say, and the report on progress

suggests we cannot say that all of those problems have been resolved.

So I think no board chair can say always that all children will be

safe and that similar deaths will not happen. So human error, mistakes

and yet no one disciplined. Indeed. The board said that discipline isn't

their remit. The city council said they have referred the matter to the

social workers statutory body who are investigating further the role

of social workers in this and they say there's just one social worker

who was involved in the case still working for them. The Health

Authority say they have complied totally with all the reviews and say

they've implemented appropriate increased supervision and training.

Prime Minister David Cameron today pledged to do what he can to keep

Dunlop Motorsport in Birmingham. His promise came after Erdington's

Labour MP Jack Dromey said the tyre firm is threatening to end

production in the city, putting more than 240 jobs at risk. Mr Dromey

believes other sites in the city are available.

Will the Prime Minister join with the Business Secretary and I in

urging Goodyear Dunlop to look at alternatives and not walk away from

years of manufacturing history? I was being briefed on this issue

before coming to the chamber. I am very happy to look carefully at it

and see what can be done. The recovery of the automotive sector,

particularly in the West Midlands has been hugely welcome for our

country. Dunlop is an historic name and brand and I will do everything I

can to work with the Business secretary and him to get a good

outcome. This is our top story:

Missing from Birmingham for eight months. Police arrest a 34`year`old

man on suspicion of murdering Lisa Bennett.

Shefali will be along with the forecast. Also, goodbye, Bert.

Wolverhampton says a final farewell to one of its all`time footballing

greats. And Stoke marks Robbie Williams birthday.

It's a common, revolting and recurring problem ` dog muck. Today,

a Black Country Council has launched a hard`hitting poster campaign to

fight dog`fouling on its streets and in its parks. Sandwell Council

received more than 800 complaints last year from residents about the

problem. And, in the last six months have issued more than 80 ?75 fines

to owners who don't clean up after their pets. Today's zero tolerance

pledge has ` not surprisingly ` sparked plenty of comment on our

Facebook page. Stacey Wyatt welcomed the posters saying, It's about time

for Sandwell. If you have a dog and it goes to the toilet in the street

you should pick it up ` disgusting. Linda Tylee thinks it's impossible

to police or enforce. As long as there are people who have no common

decency and allow their dogs to foul in public areas then this problem is

here to stay. Lynne Edwards also wonders, for this

to work you actually have to carry out the fines. Spraying signs on the

floor and putting up posters does not work.

Diana Powell offers a different solution saying, 30 years ago l had

problems with this in Leominster and the powers that be put in dog

wardens ` it worked. So, will the problem finally be sorted in

Sandwell? Bob Hockenhull reports. Lightwoods Park in Bearwood,

frequented by hundreds of dogs. But the mess doesn't always get cleaned

up, to the annoyance of responsible owners. It's all over the pavement

and everywhere. It's not very nice at all. The council's fed up, too.

Wardens have issued more than 80 ?75 fines. The warden service receives

complaints relating to dog fouling, it's a serious problem. It does

upset me because it costs thousands to clean up. If you see a doggy

doo... Dog fouling is not a new problem in Sandwell. Bob Carolegees

tried to persuade owners to mend theirerant ways. Drop it in the bin.

Lovely and clean. But 25 years later, a new approach to this social

menace may be tried out. The council is hoping to reward people who

report offenders. They could get ?50 paid for from the fines. With the

cuts we face we only have 14 wardens. Sandwell is a big area. I

am appealing to the public to report this. It's got to stop. We are fed

up with it. Posters are to be put up warning the public they face fines.

The move's been welcomed by park users. Looking at the posters

they're light`hearted in a way, as well as being hard`hitting. It will

get people to think. Those who have to clean up certainly hope so. It

costs councils ?22 million a year to deal with dog mess.

Wolverhampton said goodbye to one of its true sporting greats today as a

memorial service was held in the city for the former Wolves and

England goalkeeper Bert Williams. Bert, who died last month aged 93,

made 420 appearances for Wolves at a time when the Molineux club were one

of European football's major forces. Ian Winter reports. It's not

everyday the Cannock Chase Orpheus Choir choose to sing in their

scarves. But it's not every day they get a chance to celebrate the life

of England's oldest international footballer. Bert Williams, MBE,

played 420 games in goal for Wolves. It was no surprise to see the

goalkeepers union out in force to pay tribute. We will never see his

like again? This man was truly brilliant. For me I am getting on in

age now, but he became ` I went to his 90th birthday and he was lovely

and well, well remembered. Certainly by me and a lot of Wolverhampton

people, yeah. It was an emotional afternoon too for Rachel Heyhoe

Flint. She's known Bert since she was a young girl growing up,

passionate about cricket and in love with the Wolves. Today the term

legend is used so many times but to Bert it really is a legend. If many

of our modern day sportsmen could emulate the type of behaviour Bert

portrayed that could be his legacy. There are one or two players that

think they're great and they're not. But Bert was a great goalkeeper and

was unassuming with it. # Somewhere over the rainbow...

This was Bert's favourite song, the perfect choice for a man who always

said he felt so grateful to have played for Wolves, he would have

played for nothing. His many talents even included writing poetry. My

life has been a fulfilled dream. You see how lucky I have been.

No wonder it was standing room only inside St Peter's Church today to

celebrate the remarkable life of Bert Williams MBE.

You can read more about the memorial service at St Peter's today on the

BBC Black Country website. Next week is a major milestone in

the life of Robbie Williams, when he celebrates his 40th birthday. And

while the singer will be partying at his home in Los Angeles, his home

city of Stoke`on`Trent will be holding a series of events in his

honour. The celebrations started in the city today and Ben Sidwell is

there for us now. It's fair to say they're proud of Robbie, aren't

they? Absolutely. Welcome to a secret location in Stoke`on`Trent,

but the pictures and some of these awards might give you a clue as to

who lives here. It's not Robbie himself, we will find out who it is

in a few moments. As you said, today has been all

about Robbie and his 40th as I have been finding out.

For a lad from Stoke Robbie Williams has done all right for himself

during his 40 years. As pupils from his primary school

sang the songs now known across the world in a city where he was born

birthday celebrations began. Until today there hasn't been anything in

all honesty and that was the point, it was to get a tourist trail, to

get streets named after him. It was to get stuff in the museum belonging

to him so people know that this is Robbie Williams' home city. Today

the first plaque of the new tourist trail was unveiled. It was at the

park where Robbie used to play. We were all praying he was going to

be here today because we all really love him and cherish him and really

are happy we can do this for him today. He has done a lot for

Stoke`on`Trent, for children, his music has taken the world by storm

and everyone should look up to him. Fans from across the world will be

coming to Stoke`on`Trent this weekend to join in celebrations,

among the attractions a collection of paintings from an Italian fan. It

doesn't happen every day when you have artwork travel travelling from

Italy. It is very important. In the room below the gallery two men who

know Robbie well. Scott and Richard have written many songs for him. You

can speak ` listen to some star talking about the life and you

wouldn't know from their accent or anything they say where they've come

from but he has always kept Stoke`on`Trent right at the forof of

`` foreof any conversation. He might be celebrating in Los Angeles, but

in Stoke`on`Trent there will be quite a party for one of its most

famous sons. As Robbie is in LA, we can't speak

to him, sadly, but we have the next best thing, his dad, Pete. Thank you

for letting us in your home, first of all. Secondly, today has just

been fantastic. What have you made of it? It's been the most amazing

day, other than the weather which was awful. But so many people turned

out for the Blue Plaque ceremony in the park. They gave me a special one

to send to Rob which I will do later tonight which I am pleased about.

It's the first time anything like this has been done in the city. It's

taken a while to recognise him. It's aimmigrationing, they've been ``

it's amazing. They've been good the council and the papers, because he

is a patron of the hospice here there's so much happening in the

future this is just the first one today and then on Friday there is a

museum opening. And a big occasion at Port Vale on Saturday. I know you

have spoken to Robbie in the last 30 minutes himself, what has he made of

it? I just spoke to him before we came on air. He said that he can't

get over it, the magnitude of the things that have happened and I

spoke to him last week and I told him what was happening and he said,

do you think people will turn up? Well, they have. They absolutely

have. There's been a lot of people. Plenty more to come, fans from all

across Europe will be here in Stoke this weekend. Back to you.

Thank you. We are fed up of looking at it and battling through it.

Shefali is probably fed up talking about it! Will this carry on?

Probably, wind speeds of around 60mph today and up to an inch of

rain in the west of the region. I would like to mention the

floodline, because you will probably need it in the days to come.

We have many flood warnings in force as you probably know and more rain

over the next few days. The floodline has changed from a premium

rate to non`premium rate. This is how much rain we have to

come over the next few days. A couple of inches, and that

translates on the pressure chart as this bunched up area of fronts that

are feeding up from the south tomorrow afternoon, bringing the

first lot of rain. Although I am not underestimating the impact of that

it's this beast pushing in from the west Friday night into Saturday

that's going to be the more troublesome of the two with the

first lot being tamer than this one. You can see why, we have this tight

coil of isobars wrapped around and this indicates winds will be

stronger with the second lot of rain that comes through. Back to this

evening, the rain we have had today is still around. We could see

encounter heavy bursts across the north of the region. Eventually this

lot is going to start to spill away to the east and leave us with

largely dry conditions to end the night and clearer spells, as well.

Temperatures will be above freezing. We have no problems with frost. But

the winds will calm down as we head into the start of tomorrow. Tomorrow

morning is not looking too bad. It's dryer, it's also calmer. But not for

long. We have the next deluge sweeping up from the south and this

is going to be through the afternoon and spilling into all parts by the

end of the day. We are looking at around 15`30 milimetres by the end

of it all which should be by the end of tomorrow night into the early

hours of Friday. Thank you. The headlines from the

BBC: Thousands of homes without power. And missing for eight months,

police arrest a 34`year`old man on suspicion of murdering Lisa Bennett.

That was the Midlands Today. I will be back at 10.00pm with reaction

from the Conservative Club to the news that the MP Aidan bury will

stand down at the `` Burley will stand down at