16/01/2017 Midlands Today

Hello and welcome to Midlands Today. The headlines tonight:

"We thought we would die' - the Staffordshire holidaymaker

who hid from the gunmen during the Tunisian massacre.

It was horrific, it really was. I had never felt fear like it in my

life. The inquests into the deaths,

including three generations of a family from the black

country, opened today. Meet the rail pastors touring the

rail network to help distressed, the depressed and the suicidal.

Emergency delivery, the baby girl born in the back of a police car.

like, we might get some proper like, we might get some proper

assistance! She made it back with us.

And if there's one picture that sums up this week, it's this.

A generally mild and murky start with colder air slowly seeping

"We thought we would die" - the words

of a Staffordshire holidaymaker, who survived the Tunisia massacre

Alison Caine, from Wheaton Aston, hid for three and half hours

with her husband Baron in their hotel room,

Along the corridor and outside gunmen were on the rampage -

killing 38 people, 30 of them British tourists.

As the inquests into their deaths begin, Alison has described

the sheer panic she felt on that day, and her doubts

anyone will truly be held accountable for what happened.

She's been speaking to our reporter Ben Godfrey.

We started hearing screams. People were running. Barron said, just run

as fast as you can and get to the room. The gunfire was very rapid,

there were grenades going off. It was like a complete war zone.

Alison and Baron Caine were just four days into their summer holiday.

Their instincts to barricade themselves inside their room

at the Imperial Hotel probably saved their lives.

We had a knock on the door, a manually Tunisia next and said he

had our room key. At that point we looked at each other and we just

thought, this is it. We're going to die.

Outside the hotel, Sayfedeen Rezgee pulled

a Kalashnikov from a parasol he'd been carrying and killed 38 people.

So-called Islamic State claimed responsibilty.

It took the authorities roughly 40 minutes to get to us.

Among the dead - Joel Richards, his uncle Adrian Evans and grandad

Patrick Evans from Wednesbury, along with Sue Davey from Tamworth.

Previous years, they have been four guards on the front gate. There was

one sting on the back gate to the beach, that year, there was one

guard on the front gate and no other gods.

The inquests will look at what, if anything, the UK government

and travel companies knew about the risk of an attack

Three months earlier 22 people were killed in an attack

on the Bardo National Museum in Tunis.

When you were heading out there on this holiday, were you given any

was out there? No, we had called Tom was out there? No, we had called Tom

's on several occasions were reassured that everything was safe.

Thomson's parent company TUI has told the BBC it's:

18 months on, Alison is still receiving counselling.

I have never felt fear like it in my life and I never want to again. I

think that's one of the problems, trying to move on from this, you are

frightened you are going to be in that situation again.

The Imperial Hotel is now closed - the beach deserted.

Alison says she's not confident the inquests will provide

And Ben joins me now, the inquests got underway in London today,

but this will be quite a long process?

It is seven weeks, the tone was said this morning when we had a minutes

silence in court for the 30 victims. You could hear a pin drop, I was

told. Room was packed, live video feeds were coming to court, for

those who couldn't make it, the coroner will hear from officials

from the Foreign Office and the parent company which sold many of

these holidays. Did they get the advice right, is the question. What

a day here today? The most galling thing for the families was that the

Tunisian enforcement unit deliberately delayed their arrival

as the gunman was gunning down the holiday-makers. The QC said they had

the opportunity to put an end to the attack but were wasting their

The gunman was shot dead three The gunman was shot dead three

kilometres after he was dropped off, because there was a digital

reconstruction of his movements. Horrific detail, where the bodies

were found to stop Joe Richards, the youngest British picked him, 19

years old, was found near his grandfather in an indoor swimming

pool. This is hugely distressing for the families. The youngest son of

victims to debut tweeted, words cannot sum up our day watching this

awful case unfold. -- victim Sue Davie.

A BBC investigation has found that medicines -

prescribed to NHS patients - are being sold on the black market

Anti-depressants and expensive arthritis injections were among

the drugs sold to a BBC undercover reporter- by patients

I am at Corley services on the M6 near Coventry waiting to do a drugs

deal with a difference. The man I have arranged to meet is selling an

expensive prescription only medicine, prescribed to him and paid

for by the NHS. It is used to for by the NHS. It is used to

prescribe arthritis. He has prescribed a box every four weeks

which costs the NHS almost ?10,000 a year. But what he doesn't use, he

sells on. And he's not alone. This man sells

his NHS prescription drugs from his kitchen.

He is selling a perception only treatment for impotence. --

prescription only. He says he no longer uses the drug but still

receives repeat productions. He says he receives four boxes a

the NHS around ?500. It is illegal the NHS around ?500. It is illegal

to sell on construction only medicines but plenty of patients are

doing just that. These are just a few of the perception that have

purchased, everything from prescription toothpaste to

antidepressants and high end drugs, prescribed in good faith by the NHS

to patients who are illegally selling them on. Patients like the

man selling the impotence drug. It told me he knows what he's doing is

wrong but his customers are patients too embarrassed to see their own

doctor. As for the motorway Menkov I have arranged to buy more drugs but

this time I'm not bringing cash, just cameras.

I'm a reporter for the BBC, trying to find out why you are selling NHS

prescriptions? Why you doing that? So no response. But moments later he

gives me a call. So you won't be selling

prescriptions anymore? We may have closed the door on one.

But it is clear he is not the only patient trading on NHS

prescriptions. And you can see that

investigation in full, including how the drugs

are being traded on Ebay, on the new series of Inside Out -

which starts tonight at 7:30 Ebay says it stops sales

of prescription medicines when it's alerted and works

closely with the Medicines regulatory authority,

who've warned sellers A teenager has admitted

he threw one of two stones, which smashed through the window

of a Birmingham taxi, leaving an elderly passenger

unconscious with a fractured skull. The 17 year old boy

said he was drunk - and one of a group of youths

targetting taxis He and three other youths aged 15

and 16 were all found guilty of taking part in the stone attack

which injured the 77 year old - A warning, you may find

some of the images of Anthony Bartram is outside

Birmingham youth court, A group of teenage boys had been

gathering in an alleyway off the Bristol Road in Edgbaston that night

on mate with the fifth last year. on mate with the fifth last year.

Four of them had been on trial today at the youth court aged between 17,

couple of 16-year-old and a 15-year-old. They have been

targeting taxis, throwing stones at them, what you're about to see is

both dramatic and shocking, it's the moment that two stones came smashing

through a black cab and hitting a 77-year-old woman passenger. Are you

all right? Are you OK, folks? Hang on, hang on. Hang on, hang on.

That lady has asked us not to name her although she agreed with the

data driver Association to release that CCTV footage to us at the time.

You see she was unconscious for a few seconds and then came round. The

taxi driver got straight to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital where she

was treated for multiple fractures to her skull, and quite severe

injuries. Only one boy admitted throwing stones but there were four

defendants, what was said about? The oldest, the 17-year-old said he had

thrown to stones at taxis but said thrown to stones at taxis but said

he was too drunk on vodka to remember any of the details. The

others denied even being there but we heard from two witnesses who

picked out all of those boys at a police identity parade. They came to

court today behind a curtain and stuck to their story, and in the

edge the judge found them all guilty of wounding charges and the damage

to the taxi, something that has come as a great relief to the taxi

drivers Association this evening. It could have caused death, it was that

serious, that close, but like I serious, that close, but like

said, injuries to heal but it's the said, injuries to heal but it's the

mental torture after, to have that confidence began to go in a cab,

will that happen again? When we posted the image, our message was

simple, what if this was your relative, how would you feel?

Victim-macro is with the taxi drivers Association, this could

easily have been a murder investigation. -- the victim agrees.

All four defendants will be sentenced in a week.

Paramedics were called to Draycott just before one o'clock this

afternoon. Two women and two men were taken to the Queens Hospital in

Burton, another woman and man were taken to the Royal Derby hospital.

Around 300 people joined a protest against cuts

to disability services, proposed by Birmingham city council.

The authority's looking to make total savings of ?76 million

But campaigners say some of the city's most vulnerable

citizens stand to lose out, including people with mental health

We have to make sure that the most vulnerable people have their service

is protected. If we're going to be a chemical inclusive city, supporting

the Prime Minister's objective a shared society, these services are

library, we don't clean the streets, library, we don't clean the streets,

the cuts that are being asked of the council just cannot be met. Without

us looking at some of the other us looking at some of the other

areas of our budgets. An investigation has begun

after footage emerged of a fox being killed by a pack of hounds,

in North Warwickshire. A warning you may find some

of the pictures distressing. In the video, taken

on Saturday by the group West Midlands Hunt Saboteurs,

a fox can be seen chased It shows members of the Atherstone

Hunt on horseback and their dogs, who cornered the animal

on a private driveway. Police say they're

reviewing the footage Volunteers have launched

a project aimed at protecting vulnerable and suicidal people

on the train network. So-called "rail pastors"

will accompany police, Last year, officers

in the West Midlands were called to 460 incidents near railways,

which involved mental health problems - and dealt

with 21 suspected suicides. Giles Latcham is at

Stourbridge Junction now. A kind of Samaritans

on rails then, Giles? Not a bad way of describing it. You

probably have heard of street pastors, who the city and town

centres late at night helping those who perhaps have become detached

from their friends are never had too much to drink. There are 18 of them

who have been trained up as rail who have been trained up as rail

pastors now, they are touring the Midlands rail networks. Alison, why

a special service on the rail, who are you trying to help? British

transport please asked the street pastors to try and help out because

they're getting a lot more suicides on the railways which is a terrible

thing. There are rail pastors down south and in 27 patrols they have

managed to talk to three people and prevent them from taking their own

lives, which if you are asked to do that, why wouldn't you? Indeed.

Happily, last year no one along this line lost their lives, but there

work called, which might have led to work called, which might have led to

Birmingham, I asked commuters would Birmingham, I asked commuters would

they thought of this idea. If they want to help people out and talk to

people, then I think it's a good idea. I think it's a really idea

because a lot of people are depressed and if somebody is there

to talk to them, it's really nice. When they see police, its scary

feelings but with these people, they will feel more comfortable to talk

to them so it's a good idea. This pick-up on the point about the

police, you're not wearing a uniform, you are not the police,

does that make a difference? Police can be frightening to people, we

don't have that threat, we are just there to give the love of God to the

people we meet. The police are here tonight, they reckon they intervene

and save lives on 80 occasions last year, rail pastors hope to spread

the safety net wider. A third of bus lanes are being

scrapped in Coventry from today, The city is the first

in the Midlands to open up The council also believes it

will reduce pollution But not everyone is happy with

the trial as Bob Hockenhull reports. They were introduced to speed up bus

journeys and encourage more use But from today Coventry is removing

a third of its 22 bus lanes In country we have a 20% increase in

traffic congestion in 15 years. -- in Coventry. We need to find new and

innovative ways of keeping traffic flowing and improving air quality.

For bus operators it'll mean an end to many exclusive 24

hour lanes shared only with cycles and taxis.

That could make it more difficult to stick to the timetable.

We can lose out because of delays the service, it can be a negative

that we lose passengers, and the council commits their scheme, which

we will work with and give any issues and concerns we race to them.

Signs will be put up informing drivers

No sign means "the bus lane is still active".

Most motorists we spoke to welcomed the extra road space.

Everybody is stuck in non-moving traffic for ages and it would be

better. It would be fast and easy to better. It would be fast and

go to work. I think it's important go to work. I think it's important

that it's kept, it keeps public transport moving and stops the

gridlock. And taxi drivers are worried free

moving lanes they too could use We have to get passengers were ever

they want to go to in time so if you are stuck in congestion and traffic

it will make a lot of difference. But if this experiment works,

all bus lanes in the city could be Turning the sport now. Football

clubs around the country paid tribute to Graham Taylor at the

weekend, very moving. Yes, emotional tributes to a man

who was universally liked and made such a huge contribution to football

in the West Midlands. How fitting it was that the two

teams he managed in this region faced each other

in the Championship this weekend. Before kick off, an emotional

atmosphere as fans of Wolves and Aston Villa joined as one to pay

tribute to their former And from the moment

the first whistle blew, it was resurgent Wolves

who dominated this Midlands derby. Joe Mason put them in front

early on and Villa rarely Gianfranco Zola is still looking

for his first win as Birmingham manager after a tame goalless draw

with Nottingham Forest. They all look safely mid-table

but Burton Albion have real relegation worries,

just a point above the bottom three after losing at home to Wigan

who are still below them. Marko Arnautovic has found goals

tough to come by for Stoke this season but on Saturday

he doubled his total The first was tenacious,

the second stylish as they raced Peter Crouch then proved his

continued renaissance Tony Pulis turns 59 today

but there was no early birthday I have had the time on the bench to

reflect where things are going, I've got a new lease of life because I am

playing again and loving every minute of it. Hopefully I've

justified my selection. Tony Pulis turns 59 today

but there was no early birthday present for the Albion head coach

as they were hammered 4-0 at Premier League title

contenders Tottenham. Walsall are more than 20 points

behind the league one leaders Sheffield United but they've now

beaten them three times this season. This was the most stunning

victory, scoring four times Shrewsbury Town also

enjoyed a surprise win, Freddie Ladapo scoring on his home

debut as they beat playoff But Coventry City are rock bottom

of the table after falling to a late Cheltenham Town are

out of the League Two They moved to within a point

of fellow strugglers Accrington They should have been a warning

about the dodgy defending from West Brom! But they are looking to add to

their midfield? They have made a ?2 million bid for Jake Livermore from

Hull City. -- ?10 million. Lots going on besides the football

starting with last minute drama They were trailing Toulouse

14-10 in the last minute when they earned a penalty just

yards from the Toulouse try-line. And quick thinking from scrum-half

Dan Robson won the day. A tap penalty and he dived over

to give Wasps a crucial win If they beat Zebre next week -

which they should - Not quite at that stage

in the Australian Open tennis - but a first round victory

for Birmingham's Dan Evans. It's the first time he's

reached the second round. He beat Facundo Bagnis

of Argentina in straight sets. Last week he reached his

first ATP Tour Final Evans is now ranked 51 in the world

and feels like he now It's got to feel accepted a bit more

in these tournaments, last week helps, and to come out today and get

a good straight sets victory, is always good for me, obviously.

This weekend in Blackpool he became the WWE's

Nice shorts, I am being told! Maybe he can buy a bigger pair of shorts

after that victory! A couple whose baby was born

in the back of a police car, have been reunited with the officers

who came to their aid. Emily McBride was in labour

on her way to hospital when they hit Jennifer Meierhans went to find out

how police officers helped make Baby Darcey is oblivious of her

dramatic arrival into the world - Mum Emily McBride was in

labour when snow caused gridlock in Staffordshire -

and her partner Thomas I remember my waters

breaking as I was getting into the car and then I just

remember screaming saying she's coming, she's

coming, I need to push. PCs Andrea Rowley and

Chris Kramarczyk got to the entrance of the Royal Stoke

University Hospital. Chris ran to get the midwives

and as the midwife came out they explained to Emily

that she wasn't going to have time I think she was requesting gas

and air but they were saying there wasn't time and within a couple

of minutes I think we'd got Now she's home and the officers say

they're honoured to be two It's lovely to know that they're

both doing all right and the family's doing

OK and everything's OK Mum Emily said she was delighted

to see the officers again I'm really grateful

because they got us there on time. If it wasn't for them we would have

been stuck in traffic - Now all the drama is over - what do

they make of the eventful day? I think it's part of our job

to expect the unexpected. We are just glad she came

safe really and healthy. I think we're going to

save all the articles actually show her what

she caused that day - Congratulations! That's fine that it

will brighten up at all. It's not going to be as soggy wet as

blue Monday. I love this picture, on blue Monday. I love this picture, on

first glance it looks like it's not a reflection but actually is. Then

we have the cabbage patch, enough said! For the rest of the week,

initially and then turns colder into initially and then turns colder into

the weekend but with brighter skies. We have this area of high pressure

right across us but this irritating front that wavering through the

week, producing a lot of cloud but because of the high pressure, its

effect will be reduced. We have got wins, because of the cloud, it's not

going to shift so largely dull week. More of that cloud the content this

evening, some rain running across us, behind it we will see some misty

nest developing over the hill tops nest developing over the hill tops

where the cloud is low enough, squeezing out the odd spot of

drizzle. This is how we start tomorrow, on well-known but not as

wet as today, largely dry. That mist will quickly disperse and then it's

just a dull day but a fairly mild one, cooler than today. Then

tomorrow night, also quite mild and cloudy, that's the way it continues

for much of the week.