10/09/2013 North West Tonight

Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight. Our top story: Not guilty.

Coronation Street star Michael Le Vell is cleared of all charges of

abusing a young girl. What can I I'm just delighted, obviously. We

Also tonight: New figures reveal a dramatic increase in the use of

Taser is by one of the region's biggest police forces. I will be

asking it be glorious summer has She's in the league. And she wins!

Olympics, memory to 1964 per HSG The macro takes a lot more than

talents you pursue your dreams, because there are a lot of people in

the world after the same thing. Michael Le Vell, the Coronation

Street star who said he had been fighting for his life accused of

child rape, today walked free from court after being cleared of all 12

charges. There were cheers from court after being cleared of all 12

delivered, and the actor mouth the words" thank you" to the jury. But

what happens now? Will he be allowed to return to the show that has been

his life for 13 years? ITV have to return to the show that has been

said they will look forward to meeting him to discuss the future.

Manchester Crown Court. He has been following the trial for the last

relieved man today. Well, when he walked out of these doors this

afternoon, there was a loud cheer well—wishers, and as he stood pretty

much where I am now, he did not well—wishers, and as he stood pretty

shaking. I imagine he is reserving newspapers. It was plain to anyone

looking that he was a very relieved man. Where do you want me to stand?

X Marks the spot. Michael Le Vell emerging from court that the being

indecent assault. Just delighted, obviously. A big weight everyone's

shoulders. I'd just like to thank the fantastic legal team here,

Alistair, care of, my family for the support. Security, and I'd like

Alistair, care of, my family for the continued support throughout this

traumatic time for all of us. I would just like to say thank you all

for being patient, and I might go and have a drink now. Cheers. When

might you return to Coronation Street? I don't know. I might have a

holiday purse. I need to talk to my boss. When he appeared before the

jury last week, he told them I am His accuser lamed he abused her

jury last week, he told them I am the age of six to 14, and told her

it is our little secret. The jury did not believe her, and cleared him

of all charges. During the trial, described the case against him is

unbelievable. The jury returned described the case against him is

verdict, and Mr LaBelle turned to them and mouth the words thank you.

Excuse me, can I have a word with you? I heard you might have a job

going. I might have. His is one you? I heard you might have a job

the most famous bases in one TV you? I heard you might have a job

macro most successful programmes. This is his first appearance in

Coronation Street, a car mechanic looking for a job. Good luck, make.

The goodwill towards Michael Le looking for a job. Good luck, make.

as he arrived at court was obvious, but the case uncovered a side to him

previously hidden. Heavy drinking session at a pub in Heol, and visits

to alcoholic anonymous. Strings session at a pub in Heol, and visits

described him as weak and stupid. For 30 years, he has enjoyed the

fruits of a successful TV career. He has been found not guilty of serious

sex offences, but can his career survive the damage done by relations

During the trial, a side of Michael Le Vell was exposed that surely

During the trial, a side of Michael would rather have remained private.

anonymity protected and it is still protected by law. Should he have had

trial? It is a question I put to a Coronation Street. He was here

through much of the trial. Without a This man, and other people besides,

but this man especially, because he is high, has suffered grievously for

two years. Being high—profile has exacerbated his position, and he is

now an innocent man. We know he exacerbated his position, and he is

an innocent man, but for two years, he has been under intense scrutiny,

and obviously, not all of that scrutiny was positive. Some of it

damaging revelations about injuring the trial. Can a public figure

survive those sort of revelations? We will see armour but let's face

it, who amongst us can say that We will see armour but let's face

squeaky—clean? Most of us have got skeletons in the cupboard, of one

kind or another. It doesn't make as criminals or sex offenders. Do you

Coronation Street as if nothing could have happened? Will macro

Coronation Street as if nothing think the indication is clear that

he is going back to Coronation Street, and why not? He has been

exaggerated. That is Nigel Pivaro speaking to me nearly. You might

wonder whether Michael Le Vell should have been put through all of

this. It is the job of the Crown Prosecution Service to decide which

defended their decision to go ahead statement saying that these were

very serious allegations of child sexual abuse, and therefore it

followed that it was in the public interest to place that evidence

before a jury at court. They say that they are happy that the jury

has reached its verdict. What now for Michael Le Vell? A statement

from ITV tells us tonight, we are looking forward to meeting that

discuss his return to the programme, which suggests that Kevin Webster

Thank you very much. We heard there from Nigel Pivaro, who used to play

Terry Duckworth in the street, but Michael Le Vell's other colleagues,

have given their reaction to the verdict this afternoon. Many have

Next tonight, meanwhile, Charlie Conn do gave this short reaction on

set in Manchester during a break in filming. We have you might say a few

words on the verdict. I have only just heard. I think it is great

for the Ribble Valley and Deputy Commons Speaker Nigel Evans has

for the Ribble Valley and Deputy rearrested today over allegations of

touching. Mr Evans was Ansa ring station, where we can now join our

political editor. Nigel Evans came to the police station. Is he still

being questioned at? He is indeed. It must have been a very gruelling

day for Mr Evans. He arrived just before nine o'clock this morning

still in there now. Having said that, there is plenty for them to be

talking about. This dates back to May, when he was first arrested

talking about. This dates back to the most serious allegation, that of

rape and sexual assault. He was rearrested the following month in

returned here this morning, he was arrested again. This time, a further

count of indecent assault was the charge, and one of sexual touching,

so seven counts in total. Clearly very serious for Nigel Evans. He has

previously vigorously denied all the allegations against them, but where

does this potentially leave his political career? It all depends

what happens in the next however long it takes for him to come out of

there and talk to us, because he has not been charged with anything,

there and talk to us, because he has therefore he might be able to resume

his career. If he has been charged everything. I think it is clear

his career. If he has been charged he would resign as Commons Deputy

Conservative MP for Ribble Valley, ? I think he will, but it might be

tricky to that association to stick potential court case down the track.

Some other stories from around the north—west. One in five shops in the

region is still empty, despite a series of initiatives to revive

region is still empty, despite a analysed by The Local Data Company.

Morecambe's West End at the vacancy rate, at 40%. Runcorn was also among

Hospitals across the north—west rate, at 40%. Runcorn was also among

to share £250 million in funding ahead of the winter to help relieve

seasonal pressures. Eight of the The Prime Minister says it is no

longer fair to call places like The Prime Minister says it is no

Isle of Man a tax haven. David Cameron said that the overseas

territories, or Crown dependencies, should not be referred to as tax

havens, as they have taken action to make sure that they are fair and

The former Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson is to receive the

honorary freedom of Trafford. Sir Alex has also been recognised by the

council with the renaming of a road near Old Trafford stadium. Waters

reach will become Sir Alex Ferguson Way. He will be honoured in October.

Next, Taser stun guns are used by police in Greater Manchester more

than almost anywhere else in the Officers drew, aimed or fired the

weapon nearly 1500 times over a three—year period, according to

weapon nearly 1500 times over a Home Office. That is nearly three

times more than Lancashire, and Home Office. That is nearly three

Merseyside, Cumbria and Cheshire, they are used even less frequently.

GMP say they are a valuable and effective option. Our reporter is at

Tonight, Greater Manchester Police have launched a robust defence of

how and why they use cases. We will hear more in a minute. Critics like

Amnesty International state Taser 's are supposed to make it less likely

that officers will use a firearm, but they are worried that officers

get less training to use a Taser than they would for example stop

critics are also worried about the size of the electric shock that

critics are also worried about the Colin Farmer from Chorley knows

critics are also worried about the Lancashire Police wrongly targeted

him last year when an officer Mr his cane forests Ward. You get a thump

in the back, because it is fired by a shot, but it was not that. It

in the back, because it is fired by a close range thing. It was only ten

feet away, in the middle of my back, and I did not expect it. Then, I

realised, when all these bolts coursed through my body that is

realised, when all these bolts on earth this has happened, I don't

know, but I have been shot by one of Home Office figures show Taser using

police forces across the Northwest rose in the three years between

police forces across the Northwest and 2011. Over that period, Greater

Manchester Police deployed them nearly 1500 times. Lancashire,

Manchester Police deployed them times, and Merseyside, 370 times.

The figures for Cumbria and Cheshire were lower. How does GMP's Taser use

compare with forces covering other big cities? The Metropolitan Police

use them on a few occasions, just over 1000. The police in the West

times, more than twice GMP's figure. Some are concerned that Taser usage

is going up when crime is coming down. A Taser trained officer gets

just three days' worth of training. We are worried about an officer

just three days' worth of training. having sufficient training to make

really split—second decisions that could have disastrous consequences

if they go wrong. In a statement, GMP said Taser Zari valuable and

dealing with the potential volatile situation, where force is necessary

to protect the public, police or the individual. In recent years, more

officers have been trained to use Taser 's, and in the majority of

cases, the presence of the Taser alone can have an effect, without

the need for officers to actually use it will stop these figures are

in line with, if not lower, than comparable forces. Incidents where

police drew a Taser but did not necessarily fire it are included in

the figures released today. It is worth noting that every time someone

fires a Taser, a senior officer worth noting that every time someone

review what happened, and make sure Thank you. I am joined now by Ian

Thank you per joining us. Why do you think that GMP officers are using

Taser 's more than other areas, particularly in the north—west? I

think it is important to put it particularly in the north—west? I

context. We are actually seeing particularly in the north—west? I

officers using a really valid and important piece of equipment is

proportionately, and you can't compare what we are doing with other

mentioned, 2700 deployments. In Manchester, 1400 deployments. In

GMP, we were part of a roll—out Manchester, 1400 deployments. In

in advance of other forces, so it is Lancashire and Merseyside. You can

understand that people might be concerned they are used too much and

possibly seen not as soft option, but almost like today's version

possibly seen not as soft option, truncheons. They are not a soft

option. They are a really important piece of kit. If you think I will be

on the back foot in defending these, I will not. This is about protecting

police officers and the public. I will not. This is about protecting

dangerous and difficult people, I will not. This is about protecting

police officers are expected to I will not. This is about protecting

split—second judgements and use these pieces of equipment to protect

everybody. We heard from Amnesty International that they think these

as a second decisions and there International that they think these

not enough training for officers, just three days. That is in line

with the national agreement signed by the Home Office. We have less

complaint and less litigation, and less long—term detrimental effects

from Taser use than we do from the effectively being hit by a metal

bar, use of CS spray, and no gas has ever been attributed in the UK

solely to the use of Taser. Thank A 13—year—old girl is recovering in

exploded just feet away from there. Salford home when it fell onto a

cooker and blew up, shattering windows in their house. Firefighters

say she is lucky to not have been more badly injured or even killed.

They have praised and neighbour whose quick actions are stocked

They have praised and neighbour teenager's burns from being much

This man is repairing the danger daughter, Donna, was cooking, but

had not noticed an aerosol had tumbled onto the Cocoa event. She

was standing next to it when it exploded. Paul told me he had been

very fortunate, a sentiment echoed by firefighters. I think she is

lucky getting out, because I imagine exploded into a ball of flame, that

young lady will obviously have taken the full brunt of it. She is being

treated in hospital for burns to the arms and face. A neighbour is being

praised by firefighters for a rapid response. I could see her hair was

the first thing was to get something cold and wet. I ran in the house,

and bush tea towels over her face, glasses of water, . The neighbours

were great. They obviously noticed she was burnt and applied cold

towels to basically try and cool down her face, and their arms. Very

quick thinking on their part. Her father says he hopes she will be

Still to come on this evening's programme, harvesting the cash crop,

farmers' relief at the turnaround in the weather. She is in the league,

awarded the Olympics, memories of 1964 per a gold medallist from

Before that, a common complaint 1964 per a gold medallist from

that young people often finished school unprepared for work, and

schools for failing to do that. school unprepared for work, and

where you are more likely to wear a suit than a uniform and you combine

learning with a real job. That is the idea behind the studio school

How do you prepare young people the idea behind the studio school

the world of work, especially when there is not that much work out

there? This man is 17, and is part of an academic revolution called the

studio school. Three days a week many studies A—levels here in the

classroom, and two days, he does a real job, here in Crown Paints.

classroom, and two days, he does a is his first day. Any nerds? Yes.We

macro the word we are using is professional. We are trying to

professional approach. Not one but two report out today say that young

terrible careers advice. They are just not being prepared for the

world of work. This studio school movement hopes to address that.

north—west, in Liverpool and here in doubt when. Another three are on the

way in Knutsford, Warrington and Manchester. It is a nine to five day

school uniform, just a work friendly suits. It is invaluable experience

for him, and employers say it is good for them to. I think it will be

employer's perspective. Young people with the academic qualifications and

the professional skills will be excellent for us. They will have so

much more to offer a prospective employer? That is right. I hope

much more to offer a prospective get out of this more experience

much more to offer a prospective work placement. What kind of work?I

would like to work at the BBC ! Della macro so I should watch out? .

We have all enjoyed the sunshine this summer, but for some farmers in

the region, it has been a lifeline remember in May we spoke to an

arable farmer from Merseyside who had lost a third of his crops due to

environment correspondence has been This year's harvest could hardly be

better, and that is a huge relief When we visited him in May at his

farm in Merseyside, things were looking dismal after months of bad

grown. You should not be able to see you in it. It should be five feet

high. What a difference a summer makes. Today, he is harvesting in

Lancashire. Things have picked up a bit to be honest. After the dreadful

winter, we thought we would harvest nothing, but a lot of sunshine in

June and July made things catch nothing, but a lot of sunshine in

so we have had some of the worst fields we have ever had and also

some of the best. On average, we have done OK so far. The price of

wheat has fallen, but there is a lot of it, and it is good news for those

with livestock to feed. Overall of it, and it is good news for those

the Northwest, the yield is down due to the cold weather during the

sowing season in the spring, but things could be worse. Last year,

there was the trouble with quality. This year, the quality is good,

there was the trouble with quality. there is no problem finding a home

for our wheat. It is just that the quantity is down. Things could be

better, but that is farming. We quantity is down. Things could be

through the night to harvest this field, but there is no rest. The

race is now onto so the next crop in The weather looked great their

race is now onto so the next crop in Yes, good news. We will have the

forecasting just a minute. Before that, this weekend we heard that the

Olympics will be heading back to Tokyo in 2020 for the first time

since the 1960s. That announcement brought back plenty of memories

since the 1960s. That announcement Cheshire couple who brought three

And Packer is going to take the Cheshire couple who brought three

medal ! And pack abundance of the record books and runs to celebrate

with her then the odds a Robbie Brightwell. What are your memories

of that moment? Everyone wants to know what it is like when you cross

the line, and I can honestly say, and I have heard it from other

athletes that it is relief. 49 years later, the Golden couple of Tokyo

1964 are well on their way to their golden wedding anniversary. Memories

of their medals are reunited by this. Tokyo ! I think the Olympics

is an extremely safe hands. I think difficult to imagine it could be any

better than last time. Last time, the couple had been favourites for

the 400 metres, but both lost out stop and recovered to win a hundred

metres gold and Robbie Grabarz silver in the last leg of the four

times 400 relay. She also broke three world records in six days

times 400 relay. She also broke those games. That is not bad going.

People only think about the metal. He is still proud of you, after

People only think about the metal. this time ! I have to be. Yes.

Believe it or not, that glorious run was here last. We said we would

retire, win or lose, and then we went back to work. We were married

just after returning and started a family. I was 22, he was 24. We

just after returning and started a fortunate, because we had each other

and could always consoled each other. Remember, success is...

without loss of enthusiasm. It is You could say success is a gold

without loss of enthusiasm. It is silver medal ! The most interesting

thing with the revelation about silver medal ! The most interesting

is above the bed. Their sons also played for Manchester city, and

their other son Gary is a runner. It is in the genes. My children have no

As long as they have them's good looks, they will be all right. It is

only about the sunshine at this looks, they will be all right. It is

of year if sunshine comes out, it doesn't feel too bad. Without it, it

can feel chilly. If you don't like cool weather, look what we have

can feel chilly. If you don't like the weekend. On Friday and Saturday,

much cooler air starts to descend. Not brilliant through today in terms

of temperature, but the sunshine does make all the difference. There

was an hour or so of that. Through the night, if you keep a lot of

temperatures will fall away, not dreadful tonight. For towns and

cities, in double figures, but rather relief, you could hit six or

seven degrees. If you could hit rather relief, you could hit six or

or seven degrees. A few unlikely places would be a shade lower. For

most of us, not too bad, but this looks like a lot of clear whether in

the early hours. For towns and cities, ten, 11 or even 12 degrees

along the coast, or tomorrow, a different day. A weather system

comes towards us, in fact, too. different day. A weather system

There will not be a hideous amount of rain. The start of the day in

brighter areas with some sunny spells around, but it does not take

you long before this system creeps into the Isle of Man, moves across

the Irish sea. On the leading edge, we all cloud up everywhere, so the

sunshine is lost by late morning, lunchtime. Quite a bit of rain for

most of us. Not hammering down, lunchtime. Quite a bit of rain for

Dole, damp stop all stop it takes on more as it had through the day.

Dole, damp stop all stop it takes on thought it might brighten up towards

the end of the day, but I do not think that will happen. The rain

nothing in the way of sunshine. think that will happen. The rain

of a westerly tomorrow, but the temperatures are not great, 15 or 16

at the best. Thank you very much.Am I allowed to sit down? To be fair, I

walked into that one. You walked into it. Have we seen the end of

summer then? It feels like it. The heating was on last night. Thank you