09/10/2013 North West Tonight

Good evening, welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson and

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story: Going to a wedding — the ordinary scene

which belied a tale of kidnap, rape We wouldn't think that something

like this could happen in 21st century Britain, but it does. Five

people were today convicted of trafficking the woman involved round

Also tonight: Welcome to poundland — the first homes sold by Liverpool

Council in a plan to regenerate Barred from class — the Muslim boys

sent home from school for refusing We are at the official launch party

for next year's Grand National. We are at the official launch party

guest of honour tonight has four legs. Join me later in the programme

to find out who it is. I am David Myers, and I have swapped to Wales

Find out how I am getting on in night's strictly come dancing.

Five people have been found guilty of trafficking a vulnerable young

woman who'd been kidnapped from where she was forced to take part in

a sham marriage. Preston Crown Court heard that the woman was repeatedly

raped as she was "handled around the continent and this country like

raped as she was "handled around the slave". The prosecution said it

sounded "more like something from a 19th century novel by Dickens than

anything happening in the 21st century". Naomi Cornwell reports.

It was in a flat above this Burnley shop that the 20—year—old woman

It was in a flat above this Burnley kept prisoner in squalid conditions.

Police came here in October last year after receiving an anonymous

tip—off that she was being held vulnerable and naive, having never

before left her village in Eastern Slovakia. She had little education,

spoke no English and came from a Roma community, who feared being

persecuted by the police. During a night out near her home in Zemplin,

the woman was bundled into a car and plied with vodka. Her identification

documents were taken from her and she was then forced onto a coach

which, for two days, travelled crying, she was told that if the

police found her they'd beat her and After arriving in London she was

driven first to Bradford and then to Burnley. When police found her here,

she told them she thought she was in the Czech Republic. I was so scared

for my life. Many times I wanted to run away from them. Because of what

the bad people told me, I didn't know where to run, where to go,

the bad people told me, I didn't brought to England by Imrich Bodor.

Shinwary, who then sold her to Azam Khan, a Pakistani man who'd been

refused the right to remain in this country. In the flat above his aunt

captured the moment she was taken to the mosque opposite the shop, where

she was made to sign her name on a document. She didn't realise, but

she'd just been married to him in a sham ceremony. Marriage to an EU

national would allow him to stay in verdicts, the jury found the men all

guilty of arranging or facilitating the arrival in the UK of a person

imprisonment. In addition, Azzam Khan was found guilty of three

counts of rape. I thank the member is of the community for putting

counts of rape. I thank the member the telephone community. Best is

safe to say that many members of the Radford has turned a blind eye to

this. I would appeal to anyone to speak out against this kind of

All five of those convicted will be The young woman involved in this

Slovakia and is safe. She was helped by the charity the mad I trust,

Slovakia and is safe. She was helped say they are dealing with more and

more of these cases. —— MediTrust. have clients are coming with issues

around sham marriages, raped and prostitution. We need to make sure

they have the full support of the supported by having a really good,

successful team who work with our offered everything that they need to

move further on with their life after the harrowing events they

move further on with their life gone through. How difficult is it

for them to move on from what they clients really do struggle with

that. It is very hard and harrowing challenging. The rewards that we see

at the end, particularly when we do get convictions and we see that

traffickers are brought to court for incredibly rewarding. It is hard to

imagine that this can be happening in our towns, near where we live.

Absolutely, it is. When I pass differently now because of what

Absolutely, it is. When I pass gone on. It certainly opens your

eyes to the fact that trafficking is common, more common than people

eyes to the fact that trafficking is to comprehend. It is there, it is in

your neighbourhood. We don't know who it is happening to, and I can

charity we have the opportunity who it is happening to, and I can

particular case, they went through eighth sham marriage conducted in a

mosque. What role do you think the mosques can play in stopping this

happening? I would have hoped this would have been picked up, but it

offers the has not been and has would have been picked up, but it

allowed to happen. I think all religions and faiths should be on

board that when a milage happens, it is a real marriage, and it is a

is concerning that these marriages are happening, when actually they

are illegal. It is terrible for victims when it happens. Thank you

Next tonight, the first owner of the £1 houses in Liverpool got the keys

The council put 20 houses up for people applied for the houses and

allocated. The homeowners are now properties, at an estimated cost of

around £35,000, and live in them for at least five years. If the scheme

is successful it could be extended as part of the council's work to

bring 1,000 empty properties back into use. Our Merseyside Reporter

You give me a pound, and I'll give you the keys to your new home. Mayor

Joe Anderson and Jayalal Madde pose for the cameras outside Mr Madde's

Orginally from Sri Lanka, he's lived in this part of Toxteth for eight

years. Today, he saw the inside in this part of Toxteth for eight

good, big sized house. I am very happy. Very lucky to have a house

like this. How much work will you have to do on this? Quite a lot

like this. How much work will you complete the work and get this house

habitable again. If this pilot scheme of 21 £1 houses works, then

extending it to other areas. And scheme of 21 £1 houses works, then

extending it to other areas. And that might mean compulsory purchase

orders, CPOs, for some. There's that might mean compulsory purchase

lot of private sector bodies boarded up in this city. My message to them

is get on with bringing these back into use, otherwise we will look at

taking them from you and doing this scheme. New owners must restore

taking them from you and doing this houses to modern standards. The

council think that'll cost at least £35,000. We showed an estate agent

images of the inside. And asked £35,000. We showed an estate agent

given its location, what it's worth. Once it has been fully refurbished,

£60,000. The area has seen a massive rejuvenation in terms of good press

and so on over the past few years. Those who get a £1 house must live

there for five years and not sub let. If the refurbishment's done in

a year or so, they then get the Other news from around the North

West now, and the Prime Minister says he'll raise the case of a

Rochdale when he travels to Sri Lanka next month. Khuram Shaikh

Rochdale when he travels to Sri Milnrow was killed nearly two years

ago while on holiday in the country. David Cameron said he'd look at

ago while on holiday in the country. case after Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk

Liverpool Wavertree MP Luciana Labour's Shadow Minister for Public

Health. She's been promoted in Labour Leader Ed Miliband's front

bench reshuffle. 28 drivers have now been convicted in connection with a

scam that saw an official from illegally wiping points from driving

David Kelly and his customers have received sentences totalling more

than 26 years. Kelly took money received sentences totalling more

overturn more than 100 driving Greater Manchester Police were

forced to use a taser on a naked and Airport. The man stripped off after

he got off a flight from Malta and began abusing airport staff. A woman

remonstrate with him but he became more disruptive and he was tasered.

He was later charged with being drunk and disorderly and given a

Two teenage boys have been sent drunk and disorderly and given a

refusing to shave off their beards. claim facial hair is part of their

religion and culture. But teachers at Mount Carmel School in Accrington

say it breaches school rules. They say the boys can't come back to

lessons until the beards have gone. Our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest,

lessons until the beards have gone. Home time for pupils at Mount Carmel

School in Accrington. But two of their classmates have been missing

today. The 14—year—olds were told to go home yesterday for refusing to

shave off their fledgling beards. The boys are Muslim insist facial

hair is part of their culture and religion. Teachers say beards are

banned under school rules. Among parents, opinions are divided about

the school's stand. This is going they ate Klay our young boys and

want to have beards. Another Muslim school. He said, if it is a policy,

it is a policy. Another 14—year—old, who was ordered to remove his facial

hair, told the BBC why he agreed to do so. They told me I had to shave

my moustache if I wanted to go back to my lessons. Or I could go to

another school. All the prophets of God have a beard. Anything the

profits have is highly recommended. Putting a blade on your face is

profits have is highly recommended. allowed. But many Muslim males don't

wear beards. There are many people who don't adhere to face. The right

thing is to bring up a child with the right values. This isn't just

two teenage boys trying to push the right values. This isn't just

headteacher would not be interviewed today, but in a statement he said

the school is always keen to resolve parents and pupils know the rules

regarding appearance and dress code. They are reminded of those

rules regularly. We have had a huge response to this story — lots of you

commenting on Twitter, Facebook response to this story — lots of you

neither he nor his father nor his grandfather have beards. Patrick

says: If it's the school rules, Thanks for all your comments — we

Liverpool is planning to scrap its getting worried that everyone else

might follow suit. The city's Mayor Joe Anderson says there is evidence

that some bus lanes cause congestion and is suspending them for a trial

period. The Transport minister says it could send out a worrying signal

Lindsey Prosser reports. It's peak travelling time in Liverpool and for

now the bus lanes are in operation but later this month they'll be

suspended. The City Council says there is evidence that some lanes

are causing congestion not easing it. I am a car driver normally,

are causing congestion not easing they are just like roadblocks. A bus

pulls up and you just can't get past. I thought they helped with the

traffic. My son is a bus driver past. I thought they helped with the

he is not amused. Whilst the public may be split on the issue, the

Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who was Transport minister until

this week's reshuffle, has expressed Liverpool. He says he's concerned

that the bus lane suspension would nationally, about the importance of

excellent public transport", and he's urged a more targeted approach,

suspending only those lanes which are not effective. Bus companies say

punctuality is crucial to increasing passenger numbers and bus lanes

punctuality is crucial to increasing vital to achieving that. However,

the City Council says it needs hard evidence on how effective the system

believes far more consultation should have taken place before the

We would have liked to have been consulted a lot more so that we

could have worked together on it, and done it properly. That is what

we feel. We feel we have been let down. The lanes will be suspended

Still to come on North West Tonight: down here is one of Britain's oldest

I will find out how they are going to inspect it for the first time in

And going for a spin with a Hairy Biker from Barrow. Strictly's Dave

Myers gives us a sneak preview of Would you be happy to go to work

inside a tunnel, hundreds of feet underground? Well that's just what a

team of specially trained engineers are doing right now. They've been

dubbed the aquanauts, and have the task of inspecting the Haweswater

Aqueduct — one of the region's most mammoth task. The pipe, which runs

from Haweswater to Bury, is 82 miles long and 50 years old, and has never

been drained before. Our environment Correspondent Judy Hobson has been

It's been a long shift — these aquanauts have been underground

It's been a long shift — these eight hours. It goes pretty quickly

because you keep moving all the eight hours. It goes pretty quickly

and you don't notice the time going by. 100 engineers were specially

chosen after undergoing training in this mock pipe in Kendal. They had

to prove they could handle the job. It is a long day. They are in the

difficult conditions, but they are experienced tunnel engineers. The

aqueduct runs from Haweswater to Bury and is 82 miles long. Engineers

have cut five main hatches along the top The aquanauts enter and walk

about 2,000 metres a day. At its deepest, the tunnel is 1,000 feet

below ground and is 2.5 metres in diameter. Pipe buggies, seen here in

the mock tunnel, help to ferry the engineers and equipment. It is dark,

its and cold. In some parts of the tunnel, the nearest exit will be

Hygiene is essential — this pipe carries our drinking water. The

engineers have to wear clothing which has been disinfected. You

either do it or you can't. You are not aware of what is above you,

either do it or you can't. You are be honest, because it is just the

surroundings you are in. It is normal for us. So far, half the

aqueduct has now been inspected normal for us. So far, half the

how is it looking? It was built normal for us. So far, half the

years ago and it is in really good concrete all the way down. The job

should be completed by the weekend. The water will be tested before

should be completed by the weekend. pumped fom Haweswater to around

should be completed by the weekend. The organisers of the Aintree Grand

National have put together what they're calling the biggest launch

event in its history. It might seem incredibly early for a race that

takes place in April, but the idea is to celebrate a new era for the

famous steeplechase, which will is to celebrate a new era for the

offering a top prize of more than £1 million for the first time. There's

been a lot of secrecy surrounding the event in Liverpool, where a

special mystery guest is expected to make an appearance. As will our

special mystery guest is expected to own Peter Marshall, who I'm hoping

These special guest has got four legs. Welcome to the party. What

they try to do here is to create a little taste of entry. They have

built a fence and there are two little horses if you fancy a ride.

Through this curtain is an area little horses if you fancy a ride.

refinement and music. It is ladies Day, when fashion comes to the fore.

That special guest is due to arrive shortly. First of all, have a look

To coin a phrase, they are off. Frantic preparations for tonight's

official launch of the 2014 Grand is the richest steeplechase in the

world. £1 million is a magical figure. It is more than the money,

special feed for riding in the Grand National, but they ride for nothing.

national pride itself as the supreme test of both horse and rider. It has

been run since 1839. The sheer global scale of this one race can

boggle the mind. It will be watched by 600 million television viewers

attracting a huge audience, it will also attract some controversy. Two

horses died during the race in also attract some controversy. Two

and again in 2012. Changes were also attract some controversy. Two

to fences for this year's race. Wooden centres were replaced by

fatalities. It is the greatest race in the world, and we want to protect

it. A key part in this modern Iraq is that safety is paramount. We

it. A key part in this modern Iraq that this year when the horses

jumped beaches, the crowd roared. It was an amazing sound, and amazing

feature. Campaigners would like was an amazing sound, and amazing

see more changes still, including a reduction in the number of horses

taking part. It has critics, but the Grand National remains the nation's

favourite horse race. Let's go outside now where the guest of

honour is due to arrive. He is running fashionably late, but I

honour is due to arrive. He is tell you that it is Ambley House,

What better special guest could tell you that it is Ambley House,

have? He will stand in the specially created winners enclosure. Still not

here, but if you tune into our late bulletin tonight, you will see all

about him. At least he wasn't late He's got all the echoes, and some of

the steps, of John Sergeant and He's got all the echoes, and some of

Widdecombe. Dave Myers, one half of the Hairy Bikers, is dad—dancing his

way into the hearts of the public on TV chef from Barrow is in the midst

of rehearsals for Saturday's show, but will he survive? We've been

of rehearsals for Saturday's show, get a sneak preview of his latest

moves. And we sent a reporter with two left feet, just to make Dave

feel like John Travolta. Here's two left feet, just to make Dave

Strictly Come Dancing has got the X Factor. It is waltzing ahead in

Strictly Come Dancing has got the X Saturday schedules. With a little

I tell you what, if Mick Jagger moved like that, you wouldn't need

be talcum powder. Terrifying. I actually recoiled in horror. Be

careful. I am not just spaghetti. kitchen, but it is murder on the

dance floor. Lennart said it was a bit like amateur cooking. But they

all enjoyed it, I think. I even bit like amateur cooking. But they

Craig smile this week. It is not as easy as it looks. Is he getting

Craig smile this week. It is not as better? Every day is an improvement

find out. Two, three, beans on toast. I think I will stick to

everyone's vote. From Tenby to Torquay, if you like it, please

everyone's vote. From Tenby to for me. They are keeping mum about

Saturday's routine, but he says for me. They are keeping mum about

he does go out, it will be with for me. They are keeping mum about

She is a brave woman. He is doing well. Good luck, we are rooting

She is a brave woman. He is doing It could be you. You have got the

heels for it. They make it look Yesterday we saw temperatures reach

disappointing 13 Celsius. But we have had plenty of sunshine, so

disappointing 13 Celsius. But we has been a fairly warm afternoon. If

you think that is a bit cold, cold still tomorrow. Highs of 11 Celsius

expected for tomorrow, but it is weekend, when we could see 13 or 14

average for this time of the year. It is all courtesy of warm air

flowing back from the North on Friday and Saturday and pushing

flowing back from the North on the cold air. This evening, still

some sunshine in some places. Lots of clear skies, and we will keep

those clear skies as we head into dawn. It is a bit breezy. Because of

those clear skies, temperatures dawn. It is a bit breezy. Because of

drop as low as three Celsius in Cumbria. Maybe even lower than this

in some rural areas. Expect some grass frost tomorrow morning in

places. Conditions tomorrow look better than today. You should see

plenty of sunshine from the word go. We hang on the clear skies from

first thing. Cloud may bubble up through the afternoon, there will be

a change in the wind direction, through the afternoon, there will be

although it won't be a particularly warm day, factor in the winter

chill, and 11 Celsius will feel cooler than that. In some places

tomorrow, I think temperatures will struggle to reach double figures.

Once again, prepare those winter weekend, temperatures pick up again.

We may see more in the way of cloud cover as we head into the weekend

and high pressure is building once again. 13 or 14, and hopefully less

windy than it has been over the again. 13 or 14, and hopefully less

Thank you. So, the cold snap didn't last too long. And it didn't feel

that cold. Well, tomorrow will be But you said it will warm up. Yes,

Thank you for watching. Good night.