30/10/2013 North West Tonight

That is all from the BBC's news at six, so it is goodbye from me,

A Good evening. Welcome to North West Tonight with Peter Marshall and

Annabel Tiffin. Our top story. A Liverpool hospital was right to

withhold treatment from this patient. Piece it has stressed the

real value of human life, the Supreme Court, and that is what we

wanted. One solicitor describes the Supreme Court's ruling as

potentially the most significant right to life one for decades. Also

tonight: the funeral flower thieves: the CCTV that caught out two sisters

stealing wreaths to sell. The bone marrow donor and the man whose life

he saved ` we're there as they meet for the first time. And Homer's

odyssey ` the pigeon that returned to its owner two years after it set

out. Ever turned up a party feeling of a bit under dress? Imagine what I

am fuming. We are in Liverpool for the launch of the lesbian, gay,

bisexual and transgender festival. `` imagine what I am

A hospital was right to withhold treatment from a dying patient. That

was the ruling of the Supreme Court today in the latest stage of a long

legal battle fought by Liverpool musician David James' wife. But his

family say the detail of the ruling is a moral victory for families who

want a say in how seriously ill patients should be treated. One

solicitor has described it as potentially the most significant

right to life ruling for decades. Our Merseyside Reporter, Andy Gill,

was at the Supreme Court judgement and joins us from London now. This

is a complicated but emotional area of medical law. It is about the gap

between what doctors think is right for someone who is seriously ill,

and what families think is best for someone they love. The family of

David James lost their appeal at the Supreme Court. They are so that they

have achieved a moral victory. # they are certain. David James's

widow and daughter arrive at the Supreme Court. They say they

expected its decision to reject their appeal. But believe it's

supported them in important ways. The court of appeal was invited to

grab them with the dead, technically, the appeal was

dismissed but the family have won the argument in principle. David

James became seriously ill after going into Aintree Hospital in May

last year. Doctors said he couldn't take his own decisions. And that

treatment to keep him alive would be futile and burdensome. His family

wanted everything done to keep him alive. At first, the Court of

Protection agreed with them. But Aintree went to the Appeal Court and

won a ruling that it was justified in withholding treatment. The

Supreme Court said the appeal court made the right decision for the

wrong reasons. The right decision because, by the time of the appeal

court judgement, David James was so ill that it would've been futile,

but for the wrong reasons that the appeal did not listen up emphasis on

his knees as an individual and, for that reason, David Jamess' family

see this judgement as a moral victory. For example the Appeal

Court was wrong to say life prolonging treatment would be futile

if it didn't cure a life threatening disease, because such treatment may

still bring some benefit to the patient. And it was wrong to

attribute the wishes of a "reasonable patient" to Mr James,

instead of considering his own wishes. I just hope other families

feel justified, who have experienced similar things to us. I hope that

they feel justified, because we do. People must fight for their loved

ones, in what they think is right for them. Aintree Hospital said it

was pleased that the Appeal Court decision has been upheld. It is

clear that decisions surrounding best interests in some complex cases

remain "a difficult balancing exercise". The family say it should

ensure doctors do not make hasty decisions which are not in a

patient's best interests. What other reaction has there been from the

medical and legal professions? We have been speaking to Professor Mark

Bellamy from the intensive care Society. He told us that this ruling

shows how doctors must approach each case on an individual basis. One of

the things this judgement emphasises is the need for a human approach,

the deal with each case on its own backs. But, it does give us greater

clarity, it clarifies the legal position and it does give a

framework to help patients, doctors and the families of patients in

these very difficult times. We have been speaking to lawyer who says

this could be the most significant right to live ruling for decades. He

says that because doctors now must take a wider view of what the

patient's best interests are. For example, do they have a loving,

close family surrounding them, like David James did? Before, the idea of

medical intervention was that you would make a full recovery of the

doctors gave you treat them, but now, this ruling suggests that

medical intervention might be so that the patient might achieve some

polity of life that is acceptable to the patient, and that is the

important thing, and that is why, in their statement, Aintree Hospital

talked about this still being a difficult balancing exercise. Two

sisters who stole funeral flowers to recycle and sell on were branded

"shameful" by a judge today. Marion Hill and Lynsey Millett were caught

on CCTV stealing wreaths from a crematorium in Liverpool. They tried

to say they'd planned to put the stolen flowers on their own mum s

grave. But police found evidence they were actually running a

commercial venture. Our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest has the

details. This is Marion Hill and Lynsey Millett committing what a

district judged described as a disgraceful crime ` stealing flowers

from a crematorium. They were, in fact involved in a business. They

were making commercial gains out of this. Staff at Liverpool's

Springwood Crematorium had received a number of complaints from grieving

families that floral tributes had vanished. They set up this CCTV

camera ` and then caught the culprits. Having been caught

red`handed the woman admitted theft but then tried to claim they had

placed the flowers on the grave of their mother in the neighbouring

cemetery but when police searched their home they can condolence

cards, and what others describe as wreath making paraphernalia, and

seven reads in a house including one bearing the word "dad". The

prosecution said it was clear that they had embarked on a commercial

venture. The sisters arrived at Liverpool Magistrates Court with

their faces covered and with nothing to say. But Chris Jannet had plenty

to say. It was his late mother's flowers the pair were seen stealing

on this CCTV footage. They ask am, aren't they? They are scum in my

eyes. It is unacceptable. District Judge Richard Clancy said the pair

had committed a shameful act ` a most disgraceful form of offence. He

jailed Hill for five weeks with a further five weeks suspended ` she

had previous for dishonesty. Millett's eight`week sentence was

suspended for 12 months. What do you think about the sentence? I was

disappointed. They should have got a minimum of six months in jail.

Millett left, as she arrived, with her face covered. Other news from

around the North West now. A man who stabbed his partner and their son to

death in North Lancashire has been sectioned under the Mental Health

Act. Paul Chadwick killed Lisa Clay and six`year`old Joseph Clay at

their home in Bolton`le`Sands in April. He admitted manslaughter on

the grounds of diminished responsibility at an earlier

hearing. A man has been sent to prison for 12 years for trying to

smuggle almost ?4 million worth of heroin through Manchester Airport in

a chapati oven. 43`year`old Muhammad Khalid claimed the substance inside

was mud. Border officials say the seizure, in June, was one of the

biggest single finds of Class A drugs at the airport. And all

primary schools on the Isle of Man are to get potentially life saving

defibrillators. It follows a ?6 ,000 donation from "Craig's Heartstrong

Foundation". The charity was set up by the family of Craig Lunt, who

died from an undiagnosed heart condition in 2005. Next tonight an

inquest into the death of an Indian student whose body was found in a

Greater Manchester canal has heard that he'd smuggled ecstasy into a

nightclub last New Year's eve before becoming separated from his friends.

Souvik Pal's body was found in the Bridgewater Canal in Old Trafford

nearly three weeks later. Today his parents thanked their son's friends

and police for the efforts they d made to find him. Naomi Cornwell

reports. Souvik Pal was 19 years old. He had come to the UK from

India to study at Manchester Metropolitan University, appearing

in a video encouraging others to roll as international students. This

is the best place, that is why I have come here. Today, his parents

heard him described as a very popular young man. He had drunk

alcohol and taken ecstasy before coming to the warehouse Project in

traffic to celebrate New Year's Eve. One described how Souvik Pal

had researched in advance how to conceal drugs from the club's

sniffer dogs, hiding them in his clothing. A member of the security

staff told the court that a student had charged at her to get past the

security system. This CCTV footage showed the last confirmed sighting

of him outside. Another camera recorded footage of two people going

down the canal embankment shortly after, with one of them believed to

be Souvik Pal, trying to climb a fence to the water, but no witnesses

have been found to confirm that it was. Despite extensive police

searchers, whose body was not found until three weeks later, and how and

when he went into the water is still a mystery. A postmortem showed he

had no injuries. The cause of his death was drowning. Would you like

to appeal to that other person in particular to come forward?

Absolutely. I would like to appeal to them, and that there was anyone

else known, to come forward, and that information that they know

about it. The coroner said it was testament to the man that their son

was that so many friends were in court to give evidence. Merseyside

actor and director Graham Stark has died at the the age of 91. During

his career, he starred in almost 100 films, including Alfie and Casino

Royale. He died last night after recently suffering a stroke. A

20`year ban on scallop dredging in a bay in the south of the Isle of Man

has been announced. It's part of continuing efforts to protect the

sea bed. Baie ny Carrickey, in Port St Mary, will become the sixth

stretch around the Manx coast to be given protected status. And 30, 00

knitted mice have entered the record books at Altrincham Football Club

this afternoon. Set out end to end ` they measured a mile long and have

been sent from around the world The event's raised thousands of pounds

for the Alzheimer's Society. When Andy Howie read about bone marrow

donation in his local newspaper in Sale, he signed up to the register

and thought nothing more about it. But five years later a letter

arrived, telling him he was a close match to someone who desperately

needed his help. He went ahead with the procedure and ` a few months

later ` received a card from two grateful parents whose son had been

saved. Because of official rules about anonymity, he didn't know who

the young man was. But now, after ten years, the two have finally been

able to contact each other and meet for the first time. Mark Edwardson

reports. Andy Howie and his wife are awaiting visitors. Until recently

only knew about the man he had helped was that he lived in

Scotland. Three of four weeks from being slightly tender around the hip

and back area, and will I hear anything again? I don't know. Then I

received a card from my recipient, on the first anniversary, I am doing

well, thank you for everything you have done. This year was the 10th

anniversary and another card landed on the doorstep and when I phoned

the donor centre. They said, after two years, if you both agree to

making contact, you can do. You re still two strangers with a very

strong connection. Nearby, Ian and his father are waiting. Nervous

with fear, everything. It developed into leukaemia. And a bone marrow

transplant is the only answer that you have got. For them to tell me

that they had found someone that was pretty much a perfect match was

massively reassuring. Until, they have only exchanged e`mails and had

never even spoken on the phone. Pleased to meet you. Ten years, a?

This is Rhys and Aaron. That is my family. None of that would have

happened, if it was not for Andy. Andy Howie is planning a trip to

Glasgow to meet the rest of Ian s family. They hope that it is the

start of a new friendship. We have an attachment. Yes, quite literally.

Andy did that not wanting the recognition. There are people out

there wanting to do these things. If you want to find out more about

signing up to the British Bone Marrow Registry by going to:

And we'd like to hear your stories of kindness ` not just related to

donations. Is there someone you d nominate for going above and beyond

the call of duty, and trying to help others? If so, let us know their

story, and we'll bring you some of those heart`warming tales in the run

up to Christmas. Still to come on North West Tonight. I'll have the

latest on UEFA's action against CSKA Moscow for racist chanting directed

at Manchester City's Yaya Toure And from culture club to culture

vulture. Boy joked `` boy George turns artist for the Liverpool

Homotopia Festival. It was a case of Return to Sender ` two years late.

Pigeon fancier Alan Barnett sent one of his birds off on a race back in

2011 and Lily never returned. Missing in action, presumed dead.

But then a few days ago, a bedraggled looking bird landed back

in Alan's loft in Stockport. Yunus Mulla takes up the story. Their

shears, there was my baby,, look. When Lily returned, Alan Mercer

thinking she was a stray. Imagine his surprise when he checked the

lead number with the Royal pigeon Association and was told that it was

the very baby pigeon he had lost two years ago. It came back with it

belongs to A Barnett. Our battle, that is me. They do is, it is

unbelievable. Alan has been flying pigeons for more than half a century

but lost a pigeon during a training event in Stafford. Before you

realise it was Lily, he took her to hold, she returned back a second

time. `` Hull. From Hull, that is about 100 miles. On its own. The

pigeon fancier believes that the bird might have been locked in a

pigeon loft for the past two and a half years. It must have felt

something here for the short time it was here. It is attached to me now.

It thinks I am her husband. My God, I don't know. You're a good girl,

are you? Somebody told me that they take

homing pigeons to New York and they fly all the way home. Perhaps that

is where she has been all that time. It has taken her long enough. Sport

now and UEFA has punished CSKA Moscow after racist chanting

directed towards Manchester City's Yaya Toure. Yes they have ordered

the partial closure of CSKA's stadium for their next Champions

League tie. You'll remember that Yaya complained about the chanting

during City's 2`1 win a week ago. A single`tiered section of the Arena

Khimki stadium will be shut when Bayern Munich are the visitors on

the 27th November. This is in line with UEFA procedure. A second

offence could lead to their whole stadium being closed. Have City or

the player made any comment? No I have spoken to the club and they say

they aren't making any comment. I think CSKA's visit to the Etihad

Stadium on Tuesday is no doubt at the forefront of their minds. Yaya

Toure was furious about the chanting but with the team in action at

Newcastle tonight I wouldn't expect any comment from him at this stage.

Staying with Manchester City ` they face Newcastle tonight for a place

in the quarter finals of the League Cup. You can hear full match

commentary on BBC Radio Manchester. Manchester United are already

through to the quarter finals. They beat Norwich 4`0 at Carrow Road last

night. The win included two goals for Javier Hernandez, and a volley

from Phil Jones ` his first goal in nearly two years. But Burnley have

been knocked out by West Ham, who were awarded two late penalties at

Turf Moor. Wigan Athletic have signed the Aston Villa winger Marc

Albrighton on loan for a month. The 23`year`old could make his debut in

tonight's match against QPR at the DW Stadium. The Isle of Man cyclist

Mark Cavendish has been invited to train with the Great Britain track

team overview to competing at the 2016 Olympic Games. The 29`year`old

has said that he would be keen to return to the track for Rio. Sir

Alex Ferguson's autobiography has become the fastest`selling

nonfiction book since they started logging it 15 years ago. More than

115,000 copies were sold in its first week. It beats the record set

by Delia Smith 14 years ago. Delia's saying, that's quite a lot of

books, Fergie, but there was only one of us who can boil the perfect

egg! Unicorns, sprites and fauns will be mingling with police

officers, councillors and the Lord Mayor this evening to launch

Liverpool's 10th Homotopia Festival. It's the annual celebration of

Lesbian, Gay Bisexual and Transgender culture and heritage and

this year to help them celebrate their birthday they've got a very

special guest. Non other than Boy George. And Ian Haslam is there for

us now. Suffice to say I am not that special guest, but you join us in

Liverpool with hundreds of people, uniform is like unicorns, Abbot of

glitter there, it has been going for ten years. It is a huge festival.

The organiser is this man, Gary Ten years. It is incredible. It is great

that Liverpool has embraced it. We have had support from the arts

Council and Liverpool city council. I have got unicorns on my right and

Boy George on my left, so it is all a bit surreal. I am proud that this

is happening in Liverpool. A very friendly unicorn. Tell us what else

is going on. We haven't art exhibition by Boy George. We have a

big exhibition at the open eye. So, the wrist for everybody and quite a

big programme. `` there is stuff for everybody.

You are here not for music reasons but for artistic reasons. You're

launching your first ever art exhibition. My work is photography,

that is my medium although I have done some screen prints and some

pencil drawing. I have worked with another artist called Trademark We

have done a few things together There is talk of doing a bigger show

up here. It is quite exciting. Liverpool seems to be into

interesting, cultural, lest the centre things. `` left of centre

things. And this is the 10th year anniversary, so obviously it is

popular. That is a good thing. I am very excited about this. Plenty of

events going on throughout November. I am going to get back chatting to

my unicorn reindeer. `` friend here. We might never see in again. I think

that they are going to have some party. Do you like natty hats? Maybe

not in this weather. It does not work with my

I will have to apologise, we are of a wardrobe malfunction. My poppy has

dropped off. We started with plenty of sunshine this morning. We saw

plenty of rain at times. That will ease away. It has not been

particularly warm. As we head into the weekend, temperatures continuing

to fall. On Friday, parts of Lancashire will seek temperatures no

higher than nine Celsius. If you live here, wrap up warm. That rain

is going to ease, leaving some showers sneaking through from the

West. We start off with clear skies initially. Clouds beginning to ease

back in. Temperatures will drop as low as five Celsius in Chester, so

we could see some grass frost tomorrow morning. Tomorrow, starting

off OK, then we will see plenty of scattered showers. Then the wind

begins to pick up and the shallows begin to pile in, a rash of shallows

on and off through most of tomorrow. `` a rash of shallows. `` showers.

If you are out trick or treating tomorrow night we're going to see

some more rain. As we head into Friday and into the weekend, it will

be fairly unsettled. Before we go ` some lovely pictures

to show you. Chester Zoo has been giving its animals an early

Halloween treat. They've been serving up pumpkins this week. The

zoo says it encourages the animals to think about and work for their

food. Meanwhile we'd love to see your pumpkin pictures if you're

doing anything special for Halloween. E`mail them to us at

[email protected]. I have got my poppy on. That's all from the team for

now. Goodbye. Everyday normal things that everybody

does is where I use my energy. I haven't got an extravagant

lifestyle, I've not got a hot tub outside or

something like that. In essence, it is

a choice between heating or eating. We will still eat

and we will still have heating