08/11/2013 North West Tonight

We will keep you updated on the Typhoon as it heads towards Vietnam

this weekend. Good evening. Welcome to North West

Tonight with Annabel Tiffin and Roger Johnson. Our top story...

Another Rochdale grooming gang in court. Police and social services

apologise after a profoundly vulnerable teenager became the

latest victim of abuse. The girl made a series of allegations, but no

action was taken. Also tonight. . A very lucky escape. We hear from

the man squashed by a reversing lorry who walked away to tell the

tale. You have a split second. I thought I was going to be

guillotined in half. I thought I was going to die there and then.

Rustling up results. The scheme reuniting stolen sheep with their

owners in Cumbria. And after half a century of the taps

running dry, Doug finally gets connected to the mains.

Police have apologised to a profoundly vulnerable girl, who was

groomed and sexually exploited by a gang of men in Rochdale. The victim,

who was 15, made a series of allegations against the men four

years ago. But no action was taken. The case was only reopened following

the highly` publicised trial last year of another group of men, also

in Rochdale, who were themselves jailed. Andy Gill has been following

this story and has more. This is a sadly familiar story in

Rochdale. Abuse of a vulnerable girl by a group of men. And what appears

to be a lack of action from some of those charged with helping her. The

victim is described as having a chaotic childhood. She'd been using

drugs and alcohol since the age of 11. She was profoundly vulnerable.

This is Freddie Kendakumana, a refugee from the Congo. In 2008 she

told a rescue worker `` health worker she had been raped. Police

recorded 23 hours of video interviews with her. But they didn't

proceed with the case. In 2009, she made further allegations against a

number of men. But again, no action was taken. She also told social and

health workers she was having sex with a number of other men who were

plying her with drink and drugs But none of this information was passed

to police. Tonight the Rochdale MP said This case shows why not

reporting child abuse should be a criminal offence.

Had that existed, social workers are weird of the abuse, the impression

we get, would have been obliged to report it to the lease and press for

prosecution. Because that is now mandatory reporting of child`abuse,

you cannot help thinking that many agencies let this go. `` been

obliged to report it to the police. Today, Freddie Kendakumana and four

other men were convicted. They'll be sentenced next month. The case was

only reopened following the outcry in May last year, when a group of

men in Rochdale were jailed for the abuse of five girls aged between 13

and 15. This evening, Assistant Chief Constable Dawn Copley said

Greater Manchester Police publicly apologise for their failings in

today's case. She said more could and should have been done. The

Independent Police Complaints Commission is now considering

whether further action should be taken against the force. The

Rochdale Safeguarding Children's Board said they regretted what had

happened. But they were now confident that all partner agencies

are now more able to intervene earlier, and more robustly, when

cases of concern are brought to their attention.

Thank you very much. There is some good news. The girl has started to

get her life back on track after this case, and has enrolled at a

local college. Next tonight, a Salford firm has

been fined ?12,000 after a customer was almost crushed to death at their

depot. Dave Atherton from Tyldesley was pinned against a wall by a

reversing lorry. He escaped with severe bruising, but has been

telling our reporter, Mark Edwardson, it could have been a lot

worse. September the first last year. Dave

Atherton was at the Eccles Warehouse of SIG Trading limited when this

happened. It just went a bit dark. I thought a cloud had come over, then

it was pitch black, and a wagon basically on top of me, it was

absolutely terrifying. Dave narrowly avoided death. A point that's not

lost on him. A split second, I thought I was going to be

guillotined, it would go over the loading bay and I would die via and

then. `` I would die there and then. SIG Trading Limited admitted two

offences under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. They were fined

?12,000 and ordered to pay over ?9,000 in costs for failing to

protect customers and staff. If I had been in a wheelchair, I might

have had more to say, but because I have come away relatively unscathed,

after a few months of not being very well, I am happy with what has come

of it. All SIG's employees have now received health and safety training.

And they've moved their customer collection point. And Dave's back at

work. You have to think about your wife and kids. Everything runs

through your minds in those few seconds. It was scary at the time,

but I have lived to tell the tale. A lucky escape. Definitely.

Next tonight, a man has been charged with murder after a man was stabbed

in his home in Leigh. 62`year`old Steven Butterworth was attacked in

August at a house on Diamond Street. He died in hospital a month later.

David Dempsey, who's currently serving a jail sentence at Walton

prison, is due before Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday.

An 80`year`old woman has died after appearing to fall from a motorway

bridge in Lancashire. The M65 motorway between Nelson and Colne

was closed from eight o'clock this morning for around 90 minutes.

Police say the woman died at the scene. They are appealing for

witnesses. Merseyside pension who fled to Spain

after admitting benefit fraud has appeared back in court in Liverpool

his extradition. 70`year`old Norman Brennan went to the Costa Del Sol in

2008, but was arrested last month. He will be sentenced in Liverpool

Crown Court later this month. Child benefit in the Isle of Man

could be cut for higher earners from next year. Changes are being put to

Tynwald, the island's Parliament, next week. If approved, it would

mean that families with an annual income above ?90,000 won't receive

anything. The TUC claims a pay rise for the

region's low`earners could save North West taxpayers nearly ?35

million. The unions are urging employers to pay staff what's called

the living wage, more than a pound higher than the minimum wage. They

say it would mean less money paid out in benefits, saving taxpayers

millions. But some private business say they simply can't afford it

Stuart Flinders reports. Julie Kendrick is a cleaner at

Salford Town Hall. Six months ago, her bosses adopted the living wage

as its basic pay for staff. She says it has changed her life. I am ? 200

per year better off, which is a lot of money. You know, I could buy

extra shopping and I will pay extra money on my gas and electric. She is

one of 1200 Salford Council workers who earn a living wage, now 30, 00

people nationwide on it, going up by 20p to ?7 XP five. Compare that to

the national minimum wage of ?6 31. `` ?7 35. Julie was guest speaker at

a conference in Manchester today. The TUC argued there that the living

wage could save the public purse millions here in the North West We

would be putting about ?350 million back into the tragedy in taxes and

saved benefits. Because they would be paying more in taxes, claiming

less, the money going into people's pockets to spend it in the North

West economy. Notably, only two private companies were represented

at today's conference. The question is the difference between large

corporations, with an increase of 10% ` 12%, which is what the cost

moving to the living wage would be, and small and medium business

enterprises could find this difficult. Now, Julie Kendrick's

town hall bosses are campaigning to get all Salford's employers to sign

up to the living wage. Cumbria's Police and Crime

Commissioner has told the Sunday Politics that concerns over his

expenses have been overplayed. Richard Rhodes apologised earlier

this year for spending ?700 on two chauffeur`driven trips. He also

repaid the money. The employee who leaked the story was investigated by

police, but no action was taken prompting concerns over the

treatment of whistle`blowers. What is interesting is that actually I

had put it right to months before the information came out to the

public. `` two months. Not many people say that, but I identified it

as incorrect and put it right. In that context, yes, I think it has

been slightly overplayed. And also joining our political

editor Arif Ansari on this week s Sunday Politics are the Police and

Crime Commissioners for Merseyside and Cheshire, as they prepare to

mark a year in office. The programme is on at the later than usual time

of 12:25. That is here on BBC One. Police in Cumbria have been involved

in an identity parade with a difference. No villains lining up

for identification. As you can see, they are sheep! Sheep rustling is a

major problem in remote upland areas. But today in Cumbria, police

put 40 stolen sheep on display, hoping to reunite them with their

owners. Mark McAlindon reports. Farmers came to the market from

across the Pennines, Cumbria and Durham anxious to trace animals that

had gone missing. They admit theft is an annual headache. And on and

off problem for a number of years. This particular year, I have had

eight one missing that I have never seen since letting them out Reading

this spring. Sometimes, it can be natural causes, sometimes theft

very difficult to prove. And unusual identity parade, but police know

this crime can have a devastating impact on farmers' livelihoods. All

farmers here are feeling the pain of these left, it has been called

rustling, which is maybe a little too romantic, so they want to come

down and show solidarity. If you are losing sheets every year, the

financial impact is huge. Police were not sure how many would show

up, but the fact there are so many illustrates the extent of the

problem. Many farm huge swathes of land in the Pennines, making keeping

track of animals more difficult And uncomfortable thought for the

victims, though, is that the culprits are likely to be other

farmers. It is a disgrace to the farmers concerned, but also the

farming community that someone amongst ourselves would do it to

fellow farmers, because the whole thing is built on trust. You turn

your sheep onto the common and expect to get them returned,

trusting everyone. Police say they have stepped up efforts to prevent

theft, many of the farmers year depending on their animals. ``

farmers here. Still to come on North West

Tonight... As Tranmere Rovers fans try to buy the club, we find out if

supporter ownership can work. And we'll also meet Doug, who for 50

years got his water from an erratic spring and has finally been

connected to the mains. We could freeze up in the winter, then have

no water, and on Christmas Day, it always packed up.

LAUGHTER. Who are thing, he could not boiled his sprouts. `` poor

thing. Speaking of that day! There are 46

shopping days left until Christmas. At least that's what Roger worked

out. So blame him if he's got it wrong. I hope I got it right. And

tonight the region's two biggest cities are turning on their festive

lights. Both Liverpool and Manchester have invested heavily in

the displays, in the hope that shoppers will be drawn by the bright

lights to get the tills ringing We're live in both cities this

evening. In a moment, we'll hear from Naomi Cornwell in Manchester.

There she is. But first to Liverpool and our Chief Reporter Dave Guest.

Almost sneaking out of the picture. You are at Liverpool One? That is

right, the lights went on a pure moments ago. A lantern parade has

made its way throughout the city, we have a samba band, and even some

snow, not real, laid on especially. A fantastic scene, all of this,

spectacular as it looks, come as `` comes with a cost. They've spent

?250,000 here in Liverpool on the lights. It is part of ?1 million

spent by the public and private sector on festive attractions. But

they say it's money well spent. Christmas business is said to be

worth more than ?500 million to the city centre economy. How does that

work out? Malcolm Kennedy is from the council how important is

Christmas to this city? Incredibly important to the economy and the

shops especially. Evil complain it comes earlier and earlier. `` people

will complain. That is said every year, but you see people's faces and

what a good time it is for people. So is still spending money for these

lights? Yes, and the Christmas tree lights, the best ever. And you think

it is money well spent. We are in Liverpool One, and you are marketing

manager, what is the mood this year? Very optimistic, entering the most

important time of the year, but in a good position, optimistic and

confident. This time last year, we were welcoming six William people

into the centre, and we feel we will have an equally strong Christmas. ``

welcoming 6 million people. Would people come without all the

Christmas lights and razzmatazz You look at the smiles on people's

faces, shopping is a leisure and social occasion, coming out and

soaking up the atmosphere. Thank you. We are lit up in Liverpool but

still waiting for them to switch on in Manchester? Yes, Dave! Anything

Liverpool can do, Manchester will always claim to do better. Perhaps

except the weather tonight! Any excuse for a bit of friendly rivalry

between the two cities. Ashour will start involving the likes of James

Arthur, Jodie Prenger and Pudsey Heerden Albert Square. `` here in.

But first to the number crunching. Dave, my figures are bigger than

yours! Manchester City Council estimates that the city's economy is

boosted by more than ?70 million due to the Christmas markets alone.

They're expecting more than eight million visitors to the city centre

over the Christmas period. And this year they've bought a fancy new

lighting system which will cost ?180,000 a year to keep up. That

might sound like a lot. But they say it will save them nearly ?100,0 0 a

year compared to lights they've rented in the past. This new system

will be used for other events too. We can show you an artist's

impression of what it'll look like when it's switched on. It's a series

of fibre optic cables which will throw beams of light across the

streets. And the man who Manchester City Council have called their

Christmas Spokesman is here to tell us more, Councillor Pat Karney. If

you can hear as over the excitement. CHEERING. Everyone in Manchester is

down in Albert Square tonight, I have never seen crowds like this.

You claim these lights will be visible from space, have you had too

much mulled wine already? Other galaxies have said they can see

Manchester's lights, and they are on their way to see the lights. Thank

you very much for joining as tonight. As you can tell, the party

is already getting underway, thousands of people crowded into the

square, all culminating at 8pm. You can see more in the late bulletin at

10:30pm. I think we can just about `` we

could just about hear her. Fantastic! Switching the lights on

in Liverpool and Manchester tonight, and we will see some of the

displays at half past ten. Richard is here. Our very own Michael Buble!

I can sing a bit better! The standout game of the weekend in

the Premier League, Manchester United against Arsenal?

Yes, the Reds' eight match unbeaten run is sure to be put to the test by

an Arsenal side. For the first time in years, they look like genuine

title contenders. United haven't fared well against the top sides so

far this season, losing to Liverpool and Manchester City and drawing with

Chelsea. Defeat on Sunday would leave them 11 points behind Arsenal.

But history is on David Moyes' side. The Gunners haven't won at Old

Trafford since 2006. Arsenal will come to play the champions from last

season, they are in that position at the top of the league themselves

just now, so therefore Matt the start of this season has been very

good and they will come here in good spirits. `` the form at the start of

the season. We hope to put up a good show. Recently not doing so well,

and it is a good opportunity to show that we have improved and that we

can win there, that is our target, to go there and win the game.

Also in action on Sunday are Manchester City, who go to next to

bottom Sunderland. And top scorer Sergio Aguero has today been

rewarded for his recent outstanding form by winning the Barclays Premier

League Player of the Month for October. Elsewhere, third placed

Liverpool host Fulham at Anfield tomorrow. Everton could break into

the Premier League's top four if they win at bottom club Crystal

Palace. In the Championship, Burnley boss

Sean Dyche has won Manager of the Month for October. Dyche has

transformed the Clarets from a lower mid table side to league leaders.

Tomorrow they host Bournemouth, managed by Dyche's predecessor, of

course, Eddie Howe. A group of fans trying to raise

money to buy Tranmere Rovers say they're confident they can do it.

The Tranmere Rovers Trust believes that raising ?500,000 by the end of

the year will prove it. Supporters' ownership at other clubs has had

mixed success. It didn't work at Stockport, but has breathed new life

into Chester. Ahead of Rovers' FA Cup match at Accrington, I went to

test the water. Tranmere Rovers, whose history goes

back to the 1880s, is not a club in crisis. But just as Rovers found a

new direction in the 20th century, this is them playing in the 193 s.

They're trying to do so again. And some think community ownership is

the answer. This is a fantastic opportunity for the fans to buy this

football club. We have had over ?25,000 on top of the ?100,000 we

had, in the first week, and we have said until the end of the year, and

people can't wait until the end of the year. I would say to act now.

The current Chairman Peter Johnson is willing to sell. That is not the

issue. Convincing him they can take on a club with operating costs of ?4

million a season is. The first year would be the toughest, but there are

opportunities. But is it realistic, when looking at the wages to pay for

players to compete in this division? Some people say it is inevitable you

will slip away? Not necessarily We have one of the lowest budgets in

the season and we would look to maintain that. Football outside the

riches of the Premier League is tough, but we are ambitious and

think we can do it. Few people know Rovers better than current manager

and former player Ronnie Moore. It is difficult when you are trying to

raise money, talking about 500 brand at this present time, then all the

bills next year, `` talking about 500,000 at this present time, then

all the bills next year, but I will focus on coaching. The club is also

talking to other as yet unnamed investors. Peter Johnson himself was

not available for comment. We will get him in the end!

One of the North West's best known Rugby League players has announced

his retirement today. Warrington's Lee Briers has been forced to call

it a day on medical advice due to a neck problem. Lee, who has been a

huge part of the current team's success, is the club's highest

points scorer. He'll now be part of the coaching staff at the Halliwell

Jones. And good luck to England and the

seven North West players included in the squad for tomorrow's Rugby

League World Cup match against Fiji tomorrow. And Lee Briers is one of

those players who never played by the rule book and was fantastic to

watch. Spontaneous, yeah, brilliant. Thank you very much.

Doug Goulbourne has been living without a television and central

heating for 50 years. And his drinking water has come from a

stream on his farm. That might sound it elected some people. But it

wasn't. But now, Doug has finally been given the chance to join the

21st century. Jayne McCubbin reports.

WATER RUNS. A moment to savour. Absolutely

wonderful, really nice, I like that. Treated water from a tap, the first

time in 50 years since he has lived at the farm. I will be pleased with

this. And it is down there? yes far too muddy. This is the stream his

water previously came from and the pump 166 years old. And not always

reliable? No, unfortunately, there can be a drought in the summer, then

it could freeze in the winter and we would have no water. And on

Christmas day, it always packed up. His connection to the network all

part of a ?3 million scheme in this remote valley, 30 other properties

also been connected. It is designed to get 200 properties like this on

to the mains. It is about making sure there is sufficient supply 365

days per year. The new water to my palate is a little metallic, but I

will get used to it, like I did the other, it is really fine, I am

chaffed. The irony is there is a flipping reservoir down the hill! At

least it is coming from there, I will not have that problem ever

again! Water, water everywhere. I love how

he thinks it has a metallic taste, I suppose spring water will be

beautiful. Like out of a bottle I suppose. I love that his pump has

lasted 166 years. And we have the weather. You try to get to

Liverpool, but couldn't get there. I wanted to be there to do some

shopping, but will have to go to Manchester instead. We saw some

showers this afternoon and this weekend will be particularly cold.

Wrap up warm. Sunday looks like the better day of the weekend, we expect

dry and fine conditions. Temperatures eight or nine Celsius

at best. Probably just a touch below average for this time of year. The

showers this afternoon and this evening, these drove me back from

Liverpool, some heavy pulses making their way across Greater Manchester

to Merseyside. We hang onto the showers overnight, then eventually

fading, leaving some clear skies across parts of Merseyside and maybe

parts of Cumbria. Temperatures falling as low as maybe three

Celsius, possibly colder than that if you live relief. Tomorrow, ``

possibly colder if you live in rural areas. Tomorrow, scattered showers,

plenty of cloud, we may see some bright spells in between the

showers, a breezy afternoon in parts, and temperatures

disappointing. Six Celsius in parts of Lancashire. Wrap up warm if you

are outdoors. Tomorrow night, the showers fading, lots of clear skies,

meaning heading into Sunday, we see a touch of frost for remembrance one

day. It will be a cold day. `` remembrance Sunday. Some good spells

of sunshine, starting off dry in the morning, then it looks like we will

have some rain later. Dry all day on Sunday, then rain slowly is lashing

in, hopefully not seeing that until Sunday night into Monday, so fingers

crossed we are dry for Sunday. You might as well head straight to the

shops! And the sheep and identity parade. Lots of puns coming in. Such

as individual baa`codes!