28/03/2017 North West Tonight

Welcome to North West Tonight with Roger Johnson -

As a man who beat his wife walks free - the Judge is criticised

for saying the victim wasn't particularly vulnerable.

A crime has been committed and must be seen to be a crime that is

apparent to society and that should be reflected in their sentencing.

Cricketer Mustafa Bashir hit his wife with a bat

Residents in New Ferry look to rebuild their homes

and their lives after Saturday's devastating explosion.

If you're going to San Francisco - go from Manchester.

The new direct flight hoping to boost our tech industry

And red hot Curry power - Sale Sharks identical twins leaving

A judge who allowed a wife beater to walk free from court has been

lambasted by politicians and domestic violence groups.

Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner is writing

to the Justice Secretary demanding a review of the case.

Judge Richard Mansell suspended Mustafa Bashir's jail

sentence after hearing he'd lose the chance of playing professional

cricket if he went to prison, but that turned out to be untrue.

The judge also said he didn't consider Bashir's victim to be

Here's our Chief Reporter, Dave Guest.

He hit his partner with a cricket bat, attempted

to strangle her and tried to force her to drink bleach.

This is Richard Mansell QC, the Manchester judge

who spared Bashir an immediate spell behind bars.

He'd been told Bashir was about to sign a contract

with Leicestershire Cricket Club and going to prison

So Judge Mansell suspended the 18 month jail sentence.

It now turns out the cricket contract didn't exist.

Leicestershire say they've never heard of Bashir.

But it was the judge's comments about Bashir's former wife that have

He acknowledged she'd suffered, but added: "I am not convinced

that the complainant was particularly vulnerable,"

explaining that was because she was intelligent,

Characteristics of the victim are completely irrelevant.

A crime has been committed and it must be seen to be a crime

that is abhorrent to society and that must be

I'd like the judge sent for further training because I think

Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner says

he doesn't normally criticise judges but on this occasion he does

I'm writing to the Attorney General, to the Justice Secretary to ask

them to recognise first of all that there were flaws

The question of the bogus contract with Leicestershire

-- Leicestershire County Cricket club.

Also to say surely a sentence like this surely doesn't

Women and in fact men, where they are victims

of domestic violence, they deserve protection.

This doesn't give that kind of protection.

Bashir's former wife today told the BBC she is: "disappointed

in the comments which the judge made about my vulnerability."

The Crown Prosecution Service said, "We are currently

considering our options as to whether they could

But the definition of what makes a victim particularly vulnerable

It's contained in guidelines which all judges must follow.

Coincidentally, the Sentencing Council is due to issue a draft

of new guidelines for such cases later this week.

Calderstones Hospital in the Ribble Valley,

the last in England specialising in learning disabilities,

Instead patients will be treated in smaller local units

It's part of a wider plan to reform services in the North West.

Our Health Correspondent Gill Dummigan is outside

Gill, this is something that's been the cards for a long time?

We were running stories about the closure of Calderstones Hospital

before. The site behind me will be empty by 2020. There are 135

patients here at the moment. Some have autism and other disabilities.

They have come here as part of their rehabilitation. It was built in 1915

and there is a sense here that it belongs to history. I think it will

be amazing for people to experience independence in their life choices.

Certainly evidence is where it is done well, people are incredibly

happy. We need to be sure it is done incredibly well. There has been

controversy at this site in the past, hasn't there? There has. In

2014 it was criticised for poor levels of staffing and hygiene and

excessive use of restraint. It was run by a different trust at that

time to the one running it now. We spoke to the mother of one former

patient to describe the effects of that final -- time on him. He is

fearful of human contact and is terrified of people near him and

stop you can only imagine what has happened to him. The horror of what

he has gone through is being dripped through two hours and the care we

can give him will go on for a long time. What will happen now? A

smaller secure unit is about about to be built by the trust that talk

over Calderstones Hospital in 2016. Various parts of the NHS will put a

support package in place but being -- for people being looked after in

the community. That replies on that care package being up to scratch and

being exempt from future funding cuts. A point I put to Doctor

Michael Gregory from NHS England. It is part of the design of the

transformational work we are doing here and in the consultation

document. There are dedicated mental health specialised support teams in

the community that will be funded to support these people. A lot of

change over the coming years. Thanks very much indeed.

The High Court has been told there was no fair or reasonable

basis for removing the former South Yorkshire Chief Constable

David Crompton from the force after the Hillsborough inquests.

Mr Crompton's lawyers say it was unlawful

that he was required to resign after a jury concluded police

conduct contributed to or caused the deaths of 96 football fans.

The hearing's expected to last two days.

The family of a man found dead after a fire in Salford say

he was a vibrant man who'll be sadly missed by his children.

47-year-old Thomas Jones was found with stab wounds at a house

A 37-year-old woman's been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The MP for Chester is urging the Government to do more to secure

the release of six men, jailed in India for

Paul Towers from Bootle and Ray Tindall from Chester

and were among a group of former British soldiers arrested whilst

working on an anti-piracy ship, and jailed in January

The men have appealed against their sentences.

Will the ministers pick up the phone to their counterparts

in India and suggest the men are simply deported.

The men don't want to be in India, the Indians don't want to be

We are providing constant support as he knows and I have written

to the family to say I stand ready to meet with them ahead

The new pound coin will not be used on the Isle of Man.

Business in New Ferry say they've been devastated

Tonight they're meeting council leaders to discuss the support

And tomorrow the local authority is setting up an emergency

advice centre for both residents and local firms.

The clearing up operation is starting in earnest but this job

could take months and that is no comfort to Kerry Gladwell and Gary.

We want and make sure that residents can contact the authority

They are asking their local Councillor to help.

They fled their home in the clothes they are still wearing

and they haven't been allowed back in since.

Apparently we can't go back into our house for at least two

We can't get any clothes we can't get anything.

All our valuables and even our bank cards, we can't go and get that.

As the cordoned off area is reduced, the damage to other

George is getting his shop ready to open.

Tonight, business owners will meet the council team and George believes

there needs to be considerable support for local firms.

It is going to take a lot of quick involvement by government.

We need a lot of investment into the area.

We need proper planning for the area.

Tomorrow, the council will open an emergency advice centre to help

a community which it believes is still in shock.

We can offer them advice on anything from the rehousing that they may

need to look at, if they need access to money, resources, clothing.

Anything, we will be able to help them with.

When the police investigation finishes, the council team will look

at which buildings need to be demolished.

A woman who was raped in Manchester says the judge

in her case was right to say drunk women are putting

19-year-old Megan Clark, who was attacked after a night out,

says that Judge Lindsey Kushner was telling women to be careful.

The comments had been criticised by rape charities.

She simply said to be careful, basically, which is smart advice.

You need to be careful but she wasn't at all victim blaming.

Everybody blames themselves. I know it is not my fault but it is hard

not to blame yourself, especially when you are in that situation.

A date has been announced for the by-election

On the fourth May voters will choose a replacement for Sir Gerald Kaufman

who served communities there for 47 years, and died in February.

In the last general election Sir Gerald secured

a 24,000 majority, so is it still a safe

Our political editor Nina Warhurst reports.

This is Gorton where you don't have to go far to meet a family like

this. We have always been Labour. Well anything ever change that? No.

Always labour. Never change my mind. Regardless of the candidate? Always

Labour, that's it. Labour till you die? That's right. Caroline and

Phyllis wanted to remain in the EU. Who has their vote? Probably the Lib

Dems. Saying they are going to be pro-European Union, we might go for

them. Brexit might dominate your vote? Definitely. Gorton has been

Labour since 1935 and the voter's market has changed. And one that

thinks this is a one course race is foolish. This is a Labour stronghold

but it is open to anybody. These are uncertain times and Ukip says its

special offer will be a focus on local issues and will people be

choosing the Conservatives? They are still filling that confidence. Why

did the Conservatives have your vote? They seem to be more decisive

and seem to have a modern decisively won what they want to do. Labour

prevaricate and always argue among themselves. You don't think they

will get stuff done? No. It wasn't the Conservatives that came second,

it was the Green Party and they tell me Gorton will be one of their key

focal points in the run-up to May stop George Galloway is standing as

an independent and has a history of hitting Labour where it hurts.

Labour recently admitted nowadays there is no such thing as a safe

seat. These shoes are big ones to fill and the heat is on. Polling day

is the 4th of May. The mayoral elections also.

The Liberal Democrat candidate to be the first

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool city region says his priorities

would include developing brownfield sites for new housing and

Carl Cashman, who launched his manifesto today,

We have had a massive amount of people getting behind the campaign.

Hundreds of people using -- joining the party and thousands donating to

the campaign. I definitely think I am in with a chance of challenging

in this election. And you can see a full list of those

standing at bbc.co.uk/candidates. Still to come on

North West Tonight. The rugby playing twins tipped the

stardom and stop they leave the opposition seeing double. I will be

asking if one day could we see the introduction of steam trains going

back across this viaduct. A 80-year-old former soldier who's

had his leg amputated has criticised the council

for effectively trapping Ernie Moore was

promised a step lift, Lancashire County Council has

accepted the delay is unacceptable. This is the closest Ernie Moore gets

to leaving his home on his own. His problems started last year

when his leg was amputated Access to his house, he was told,

would be modifield within weeks. The three months I was in hospital

in an isolation room, coming home I was up in the air when I said I was

coming home and now five months later which is going on for eight

months, I am still a prisoner in the house.

Ernie has always been active - a regular to the gym and swimming

pool, he and his wife Barbara also have 25 grandchildren and 15

I have been depressed, fed up, I've had arguments, losing my temper.

What appears to have happenned is that his case has been

passed from the Hopspital to Burnely Borugh Council and then

Lancashire County Council see the process has not been as smooth as it

should've been and is making changes to make sure people can live

independently and be discharged from hospital as soon as possible. I have

totally given up with everything that is going on.

Visits from friends are cheering him up but until his stair lift

Anyone recognise the cityscape behind us? It is San Francisco.

A new service from Manchester Airport has

already gained a nickname even though its inaugural flight

is only just reaching the other side of the Atlantic.

ManFran is the first direct flight to San Francisco

It left for San Francisco just before midday with business

people from the region's leading tech firms.

It's hoped the new service will open up new opportunities

Awaiting clearance to take off - this new scheduled service

between MAN and SAN had attracted a nickname before

We want to translate the vision into tangible strategies and actions. It

would lead to economic value for the region. It has much in common with

Manchester. Manchester has always reinvented culture and history. We

played a part in the industrial revolution and it came from the 60s

and 70s. 30 tech firms are

represented on the flight. All of them hoping to grab a piece

of the action in Silicon Valley. If we can come back with a clear

plan on what we need to do, we can bring our next investment round in

the US and it would be perfect for us.

Manchester based ANS provides IT support for businesses globally.

But it values person to person interaction.

We are a simple flight and it will change everything and I would love

to be on that flight. The weather is turning today.

Andrew's boss has beaten him to it and he's also trying to beat Brexit.

It is about Brexit. Manchester Airport is also wondering what will

happen to European open skies. As with so much about Brexit, we simply

don't know. This is a Virgin Atlantic plane. There are 225 people

on board and some are going to San Francisco for pleasure. Mostly, of

the business. It is about to leave. And so Miss England as it's known

takes to the air and she's expected to return with big deals

for the North West's He didn't get a good deal there.

Back to the Imperial War Museum back home.

Fans, team-mates and coaches can't tell them apart but everyone who's

watched Ben and Tom Curry in action on the rugby pitch can see they've

The 18-year-old identical twins from Nantwich recently signed

five year contracts with Sale Sharks and have been tipped to play

Opponents can be forgiven for seeing double against

Identical twins Tom, and Ben even play in the same position.

The only difference - the direction they swipe their hair.

The Hare thinks wipes -- helps a lot. It has stuck now. He says his

looks better but I don't agree. That players are noticing personality. He

is a bit more boring. Can you tell which one is which? No. Does it

matter? I just tell the coach to bring you one of the curries and he

knows which one it is. Both have been union mad since birth

- honing their skills at Crewe Now the pair face a very different

challenge - competing for one place in the side. If he is having a good

training session, I can work into one of his weaknesses and make him

look worse vice versa. It is harder to celebrate when you have got into

the team. If one of us made it and one of us hasn't, you have done well

to get there. It takes the edge away from what you have done.

This season they've both broken into the Sale first team

where there's a target of 75% north-west players

within the next three years and represented England Under 20s.

The future is bright for the clubs and those two lads. At 18, they

could go on to international honours. Having someone else there

that is going through the same situation, it is comforting to know

that. And it looks like these two

have the right recipe for success. This is what a new steam railway

could look like if a disused rail The Irlam to Timperley line

closed in the 1980's. But a local businessman hopes

to reopen it as a tourist attraction It is 122 years old and in good

condition. It's this man's dream to see steam

trains back on the Irlam - Timperley line alongside a cycle

route and footpath but he viaduct is falling apart and the total bill

to fix the line would be 30 million. It has got to happen. We have put

all that effort into the station and we have a passionate support group

that America is no reason why this can't happen.

His vision involves a heritage railway similar to the Bury based

East Lancs line where steam trains here have been attracting

Crowe it attracts thousands of visitors a year and it is a very

obvious assets. They have already renovated

Irlam railway station. It defies any city to match its

energy. This latest project to reopen

the rail line has support from another rail enthusiast -

one used to travelling The best way to preserve it is to

use it. It could be cyclists, pedestrians or heritage railways

blown across it. Imagine steam engines going across it. It would be

a lovely site. Beeching was criticised

for closing many routes. This wants one of his

cuts but its closure Passengers last travelled

across this line in the 1960's and was used for freight train

was in 1984. People will have plenty of fun on

it. This is important and people need to remember what an important

part these towns played in the industrial success of Britain during

the 19th century. Plans have been submitted

to the local councils and Network Rail who are said

to be on board. If it goes ahead it could

open within five years. Did you see what she did there?

Without so much as a little chortle in her voice. You are the king of

puns, after all. Diane, Queen of their stylish dress.

There is a compliment in there but I may have to dig.

Good evening. We said goodbye to the uninterrupted sunshine that some

places have some gorgeous spells of sunshine. We have haze around in

many places and that will continue as we go through the next couple of

hours. The story has to be about the milder air and it stays with us. The

numbers on the chart will be very good indeed, particularly tonight.

It will not be called tomorrow morning but the mild air is half the

story. We have the return of the weather fronts. A couple of places

saw spots of rain and many places will see more. There is an area of

low pressure and normal service is definitely resumed. First thing in

the morning, there were not that many bright spells. Over the last

couple of hours, we have had showers and some of them have been quite

heavy. There is more waiting in the ring -- wings and they would push

through us in the next couple of hours. By the time you get to

midnight, a more organised band pushes through and it will be with

us for a fewer hours and will fade away. You can see the difficulty in

how much rain we will see. This changes to a cloudy picture which

will be wet from time to time. Look at the overnight temperatures.

Between eight and 10 Celsius. For some places, it is not too bad first

thing. The rain becomes more organised as the weather front comes

in. It will be drier. It will not pour down all day. Temperatures

around 13 Celsius. We will be back with news and

weather at 10:30pm. Join us then, thanks for watching. Have a lovely

evening. Goodbye.