:00:00. > :00:08.Welcome to North West Tonight with Annabel Tiffin
:00:09. > :00:17.As we discover child abuse is still a problem in Rochdale.
:00:18. > :00:21.Three Girls told the story of the town's grooming scandal.
:00:22. > :00:23.Today locals told us little's changed.
:00:24. > :00:40.Caught on camera running from the scene.
:00:41. > :00:42.Nine years in prison for the dangerous driver
:00:43. > :00:43.who killed four-year-old Violet in a hit-and-run.
:00:44. > :00:47.The funeral directors refusing to bury Moors Murderer Ian Brady.
:00:48. > :00:50.The funeral directors refusing to bury Moors Murderer, Ian Brady.
:00:51. > :00:52.And with a little help from his friends.
:00:53. > :00:54.We'll meet the disabled athlete - who's conquered yet
:00:55. > :01:04.If you don't succeed the first time, keep going, challenge yourself and
:01:05. > :01:07.you will get there the second time. That's what I did.
:01:08. > :01:09.For the past three nights, millions of viewers have watched
:01:10. > :01:12.It followed the grooming scandal which thrust Rochdale
:01:13. > :01:14.into the national spotlight five years ago.
:01:15. > :01:16.Nine Asian men were jailed for grooming
:01:17. > :01:18.then raping and abusing young girls in the town.
:01:19. > :01:29.All but two of them have now been released from prison.
:01:30. > :01:32.And although the town has worked hard to rebuild its image
:01:33. > :01:36.Yunus Mulla has been there today and found people still willing
:01:37. > :01:41.to talk to him about the abuse they say is still going on.
:01:42. > :01:50.Uncomfortable viewing and a national scandal. The sexual exploitation of
:01:51. > :01:54.children and the system that was there to protect them that failed.
:01:55. > :01:59.It's unbelievable that it went on. It shouldn't have been going on for
:02:00. > :02:05.so long. When it is put into your face, you realise it is happening
:02:06. > :02:12.more. Other than that, I felt sadness all round. My heart goes out
:02:13. > :02:24.to those girls and their family. It was bad. The programme has provoked
:02:25. > :02:27.a strong reaction here in Rochdale but also concerns about the true
:02:28. > :02:32.scale of the problem. When I was here, I spoke to a mother who said
:02:33. > :02:43.had child was the victim of a child grooming gang. A women also told me
:02:44. > :02:50.that her niece was being abused by a group of men. It was still
:02:51. > :02:59.happening, my niece was abused and was called a liar. The man walked
:03:00. > :03:09.free. Nine men, of Pakistan the origin were jailed. A campaign group
:03:10. > :03:14.that was set up in the aftermath said an enquiry needs stability to
:03:15. > :03:20.the way the police reacted. We have had over 200 people who have joined
:03:21. > :03:27.our website since this investigation. A group of survivors
:03:28. > :03:34.wait their right to anonymity to start a campaign to going to
:03:35. > :03:40.schools, Social Services and working with the police. We are hoping with
:03:41. > :03:44.our work, we hope that those people going through these types of issues
:03:45. > :03:50.will get the support they need. In a statement today, Greater Manchester
:03:51. > :03:58.Police said they had made huge progress in our fight against child
:03:59. > :04:08.sexual exploitation. They had this to say colon
:04:09. > :04:14.The Social care worker Sara Rowbotham, played
:04:15. > :04:17.by Maxine Peake in the drama, was the sexual health worker
:04:18. > :04:29.who exposed the abuse only to be made redundant
:04:30. > :04:32.Earlier, I asked her what impact she hoped the programme would have.
:04:33. > :04:35.I want the public to understand child sexual exploitation.
:04:36. > :04:37.For professionals to understand it better.
:04:38. > :04:46.I want, you know, the police and local authorities
:04:47. > :04:52.to have a greater understanding about their responsibilities,
:04:53. > :04:54.and maybe I do want those organisations to know the impact
:04:55. > :04:56.that it's had on the people involved.
:04:57. > :05:04.Did you ever begin to doubt yourself?
:05:05. > :05:09.I knew they were going through horror.
:05:10. > :05:16.I accepted that nobody was going to do anything.
:05:17. > :05:23.It just...you kind of became familiar with what the
:05:24. > :05:26.You know, and I know that I was getting more
:05:27. > :05:28.and more frustrated, and more and more upset and angry.
:05:29. > :05:31.And the less your voice is heard, the kind of...
:05:32. > :05:38.What effect has all this had on your life?
:05:39. > :05:47.I knew what I was doing and I thought I was really good
:05:48. > :05:49.at it, and I thought we had the best team.
:05:50. > :05:51.They were really good workers, really skilled workers, really
:05:52. > :06:03.And then to kind of be told actually, we don't
:06:04. > :06:17.We don't you involved in these discussions...
:06:18. > :06:21.Do you still believe it is going on now?
:06:22. > :06:23.Like I said at the Home Affairs Select Committee,
:06:24. > :06:27.we wouldn't be going to strategy meetings, there would be no need
:06:28. > :06:32.to go to those if it wasn't still going on.
:06:33. > :06:34.Would there be a need for a responsive service if it
:06:35. > :06:49.I know that services now focus a lot on prevention,
:06:50. > :06:53.but would we need that level of professional team if there wasn't
:06:54. > :06:57.Do you know how any of the girls are getting on?
:06:58. > :07:05.I had a text this morning from Holly, a message
:07:06. > :07:07.from her this morning, saying she was really pleased
:07:08. > :07:10.that the drama had such an impact and all she really wants
:07:11. > :07:11.is for young people, parents and professionals
:07:12. > :07:21.I had a text message late last night from a young man I had
:07:22. > :07:24.worked with some time ago, and I promised him I would make
:07:25. > :07:26.sure that people understood that this happens to boys.
:07:27. > :07:29.This happens to boys in the same way it happens to girls.
:07:30. > :07:33.We can see how evident it is, how much you care.
:07:34. > :07:35.Thank you so much for coming in and talking to us.
:07:36. > :07:48.Such a powerful interview. It goes to show that even all these Yate,
:07:49. > :07:51.how deeply it matters. Thank you very
:07:52. > :07:59.Two men, who killed four year old Violet-Grace Youens
:08:00. > :08:02.in a hit and run incident, ran past her body as they fled
:08:03. > :08:09.But today, justice caught up with them.
:08:10. > :08:11.The court heard Aidan McAteer and Dean Brennan were driving
:08:12. > :08:14.in a stolen car at eighty miles an hour through a 30 mile
:08:15. > :08:16.an hour zone seconds before the fatal collison.
:08:17. > :08:24.Clare Fallon reports from Liverpool Crown Court.
:08:25. > :08:35.Violet Grace was four years old when she was killed, not down by a
:08:36. > :08:39.speeding driver -- knocked down by speeding driver who was too cowardly
:08:40. > :08:45.to help. Instead, he left her dying in the road. For her parents, the
:08:46. > :08:52.anger and agony is still fresh as they were in court to see him
:08:53. > :08:58.sentenced. Violet was a wonderful child, inside and out. She was my
:08:59. > :09:02.first one daughter. You do everything to protect your Charles,
:09:03. > :09:08.looking out for meningitis, childhood cancers and then it is
:09:09. > :09:11.taken away in an instant by two inconsiderate criminals he didn't
:09:12. > :09:19.care about anybody except themselves that date. Is stolen yesterday's
:09:20. > :09:27.through the streets. The driver lost control and ploughed into Violet and
:09:28. > :09:32.her grandmother. Instead of stopping, both men ran past their
:09:33. > :09:37.victims. Within three hours, one of them was on a plane to Amsterdam. He
:09:38. > :09:43.later told police he wanted to clear his head and smoke pot. His
:09:44. > :09:48.passenger, Dean Brennan, who helped him escape was handed a sentence of
:09:49. > :10:02.six and a half years. I love's family were all in court to see them
:10:03. > :10:08.sentenced. Victim impact statements were read out. Violet's father says
:10:09. > :10:17.they are a broken family and each night he goes into her bedroom and
:10:18. > :10:21.reads bedtime stories to her ashes. Her little brother misses her
:10:22. > :10:27.deeply. He doesn't know where his big sister has gone. He cries for
:10:28. > :10:37.her, calls her name. It is just so wrong. Violet's father, clutching
:10:38. > :10:39.Violet's teddy bear, says he holds it every night and that he no longer
:10:40. > :10:44.lives, just exists. An inquest into the death of a pilot
:10:45. > :10:47.at Chris Evans' Carfest event in Cheshire has recorded a verdict
:10:48. > :10:50.of accidental death. Kevin Whyman, who was born
:10:51. > :10:52.in Chester, died when his plane An Air Accident Investigation report
:10:53. > :10:59.had previously found that a wrongly-timed manoeuvre led
:11:00. > :11:05.to loss of control. The Liberal Democrat leader,
:11:06. > :11:07.Tim Farron, has been on the campaign Visiting supporters in Hazel Grove
:11:08. > :11:16.alongside Lisa Smart, the Liberal Democrat candidate
:11:17. > :11:19.for the seat, he said his party were the only real
:11:20. > :11:21.opposition to Theresa May The Chief Constable
:11:22. > :11:23.of Greater Manchester says Ian Brady's body should not be
:11:24. > :11:26.cremated or his ashes scattered The Moors murderer's body
:11:27. > :11:29.was released to his lawyer Local authorities in both Tameside -
:11:30. > :11:33.where he committed many of his crimes -
:11:34. > :11:36.and Glasgow, where he grew up have also said they would
:11:37. > :11:38.reject any such requests. Naomi Cornwell is here,
:11:39. > :11:44.so what have they said? Can you tell us more about what has
:11:45. > :11:49.been said? There has been a lot of speculation about what will happen
:11:50. > :11:55.to his remains. There were rumours he wished to be cremated in Glasgow,
:11:56. > :12:02.where he was born, but the council they have said they've received no
:12:03. > :12:11.request and would refuse it. The council will request any -- reject
:12:12. > :12:18.any request to scatter ashes in tame side because it would be an
:12:19. > :12:24.abhorrent defilement of the families of the victims. What happened to
:12:25. > :12:34.Myra Hindley's remains? That was 15 years ago and at the time, victims'
:12:35. > :12:44.families were horrified to hear that her ashes may have been scattered,
:12:45. > :12:51.there has been a suggestion that Brady should be cremated anywhere
:12:52. > :12:55.other than greater Manchester. Where that could happen, where a funeral
:12:56. > :13:05.director would be willing to do that, we don't know.
:13:06. > :13:08.Now, imagine being told you've got just weeks to raise a hundred
:13:09. > :13:10.thousand pounds for a potentially live saving operation.
:13:11. > :13:12.That's the siutation young mum Samantha Smith from Littlebrough
:13:13. > :13:15.But Samantha's village has now rallied round and incredibly,
:13:16. > :13:23.Our health correspondent,Gill Dummigan, has been to meet her.
:13:24. > :13:26.Samantha Smith is just 30 years' old and the mother
:13:27. > :13:29.Until recently she ran a successful therapy business.
:13:30. > :13:31.She should be looking forward to the summer ahead.
:13:32. > :13:39.What will happen is further numerological degeneration, and
:13:40. > :13:42.further damage to my brainstem. Organ failure, paralysis and
:13:43. > :13:46.eventually, I will die. Samantha's been told she has
:13:47. > :13:48.a rare condition called The connective tissue
:13:49. > :13:51.which holds her muscles and skin together is too stretchy and weak,
:13:52. > :13:54.and in her case this also means that her skull's not
:13:55. > :13:56.being held in place. It's putting pressure on her spinal
:13:57. > :13:59.cord and brain stem. She's been told her only
:14:00. > :14:12.chance is an operation It's scary reading the risks, but
:14:13. > :14:15.the risk of not having the surgery are far greater.
:14:16. > :14:18.Samantha is now desperately trying to raise ?100,000 to pay for to one
:14:19. > :14:30.of the three clinics in the world, which operates on this condition.
:14:31. > :14:38.Campaigners are arguing that the NHS won't do this surgery because it's
:14:39. > :14:47.relatively new. We understand that the NHS provides evidence -based
:14:48. > :14:51.treatment but the process needs to start somewhere, particularly with a
:14:52. > :14:53.red condition. Treatment is desperately needed for these people.
:14:54. > :14:56.NHS England told us in general they DO fund treatment
:14:57. > :14:58.when it is recommended by clinicians But they have to weigh
:14:59. > :15:00.the risks and benefits for their individual case."
:15:01. > :15:02.But in the meantime, the village has stepped in.
:15:03. > :15:05.In the past couple of months they've raised just over ?50,000 pounds.
:15:06. > :15:25.So, there's a ladies' night, and Abba night, TM takes days, sponsored
:15:26. > :15:34.walks. The people in my local area have been very supportive. I am
:15:35. > :15:38.beyond grateful to those people. Well done to all the fundraisers. We
:15:39. > :15:43.really wish them well. Good luck, fan.
:15:44. > :15:57.The number of independent candidates and those representing smaller
:15:58. > :15:59.parties has dropped by nearly 20% ahead of the general election.
:16:00. > :16:01.Some parties who normally stand aren't fielding any
:16:02. > :16:04.candidates in the north west but there are still a few prepared
:16:05. > :16:10.Stuart Pollitt's been finding out why.
:16:11. > :16:13.Remember Martin Bell and his white suit,
:16:14. > :16:17.successful independent in our region, when he took the Tatton seat
:16:18. > :16:20.20 years on and this time, there's independent
:16:21. > :16:22.standing on issues as diverse as family values, to football.
:16:23. > :16:24.One of them is Blackburn fan, Duncan.
:16:25. > :16:26.He is fed up with how Rovers' owners are
:16:27. > :16:30.Ultimately, they should put the football club back
:16:31. > :16:34.It's a bit of a drastic step, something I've never
:16:35. > :16:37.Do you feel like this any chance, realistically?
:16:38. > :16:40.I just don't agree with being taken for
:16:41. > :16:43.Pub owner Terry is hoping to swap serving regulars to serving
:16:44. > :16:46.What I want to do really is bring local
:16:47. > :16:54.You've chosen the safest Labour seat in the country to have a go at.
:16:55. > :17:12.The number of independent and smaller parties has
:17:13. > :17:15.fallen from two years ago from nearly 4000 to 3300 this time.
:17:16. > :17:34.Some parties like the English Democrats and the
:17:35. > :17:36.Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition aren't fielding any
:17:37. > :17:38.candidates in our region, but there are others
:17:39. > :17:42.The problem the smaller parties in the UK is the electoral system.
:17:43. > :17:44.That is what makes it so difficult and it
:17:45. > :17:45.is really difficult for independents as well.
:17:46. > :17:48.In living memory, there's only really been three or four
:17:49. > :17:49.independents who have managed to win.
:17:50. > :17:52.That's what makes it impossible and the likes of Duncan
:17:53. > :17:55.in Terry do face an uphill struggle to make it to Westminster.
:17:56. > :17:58.Sport now with Richard and we're starting with a dramatic win
:17:59. > :18:01.for Blackpool that means they're one Wembley win from a return
:18:02. > :18:06.Yes, it was quite a turn around for the Seasiders.
:18:07. > :18:09.Blackpool made it to the League Two play off final in the most dramatic
:18:10. > :18:13.With just quarter of an hour to go, it looked as though
:18:14. > :18:16.the Seasiders were going out, but this header by Armand
:18:17. > :18:18.Gnanduillet levelled the tie at 5 goals each.
:18:19. > :18:20.And then with almost the last touch of the game,
:18:21. > :18:22.Kevin Mellor's header lead to a freak own goal
:18:23. > :18:24.and Blackpool were through to next weekend's final.
:18:25. > :18:27.Blackpool's boss Gary Bowyer was understandably delighted.
:18:28. > :18:30.Fantastic for everybody whose been involved at the club.
:18:31. > :18:32.It's been well documented what's gone on at the club.
:18:33. > :18:35.We have come in to try to steady the ship, turn things round slowly,
:18:36. > :18:44.but the progress these players have made is and they richly
:18:45. > :18:48.but the progress these players have made is fantastic and they richly
:18:49. > :18:54.It will be interesting to see how many fans make the trip to Wembley.
:18:55. > :18:57.As you may well know a large number have been
:18:58. > :18:59.boycotting matches in protest against the club's owners.
:19:00. > :19:01.On to the Premier League now and Manchester City just need
:19:02. > :19:04.to draw at Watford on Sunday to make sure they qualify for next
:19:05. > :19:08.Liverpool are also on the brink of qualifying for the top four
:19:09. > :19:12.Jurgen Klopp's men need to beat Middlesbrough on Sunday
:19:13. > :19:16.One of our smallers clubs is getting ready for one of their biggest
:19:17. > :19:20.Macclesfield Town play York City in the FA Tophy final Sunday.
:19:21. > :19:23.Macc finished just outside the play-offs in the National League
:19:24. > :19:25.this season and are determined to end the season on a high.
:19:26. > :19:32.I went along earlier today to see the team set off for Wembley.
:19:33. > :19:39.Support for the Silkmen and hordes of fans dreaming of
:19:40. > :19:49.I'm getting a bit excited for them now.
:19:50. > :19:52.What will it mean to you if they lift that trophy?
:19:53. > :19:58.Macclesfield are taking more than 8000 supports to
:19:59. > :20:01.Wembley and their manager is determined to do them proud.
:20:02. > :20:03.It's a reward for them and they deserve it
:20:04. > :20:06.as most supporters do as they are loyal to clubs like ourselves.
:20:07. > :20:08.As I say, it will be great for them and
:20:09. > :20:18.It's a final that has been a long time in the making.
:20:19. > :20:19.Their semifinal victory was way back in
:20:20. > :20:22.March and their league campaign ended almost three weeks ago.
:20:23. > :20:24.For the players to play at Wembley, probably
:20:25. > :20:31.the only chance, one of the
:20:32. > :20:41.only chances you are going to get to play at Wembley if you are a
:20:42. > :20:43.non-league footballer, so it's something, as players, we really
:20:44. > :20:51.look forward to and obviously, the fans
:20:52. > :20:53.look forward to and obviously, the fans are looking
:20:54. > :20:57.The long build-up has just increased the anticipation here at
:20:58. > :21:00.They have won this trophy twice before and if they
:21:01. > :21:07.can do it for the third time for a club this size,
:21:08. > :21:13.We want to fetch that trophy back here on Sunday.
:21:14. > :21:21.It will be a big boost for their town.
:21:22. > :21:23.A big boost for their club, their players,
:21:24. > :21:30.Next stop Wembley, and for a team that has come a long way they
:21:31. > :21:33.are determined to make sure that they don't return empty-handed.
:21:34. > :21:35.It's Magic weekend in Super League with all teams
:21:36. > :21:38.We've got Leigh playing Salford on Sunday, but tomorrow features,
:21:39. > :21:40.Widnes against Wakefield, Warrington versus Wigan
:21:41. > :21:42.while St Helens hope their stuttering form will improve
:21:43. > :21:48.Results- wise, it has not been what we have wanted as a club and
:21:49. > :21:52.performance wise it's been a bit scratchy, so we need to focus on
:21:53. > :22:01.getting that good performance in and some wins under our belt that's we
:22:02. > :22:07.will try to do. In cricket, Jimmy Anderson limped off after an injury.
:22:08. > :22:18.It made it hard for Steven Croft's side. Yorkshire moved on to 251-6.
:22:19. > :22:23.It is tough without Jimmy. Not too bad for Lancs, though as they can
:22:24. > :22:29.come back. England will be hoping any injury won't be too serious.
:22:30. > :22:33.Hopefully Lancs can bounce back and do the business.
:22:34. > :22:35.Here's an inspirational story to end the week.
:22:36. > :22:37.Lancashire man John Landmann didn't let his disability stop him taking
:22:38. > :22:43.22-year-old Josh from Poulton le Fylde just needed a little
:22:44. > :22:46.helping hand from his dad, and a few of his competition rivals,
:22:47. > :22:52.He uses a wheelchair after being injured in a swimming pool accident.
:22:53. > :22:55.A video of their efforts has now been viewed by more
:22:56. > :22:57.than twelve million people - take a look and you'll
:22:58. > :23:02.They slip and slither across the mud and haul themselves
:23:03. > :23:09.The Tough Mudder challenge is a big ask for anyone.
:23:10. > :23:11.But Josh Landmann gets around mostly in a wheelchair
:23:12. > :23:18.after breaking his kneck in a swimming pool accident.
:23:19. > :23:27.I had to learn to walk again. I have very limited strength in injury
:23:28. > :23:29.rents through my legs. I can probably walk about 15-20 metres on
:23:30. > :23:32.a good day. The video that's been viewed more
:23:33. > :23:35.than twelve million times, shows Josh's dad, Neil,
:23:36. > :23:37.wheeling him to what's called Everest, a steep,
:23:38. > :23:51.slippery slope with only a rope As soon as I got onto it I realised
:23:52. > :23:58.it was slightly harder than it looks and it was very, very slippy. Dad
:23:59. > :24:02.tries to push me up... We were all sleeping around. It's wet, you are
:24:03. > :24:13.dripping from the previous obstacles so it's all wet. It looks difficult
:24:14. > :24:14.but then other competitors rush to the rescue.
:24:15. > :24:17.There's help from above too as Josh is finally
:24:18. > :24:20.Josh has been inundated with messages from others learning
:24:21. > :24:36.I've said to myself, I I need to get on with it. Make the most of the
:24:37. > :24:41.opportunities now and strive to what you want to be. Throughout the
:24:42. > :24:47.experience he has shown us aside that makes us proud of him.
:24:48. > :24:52.Neil believes many see in the video a moral about life itself.
:24:53. > :24:59.Why can't people live life like this, why can't they promote
:25:00. > :25:06.harmony, work together, be part of the team?
:25:07. > :25:10.He's hoping to make the British skiing team in the 2022
:25:11. > :25:13.Stuart Flinders, BBC North West Tonight.
:25:14. > :25:22.It is so good to see that. It is not a race. My wife did it, it's about
:25:23. > :25:32.camaraderie, people helping each other through it. Shall we have a
:25:33. > :25:35.look at the weather! We were listening to you with your expert
:25:36. > :25:39.knowledge and then realised your wife had done it! I would do that
:25:40. > :25:49.with your weather. The temperatures will slowly and
:25:50. > :25:54.steadily rise over the next couple of days and if you look at the
:25:55. > :26:02.charts on Monday, there is some rain around. The temperatures could be a
:26:03. > :26:08.bit better next week. You could see possibly 20 Celsius, something to
:26:09. > :26:14.look ahead to. This is what we want to see. That line of rain over the
:26:15. > :26:21.other side of the Pennine, always running quite close to us, West was
:26:22. > :26:27.always best in terms of sunshine. That rain is still around right now,
:26:28. > :26:37.will continue on its journey north. But it hasn't spoiled our weather
:26:38. > :26:42.watchers' pictures. Look at that! The show was will push north as you
:26:43. > :26:49.head through the night, in the morning, it dries up and numbers
:26:50. > :26:54.aren't a problem. 9-10 in parts of the North West. Saturday is a
:26:55. > :26:57.predominantly cloudy start. It's not all doom and gloom through the
:26:58. > :27:03.morning. The showers they will merge at lunchtime, banding together for
:27:04. > :27:10.longer spells a brain. If you look at this picture, this is not a
:27:11. > :27:13.particularly good one. It will clear towards the tail end of the day and
:27:14. > :27:22.there will be a few hours of sunshine. Temperatures 15-16dC, but
:27:23. > :27:43.by Sunday, largely dry and fine. 17-18dC. A quick word about that
:27:44. > :27:45.wonderful interview with Sara. Viewers were impressed with her.
:27:46. > :27:57.That's all from us. Good night. It's cold.
:27:58. > :28:02.Tastes a bit like avocado. And soon we're all
:28:03. > :28:05.going to be eating them. Four crickets have the same amount
:28:06. > :28:09.of calcium as a glass of milk, and a dung beetle,
:28:10. > :28:12.twice the protein of beef.