12/01/2012 South East Today

Tonight's top stories: A pregnant woman is told her PIP breast

implants have ruptured but cannot be removed because she is pregnant.

The NHS worker branded incredibly selfish for claiming �20,000 in

disability benefits caught walking normally in secret filming. We will

have the details live from the Darent Valley Hospital.

Also in tonight's programme: Treat money lenders like sex shops

and ban them from our high streets. Kent Council wants the power to ban

loan sharks. A damning Ofsted report for Sussex

Coast College. We speak to the head brought in to turn things around.

And how the Mayor of Gravesham became the unlikely star of a

Good evening. And the NHS worker from Kent has been given a

suspended jail sentence after falsely claiming more than �20,000

in disability benefits. Christina Powsey originally claimed after

suffering a prolapsed disc that left her unable to walk unaided but

she kept claiming the money for more than two hears after her

condition improved and was caught on camera for walking normally and

working. The is is the woman who said she

needed help walking and dressing herself because of the pain. --

This is the woman. But here she is briskly walking to work with no

sign of discomfort. The this was an incredibly selfish action on behalf

of this woman. Every person who fought a motley takes money from

the system creates a penny less for people who deserve it. -- falsely

takes money. And this is Christina Powsey, with the blond hair, at

work. She had been carrying out her usual duties without any physical

restrictions. That was despite carrying on with claiming for

benefits. We showed the footage to people around Dartford. It is

appalling. She is taking money from people who need it. My good lady is

disabled and I think this type of thing is atrocious. If they can get

away with it I suppose they will do it and if they get caught it will

send out a message to people. not think it is right that she is

claiming benefits when she does not need them. It is not fair. There

are people who do need them. It is not the first time video has been

used to catch a benefit cheat. In 2008 a referee was caught in a

match when he claimed he could not walk. In 2010 a dancer indulged in

his hobby while claiming benefit. And last year a woman claimed she

was unable to walk without crutches but here she is skydiving. It is

thought that benefit fraud cost �1.2 billion a year. Christina

Powsey was told she was lucky to escape jail.

Our reporter joined us are now from the Darent Valley Hospital in

Dartford. What does Christina Powsey say in her own defence about

this? We contacted her today but she said

she could not stop to ask. When she was shown the footage she said that

she had good days and bad days. -- that she could not talk to us. She

had qualified for Disability Living Allowance but when her Commission

approved she did not tell the authorities. I understand that she

is still working at the hospital. - - her condition improved.

Councillors should be able to block money lenders from working on high

streets, that is the advice in Medway. Tonight the council is

going to lobby for tougher legislation on the issue. Our

correspondent is there now. There are serious problems with debt in

that area. The can 0 -- the Consumer Advice

Bureau says that the problem is getting worse. 18 years ago the

average debt was �18,000 -- 18 months ago. The latest figures from

last summer show that it has gone up to �30,000 on average for each

person and they say it is not helped by the number of these shops,

which appeared to offer easy money. The money is not easy to pay back

when you consider interest rates. Tempting offers for those who have

run out of cash, but the problems with loans is that you have to pay

them back. Interest rates start at -- start very high and they are

ballooning. They look like a very nice premises. People do not worry

about the paying back. You can take another loan to pay back the money

you cannot pay. Some people get into a cycle of debt that last for

years. This will been bona money for a flat for herself and her

doctor. -- borrowed money. It is good but it can get people into a

lot of debt if they do not pay back within four weeks. I was in trouble.

I thought I was going to get put out. P Bowler being targeted,

working families -- people are being targeted, working families.

These are people in our communities and we are saying that this

approach is wrong and it needs to change. Tonight the council will

debate a motion calling for the Government to cap the interest rate

that these shops can charge. It will demand local power to say no

to planning applications for new shops and it will ask that credit

unions are promoted instead. But the consumer finance Association

that represents loan sharks say that it is not their fault that

people get into debt. This helps people manage their money, it does

not help them to get into debt. those appealing the motion say that

these companies only profit and they want to come out -- up with a

plan to restrict these companies in the future.

We would like to know what do you think. Should there be tougher

regulations for high-street my letters or are they are providing a

service that helps people? You can email us or join the debate on our

Facebook Page. In a moment: The grieving family

pleading for their late father's still an art work to be returned

but fearing they have been melted down for scrap.

A new head teacher has been brought in to try and turn round a Sussex

College that has been given a damning report by Ofsted just off

after opening at a cost if the lowest cost off if. A new head

teacher has been talking to our correspondent about his plans to

make for improvement. Pill Grady is a self-confessed a disciplinarian

who has held to run colleges in the past. -- Bill Brady. Some would

call him a tough guy. I have a reputation for making things happen.

I am not a driver. I would much rather show people where they need

to go and get them to come with us. I can be tough. He may be positive

but the Ofsted report was the opposite. The quality of teaching,

inadequate, and Annick -- inadequate capacity to improve. But

he insists that he can turn it all around. What would you say about

the criticism? I always feel concerned when governors and up

with the level of criticism that you sometimes see. If you could

come back in five months, if I have not done it, you can blame me.

is the man who appears to be taking the blame at the Mermaid. This is

probably the best resource College in the country. -- at the moment.

Being well resourced was not enough. He left before Christmas when he

sold the contents of the Ofsted report. Now students have very

forthright views on their college. The only problem I had with it was

that it seemed under staff and some of the teachers seemed overworked.

It is so much fun here. If I do not have teachers I did not like them I

would not like it. I did not think Ofsted was right. I think the

college is really good. Bill Brady has been employed to set things

straight and help find a new permanent principle. The next

Ofsted visit will be in five months' time.

So, why is Sussex Coast College seen as having such a keen role to

play in reviving the fortunes of Hastings? It has nearly 2,500 full-

time students drawn from a wide area across East Sussex, but the

rate of youth unemployment is Hastings -- in Hastings is one of

the worst in England, and there are high levels of deprivation as well.

The town's MP believes that the college can help to change all of

that. We have to make it work for Hastings. We have to make it work

for the young people and the relationship between the young

people of Hastings and employers so that we get skilled young people

going for a word he can take up the jobs -- jobs that are on offer.

reporter is in Hastings now. The students do not blame the former

head teacher, do they? That is right. They said that Mr

Patel had clear priorities and involved his staff fully. He

decided to leave when he saw what was going to be in the report. The

teachers have told me that they believe the old maid responsibility

lives off -- lies with the principle. It is important that

they get it right because a successful college is really at the

heart of this town's regeneration. Ofsted inspectors are due to

revisit the college in five months' time but they are also reserving

the right to carry out a full inspection next year. By then a

full time principle should be in place.

A 14-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the Death of a

Brighton man. -- a 40-year-old man. Torfaen -- Christopher McLean died

from coronary heart disease after breaking up a fight that happened

on his doorstep. There is CCTV footage of a group of people who

may have spoken to the suspects. Her PIP breast implants have

ruptured, leaking industrial grade silicone into her body and leaving

her in constant pain, but Anntina Maughan, from Crawley, cannot have

them removed because the operation Save money last year. The East

Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the Conquest Hospital in

Hastings and Eastbourne District General, needs to cut �30 million

from its budget this year. It says external consultants have already

helped it to make multi-million pound savings. But local

campaigners have condemned it as a waste of money. A postmortem

examination on a canter lorry driver who crashed into several

cars in Sussex is but to have died of unnatural causes. -- on a lorry

driver. The family of an artist whose families Gulf -- their my

sculptures had been stolen have put up a reward for its return. It is

feared that they may have been Gerry Downes was an artist, but his

passion was sculpture. He died before Christmas, but while on his

deathbed, his family believes thieves stole four bronze statues

from the garden. They are offering a warm wall a reward of �2,000. My

father put himself into his work, and to do it what he was dying, it

was awful. This metal dealer says the

sculptures are worthless scrap, because regulations have increased

since metal value has soared soared in price. If a statue came in, I

would double-check everything. Fall ID card, address, vehicle number.

Before I would even think about accepting it.

The family says their father was an unknown artist. To them, his works

are priceless, but to others the only value is in the metal, even

though he carried out works in gold encrusted with jewels.

Dad was never valued by the art market in his own lifetime, I think

at some point he will be valued. And we need these works for that

day. The work he did in gold is kept in

a bank vault, but the family say it is a sad day when bronze statues

have to be treated in the same way. This is our top story tonight. But

NHS worker from Kent has been given a suspended jail sentence after

falsely claiming more than �20,000 in disability benefits. Christina

Powsey, originally claimed to have been suffering a prolapsed disc,

but continued claiming money for two years.

Also tonight, pop's least likely star. The mayor of Gravesham plays

a leading role in a Punjabi music video.

And after cloudy, Marwick, join me later in the programme for all the

details of the weather. Businesses in the South East say

they are having to freeze recruitment and put expansion plans

on hold because of Government wishes to slash subsidies for

renewable energy. Up till now people with solar panels have been

paid 43 pence per kilowatt hour for in the energy that they fed back

into the national grid. The Government now says that is no

longer affordable, and wants to half it to just 21p. Tomorrow the

High Court will rule on whether or not that decision is legal. Today

the Shadow Energy Secretary visited one Sussex business that has been

affected by all the uncertainty. The shadow energy secretary visited

are so low warehouse in Rye, where a German company has brought

equipment to installers in the UK. She says this is exactly the kind

of company big Government should be encouraging to draw, but instead,

it is damaging it by cutting its solar tariffs. The Government has

handled this badly, by reducing the feed-in tariffs and in this

timescale they have put forward. It is really harming an industry that

should offer us hope for the future, both in terms of renewable energy

but also a green technologies and green jobs.

This company had hoped to expand in the area, but those plans are now

on hold. We wanted to have more people here in technical sales and

here in VI, outside, and more sales people. But now we have to stop

this process. We now have to work with a small team.

A few miles along the coast, uncertainty is also impacting on

businesses here. The owners of this hotel in Hastings spent a lot of

money on instalments of the panels. They face a nervous week to see if

they will benefit from the good German subsidy. It will have a

massive impact. It will take double the amount of time to pay back 20

years, and we do not know whether we are getting it.

David Cameron, seen here visiting a Norwegian glazier, pledged this

would be the greenest Government ever. But now the Government has

been forced to defend its decision. This is not Government acting just

too depressed demand in the Solar Event -- industry. We are having to

be fair and reasonable with subsidy is that we have paid from that

interested bill of everyone at home. A High Court will make his final

decision tomorrow. Businesses hope this will put an end to the

decision -- uncertainty. Her PIP breast implants have

ruptured, making industrial grade silicone into her body. Anntina

Maughan from college cannot have them removed because the operation

would pose a risk to her unborn baby.

She is 5 1/2 months pregnant and angry that the risks were never

properly explained to her if what tens of thousands of other women by

the surgeons who fitted the controversial French in plans.

Anntina Maughan suffered with low self-esteem for years, so much so

have family saved of �5,000 to pay for breast enlargement surgery four

years ago. But last year she began to have

pains in her breasts and found lumps. Dr scanned her to look for

cancer, but discovered her in plants, made by PIP, had ruptured.

It was a nightmare. It is not a nice feeling, because you go and

get these implants with confidence, and to find out that they are

ruptured inside you, and to days after, I find I was pregnant.

Doctors say the implants are unlikely to cause harm, but her

breasts need reconstructing even after the birth. A Harley Medical

Group have said they will remove but not replace the implants.

not have the resources of the hospital's, or the GPs, we do not

have that facility, and the NHS is geared up for that facility. It is

essential the vanity. Maybe this is something you should pay for.

the medical group should step in. Because their business is vanity,

that is what you are saying? Anntina Maughan says she will have

to save four years for another operation, and says more women

should be more at -- made aware of the risks before they go under the

knife. In sport, a Sussex cricketer Monty

Panesar has boosted his chances of a Test recall. This Bano was pick

of the England bowlers with figures of 5-57 in the final knockout game

before the Test series against Pakistan which begins next week in

Dubai. Filling your pop video with clips

of the mayor of Gravesham during a council meeting might not sound an

obvious way to gain a worldwide audience, but for Indian singer

Pammi Bai it seems to be working. His later some, Punjabian Di Balle

Balle, celebrates people from the Punjab making their mark around the

world, including cancer l'art Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi in Gravesend.

-- councillor. I think it is our mayor, I do not

know. That is the lord mayor of Gravesend.

People in Gravesend today is certainly no River mare is. -- no

over mayor is. By it they are perhaps less clear

on why he is in a pop video in his four ropes. For Gravesham, it is a

tremendous opportunity, because the name of the borough council is in

those music videos, so I think we have put Gravesham on the map.

The counsellor was contacted following publicity in India, as

their youngest PUP Panjabi mayor to be elected outside of the country.

Now he is known for his willingness to promote politics and successful

Punjabis in the UK. It is a great weight of bringing a complicated

issue to a mass audience in a very simple way, and connecting with

young people. For some, -- the Song by an Pammi

Bai will air across Asia and can be seen on various channels in the UK.

Banger music is often used in weddings, so this video is a great

way of using that music to promote positive role models.

Unorthodox - yes. But a way to show of success and Gravesham, most

If you were up an earlier this morning you may have witnessed a

stunning sunrise. Phil took this shot of the sunrise over Hastings.

Roger sent in this beautiful picture of the sunrise over Eccles

near Aylesford. This sums that shot was taken by

Jim in Groombridge. This was the scene in Larkfield.

An issue sent a beautiful shot of the sky all the Bexhill. -- the sky

It is increasingly clear through tonight. Tomorrow has a frosty and

for the start. Plenty of sunshine into the afternoon, temperatures

once again in single figures. Early this week temperatures have been

above average for the time of year, much cooler over the weekend, five

or six degrees. Today, we have seen increasing clout as this weather

Front has sunk south-east. A good deal of cloud cover. Westerly winds

picking up, around 15 miles an hour. Temperatures are around double

figures, and highs of 12 degrees. Tonight, but cloud cover is

clearing, we are left with cleaver skies. Temperatures dropping to one

or two degrees. The chance of dropping to freezing. A widespread

ground frost to start the day. Plenty of sunshine tomorrow, high

pressure in control of things. Those winds staying light and

variable. Certainly a coolish feel to the day tomorrow. What is going

to be noticeable is those temperatures, once again in single

figures. Highs of around six degrees. Average for the time of

year is around eight degrees. As we move through tomorrow night we will

see those clearer skies, temperatures even:, we have got

loads of minus two degrees, so a sharp frost to start the day on

Saturday. Tomorrow, plenty of sunshine, highs of five or six

degrees. Sunday, almost a repeat of Saturday. Around five or six

degrees. High pressure stays in control, into the new week as well.

So a change into the weather over the next couple of days, the winds

still might, but plenty of wintry sunshine over the weekend.

Our top stories, but councils should be able to block money-

lending shops from opening on the High Street in the same way they

can veto sex shops. That is the view of the Citizens' Advice Bureau

in Medway. We ask what you thought, should

there be tougher regulation? Thank you for all your comments.

Michael says, the Government must cap interest rates from

moneylenders to a maximum of 40%. He says he works out his finances

so he has no need of loans, but those who take them out are usually

those who cannot manage their finances, and the loan sharks are

making their positions worse. Jim says, it is legalised loan

sharking, exploiting those who cannot borrow from conventional

sources. We have leaflets offering loans against child benefit and tax

credits. They emit -- they mention cash for Christmas, it is a cynical

at exploitation of poor people's. Simon says, it is no business of

the council to decide what businesses can set up shops. People

have a choice of using lenders, and they have to take responsibility

for their actions. A councillor has e-mailed, I hope

that Medway council is successful in their attempts to restrict the