23/01/2012 South East Today

Welcome to South East Today, I'm Rob Smith. And I'm Polly Evans.

Tonight's top stories: Ten arrests after a man is fatally stabbed in a

street fight in Sussex. We're live in Hailsham tonight with the latest

on the murder investigation. Fighting for the right to die: A

severely disabled Kent man with locked-in syndrome takes his battle

to the High Court. People don't realise how awful it is to see the

person you love and there. You can't relieve their pain. Also in

tonight's programme: Why three authorities in the South East are

planning council tax rises despite the government calling for a freeze.

The hidden history of Kitchener Camp: The safe haven in Kent that

rescued thousands of Jews from the Nazis.

And after 40 days and 40 nights on the open ocean, a record breaking

rower gets a hero's welcome Good evening. Detectives have

launched a murder inquiry after the death of a 25-year-old man in

Sussex. First it is believed Darren Croxton was stabbed during a fight

in Hailsham yesterday. He died in hospital for today. Alex, they have

been a number of arrests? Yes, 10 in total so far. The youngest is

just 13, the august 26. Some of those were arrested on suspicion of

murder, three on suspicion of violent disorder. Over half of them

were caught after a police helicopter took to the skies after

the attack. Family members of 25- year-old Darren Croxton laid

flowers at the scene where he has discovered yesterday afternoon.

Found collapsed in a quiet cul-de- sac, he passed in a way this

morning in hospital. One local resident saw events unfold -- she

passed away. I knew something wasn't right so I came back into

the house. The helicopters will out within 25 minutes -- were out.

Forensic teams examined a small wooded area where it is understood

to a fight broke out between two groups. Police believe the men were

from the Hailsham area. It is alarming to know that this is going

on. The message would be that we believe the party's new each other

at this moment in time. This is not a random attack. Despite

reassurances, those living in the area are shocked by the events.

is a quiet cul-de-sac. Nothing like this has happened before. It is a

horrible thing to say and I think it will stay with me quite a while.

Police teams have been searching locally as to -- as detectives

tried to piece together how fight turned into a murder. There are

still lots of people arriving at the scene to pay their respects

this evening. One person did not want to appear on camera but did

say that Darren Croxton was a well- known and well liked individual.

The severely disabled man who is paralysed with locked-in syndrome

has taken the fight to end his life to the High Court. Former Cranbrook

rugby player Tony Nicklinson has lived with the condition since

suffering a stroke seven years ago. He says it has left him with an

undignified and Intal for life. But a person, if his a sister to die,

those who help him could be charged with murder -- if he is assisted by.

To squired by his wife and friends as a daredevil, the life and salt

off the party, today, he can only communicate through the use of a

perspex board or a computer that recognises his eye movements.

does this life gets too much for me and I break down and cry. I can't

cope with this for another 25 year of -- 25 years. Tony's family want

to be able to end his life without facing murder charge fors. It is

what he wants. -- murder charges. What more can I do? There is

nothing I can do. People don't realise what an awful thing it is

to see the person you love in their. Those who oppose voluntary

euthanasia so they can be no justification for taking a life. --

say they can be. Hard cases make bad law and we think the law in

this area would have massive implications for the weakest and

most vulnerable in society. This man has a team -- this man was a

team-mate of Tony's. He is the sort of fellow, when you're getting

ready to go out, he comes into the pub and he leads the room up.

it will be up to a High Court judge to decide whether he can ask

someone to help him and the life he says he can no longer bear. -- end

the life. Sarah, what exactly happened in court today? Tony

Nicklinson's team is waiting to argue that anyone who does happen

to die should be able to seek a defence against murder. But that is

not generally accepted as, so they are applying for the whole case to

be struck out before it is heard in full. Next month, a judge will

decide whether or not it can go ahead.

In a moment: The busiest speed camera in Kent, that trapped 1,500

people last year, but did it save any lives?

A single camera in Maidstone has quarter over 1,500 motorists

speeding in just one year. Figures released for the first time today

showing total almost 24,000 motorists were caught across Kent

in 2010. Campaigners say the cameras are helping to save lives.

But critics say they are really about raising revenue. Kent's top

camera for catching speeding most lists. 1564 in one year. --

motorists. We asked drivers what they made of it. That is a lot. A

lot of revenue, that is what I think they are there for. I don't

think anyone likes them there. shouldn't be speeding. If they went

speeding, they wouldn't be caught. I think they're good. Far too many

people drive too fast. From today, you can go online and a cup how

many motorists each camera in Kent has caught. Those behind them say

they have helped prevent 400 deaths or serious injuries on the roads in

the past decade. Critics say they are simply cash cow. They may have

saved a few lives but you have to remember they have prosecuted an

awful lot of people over a long period of time. The effect of

getting a driving ban all losing one's job is never taken into

consideration. The family it off this girl have campaigned for road

safety after she stepped out in front of a speeding car. I don't

think they do much good at all. People know where they are so they

slowdown at that precise moment, and when they have passed them, off

they go again. Over 23,000 people were caught on Kent's speed cameras

in 2010. A fixed camera can be put up where three or more people are

killed over the periods of three years. We get a proportion of the

money from private diversion courses which goes into assisting

the running of the cameras. But it does not pay for the running of the

whole partnership. It is not about money, it is about saving lives.

Last week, drivers caught speeding outside schools were offered the

chance to explain themselves to children rather than paying a fine.

This shows it is about education. A man has been jailed for murdering

a vulnerable disabled man that he befriended in Sussex. Jon Ellison

was found dead at his Brighton flat last April. David Sole, of no fixed

address, has been given a life sentence at Lewes Crown Court.

Denise Antonia has been jailed for five years for assisting.

3 Canterbury based soldiers who cut off the fingers of dead Taliban

fighters in Afghanistan will not face prosecution. Military police

investigated claims that the fingers had been taken as trophies

of war by soldiers from the Argyll and Sutherland heart -- Sutherland

Highlanders, but found they had been used for forensic testing.

This woman has been come the first woman to cross Antarctica alone --

become. She skied from the Leverett Glacier in just 59 days.

Council tax is set to rise in part of Kent, Sussex and Surrey,

sparking a furious political row. It is a controversial move because

the local authorities involved are actually turning down a government

grant on offer to councils that implement a tax freeze. Rises are

planned in Gravesham, which is run by Labour, Conservative-controlled

Surrey County Council, and Britain's only Green administration,

Brighton and Hove. Gravesham is the only Labour-controlled council --

council in Kent, and the first in the county to announce the council

tax rise. But this man believes others will follow a sort -- follow

suit. We are being very clear and open with the resident at this

early stage, so it it is something they will hopefully appreciate.

Other councils may end up doing the same thing. The increase means p --

people living in band the property in Gravesham will pay �5 more, or

11p per week. The council could have frozen bills, but they said it

would have meant a cut in services and bigger tax rises in years to

come. So what would the people of grave cent prefer? If it is going

to go up, it has got to go up. should all be like and not raise

the council tax. It should be kept the same as it is. There are so

many cuts being made, it is a struggle. The public may have mixed

views on the council's decision, but the cap -- government is clear.

Other councils face exactly the same challenges but are taking up

the freeze. They recognise that at times like this, the first duty of

the council should be making sure that they are keeping down the

levels of tax for hard-working families. One expert believes that

councils who reject the government grant may be better off in the long

run. Councils know that it if they accept the grant this year to keep

their council tax down to a zero increase, that ground will not be

available to the next year, so by the time they get to next year,

they will either have to put the council tax by up more than the

average all, more likely, prettied up by the average and cut a bit of

spending. Various councils have stated they raised -- they plan to

raise council tax, and in the coming weeks, other councils may

follow suit. Detectives have launched a murder inquiry following

the death of a 25-year-old man in Sussex. It's believed Darren

Croxton was stabbed during a fight in Hailsham yesterday. He died in

hospital today. Ten people have been arrested.

And coming up: Celebrating the work of the world's most prolific living

etcher, Kent artist Graham Clarke. And the Surrey man who rowed the

Atlantic solo in just 40 days These days it's an industrial park

on the outskirts of Sandwich, which probably doesn't strike the casual

observer as an historic site. But almost 70 years ago, the Kitchener

Camp was a safe haven for 4,000 German and Austrian Jews who fled

to Kent to escape the Nazi regime. For the refugees who are still

alive today, it's a poignant symbol of freedom.

It's hard to believe this industrial park was once a haven

for German and Austrian refugees all desperate to escape

concentration camps of lust in Germany. -- Nazi Germany.

Harry was just 19 when he arrived at the Kitchener Camp, and had

spent his entire teenage years in fear of the Nazi regime. 6 1/2

years under Hitler,... Monica's father Ernest would never

have got out 70 years ago, if it had not been for the warm welcome

he got from the people of Sandwich. When you have been ostracised and

made to feel as if you are dirt, not even human, to come to a

country where people don't know you, just people living in the local

area welcoming you, I think that restores some faith in humanity.

For the thousands who fled persecution and came to Sandwich,

they hoped their families would follow them behind, and they would

be reunited. Sadly it was never the case. Shi'a misfortune, who got out

and who did not. My father was taken to the concentration camp.

It is thought the Kitchener Camp came about thanks to the architect

Ernest Joseph. He had designed the the dining and cooking facilities,

these days there is little sign it ever existed.

Few people know the extraordinary stories of those who survived or

can appreciate the pivotal role it played in saving the lives of so

many men. Tonight's Inside Out will give a

flavour of life inside the Kitchener Camp, and what the local

community did to make the Refugees Graham Clarke is the most prolific

living etcher in the world. He has produced hundreds of quirky

pictures from his studio near Maidstone, using an old-fashioned

process that was in danger of dying out.

A fellow of the Royal Academy, the largest exhibition of his works in

many years has just gone does it -- on display in the National Theatre

in London. Look closely in Graham Clarke's

work and you will often find a fish, or some wine, or a saucy lady. His

work has a number of the recurring themes. This is Shakespeare. This

is when he was a little boy, not bothering to go to school but

sitting there watching a play. That is him proposing to his wife. That

is him going off down to London. As Shakespeare always been an

obsession of years? Yes, I suppose it is envy.

He is putting the finishing touches to an exhibition, and Rob Graham

Clarke has travelled the world but his art, Homer is definitely

whether heart to his. I am founder of the Kent Nationalist Party. It

is sort of a job, but it is to do with the the history of the

wonderful corner of England we are all proud of but the rest of the

world is not quite so knowledgeable about, so I am spreading there were.

His method of work, and ageing metal plates, may be laborious, but

he says it is ultimately satisfying. I did not want to work for three

months on a great big painting and then a rich American buying it up.

So the lovely thing about printmaking, you can both keep it

and sell it. It can have your cake and eat it?

Absolutely. I first met Graham seven years ago,

and now in his 70th year, he is His exhibition at the National

Theatre in London is on show until the 3rd March.

He says he is elated and exhausted, Andrew Brown has just making --

made a record-breaking solo crossing of the Atlantic.

Team arrived home to a hero's welcome at Limpsfield.

Returning home to family and friends, a record breaker. A fresh-

faced Andrew Brown tells of a journey that tested his physical

and mental strength. I got very wet, and sometimes I opened the hatch...

A week ago he stepped on to land in Barbados, almost unable to walk.

But he had leapt into the record books. The idea of having 800 miles

to go was my worst point. I felt like I was almost there, but then I

was thinking, I have still got it the length of Britain to go. To

finish was fantastic, and the final role in was quite tough and long,

but I think the adrenalin began to work or.

Andrew's adventure began in December, as he set out to row

across the Atlantic single-handed. He may have had to settle for

second place, but he crossed the Atlantic faster than any solo rower

had done before. How he coped with the fear and

isolation, I cannot imagine. looks so fit and well! You have got

to have tremendous courage to be on your own for all that time, and

just to keep going. Really difficult.

To Day's party a far cry from Andrew's loon trip across the

Atlantic. 3,000 miles from the Canary Islands to Barbados, the on

the company he had was his alone, and the occasional satellite phone

conversation with his girlfriend Lucy. He said, let us wait for four

days, but he would ring every day anyway. What a was the 40 days like

for you both? Long! You realise that he is

unknown and in a tiny boat on the mighty ocean, facing 40 ft waves.

will avoid putting my family through something like this for a

little while. We shall see what his next.

For now, Andrew is happy catching up with family and friends, and

talking them through what was undoubtedly the most challenging 40

days of his life. It was an eventful weekend for the

South East's top football clubs. Some astonishing goals, a thrilling

debut and a terrible final 15 minutes for Gillingham.

Neil Bell has our round-up. Brighton were keen to put their

problems behind them at Peterborough. Will Buckley provided

the perfect opening goal. Peterborough hit back in the second

half thanks to David Bull. But the Albion picked up all three points,

thanks to Buckley's strike. Charlton move clear at the top

thanks to Johnnie Jackson. His gold even overshadowed a late

disagreement between the teams which led to two red cards.

It was won by a set piece, an outstanding free kick by Johnnie

Jackson. He did that last week, at Sheffield Wednesday, and again to

Dave. Losing at home is always tough,

particularly when you... Joe go for made it 2-0, all that AFC Wimbledon

pulled back, Tom Leonard Mr at Gillingham. Rather than cruise to

victory, Jamaican imploded. Richards went into his own net, and

then medicine's its blighted the wilful defence to -- I am

disappointed. To be 3-1 up, and lose the game, it

is criminal. I will not repeat what I have said in there, but it is

unacceptable for. Crawley appeared on course for a

happy afternoon. But they were denied victory when an equaliser

was scored in the 90th minute. Dan Walker will be here presenting

Late Kick Off at 11:05pm. They have been ugly rumours of

In the South East this notion be staying to the north of us. But we

have forced to start than they -- a day tomorrow. A band of rain moving

in, a cold and wet start. Today, by contrast, a settled picture.

Lighter winds, from a westerly direction, around ten to 15 mph.

The odd scattered showers. Temperatures again in single

figures, actually average for the time of year. Highs of seven or

eight degrees, 46 Fahrenheit. Initially through tonight we are

seeing scattered showers still, and we have clearer skies, lighter

winds and temperatures getting sub- zero in rural spots. Other places,

two and three degrees. Initially dry, but waiting we have this heavy

persistent rain moving in. It will be clearing through the latter part

of the afternoon, quite a wet, miserable start to the day. Does

winds have eased off around ten to 15 mph, and tomorrow, it will be

quite mild air. Temperatures again in double figures, highs of ten

degrees, 50 Fahrenheit. Those light to southerly winds, mild

temperatures, stay with us tomorrow night. Lows of seven or eight

degrees. As we move through the weekend -- the week, Wednesday will

be cloudy and mild. The winds staying overnight into Thursday.

Behind the rain are cooler and called a picture. Temperatures

again in single figures. An unsettled start to tomorrow -

frosty temperatures initially, but behind that rain we have warm

temperatures. Ten degrees. It will stay that way as we go through

tomorrow night as well. Those temperatures moving a round, when

stay cloudy and mild, Thursday initially some outbreaks of rain.

Plenty of winter sunshine to end the week. Temperatures once again

below average for the time of year. Take care during the rush hour

7th February is the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles

Dickens, and this Friday we will be telling the story of one of

Britain's gritters novelist. -- greatest novelists.

He made this time. Great Expectations, a lot of it

would have been written in this room.

He is quite contemporary, Dickens. Please, sir, I want some more.

Join us on Friday when we do we will give you the chance to join us

and the stars of stage and screen for a special screening of David

Lean's 1946 classic Great Expectations in the nave of

Rochester Cathedral on 10th February.

Between now and then we have got loads of stuff coming up.