13/04/2012 South East Today

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

And I'm Rob Smith. Tonight's top stories:

Jail for the gang who robbed hundreds of Kent rail commuters and

built palaces in Romania with the proceeds. It left me feeling quite

shaken up, quite nervous about getting the train, of which should

be shaved. -- should be safe. We'll have live reports from the

court where they were sentenced, and where the gang lived in

Gravesend. Calling for a boycott of the Grand

National - the Kent animal charity that says the country's biggest

horse racing event is cruel. Also in tonight's programme:

Take the fast train to Folkestone - the new ad campaign urging

Londoners to look east for low house prices and high-speed rail.

Pop star Peter Andre isn't a hit when it comes to hygiene at his

Sussex cafe. Food standards inspectors award it one star out of

five. And a marathon effort for the

Seagulls supporter planning to run this weekend's Brighton race eight

Good evening. A criminal gang of Romanian gypsy pickpockets who

preyed on sleeping train passengers between London and Kent have been

jailed for 11 years and three months. The Rostas gang were also

claiming benefits during the time they were living in Gravesend.

The family are believed to have stolen hundreds of mobile phones

from commuters. In a moment, we'll bring you an exclusive report from

Romania about how the gang spent their proceeds on building luxury

palaces and top of the range cars. But first Sara Smith reports from

Blackfriars Crown Court. CCTV captures the aftermath of a

failed attempt by the pickpocketing ganged to steal a mobile phone from

a commuter. Glenn Hawkins, travelling from London to

Gillingham, was men -- one of the many targeted. They saw the asleep,

came and put their hand in my pocket and took by phone and when I

woke up, they were leaning over me, going for my other pocket which had

my wallet in. Today, brothers Romulus, Marin Rostas, Robert and

along with their cousin Cornell Rostas was sentenced to 11 years

and three months. They were targeting people travelling from

London to Kent, predominantly double double passenger who was by

their escape through excessive hard work or from drink. Bags full of

mobiles were recovered from the Rostas home in Gravesend. Stolen

phones were sold in this country or shipped to Romania. For 2 and a

half years, the gangs stalk they died services on routes such as

this one into Kent. -- stalked late-night services. They worked in

a co-ordinated manner, maximising opportunities and minimising the

chances of being caught by frequently moving from train to

train. They were caught after being spotted in action by a plainclothes

detective. CCTV filmed them entering and exiting stations when

theft occurred. The gang were convicted of 180 thefts, stealing

property valued at �60,000. In January 2009 and August of last

year. Detectives admit the true value of their crime is likely to

be much greater. At the time, it left me feeling quite shaken up and

quite nervous about getting the train, which should be safe and

fine for me to get home of an evening. These images of expensive

cars and a mansion in Romania were found on the gang's own mobiles.

Now jailed for pickpocketing, they are also being investigated for

benefit fraud. Let's cross live to Sara Smith,

who's at Blackfriars Crown Court. Sara, what did the judge have to

say during sentencing? He said this was a family which had

a deep-rooted criminality and it was clear that they made their

living out of crime. They ran, he said, a well organised, well

regimented criminal enterprise, preying on vulnerable passengers on

late-night trains and marketing the proceeds of their crimes but in

this country and in Romania. The youngest two brothers, just 17 and

18, he said he took no pleasure in giving them custodial sentences but

because of the severity of their crimes, he had no choice.

British Transport Police strongly believe the Rostas gang sent the

proceeds of their crimes- thought to be hundreds of thousands of

pounds - back to Romania. The five family members all come from the

same remote town called Huedin. They own a number of large

properties in the town, including a 16-bedroom palace. Detectives say

they'll now try to confiscate the profits made by the the gang. Our

Home Affairs Correspondent Colin Campbell has been to Romania to

Huedin in northern Romania. The Rostas gang's home town. Amongst

the poverty, there is wealth. There is one coming up here on the left-

hand side. That is owned by the gypsies. It is massive. Career

criminals who operated a massive pickpocketing racket, British

Transport Police strongly believe that Ross -- gang sent the price --

-- the Rostas gang said the proceeds of their crimes back to

Huedin, funded these elaborate bidders. Whilst living in Kent, the

family claimed they were destitute but we have learned this is at

number -- one of the number of properties owned by the family in

Romania. Decorated with Mercedes car emblems, symbolising wealth,

the properties are shared with relatives. Much name is Colin

Campbell, I work for the BBC. -- my name. Nice to meet you.

This man told me he owned the property. He denied being a Rostas

or having any knowledge of the gang's criminality.

For committing crimes against the English people, stealing mobile

phones. Do you know them? No. have never seen these men?

Rostas? You don't know them? Huedin's chief of police did, the

gang left Romania when they were boys, but occasionally be turned,

showing off their wealth and driving around town in BMWs --

occasionally returned. TRANSLATION: One of them has a criminal record

here for stealing a mobile phone from a lawyer two years ago. As for

the crime committed in the UK, I only know what has appeared in the

media. It is in markets like this one

where the gang are sold all of the stolen mobile phones. As we looked

around, became a cross three-bed willing to Salas mobiles, all

sourced from England -- we came across three men all willing to

sell us mobiles. Whilst living in rented accommodation in Gravesend,

the Rostas group claim benefits. It seems it is how they justified

their new-found wealth. The mayor of Huedin said some people they

considered in LED heaven, of where many false of trees. -- England

heaven. TRANSLATION: When they return here, they said because of

the social benefits in the UK, that is how they became wealthy. They

collect a lot of money because they have so many children have they

come back here and build houses. -- Nestling at the bottom of the

Carpathians mountains in the region of Transylvania, Huedin is home to

around 150-200 Romanian gypsy families. Whilst the elders remain

here, younger members head overseas to try and make as much money as

they can. With their gleaming roofs, there are 46 Gypsy and palaces in

Huedin. In the driveways, cars with English and Irish numberplates. --

gypsy owned. But owners don't like their property has been filmed. In

recent years, the town has had a great deal of media attention. Last

year, Panorama tracked the different Romanian gypsy gang who

had been involved in baking back to The question is simple...

Whilst the police suspect the Rostas gang are what that part of a

wider criminal network that spreads across Europe, they will struggle

to find out where the money has gone and which homes they owned in

Huedin. We understand this house is owned

by Romulus Rostas. This man says he owns their house.

Getting to the truth is no easy task. Remember Johne? We eventually

discovered he is a member of the Rostas family.

Then you ask him why he lied to us yesterday?

The house he claimed 20 and actually owns -- belongs to Romulus,

his brother. Although there is no suggestion this man committed any

crime, he continues to insist he owns the property.

British Transport Police say they are seeking to prosecute other

family members and confiscate assets the gang made through crime.

In Huedin, officials say they are trying to curb the exodus of young

Colin Campbell joins us live from outside the home of the Rostas gang

in Gravesend. Colin, what is being done to try to deter this kind of

criminality? Well, the Romanian officials that I

spoke to whilst in Huedin accept that there are parts of the

Romanian community -- Roman community that have been left

marginalised, overlooked if you like, and they say that is their

failing. To try and deter them from coming overseas to England and

other parts of Europe, they are trying to engage with those

communities and ensure they have received a full education and gain

qualifications. Whilst living in Gravesend, the Rostas gang were

claiming benefits. A full investigation, a major

investigation, is under way into alleged benefit fraud now.

In a moment: The blind Sussex judo champion

picked to represent his country in A Kent campaign group is calling

for a public boycott of tomorrow's Grand National horse race. Animal

Aid, based in Tonbridge, says people should donate any cash they

were planning to bet to horse sanctuaries instead.

It follows the death of two horses in the race last year and another

in the second race of the day at Aintree yesterday. Organisers say

the course is the safest it has ever been. You may find some of the

pictures in Jon Hunt's report distressing. It is arguably the

toughest sporting test of man and beast. The Grand National has

always carried risks, but last year, when two horses were put down as

the race diverted past, have sharpened campaign that mines and

called for boycotts of the event. - - campaigners. Last year, a horse

broke its neck and a horse broke its back and I don't know why the

public would want to support such an activity. I think it is because

they have been, over the years, frankly conditioned to think it is

harmless and the marvellous event. What we are asking people to do

this here is the money they would have spent on a wager, to put it to

supporting sanctuaries who care for horses rejected by the industry.

This year, they have modified the course and the entry requirements,

but that did not stop a horse fracturing it laid on the flat

yesterday. Their leader has stumbled. Commentators say Aintree

has done the best they can. Features Broch, jockeys say it is

like jumping off the edge of the world -- features baroque. Now it

is very different, almost flat on the other side. If you lower the

fences too much, the horses go too fast and are more likely to have an

accident. But this century is not in favour of the race at all. They

are concerned about what happens to the horses after they are no longer

race-fit. We get called every day about racehorses all thoroughbreds,

we get so many coming out of the tracks that have no one to go to

and know where to go, but they have to have a lot of work and cost a

lot to keep. Animal Aid say hundreds of horses have died on the

racetrack. They are asking punters to consult their consciences.

We're joined now from Aintree by Nick Luck.

Nick Luck is a racing commentator. Thank you for joining us. What is

your response to the Animal Aid call for a boycott?

It is important to stress it is an animal rights group rather than an

animal where felt group. Everybody in British horse racing is

concerned with animal welfare. You have to look philosophical. I don't

think anyone at Animal Aid Dexia men and animals should have a co-

dependent relationship -- thinks that humans and animals. The Grand

National is a perfectly legitimate shop window for the sport of pays

for it -- horse racing. Yes, it is risky. Last month at Chobham, five

horses died. We have had one bet at Aintree already, but there is not

inevitable at large meetings like this and should and more be done to

make them say that -- his death not inevitable? It is always a

possibility. It is an inherent part of any risky sport. I could not

defend the Grand National unless I was absolutely confident that the

organisers at Aintree and the British horse racing Authority were

doing everything within their power to maintain the safety levels as

high as they possibly can, whilst retaining the unique character of

the race. Aintree has been a sell- out all week and it will be a sell-

out tomorrow. People are voting with their feet. Animal Aid are

asking people to donate to animal welfare charities and I say good,

at donate to them and had a bet, but -- Grand National. You will be

donating twice, because the percentage of the levy from British

horse racing bets goes to animal welfare charities. Racing is very

good at looking after its participants. It is a risky pursuit

but we are aware of the risks. We'll have to leave it there, thank

you very much. Three men have been injured

following a suspected shooting in Gillingham. Police were called to a

car wash in Railway Street at around 12:30 this afternoon, after

one of the men received a serious but non-life threatening injury to

his leg. Detectives are searching for two men who were in the area at

the time. Stressed Londoners are being urged

to quit the rat race and head on down to Folkestone in a new

advertising campaign to be launched by Kent County Council.

With travel times to the capital now under an hour on the high-speed

line, the council believes Folkestone could become a commuter

town for those looking for a better quality of life. It's planning

posters on the Tube and adverts in London papers. But will Londoners

be seduced by the seaside? Simon Jones reports.

Why not trade there for here? That is the message to London as in a

marketing campaign backed by the local MP that good looks something

like this, stressing that with a 55 minute journey time to London,

commuting is a real possibility. There is a temptation, you think we

have a great place to live and we will wait for people to come here

but we have to make the place and bang a drum for Folkestone. Philip

Carter makes that case. One visit and usually people become addicted

to Folkestone, it has that feel about it. This lady has already

traded London for a life by the sea. It was getting a bit like a rat

race in Lewisham. I just felt it was time for me to move. But others

say since its heyday, things have gone downhill. A last time I came

down here I was a teenager, at the funfair and that has gone now.

There is a feeling in Folkestone and that the town has not cashed in

on the benefits of the high-speed train. The campaign will say you

can commute to the capital from here and enjoy the benefits of all

of this. Compared to London, basically there is a lot more that

properties have to offer than in the London market. Your money goes

a lot further, you get a lot more space, more house for the money.

The average house price in Greater London is �406,000. In Folkestone,

it is 192,000. An annual season ticket on a high-speed train will

cost over �5,000. They need to create an engaging social media

campaign where they tackle head on the perception that it is an old

folk's Tad and they need to create new Folkestone. -- town. Mixed use

in London. London is by but at Folkestone is quiet. -- vibrant.

love Kent, I used a had a caravan there. What they want there is the

next generation. Our top story tonight: A criminal

gang of Romanian gypsy pickpockets who preyed on sleeping train

passengers between London and Kent have been jailed for 11 years and

three months. The five members of the Rostas family are believed to

have stolen hundreds of mobile phones from commuters and spent the

proceeds on building luxury palaces in Romania.

Also in tonight's programme: Pop star Peter Andre fails to score

a hit in the hygiene ratings at his Sussex cafe, as food standards

inspectors award it one out of five stars.

And marathon man - the Seagulls fan planning to run this weekend's

Brighton race eight times back to As the countdown continues, more

names have been confirmed this week as to who will represent Team GB in

the 2012 Paralympic games. One of them is 30-year-old Ben Quilter

from Brighton. He lost his sight to a rare genetic disease when he was

just ten. He's now on the hunt to add a Paralympic medal to his

collection. Our Olympics reporter Chrissie Reidy has been to meet him.

Registered blind, 30-year-old Ben Quilter from Brighton has refused

to let anything stand in the wake of his dream. Today, that dream of

representing Team GB in the 20 top Paralympic Games became a reality.

I spot has been pretty Secure, so now it is official and I can tell

people I am part of the scarred for 2012. It is very exciting -- part

of the squad. He took up judo when he was seven. Three years later, he

was diagnosed with a disease that gives him no central vision. It is

the current world No. 1 and world visually impaired studio champion.

He is the first visually impaired British champion for 12 years. This

is him competing at the European Championships in Crawley last

November, where he wiped the floor with his opponents. Something he

hopes to emulate in 2012. By a major goal is to win a medal, but I

would rather it was a gold one and bronze or sell that -- my major

goal. For the first time ever, but the Olympic and Paralympic judo

squads are trading side by side. you get to compete with the best in

the world, fight with the best in the world and it put you in the top

bracket. With more than one million tickets sold to the Paralympic

Games, organisers have 2012 will be an opportunity to change the hip --

perceptions. These are top athletes and people will be amazed by this

year quality of competition. By the numbers of tickets that have been

sold, it is amazing how it has engaged the great British public

and we are going to capitalise on that. As the undefeated judo world

champion in his category for the past two years, Ben is confident

that a 2012 gold medal has his name on it.

Pop star Peter Andre's new cafe, which opened with great fanfare in

East Grinstead just four months ago, has been given just one star out of

five by food standards inspectors. The 39-year-old former husband of

glamour model Jordan opened the New York Coffee Club cafe in November.

But Environmental Health inspectors haven't been impressed. The singer

says the cafe is now up to standard. Lynda Hardy has more.

Known for his music, celebrity Jon Stead the jungle and his ex-wife,

Peter Andre is tried to expand his CV into the world of coffee. After

living with Katie Price near Uckfield, he has now settled in

hope. But it was in East Grinstead, when screaming fans greeted the

opening of his first coffee house in November. I found a lot of the

coffee here was burnt or bitter and I was thinking... Are you

criticising the coffee in East Grinstead? Yes! But a recent

hygiene inspection has only given his shop a poor one out of five

rating. The biggest reason for that is there was a sink out of place.

So within 24 hours, we had the sink in. There was some paperwork that

wasn't up to scratch, that has been rectified. Been there in the shop,

we are always under scrutiny. We try our best in everything we can.

Customers this afternoon were impressed. I really like it, the

stuff is fantastic, they were really friendly staff and we much

prefer it to other shops. It is clean, the staff are radio-friendly

and I just really love it -- a really friendly. The singer turned

businessman will be hoping for a much higher rating of his cafe's

next extension before he opens his second shop in Brighton in June --

next inspection. That was his brother, Danny.

It was. There is a bumper weekend of sport

coming up with important football, cricket, rugby and hockey games

across the south-east. And as if that isn't enough, the

Brighton Marathon takes place on Sunday. Our sports reporter Neil

Bell joins us from the city now. It has been an almost instant

success. Organisers anticipate almost 11,000 people will cross

that finish line at some time on Sunday but the winner being back in

less than 2 1/4 hours. There will be run us from more than

60 countries competing, or at least taking part -- runners. While 40%

will be from Brighton area, the likely winner is almost inevitably

an African. It is my first time in the southern part of the UK, it is

a great opportunity and a great moment to come and have run here,

especially in this great year of the Olympics. It looks likely that

if conditions were as good as the previous two years, several new

record will be set. But for many runners, it is just the thrill of

taking part. I have had a really good things through running

magazines, so I thought I would go for this one -- I have heard ready

good things. This is my 30th. It gives you such a buzz when you

cross the finish line. I was so unfit in my youth, I didn't start

running until I was 47 and it gives me such a thrill to do it.

charities will benefit from the marathon on Sunday but one man is

going that extra mile. Dan Lawson, tell us what you are doing. I am

going to start running eight marathons consecutively, non-stop,

210 miles without a break. He why you doing it for? Albion in the

community and their international projects. If you want to follow the,

you can see me on Twitter. I will be tweeting as I go along. Are you

ready to go? I am ready. OK, off you go.

CHEERING. It is also a crucial weekend for

the south-east football clubs as well. Brighton will take a lot of

fans to east London for their game with fellow promotion rivals West

Ham. The Albion know that they must win to stand any chance of moving

back into the play-off places. League One leaders Charlton will be

promoted tomorrow if they win at Carlisle and rivals Sheffield

Wednesday lose. Five of the club's of supporters have paid for the

club to fly north to give them the best possible chance.

Crawley take on Wimbledon knowing victory could lift them back into

the top three. It is the Reds' first game since the arrival of

Steve Coppell as Director of Football.

Gillingham can give their fast- disappearing promotion hopes a real

boost with victory at rivals Oxford. The Gills go into the game four

points behind Oxford, who currently are in the final play-off position.

Also, a big sporting weekend for Canterbury. The rugby team will

pick up the league title, the hockey players could get promoted.

Thank you very much, Neil. Good luck to everyone taking part in the

borough that and to Dan Lawson, who is already off back row.

I hope the weather will be kind. It will be kinder. The shares will

slowly fade away but don't put the plan said, there will be some frost

around -- share was. High pressure around -- share was. High pressure

to the north-west of us, a run of cold winds in between and after

they moved away, next week, it will change in the weather and it is

going to get wet and windy. We have had a few showers today, one or two

heavy ones with some hail mixed in and they will continue into the

evening. The odd shower could continue right the way through the

night, but most of them will be fading away and the skies will

break-up bid. There will be enough cloud left throughout the night to

a halt temperatures above freezing. -- to hold. They could be the of

light shower first thing tomorrow but they will find a way. -- fade

away. NO-SPACE his dry with a fair bit of cloud but there will be some

good brakes. -- most places dry. What you're about his boast is the

way the cold north-easterly wind picks up. -- what you will notice

the most. Those temperatures low on the East Coast. If you are off to

the Grand National tomorrow, I think the message really is take an

umbrella and wrap up warm, because it is going to be quite chilly. You

know how good I am at forecasting, so these will obviously be the

right ones. By tips for tomorrow. Added their why I have chosen them,

but we can only hope they do well. -- I don't know why. Tomorrow

evening, some frost, and on Sunday evening, some frost, and on Sunday

are mostly dry day with some sunshine and a chilly wind.