0:00:05 > 0:00:06Welcome to South Today.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Coming up: They carried out a five-year campaign of abuse
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Tonight an Oxfordshire couple's jailed for child cruelty.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Could Milton Keynes' bid for European Capital of Culture
0:00:13 > 0:00:17be scuppered by Brexit?
0:00:17 > 0:00:21And, enhanced security or just plain cruel?
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Critics say boarding up shop doorways is a kick in the teeth
0:00:24 > 0:00:34for Oxford's rough sleepers.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Good evening.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38An Oxfordshire couple has been sentenced to a total of 11 years
0:00:38 > 0:00:40behind bars, after being found guilty of multiple
0:00:40 > 0:00:42child abuse charges.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44Lisa Pratt and Andrew Clent from Bampton attacked two children
0:00:44 > 0:00:47over a five-year period.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Jeremy Stern was in court today, and earlier I asked him
0:00:50 > 0:00:53about the background to this case.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Lisa Pratt and Andrew Clent targeted two boys, and the report heard
0:00:56 > 0:01:01they were abused mentally, physically and emotionally.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03One of the boys was strangled with a towel.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Their eating was controlled by Lisa Pratt.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08At times they were force-fed.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Sometimes they were not even allowed to go to the toilet.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14They were also forced to take scalding hot showers and
0:01:14 > 0:01:18they were hit for no reason.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20The list goes on.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26This abuse went on for a long period of time, from 2010 until 2015.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29It all came to a head at a family barbecue, where a neighbour
0:01:29 > 0:01:31saw Lisa Pratt attack a third boy.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36The NSPCC described this as a horrendous case.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39This sustained abuse and neglect over a period of a
0:01:39 > 0:01:44number of years can have a devastating effect on children.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46We know from talking to children, young
0:01:46 > 0:01:49people who have been abused, that they will often say
0:01:49 > 0:01:52the physical abuse they can recover from quite
0:01:52 > 0:01:54quickly, but it is the emotional effects that have the
0:01:54 > 0:01:56lasting impact.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58What did the judge say?
0:01:58 > 0:02:01The judge also talked about the emotional impact
0:02:01 > 0:02:03that this had on the victims.
0:02:03 > 0:02:08She said...
0:02:17 > 0:02:18Lisa Pratt was sentenced to seven years
0:02:18 > 0:02:24in prison, Andrew Clent to four years.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Next tonight, just a week before the winner
0:02:26 > 0:02:28was due to be announced, Milton Keynes has been kicked out
0:02:28 > 0:02:30of the competition to be the European Capital
0:02:30 > 0:02:33of Culture in six years' time.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36The title brings great economic benefits, and Milton Keynes
0:02:36 > 0:02:40was one of five places in the UK under consideration.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42But now the European Commission has told them they'll no longer
0:02:42 > 0:02:45be allowed to continue because of Brexit.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Mike Cartwright explains.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Celebrations of Milton Keynes's 50th.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53A party that they hoped would carry on.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58Milton Keynes shortlisted for Euro capital of culture 2023.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02A title putting culture at its centre.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06Celebrating what is already here and what is to come.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09£150,000 spent on the bid.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12But after months of planning and excitement, today
0:03:12 > 0:03:15learning they would no longer be considered because of Brexit.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18For the Council, a bitter blow.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20It is hugely disappointing.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23I think there was a real desire in the city and people
0:03:23 > 0:03:31were quite excited about becoming European capital of culture.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33It is a loss to the city, all that economic
0:03:33 > 0:03:34development it would bring in.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36And all the jobs it would have created.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Milton Keynes' bid went in along with five other British entries.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Why has the commission waited 17 months
0:03:40 > 0:03:42to let people know?
0:03:42 > 0:03:43That public money would clearly not have been
0:03:43 > 0:03:47invested if people had known that there was no point
0:03:47 > 0:03:49in putting a bid together because the European
0:03:49 > 0:03:51Commission is going to say, you can't enter.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53A fallout from Brexit the council here say they
0:03:53 > 0:03:56never expected.
0:03:56 > 0:04:05Now, not withdrawing their bid, hoping a compromise can be found.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07An international cosmetics company has apologised to the homeless
0:04:07 > 0:04:11people of Oxford, after they boarded up their shop front.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14When Lush and Next relocated to the Westgate Centre,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17two properties in Cornmarket street had their entrances sealed off,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20a move the Green Party has called 'cruel.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23It comes as the latest figures show the number of rough sleepers
0:04:23 > 0:04:25in Oxford has almost doubled.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27In the latest street count, 61 people were found
0:04:27 > 0:04:30sleeping on the streets.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32That's compared to 33 last year.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35The City Council has admitted it did raise concerns
0:04:35 > 0:04:37with the managers of both properties over anti-social behaviour
0:04:37 > 0:04:40outside their stores.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44Matt Graveling has been investigating.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46It's a kick in the teeth, I think
0:04:46 > 0:04:49if you were sleeping on the streets at the moment and you woke up
0:04:49 > 0:04:52on Monday and Tuesday and saw this, I think you'd feel the tide
0:04:52 > 0:04:53was against you.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55This doorway is often used as a shelter for Oxford's
0:04:56 > 0:04:57homeless community.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59But now, as stores relocate to the new Westgate Centre,
0:04:59 > 0:05:01they are being blocked off.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03The manager of this property, previously occupied by Next,
0:05:03 > 0:05:09said his boards were for security reasons.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Nobody would suggest for a moment that sleeping, living
0:05:11 > 0:05:15in a doorway is an ideal solution but for many people here out
0:05:16 > 0:05:17on the streets at the moment
0:05:17 > 0:05:19there isn't another option on the table, and I'm sure
0:05:19 > 0:05:22there are ways of securing these buildings without actually closing
0:05:22 > 0:05:25up the whole shop front.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29The issue of homelessness has never been far from the headlines.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32In December last year, a group of homeless people moved
0:05:32 > 0:05:35into an empty car showroom owned by the university but
0:05:35 > 0:05:37were later evicted.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41They occupied a further two empty buildings before being moved on.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Then in February, City councillor John Tanner came under fire
0:05:43 > 0:05:46for branding Oxford's homeless people "a disgrace".
0:05:46 > 0:05:48He has since apologised.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51And then in July, the City council pinned
0:05:51 > 0:05:54notices to sleeping bags, warning of fines if possessions
0:05:54 > 0:05:55were left in doorways.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58A petition against the policy followed, and it's now under review.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00This latest development continues to divide opinion
0:06:00 > 0:06:04in the city centre.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07If they are leaving a mess, which they do most of the time,
0:06:07 > 0:06:08I don't agree with it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I say generally people, European people are more
0:06:10 > 0:06:12aloof about caring towards others.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15My thought is that it would be better if the council could find
0:06:15 > 0:06:19some kind of housing for them.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21The city council insist they did not instruct either store
0:06:21 > 0:06:23to board up their doorways.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25They didn't raise concerns about the homeless but about individuals
0:06:25 > 0:06:29taking drugs and leaving needles on private land.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33They suggested taking out injunctions against those involved.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36But an email from a city council official, seen by the BBC and sent
0:06:36 > 0:06:41to agents acting on behalf of one of the stores, said...
0:06:52 > 0:06:54Lush have since apologised to the homeless of Oxford for making
0:06:54 > 0:06:57one less place of safety for them and will be removing
0:06:57 > 0:06:58the hoarding immediately.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Matt Graveling, BBC South Today
0:07:01 > 0:07:03They may say they're just doing their job,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06but Thames Valley Police officers who helped solve two high profile
0:07:06 > 0:07:10murder cases last year have just been commended for their work.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Chief Constable Francis Habgood gave out the awards to staff,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15who helped to investigate the murder of antiques dealer
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Adrian Greenwood in Oxford, and the killing of mother-of-three
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Natalie Hemming in Milton Keynes.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24Sarah Lowden has more.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26In April last year, the body of Adrian Greenwood
0:07:26 > 0:07:29was found slumped in his hallway.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The 42-year-old had been stabbed 16 times.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34The Oxford book dealer was well-known for buying
0:07:34 > 0:07:37and selling first editions.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40His killer - Michael Danaher - had found out
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Mr Greenwood had a rare copy of The Wind in the Willows,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46worth £50,000.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48He murdered Mr Greenwood, while stealing the book
0:07:48 > 0:07:51which he later tried to sell.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Danaher got a life sentence.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55And although he wasn't previously known to the police,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57these officers tracked him down in four days,
0:07:57 > 0:08:02tracing Mr Greenwood's phone, which Danaher had also stolen.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06They've now been commended for their work.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11An exceptional sentence of 34 years shows the effort that went into it.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14But more rewardingly, we got justice for Adrian's family
0:08:14 > 0:08:19and that's what drives us every time we come to work.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21In May last year Thames Valley Police were involved
0:08:21 > 0:08:24in one of their biggest ever missing person searches.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Natalie Hemming hadn't been seen for three weeks.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30The mother-of-three's partner, Paul Hemming,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33was physically and mentally abusive.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35He had killed her in the family home,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39the children asleep upstairs.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43It was a complicated case, involving an extensive search.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Paul Hemming had dumped her body 30 miles
0:08:45 > 0:08:49away, all the while denying he'd hurt Natalie.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Natalie was reported missing on 3rd May.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53He went out on 2nd May to a zoo on the second
0:08:53 > 0:08:55of May with the children -
0:08:55 > 0:08:57leading what could appear to be, to anyone else,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00a normal regular life.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04At that time he had disposed of Natalie in woodland.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Hemming is serving a life sentence in prison.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08And these police staff have been recognised for helping
0:09:08 > 0:09:09to bring him to justice.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11We've got some really fantastic people who are doing
0:09:12 > 0:09:13some extraordinary things
0:09:13 > 0:09:23and it's brilliant that we recognise them publiclically.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26That's it from us for now.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28We're back on BBC Breakfast tomorrow morning.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Alexis Green is next with your weather, but from everyone
0:09:30 > 0:09:32on the late team, goodnight.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33Hello, good evening.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35We did have some sunny spells today, some patchy
0:09:35 > 0:09:38rain, but more rain is arriving overnight, in many places we have
0:09:38 > 0:09:39seen the rain.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42It will clear during the early hours of the morning, and
0:09:42 > 0:09:45once it does we will have clearing skies, temperatures could fall away
0:09:45 > 0:09:47to around three or four Celsius in the countryside.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51A mainly dry and slightly cloudy start to the day tomorrow.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54The cloud will disappear south and eastwards, and we will see
0:09:54 > 0:09:56some sunny spells.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58There is the risk of the odd isolated shower, but most
0:09:58 > 0:10:00places will stay dry and temperatures tomorrow
0:10:00 > 0:10:02afternoon in the sunshine with light winds will
0:10:02 > 0:10:06reach a high of 7-8 Celsius.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Slightly below the seasonal average by three or four Celsius.
0:10:10 > 0:10:11Through the course of tomorrow night, under clearing
0:10:11 > 0:10:14skies, risk of frost first thing on Saturday.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Also the chance of a wintry shower tomorrow night and
0:10:16 > 0:10:19through the day on Saturday.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21If you catch a wintry shower, you may have
0:10:21 > 0:10:24a little bit of sleet, snow or even hail mixed in.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26That cold air is coming straight in from the
0:10:26 > 0:10:31north-west, making it feel bitterly cold.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34A high on Saturday of just 6-7 Celsius.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37A cold day on Saturday and also on Sunday.
0:10:37 > 0:10:38Over the weekend, temperatures drop below their
0:10:38 > 0:10:42seasonal average by 5-6 Celsius.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Out in the open, with that north-westerly breeze, it will
0:10:45 > 0:10:47feel bitterly cold.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Looking ahead to the rest of the week.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Tomorrow, after a cloudy start, it will brighten up.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55The risk of an isolated shower, also the risk of a wintry shower over
0:10:55 > 0:11:02the weekend, with a high on Saturday of just five Celsius.