27/11/2013 South Today

That is all from the News At Six, goodbye

Hello, I'm Sally Taylor. Welcome to South Today. In tonight's programme:

Too lenient ` the Court of Appeal almost doubles the prison sentence

on the drunk youth who left this man with permanent brain injuries. This

is one of the most serious cases of grievous bodily harm that we have

seen. A tragic accident ` the woman who

died in a head`on crash with a school bus.

Lose the degree you fought so hard for ` the job`seeking advice given

to this woman. And the poignant play on a platform

` the story of wartime evacuees finds an unusual stage. If the

Kindertransport had not existed, we would not be here, and I would

absolutely say that without it, my mother and her two sisters would not

have survived the Holocaust. A teenager convicted of leaving an

innocent man with brain damage for life has had his prison sentence

almost doubled. Andrew Toseland had asked a group to stop making noise

outside his flat in Gosport. Samuel Armstrong kicked and repeatedly

stamped on Mr Toseland's head. The Solicitor General took the case to

the Appeal Court today, arguing successfully that the sentence was

unduly lenient. Our home affairs correspondent Alex Forsyth reports.

On their way home to Gosport after a day in court. For Andrew Toseland's

family, the legal process is over. But they continue to live with the

devastating consequences of an attack which changed all their lives

forever. Rather than living, no, he is more existing. You do get

glimpses of the old Andrew, but day`to`day, it is heartbreaking when

you go up and see him. Andrew Toseland was beaten outside his home

in August last year after asking a group of noisy youths to be quiet.

He was in a coma for two months, and will need constant care for the rest

of his life. It's never going to go away. Andrew is in this situation,

and we will do our best to make that as comfortable as we can. However,

it will be on the back of her remains for the rest of our lives.

19`year`old Brandon Fisher was jailed for 20 27 months his part.

Samuel was also jailed. At the Court of Appeal, Armstrong's centres was

doubled to nine years. This is one of the most serious cases of

grievous bodily harm with intent that we have ever come across. A

man's life has been ruined. I felt that the sentence of just over five

years was not adequate. It was a gross error. Here in Gosport,

Armstrong's increased sentence has been welcomed. This was an

unspeakably violent crime. Whatever age and level of maturity you are,

you have to understand that that is completely unacceptable, and we have

to send a message out to others that that level of violence will not be

tolerated in our daily life. Mr toes lend's family have all `` Andrew

Toseland's family say they still grieve. It is like leaving for him

every day, but he's still alive. A man described as the architect of

a scheme to bring drugs into Britain hidden inside furniture has been

jailed for 23 years. Alan Sibley never did an honest day's work in

his life, according to police. Even while he was on the run from prison,

a court heard he'd lived a life of luxury.

On the run and living it up. Alan Sibley, pictured here with his

partner in crime, Nigel Franks, was already a convicted drug dealer and

should have been in prison, rather than partying in Mexico. He'd walked

out of Ford Open Prison less than halfway through a ten year sentence

for dealing cocaine. Making his way through France and Spain, he arrived

in Mexico, and was soon back in business ` the only business he

knew. He is a greedy man. He is a man who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle.

I think he's a man who thought labels were important. And a man who

never did an honest day's work. He lived entirely off the proceeds of a

very serious and dangerous drug dealing lifestyle. Police tipped off

by the authorities in the US seized items like this sink. Concealed

inside them was almost ?1 million of virtually pure cocaine. When they

raided the home of Nigel Franks, who they had been sent to, the man who

first put Sibley away was shocked to find an envelope of passport

photographs taken in Mexico. I can remember speaking to officers at the

scene and saying, "You won't believe this, but I know this man, and it's

Alan Sibley." Judge Peter Moss described Sibley as a kingpin in the

drugs trade, heading up the operation in Mexico and working

closely with the drug cartels out there. He was, in his words, a dyed

in the wool committed drug dealer, involved in what the judge said was

a filthy trade which caused misery to many people in this country.

Sibley was jailed for 22 years for conspiracy to import drugs, and a

further 12 months for absconding from his earlier sentence. Neither

of those two terms will commence until he has finished his original

sentence in December next year. This means he will be well into his 60s

before he walks out of prison again. Pupils have been reliving the moment

when their school coach collided head`on with a car near Wimborne. 26

of the pupils from Queen Elizabeth School suffered minor injuries. An

inquest heard how the driver of the car, 23`year`old Sophie Crew from

Wareham, died of her injuries. Briony Leyland reports from

Bournemouth Coroners' Court. It had started as an ordinary

journey to school, but changed in an instant. 45 pupils from Queen

Elizabeth School in Wimborne were on board Seaview coach when it collided

head`on with a Mini on the rural B3078. The driver of the Mini,

Sophie Crew, was 23 and worked for Wessex Water. She died of severe

brain injuries in hospital. 26 of the pupils suffered minor injuries.

Today, some of them came to Bournemouth Coroner's Court to share

their memories of that day in June. 18`year`old Thomas Mills was sitting

right behind the coach driver. He described seeing a Mini on the side

of the road, and then hearing a scream and then a loud crash. Twins,

Chloe and Oliver Gisborne also saw the Mini. Chloe felt glass hitting

her and covered her face with her hand. The coach driver, Christopher

Tomlin, said he saw the Mini as he came round the bend, and pulled to

the left, but there was nowhere to go, and he could not avoid the

collision. The coach hit a tree and telephone pole. The coroner

concluded Sophie Crew's car had been on the wrong side of the road. At

the point of impact, perhaps no more than a foot, but because of the

width of the coach, which almost entirely filled that side of the

road, there was no room for manoeuvre. He recorded a verdict of

accidental death, extending his condolences to the family. Sophie's

family were too upset to speak after the inquest, so a police officer

read out their tribute. Sophie's tragic death has affected so many

people, as she embraced every aspect of life, and was such a vibrant and

enthusiastic individual. As a family, we have received hundreds of

letters showing not only peoples' condolences, but expressing how

Sophie positively enriched their lives and supported them through

challenging times. The driver of the coach told the inquest he has driven

coaches since, but it was a traumatic event which he thinks

about every day and every night. Following her death, Sophie's family

donated her organs. Eight lives have been saved as a result.

Being able to speak a foreign language can be an advantage in the

job market. But there's been a drop in the number of students taking

modern foreign language degrees. Some subjects are booming. For

example, 5000 more students chose business courses this year compared

to 2009. But only 4000 students were accepted onto European languages

courses across the country this year, down from 4500 in 2009. With

fewer students, there are also fewer modern European language degrees on

offer in Britain. Katy Austin has been to see how one firm is trying

to get more students studying languages.

This mock trial shows how some British lawyers use foreign

languages in their day to day work. But the students taking part are

among a declining number. Take`up of modern foreign languages at A`level

is at its lowest level since the '90s. The knock`on effect for

further education is fewer courses on offer. The number of universities

offering German degrees has halved in 15 years, and 50% fewer are

offering French. Speaking from a language conference in Berlin, an

expert told us he is worried. British graduates are not coming

forward with enough of those skills to compete. We are losing out. We

are not able to get the top jobs in international organisations or able

to get the interesting international jobs in this country, because we

don't have the language and cultural skills test drive in a global

market. `` to thrive. Research by the British Council has shown

employers think language skills are important, but perceive a lack of

them in potential recruits. Employers in the South want to

encourage more young people to learn languages. Today's mock trial was

set up for local sixth formers by the Solent Education Business

Partnership and a law firm, using a fictional case similar to the trial

over the wrecking of the Costa Concordia. They want to give

students a taste of how a modern language degree could help them in

their careers. We are dealing with solicitors from different

jurisdictions, and documents coming in in all manner of languages, so

it's really useful for us that people who work with us have a least

one of the languages. It's really positive. The cost of language

degrees is one reason so many have been cut, but some employers would

like to see more students with specialist language skills.

Still to come in this evening's South Today: The teenager looking

for his big break in the world of professional snooker.

A woman from Portsmouth says Jobcentre staff told her to remove

her degree from her CV, to avoid 'scaring off' employers if she

hadn't found a job in social care after 13 weeks. Rachel Sawford

escaped an abusive relationship to get her qualification in Social

Work, and saw it as a stepping stone to getting her dream job. Ena Miller

has been to meet her. It took four years and cost ?30,000,

but Rachel Sawford was proud to get her degree in social work. Amazing.

It was just one of the best feelings ever. To think that I had achieved

it and got there, what I set out to do. But when she handed in her CV to

her local job centre, staff told her she would be more employable if she

didn't mention her qualification. Being told that I would have to

amend this from my CV, I was just angry. I was frustrated and felt

that my degree was worthless. A statement from the Department for

Work and Pensions said: One careers group believes this was

well`meaning advice delivered in the wrong way. When it comes for

applying for any job, you need to tailor your application to what they

are looking for, so that means in certain circumstances, you may need

to emphasise and flag up certain bits of your history or your work

experience that, for another job, you might not bring to the fore. And

that certainly goes for your educational background as well. CVs

from the job centre land on this recruitment consultant's desk every

week. I think that's the wrong advice to give. That gives the wrong

message for people applying. It shows continuity, dedication,

passion towards something. It shows you've actually been sort of

continuous in what you want to do, and committed to something. If you

haven't done that, the first question I would ask if I didn't see

that would be, "What have you been doing? Where have you been for the

last two years, three years?" I went to university with a hope of

specialising in domestic violence, so my degree is my stepping stone to

get my dream job. Rachel has no plans to remove the qualification

that she worked so hard for. And you've been telling us what you

think about this On Facebook, Emily Sombillo said:

Thank you for all your comments. We always like to get them.

It's an episode in British history the nation can be proud of, but it's

something of which many people are unaware. In the months leading up to

the outbreak of the Second World War, the country took in thousands

of Jewish refugee children. The Kinder transport trains started

arriving in 1938, and to mark the 75th anniversary of the first

transport, a play is being staged at Southampton railway station. Jo Kent

is live there for us tonight. Well, today, Southampton Railway

Station has been turned into a theatre. They have had to

performances, and I third starts in half an hour. It has been

interesting seeing how commuters have engaged with it. For those who

don't get to start, there was an opportunity to listen to a very

poignant story. Nearly 10,000 came, fleeing

persecution in Nazi Europe ` their families waved them off to the

promise of safe sanctuary in Britain. Most of the children never

saw their parents again. My father walked up and down the platform with

me, telling me that I could never lie and steal, and that I should

clean my teeth every day. When the train started moving out of the

station, I saw my mother biting her lips, and tears flowing down her

cheeks, and I realised this was something very serious. The play

tells the story through a series of vignettes, the audience moving

around the station to encounter different characters. It was written

and produced by two sisters whose mother was another Kindertransport

child. My grandmother, and he would be my uncle, Max, they were gassed

at Auschwitz, pretty much on arrival, and my grandfather was

moved on to Dachau, and he died there in January 1945. So, yes. I

mean, I think the point for us is that, without the Kindertransport,

my mother and her sisters would certainly have died. There is a

sense in which people don't know much about the story. I think we

were quite surprised, because I think there is part of it that is

about saying to people, there is a part of our history that was about

welcoming children and finding homes for them. While some of the audience

have tickets, others are just ordinary rail passengers, and if

they're looking slightly confused and bewildered, that's all part of

the plan. An echo of how those children were feeling 75 years ago.

It's quite unique and different. Quite interesting. It's obviously

very good. They will remember this, as opposed to being told something

in a classroom. It's 75 years since the first refugees came ` in sad and

dark times, thousands of young lives saved. It's just a miracle that I

was saved. That my parents, they had the courage to send me to an unknown

country, to unknown people, and the English people, the British people,

for opening their homes to so many children.

The same behind me as the railway worker collecting money for the

children. People are always rushing through stations, so it is not clear

if anyone saw it having been here to catch up train. It would perhaps

give passengers something to reflect upon as they embark on their own

journeys. An innovative way of telling a

really important story, isn't it? On two sports. What is happening with

Pompey? Have they got a manager? Not yet. We spoke to them last night,

but they have had a TCP is. The Crawley manager, who knows the

Pompey executives, he has been sacked by Crawley, so that as a

potential development. We will wait and see. Probably a week to go.

More than 13,000 turned out at Fratton Park last night, as the club

began life after sacked boss Guy Whittingham. Club stalwart Andy

Awford took temporary charge, and that's where Adam Blackmore begins

his Football League round`up. Portsmouth missed a great

opportunity to end the losing sequence that cost Guy Whittingham

his job. Andy Awford's caretaker reign got off to a flyer. Just 90

seconds were on the clock when Andy Barcham found the top corner. Pompey

missed a string of chances, but had their hopes of victory boosted when

Southend's Cauley Woodrow was sent off on 65 minutes. The red card

merely inspired the visitors, though, with two goals in six

minutes consigning Pompey to a fifth straight loss. We've missed chances

tonight, proper chances. However, I've just explained to the players

that when you're winning 1`0 and you miss chances, you have to stay

concentrating and make sure that we win 1`0. Oxford United remain on top

of League Two on goal difference, despite being held to a stalemate by

Newport. The Welsh visitors came closest to snatching a point late on

through Christian Jolley. There was also a goalless draw for Swindon in

League One. Nicky Ajose's effort the closest they came. While MK Dons

boss Karl Robinson declared himself "disgusted and absolutely

embarrassed," after his side's 3`1 defeat at Colchester. The Dons' goal

through Jordan Spence proved a minor consolation.

One other football line ` Bournemouth have extended the loan

of goalkeeper Lee Camp from West Brom until the 1st of January. Elite

League speedway champions the Poole Pirates have made their first

signing for their 2014 team line`up. 23`year`old Australian Josh

Grajczonek was a key part of the Pirates' title`winning side last

year, and has moved to Dorset on a full transfer from Premier league

club Glasgow. Long`serving London Irish winger

Topsy Ojo has signed a new three`year contract with the club.

Ojo will make his 200th appearance for the Reading`based Exiles this

weekend. He's extended his stay at Irish through until the summer of

2017. They say if you're good enough,

you're old enough. And in Shane Castle's case that definitely rings

true. The 15`year`old snooker player from Southampton has qualified for

the UK Championship, and will make his debut on Saturday. He's been

drawn against the small matter of the defending champion. I've been

along to catch up with Shane's preparations.

At a snooker club on the outskirts of Southampton, Shane Castle is

focusing on his big break. After considerable success at amateur

level, he was getting his first taste of the bright lights of a

professional tournament. Shane's first round opponent is the current

world number two, Mark Selby. It's the biggest experience you can get.

Mark is one of the best players in the world, and has won a lot this

year, but I'm going to see if I can beat him. He has been potting balls

since he has big enough `` was big enough to reach the table. I was

seven, when I first started, I started in an under sevens

tournament, and I got picked up. We practised round here, and he's

always been a great power talent. Shane's family took the decision to

withdraw home from school to pursue his dream. He has been compared to

Ronnie O'Sullivan who turned professional at 16 and on the title

at 17. That is too soon for a shame, but his ambitions are unequivocal.

World champion, that is the dream. For the teenager, he is taking this

all in his stride. I treated like a normal, amateur match, if I can, but

I'm looking forward to it. Good luck, it's a big match for him.

Fingers crossed! Let's take a look at the weather. It is a bit group

today, isn't it? Yes, it has been about measurable,

but on Friday, we have some fresher conditions. We have some beautiful

pictures. Roy Venkatesh sent in this beautiful photo of a robin at Fleet

Pond. The skies may be grey, but Adrian Williamson captured a splash

of colour in Cosham. And a flawless reflection on the River Itchen.

Robert Stidworthy sent that one in ` thank you.

Robert Stidworthy sent that one in So let alone the grey and gloomy

side tonight and tomorrow, and we stick with cloudy skies and dampness

here and there. This might remain overnight with some patchy mist. It

will be a little bit of Joss alternate, with a damp feel to

things, but most will double up to higher ground into the early hours

of tomorrow morning. Temperatures were home at around five or six

degrees. `` will hold at five or six degrees. They will be some limited

brightness, so if you see some glimmers of sunshine, you will be

lucky. Later Grady elsewhere, and some suspects of light rain and

drizzle. Temperatures peaking at nine or 10 degrees, and a very

gentle breeze. Tomorrow night, I repeat performance of tonight. Some

dampness and patchy mist, with temperatures similar. As we head to

Friday, it changes a little. We have this weather front working its way

south words, reaching last around about the middle part of the

morning, and we will see the wind is picking up. Tightly packed isobars

with pressure returning to us over the weekend. The conference will

sweep through, with cloudiness and dampness easing away and we will

have some brighter skies. It will feel fresh with the north`westerly

breeze and temperatures will be around 10 degrees. Your summary for

the coming days, a bit of it will be on tomorrow with Friday starting

with client and brightening, and the weekend will start freshly but it

will cloud with client and brightening, and the

weekend will start freshly but over on Friday. Thank you very much,

Sarah. A giant dinosaur skeleton which last

roamed Earth more than 150 million years ago has been fetched ?400,000

at auction. The 55ft specimen of the long`necked diplodocus went under

the hammer at Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst, West Sussex. The

sale of the female skeleton, 19ft tall and nicknamed "Misty," was the

first UK auction of a large dinosaur skeleton.

Duncan Kennedy was at the sale. Proof that age and beauty do next.

150 million years old, and not a drop of Botox insight. The that

would focus. She was thought to be the first almost complete skeleton

ever to be auctioned in Britain. Who will claim her? We will start the

bidding at ?280,000. An antique of such extreme vintage soon attracted

bidders from around the world. They were all clean to reclaim for to

what was a docile giant. At ?400,000, I'm selling. At ?400,000.

And, sold. Thank you very much. With tax and commission, the total rises

to nearly ?500,000. But when I named institution, who will put it on

public display. Why are people prepared to pay for this? Because it

is a truly tremendous object and there are only a handful of complete

skeletons. The chance to buy one simply doesn't happen very often.

This is what she would have looked like during the Jurassic period.

That little diplodocus like this were the heaviest that ever

existed. She has lost none of her unique value, and it almost

?500,000, she has not only amazed audiences here, but dinosaur

aficionados the world over. Her new owners will be guaranteed an epic

presence. This most feminine of fossils, for collectors, a dinosaur

to die for. That's good, isn't it, she will be

on show! That's it from us. Thanks for watching. Good night.