09/04/2014 South Today

Good evening, you are watching South Today. On the programme tonight.

A Miller's tale of war. In Basingstoke, Maria Miller's

opponents are circling, smelling Brad. `` blood. The people running

the country needs to be squeaky`clean. She had to go. A man

serving life for a murder he says he'd did not commit fails to have

his conviction quashed. She nearly lost her sight in a dog

attack and this family want to know why the dog is still roaming the

neighbourhood. I thought, I need to take action in case another child is

hurt. The Cherries hold the Royals'

progress in the race for the play`offs. `` halt.

She says she jumped and was not pushed. After battling it out for

six days, the Basingstoke MP Maria Miller resigned from the Cabinet

this morning in the wake of the uproar about her expenses. The row

was showing no sign of abating and Mrs Miller says it became too much

of a distraction. I take full responsibility for my

decision to resign. I think it is the right thing to do. I want to

remove what has become an unhelpful and very difficult distraction for

colleagues. While her resignation has eased the

pressure on her party nationally, what will it mean for her job

prospects as a local MP? Although Mrs Miller had an increased majority

at the last election, her political opponents in the Basingstoke

constituency feel she is vulnerable. Last night Labour held a rally in

the town and tonight UKIP members are gathering in Old Basing. Our

political editor Peter Henley is there for us tonight.

This was the sort of area where you used to be able to way conservative

votes. That has all changed. Very few former Conservative supporters

support her now. The crowd is waiting for the arrival of Nigel

Farage, trying to capitalise on the situation, identified by local

Conservative MPs. If the public is to have respect for politicians, the

source of information they receive has to be fair and reliable, and

that is not the case today. We have seen that with Maria Miller, it was

not fair, not accurate. What about the other political parties? Paul

Harvey from Labour, you are going to be able to do something surely with

this feeling that expenses is toxic, but could it hit you as well?

The mood on the `` the doorstep is focused on what Maria has done, and

she has done the right thing by resigning. People want to see their

politicians doing the right things for their constituents. The Lib Dems

used to be able to say they were the local alternative. Now you are in

government, is that still the case? I think this is a distraction from

what is really happening, and that is, can we provide affordable

housing and bus lanes? There is certainly a lot of public interest

in politics. This arts centre in the middle of

Basingstoke was opened by Maria Miller last year. A big supporter of

local projects, she has championed such causes as culture Secretary and

the town's MP. She has been extremely supportive, she opened the

crash space, and she has been engaged with pretty much everything

we have asked her to. Recent events have seen a change not just in the

political landscape but also the opinions of her constituents. I

think she has done the right thing in resigning because we have to put

a stop to this behaviour, the way they think they can get away with

this almost like fraud. We are expected to be honest so the people

running the country need to be squeaky`clean. She had to go. The

fact that she took the money and also the fact that she did not

apologise sincerely, I just hope she retires as the MP as well! Maria

Miller had written a column for the local newspaper, saying she was

sorry for letting everybody down. The fast pace of this story means

that before the paper hits the stands the front page will need a

rewrite. The voters are casting around for an

eternity of. Is it UKIP and the local elections in May? Ray Finch is

the leader of UKIP on the county council. You are just a political

party like the others, you have expenses as well. Why should people

come to you? Do you want to know how much expenses we have claimed on the

council. To the average penny it is nothing. Nigel Farage in Europe has

been taking as much money as everybody else and he is now part of

the political establishment. He takes exactly what he is entitled

to. That is what Maria Miller said. Then why is she having to give some

back? That is the view here from UKIP and

the other parties. Interesting times in politics.

A Dorset man's last ditch attempt to get his murder conviction quashed by

arguing another killer was responsible has failed. 26`year`old

Korean language student Jong Ok`Shin, who was known as Oki, was

found stabbed to death in Bournemouth in 2002. Omar Benguit,

from Bournemouth, was jailed in 2005 for her murder. Benguit was found

guilty after three criminal trials. Juries in the first two were unable

to reach a verdict. His lawyers argued another man killed Oki but

today the Appeal Court ruled there was not the evidence to point at

another suspect or to suggest the original conviction was unsafe. Alex

Forsyth reports. When Omar Benguit's family went to

court two weeks ago by had hoped to convince judges an innocent man is

in jail but their hopes were ` today. It is another blow in a long

legal fight since he was convicted nine years ago. We do the term as

well, but outside prison. The family get sentenced as well. Benguit was

convicted in 2005 of the murder of a Korean language student, Jong

Ok`Shin. She came to Bournemouth to study. These are the last pictures

of her alive. She was stabbed in the street after a night out. The random

murder rocked the community. 12 years later people still remember.

The police stopped me because they had the road shut off and I had to

go all the way round and park down the road and they escorted me in and

told me what had happened. It was a shock. It was a great shock to us

all on somebody as beautiful as that. After it happened, Oki's

family flew from Korea to leave for help in catching their daughter's

killer. A major manhunt led to the arrest and eventual conviction of

Omar Benguit and Dorset police remain convinced he is the right

man. It was a difficult case where the evidence was thoroughly tested

by all parties. It has gone before the criminal Case review committee,

the Court of Appeal twice. Everybody is satisfied with the evidence

presented before the jury and that it is a safe conviction. Lawyers

have continued to argue his innocence. They argue another man

could read the real culprit. This man lived streets away from Oki and

he has since been convicted of murdering two women. Judges in the

put `` the Court of Appeal say there are too many differences in the

murders for him to be an eternity of suspect. He did not know Jong

Ok`Shin, the attack was not meticulously planned and there were

key each in the way the bodies of his victims were left which were not

present in this case. Today Omar Benguit's conviction was upheld by

senior judges. They said there were no grounds on which it was an say,

to the surprise of his supporters. I am very upset. I know the family are

devastated. It took three trials to convicted Omar. This is his second

appeal. It has taken the form of a major miscarriage of justice. For

Jong Ok`Shin's family, it is another legal landmark in this sad case.

Was there any substance to this appeal? Yes, there was some

credibility. An official body thought there were grounds and they

had the backing of criminologists who pulled apart the case against

Omar Benguit. But the Court of Appeal judges dismissed not just the

request meant that the other man was responsible but also that the key

prosecution witness was unreliable. This is very difficult for

Benguit's family and they say they will fight on but it is more

difficult for Jong Ok`Shin's family, because at the heart of this is

their daughter who was murdered. Still to come, something to chew

over. Dorset Cereals says a number of buyers are interested in the

business. A young girl from Hampshire has

suffered serious facial injuries after being bitten by a neighbour's

dog. The 10`year`old was playing in her front garden in the New Forest

when she was set upon. Now her father has asked why the German

Shepherd crossbreed, which he calls a dangerous dog, is still on the

streets. With more, here's Frankie Peck.

Lucy underwent a 90 minute operation that required 11 stitches after she

was bitten by the neighbour's dog. My daughter and stepdaughter came

out to play and they asked if they could stroke the dog and the owner

said it was fine. As she was stroking the dog, suddenly the dog

attacked her, biting her. It happened in a split second. The

ramifications are that she will have permanent scarring. Lucy sustained

four punchier wounds, with one below her arrive. Her father says the

police response has been too slow. I wish it had been taken more

seriously. You don't ever want your child bitten but you naturally think

that if she is bit under police will react immediately. Hampshire police

have said the investigations are ongoing. We approached the owner of

the dog but did not get a response. I think the best thing to do for the

protection of the public is if the animal is put to sleep. For Lucy,

the experience has made her more wary of strange dogs but `` strange

dogs. But it has not stopped her getting a get well card all from her

own dog, Max. `` get well card `` cuddle.

The president of the National Farmers' Union has been in Dorset

today. He says his members feel let down and angry after plans to extend

the cull of badgers to the county were stopped. Last week independent

assessment of the two pilot culls found they had not killed a number

of badgers they planned to. And questions were raised about how

humane their methods were. Opponents say other measures to combat TB such

as vaccinating badgers need to be pursued instead. Briony Leyland

reports. Father and son Paul and Andrew are

bracing themselves for a tough week ahead. In a few days a quarter of

the herd will have to be slaughtered because of TB, including all 31 of

these pregnant cows. Paul believes badgers are to blame. It will be the

worst day of all, trying to load them all on. Tragic. Last summer the

government started pilot culls of badges in Gloucestershire and

Somerset. Farmers in Dorset understood their county would be

next at the roll`out has been put on hold. An assessment showed too few

badgers were killed and a test for humane treatment was failed because

it took some too long to die but the president of the National Farmers'

Union says he believes the methods are necessary. We can't just do

nothing and the politicians have to do something strong and roll out the

policy. The government says it is learning from the pilot culls and

needs to assess the changes it is making before it is rolled out to

any other areas. At the moment it is working on a TB vaccine for cattle

but admits it could be ten years before that is ready for use. There

is a vaccination for badgers but the government says it is only useful to

create buffer zones in low risk areas and will no have `` have no

use on badgers already affected. Other things `` others think it

should be used much more widely. Vaccination is much cheaper and more

effective and it will build herd immunity. Paul says he thinks

vaccination in his area is a nonstarter. His remaining herd will

now be tested every two months the TB. The Over 100,000 people are

having their housing benefit cut because their homes are too big.

But many say they're trapped because they can't move to a smaller

property. A new UK`wide study suggests that strong demand for

smaller homes means many are unable to downsize. Our reporter Rob Powell

has been to meet a Hampshire woman who moved her brother into her home,

to avoid being penalised. Carol Collins lives in this village

near Romsey. She claims disability benefits but was told last year that

her benefits would be docked because she was living alone in a two`bed

flat. As my sons got older they moved out and my husband died and

left me here. Then the bedroom tax started. They said it was ?15 per

week. To avoid the charge, Carol moved her brother in. There was

nowhere to downsize to. They have not darted through, they're just

picking on the most vulnerable they disabled and older people. They are

not hitting the right people. Research suggests that Carol is not

alone. It says that over 100,000 people are paying extra because the

home is to bed but they are still unable to downsize because smaller

housing is not available. The history of housing has not been to

allocate to the precise size of housing you need, because if you're

a young family and need three bedrooms, you don't suddenly expect

them to move home when their children start to move away.

The Government disputes the findings and says the changes will save ?5

million a year. `` ?500 million. We have always subsidised for people to

live in accommodation that they don't fully occupy. It is quite

right, I think, to ask people in social housing to make the choice.

Housing benefit changes are in the early days and, ultimately, they say

they could see people forced into the private rental sector.

One of the South's leading businesses could end up in new

hands. Dorset Cereals, based on Prince Charles' Poundbury estate,

has grown from humble beginnings into a multi`million pound business.

But as Simon Clemison reports, there's concern about what impact a

potential sale will have on the workforce and the Dorchester

factory. For generation after generation,

companies have been competing to get their cereal in your breakfast bowl.

But one manufacturer from the south`west is now selling 25 million

packets back to countries like America, which brought us some of

the biggest brands. In fact, Dorset Cereals are even selling muesli to

the Swiss. It is a sense of pride for people from Dorset having the

name attached to a quality product on shelves around the world. It is

also a company that has grown up and stayed here, so people identify with

it and other companies aspire towards it. It is not clear who the

interested buyers are or whether a sale is in the offing but if it has,

any new owners' plans will be examined carefully. `` if it is. It

is a big name for the county. 150 people's jobs depend on the

production line. It could be that a British company has spare capacity

and its own branch is already using oats like Weetabix and they would be

happy to close one factory and move everybody to their own to cut costs.

It may not be like that at all, they may just want to expand the capacity

and keep the brand separate. Away from the factory floor, there are

highly confidential negotiations taking place.

Onto sport now and it was a case of the Cherries on top last night in

that crucial game in the Championship. Kris Temple is with me

now. The big game in the Championship

last night had a huge bearing on the race for the play`off places. Let's

look at the league table. The Cherries' goal difference is

also worth noting, as at the moment it's the worst of the four. Last

night's clash was billed as one of the biggest games of the football

season so far, and if you're a Bournemouth fan it didn't

disappoint. The win over Reading means Royals fans are starting to

look over their shoulders. Reading arrived at Dean Court as the

Championship's most potent visiting team, while Bournemouth were hunting

a fifth straight win. After a first`minute save, the Cherries blew

Nigel Adkins' side away. Shortly afterwards, Matt Ritchie slammed one

in. After laying on the first, Cherries' top scorer Lewis Graban

had a hand in the second too as it eventually fell to Ritchie once

more. And the Royals' defence was left floundering again by a 3`0

half`time lead. Reading did improve after the break but a long strike

was the only bright point of a poor night for the Royals. It was a

eighth win in ten games for Bournemouth and Eddie Howe's side

are now the team to fear in the Championship play`off chase. It's

going to be exciting. I can't say what's going to happen, but we are

going to go all`out to win our five remaining games. We are certainly

confident and believe in what we do, and we are enjoying ourselves. We

didn't expect to be in this position, so we will make the most

of it. We had a great chance but goals changed games. There were

three goals we gave away but Bournemouth were good, let's not

hide away from that. We are in the race with five to go. Contrasting

views from the fans about which side is best`placed to win the race. The

way we have been playing, I think everyone is scared of us. Fantastic.

It is the best football we have ever seen including Harry Redknapp's

days. I don't think we're ready for the play`offs. The defending was

shocking. No midfield. Really pretty shocking.

So it's all bubbling up into a thrilling finale. Who is going to be

happier with the final games? Let's start with Cherries, they go to

bottom club Yeovil this weekend, who are battling to stay up. Possibly

the key game is Ipswich away on Easter Monday. They're currently

directly above Bournemouth. Millwall on the final day could also still be

trying to stay up. Leicester are already promoted and Wigan heralded

secure `` are already secure. Former Southampton executive chairman

Nicola Cortese was paid almost ?2 million by the club, during their

first season back in the Premier League. Club accounts published

today at Companies House show that Cortese earned around ?38,000 a

week, following Saints' promotion from the Championship. That was a

rise of around ?500,000. Cortese resigned in January, and last week,

new Saints director Hans Hofsteter said the new board had inherited a

'difficult financial situation' from Cortese's tenure.

Poole Pirates begin the defence of their domestic speedway title

tonight, with a home meeting against Eastbourne Eagles. Poole are without

captain and star rider Darcy Ward, who suffered a hand injury racing in

New Zealand at the weekend. He's likely to be out for a month, and

Pirates are hoping that former skipper Chris Holder will be able to

cover. Tonight, Belle Vue's Craig Cook steps in to the Poole line`up.

Despite rain playing a big part in the games, there were results in two

of the opening County Championship cricket matches locally. In Division

One, despite losing more a whole day of the game to the weather, Sussex

thrashed Middlesex by an innings at Hove. Surrey crumbled from 50 for

two overnight, to 81 all out, in their game with Glamorgan at The

Oval. The Welsh side knocked off the target of 153 without losing a

second innings wicket. And Hampshire's game with Worcestershire

ended in a rain`ruined draw. Meanwhile, Hampshire's overseas

signing Kyle Abbott has arrived for his stint at the Ageas Bowl. He will

add some firepower to their line`up. Hopefully we will get the weather!

You will be glad to hear this week that high pressure is building an

even further and we're expecting it to be settled mainly dry. Lots of

sunshine on offer this weekend. Mist and fog with light winds overnight.

Let's take a look at your pictures. Ian Drain took this shot of Halnaker

Mill beyond the rapeseed field in West Sussex.

And forget six lambs ` this duck has to deal with at least a dozen

ducklings. Tonight we can expect if you clear spells but let's have a

sneak preview of what we can expect the weekend to look like. Try and

write with sunshine to be had. Mild days with temperatures above the

seasonal average. Nights might be Charlie and we might start Saturday

on a frosty note. `` nights might be chilly. Where we have clear skies

there is the risk of mist and fog patches. Elsewhere there will be a

lot of cloud with temperatures of five to seven Celsius. The slim

chance of frost in the countryside tomorrow morning. Through tomorrow

morning, mist and fog initially but there will be sunshine to be had. It

might be fleeting so variable amounts of cloud. More cloud in the

afternoon with stray showers and height of 14 Celsius. Tomorrow

evening, clear skies but then we have a weather front moving its way

southwards across the country. It is fragmented, so will produce the odd

spot of drizzle. There will be a lot of cloud so most places will stay

dry, with lows of seven or eight Celsius. Friday will start off on a

cloudy note but high`pressure will build, meaning the weather front

slips away. And improving picture with lots of sunshine to be had and

temperatures rising to a nice 15 or maybe 16 Celsius. It cloudy start to

Friday and a frosty start on Saturday but plenty of sunshine with

MacLeod on Sunday. `` more cloud. The resignation of Maria Miller as

culture secretary. It has just been revealed that the Basingstoke MP

will be getting more than ?17,000 to a local charity. The money as

severance payoff that ministers received when standing down from

Cabinet. There will be a news summary at

8:00pm and a bulletin at 10:25pm. Join us then. Goodbye.

'But mostly, you've got to be In It To Win It.'

The new series of the National Lottery: In It To Win It,