20/11/2013 Spotlight

The death of a man in police custody ` officers and staff from the Devon

and Cornwall force could face manslaughter charges.

Good evening. Thomas Orchard was found dead in a cell. Tonight, his

mother welcomed the latest developments but says she still

needs answers. It is hard to move on. It feels like

my life is on hold. I can't quite get on with the rest of my life

until this is done. Also tonight, freed on bail ` two of

the people from Devon imprisoned in Russia on a Greenpeace protest art

released from jail. I am still nervous, anything can

happen. It is hard not to get emotional.

And, "deeply saddened" about Serco's recent failings ` the company's

chairman faces MPs as more questions are asked about the outsourcing

firm. Devon and Cornwall police officers

and staff could face manslaughter charges following the death of a

church caretaker who was arrested and restrained. 32`year`old Thomas

Orchard from Exeter was found collapsed in a police cell in

October last year after being detained in the city centre. The

Crown Prosecution Service has now written to his family outlining

their investigation. Simon Hall reports.

Thomas Orchard was a quiet and gentle man who was managing his

schizophrenia well, according to his family. He died in October after

being arrested for a public order offence in Exeter and restrained by

police. His family have been campaigning to find out why he died.

Now they have received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service,

outlining the charges which the fork lease offices, to civilian staff and

an agency nurse involved in the case could face. Include manslaughter by

criminal activity, corporate manslaughter, and other charges. It

does feel like a milestone. The investigation has been a very long

one. We are into the second year now, coming on for 14 months since

Thomas died. It feels as if things are inching along very slowly. Is it

a struggle for you? Yes, it is. It is hard to move on. It feels like my

hair life is on hold `` it feels like my life is on hold. The case

has led to tensions between the crime commission and his fall. Tony

Hogg has questioned whether the staff involved should be suspended,

rather than continuing to work but on restricted duties. I am deeply

shocked in a way because of the severity of the charges that they

are facing. It seems unthinkable to me that that would happen in any

other organisation. I am very shocked about that. How important is

it that you get to the truth of what happened? It is very important. The

truth is the most important thing. Things have got to change. I want

them to change, and I want people to learn. I want the police to learn, I

want society to learn from Thomas's death. The CPS has given no

timescale for making a decision on any charges in the case. Devon and

Cornwall Police would not be interviewed. A statement said the

staff concerned had been moved into temporary roles which did not have

direct contact with the public in accordance with Home Office

guidelines on the suspension of officers. They said they have

cooperated fully with the investigation into Thomas Orchard's

death. A Greenpeace worker and a freelance

journalist from the South West, who've spent the last two months

being held in Russia, have been granted bail by a Russian court.

Alex Harris and Kieron Bryan, who are both originally from North

Devon, were among 28 campaigners and two journalists arrested by Russian

security forces following a protest on an oil platform in the Arctic

Sea. John Ayres has more. Arriving in court, Alex Harris was

hopeful she might get bail. Yesterday, a judge granted bail to

12 of the 30 people being held. I am nervous. I received some good news

yesterday about the others, so I am very hopeful. I am excited because

the past two months have been horrible. Back in September, the

protesters staged a demonstration against drilling at an oil platform

in the Arctic. Initially, those restrained work held in a local

prison but were moved to Saint Petersburg. I am trapped, I can't

speak to anyone. It is nerve wracking. Back home in Devon it has

been a nervous time for her parents, but today it was what they have been

waiting for. News that she has been granted bail was broken to them by

the BBC. She has been granted bail. Honestly? That is brilliant. Look at

that. Wonderful. It has been a stressful morning, but that is

brilliant. That is first class. That has made our week, our year.

Brilliant. What happens now? We need to find out what the bail conditions

are. I take it she will still be detained in Russia, but now we just

want to get our passports and visas sorted out and get over there as

soon as possible. I can't wait to see her. I feel a bit emotional. I

can see where she gets it from! A few hours later, freelance

journalist Kieron Bryan, who was being paid by Greenpeace to cover

the protests, was granted bail. His family said it is amazing news to

know that he has been released from prison. Their relief is tempered by

the fact that he is still facing absurd charges, despite the fact he

was just doing his job. Iain Rogers, an engineer from Exeter, is expected

to appear in court tomorrow. The former head of the Somerset

Racial Equality Council has appeared in court accused of operating under

a false identity. For nine years, David Onamade was chief executive of

the organisation. But Taunton Magistrates were told today he was

not the man he claimed to be. Clinton Rogers was in court.

This is David en Ahmadi. Or is it? As Chief Executive of Somerset's

racial equality Council, this man mixed in high circles, championing

the cause of equal opportunities. But that told Magistrates' Court, it

was claimed that David Onamade was not who he said he was, that he had

stolen someone's identity. David Onamade started claiming jobseeker's

allowance, but the prosecution say when checks were made it was

discovered the national insurance number he gave actually belonged to

a David Onamade in London, a severely autistic man who lives with

his mother. Now, this man faces three charges, fraudulently claiming

jobseeker's allowance, being in possession of false identity

documents, for use in connection with fraud. He appeared in court

through a video link from Bristol prison. The charges were read to

him. When he was asked to confirm his name, he replied yes. The

defence said David Onamade would be disputing the prosecution case. He

was remanded in custody, and will appear next at Taunton Crown Court

on December 16. Senior executives from Agusta

Westland in Somerset's have been in Delhi today, trying to convince the

Indian government they are innocent of bribery charges. Three years ago,

the company won an order to build 12 helicopters for the Indian Air

Force, worth ?450 million. But in February, the firm's Italian chief

executive was arrested, accused of bribing Indian officials to clinch

the deal. Today, Agusta Westland met with Indian defence ministers and

denied the accusations. But our correspondent in Delhi told us the

Indian government is looking hostile.

It does look increasingly like the deal is going to fall through. The

Indians are citing an integrity clause, which they claimed the

company has violated. Because basically says that you cannot pay a

bribe or any kind of payoff to either official or any agent in any

deal. More significantly, in August of this year, the federal law in

India came out with a report alleging that the rules were changed

to enable Agusta Westland to win this contract, and also that the

?450 million price tag was considerably higher than it should

have been. All of that has put Russia on defence officials here in

Delhi to pull out of this deal. The chairman of Serco has told MPs

he's "deeply saddened" about the company's recent failings in

out`of`hours GP services in Cornwall. Meanwhile, questions are

being asked about why the embattled outsourcing firm has been chosen to

provide skills training in Devon and Somerset.

Circle is already working in many areas of life in the public region.

It is now 18 ?2 million contract for skills training in Devon and

Somerset on behalf of the local enterprise partnership. The deal has

only just been announced, prompting questions. Given the problems we

have had with Serco's out of hours service in Cornwall, and a very

negative report into their training programme, and the fact that

Parliament is investigating allegations of gaming public

contracts, this raises eyebrows. The local enterprise partnership needs

to assure the public that they did look at this with diligence before

awarding the contract. The choice of Serco was made by a government

agency on the local partnership's behalf. The chairman of the local

partnership says they want this skills training, but even he admits

the announcement doesn't look good. The timing of this is extremely

difficult and uncomfortable for us because there is so much press

surrounding Serco at the moment and other regarding that company that

this places us in a difficult, possibly invidious situation. In

Westminster this afternoon, came this admission from the top about

Serco's failings in Cornwall. As a company we work deeply saddened and

very sorry for what went on in Cornwall. It should never have

happened, and what we have been focusing on is actually changing

those circumstances. We have been told the new contract for training

was signed before problems in other areas emerged. Serco itself points

out that it was recently named as one of the top 100 apprentice

providers in the UK. The family of a GP who was stabbed

to death at his home have said they are devastated by the tragic loss.

60`year`old Geraint Hughes, known as Gary, was found at his home near

Feock in Cornwall, last Friday. A 58`year`old woman, believed to be

his wife Marion, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and

remains in police custody. The jury in the trial of the man

accused of causing one of the worst motorway accidents in Britain, has

visited the crash site today. Seven people died in the incident on the

M5 near Taunton in November 2011. Geoffrey Counsell, who organised a

nearby fireworks display, is charged with failing to ensure the safety of

others. He has pleaded not guilty. Controversial plans to reduce the

number of children's centres in Somerset have been put on hold. The

County Council says it'll draw up more detailed proposals, following

widespread opposition. The meeting was meant to be about

making more savings, but today, County Council is instead heard

about a cut that is being postponed. I have heard what families,

residents, community and councillors have said in relation to the

proposal. This is Chilcompton community Centre, one of 18 the

council want to pull the plug on. The plan was to produce spending on

buildings, while investing more on front line staff. It caused a storm

of protest. The County Council have failed children centres and children

in our community. It is deeply fair and ironic that people who were not

even born at the start of the financial crisis are the ones who

will suffer. The Conservative run authority were clearly perturbed.

Whenever you are talking about children's services, of course it is

an emotive subject. Hopefully members of the public will be happy

that we have paused the decision`making process, and we will

continue to listen to make sure we come up with the right result. It is

officially a pause while more detailed proposals are drawn up for

the threatened centres. But it has been widely welcomed. The county

can't continue to say they are making difficult decisions and use

that as an excuse to make bad decisions. Now they have listened,

reflected, they have paused, and hopefully we can move forward to a

good solution for all of Somerset. Meanwhile, councillors have voted

through another ?4 million of cuts with the leader warning there will

be more to come. This is the tip of the iceberg. This council has been

cutting for four years. The easy savings have been made. Today is

about a view million pounds. In the next few months they have got to

find out how to save tens of millions more.

Coming up: The effects of addiction to video games.

Plus, could this be the shape of things to come for Axminster

Carpets? And, the big wheel which has had its

final spin. A South West expert in addictions

says the number of people affected by excessive computer and video

gaming is rising. There's concern it can damage physical health,

relationships and schooling. A psychotherapist who counsels people

from across the region, says his call for the gaming industry to fund

a helpline has been turned down. Increasingly, our lives are

dominated by technology. Phones, computers, televisions. But millions

play online and video games for fun and relaxation with no adverse

effects, but 4.6% of adolescents regularly use the Internet and do so

to excess, and may be harmed as a result. Earlier this year,

18`year`old Alex found gaming was taking over his life. I would be on

the computer playing games until 2am. Then on the weekends I would

wake up, play on the computer all day. School and family relationships

suffered. Mike Graves gradually slipped down and down `` my grades.

Then they kicked me out in January. There is growing concern that

excessive gaming causes physical harm from a lack of exercise, sleep

and proper meal times, and affects relationships and specs. It is the

damage to the individual, the damage to the family, and this potential

loss of this real important group of young people as they move through,

if they are not given the opportunity to develop their full

potential. A psychotherapist at a North Somerset addictions clinic has

held talks with the gaming industry, but his request that it fund a

helpline for those with problems is refused. The Association for UK

interactive entertainment said there was no proven link between video

games and addiction. While play the macro some play excessively, often

there are other issues. It said the games industry at safety measures in

place, including recommending breaks every 45`60 minutes, and the use of

age ratings, password locks, and control systems to limit the time

spent playing. After nine months of counselling, Alex has a grip on his

life. He has taken up his studies at a new school. I look back on the

spending hours and hours behind a screen and I think I'm a stupid kid.

I still get enjoyment from it, but it is more of a hobby than a

problem. The numbers affected by excessive gaming are forecast to

grow. Unlike Alex, many may not get the help they need to get back on

track. You may remember that last night we

reported on the upturn in fortunes of Axminster carpets, and the roll

that one businessman has played in the company's remarkable recovery.

Stephen Boyd was already chairman of two big South West firms, and has a

reputation for turning businesses around.

A time for fresh thinking and new ideas. This is the first time

Axminster Carpets has ever made rugs, and they are just about to go

on sale. All the drugs will be woven, Axminster Carpets. Today, a

design meeting with the MD and new executive chairman, Stephen Boyd. He

is determined to modernise and expand. A significant growing part

of our business is in transportation. It consists of

carpets, both for railways, for example Wilton, but also for

aircraft, and this may be a very familiar one as Easyjet. We also

have others for other airlines, such as Loganair, who like a red colour.

This one is for the Siemens Railway Co. In just six months, turnover has

doubled. A new apprenticeship scheme is about to start. It is a

traditional industry, making is very traditional, but always dominated by

men. We are the first carpets company to ever appoint a female

executive director, and we are very proud to say that we have now

appointed a second female director, who in that case is our finance

director as well. There is a buzz about the place, which appears to

extend beyond the factory walls. I think it is wonderful. It has shown

that there are people within the company who can make it grow and

make a success of it. It is very good news for the town. From what I

can see, this is just the ) for the job. He is focused, I think we will

see Axminster really gaining its place as the world leader of

top`quality carpets. Many people lost their jobs and there is still

some bitterness in the town. But more people are being taken on. Now

159 staff are full`time, many who were made redundant in March. In May

I was offered a job to run the underlay Department again. Now I am

the charge hand, which is quite nice. I am just hoping there is a

good future hair. So, what of the future? At 29, Josh is managing

director here, following in the footsteps of his great grandfather,

father and grandfather. So, will there be a job for any future

offspring? I will let the customers decide that. The fact that 95% of

customers returned to us is a huge vote of confidence in the business.

The future is very bright for Axminster Carpets. We are on track.

Success story is always a little bit too optimistic at an early stage

such as this, but as far as I'm concerned, it is a project with a

very long`term future, and I am intending to be here long`term as

well. That last comment is probably what will give the staff, the

board, the customers and the market most confidence.

It's provided thousands of visitors with a bird's eye view, but the big

wheel which has dominated the skyline of Plymouth for the last

couple of years has turned for the final time. The huge structure on

the Hoe is being dismantled because it hasn't attracted enough customers

in the winter months to make it financially viable.

It has dominated the Plymouth skyline for two years. But this

wheel has made its last circuit. The operators say it is too expensive to

run through another winter. Fuel for this wheel costs ?1600 a week. We

have decided financially we cannot afford to stay for the winter. We

pay business rates and rent, storage costs, staff costs, insurance. It is

better for us to take it down. This operation is not cheap either.

Taking it down will cost a further ?70,000. The wheel will turn again.

It is expected to be erected in another city somewhere in the UK in

February. In this exposed location, DC air has taken its toll, so the

spokes and Axel are being taken to be re`sprayed in Holland, while the

rest is stored for the winter. The wheel itself has also seen a feud

celebrations. This wheel has seen 20 engagements and over 50 anniversary

parties, but now it is time here in Plymouth is at an end. If you are a

big wheel fan, there is some hope. The owners are in talks to open one

in Torquay. Time for the weather now.

The owners are in talks to open one in Plenty of showers, one of two

could be noisier than others with some hail mixed in. Tomorrow will be

a windy day, but those will be easing. If you showers, and equally

some sunshine to enjoy. The big picture is where the area of high

pressure is at the moment, and it is right out here across the northern

half of the North Atlantic. That clear sky is heading our way. At the

moment we have a vigorous area of low pressure, generating a

particularly lively wind across North Devon. All the showery rain

will move into France, but there will be showers following on the

hind. The air is coming from the north, so it will feel fairly raw.

Not quite so windy for tomorrow, and into the weekend, this area of high

pressure will move them, and that'll be the dominant weather feature for

the weekend and for all of next week. A lot of dry weather around,

and some pretty cold weather to, although daytime temp reaches should

be around eight or nine degrees. `` daytime temperatures. Glimpses of

the stars every now and then trained those showers, and more clear sky

developing through the night. But that wind will stay with us, so we

won't seem too much in the way of frost.

Tomorrow, two streams of showers, one across Cornwall, and some across

Dorset and Somerset, drifting into South Devon. In between there should

be some sunshine. The winds change direction tomorrow and eventually

become north`easterly, and continue to drop. Temperatures are not far

off the average for this time of year. A widespread frost developing

tomorrow night and into Friday morning. The winds will eat

tomorrow, but still quite a windy start to the day for the Isles of

Scilly. `` those winds will ease. Becoming mainly fair with visibility

out at sea. So, a lot of sunshine around as we move through Friday

into the weekend. The sunshine baby until the end of the morning for

most of us as we will have some mist and fog around. And a fair amount of

frost overnight. Have a good evening.

That's all for tonight. Our late news is that 10:25pm. Good night.

I'm Nigel Slater, a cook. And I'm Adam Henson, a farmer.

all back in touch with where our food really comes from.

You asked me to grow some durum wheat to produce your pasta.

Our own eggs, our own flour - couldn't ask for more, really.