South Live: Tuesday 13 February

1. Updates from Tuesday 13 February

Good evening

That's all from South Live today.

We'll be back at 8:00 GMT tomorrow with all the latest news, weather and travel across the region.

Enjoy your pancakes!

'Glorious grossness with a purpose' at Reading University

One of the world's most pungent plants is causing a stir among students at the University of Reading.

The 5ft-tall Amorphophallus Konjac, known as the Devil's Tongue plant, because of its dark red 2ft-long tongue-like spike.

Dr Jonathan Mitchley, Associate Professor of Field Botany, says its foul smelling flowers ensure its survival by attracting carrion flies that enable it to pollinate.

He said: "A lot of people will come just to experience the real glorious grossness with a purpose because the stink is all about getting more of these plants through pollination."

University of Reading

Robbers jailed after man falls from window

Thames Valley Police

The men were each sentenced to 15 and 12-and-a-half years in prison.

Two robbers whose victim fell to his death from a block of flats as he fled from them have been jailed.

Ide Faysal and Abidiqader Shidane travelled to Reading from London to commit "violent robberies", police said.

The men were each sentenced to 15 and 12-and-a-half years in prison at Reading Crown Court on Monday.

They were convicted of manslaughter after they robbed Samuel O'Brien in St Giles Close, Reading in July last year.

Mr O'Brien ran into a block of flats where he fell from the second floor, police said.

New takeaway bags to tackle food waste

Fareham Borough Council has commissioned 10,000 takeaway bags to be distributed to local restaurants as part of the Great Fareham Food Rescue project.

The bags will allow customers to take their leftovers home with them when they eat out, helping to reduce food waste from restaurants.

A competition was launched last year asking local children to come up with a design for the bags and the winning design by 10-year-old Enya Chui was picked out of 1,500 entries.

Enya, who was presented with a certificate from The Mayor of Fareham, Councillor Geoff Fazackarley, said: “I am really excited to see my design when I eat out with my family. It’s a great idea to take away your food so it doesn’t have to go in the bin."

Fareham Borough Council

American anti-abortion group returns for 'vigils' outside Bournemouth clinic

Anti-abortion group 40 Days for Life are planning to hold a series of “vigils” outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) clinic in Bournemouth on Wednesday.

The Texas-founded group coordinates protests directly outside family planning clinics all over the world, stating its mission is “to seek God’s favor to turn hearts and minds from a culture of death to a culture of life”.

Last year's protests at the BPAS facility, which provides pregnancy counselling, contraception, miscarriage management and abortion care, left clients feeling distressed.

BPAS’s Back Off campaign calls for local councils and the Government to introduce specific legislation – as has been enacted in other countries – to create buffer zones outside clinics where anti-abortion activity cannot take place.

Google

25 burglaries 'linked' in past month

Police are linking 25 burglaries in Bracknell and Wokingham which have happened in the past month.

Thames Valley Police said the spate of break-ins, which resulted in the theft of cash and jewellery, have taken place in Binfield, Bracknell, Finchampstead, Lower Earley, Winnersh and Wokingham.

Det Insp Mike Bettington said "additional police resources" had been deployed to patrol "specific areas at particular times of day in order to disrupt and deter those involved".

He added: "I ask all residents in our community to ensure their homes are locked and secured properly, and that people do not hold large sums of cash at home.

"People should keep valuables hidden, locked away and not on display."

Noel Gallagher to headline Nocturne Live

BBC

Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds have been announced as headliners at Nocturne Live, the concert series that takes place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in June.

The former Oasis guitarist - who has had three number one albums since the Manchester band split - joins the previously announced headliners Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Gary Barlow, and Elvis Costello.

Nocturne Live director Ciro Romano said: "We’re confident that the line-up for this year’s Nocturne is our strongest to date.

"In Nile Rodgers, Elvis Costello, Gary Barlow and Noel Gallagher we have four true giants of the music world, each offering something different but all undeniably world class."

Taking a dip in 4C water

Meet Oxford's open water swimmers, who like to take a dip in freezing temperatures.

Taking a dip in 4C water

Hundreds of homes set for Horlicks site

Aluko believes in Reading fight

Family still want answers after Gaia Pope inquest

Steve Humphrey

BBC South Today

The inquest in Bournemouth into the death of teenager Gaia Pope heard she had severe epilepsy and was living with an aunt in Swanage when she went missing on 7 November.

Her body was discovered 11 days later in undergrowth on the cliff top between Dancing Ledge and Anvil Point to the west of Swanage.

An initial post-mortem examination was unable to determine a cause of death but further tests showed she died from hypothermia. The inquest was adjourned until 14 May.

Following the hearing, her cousin Marienna Pope-Weidemann issued a statement on behalf of the family praising the "incredible grassroots efforts" of the local community during the search.

"We know now what took her from us but when, how and why are all questions that must still be answered, not just for our sake but for the sake of the next family who wakes up in that nightmare someday," she said

Gaia Pope: Swanage teenager died of hypothermia

A teenager whose disappearance sparked a major search died of hypothermia, an inquest has heard.

Gaia Pope, 19, from Langton Matravers, Dorset, was reported missing on 7 November. Her body was found 11 days later near the Dorset coast path.

An inquest into her death heard there were no suspicious circumstances or signs of third party involvement.

A family statement said there were questions which "must still be answered".

Family handout

Gaia Pope 'died from hypothermia'

Four released over teenager's shooting

Hundreds of homes planned for historic Slough Horlicks site

More than 750 new homes are set to be built on the historic site of the Horlicks factory in Slough.

The 110-year-old building was set to become disused after Horlicks' owner GSK announced it would be selling the UK firm and closing the site last July.

BBC

The building has been one of Slough's most recognised buildings since 1908

Slough Borough Council has published proposals to turn the industrial site into apartments and "family housing".

The authority is also planning to build 1,000 to 1,400 homes on the nearby AkzoNobel site in the town centre.

Homeless charities condemn plans to fine rough sleepers

Homeless charities have condemned plans by a council planning to fine rough sleepers for anti-social behaviour.

Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Council plans to issue fines to those who, after a period of 56 days, are still seen to be behaving in an anti-social manner by begging, drinking or taking drugs on the street.

Maeve McGoldrick, who's from the Crisis charity, says fining people who have nothing is "nonsense".

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will marry at Windsor Castle on 19 May.

The council, which has been involved in a row over begging since January, hopes the "robust strategy" will reduce rough sleepers by 50% by the end of March.

BBC

Murphy James, from the Windsor Homeless Project, questioned the council's proposals

Council offices could 'free up thousands if demolished'

Google

Bracknell Forest Council is planning to demolish Easthampstead House

Bracknell Forest Council is planning to demolish its existing council offices to free up £400,000 a year.

Council staff have left Easthampstead House and moved to a council building in Time Square in Market Street.

Councillors say they're considering several options but if no-one comes forward to use and look after Easthampstead House, it will be demolished.

Four released from custody over shooting

Four people, arrested in connection with the shooting of a teenager in a residential street, have been released from custody.

The male victim, 17, is in a stable condition in hospital following the shooting in Hearsey Gardens in Blackwater, Hampshire, on Saturday.

A 40-year-old man and a boy, 16, both from Blackwater, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder. They have been released on bail.

A 34-year-woman from Blackwater, arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder has been released while inquiries continue.

A 41-year-old man from Farnborough was detained on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released while inquiries continue.

BBC

Man, 72, dies in two-vehicle crash