BBC Look East

A man who referred himself to a domestic violence prevention programme has challenged others to be "totally honest" and make a change.

Speaking of the moment he punched his partner so hard she needed plastic surgery, he said: "At the time I thought I was right in what I was doing... it was when I was arrested that I felt absolutely devastated about what I had done.

Image source, Thinkstock

"It dawned on me what I had done. I was shown pictures by the police. I hurt her and this was someone I loved, someone I really cared about and I'd caused this pain to her."

Figures from Respect showed 668 men self-referred to such programmes last year. In the east of England, it included 24 referrals in Essex and 11 in Hertfordshire.

A number of our police forces are launching campaigns leading up to Christmas. In this region it's estimated 142,000 and 81,000 men were victims of domestic abuse in the last year.

BBC Look East

"Prison, without a shadow of a doubt. Prison and rightfully so."

The words of one man speculating where he would have been if he hadn't referred himself for treatment after punching his partner so hard she needed plastic surgery.

Image source, PA

Domestic abuse charities in the east of England have told us that working closely with perpetrators is key to breaking the cycle of violence. They say a growing number of men are approaching them for help.  

Figures from men's charity Respect shows 668 men nationally accepted referrals to such programmes last year.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

It's a nightmare on Greater Anglia trains this morning due to a fault with the signalling system between Audley End and Newport in Essex.

The problems mean that trains between Cambridge, Bishop's Stortford and London Liverpool Street are being disrupted and the firm is advising people not to travel, external.

Cancellations are expected until at least 10:00.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

We're in for a cloudy day with outbreaks of rain, which will be heavy at times.

It'll become dry later and mild, with temperatures reaching 12C (53F).

Here's my full regional forecast:

You can find more details on BBC Weather.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Welcome back to live updates for Cambridgeshire on Tuesday, 13 December.

We'll be with you until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates from around the county.

Speaking of travel, as we mentioned a little earlier, there are problems on Greater Anglia trains this morning. A fault with the signalling system between Cambridge and Liverpool Street means all lines are disrupted. More on that shortly.

We've also got a full weather forecast on the way.

You can get in touch with the team here via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook, external.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Thanks for your company today.

We'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow with the latest news from around Cambridgeshire.

Stay tuned to this page overnight for any breaking news from the county.

Have a great evening.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Addenbrooke's Hospital has issued a warning to deter people from visiting A&E unless it's an "emergency or life-threatening condition".

A spokesman said the hospital is "currently nearing full capacity in A&E with 77 [patients] in the department".

Image source, PA

It has released the number of people that visited A&E over the weekend...

• Friday: 323
• Saturday: 325
• Sunday 306

The hospital recently spent more than one month on "black alert" with it struggling to cope with demand.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Ben Ando
BBC News

A Russian dissident accused of making and possessing thousands of indecent photographs of children said he was doing research and that some of those involved looked to be enjoying themselves, a court has heard.

Vladimir Bukovsky, 73, who sat in Cambridge Crown Court in a wheelchair, is charged with accessing stills and video images over 15 years.

Image source, PA

Mr Bukovsky, who was living alone in Cambridge when he was arrested, said it had become something of a hobby, which he told no-one else about.

Prosecutor Will Carter said: "What he said was that his initial curiosity turned into a hobby rather like stamp-collecting." 

Mr Bukovsky denies five counts of making indecent images of children, five of possessing indecent images of children and one of possessing a prohibited image of a child.

The Russian author and activist became known internationally as an outspoken critic of the Soviet regime.  

The trial continues.

The death of a couple in a house fire after flames took hold of their "cluttered" house was accidental, a coroner records.

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

It'll be a misty, murky night with further outbreaks of light rain and drizzle that will eventually clear to the North Sea. 

It’ll then be largely dry with some clear intervals, and lows of 5C (41F).

Tomorrow will see a dry start for many, although cloud will thicken as another band of rain moves in from the west.

Highs of 12C (54F).

Get the full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

BBC Travel

Meanwhile, the B1049 Bridge Road in Impington is currently closed in both directions between the Chequers Road junction and the New Road junction because of a serious accident.

A man, believed to be in his 60s, suffered a "serious chest injury" and was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, the East of England Ambulance Service said. 

His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

Ambulance crews are still on scene with a woman in her 30s.

Traffic is currently being turned back to the A14.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

It may feel like slight deja vu, but the traffic lights are currently out at the junction where Hills Road meets Cherry Hinton Road in Cambridge. 

It was last Friday when the same problem occurred. Engineers are currently attending.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Earlier we published a report into the deaths of a husband and wife, who were killed in a house fire earlier this year.

Roger and Maureen Freestone, who were in their 60s, died in the blaze in Somersham in March.

An inquest today found they were killed by accident after heat radiating from a wall-mounted gas fire caused a cardboard box next to it to catch fire.  

The fire service has responded with a reminder for people to make sure they use heaters safely as temperatures start to drop.

Kevin Napier, from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said "there were a number of contributing factors that led to these tragic deaths that highlight the vulnerability of some people".

"The fire developed and spread rapidly as there was a lot of combustible material throughout the bungalow," said Mr Napier.

"Mrs Freestone was bedridden and unable to escape. The hallway area was cluttered and the rear door was completely blocked making an exit from the home extremely difficult."

A Russian dissident accused of possessing indecent images of children said he was doing research, a court hears.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

The A605 has now reopened after a car left the road and ended up on its roof between the A1(M) and Haddon services.

Police say "one carriageway was closed while the car was recovered but has since reopened".

"One person was taken to hospital," a spokesman added.

Queues are starting to subside in the area.

BBC Weather

Any mist and fog will gradually clear.

However, cloud will quickly thicken this afternoon with outbreaks of mostly light rain spreading north-eastwards from early afternoon. 

The highest temperatures will be across the south of the county. Highs of 10C (50F).

It's a good day to put your washing out, according to BBC Weather Watcher "Paul's Patch" in Longthorpe...

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Take care if you're due to be heading on the A605 near Haddon, just south of Peterborough.

Police have tweeted this picture of an overturned car on the road.

We've got calls in to the emergency services and will bring you more when we have it.

Nick Fairbairn
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport

Cambridge United defender Josh Coulson has tweeted his thanks to fans ahead of an operation on an ankle ligament injury.

The injury has ruled the centre-back out for the rest of the current season. 

Last week he signed a new deal keeping him at the club until June 2018.

The 27-year-old has played a total of 269 games for the club, having made his debut in December 2008.

In a statement on the club's official website, external, Coulson said he wanted to "thank everyone at the club for looking after me at this tough time".

"I can now concentrate on getting my ankle right and returning to fitness as soon as possible to repay their loyalty."