Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

The Evening Gazette's live breaking news blog brings you regular updates, pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Teesside and North Yorkshire traffic, travel, weather, crime and council news for today, Tuesday 1 April, 2014.

You can contribute to the live blog by posting your comment below, and you can also tweet us @EveningGazette to share breaking news stories, pictures and opinions.

Our Teesside breaking news live blog begins at 07:00am every weekday and is updated throughout the day and into the evening.

BBC challenged for misleading its audiences on status of Jerusalem

The BBC‘s insistence on referring to the whole of Jerusalem as an Israeli city, despite the position of international law, is being challenged in the office of the Information Commissioner by Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Friends of Al Aqsa.

The two organisations have today submitted a request to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) asking that it investigates the BBC‘s decision to consider Jerusalem, in its entirety, to be Israeli.

The BBC‘s decision was outlined in an email sent to Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) in May last year by the BBC Trust. The email made clear that the BBC did not consider it was in breach of its editorial guidelines on accuracy and impartiality by referring to Jerusalem as an Israeli city.

This is despite the fact that East Jerusalem is considered to be occupied Palestinian territory by the UN and the international community, including the UK government. West Jerusalem is considered to be under de facto Israeli control only, but not under Israeli sovereignty.

The Trust defended its decision on the basis of a finding by the BBC‘s Senior Editorial Strategy Advisor, Leanne Buckle. The Trust wrote: “The advisor acknowledged that Israel’s sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem was not recognized under international law.”

However, it ruled that the BBC could continue referring to Jerusalem as an Israeli city because: “She [Buckle] considered that Israel had de facto control over the entire city in a political, administrative and military sense. She also noted that Jerusalem was administered as a single entity by the Jerusalem municipal authority which made no distinction between East and West.”

PSC and Friends of Al Aqsa originally made a request under the Freedom of Information Act to the BBC, asking it to release information relating to Buckle’s decision-making process. The request was rejected by the BBC, resulting in today’s appeal at a higher level, to the Information Commissioner.

Sarah Colborne, Director of PSC, said: “PSC has come across many instances where the BBC, in its reporting, calls Jerusalem an Israeli city, including on its online country profiles page for Israel.

“Such a reference is not only inaccurate and misleading, but it also plays straight into Israeli propaganda which wants journalists to accept that Jerusalem belongs to Israel and then convey this lie to their audiences.”

Ms Colborne added: “We’re baffled as to why the BBC is going to so much trouble to convey Israel’s agenda on Jerusalem to its audiences, and totally discounting the position of international law which quite clearly states that Jerusalem is not Israeli.

“To make reference to either East or West Jerusalem would be so easy, and would result in accurate journalism. However, the BBC seems to be more concerned with portraying the Israeli line on the status of Jerusalem, at the expense of accuracy and impartiality, and we want to find out why.”

The FoI request and appeal to the ICO is also supported by CorporateRegister.com

Source: Palestine Solidarity Campaign

Top UN court rules Japan’s whaling not for scientific ends, revokes permits

AMSTERDAM: Japan’s whaling programme in seas near Antarctica is not for scientific purposes, judges at the UN’s highest court ruled on Monday, agreeing with Australia that Tokyo should revoke permits to catch and kill whales for research purposes.

Australia, which brought the case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague in 2010, had argued that Japan’s assertion that it was carrying out scientific research was a figleaf to justify what was in fact pure commercial whaling.

“In light of the fact the JARPA II (research programme) has been going on since 2005, and has involved the killing of about 3,600 minke whales, the scientific output to date appears limited,” said presiding judge Peter Tomka of Slovakia.

Australia hauled Japan to the ICJ in an attempt to torpedo whale hunting in the Southern Ocean, a practice Canberra says is a thinly-disguised commercial exploit under a cover of scientific research.

While Norway and Iceland have commercial whaling programmes in spite of a 1986 International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium, Japan insists its programme is scientific, while admitting that the resulting meat ends up on plates back home.

Tokyo is accused of exploiting a legal loophole in the 1986 ban on commercial whaling that allows the practice to collect scientific data.

10,000 ‘slaughtered’

Australia asked the world court to order Japan to stop its JARPA II research programme and revoke “any authorisations, permits or licences” to hunt whales in the region.

Tokyo vowed to vigorously defend the practice which it maintained was for scientific purposes only.

But Canberra said since 1988 Japan has slaughtered more than 10,000 whales under the programme, allegedly putting the Asian nation in breach of international conventions and its obligation to preserve marine mammals and their environment.

In its application before the world court, Australia accused Japan of failing to “observe in good faith the zero catch limit in relation to the killing of whales”.

Japan in April 2013, announced its whaling haul from the Southern Ocean was at a record low because of “unforgivable sabotage” by activists from the environmental group Sea Shepherd

Riot police storm al-Azhar University in Cairo

Egyptian police have stormed al Azhar University campus in the Capital Cairo to disperse students protesting against the candidacy of Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Police used tear gas to disperse student protesters joining a rally dubbed Together Towards Salvation.

Initial reports say at least one student protester was killed and several others severally injured during the violent clashes.

Protesters were attacked after they gathered to denounce the presidential candidacy of former defense minister El-Sisi, who has recently announced his resignation in a bid to run for the country’s presidency.

El-Sisi was appointed as the general commander of the armed forces and defense minister by ousted President Mohamed Morsi back in 2012.

However, the field marshal helped overthrow the country’s first democratically-elected president last year.

State institutions and media are all geared toward Sisi’s candidacy, a situation which undermines the chances of a fair competition for any other candidate.

However, Egypt’s political parties and figures have repeatedly called on the country’s army to stay out of politics.

This is while el-Sisi has handpicked 10,000 Egyptian commando fighters from the various army units to form a special airborne force.

The special airborne force, equipped with air transport and helicopters, is capable of reaching all parts of Egypt and its operations can be accompanied with tanks, self-propelled artillery and counter-terror measures.

The developments come as anti-government demonstrators have been holding rallies almost on a daily basis since the army toppled president Morsi. The demonstrators demand Morsi to be reinstated.

According to a UK-based rights group, Amnesty International, 1,400 people have been killed in the political violence since Morsi’s ouster in July last year, “most of them due to excessive force used by security forces.”

The UN Human Rights Council recently expressed concern over the Egyptian security forces’ heavy-handed crackdown and the killing of peaceful anti-government protesters.

JR/PR

The day's news in pictures: March 31 2014

The day’s biggest stories from the UK and around the world in pictures

Hundreds of relatives of the 96 football fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster have gathered in a packed courtroom for the start of the fresh inquests into their loved ones’ deaths.

Feelings ran high as the families, along with a raft of journalists and lawyers, came to the long-awaited hearing in a specially fitted office building on the outskirts of Warrington, Cheshire today.

Vice-chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group Jenni Hicks said the inquest had been “a long time coming”, while Charlotte Hennessy who lost her father in the tragedy hoped it was “the beginning of the end”.

A potential jury of 11 along with a pool of extras was selected, ready for tomorrow when they are due to be sworn in and coroner Lord Justice Goldring intends to open the case.

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The day's news in pictures: March 31 2014

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Mum stole almost £25k from Ramsdens to help fund daughter's college trip to USA

Sharon Gill worked as a branch manager for the pawnbroker :: She also took money to help pay off household bills

A mum who stole thousands of pounds after her daughter begged to go on a college trip to the USA was spared jail.

Sharon Gill was a branch manager for pawnbroker Ramsdens who had worked for the company for seven years.

The 44-year-old fiddled the books to fund the New York visit which was part of her daughter’s college course, and she continued to steal for a year to pay off household bills.

Prosecutor Jenny Haigh told Teesside Crown Court that the single mum stole almost £25,000 at the branch in Acklam Road, Whinney Banks, Middlesbrough, and managed to evade four audits.

Keith Brown, the financial director of Ramsdens, finally discovered the bogus transactions, and Gill admitted the thefts last December before the police were brought in.

Miss Haigh added: “She said she knew it was only a matter of time before she would get caught.”

Gill had started stealing just weeks after completing a community order for a conviction for Social Security benefit offences.

Robert Mochrie, defending, said there was no evidence of high-living by Gill, who was a single mother living in rented accommodation with an 18-year-old daughter.

He said Gill, from Billingham, claimed she had stolen nearer £15,000.

Mr Mochrie said that Gill was now unable to work because of health difficulties.

Judge David Hatton QC told her: “You were in a very high degree of trust as a branch manager and the offence is aggravated by the prolonged period over which it was carried out, and by the fact that you have a previous conviction for dishonesty albeit of a different nature and the community order which was imposed for that had only expired and you embarked on this course of conduct.”

Gill, of Fielding Court, was given a 20-month jail sentence suspended for two years with supervision for 12 months, a five month tagged curfew between 9pm and 6am, and she was ordered to pay £100 statutory surcharge after she pleaded guilty to theft and false accounting.

The judge said he would have liked to also impose unpaid work on her but the Probation Service could not get insurance for her because of her health problems.

Cash trap thieves targeted ATMs during six-week spree across Teesside

Dumitru Pufulete and Costel Lupu used a crude device to siphon cash machine customers' money off for themselves

A thief who scammed cashpoint machines across Teesside with a crude “cash trap” has been given a prison sentence.

But the punishment meant freedom today for Dumitru Pufulete, who had already served his sentence on remand.

The 27-year-old and Costel Lupu, 25, fitted a “cash trap” device to ATMs to siphon people’s money for themselves, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Paul Cleasby said: “They were attacking cashpoints in the Teesside area.

"The offences span a six-week period and involved repeated visits to cashpoints in Middlesbrough, Stockton and Guisborough.”

They tampered with cash machines outside post offices and banks fitting the device, Mr Cleasby said today.

When customers tried to withdraw money, the cash was diverted into the cash trap.

“The customer would think that the cash machine was out of order or that it had run out of money,” added Mr Cleasby.

“Thereafter the defendants would return to the cashpoint and seize the money that had been diverted into the cash trap device.

“In total it appear that the defendants acquired in the region of about £800.”

The two thieves were arrested on September 14 last year.

They were stopped in a Volkswagen Golf driven south by Lupu on the A19 at Billingham.

Police found £3,400 cash in a CD holder and a suitcase - said to be Lupu’s money - and the cash trap device hidden under the gearbox.

The two were seen on CCTV footage.

Pufulete, aided by an interpreter in court, admitted 10 counts of theft.

The defendant had two previous offences of shoplifting.

He said he’d been in the UK for four months and bought and sold cars with Lupu.

Kieran Rainey, defending, said Pufulete had been in custody for six-and-a-half months, equal to a 13-month sentence.

Mr Rainey said: “He came to this country with some savings intending to earn money.

"He never claimed benefits once.

“He was hoping to send money back to his mum, who’s not well. That didn’t come about. He ran out of his savings.

“It’s a rather crude device. It’s essentially a strip of plastic, a bent ruler almost, and some glue.

"He saw that and took that opportunity. He realises now how foolish he was and he should have tried harder to secure work.

"He says he will not go back to this sort of offending again.”

Judge George Moorhouse told Pufulete: “That is a very serious offence, an offence which causes great inconvenience to customers and banks.

“You could be looking at a very lengthy sentence. But you’ve pleaded guilty. I accept it was unsophisticated. It was a crude device.”

Pufulete, of Oldham Road, Manchester, was given a one-year prison sentence, meaning his early release.

Lupu, of Greenhill Terrace, Oldham, will be sentenced next Monday.

Greece’s parl. calls for stricter austerity measures

Greek lawmakers have adopted a bill calling for stricter austerity measures despite continued protest rallies against government’s policies.

A majority of deputies voted on Sunday in favor of the legislation for fresh international loans.

The legislation was required by the country’s troika of international lenders — the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

It had been agreed earlier this month with the European Union and the International Monetary Fund, after more than six months of tough negotiations.

The bill will unlock for Greece over 11.7 billion dollars. However, the country’s main opposition, Syriza party, slammed it.

Also on Sunday, over 12,000 protesters held a demonstration outside the parliament against austerity measures imposed by the Greek government.

Syriza’s leader Alexis Tsipras, who described the bill as “a crime committed against the people and our country,” blamed Greek Finance Minister Yannis Stournaras for being “the main administrator of the death contract against Greek society.”

“You are passing a sweeping 600-pages multi-bill with which you are signing away the banking system and you are abolishing labor rights and the public insurance system,” Tsipras said.

Greek officials were willing to have the bill ratified before meetings with EU finance ministers in Athens on Tuesday to officially conclude the agreement for the new tranche of the international loans by the second half of April.

Greece has been at the epicenter of debt crisis in the eurozone and has so far experienced seven years of recession.

Since 2010, the national health, education and local government budgets have been cut down by some 40 percent and so have wages and pensions.

MSM/MAM/AS

Six people injured following collision between bus and car in Stockton

Six people have been injured following a collision between a bus and a car in Stockton. Emergency services are currently at the scene on Dover Road

Six people have been injured following a collision between a bus and a car in Stockton.

Emergency services are currently at the scene on Dover Road.

The collision happen at 12.45pm.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said six people on the bus have been injured but the extent of the injuries is unknown.

The road is currently blocked and police are advising motorists to avoid the area.

European Union trying to divide Africa Union: Sudan

Sudan has accused the European Union of trying to divide Africa after the bloc refused to invite President Omar al-Bashir to an EU-African summit this week.

On Sunday, Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that the “invitation of this summit to the African leaders was selective and in doing this the European Union is trying to divide the African Union,” AFP reported.

Sudan’s Foreign Ministry also said the African Union’s position is that all its leaders should be invited.

The summit should be postponed “until the African Union’s concerns are addressed, and this will guarantee its credibility and respect in the international community, because the African continent is one,” the ministry said.

The summit on Wednesday and Thursday in Brussels will bring together representatives of 90 nations from both continents, including 65 heads of state and government.

In March 2009, the International Criminal Court (ICC) charged Bashir of perpetrating genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of western Sudan. He became the first sitting head of state to be indicted by the court.

Darfur has been the scene of violence since 2003, when rebels took up arms against the Sudanese government. There has also been tribal fighting in the region. More than 300,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

MN/MAM/AS

Six tries - but Billingham still go down to Bradford

Billingham director of rugby Stewart Evans says the club face a difficult task to stay to stay in National Three North after losing a back and forth thriller 45-43 at home to Bradford and Bingley

Billingham director of rugby Stewart Evans says the club face a difficult task to stay to stay in National Three North after losing a back and forth thriller 45-43 at home to Bradford and Bingley.

But he stressed they will not be giving up hope while there is still rugby to be played and fixtures against Burnage and Huddersfield to negotiate.

Billingham freshened up their backs to add creativity and scored six tries.

But they were decimated by injuries to their pack and the West Yorkshiremen scored seven touchdowns, including one with less than two minutes to play.

Billingham kept going until the final whistle but their luck ran out as Peter Evans missed a drop goal attempt from virtually the last move of the game.

“It was a must-win game but fair play to them,” Evans said. “We were under the cosh up front and just couldn’t get away from them.

“We lost our second row Anthony Rumis after five minutes to a back injury, tight head prop Steve Smith had to go off just after half-time after taking a heavy knock and replacement Liam Armstrong went off late in the game with a shoulder injury.

“We gained two points, which is a bonus, but it puts us under real pressure for our last two games.

“But hopefully a few injuries will clear up and we will go again.”

Billingham were 12 points up at one stage in the second half, but the Bees would not lie down. Smith crossed for the home side before going off injured, with their other tries coming from his fellow forwards Kyle Scott and Stuey Anderson, and backs Peter Evans, Craig Shepherd and Elliot Husband.

Evans added: “We’ve come up a few leagues over the years and we are a club that’s tried to produce our own players.

“If we do go down, there are no financial implications and we could be playing the likes of Boro and West Hartlepool.

“We’ve got to be realistic - we’ve lost a few games on the bounce. But we like to play at the highest level possible and Burnage is a winnable game.

“We need a five-point win and if we can get 10 points from the two games remaining it would be fantastic and give us a chance.”

Middlesbrough need to win one of their remaining two games against either runaway leaders Cleckheaton or Alnwick to retain their North One East status after losing 26-7 at Driffield.

Boro went to the East Yorkshire Wolds in confident mood after a three-match winning run, but never really got going.

They fell behind to a converted try and Matthew Todd missed two kickable penalties to cut the gap to 7-6 and they trailed 12-0 at half time.

Boro got a Simon O’Farrell try back converted by Todd, but there would be no comeback.

Boro are still fourth bottom but chasing duo Sheffield and Malton and Norton are two points behind.

Guisborough strengthened their bid to finish second in Durham and North One as they crushed Gosforth 50-3 at home.

Gosforth took the lead with a sixth minute penalty but it was all one-way traffic after that as the hosts ran in eight tries.

Scorers were Dan Stephenson, Michael McDougal, Zak McCluskey, Ryan Connors, Owen Edwards, Liam Corcoran, Jack Robinson and Robert Leggott.

“It was an all-round excellent game of rugby and we had the best referee we’d had this season,” said senior coach Trevor Edwards.

Former England hooker and TV pundit Brian Moore is the special guest at Guisborough’s players’ dinner on April 25.

Stockton lost 39-14 at Ponteland, Yarm were narrowly beaten 29-25 at home by Seghill and Acklam were battered 77-13 by visiting Old Brodleians.

Darlington keep up the challenge with win at Ossett Town

Martin Gray's side are now three points above third-placed Warrington and nine points clear of sixth place thanks to first half goals from Ian Ward and Terry Galbraith

Darlington beefed up their play-off bid with a 2-1 win at Ossett Town.

Martin Gray’s side are now three points above third-placed Warrington and nine points clear of sixth place thanks to first half goals from Ian Ward and Terry Galbraith.

New signing from Durham City, Ward opened the scoring just before the half-hour when he struck from close range following a Galbraith corner.

Left footer Galbraith added the second five minutes later with a trademark free kick.

Darlington are home to Manchester side Radcliffe Borough next on Saturday.

QUAKERS: Bell, Walker, Galbraith, Tait, Hunter, Brown, A Mitchell (Davis 81), Scott, Ward, Fisher (Dowson 69), Thompson (Purewal 85).

Play-off hopes fade for Hartlepool United

Colin Cooper has challenged his Hartlepool side to finish the season strongly after seeing their play-off hopes fade in a 1-0 home defeat to Cheltenham

Colin Cooper has challenged his Hartlepool side to finish the season strongly after seeing their play-off hopes fade in a 1-0 home defeat to Cheltenham.

Pools had chances but Jermaine McGlashan netted 16 minutes from time after Darren Holden failed to clear David Noble’s cross.

James Poole almost equalised but his shot was blocked by teammate Luke James.

Pools’ third defeat in a row leaves Pools them 13th in League Two, 10 points off the play-off slots with six games remaining.

“If I’m brutally honest, we were just short,” Cooper told the club website. “I’ve challenged the players now to finish as high as we possibly can and not let the season drift.”

POOLS: Flinders, Duckworth, Holden, Walker (Hawkins 82), Collins, Burgess, Walton, Compton, James, Franks (Rutherford 84), Barmby (Poole 58).

Guisborough Town rue their misses against title-chasing Shildon

Guisborough underlined their Northern League top four status as they held title-chasing Shildon to a goalless draw at the KGV Stadium

Guisborough underlined their Northern League top four status as they held title-chasing Shildon to a goalless draw at the KGV Stadium.

The Priorymen were without Danny Johnson as their 53-goal top scorer was suffering from ’flu.

Johnson’s 40-goal striker partner Mikey Roberts took over responsibility up front and had several chances.

But he was thwarted by a combination of agile keeper Lewis Graham and a sturdy Railwaymen defence well marshalled by former Hartlepool United and York City defender Darren Craddock.

Guisborough shot-stopper Luke Coddington - on an extended loan from Boro - also pulled off some great saves to deny Shildon’s strikeforce in front of a very decent 235 crowd.

Defensive midfielder Adam Gell showed his continued improvement in the centre of the park for Guisborough as he was named man of the match for the 10th time this season.

The stalemate could dent second-placed Shildon’s title aspirations as leaders Celtic Nation thumped Hebburn 6-0

Guisborough boss Chris Hardy felt his side could and should have claimed all three points instead of having to settle for one.

He said: “On paper, it was always going to be a tight game and, true to the form book, that is exactly how the fixture played out.

“Both sides played the game in a very competitive manner, but the better chances fell to us.

“But a combination of some poor finishing and good defending meant we were unable to break the deadlock.

“On another day I’m sure we could have ran out comfortable winners.

“On reflection, I’m a little disappointed we didn’t take all three points as there were performances that warranted more.”

Guisborough now look forward to a midweek trip to Northumberland to play Bedlington Terriers on Wednesday before returning to the KGV next Saturday to host Dunston.

After winning 3-1 at Penrith in midweek, Billingham Synthonia made just one enforced change against Newcastle Benfield and their decision to opt for continuity paid off with a 2-1 home win.

Following a goalless first half, former Darlington player Stuart Ellliot put Benfield in front in sensational fashion, arrowing a 30-yarder into the top corner.

Synners hit back almost immediately with Matty Osmond and Theo Furness going close before top scorer Michael Sweet tapped in a loose ball after Fred Woodhouse had a shot saved.

The match looked to be heading for a draw but Synners substitute Kris Hughes scored the winner with five minutes left after Sweet sent him sprinting clear.

Synners assistant boss Lee Tucker said: “It was a terrific performance from us especially in the second half, producing some good football at times.”

There were no goals at Marske as the Seasiders kept a rare clean sheet against a transitioning Durham City side who rocked up with only 12 players.

Marske were the better side in the first half with Jamie Clarke and Chris McGill both going close, but Durham were more dangerous after the break.

Billingham Town were dumped 6-0 at Dunston, and Thornaby lost 2-1 at home to Northallerton despite a late David Wells goal.

Former Thornaby forward Chris Burton had a hand in one of Northallerton’s goals.

Stokesley capsized in the second half of their 4-1 defeat at Whickham after Gary Redman had drawn them level.

Stockton Town break through 100 goals barrier in the Wearside League

Stockton Town broke through the 100 goals barrier in the Wearside League and recorded their seventh consecutive win as they thrashed Richmond Town 6-2 at home

Stockton Town broke through the 100 goals barrier in the Wearside League and recorded their seventh consecutive win as they thrashed Richmond Town 6-2 at home.

Kallum Hannah got them started with a penalty and James Ward struck twice before Stephen Roberts, Matty Garbutt and Scott Meehan added their names to the scoresheet.

Stockton’s latest victory saw them cut the gap on Ryhope to two points after the leaders’ game at Annfield Plain was postponed.

It was also their ninth double of the season.

Both sides put the emphasis on attack and had chances before Hannah broke the deadlock five minutes before half time from the spot.

The on-song striker sent the keeper the wrong way for his 40th goal of the season and Stockton’s 100th of their league campaign.

Stockton continued to press and got a second two minutes before the break when Ward crashed in a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

Richmond pulled a goal back through Scott Guy but Stockton seized control of the game with three goals in a powerful four-minute burst.

Ward scored again from close range, Roberts headed in a Meehan corner and Garbutt netted with a shot on the run.

Richmond reduced the deficit with a Michael Layfield goal, but Meehan had the final word when he scored direct from a corner.

Redcar Athletic survived a scare as they kept their chase for third place and incredible away form going in a 3-2 win at Jarrow.

Town were 2-0 up and seemingly cruising thanks to goals from Kieran Stares and Adam Preston.

A sloppy finish to the first half saw the hosts get back on level terms, but Stares scored his second and Redcar’s third.

They have only lost once on the road since August. Wolviston picked up a point in a 2-2 draw at Seaton Carew,

Egyptian police detain 18 year old daughter of Morsi aide

Egyptian security forces arrested Karima Al-Seirfy, 18 year old university student and daughter of Ayman Al-Seirfy, one of Morsi’s aides arrested since the July 3 coup, the Students against the Coup movement said in press statements.

According the press statement, police forces stormed into the apartment where Karima lives alone in New Cairo district. Heavily armed security forces broke into the apartment, smashed the door, and stole all her personal belongings, including jewellery, television, cell phone and clothes.

Karima has been arrested and transferred to the New Cairo police headquarters.

The statement did not explain the reasons for arresting Karima. She is, however, known for her anti-coup activism in campus. The Ministry of Interior is yet to issue a statement about the arrest.

Live: New Hillsborough inquests into 96 deaths begin on 'historic day' for campaigners

Chris was appointed editor of the Evening Gazette in January 2012. He is also a former Gazette news editor. Chris has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and has previously worked in senior positions in Newcastle, Exeter and Nottingham.

Teesside firm CatalySystems helps growth fund hit £200m milestone

Wilton-based CatalySystems has secured a £666,000 investment from the Technology Fund, one of seven funds within the Finance for Business North East (FFBNE) programme managed by North East Finance

A Teesside company has helped a North-East business growth fund achieve a major milestone.

Wilton-based CatalySystems has secured a £666,000 investment from the Technology Fund, one of seven funds within the Finance for Business North East (FFBNE) programme managed by North East Finance.

The investment means that the programme has benefited North-east firms to the tune of more than £200m since it was launched in 2010.

CatalySystems, which helps the process industries to conserve, clean and re-use waste water, will use the funds to expand its in-house resources and strengthen its presence in overseas markets.

It has also received investment from the FFBNE Proof of Concept Fund and £150,000 from two angel investors.

It is one of many Teesside firms to benefit from FFBNE, which has also invested in Middlesbrough lighting technology specialist Ambx, Preston Farm recruitment firm MC2 Technical and aircraft recycling specialist Sycamore Aviation, which secured around £750,000 from the Growth Plus Fund.

In total FFBNE has provided more than £90m of debt and equity funding to almost 600 SMEs since 2010, creating or safeguarding around 3,000 jobs.

In addition, the programme has secured more than £110m of private sector cash to support deals from venture capital firms, business angels and other investors – taking the overall investment figure over the £200m mark.

Andrew Mitchell, chief executive of North East Finance, said: “This funding scheme was designed to boost the growth of local companies and the North-east economy.

“As economic conditions have eased and confidence has returned to the market, more companies have applied for FFBNE funds to fast-track their investment plans.

“Private equity and debt finance have played a major role in kick-starting economic growth again after a damaging recession. The fact that FFBNE has reached this magnificent £200m milestone is testament to that.

“Money is still available from the fund and could provide the ideal boost for businesses that require additional investment.”

More than half of investments have been made in Tyne and Wear companies, but in recent months fund managers have received a steady influx of applications from Teesside, County Durham and Northumberland.

Backed by cash from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), the scheme is on track to support 850 businesses and create or safeguard 5,000 jobs by the end of next year.

It has benefited a host of firms from micro businesses and start-ups to fast-growth medium-sized enterprises.

Investments have been made in companies across a wide range of sectors, including bio-technology, manufacturing, engineering and renewable energy.

Israel seeks al-Aqsa Mosque demolition

Palestinian Authority Minister of Religious Affairs Mahmoud al-Habbash says Israel plans to demolish the al-Aqsa Mosque in al-Quds (Jerusalem).

“Israel is following a systematic, gradual plan supported by the Israeli government and protected by the Israeli army and its aim- I’m telling you is not to divide al-Aqsa – its aim is to remove the al-Aqsa Mosque,” al-Habbash said in an interview.

In recent months, Israeli forces and extremist settlers have stepped up their attacks on Palestinians visiting the mosque. This has led to violent confrontations between the two sides.

Israel has also imposed severe restrictions to prevent Muslim worshippers from entering the mosque.

On February 25, Knesset (Israeli parliament) discussed a plan to annex the site.

Palestinians have denounced the plan as desecration. They say it is part of the Israeli regime’s ongoing attempts to distort Arab and Islamic history.

Palestinians argue that al-Quds is the capital of a future Palestinian independent state, and that its heritage should remain intact.

Over the past decades, Israel has tried to change the demographic makeup of al-Quds by constructing illegal settlements, destroying historical sites, and expelling the local Palestinian population.

The al-Aqsa compound, which lies in the Israeli-occupied Old City of al-Quds, is a flashpoint. The compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, is the holiest site in Judaism. It is Islam’s third-holiest site after Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.

PG/HMV/SL

John Darwin: Back-from-the-dead canoeist investigated under Proceeds of Crime Act

Reports that insurance scamster - who will appear before Teesside Crown Court next week - has so far paid only £1 of the £600k obtained

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Back-from-the-dead canoeist John Darwin - who faked his own death in an insurance scam - is being investigated under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It has been reported that Mr Darwin has so far only paid £1 of the nearly £600,000 that he and his wife Anne Darwin obtained.

He is due to appear at Teesside Crown Court next week.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "We can confirm that the Regional Asset Recovery Team is conducting an investigation under the proceeds of crime act."

Darwin was freed from prison early on licence in January 2011 after being sentenced in 2008 to serve six years and three months for fraud.

He faked his own death in a canoeing accident in 2002 so his then wife Anne could claim hundreds of thousands of pounds from insurance policies and pension schemes.

The couple, from Seaton Carew, were jailed at Teesside Crown Court in 2008 for the scam, which deceived the police, a coroner, financial institutions - and even their sons Mark and Anthony.

Amnesty urges probe into possible Nigeria war crimes

Amnesty International has called for an independent probe into possible war crimes committed by Boko Haram militants and the Nigerian military in the violence raging in the country’s north.

“We urge the international community to ensure prompt, independent investigations into acts that may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity,” AFP quoted Netsanet Belay, Africa research and advocacy director at the London-based group, as saying on Monday.

The rights group made the call, saying that more than 1,500 people had been killed during increased violence in northeast Nigeria in the first three months of 2014.

The human rights monitor said more than half of the victims were civilians.

It also expressed particular concern over claims that hundreds of Boko Haram suspects were summarily executed after a jailbreak in the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri, on March 14.

There was “credible evidence” that more than 600 people, most of them unarmed recaptured detainees, were summarily killed across Maiduguri as the military regained control, Amnesty said.

Witnesses said the military shot and killed 56 escaped prisoners on land behind the city’s university.

“The international community cannot continue to look the other way in the face of extrajudicial executions, attacks on civilians and other crimes under international law being committed on a mass scale,” Belay added.

“Civilians are paying a heavy price as the cycle of violations and reprisals gather momentum,” he noted.

The Boko Haram group has claimed responsibility for a number of deadly shooting attacks and bombings in various parts of Nigeria since 2009. The group says its aim is to topple the Nigerian government, which it accuses of being pro-Western.

Last summer, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in the three northern and northeastern states of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa, as a result of violence in the country.

MN/MAM/AS

Eston Nab re-opened to the public after being bought by The Friends of Eston Hills

Bottles of bubbly were popped and the contents sprayed on to cheering crowds as Eston Nab was officially returned to public ownership

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Eston Nab is handed over to the public

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It was a proud moment for many as Eston Nab was officially returned to public ownership.

Bottles of bubbly were popped and the contents sprayed on to cheering crowds as a ribbon tied around the Teesside landmark was cut.

The Friends of Eston Hills have made history by buying the section of the historic Eston Hills with donations totalling £15,000.

“We dared to dream,” said Craig Hornby, chairman of The Friends of Eston Hills. “We went for it and, incredibly, got a result.”

As previously reported, Lazenby Bank - the 214-acre site that was once part of the Wilton Castle estate - was put on the market for £425k last September.

Whale Hill Primary School teaching assistant Rita Richardson sparked interest on Facebook and within days had teamed up with Craig, director of the acclaimed documentary on Eston’s mining history, A Century in Stone.

Together, they founded The Friends of Eston Hills and launched an urgent fundraising campaign with the aim to get the site publicly-owned.

Craig tracked down the County Durham-based landowner, gave him a DVD and begged him not to sell to anyone just yet. Some 50 letters and DVDs then went out asking for support.

Hundreds of online donations soon poured in and people held sponsored events so that by December 12, £15,000 had been raised.

“And even though it wasn’t enough to buy any of the eight lots, a bid was put in for Lot 1 - the eastern half of Eston Nab and 45 acres of hillside, priced at £80,000. The group was then, amazingly, offered Eston Nab.

“After the best part of 1,000 years, if not more, we now officially return Eston Nab back to the people in full and for all time,” said Craig at a re-opening ceremony on Saturday.

“This land is now public land for everyone, for ever.”

The guest of honour at the event was Daphne Haverson, 80, whose late father, Charlie Burdett, lived in the old Beacon tower at Eston Nab in the 1920s.

“This is a very proud moment for me,” she said. “It is also a very emotional one. My father would feel the same.”

Daphne, along with Charlie’s great-great-grandchildren, cut the ribbon.

The Friends now plan to pursue more funding so they can buy more of the site and embark on a clean-up, conservation and heritage programme.

“We have got big plans that will go on,” said Craig. “With a bit of luck this is just the start.”

Man who previously raped girl, 15, jailed for new sex attack on woman he met on dating site

Peter Smith, 42, of Carlin How, and victim had begun a consensual relationship after meeting through website

A rapist who previously attacked an underage girl has received a lengthy jail term for another horrific attack.

Peter Smith, 42, had begun a consensual sexual relationship with the victim after they had met on a dating website on the internet, a court heard.

But Smith - who had raped a 15-year-old schoolgirl some years before - ended up carrying out a terrifying sex attack on his new lover.

Teesside Crown Court was told how Smith had a smirk on his face before carrying out the attack on Friday, September 13 last year.

Smith was “considerably larger” than his victim, the court heard.

"She was crying, saying ‘No’ and trying to kick him off but he wouldn’t stop,” said prosecutor Dan Cordey.

The victim claimed the whole ordeal made her feel dirty.

In a victim statement, she said she had tried to be strong but felt she was living in fear.

A complaint was made to police and Smith was later arrested. When he was interviewed, he denied any wrongdoing.

But Smith changed his tune and pleaded guilty to the rape on the day of his trial at Teesside Crown Court.

The convicted sex offender also admitted breaching notification requirements by failing to tell the authorities he had stayed at a different address.

The court heard his previous convictions included indecent assault and most seriously the rape of a 15-year-old girl.

She was dragged into an alley and attacked, for which Smith received a seven-year jail term in the 1990s.

Kate Dodds, in mitigation, said the previous rape was a horrific offence but it had happened when he was a much younger man.

In the latest case, she said Smith and the woman had begun a consensual relationship and both had seemed happy at the way it was going.

It was only after a period of days that things began to go wrong and there was no excuse for his behaviour.

Recorder Andrew Sutcliffe QC said he took into account that the previous rape had happened some 16 years ago and the circumstances of this offence were different.

But he told Smith they indicated “a serious propensity to commit offences of this nature”.

Smith, of Maynard Street, Carlin How, was jailed for six years, with an extended licence period of five years.

He was also made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

VW enthusiasts deliver sweet boost for Zoe's Place children's hospice

Yesterday members of the North East VW (Volkswagen) Club delivered the eggs from their base in Thornaby to Zoe’s Place children’s hospice in Normanby

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North East VW Club deliver eggs to Zoe's Place

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A children's hospice is hoping to raise thousands of pounds after receiving almost 2,000 Easter eggs from a local motoring club.

Yesterday members of the North East VW (Volkswagen) Club delivered the eggs from their base in Thornaby to Zoe’s Place children’s hospice in Normanby.

Every child at the hospice will be given a chocolate treat, while the rest of the eggs will be used as raffle and tombola prizes. A donation of £145 was also made by the club, which has been supporting Zoe’s Place since 2008.

Last year it delivered almost 700 eggs to the charity but this year the total was almost three times that amount - a record for the hospice.

Rachael Willmore, community fundraiser at Zoe’s Place, said: “Last year we managed to raise about £3,000 by raffling off the Easter eggs. With the number of eggs donated this year, we’ll be looking to raise much more than that.

“It really is quite amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many eggs - not even in Asda or Tesco.

“Zoe’s Place is very much a community project. Without the support of organisations like the North East VW Club, we wouldn’t be able to keep our doors open.”

The charity relies heavily on donations to raise the £1.1 million a year required to run it.

Steve Pullman, who has been a member of the North East VW Club for more than 20 years, said: “Hopefully this event will help to raise more awareness of the hospice, which does a sterling job in the local community.

“We’ve supported Zoe’s Place for several years now. It’s a local cause and very worthwhile.”

Yesterday a police escort was in place as several VW vehicles from the club were involved in delivering the eggs.

Also present was Teesside comedian and Zoe’s Place patron Patrick Monahan.

The Stokesley funnyman, who is preparing to run the London Marathon next month, said: “I’m proud to be associated with Zoe’s Place. When they asked me to be a patron I jumped at the chance.

“The amount of fundraising that Rachael and her team do is crazy. They deserve a medal.”

Angry Chinese families demand truth over missing jet

Dozens of anguished Chinese relatives have demanded Malaysian authorities to provide them with evidence on the fate of their loved ones aboard the missing Flight 370.

Speaking at a press conference at Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, Jiang Hui, the families’ designated representative asked senior Malaysian officials to apologize for releasing confusing information.

Jiang also denounced the authorities for announcing that the ill-fated plane had crashed even though there was no “direct evidence.”

“We want evidence, we want truth and we want our family,” Jiang said, adding, “First, the Malaysian side should provide us with timely and comprehensive evidence and answer the families’ questions.”

This comes as the relatives of Chinese passengers from the missing plane are in Kuala Lumpur seeking answers from authorities.

The Chinese relatives are complaining that they have not been given enough information on the fate of their loved ones. Flight MH370 had over 150 Chinese passengers onboard.

The families are now accusing the Malaysian authorities of withholding information about what happened to the plane. They are demanding to meet with Malaysia’s Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Transport Minister Hishammuddin Hussein face to face.

Meanwhile, an intense search for debris from the Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 is underway 1,800 kilometers (1,118 miles) west of Perth, Australia.

Planes and ships involved in Malaysia jet search have confirmed that the international effort had not found any objects linked to the missing plane.

Now with every day passing, the suspicion deepens over the March 8 disappearance of the plane destined for China with 239 people onboard.

JR/PR

Boro punches above its weight with visit of boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard

Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history, made a special appearance in Middlesbrough at the weekend

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Sugar Ray Leonard in Middlesbrough

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Boxing fans had a ringside seat when a sporting legend came to Teesside.

Sugar Ray Leonard, one of the greatest boxers in the sport’s history, made a special appearance in Middlesbrough at the weekend.

He was in town for an event organised by local boxing promoter Tony “Robbo” Robinson and held at TFM Soundworks on Linthorpe Road.

Sugar Ray was one of the best boxers in the world in his day, winning Olympic gold and world titles and beating such fellow greats as Thomas Hearns, Roberto Durán and Marvin Hagler.

He brought fans flocking to yesterday’s event, which included big screen footage of his fights and a question and answer session.

The boxing legend was also photographed wearing a Boro shirt.

Organiser Tony said hundreds of fight fans packed the venue.

He said Sugar Ray was in great form, saying: “You could not have asked for a better event.”

Tony said they were planning to bring more boxing greats to the town in the future.

Before attending that event, Sugar Ray popped in to the Dickens Inn round the corner on Southfield Road to catch up with some old friends.

He may be a sporting superstar but Sugar Ray wore his celebrity status lightly as he warmly greeted members of the Spensley family.

Tony Spensley, who runs the Dickens Inn, said: “What can you say. It is just a pleasure and an honour.”

Tony’s brother Gerard added: “I just find it amazing. It just shows you what a true champ he is, the people’s champ.

“He is a lovely guy. He has no airs or graces.”

Sugar Ray sipped tea as he regaled his audience with stories about his life, family, boxing achievements and Muhammad Ali.

Before he was whisked off to his next destination, he happily posed for photos and donated some boxing gloves which he signed.

Sugar Ray told the Gazette it had been great to be in Boro and promised a return visit.

“Fantastic,” was his verdict, adding: “I will hopefully be back in May.”

Anti-Sisi hashtag goes viral

Social media users in Egypt and the Arab world responded to Al-Sisi’s presidential bid announcement with a very offensive viral hashtag that swept Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms.

Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi is Egypt’s resigned Minister of Defence, presidential hopeful, and leader of the military coup that ousted the country’s first democratically elected civilian president Mohamed Morsi. Since the coup, the regime installed by Al-Sisi has committed at least 36 massacres, the most bloody of which was the Rabaa massacre which led to the killing of thousands of unarmed civilians in one day.

Angry social media users in Egypt and the Arab world resorted to the hashtag to express their contempt. The hashtag reads #انتخبوا_العرص which in Arabic refers to a highly offensive insult meaning “the pimp; or the guardian of vice.” English-language users also used a literal translation of the hashtag #elect_the_pimp, which has also been translated to German and French, among other languages.

In its fourth day, according to keyhole real-time tracker, the hashtag achieved more than 105 million impressions, 21 million reach, 17,000 users, and 61,000 Tweets.

The inventors of the hashtag explain in their Facebook page that it is meant as an offense to the coup leader who oversaw the killing of thousands of civilians and unseated a democratically elected president. Despite Al-Sisi’s numerous promises that he was not seeking power, he is now running for president. The offensive hashtag in their view denotes Al-Sisi’s betrayal of the president who appointed him and a violation of his oath of office.

The hashtag has now become a major chant in the ongoing anti-coup protests across Egypt. It has also been extended to the streets, painted on walls, banknotes and public means of transportation.

Supporters of Al-Sisi launched a counter hashtag titled “I will elect Sisi”. However, it did not achieve the same reach as the offensive hashtag. The pro-Sisi hashtag got more than 470,000 impressions, 461,000 reach, and 82 users, and one hundred tweet, according to Keyhole tracker.

A pro-Sisi presenter slammed the campaign, and said it aims at “moral assassination” of Al-Sisi before the elections

Burma’s Muslims Are Facing Incredibly Harsh Curbs: TIME

• Charlie Campbell @charliecamp6ell

Last March, sectarian riots roiled central Burma, and at least 48 people, mainly Muslims, were slaughtered by machete-wielding thugs. Buddhist monks spurred on frenzied mobs in an orgy of bloodshed that will be forever indelible in the minds of the Southeast Asian nation’s Muslim minority. The violence spread to a further 11 townships.

One year on, thousands remain homeless and animosity is entrenched. “It is not stable, and conditions are still very dangerous,” says Aung Thein, a 51-year-old Muslim lawyer in Meiktila, a central Burmese town of 100,000 people, where at least five mosques and more than 800 homes were razed to the ground. “Extremists use hate speech every day, and Muslims are not safe.”

Adding to this already fraught picture, new legislation threatens to isolate the Muslims further. Proposed regulations will restrict religious conversions, make it illegal for Buddhist women to marry Muslim men, place limits on the number of children Muslims can have and outlaw polygamy, which is permitted in Islam.

More than 1.3 million signatures have reportedly been gathered in support of this plan, which is spearheaded by a group of extremist Buddhist monks and their lay supporters. The proposals were forwarded by reformist President Thein Sein to lower-house speaker Shwe Mann late last month, and have now been submitted to relevant ministries to be drafted as bills. They have been dubbed an “intolerance package” by Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, who says they would be a “recipe for disaster for a multicultural, multireligious country like Burma.”

As part of the marriage proposal, those of other religions must convert to Buddhism before marrying a Buddhist and seek written consent of the bride’s parents. (The consent of the groom’s parents is not required, for it is assumed the non-Buddhist party is always the groom.) Any non-Buddhist who ignores the regulations will be hit with a 10-year prison sentence and confiscation of property.

The proposals are merely the latest incarnation of spiraling religious extremism that has gripped Burma (officially known as Myanmar) since quasi-democratic rule was introduced in 2010. In June 2012, pogroms against the heavily persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority in the country’s far western Arakan state led to more than 280 deaths. Even today, some 140,000 Rohingya languish in squalid displacement camps, where they struggle to receive medical care or sufficient food.

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Movie review: Muppets Most Wanted (U)

This film takes the entire Muppets gang on a global tour, selling out grand theaters in some of Europe's most exciting destinations, including Berlin, Madrid and London.

It's almost as if it’s ‘déjà vu’ week in cinemas with Captain America and the Muppets recycling themselves.

Perhaps Marvel will one day hire Kermit after watching a character introduced in 1955 by the late Jim Henson heading off down the international crime route.

Following on from The Muppets movie two years ago, their eighth feature film sees our heroes enjoying a grand world tour.

But it soon turns into a jewel heist caper thanks to a Kermit doppelgänger called Constantine, who has escaped from Gulag 38B in Siberia,

The action opens brilliantly, with the lyrics to a self-deprecating musical intro featuring Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga telling us that a sequel is never as good as the original.

How unfortunately prophetic.

While Muppets Most Wanted is a lot of fun, it becomes increasingly formulaic too, lacking the cinematic brilliance of Wes Anderson’s current hit, The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Ricky Gervais plays Constantine’s human sidekick Dominic Badguy.

But, as he has already proved in films like Cemetery Junction, The Invention of Lying and the Night At the Musem series, Gervais isn’t a natural cinema actor despite his talent for comedy in TV series like The Office.

An even bigger flaw is that having two Kermits means there’s not enough of the no-nonsense Miss Piggy.

While it’s fascinating that Constantine Kermit should somehow look as duplicitous as Russia’s President Putin, the story labours once the real Kermit is put behind bars by Commander Nadya (Tina Fey).

Cue some filler moments like Celine Dion playing Miss Piggy’s Fairy Godmother and a whole host of guest stars including James McAvoy (UPS Guy), Saoirse Ronan (herself), Chloë Grace Moretz (newspaper girl), Stanley Tucci (Ivan the guard) and Christoph Waltz (Christopher Waltz).