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, Friday 11 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.

Security forces attack student protesters across Egypt

Egyptian security forces have attacked a large number of student protesters at university campuses across the North African country.

Riot police fired tear gas and birdshot at protesters at al-Azhar and Ain Shams universities in the capital Cairo on Wednesday.

Students had gathered on campuses there to denounce the army-backed government’s killing, detention and expulsion of hundreds of students for taking part in protests.

Meanwhile, student protesters at Zagazig and Mansoura universities burned US and Israeli flags to denounce their interference in Egypt’s internal affairs.

The crackdown came as a court in Cairo handed 17 anti-government protesters 3 to 7 years in jail for their role in street protests.

An Egyptian court issued a mass execution sentence for 529 supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood in March, prompting worldwide objections by international institutions and rights groups.

Tensions are running high across most of Egypt’s universities ahead of the upcoming presidential election. Students have held several rallies against a presidential bid by former defense minister, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who overthrew Egypt’s first democratically-elected president, Mohamed Morsi, around nine months ago.

Hundreds of protesters, mostly Morsi’s supporters, have been killed or wounded during the violence that has erupted since the removal of Morsi.

JR/AB/SS

Local Teesside football round-up: Top two keeping up the pace in battle for title

JACK HATFIELD SPORTS TEESSIDE LEAGUE

THE goals flowed as the first division title race continues to be a two-horse race.

Acklam Steelworks knocked in 10 goals against visitors Lingdale.

Matthew McQueeney scored a brace to take over as the top goal scorer, while Karl Lilly, Peter Snaith and Dean Talukder all also scored two each with Jamie Bowtell and Ben Wheatley also on target.

Dave Hitchin with a brace and Danny Harris replied for Lingdale to make the final score 10-3.

Whinney Banks YCC, still with two games in hand, beat Great Ayton United 7-0 with Lee Mahon opening the scoring.

Jack Campbell and Steve Richardson also scored in the first half, Mahon added his second in the second half, with Danny Lockwood, Michael Shellard and Ryan Slater also scoring.

Thornaby Dubliners took a 30th minute lead against Northallerton Town. Sam Vernalls pulled it back to 1-1 on the hour.

Matthew Parry gave the Dubliners a 2-1 lead with Carter adding his second to make it 3-1.

Grangetown Boys Club took a sixth minute lead through Jamie Bellamy, but Bobby Holmes scored for visitors North Ormesby to level.

Bellamy scored twice more to complete his hat trick before half time. Eddie Hebbron pulled it back to 3-2 midway through the second half.

Richmond Mavericks playing their last game of the season, raced into a 2-0 lead with goals from Karl Pottinger and Wayne Gredziak when they entertained Redcar Newmarket who replied on the hour through Jamie Graham.

BEADS entertained Whitby side Fishburn Park. The teams meet again in the Easter Monday Raine Trophy final.

A tight game was decided with two minutes remaining when Jack Wilson’s miss-hit shot beat the BEADS goal keeper to secure a 1-0 victory.

Thirsk Falcons beat New Marske 3-2 to move to the verge of the division two title. Dave Young gave Thirsk a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot after only four minutes. Stuart Poulter levelled on the half hour.

Three minutes into the second half Gareth Barber regained the home side’s lead, but an 80th minute penalty from Poulter made it 2-2. Five minutes from time Stuart Rose secured Falcons’ win.

Yarm took a 19th minute lead through Jack Dalton when they entertained Guisborough Globe who replied 12 minutes later through Adam Chung to give the teams a share of the spoils at 1-1.

Billingham Synthonia won their derby against Billingham Town 4-3.

Synthonia raced into a 3-0 half time lead when Danny Liddle opened after 15 minutes, and made it 2-0 from the penalty spot 10 minutes later, and Jake Marron made it 3-0 ten minutes before half time.

On the hour Chris Atkinson pulled it back to 3-1, and a brace from Shaun Laverick made it all square at 3-3, but with five minutes remaining Dimitri Kehi scored to give Synthonia the victory.

St Mary’s College fell behind after 10 minutes, when they entertained Richmond Town when Matthew Liberia opened the scoring.

Ten minutes into the second half Ben Holmes gave Richmond a 2-0 lead and then the same player made it 3-0 from the penalty spot in the 65th minute. Craig Sillick pulled a goal back with 15 minutes remaining.

STOCKTON SUNDAY LEAGUE

THE Premier Division title was decided when Hardwick Social defeated George & Dragon Yarm 8-1 and Norton George & Dragon beat Thornaby Cricket Club 6-0.

With the resignation of Rosegale N & SA in favour of Hardwick Social, Norton George & Dragon are the runners-up.

Hardwick Social slayed George & Dragon Yarm thanks to a hat-trick for Kallum Hannah, two goals from Christopher Stockton and one each for Tony Johnson and Lee O’Connell. Jamie Taylor replied.

Norton George & Dragon’s heavy win came courtesy of goals from Joel Callender (2), Chris Burton, Lewis Powell, Gavin Simcox and Matty Garbutt. Man of the match for Thornaby Cricket Club was keeper Wayne Lovatt while Joe Carter took the vote for George & Dragon.

Division One leaders The Royal were without a fixture, and their rivals made the most of it.

Stockton West End remain second following a 6-2 win away to Billingham Low Grange.

Port Clarence could only field 10 players again and were made to pay as Thornaby Jolly Farmers ran riot in a 16-1 home win.

Jolly Farmers scorers were Daniel Jones (6) Martin Wilkinson (3), Gareth Poole (2), Martin McManus, Sean Wilkinson, Stephen Preston, Connor Westwood and Martin Simpson. James Attey replied.

Billingham The Kings won 1-0 at Grangefield Park with Matthew Ford on target.

Stockton West End remain second following a 6-2 win away to Billingham Low Grange with two goals each from Andrew Dinsdale and Clark Peacock. Carl Kennedy and Lee Twizell got the others.

In Division Two, leaders Stockton Hardwick extended their lead with their rivals not playing with a 5-0 win against Roseworth Social.

Man of the match David Higgins hit three goals and Lee Jordan and Liam Westoby completed the tally.

Storytellers United won 2-1 at Eaglescliffe Bazookas with goals from Stuart Wood and Alex Braithwaite. Jamie Duncan got the Bazookas goal.

Premiership Norton WMC won 3-1 at second division Market Tavern in the Ian Gorman Memorial Trophy quarter-final. Norton’s scorers were John Davis (2) and Martin Small. Martin Kilburn netted for the Tavern.

In the John Jackson Memorial Trophy, second division Sun Inn won 5-0 at first division Layfield Arms with goals from Matthew Snowdon, Shaun Baker, Nathan Pitt, Sam Foxton and Steven Vickers.

MB DISTRIBUTION REDCAR SUNDAY LEAGUE

THE Black Swan will meet The Livery in the final of the Chuck Hepple Trophy thanks to a 3-2 extra time win over The Stockton in their last four clash.

Swan made a determined start and went two goals up through Rob Bennett and David Onions.

The visitors were lively however and after going close with several chances, pulled a Lewis Upton goal back before the break.

The Stockton had the better of the second half play and Lee Jefferson sent the tie into extra time when he scored their second with full time approaching.

Swan regrouped in extra time and Tyrone Dowson’s goal in the first minute of it turned out to be the winner.

The other semi-final between The Livery and Lobster was postponed.

Ennis Square Social Club won 4-2 at fellow title contenders Redcar Rugby Club in the first division.

Square raced into a four-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes, with Adam Preston scoring a hat-trick and Anthony Jones adding the fourth.

The Rugby Club got into the game more in the second half and got two goals back - an own goal and a Paul Lyons effort.

Grangetown sank Lakes Social Club 9-2 after roaring into a 6-0 half time lead.

Youngster Ross Smith scored a hat-trick, Andrew Donachie and Peter Kelly scored twice, and Stuart Roberts and Steve Scott added the other goals.

Steve Jones grabbed a pair of consolation goals for Lakes.

Grangetown picked up another three points in midweek as they booked a 3-1 win at Clarendon Hotel.

Smith, 16, took his goal tally to five in two games with a brace, with Scott getting the other Grangetown goal in a competitive game.

Clarendon Hotel went into the fixture on the back of a 5-2 weekend win at an Eston Ship Inn side missing a couple of key players.

Joe Canwell and Luke Nicholson put the Hotel two up inside 20 minutes.

And although Graham Watson pulled a goal back for the hosts before the interval, strikes from Andrew Duncan and Rhys Bevan gave the visitors a three-goal cushion.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half, and Sean Harland pulled a goal back.

But Bevan added his second and Clarendon’s fifth.

In the second division, Middlesbrough Homeless eased to a 7-2 win at The Winning Post to move back to third from bottom.

Ryan Wright–King and Peter Quine scored consolation goals for the home side, who remain bottom.

UPVC SUPPLIERS LTD ESKVALE & CLEVELAND LEAGUE

THE race for the league title took another twist as Staithes Athletic tightened their grip at the top with two wins while defending champions and nearest challengers Lingdale United slipped up as they could only claim a point in midweek.

Staithes entertained Hollybush in midweek and ran out 3-1 winners. They got off to a flying start with Libbey heading home and he added a second after Ryan Thompson equalised.

The home side made a couple of second half substitutions and Butters scored Staithes’s third after exchanging midfield passes with Harland.

While the game was competitive, proceedings were much more one-sided as Staithes warmed up with a convincing 8-1 win against Hinderwell.

Staithes found themselves five up after just 17 minutes, with Ryan Gibson’s pace and delivery from set pieces proving a menace.

Jeff Morrison, James Armstrong and Chris Harland all scored twice, with Steve Starsmore and Adam Thomas adding the other Staithes goals.

Hinderwell scored their only goal at the end of the first half through Tom Steyert.

Lingdale United thumped basement side Goldsborough 7-0.

Andy Smith scored twice, and Liam Allinson, Anthony Jones, Gavin Croll, Joe Ferguson and Lewis Henderson were all on target.

But Lingdale dropped two points in midweek, needing a last-gasp Jones goal to salvage a 2-2 draw with resurgent Brotton Railway Arms.

Jonny Kirk gave Lingdale the lead before Paul Agar equalised for Brotton.

Former Lingdale player Bob Ovington put the visitors in front in the second half, but Jones popped up to score in the dying seconds.

With just four games to go, the result is a blow to Lingdale’s hopes of retaining the title.

Boosbeck came from a goal down to move into third place with a 3-1 win at Stokesley.

Dane Breckon gave Stokesley an early lead, but Boosbeck levelled through a Dominic Tokarski free kick and went in front through Callum Holliday before the interval.

Jake Thompson added the visitors’ third in a feisty second half.

Hollybush United won 3-1 at Lealholm to jump two places ahead of their beaten opponents and Stokesley.

Luke Weed opened the Hollybush scoring after his initial shot was saved, only to see Mike Thompson level for Lealholm just before half time.

Hollybush controlled the second half and two goals in three minutes from Jason Blackett and Liam Ball saw them home.

Lingdale United will attempt to retain the Scarborough Junior Cup tomorrow when they take on Wombleton Wanderers at Whitby.

And next Wednesday will see Staithes Athletic attempt to win the North Riding Saturday Challenge Cup as they play Teesside League outfit Guisborough Globe at Stokesley. The league’s management committee wish both sides well.

MSV SPORT TEESBOROUGH LEAGUE

CORRA FC confirmed their third-place finish in the closing Premier Division fixtures as they beat Riverside Rovers 4-3 in a close fought encounter.

Both sides were guilty of some sloppy defending, but it made for a largely entertaining game which Corra just shaded to run out deserved winners.

The final Premier Division game was between Erimus and Eaglescliffe.

The fixture became meaningless due to the Corra’s win, and both sides settled for a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

In Division One, Justice FC caught up on a couple of games in hand they had on leaders Longlands and made the most of it with back to back wins to move three points clear at the top with an all-important clash between the top two impending.

They had little problem at Ironopolis on Sunday as they ran out easy 6-1 winners, but their midweek game was a totally different story as they just edged home 4-3 against Riverside B.

Ironopolis then defeated Riverside B 1-0 in their midweek fixture to move level with their opponents.

Eston Villa’s 4-0 defeat of Longlands confirmed their place at the top of Group C in the Hunter Cup, while West Middlesbrough Academy were already top of their group prior to their 4-0 win over The Junction.

This Sunday sees the second semi-final of the Dave Bodley Trophy between Eston Villa and Erimus as both teams play for the right to face all-conquering North Ormesby Cons in next month’s final.

BATTLEZONE PAINTBALL LANGBAURGH SUNDAY LEAGUE

IN Division One The Star had to twice come from behind to secure a point against Middlebeck, in a 3-3 draw, with goals from Joe Ford, Steven McPartland and Carl Bailey.

Park End edged a tight game with O’Connells 2-1.

Lakes United took an early 2-0 Division Two lead against title-contenders Acklam Green, courtesy of an Earl John-Lewis strike from outside the area, and a Carl Cairns goal.

But a formation switch from Acklam Green paid dividends as they led 3-2 at the break.

Three more second half goals made it a more comfortable-looking scoreline, with Acklam Green winning 6-2.

In Division Three Star & Garter took an early 2-0 lead at home to Parklands, with goals from Kieron McKinley and Joe Marron, before Parklands halved the deficit before half-time.

Another McKinley strike just after the break saw Star & Garter go 3-1 up, but a quick-fire Parklands double restored parity.

There was a late twist, as Parklands snatched a last-minute winner to secure all three points with a 4-3 victory.

UK MoD tries to block book on Helmand

The British Ministry of Defense (MoD) has been accused of trying to stop publication of its own book on Afghanistan’s Helmand Province, as the contents are too critical.

The book on Britain’s war in Helmand — authored by Dr. Mike Martin who was commissioned to do research by the MoD — was due to be published on Tuesday. However, British officials have blocked the release claiming it breaches the Official Secrets Act.

Following the decision, the author, Mike Martin, said “I have been forced to resign. I was employed as a constructive critic and I strongly believe that the Army needs reform.”

Martin also reportedly criticized the MoD for being more interested in protecting its reputation than learning the lessons.

In response to Martin’s resignation, the defense ministry said in a blog posting that “the Army simply decided that it was inappropriate for a serving officer to publish a book that is so heavily critical of the Army, the MoD and our allies. It respects the decision Dr Martin has taken.”

Meanwhile, the book’s publisher has said it had taken legal advice and would go ahead with publication.

Britain is to pull out troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. Some 5,200 British forces are presently stationed in Afghanistan.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 under the pretext of combating terrorism. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the foreign troops have not been able to establish security in the Asian country.

CAH/AB

US troops may be deployed to Eastern Europe: NATO commander

NATO’s top military commander in Europe says US troops may soon be deployed to alliance member states in Eastern Europe as tensions near the border between Ukraine and Russia continue to escalate.

US Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove has told the Associated Press that plans for boosting NATO’s military presence in Eastern Europe could involve the mobilizing of US troops, saying that he would not “write off involvement by any nation, to include the United States.”

“Essentially what we are looking at is a package of land, air and maritime measures that would build assurance for our easternmost allies,” the four-star US general said in an interview with the AP. “I’m tasked to deliver this by next week. I fully intend to deliver it early.”

Asked if US troops could be sent to the member states which are closest to Russia, Breedlove said, “I would not write off contributions from any nation.”

Breedlove says about 40,000 Russian forces are along Russia’s border with eastern Ukraine.

“What we see there is a force of about 40,000,” the general said. “I would characterize it as a combined arms army. In other words, this is an army that has all of the provisioning and enablers that it needs to accomplish military objectives if given them.”

This comes as Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that Ukraine and the US have “no reason for concern” as “Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not conduct unusual or unplanned activities which are militarily significant on its territory near the border with Ukraine.”

Tensions between Washington and Moscow intensified after people in Crimea voted last month to sever ties with Ukraine and join Russia.

US President Barack Obama has signed executive orders imposing sanctions on senior Russian officials and a Russian bank, Bank Rossiya.

Following pro-Russian demonstrations in the Ukrainian cities of Donetsk, Lugansk, and Kharkov over the weekend in which protesters seized government buildings, US Secretary of State John Kerry threatened Russia with more sanctions accusing Moscow of “an illegal and illegitimate effort to destabilize” Ukraine.

Kerry said before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday that Washington and its allies are ready to impose tough new sanctions “on those orchestrating this action and on key sectors of the Russian economy — in energy, banking, mining — they’re all on the table.”

ISH/ISH

Bernie Slaven: Boro goals will give Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield a real boost

Bernie Slaven thinks Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield desperately needed their goals because they both still have plenty to prove

I was delighted to see both Lee Tomlin and Jacob Butterfield score goals against Birmingham.

I think they both desperately needed them because they both still have plenty to prove.

Butterfield’s goal was a beauty, a pleasure to watch.

He took it well, turned nicely on and finished it superbly. It was a great goal and one that had everyone talking - until the Birmingham boy hit his rocket. My word, that was a cracker.

But I was happy for Butterfield because he has earned that goal.

He thought he had already got off the mark but a perfectly good goal was ruled out at Sheffield Wednesday.

Whenever he has come on he has worked hard, looked to be creative and has shown he has got some good touches and good distribution in his locker.

He looks a good player but has flitted in and out of the team and although he has played well he has not really stamped his authority on the team or taken control of games.

That goal will underline to Karanka what he can do.

Tomlin too. He needed to start to show some end product.

He came on loan initially then suddenly it was converted to a permanent move on relatively big money.

But he was suspended for the first three games and when he finally was available he never really happened.

He had a few cameos, a half here, an hour there, but the word was that he was struggling to get up to speed with the shape and tempo Boro played at.

And when he got on the pitch he showed plenty of energy but no end product.

I like the guy and I think he will turn out to be a great player for Boro.

He is strong and direct and he isn’t scared to drop his shoulder and run at defenders and try to make things happen.

But it must be said, it hasn’t really happened for him yet and 10 weeks is a long time for a forward who arrived with quite a bit of hype and a hefty price-tag to go without a goal.

At the weekend against Derby he played some neat touches and linked up well but when he was through himself he missed a glorious chance.

Maybe he was trying too hard. Certainly it looked like the frustration was getting to him.

When he was subbed against Derby he was angry. He stormed down the tunnel and chucked a water bottle because he was furious.

I don’t mind that. I like to see that bit of passion. I’d rather that than he goes off laughing and reaches for his phone.

I’m glad to see that Karanka has not held that against him and has channelled that into getting a performance and a goal.

I hope that opens the floodgates for him and we see far more of that direct running and attempts on goal. And Butterfield too.

If they can add goals it gives them more chance of nailing down a place, Karanka more options and Boro more goal threat.

Cleveland Police Chief Constable Jacqui Cheer: I knew it would be a challenge

Jacqui Cheer arrived amid Operation Sacristy and has had to deal with crippling police cuts :: Sophie Barley met the chief to look at the ups and downs of her first year

Jacqui Cheer was brought in to take over the reins of a controversy-hit force and she admits it has been a challenge.

This week marks the first anniversary of Mrs Cheer taking over the role as Chief Constable permanently.

She joined the force from Essex Police originally on a temporary basis and she admits that she knew the role was going to be a challenge.

She said: “It hasn’t been easy. I knew what I was walking into. I knew there was a large investigation running, I knew that the force had not had a Chief Constable or Deputy for six weeks. I knew it was going to be tough.”

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Gallery: Jacqui Cheer

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She joined the force temporarily in October 2011 and then took over the position permanently in April last year.

She said that the original intention was for her to return to Essex Police.

She said: “I am happy that I stayed. It has been a challenge but this is a fantastic workforce. Officers in this force work very hard and they believe in what they are doing.

“And through all that has happened, they have kept their heads up and kept going. ”

Last month the long-running Operation Sacristy probe - an investigation into corruption at Cleveland Police - came to end with the Crown Prosecution Service announcing that they will not be charging any of the people investigated.

She said: “I don’t want to say that we are putting it behind us and forgetting about it because we aren’t. We have learnt from it and now more stringent checks and balances are in place to monitor the effective and efficient use of public resource.”

Financial cuts have also hindered Mrs Cheer’s first year in charge and more is to come with further cuts expected.

The force has already made £15.1m worth of savings since 2011 and now has to make £5m savings by 2015.

She said: “We have had no option with it and it is the same throughout the country. And we think we have another round of cuts that we will have to deal with. These cuts are eye-watering. But every force is having to deal with this.

“This has been the main challenge for me since coming to Cleveland and it is still ongoing. But once again I have to praise the professionalism of the workforce. They have just got on with it.”

Mrs Cheer hit the headlines herself when she failed a fitness test in September last year. The test is for front line officers only but Mrs Cheer took the test to set an example to her colleagues and also because she regularly goes on patrol.

She said: “It wasn’t something I was expected to do. I didn’t have to do it. But I like to still go out on patrol. That is important to me.

“I try and go out on patrol with officers as often as I can, sadly that hasn’t been much recently but I plan to more over the next year.

“I will be spending some time with the road policing officers soon and I was involved in carrying out some drugs raids early last year. I will be taking the test again - when my safety training is next due, I will do it then.”

Despite her first year being a challenge, Mrs Cheer said there has been some positives with crime figures dropping and some very successful investigations and convictions.

She said: “Fighting and reducing crime remains our number one priority. Protecting the public is paramount.

“Our officers want people to see how good they are and what they are doing to protect them, and that attitude and commitment has made this year a lot easier.”

Skelton super heavyweight Tony Richardson out of ABA championships

Tony Richardson a major absentee as Teesside area boxers launch challenge in this season's England Boxing National Senior Elite Championships

Reigning ABA super heavyweight champion Tony Richardson is the major absentee as Teesside area boxers launch their challenge in this season’s England Boxing National Senior Elite Championships.

Rainton Meadows Arena in Houghton-le-Spring is the setting this weekend as the best boxers in the North-east take part in the Tyne, Tees and Wear Elite championships tomorrow night, looking to punch their places into the April 19 Northern pre-quarter finals.

The latter stages of the tournament - which now features boxing without headguards under AIBA international rules - will be held over three days at the Echo Arena in Liverpool from April 25-27 with the quarter-finals, semis and final.

But that rules out Skelton soldier Richardson as the acting staff sergeant in the Light Dragoons is busy working on those dates, taking part in infantry reconnaissance and leadership courses he is unable to get out of.

After five years out of the ring, Warminster-based southpaw Richardson enjoyed a fairytale run to ABA Over-91kg gold last season, surviving a knockdown and last gasp standing count to narrowly outscore 21-stone Nicholas Webb from Woking in the final.

“I’m gutted I won’t be able to try and defend the title,” the 32-year-old said. “It was a dream come true to win it last season, especially after being out so long.

“But the higher you go up in your job, the more responsibility you get, and that has got to take priority. The Combined Services Championships started last night and finish tonight down in Aldershot, and I couldn’t even get a bout in them.

“I’d been training hard at the Bronx and Phoenix gyms in Nottingham, and was supposed to have a bout in them, so I’ve won the super heavyweight Combineds on a walkover. But even if I’d won I would have had to pull out of the competition.”

Richardson is hoping to be back in elite action next year however, Army duties permitting.

“There is plenty of life in the old dog yet,” he said. “I’m not 33 until next January and I’m due to move back up North to Catterick next year, so could train closer to home.”

Richardson’s absence will not deter the Middlesbrough-area boxers who have their own Elite Championship agenda.

Wellington ABC go into battle with 2012 ABA light middleweight finalist Louis Cunningham, light welterweight Kalem Leather and light heavyweight Tom Blenkinsop.

The club’s 2012 ABA middleweight runner-up Peter Martin has been ruled out as he is recovering from a broken nose. Middlesbrough ABC pin their hopes on classy flyweight Joe Maphosa, an ABA bantamweight finalist in 2012 and flyweight semi-finalist last term.

Former TTW belt holder Adil Hassan makes his elite championship debut at featherweight for Redcar ABC.

South Bank ABC also have just the one representative in lightweight Ross Jameson, as light welter Tab Simamanie has a chest infection and there is no cruiserweight division for Michael Webster to box in.

Assistant Redcar coach Niki Wiley said: “Adil has always had potential - it’s up to him how much he uses it. He is working 12-hour shifts, but has really put the work in the last few weeks and is looking good.”

The 10 English members of the GB Boxing squad - including Sunderland ABC heavyweight Warren Baister - are in this season’s tournament, and have been seeded through to the quarter-finals.

Richard Hall replacement Rafal Konopka has his chance to impress for Redcar Bears

Rafal Konopka has been drafted in to replace Richard Hall, who was handed a 30-day suspension earlier this week for kicking an opponent

By Keith McGhie

Rafal Konopka gets his big chance at the South Tees Motorsports Park tonight (7.30pm) when Redcar Bears bid to consolidate top spot in the League Cup Northern Qualifying Group against local rivals Newcastle.

The 21-year prospect from Leszno in Poland came to Britain to try to earn himself a Premier League place and impressed during the Ecco Finishing Bears’ pre-season practice last month.

Now Konopka has been drafted in to replace Richard Hall, who was handed a 30-day suspension earlier this week for kicking opponent Josh Auty during last Sunday’s 50-37 victory at Scunthorpe.

Konopka has showcased his talent everywhere he could, including Wolverhampton where Bears founder Chris van Straaten promotes, and arrives on the recommendation of Elite League rider and compatriot Adam Skornicki.

“He’s very keen and I’ve kept in touch since the practice,” explained Bears promoter Brian Havelock.

“We’ve not got anything to lose because the alternative is rider replacement and that rarely works, especially away from home.”

Newcastle are the holders for the League Cup, having beaten Ipswich in the final last September, but, although beating Redcar 60-29 when the sides met on Tyneside 11 days ago, have yet to show any consistency this season and have lost their last three matches.

Yet Havelock warns: “(Newcastle boss) George English always puts a good team together and they are always a threat at our place so we can’t afford to take them lightly.

“So far it’s been very frustrating, what with the Kozza Smith saga (the Ecco Finishing Bears’ Australian target was refused a visa) and then this recent trouble with Richard Hall, especially as the team have picked up well on the track. Richard was a gamble because he was coming back from injury but has done pretty well so far, and then he goes and totally loses it at Scunthorpe.

“We’ve got new one-piece race-suits, the stadium’s looking really nice and the new air fence is almost paid for, the team are top of our group and everything seems to be going well and now this!”

Havelock will be hoping the early season traumas are now behind Redcar and will look to the likes of new number one Richard Lawson to continue to lead from the front against the Diamonds.

Lawson, who arrived on Teesside from Workington during the winter, has won 11 of his last 12 races for the Bears and Havelock enthused: “He’s going really well and scoring in the Elite League too, which is good for his confidence.”

Lawson received high-scoring support from skipper Aaron Summers, Hugh Skidmore, Jan Graversen and Carl Wilkinson in both victories over Scunthorpe, while local product and Premier League rookie Luke Crang has not looked overawed and claimed his first win at this level at the STMP last week.

Graversen, back this year for a second spell with the Bears, will be looking for a third successive double-figured pay packet to help celebrate his 27th birthday today.

BEARS: Luke Crang, Ian Graversen, Rafal Konopka, Richard Lawson, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.

DIAMONDS: Christian Henry, Ludvig Lindgren, Lewis Kerr, Stuart Robson, Lewis Rose, Anton Rosen, Chris Schramm.

Simon Cowell says Teesside X Factor winner James Arthur, needs to 'calm down'

James Arthur recently claimed on Twitter he was unhappy with the way his career was being managed

Music mogul Simon Cowell has said Teesside X Factor winner, James Arthur, needs to “calm down”.

Saltburn native James, who won the 2012 series of the show, recently claimed on Twitter he was unhappy with the way his career was being managed.

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Katie Lunn

James Arthur at Middlesbrough Town Hall

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And when asked about James’ tweets, Cowell has said he is going to have to “sit down” and speak to the 26-year-old.

“He has just got to calm down a bit,” he said.

“What I would say to him is ‘put it into perspective’.

“You won a show, you wouldn’t have got a record deal probably without the show, you’ve sold tons of records, you’re famous. Just get in the studio and make a great record. Relax.”

James has also recently denied he has been sacked by Cowell’s Syco label.

Reports in a national newspaper claimed he had been fired from the record label for using lyrics that “glamorised terrorism”.

Dream Home: Charm in abundance at quirky barn conversion in village of Potto

Petrus House is a £359,990 three-bedroom barn conversion on Cooper Lane in the village of Potto near Hutton Rudby and Stokesley

Character properties always catch the eye and are often something very special.

This week’s Dream Home is no exception.

For it was its quirky nature, vaulted ceilings and oodles of charm that first drew its owners to it - and they’ve loved living there.

You’ll find Petrus House on Cooper Lane in the village of Potto near Hutton Rudby and Stokesley. A semi-detached, three-bedroom barn conversion, part of the house dates back to the 1800s and the owners believe it was used as stables at one point.

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Dream Home: Petrus House on Cooper Lane in the village of Potto

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They moved in two years ago and set about redesigning the rooms and putting their own stamp on the place creating a charming home filled with talking point spaces from the new farmhouse style kitchen to the Inglenook fireplace to the cast iron spiral staircase.

A new bathroom has been put in too - with a roll top bath just perfect for a spot of relaxation.

“The kitchen is one of our favourite rooms, it is a big open space,” says the owner. “We have family time in here, eat and socialise. It’s a very functional space.

“There’s lots of open living space and lots of square footage.”

She can be entertaining friends in one room, she laughs, while her other half is watching football in the other.

So what’s inside?

The entrance hall boasts parquet flooring and the feature spiral staircase up to the first floor. There’s an Inglenook-style fireplace in the lounge with a multi fuel burner followed by another sitting room with a vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and feature bookshelves.

The 16ft by 14ft kitchen breakfast room is another eye catching space. There’s a stone floor, a mix of fitted units with granite worktops and a large island unit with a reclaimed wood worksurface. Two column radiators bring a contemporary feel and there’s a vaulted ceiling with exposed beams adding charm and character.

Access is open to the dining room with a feature wine store leading off it.

The ground floor is also home to a study and a utility room as well as a bedroom with its own en suite.

Two bedrooms, both with exposed beams, and a bathroom with a roll top slipper bath sit on the first floor.

Outside, the garden at the back of the house has a lawn, patio, shrubs and a summer house and there is a parking bay for two cars.

“We’ve been here for two years, we loved its quirkiness and vaulted ceilings,” adds the owner. “Since moving in we redesigned all of the rooms and opened the kitchen up by taking walls down and installing a huge island unit. We also installed a new bathroom with a roll top bath.”

The village location has much to recommend it too. Potto is set in the countryside but with good commuting links and close to the charms of Stokesley and Yarm.

With plans for a new business opportunity, however, the owners have taken the decision to put their home on to the market.

Petrus House in Potto is for sale with a price tag of £359,990. For more information, contact the Stokesley office of estate agent Your Move Scott-Collier Taylor on 01642 711570.

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Bungling Stockton thief 'staged' burglary of own mother's home to cover his tracks

Christopher Hudson made a hamfisted attempt to explain away belongings missing from his mum's house - only to be caught in the act

A bungling thief stole from his mum’s home then “staged” a burglary to cover it up.

The hamfisted criminal was caught in the act by a neighbour and ended up in prison for his drug-fuelled crime spree.

Christopher Hudson, 35, was trusted by his mother and stepfather to look after their house while they were on holiday.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said he stole possessions worth £3,500 while staying there between June 2 and 20 last year.

He used his stepdad’s name to sell the stolen jewellery to second hand goods stores and take out a payday loan, Teesside Crown Court heard.

When the householders came home, they didn’t realise anything had gone missing.

Days after their return, Hudson burgled the home stealing a £300 laptop and causing damage, the court was told.

“It’s effectively a staged burglary,” said his barrister Duncan McReddie.

“The damage was caused as a pretty guileless and ineffectual way of trying to cover his tracks of the other items he’d taken while his parents were on holiday and he was coming and going with a key.”

A neighbour saw Hudson carrying a bag from the Stockton home on June 24.

The victims found that jewellery, a tablet computer and other items had disappeared.

When he was arrested, he denied the burglary but admitted pawning the goods without permission and said he intended to buy them back.

He said he spent the loan money on drugs.

He stole a hard drive from another home on the same Stockton street, as well as items from shops, last September.

Hudson, of Londonderry Road, Stockton, admitted burglary, nine counts of fraud, five of theft and one of attempted fraud, and he asked for seven more offences, also against his mother and stepfather, to be taken into account.

Mr McReddie said Hudson was in the grip of heroin addiction at the time and embarked on a “compressed” spate of offending to fund it.

After almost six months remanded in custody, he now appeared to be “an entirely different individual”.

He had reconciled with his parents who visited him in prison and sent him money.

Hudson, who also had a problem with depression, was on a methadone prescription to get him off heroin and had written a letter to the court.

Judge Peter Bowers told Hudson he abused his mother and stepfather’s trust then tried to cover up the thefts.

He added: “It seems to me that you are gradually coming to your senses and your letter appears to suggest that.

“I can’t overlook this,” he added, jailing Hudson for 18 months but saying he’d be out in about three months.

“You may have learned your lesson. When you come out, I trust that with support you’ll be able to go straight.”

Next stage of multi-million-pound Stockton town centre revamp under way

Multi-million-pound regeneration of Stockton town centre is moving on with work now progressing on the next stage

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Stockton Town Centre regeneration plans

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The multi-million-pound regeneration of Stockton town centre is moving on with work now progressing on the next stage.

The main section of the bus loop at the northern end of Stockton high street is now open.

The bus stops between Debenhams and Marks and Spencer are in operation, making it easier for people to access the town centre shops, businesses and leisure opportunities, say Stockton Council.

The road and bus stops on the opposite side of the road in front of Darlington Building Society and the Royal Oak will be open before the end of June.

Stockton Council's Cabinet member for regeneration and transport Councillor Mike Smith said: “We want to make it as easy as possible to travel into Stockton town centre so the introduction of new road layouts, like this bus loop, are a vital part of the regeneration scheme.

“Stockton has so much to offer residents, businesses and visitors alike, from independent shops and markets to eateries and first class, nationally acclaimed events and by improving the access to the town we can make sure more people can benefit from these.

“The new paving and trees are really helping to improve the appearance of the town and this, combined with the improvements to the transport routes, will make it a more appealing and welcoming place to visit.”

The new car park which is being built on the former Lindsay House site is also progressing while repaving continues throughout the northern part of the town centre.

Improvements to Dovecot Street and its junction with Prince Regent Street are finished and over the coming months shoppers, businesses and visitors will notice the water feature and steps in the central area are beginning to be constructed.

Once complete the focal point at the heart of the town centre will incorporate seating and grass where people can sit, relax and enjoy events.

To keep up-to-date with the progress of the regeneration of Stockton town centre regeneration visit http://ift.tt/1iA1NmQ.

DigitalCity success brings £174m boost for Teesside

DigitalCity is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and over the past decade has made a major impact on the regional economy

Teesside's digital supercluster is worth £174m a year to Teesside - and £62m to Middlesbrough alone.

DigitalCity is celebrating its tenth anniversary, and over the past decade has made a major impact on the regional economy, rejuvenating business, buildings and boosting jobs.

It was set up in 2004 to create a “vibrant, successful and self-sustaining supercluster based on the digital technologies, digital media and creative sectors and their enabling capabilities”.

The figures, from local enterprise partnership Tees Valley Unlimited’s economic unit, reveal the true impact of the ambitious supercluster, which has helped 250 graduates establish 216 companies and create 389 new jobs so far.

Today, Middlesbrough and Stockton are ranked at number 16 in a list of the UK’s digital hotspots by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, and make up the only hotspot north of Birmingham.

Born out of Teesside University, a long-time frontrunner in the computing and digital world, DigitalCity was created to harness the ability of students and encourage them to turn their skills into businesses.

The initiative launched fellowships to support fledgling businesses, offering support and access to the best mentors.

Meanwhile, the Boho One building in Middlesbrough was established to offer start-ups a social space, affordable rents and a package of support to aid their transformation into successful businesses.

DigitalCity’s ‘Garages to Global’ philosophy has resulted in award-winning companies such as games studios Double Eleven and Coatsink Software and innovative digital start-ups such as Sound Training for Reading, that can improve a child’s reading age by two years in six weeks.

Head of DigitalCity David Jeffries said: “Long before boot camps and accelerators were well-known DigitalCity fellowships gave enterprising graduates access to world-class mentors and facilities. We’ve seen over the past 10 years DigitalCity grow from an idea into a project that is making a massive difference to the economy of the Tees Valley and the North-east region.

“DigitalCity companies are developing cutting-edge technologies used in medicine to save lives; they are creating independent games studios with an international reputation and supporting hundreds of jobs regionally. Hopefully the next 10 years will see DigitalCity’s reputation continue to grow.”

Stephen Catchpole of Tees Valley Unlimited said: “DigitalCity has created a significant number of digital firms in the Tees Valley and supported many more. The digital growth in the Tees Valley has been driven by them and Teesside University’s digital expertise.

“Digital businesses in the region also support local industry, from shutdown and plant simulation software for process industries to financial modelling for the energy sectors.”

Yuill Homes ceases trading after battle to find buyer fails

Steven Ross and Ian Kings of Baker Tilly were hopeful they could save the 87-year-old company

Hartlepool housebuilder Yuill Homes has ceased trading after administrators failed to find a buyer for the business.

Administrators at Baker Tilly were put in place in February after the firm fell into difficulties.

However, Steven Ross and Ian Kings of Baker Tilly were hopeful they could save the 87-year-old company, which is well known for a raft of developments across the North-east, after receiving calls from interested parties.

It has now been confirmed that the company has ceased trading with the loss of 55 jobs.

A spokesman said: “Unfortunately the company ceased trading as of March 31.

“Obviously this is very disappointing and the joint administrators are continuing to work with contractors, authorities and the NHBS to ensure that scheduled sales are completed as planned.

“We were hopeful we could reach a sale having received a lot of initial interest but there are never any guarantees.”

He added: “Now it is a case of realising any assets for the benefits of creditors.”

The company was originally established in 1927, bought by Cecil M Yuill Ltd in 1993 and taken over by Taggart Holdings in 2006.

The company was bought out by its management team in 2008 after Taggart went into administration.

It is owned by Newbridge Enterprises, which was formed out of directors of Yuill and the Bank of Scotland (Ireland), and the company has currently been working on a development in Hartlepool, a £1.7m affordable homes scheme in Blaydon, Gateshead, as well as owning a number of sites for future development.

The firm carried out extensive developments in areas such as Billingham, Hemlington and Coulby Newham and was also behind Grey Towers Park built in 2005 in Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.

Recent years have seen the firm suffer a fall in revenues and profit and in 2012 it recorded an annual loss of £3.4m, down from a profit of £953,128.

At the height of the housing boom in 2007, the company enjoyed sales of more than £60m.

Old Middlesbrough fire station is reduced to rubble to make way for new state-of-the-art community station

Cleveland Fire Brigade considered retaining it but it was decided the cost of improvements needed to bring it up to date would be too great

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Middlesbrough fire station demolished

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A piece of Middlesbrough’s history is being extinguished with the demolition of the old fire station.

Demolition is under way to clear the site for a new fire station to be built in the town.

The current station in Park Road South has been reduced to rubble, to be replaced by a new state-of-the-art community fire station.

Built in 1939 and said to have been haunted, it is being demolished apart from the fire station tower, which is being kept.

The building has previously been considered for listing by English Heritage but it was considered it did not meet the required standards.

Cleveland Fire Brigade also considered retaining it but it was decided the cost of improvements needed to bring it up to date would be too great.

Instead, a new fire station with community facilities will rise on the site.

The brigade says that, as well as being a modern new home for the fire service, it would also provide an element of community involvement and educational programmes.

There will be a mini fire station, enabling the brigade to provide targeted activities for children and young people. Facilities would also include a community meeting room and a gym.

Ian Hayton, chief fire officer with Cleveland Fire Brigade, has promised the new station would “serve the community proud throughout the 21st century”.

It is expected work on the new station could start at the end of this month and will be completed by March next year.

Ray Khaliq, the brigade’s director of technical services, said: “The building is down.

“They have obviously got to remove the rubble. It was quite an imposing building, it has got to be said.

“It had a lot of history and a lot of memories. Whilst local residents were sad to see it go, in the main I would say over 90% liked our plans.”

He said some people had felt quite strongly about keeping the tower. This will be retained and clock faces would be installed.

Mr Khaliq said: “It will be lit up so it will be a bit of a feature, especially from the park. It will enhance the skyline certainly.”

In the meantime, said Mr Khaliq, there would be no disruption to fire services, adding: “We are still delivering them from our temporary fire station at Newport South Business Park.”

Plans for 550 new homes on Ingleby Barwick green wedge land look set to be rejected

Stockton planners have recommended the scheme be refused when it comes before Stockton Council's planning committee

Controversial plans for up to 550 new homes on green wedge land in Ingleby Barwick look set to be refused.

Outline planning consent is sought for the residential development on an 80-acre farmland site adjacent to Thornaby Road.

A total of 21 letters of objection have been lodged against the application as well as an online petition set up against “New house building on our green wedge in Ingleby Barwick” which currently has 267 signatures.

Concerns include loss of greenfield site, green wedge and open space; shortage of school places particularly at primary level; Ingleby Barwick does not need more housing and the impact on wildlife.

Ingleby Barwick Town Council, Thornaby Town Council, Hilton Parish Council and Thornaby ward councillor Sylvia Walmsley have also objected.

Stockton planners have recommended the scheme be refused when it comes before Stockton Council’s planning committee next week.

A report to committee concluded: “Although there are some significant benefits to the proposed development it is considered that such benefits would be outweighed by the harm the proposal would have to the green wedge and the wider character of the area.”

A further application for a residential development of up to 550 homes at neighbouring Little Maltby Farm was unanimously rejected by the planning committee in February.

Jersey-based Tiviot Way Investments have now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

But James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, has written to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, asking him to “recover the appeal” - which would see the Minister make a final decision.

Mr Pickles last year overturned Stockton Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for a free school and 350 homes on the site.

Scheme to transform eyesore site on Teesside Retail Park is recommended for approval

Barker and Stonehouse plans for a new flagship store will be considered by Stockton Council's planning committee for Barker and Stonehouse

Ambitious plans to transform an eyesore site on Teesside Retail Park have been recommended for approval.

As reported, furniture retailers Barker and Stonehouse want to invest £4.5m in a new flagship store and office on the former site of Springs health club.

The plans will be considered by Stockton Council's planning committee when it meets next week.

Officers have recommended that the scheme be passed, with conditions.

The gateway site has been the focus of several failed regeneration attempts in recent years, including most recently in 2011 an application to build a Travelodge, Harvester pub and Nandos restaurant.

The scheme, by Athenaeum Developments, would have created more than 60 much needed jobs.

But to the anger of Thornaby councillors the application was rejected after planning officers raised “significant concerns” the development could impact on the council’s multi-million-pound regeneration of Stockton town centre.

A planning inspector later upheld the decision after the developers appealed.

A report to the planning committee said the impact of the new Barker and Stonehouse store on Stockton and Middlesbrough’s retail centres has again been considered.

But the report added: “The impacts are considered to be insufficient to warrant refusal of the scheme on these grounds.”

Barker and Stonehouse, founded in Stockton in 1946, wants to demolish the derelict Springs building and construct a 4,827m2 store at the site, which has been vacant since February 2007.

If this application is given the green light next week, work is intended to start in June and the store would open early 2015.

James Barker, managing director of Barker and Stonehouse, said: “The site provides an excellent location for our new store, allowing us to raise the bar and design a top quality, uniquely inspiring environment that customers will really enjoy visiting.”

He added that the new store would create “significant work for local firms” – from design, build and fit out to additional roles in store.

Stockton South MP James Wharton has called on Stockton Council to back the plans, saying the local economy needs the jobs and investment.

James said: “Springs is right at the entrance to Teesside Park and has become a real eyesore.

“I thought it was a mistake to turn down previous proposals which would have brought it back into use and I hope that mistake will not be repeated.”

Thornaby Town Council are also fully supportive of the application.

The plans will be considered at a meeting of Stockton Council’s planning committee on Wednesday at Stockton Central Library.

Boro defender dilemma for Aitor Karanka as injuries and bans hit

Boro will be without George Friend, Kenneth Omeruo and Ben Gibson for the tough trip to Burnley

George Friend has been ruled out of Saturday’s trip to Burnley.

The left-back limped off early in Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Birmingham and scans have now confirmed damage to a groin muscle.

It will be a blow to boss Aitor Karanka, who also has to deal with suspensions in his defence.

“We have a lot of injuries and other problems,” said Karanka, whose side go to Turf Moor on the back of three straight wins.

“But we will put 11 players on the pitch and I’m sure those who do play will play with the same intensity as we did on Tuesday.”

Even with a full squad, the clash against the promotion-chasing Clarets would have been tough.

But, with three key members of the defence missing it will be made even harder against a side who will be promoted to the Premier League if they win on Saturday and Derby lose.

Kenneth Omeruo has been handed a one-match ban after his dismissal for his two yellow cards against Birmingham while fellow central defender Ben Gibson, who was also sent off after a second booking, was given a two-game ban because of his previous card collection this season.

Gibson stood in for Friend when he went off on Tuesday, so Karanka now faces a left-back dilemma.

Meanwhile, winger Mustapha Carayol has had reconstruction surgery on his torn anterior cruciate ligament.

It went well but he now faces six months of rest and rehabilitation.

Gaza resident builds plant that returns plastic to fuel

A Gaza resident has built a high-tech plant from basic equipment to turn used plastic remains to its origin; fuel.

It took Ibrahim Soboh, 55, from the Nusairat refugee camp in the centre of the Gaza Strip, seven months to build and perfect the plant.

Israel’s siege on the Gaza Strip lead to many essential goods running out, pushing the residents to Gaza to invent new machines with basic equipment to try to find alternatives.

Soboh refused to disclose the secret of his invention but said the idea came to his mind as he knows that plastic is made of fuel and plastic remains, which used to be exported to Egypt through tunnels, are accumulating in huge amounts.

In his plant, Soboh melts plastic by heating it until it becomes vapour. The vapour is condensed in the same machine and becomes fuel.

According to Soboh, every 1.5 kilogrammes of ground plastic gives one litre of fuel. The new fuel is used to run electricity generators, cars and other machines which operate on oil.

The next stage for Soboh is to search for donors to set up a big plant to be able to reuse tonnes of plastic remains accumulated in large stores in the Strip. He believes this will solve two problems; it encourages plastic recycling and finds a way to help with the fuel crisis.

MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad

Inspirational young man who survived horrific climbing accident raising cash for those who saved his life

Callum Rock, 20, has come a very long way from the day he nearly died after plunging from a rock face while climbing near Guisborough

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An inspirational young man who wasn’t expected to survive a horrific accident is fighting his way back to fitness and raising cash for those who saved his life.

Callum Rock’s family feared the worst after their 16-year-old son suffered appalling injuries after falling 70ft in a climbing accident.

The teenager sustained life-threatening multiple injuries which left his life hanging in the balance in August 2010.

It was touch and go as surgeons battled for 12 hours to repair his horrendously damaged body, including a severe brain injury and multiple skull and facial fractures.

But despite fears that he might never walk again, Callum, now 20, has proved everybody wrong with his amazing recovery.

Not only is he walking, the Middlesbrough College student has just completed a five-mile run to raise money for the Great North Air Ambulance, which helped to save his life.

Callum, who had to re-learn everything following his brush with death, completed the Hartlepool Marina 5 Mile Road Race in 50 minutes.

He has come a very long way from the day he nearly died after plunging from a rock face while climbing near Guisborough. Back then, his parents Jan and Anthony Rock were living every moment with the fear they might lose him.

Mum Jan said: “He wasn’t expected to survive basically because his injuries were so severe. We were literally living hour to hour.

“Callum spent the first 12 hours in theatre when he first got to hospital. There were five surgeons working to repair a severed artery. They couldn’t stop the bleeding.”

Jan said the surgeons at James Cook University Hospital were “brilliant” and Callum pulled through, but then followed a long process of repair and rehabilitation, including facial reconstruction and skin grafts to re-build his battered body.

Jan said: “When he first opened his eyes he couldn’t see, he couldn’t hear, he couldn’t move, he couldn’t swallow, he couldn’t walk, he couldn’t do anything. He was just like a newborn baby again. He had to be taught how to sit up, how to eat.”

Callum, of Marton, says he doesn’t remember much about his ordeal but admits having to learn things again has been frustrating.

But remarkably he is still able to laugh about what happened.

He jokes that he is like “the Iron Man”. And showing off the scars on his right arm, he said: “I should tell people I have fought a pack of tigers.”

Callum has been helped in his rehabilitation by taking up running again. He was a runner before his accident, saying: “I remember doing six-minute miles.”

He is now a member of the Swift-Tees running group and runs several times a week. He was among those selected to carry the Olympic torch in the run-up to the London 2012 Games.

His example has inspired local businessman Thomas Bunn, who donated £500 to Callum in aid of the Great North Air Ambulance.

Mr Bunn is MD of his own company, Laminate Products Direct Ltd. He said of Callum: “I am just so inspired by him. I have got a son the same age.”

With this generous donation, Callum has now raised more than £1,800 for the air ambulance. He said: “It was good to be able to raise money for them for what I owe them. I owe so many people so much it is ridiculous.”

Marton grandad jailed for part in sophisticated multi-million pound amphetamine supply ring

Jamie Broderick was arrested last year after officers found over 40kg of amphetamine with potential street value of nearly £2m at flat in Doncaster

A grandad has been jailed for more than three years for his part in a sophisticated multi-million pound amphetamine supply ring.

Jamie Broderick, from Middlesbrough, was arrested last year after officers found more than 40kg of amphetamine with a potential street value of nearly £2m at a flat in Doncaster and in a nearby car.

Paul Mitchell, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court a further quantity of base liquid sufficient to manufacture another 50kg of amphetamine was also found.

Broderick, 46, of Gypsy Lane, Marton, admitted conspiracy to supply the Class B drug.

Amphetamine sulphate paste was produced from a base liquid by means of a chemical reaction. The paste was then mixed with a cutting agent such as caffeine before being packaged for sale.

The fumes were so strong from the chemicals being used to process the drugs at the flat in Bessacarr Court, Doncaster, that officers from the National Crime Agency had to wear face masks to breathe during their search.

He said during April last year a watch was being kept on the flat and two of those involved in the ring, Daniel Dobbs and Paul Cook, were seen there.

On April 22, Broderick drove on to a Tesco car park in Hornsea with Stephen Vaughan as a passenger. They both then walked to Cook’s home 200 yards away.

Later all four were seen moving boxes to and from the Doncaster premises.

On April 29, Dobbs and Cook were seen shopping for equipment used to turn the flat into a drug processing workshop, including bowls, measuring jugs, plastic containers, scales and wooden spoons at one supermarket and face masks at another store.

The next day Vaughan was seen purchasing a vacuum packing machine in Middlesbrough.

It had been ordered by someone called Dobbs and was paid for in cash.

On May 1, Broderick exchanged Blackberry messages with Cook about other equipment that was needed one saying they needed “fresh m” which the prosecution alleged was methanol which Cook had previously bought from a business in Lincolnshire.

Broderick was arrested at his home in Middlesbrough on May 2 after others had been arrested.

Among items recovered was a pair of Armani jeans and a white T-shirt, both of which bore traces of amphetamine and caffeine.

Peter Makepeace, representing Broderick, told the court on Monday he had been married for 25 years and had found it extremely difficult to be “ripped” away from his family and into prison for the first time in his life.

He had found that a frightening and life changing experience but was now a trusted prisoner with a cleaning job on his wing.

He was someone very unlikely to trouble the courts again after he received a 44-month jail term.

Vaughan, 38, from Hornsea, also admitted conspiracy to supply amphetamine and was jailed for 32 months.

Sentencing them Recorder Darren Preston said, although less involved than others, there had to be an immediate jail term. “This was a very sophisticated operation involving the production of very large quantities of amphetamine.”

Dobbs, 25, of Scarborough Road, York, was sentenced in January to 13 years and six months for conspiracy to supply amphetamine and also conspiracy to supply heroin.

Cook, 46, of Burton Road, Hornsea, who pleaded guilty to both conspiracies was jailed for eight years eight months.

Two other men were each jailed for five years at the same time.