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 6 May, 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.

Sex Slavery Horror in Nigeria

Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the Nigerian jihad group named the Congregation of the People of the Sunnah for Dawah and Jihad and better known as Boko Haram (“Western Education Is Sinful,” or “Books Bad”), has horrified the world by abducting over three hundred schoolgirls and selling them into sex slavery. Shekau has even published a video in which he gloats about the abduction, telling the girls’ grieving families: “I abducted your girls. I will sell them on the market, by Allah….There is a market for selling humans. Allah says I should sell.”

Does Allah really say that? The mainstream media is, true to form, steadfastly ignoring Shekau’s references to the acceptability in Islam of sexual slavery, and it’s easy to understand why, given its anxiety always to portray Islam in a favorable light – for the Qur’an really does allow for the owning of sex slaves:

If you fear that you will not act justly towards the orphans, marry such women as seem good to you, two, three, four; but if you fear you will not be equitable, then only one, or what your right hands own; so it is likelier you will not be partial. (Qur’an 4:3)

This verse is the basis for Islamic polygamy, allowing a man to take as many as four wives, as long as he believes he is able to “deal justly” with all of them. But justice in these circumstances is in the eye of the beholder. The renowned Qur’an commentator Ibn Kathir says this the requirement to deal justly with one’s wives is no big deal, since treating them justly isn’t the same as treating them equally: “it is not obligatory to treat them equally, rather it is recommended. So if one does so, that is good, and if not, there is no harm on him.”

The verse goes on to say that if a man cannot deal justly with multiple wives, then he should marry only one, or resort to “what your right hands own” — that is, slave girls.

The twentieth-century Qur’an commentator Maulana Bulandshahri explains the wisdom of this practice, and longs for the good old days:

During Jihad (religion war), many men and women become war captives. The Amirul Mu’minin [leader of the believers, or caliph -- an office now vacant] has the choice of distributing them amongst the Mujahidin [warriors of jihad], in which event they will become the property of these Mujahidin. This enslavement is the penalty for disbelief (kufr).

He goes on to explain that this is not ancient history:

None of the injunctions pertaining to slavery have been abrogated in the Shari’ah. The reason that the Muslims of today do not have slaves is because they do not engage in Jihad (religion war). Their wars are fought by the instruction of the disbelievers (kuffar) and are halted by the same felons. The Muslim [sic] have been shackled by such treaties of the disbelievers (kuffar) whereby they cannot enslave anyone in the event of a war. Muslims have been denied a great boon whereby every home could have had a slave. May Allah grant the Muslims the ability to escape the tentacles of the enemy, remain steadfast upon the Din (religion) and engage in Jihad (religion war) according to the injunctions of Shari’ah. Amen!

This is by no means an eccentric or unorthodox view in Islam. The Egyptian Sheikh Abu-Ishaq al-Huwayni declared in May 2011 that “we are in the era of jihad,” and that as they waged jihad warfare against infidels, Muslims would take slaves. He clarified what he meant in a subsequent interview:

…Jihad is only between Muslims and infidels. Spoils, slaves, and prisoners are only to be taken in war between Muslims and infidels. Muslims in the past conquered, invaded, and took over countries. This is agreed to by all scholars–there is no disagreement on this from any of them, from the smallest to the largest, on the issue of taking spoils and prisoners. The prisoners and spoils are distributed among the fighters, which includes men, women, children, wealth, and so on.

When a slave market is erected, which is a market in which are sold slaves and sex-slaves, which are called in the Qur’an by the name milk al-yamin, “that which your right hands possess” [Qur’an 4:24]. This is a verse from the Qur’an which is still in force, and has not been abrogated. The milk al-yamin are the sex-slaves. You go to the market, look at the sex-slave, and buy her. She becomes like your wife, (but) she doesn’t need a (marriage) contract or a divorce like a free woman, nor does she need a wali. All scholars agree on this point–there is no disagreement from any of them. [...] When I want a sex slave, I just go to the market and choose the woman I like and purchase her.

Right around the same time, on May 25, 2011, a female Kuwaiti activist and politician, Salwa al-Mutairi, also spoke out in favor of the Islamic practice of sexual slavery of non-Muslim women, emphasizing that the practice accorded with Islamic law and the parameters of Islamic morality.

…A merchant told me that he would like to have a sex slave. He said he would not be negligent with her, and that Islam permitted this sort of thing. He was speaking the truth. I brought up (this man’s) situation to the muftis in Mecca. I told them that I had a question, since they were men who specialized in what was halal, and what was good, and who loved women. I said, “What is the law of sex slaves?”

The mufti said, “With the law of sex slaves, there must be a Muslim nation at war with a Christian nation, or a nation which is not of the religion, not of the religion of Islam. And there must be prisoners of war.”

“Is this forbidden by Islam?,” I asked.

“Absolutely not. Sex slaves are not forbidden by Islam. On the contrary, sex slaves are under a different law than the free woman. The free woman must be completely covered except for her face and hands. But the sex slave can be naked from the waist up. She differs a lot from the free woman. While the free woman requires a marriage contract, the sex slave does not–she only needs to be purchased by her husband, and that’s it. Therefore the sex slave is different than the free woman.”

While the savage exploitation of girls and young women is an unfortunately cross-cultural phenomenon, only in Islamic law does it carry anything approaching divine sanction. Here is yet another human rights scandal occasioned by Islamic law that the international human rights community and the mainstream media cravenly ignore. The abduction of the Nigerian schoolgirls could have been an opportunity to call upon Muslim leaders to work for genuine reform, so that the justifications for this savagery are definitively removed. Instead, Western leaders and the mainstream media are doing what they always do: pretend that this is an isolated incident and there is no problem.

And that only ensures that there will be more such incidents.

Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here .

Subscribe to Frontpage’s TV show, The Glazov Gang, and LIKE it on Facebook.

Love and war - how a couple battled barriers to be reunited as a family

Today we publish the first part of our look at the First World War diaries of a couple left stranded by its outbreak

When war was declared on August 4, 1914, William Lye Pattison was at home in Middlesbrough while his German wife of four years, Marta, and their two children, Frida and Renee, were in Frankfurt visiting family.

Diaries owned by their grandaughter, Barbara Bishop of Linthorpe, tell of the couple’s feelings as war kept them apart, and of their frustration at not being reunited while both countries mobilised for war.

Yesterday, the diairies documented the couple’s feelings at being apart as war loomed large.

Today, the extracts show an increasing desperation to be together again and how, poignantly, William’s daughters kiss letters sent by the daddy they left behind. They also reveal how after William falls ill, and Freemasons become involved, Marta finally gets the go-ahead she craves and her journey back to Middlesbrough can begin.

But even that doesn’t go straightforwardly, with William bedridden for weeks with a serious illness when Marta and the girls finally reach home. Thankfully, though, William pulled through and, by Christmas Eve, he was well enough to come downstairs to see the children’s Christmas tree.

In 1919, the couple had another child, Peter, but tragically he died during the Second World War when the ship he was serving on was torpedoed.

:: Click here to read part one of the First World War diaries

Intl. community mum on Muslims massacres

A new Press TV report criticizes the international community’s silence over the massacre of Muslims in many countries, including Myanmar, Sri Lanka and the Central African Republic.

The Sunday report highlighted the recent barbaric massacre of Muslims across the violence-wracked northeastern state of Assam in India, where members of a faction of the National Democratic Front of Bodoland killed tens of Muslims.

“They made everyone stand on the riverside and shot at them, they were around thirty to forty people, the attackers held guns in their hands and their faces were covered in black fabric,” a Muslim Indian woman, who was injured during the attack, said.

The report also emphasized on the long persecution of Muslims in Myanmar by Buddhist extremists. The Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar has faced torture and repression since Myanmar’s independence in 1948.

Hundreds of Rohingya Muslims have been killed and wounded in months of violence in the country. Thousands of others have been forced to flee their homes.

Buddhist extremists are also committing atrocities against Muslims in Sri Lanka, the report said. It also showed footage of Muslims fleeing violence in the Central African Republic.

The report underlined the United Nations’ failure to make any tangible measures to stop attacks against Muslims. It also urged the UN Security Council to issue a binding resolution to stop crimes against Muslims.

PG/MAM/AS

Live: Updates from the Oscar Pistorius trial

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.

Watch: Thousands enjoy fun in the sun at Preston Park Garden Show in Eaglescliffe

Thousands of people turned out to enjoy Preston Park Garden Show at the weekend and were blessed with (mostly) fine weather

Thousands of people have been flocking to Preston Park for a popular spring garden show.

Hundreds of people turned out for Saturday’s sunlit start to the 18th Preston Park Garden Show in Eaglescliffe. And while the weather had taken a turn for the worse yesterday, big crowds still turned out to enjoy day two of the three day festival.

Among the entertainment at the event was Jema Leopold with her performing horses and ponies. Circus-trained Jema has been running her own display team since 2006 and made her debut at the garden show last year.

View gallery

Preston Park Garden Show

View gallery

The Mavericks Flyball Team also performed, alongside a dog show, a creature house, and pig and Indian runner duck racing - two of the new attractions which were set to be a favourite with the crowds.

Show organiser Kelvin Pye said: “I was delighted with the success last year and want to continue to grow it maintaining its horticultural focus to make it much more of a fun-filled family day out by bringing in new displays and attractions.”

The Pennine Bernese Carters dogs also entertained the crowds along with Yorkshire alpacas and musical entertainment from Jangles ceilidh folk band. While for the horticultural purists, Mike Prest and the National Vegetable Society also hosted gardening question time sessions.

Drink driving Middlesbrough nurse struck off after string of convictions uncovered

A nurse caught drink-driving has been struck off after it emerged that he has convictions dating back more than 30 years

Barry Payne was working as a community staff nurse in Middlesbrough when police saw him driving suspiciously and arrested him in October 2012.

He was fined £580 at Teesside Magistrates’ Court and disqualified from driving on November 9 the same year, the Nursing and Midwifery council heard. But a check of the Police National Computer showed Payne had convictions dating back to January 3 1984, when he was caught for attempted shoplifting.

The nurse was convicted of burglary and theft at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court on August 21 1987 and was ordered to undertake 240 hours’ unpaid service. Payne had taken a Betamax video recorder, a Casio keyboard and 40 beefburgers.

He also received a 12-month conditional discharge from Newcastle Magistrates’ Court for obtaining property by deception.

He received a further conditional discharge for destroying property after he damaged a ground floor kitchen window, a front door window and a gas fire.

Payne faced four allegations at the NMC hearing in central London, which he chose not to attend.

Allegations that he was convicted of drink-driving and he failed to disclose his previous convictions to the NMC were found proved.

A single allegation that he failed to inform the NMC of the drink-driving conviction was found not proved after the panel ruled there was insufficient evidence.

In a written statement, Payne said: “I declared my first two offences but I am at a loss as to why I did not declare the other two offences.

“I have blocked a lot of my past out from my mind as there are things which I don’t wish to dwell on.

“I am ashamed and embarrassed about my criminal convictions and I wholeheartedly apologise if I have appeared deceitful.”

Panel chairman Susan Heards said: “The panel concluded that the impact Mr Payne’s misconduct had on his profession and the council, as a regulating authority, are fundamentally incompatible with Mr Payne remaining on the register and that the panel must consider a striking-off order.

“Although the panel has received no specific information about the potential impact of a striking-off order on Mr Payne in terms of the financial and professional hardship that this would create, the panel recognises and has borne in mind the fact that a striking-off order would prevent Mr Payne from pursuing his chosen profession and deriving an income from it.

“Nevertheless, the panel considers that in this case the public interest outweighs the interests of Mr Payne.

“The panel is of the view that Mr Payne’s actions, particularly the abuse of his position of trust, his failure to declare all of his convictions and his persistent attempts to minimise the seriousness of his convictions demonstrated a serious departure from the relevant standards as set out in the code and is incompatible with ongoing registration.

“Public confidence in the nursing profession and in the NMC as its regulator could not be sustained were the panel not to impose a striking off order.”

Payne was struck off the register and will not be able to apply for restoration for five years.

Tennis star Elena Baltacha dies of liver cancer at the age of 30

World of tennis mourns the former British number one

British tennis star and former women’s number one Elena Baltacha has died of liver cancer at the age of 30, her family has said.

Baltacha died peacefully at her home early yesterday morning surrounded by friends and family and with her husband Nino Severino at her side.

The sports star was diagnosed with the illness in January, just two months after retiring from tennis and only weeks after she married her long-term coach.

In a statement released by her family, Mr Severino said: “We are heartbroken beyond words at the loss of our beautiful, talented and determined Bally.

“She was an amazing person and she touched so many people with her inspirational spirit, her warmth and her kindness.”

Announcing her diagnosis in March, Baltacha vowed to fight the cancer “with everything I have”.

The Lawn Tennis Association described her as a role model and said a “gaping hole” has been left in British tennis.

Iain Bates, head of women’s tennis, said: “Today we have lost a shining light from the heart of British tennis - a true role model, a great competitor and a wonderful friend.

“We have so many special memories to cherish, but this leaves a gaping hole for everybody in both British and women’s tennis, and words simply cannot express how saddened we are by this news.

“All our thoughts are with Nino and the rest of Elena’s family. We will miss you Bal.”

At the age of 19 she was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, a chronic liver condition which affects the immune system.

She managed the condition throughout her career with medication and regular blood tests.

She went on to win 11 singles titles, reached the third round of Wimbledon in 2002 and the same stage of the Australian Open in 2005 and 2010.

The daughter of former Ipswich, St Mirren and Inverness footballer Sergei, she reached a career-high world ranking of 49 in 2010 and was British number one for 132 weeks between 2009 and 2012.

However, she struggled with injury and illness during her career, and ankle problems eventually forced her to retire.

In 2010 she launched the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis, which helps children from all backgrounds to learn and play tennis.

All those involved in running the Academy have pledged to carry on the work that she started, the family statement said.

The previously announced ’Rally for Bally’ - a fundraiser due to be played in June - will now go ahead in her memory.

Her childhood friend Andy Murray had committed to play in the event along with the likes of Martina Navratilova, and Tim Henman, and the money raised will go to the Elena Baltacha Academy of Tennis and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Her agent and friend Eleanor Preston said the fundraiser next month will be an opportunity to celebrate everything the tennis star achieved.

She told Sky News: “It was part of Bally’s emotional make-up to be very stoic, she never once asked why me or why is this happening. She was incredibly strong and determined and that was who she was.

“She achieved an awful lot and in the context of having a serious liver condition that she struggled with since the age of 19. This is why she should be held up as a role model.

“She went through it all without the slightest bit of self pity or ego.”

The current women’s British number one Laura Robson paid tribute to her “teammate” on Twitter.

She said: “Impossibly sad. Forever a teammate. Sweet dreams Bally.”

The US former world number one tennis player Billie Jean King, who won 20 titles at Wimbledon, also paid tribute to Baltacha on Twitter. ``Saddened to hear about Elena Baltacha's passing. My fondest memory with Bally was sharing a wonderful chat when we met the Queen at Wimbledon,'' she said.

Paul Annacone, former men’s head coach at the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), tweeted: “Absolutely heartbreaking news to hear about Elena Baltacha. Bally, you will be sorely missed.”

Martina Navratilova also paid tribute. She said: ``Elena Baltacha was a great fighter on the tennis court.

“We as tennis players always worry about our bodies, trying to keep injuries at bay.

“But cancer - you can’t prevent that and you can’t rehab it either and no matter how much of a fighter you are, sometimes cancer wins.

“Elena was taken from the world much too soon - fighting to the end and we will miss her.”

Israeli forces abduct Palestinians in West Bank

Israeli forces have kidnapped a senior member of a Palestinian resistance group and six other Palestinians in overnight attacks across the occupied West Bank.

According to reports on Sunday, Israeli soldiers abducted Hassan Issa Shehadah of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) after ransacking his house near East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

Clashes broke out between the soldiers and local Palestinian youth protesting the raid. Israeli troops fired tear gas and rubber-coated steel bullets at the protesters.

The Israeli soldiers also abducted five Palestinians near the northern West Bank city of Nablus and one in the city of Bethlehem.

In a similar move on Thursday, Israeli regime forces attacked a group of Palestinian journalists who were holding a peaceful demonstration in the occupied West Bank in protest at Tel Aviv’s violations of their rights.

During the Thursday protest rally, the Palestinian journalists censured the regime in Tel Aviv for its abuses, degrading behavior and humiliation of journalists.

In March, Palestinian journalist Moussa al-Shaer said Israeli soldiers used him and his two colleagues as human shields during a demonstration in Bethlehem.

The Israeli military regularly raids houses of Palestinians in the West Bank, arresting activists and civilians, mostly without any charges. Many Palestinians remain under detention in Israeli prisons, where they are given minimal access to their basic rights.

Head of the Census Department at the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Detainees Abdul-Nasser Ferwana said in February that the Tel Aviv regime is currently holding over 4,800 Palestinian inmates in seventeen prisons as well as detention and interrogation centers.

IA/MAM/AS