Norton grandma shot in the face with an airgun

Alison Saunders, 52, was walking her toddler granddaughter home when she was shot in the chin with a pellet

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Alison Saunders was shot in the face with an airgun

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A nanna was shot in the face with an airgun as she walked down the road with her young granddaughter.

Alison Saunders, from Norton, was walking down Rochester Road in Roseworth, in Stockton pushing her youngest grandchild, 20-month-old Peggy, in her pink pushchair when she felt a sharp pain in her chin.

“I thought it was a stone until I felt it,” said Alison, 52. “It didn’t knock me over but it knocked me back.

“I pulled it out and there was blood everywhere. It looked like a pellet from a gun.”

A passing stranger came to her aid and helped stem the blood and call her son, David, who lives nearby.

The police were called and they were at the scene within minutes.

“I don’t know where it came from - a bedroom window or a house,” said Alison, a cleaner, who lives with her youngest child, Emma, 17.

The incident happened on Saturday between 5pm and 5.15pm on Rochester Road near the green field on one side of the road and Rhyl Close opposite.

Alison had been babysitting Peggy for the afternoon and, after being ill with a chest infection, she decided to walk back to her son’s and daughter-in-law’s home to “get some fresh air”.

“It could have been the baby’s face, it could be even worse if they do it to someone else,” she said.

“It’s horrendous shooting someone like this. It was very painful at the time.

“It’s really sore but it’s healing a bit now. It was the shock of it that somebody could do this.”

The mum-of-six and grandmother-of-eight went to the dentist yesterday to assess the damage. He said one of her bottom teeth is loose and the gum has suffered trauma.

Alison said she no longer feels safe enough to walk to her son’s home via the same route.

Emma said: “I was so shocked. I meet my friend down there but I don’t feel safe doing that now.”

Alison added: “I don’t like to think what I would say to them if I saw them. They would hate it to happen to someone they knew.”

Anyone with any information about the incident is urged to ring the police on 101.

Avenging South Bank husband jailed and given driving ban after ramming wife's car

Paul White also damaged another car he thought belonged to her new boyfriend :: Incident led to police chase along A174 and A66

An avenging husband who rammed his wife’s car and another one he thought belonged to her new boyfriend was jailed yesterday and banned off the roads for five years.

Paul White, 34, from South Bank, who had been drinking, was caught after a police chase when an officer smashed his van window when he tried to ram a squad car.

He had previous convictions for driving with excess alcohol and for breaching a non- molestation order taken out by his wife Leanne who separated from him two years ago, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said that Mrs White was woken at her Guisborough home on December 14 by banging on the front door and her husband shouting for her to open it.

He went back to his van and he said “This is what I’m going to do to you”, and he reversed at her Ford Focus damaging the front bumper and side light.

Fifteen minutes later he turned up in another part of Gusiborough at the home of a man whose son he suspected of having an association with his wife.

He reversed twice into the family’s Ford Fiesta damaging the rear wing and bumper.

Mrs Jacobs said that the father ran after him and he could smell alcohol through the half-open window. The family were upset because the Fiesta had been bought with money left to the wife by her father when he died.

There was a police pursuit along the A174 and the A66 Westbound with White cutting up other drivers until he eventually turned off into a cycle path and hit a bollard causing him to stop.

A police officer left his vehicle and shouted to him to turn his engine off, but White told him to “---- off” and he reversed towards the patrol car. The officer drew his baton and smashed the van window allowing him to switch off the ignition.

When White was asked to provide a roadside breath sample he refused and he continued to hurl abuse. He refused to provide a specimen at the police station and he made no comment at interview.

Duncan McReddie, defending, said that White had since stopped drinking and associating with friends who were binge-drinkers, and he had self-referred to anger management and alcohol abuse counsellors.

Mr McReddie said that White realised that he had lost self-control on an unacceptable scale.

Judge Peter Bowers told him: “Under the influence of alcohol you embarked upon a spree to revenge yourself on your ex-wife and her presumed new partner.

“Apart from damaging cars you then embarked upon what can only be described as an incredibly dangerous chase pursuit by police over quite a substantial distance causing a real risk to other road users.

“You were under the influence of drink and you showed no consideration for anybody else, just your own determination to get away.”

White, of Strauss Road, South Bank, was jailed for 15 months and disqualified for five years and until he passes an extended driving test after he pleaded guilty to two charges of damaging property, dangerous driving and failing to provide a specimen.

David Moyes set to be quizzed by police after man claimed he was assaulted in a Clitheroe wine bar

The ousted Manchester United and Everton boss was eating with friends when the incident occurred

Police are set to speak to former Manchester United boss David Moyes after a man claimed he was assaulted in a wine bar.

Moyes, 51, was having a meal with a friend from his days at Preston North End in an upmarket bar in Clitheroe, Lancs when the incident occurred.

Police stressed that there are different accounts of what happened and that they are trying to establish what exactly what took place in the bar.

The well known bar - The Emporium - above an antiques shop in the centre of the town is only a short drive from his home.

The 23-year-old has claimed to police he was struck by a man around the back of the head and fell to the floor injuring his shoulder.

Lancashire Police said: “Police are investigating a report of an assault at the Emporium wine bar in Clitheroe.

“Officers attended the bar at about 10pm yesterday (Wednesday, May 21st) and it was reported that a 23 year old local man had been assaulted by a 51 year old man. He did not require hospital treatment.

“Inquiries are ongoing and we are speaking to a number of people to try to establish the circumstances.

“There are a number of differing accounts which we need to work through to try to establish exactly what has happened. No-one has been arrested at this stage.”

The man who made the allegations, who also lives locally, told friends he was interviewed by officers at the scene.

One regular at the bar, which is covered by CCTV, said: “It is the very last place you would expect to find any trouble.

“It is very upmarket and not the sort of bar where people go to look for, or find, any sort of aggravation.”

Friends of the man who made the allegations said he did go to hospital and received treatment at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Moyes has kept a low profile since he was sacked from Old Trafford at the end of last season.

Today rumours were linking him to the vacant manager’s chair at Celtic and an immediate return to Champions League football.

Teesside domestic abuse group SODA closes after seven years

Survivors of Domestic Abuse has helped hundreds of people over the past seven years, but can no longer afford to keep going

A charity set up to support people through the trauma of domestic abuse has reluctantly closed for good.

Redcar-based SODA - Survivors of Domestic Abuse - was set up in 2007 to offer support and advice to male and female victims. But having helped hundreds of people over the past seven years, the award-winning service can no longer afford to keep going.

Founder Lindy O’Hare - a former Gazette Community Champion nominee - said: “We have had financial difficulties for a while and can no longer continue. Since 2007, we have had support from various organisations, as well as private donations from local clubs and groups. We have also lots of fun and, at times, tears while raising our own money.

“But in these current times, when funding is scarce, we have been finding it harder and harder to continue as volunteers.

“We have supported, guided and advised so many male and female victims of domestic abuse to be safe, or to move on, since 2007, so we know that SODA made a difference.”

Mum-of-four Lindy, 50, said the decision was “very sad” but with little money coming in, and her health affected, the time was right. She now plans to offer her expertise to organisations who deal with domestic abuse victims.

She said: “We must have helped hundreds of people over the years. And since I told people we were closing, some of the messages left on Facebook have been very touching. I’m a tough old bird but they’ve brought a tear to my eye.”

Lindy, who has 12 grandchildren, said she wanted to say a “huge thank you” to everyone involved in SODA for their “support, advice, guidance and donations” - from the RCDVA, who helped the group set up, to all the trustees, volunteers and supporters who kept it going. She added: “I also want to give a personal, heartfelt thank you to my wonderful family and friends who believed in my vision, supported me through good times and bad, and who were always there for me.”

Friends of Eston Hills need help to remove graffiti

The Friends of Eston Hills group want to do something about unsightly graffiti in the area, but they need help to remove it

The writing is on the wall for graffiti on Eston Hills.

When campaign group The Friends of Eston Hills filled more than 50 sacks of rubbish during a litter pick, they decided to do something about the unsightly writing daubed on the walls and rocks up there.

But they will need some help if they are to completely remove it.

Chair Craig Hornby said: “We’ve been advised that we need to work with an industrial jet washing company.

“We may well need scaffold too so any companies out there who can help us please get in touch. We can’t do it alone.”

Visit www.estonhills.info.

Wild bird is rescued from guttering by fire crews at Ingleby Barwick house

Occupants of the home were woken by the bird's distress calls at 5am after it had become entangled in string

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Bird rescued from guttering in Ingleby Barwick

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A young bird was rescued by firefighters after becoming entangled in string.

The wild bird was found in the guttering of home in Ingleby Barwick when the occupants were woken by its distress calls at 5am on Tuesday.

The homeowners checked on the bird a few hours later and found it was still flapping its wings and appeared trapped.

RSPCA Inspector Clare Wilson was then called to the house but was unable to access the bird.

Concerned, she called Cleveland Fire Brigade and crews were able to climb up and access the bird.

They discovered that it had become entangled in string which was wrapped around its feet.

The bird was taken immediately to a local vets and after an examination, it was freed by Inspector Wilson where it was found.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “Immediately it flew across the road and alighted in a bush so seemed no worse for wear for the experience.”

He added: “The RSPCA often find birds in this predicament and sometimes the birds break their wings, legs or even die when they get stuck hanging upside down. Hopefully this is a reminder to everyone that litter is dangerous to wildlife and to dispose of litter in a responsible way.

“I would like to thank the Fire Service for their support and assistance and for responding so quickly.”

Dream Home: Four-bedroom £379,999 Stockton home is former farmhouse

Couple have renovated the family home on Stockton's Durham Road to turn it into a dream place to live

Once upon a time, this week’s Dream Home used to be a farm.

But to look at the four-bedroom family home on Stockton’s Durham Road now, you would never think it.

For it mixes together a blend of spacious rooms with both traditional and contemporary styling that make the property just perfect for family living.

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Dream Home: Durham Road home in Stockton

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It has been in the same family for the past 26 years and home to its current residents, the daughter and son-in-law of the owners, for the past three. When they moved in, they decided to renovate the property adding in all kinds of touches to make the space their own.

A property has stood on the plot since the 12th century - something they discovered from maps of the area held at Preston Park.

“We believe the property dates back to 1865, it has been extended a lot over the years - once in the 30s and again in the 90s,” they explain.

“It has lots of features to it and we wanted to try and bring the best out of the house.

“It has five reception rooms which give us lots of space and the choice to do whatever we want.”

Since moving in, they have put on a new roof, a roof to the conservatory that is thermal efficient as well as installing a new bathroom among other things.

The honours go to the living room when it comes to naming a favourite space in the house - chiefly because of its size.

“We love it because the lounge is huge, it is a big space,” they add.

At 27ft by 14ft, it has patio doors opening out onto the garden. Two roof light windows let the light flood in and features come in the shape of a cast iron living flame gas fire on a granite hearth.

Glazed doors also open into the dining room and another set open into the garden room making the room a really social space too.

So what else is inside?

The ground floor is home to a sitting room with a stove style gas fire.

The rear lounge comes next and then the garden room - there’s access to the garden from here and the self clean thermal efficient roof keeps it at a comfortable temperature all year round.

There’s also a study on the ground floor as well as the dining room - from here there’s an archway through to the breakfast kitchen where you’ll find a range of high gloss style fitted units, granite work surfaces and a central island unit come breakfast bar with oak block surface.

Built in appliances include an oven and dishwasher and the sink has a waste disposal unit.

There’s a door out to the garden from the kitchen too.

Upstairs there are four bedrooms and the family bathroom, bedroom two has its own en suite shower room.

Outside, the house has wrap around front and side gardens with shaped lawns. The garden at the back faces south-west and has a lawn, flower beds and raised planters.

There’s a hard standing area in the south-west corner of the garden too which has its own access via double gates onto a private rear lane.

Double gates open onto a 90ft block paved driveway which leads to a four car garage.

The house stands near the Durham Road, Darlington Lane crossroads with good access to Stockton town centre.

“It used to be the farmhouse for the area,” they add. “It was a great opportunity to be able to renovate it.”

Plans to downsize, however, mean the decision has been taken to put the property on to the market.

The Durham Road home is for sale with a guide price of £379,999. For more information, contact the Stockton office of estate agent Reeds Rains on 01642 601601.

More Dream Homes

Space and charm at £635,000 five-bedroom executive style Wynyard home

£895,000 Guisborough home full of charm and acre of own gardens

Delightful spaces inside and out at £825,000 five bedroom Stokesley house

Stylish £595,000 Folly with feel for family living in Hutton Rudby

Charm in abundance at quirky barn conversion in village of Potto

Games room, gym and sauna at five-bedroom £649,995 Wynyard house

All about the views at £649,950 five-bedroom Kirklevington house

£600k five-bed Nunthorpe property was once a school

Boro taking new shirt orders - but designs are kept a closely-guarded secret

Boro fans have been given hints on the kits, with the red home shirt featuring 'a new twist on the traditional band'

Boro fans can order the new shirt from today - but they will have to wait a while to see exactly what it looks like.

The designs for next term’s shirts are being kept a closely-guarded secret, although fans have been given hints through a website strip tease in recent weeks.

The home kit is as expected, red with a white flourish and the away kit is in the popular blue and black with fluorescent detailing.

All will be revealed on Thursday, June 5, when Season Card holders can buy the new kit at the stadium shop. It goes on general sale the following day.

But the club is taking pre-orders now.

“We’re confident fans will love the latest kits,” said head of retail Jo Swinnerton.

“The designs are superb. Although they are being kept secret until the launch, we can reveal that the traditional red home shirt features a new twist on the traditional band.

“The away kit echoes elements of last year’s training kit with fluorescent trim, which was very popular with fans.”

Adult shirts are priced at £45, with children’s ranging from £38 to £45.

Fans can pre-order at the stadium store, by phoning 08444 992676 or through the club website www.mfc.co.uk .

Billingham woman cheated taxpayer of more than £37k in benefits over four year period

Mum-of-four Louise McCabe, 31, was not sent to prison as Teesside's top judge decided she should work for the community

A mum-of-four who cheated the public purse out of more than £37,000 in benefits has been ordered to work for the community.

Louise McCabe falsely claimed three forms of benefits over a four-and-a-half-year period.

Teesside Crown Court heard how she struggled to feed her family and was evicted from her home as her partner gambled away his money.

McCabe, 31, started claiming benefits legitimately as a lone parent with no income in May 2006.

She did not tell Stockton Council or the Department for Work and Pensions when she started living with her working partner two years later.

Prosecutor Nigel Soppitt said McCabe was overpaid a total of £37,169 between August 2008 and February 2013.

She was given £22,966 in housing benefit and council tax benefit and £14,203 income support, the court was told today.

She continued claiming benefits after she was first interviewed and presented with evidence in November 2012.

She denied that her partner was living with her, saying she simply received his post.

She maintained her denials in the face of evidence that he paid for her Sky TV package and registered two cars at her home.

McCabe, of Redworth Road, Billingham, later admitted three counts of dishonestly failing to notify the authorities of a change in circumstances - her first conviction.

She is paying back the money via an arrangement with the authorities.

Ian Mullarkey, defending, said McCabe didn’t have enough money for the family, “buried her head in the sand” and carried on claiming.

He said: “She regrets very much what she’s done.

“It wasn’t spent on any lavish lifestyle. It was simply to maintain financial security for her and her children.”

He said her partner earned £1,500 per month but he failed to contribute consistently to the family.

At one point the family was evicted and forced to move house, unable to pay rent because of her partner’s gambling problem.

“Since the current charges he’s acknowledged his responsibility and made positive changes to his financial management,” added Mr Mullarkey.

He said McCabe was tackling her difficulties, such as depressive illness, and seeking work.

She previously worked for the Army before she was discharged on medical grounds.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told McCabe: “A number of people have difficulty coping but not everybody has to resort to cheating.

“That’s what you did because people who pay their taxes pay for people who are entitled to benefits.

“Essentially you cheated the public out of about £37,000 over a period of four years.

“You have a partner who you say to the probation officer did not fully pay his way, and I accept that.

“He didn’t do that because he was a gambler. So there was not a great deal of money coming in.

“Further, you did not start cheating the benefits system from the outset.”

He said she succumbed to temptation and knew she should have reported the change in her circumstances.

If she went to prison, said the judge, her partner would have to give up work to look after the children and he would end up on benefits.

“And the cost to the country would be significantly greater in all respects than the £37,000 you’ve cheated the public out of.

“So it’s time for you to put something back to the community.

“You now will be known as somebody who cheated the benefits system.

“You will no longer be able to claim you’re a woman of good character. That in itself will be punishment enough.”

He gave her a 16-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months with supervision and 100 hours’ unpaid work.

Guisborough man took girlfriend out for driving lesson while both were over the limit

Liam O'Brien and girlfriend Sophie Danielle Jobson both failed tests when stopped by police during the early morning lesson

A Teesside man took his girlfriend out for a early morning driving lesson on her birthday - even though they were both over the limit.

Liam O’Brien, from Guisborough, and his girlfriend Sophie Danielle Jobson, 19, were caught during the lesson after being spotted by police.

The 27-year-old sound engineer admitted aiding and abetting Ms Jobson, 19, an entertainer from Cramlington in Northumberland, who admitted driving with excess alcohol.

Skegness Magistrates Court heard that at 2.45am on April 14, police saw their vehicle clip the kerb and mount the verge in Sea Lane, Chapel St Leonards and when they followed it they saw the car swerving across the road.

They stopped the Vauxhall Astra and found that Ms Jobson was driving with O’Brien in the passenger seat.

Both failed breath tests and O’Brien was found to have a reading of 40 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath and Jobson had 65. The legal limit is 35.

Paul Wood, prosecuting, said O’Brien owned the car and had a full licence but that Ms Jobson only had a provisional licence.

He said O’Brien told the police that it had been Ms Jobson’s birthday and they had drunk alcohol and then gone back to the caravan where they were staying and had some more before she asked to go out for a driving lesson.

“By making his vehicle available to her, he encouraged the driving and he was aware she had been drinking,” he said.

“The Crown says his culpability is as much as hers,” he added and said O’Brien had a previous conviction for excess alcohol in 2005.

In mitigation, Gary Farmer said O’Brien had been working that night until around 1am before going to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday.

He said that Ms Jobson was in a very good mood and pressured him in taking her out in the car but O’Brien did not think either of them was over the limit.

He said that a driving ban was not mandatory for O’Brien and he would lose his job if he was disqualified.

The magistrates disqualified Ms Jobson from driving for 18 months but offered her the drink driver’s rehabilitation course which would reduce the period of disqualification by four months.

She was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £85 in costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

O’Brien was fined £400 with a £40 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Ten penalty points were put on his licence.

Police officer will face no legal action after son Darryl Williams jailed for child sex offences

48-year-old officer still suspended and will face internal disciplinary investigation :: Darryl Williams locked up for almost three years last month

A Cleveland Police officer whose son was locked up for a string of child sex offences will not face legal action.

The 48-year-old officer was suspended and one of three people arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in November last year.

But Cleveland Police has now confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service will not take any further action against the officer or the other two people arrested - but the officer will now be subject to an internal investigation.

His son Darryl Williams, 19, was sent to a young offenders’ institution for two years and nine months after appearing at Teesside Crown Court last month.

A Cleveland Police spokesperson said: “A file was passed to the CPS who have advised no further action in terms of the conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

“A Cleveland Police officer now faces an internal disciplinary investigation.” The 48-year-old remains suspended.

A 42-year-old man, and a 45-year-old woman were also arrested in November from the Redcar area - and Police have confirmed the CPS will take no further action against them.

Darryl Williams, of Windsor Road, Redcar, pleaded guilty to offences of sexual assault, sexual activity with a child and sexual activity in the presence of a child - his first convictions.

Cleveland Police confirmed that the officer was his father after the 19-year-old was sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in April.

Judge John Milford QC said the teenager had sexually exploited younger girls.

A probation report said Williams’ behaviour was “predatory and manipulative” towards young impressionable girls.

The teenager, who was a member of a youth organisation, admitted six sexual offences against five girls spanning a three-year period when he was 14 to 18.

All but one of the girls were several years younger than him.

The court heard of the impact on the victims. Parents spoke of girls’ sleepless nights, panic attacks, fear, stress and effects on their mental health and relationships.

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said Williams had been a foolish, naive “class clown” who didn’t take things seriously.

He said Williams was otherwise caring, thoughtful and decent with a supportive family.

Williams had devastated his own life, ruined his career and “had the stuffing knocked out of him”, said the barrister.

Boro starlet Callum Cooke converts spot-kick to help England win Under-17 European Championships

Callum Cooke came off the bench against Holland while fellow Boro youngster Dael Fry watched the match from the bench

Boro's Callum Cooke held his nerve to convert his spot-kick and help England win a dramatic penalty shoot out to win the Under-17 European Championships.

The talented attacking midfielder from Co Durham came off the bench in last night’s final against Holland, which was staged in Malta’s National Stadium.

Cooke replaced Lewis Cook in the 74th minute of the game but his club-mate, defender Dael Fry, had to watch the match from the subs’ bench.

England took the lead in the 25th minute when Chelsea’s Dominic Solanke fired home from close range.

The Dutch equalised on the stroke of half-time through Jar Schuurman but the second half was goalless, which meant penalties were required to separate two closely-matched sides.

The national team’s record from spot-kicks is miserable, but the new generation showed nerves of steel to win the decider 4-1, converting all their kicks, unlike the Dutch, who had one effort saved and missed the target with two others.

Ryan Ledson, Taylor Moore, Cooke and Jonjoe Kenny all converted for England while keeper Freddie Woodman also contributed by saving Holland’s first attempt.

Delighted coach John Peacock said: “In my opinion, we were worthy winners. It was always going to be a close encounter and it was certainly that – but over the 80 minutes we were the best team.

“I thought we showed character. We deservedly took the lead in the first half and it was a knock-out blow to concede before half time but the character we showed in the second half was first class.

“I told them at the break they were exceptional for 39 minutes, defended and passed really well and I thought we were in control and frustrating the Dutch.

“It was a good goal from them, but I just told the boys to remember the other 39 minutes and get back out there and get off to a good start.”

Regarding penalties, Peacock added: “We’ve been practising penalties for the last two weeks and we’ve put in a few hours.

“It’s not easy to duplicate that in a game in front of a 9,000 crowd – but the penalties were absolutely fantastic.

“I’ve just told them (the players) all ‘well done’ and they deserved it.

“We have had a few knock backs, but we’ve come back from them. Overall, I’m delighted for all the players, and I have to say, all the staff as well. They have been absolutely fantastic and I can’t thank them enough.”

England last won the competition in 2010, beating Aitor Karanka’s Spain 2-1 in Liechtenstein.

Peacock’s side then included Boro’s very own Luke Williams, Ben Gibson and Bruno Pilatos, as well as future loan signings from Chelsea Nathaniel Chalobah and Josh McEachran.

England U-17s:  Woodman, Kenny, Tafari Moore, Taylor Moore, Gomez, Ledson, Cook (Cooke 75), Onomah, Brown, Roberts, Solanke.Subs:  Howes, Fry, Mitchell, Armstrong, Egbo, Sims.

Holland U-17s:  Van Osch, Avest, Veendorp, Verdonk, Verloo, Van de Beek, Schuurman, Nouri (Paal 58), Ould-Chikh, Bergwijn (Slabbekoorn 47), Owobowale (Van der Moot 76). Subs:  Bijlow, Van der Meer, Savastano, Janssen.

Redcar Bears must make home track a fortress says boss

Redcar Bears' mission is to make their own home track one to be feared by visiting teams

Team boss Jitendra Duffill has reminded his team of the importance of turning their home track in to “a fortress”.

The Ecco Finishing Bears pressed home their Premier League play-off credentials with by taking all four points from last Sunday’s North-east derby at Newcastle.

They were on the road again last night for a trip to Ipswich and are due to take on the Witches again in the return leg at South Tees Motorsports Park this evening (7.30pm start).

But with last Friday’s visit to Somerset still fresh in their minds, where they became the fourth consecutive team to have 60 or more points put past them, the Bears’ mission is to make their own home track one to be feared by visiting teams.

“It is vital we have a good home record,” said Duffill. “We need to make South Tees Motorsports Park a fortress.

“The problem we have is that our track is such a fair track - so many people enjoy riding it.

“But it’s on your home track where you build your confidence and that gets carried into your away fixtures.

“If you take three points (awarded for a victory of seven points or more) from all your home fixtures, it means you don’t have to do as much away from home.

“The most important thing is to be be strong at home because it makes it easier away.

“So we have to make sure that we keep on picking up points at home.

“We’ve been looking good except for the Sheffield meeting.”

The meeting in question was the Bears’ surprise 53-37 defeat at home to the Tigers which ultimately cost them their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup.

The biggest problem they had that night was that they were too slow out of the gate.

But Duffill says they are wiser for the experience and that he’s told his team to make sure they spend time getting their bikes set up correctly.

“The riders really should be on top of things now,” he added.

Tonight’s visitors suffered an injury scare when in-form American Gino Manzares fell during Saturday’s 49-41 defeat at Berwick.

However it has been confirmed that nothing was broken and doctors added that he compressed his neck and back slightly but that no permanent damage was done.

He was due to be back in the saddle for both the back-to-back matches against the Bears.

BEARS: Luke Crang, Jan Graversen, Richard Lawson, Hugh Skidmore, Aaron Summers, Carl Wilkinson.

WITCHES: Adam Ellis, Ritchie Hawkins, Cameron Heeps, Gino Manzares, Morten Risager, Rohan Tungate, Richie Worrall.