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, Wednesday 11th June, 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.

Man arrested over armed police operation in which shotgun was seized from flat

Man, 27, has been bailed in connection with Ormesby police swoop last month :: Police execute warrant in Ainstable Road

A man has been arrested in connection with a police swoop in which officers seized a shotgun and drugs.

The 27-year-old was cautioned and arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class B drug and possession of a firearm.

The charges are in connection with an incident in Ormesby last month.

The suspect, from the Spencerbeck area, has since been interviewed and bailed pending further inquiries.

As reported, the shotgun was found when police executed a warrant on a block of flats in Ainstable Road on May 23.

Armed police also seized drugs at the property as part of “a pre-planned operation”.

About 10 to 15 armed officers, along with several police vehicles and police dogs, were on the scene.

Eyewitnesses described how police, dressed in black uniforms and armed with guns, took cover behind street furniture and surrounded a block of flats near Laburnum Road, at about 11.30am.

Mum-of-two Fiona Price, 32, an occupational therapist, said: “My husband has lived in this area for 27 years and I just can’t believe that something like that has happened around our corner.

“I’m absolutely horrified.”

Stockton MP celebrates Quorn’s £30m investment in Billingham

Work is progressing on Quorn's investment programme which will see 400 jobs created

A Teesside MP has seen for himself how Quorn’s £30m investment will transform its Billingham manufacturing plant, creating up to 400 jobs in the process over the next few years.

Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham toured the plant recently to see how work is progressing to create a third fermenter at the site, which will boost the production of its meat-free products by 50%.

He also heard how the company will create approximately 100 jobs over the course of the 18-month construction process, with a further 300 roles expected to be created within the firm and among its suppliers once the new fermenter is fully operational.

The investment follows a sustained period of record-breaking growth for the Stokesley-based company, which has seen sales grow by 13% in the UK and 21% internationally over the last 15 months.

Mr Cunningham said: “Quorn is a fantastic example of a local business that’s doing phenomenally well, both in the UK and internationally.

“Rather than looking to invest significantly in new infrastructure in other parts of the UK or even abroad, the company has remained loyal to its roots by investing £30m to boost the capacity of its existing plant at Billingham.

“Such investment on a local level will undoubtedly deliver huge benefits through the creation of approximately 400 jobs over the next few years, bringing new skills into the area and developing and enhancing those that already exist.”

Tim Finnigan, research director at Quorn Foods, added: “We are proud to say that the nucleus of our operations remains in Yorkshire and the North-east, despite the brand now being a big global player.

“Sales have soared, particularly over the last 15 months, as people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to eat sustainable forms of protein, such as Quorn, and the health benefits attached to doing this.

“By expanding our Billingham plant, we’re able to increase our capacity to ensure we keep up with demand, and give something back to the local economy through the creation of hundreds of new jobs.”

Quorn has attracted more than two million customers since January 2013, taking the total to more than 12.2 million. For the first time carnivores now outnumber its vegetarian buyers

The company exports to 13 countries including Australia and the USA.

Former professional darts player accused of rape and indecent assault on schoolgirl

Court hears Tony Eccles called girl "special" and told her not to tell anyone about alleged abuse

A former professional darts player has gone on trial accused of raping a schoolgirl.

The alleged victim, now aged in her 20s, said Tony Eccles called her “special” and told her not to tell anyone about the abuse as he would be sent to prison.

The 45-year-old is facing five charges of rape and five of indecent assault on the same girl.

The alleged victim was a child when the alleged offences took place.

Eccles, of Northgate, Hartlepool, denied the charges at Teesside Crown Court.

At the time of the alleged offences Eccles was living in South Bank, Middlesbrough.

Yesterday, on the opening day of the trial, the woman gave evidence via video link.

A video of a police interview - recorded in February last year was played to the court.

The woman said that Eccles would tell her she was “special”.

She said: “He would tell me I hadn’t to tell anyone what had happened.

“He said he would go to prison for what he had done and I would go to a home for being dirty and letting him do what he had done.”

The alleged victim said the abuse continued for several years and said she had “tried to blank it out” during her adult years.

She said the first offences were indecent assaults which later turned to rape.

She said: “He told me ‘you are going to be a big girl now because you are ready’. I was like ‘ready for what?’ I didn’t understand what he meant.”

She claims he then raped her.

She talked of other alleged incidents including an occasion when he allegedly raped her in a bush near his then home in South Bank.

She said: “He said ‘come here I want to show you something and we went over to some bushes.”

British Darts Organisation player Eccles has previously been rated among the game’s best – with a fourth seed at Lakeside in 2007.

Proceeding.

Clubs quick off the mark to sign up for Gazette's £30,000 Wish Sport campaign

Cleveland Classics Netball Club are among the clubs to have signed up for the chance to grab a share of a massive £30,000

Sport groups have raced to the starting line, eager to grab a share of a massive £30,000.

Entries are already flooding in for the Gazette’s Wish Sport campaign which kicked off yesterday.

Among the groups which have already signed up to the campaign is the Cleveland Classics Netball Club.

The group, which is celebrating its 18th year this summer, has grown from one senior team to four in recent years and also hosts back to netball sessions and junior sessions.

Ruth Farrell, from the club, said last year the cash was used to buy new balls. This year they hope to collect enough tokens to raise cash for its junior section.

“We’d like to get them some kit to make them feel a real part of our club,” she said.

“Our junior section has really taken off over the last year and it would be nice to give them something for all their hard work and effort.”

Also quick off the mark in this year’s Wish Sport is running club, Swift-tees.

Based at Hemlington Lake, Swift-Tees has 143 members, coming from areas all over Teesside.

In previous years, the group has spent Wish Sport money on new training equipment. Last year it put one volunteer through a running fitness course to benefit the group.

Swift-tees founder Rosanne Lightfoot said they would like to spend the money in the same way this year.

She said: “Because the group is getting bigger we would like to put forward some more volunteers for the Leadership in Running Fitness course.”

• To support Cleveland Classics send your tokens to 72 St Germains Lane, Marske, Redcar, TS11 7AJ. To collect for Swift-tees, send them to 217 Acklam Road, Acklam, Middlesbrough, TS5 7AB.

• 
  

  For more information about the Philanthropic Foundation, and how to get involved, click HERE

  
  

Coroner informed of death of man struck by train near Eaglescliffe railway station

Man described as in his 30s from the East Cleveland area involved in accident with empty Middlesbrough to Darlington train on Monday night

A man died after being struck by a train near Eaglescliffe railway station last night.

The man - described as in his 30s from the East Cleveland area - was struck close to the station just before 11pm.

An empty Middlesbrough to Darlington train was involved in the accident.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: “BTP officers were called to the line close to Eaglescliffe station, Stockton, on Monday, 9 June after a report that a man had been struck by a train.

“Officers attended the incident, which was reported to BTP at 10.59pm and is currently being treated as non-suspicious.

“Medics from the North East Ambulance Service also attended but the man, in his 30s from East Cleveland, was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The man’s family have been informed.

“A file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Northern Rail reported delays during the evening, with two services affected.

A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said: “The train involved is an ‘empty unit’ which was returning from Middlesbrough to Darlington and there were no passengers on board.

“Sometimes empty units can be heading back to a depot, or will run empty to become a new service at another station.

“After the incident, the 10.38pm service from Darlington to Middlesbrough was terminated at Eaglescliffe.

“The 10.39pm Saltburn to Darlington service was terminated at Middlesbrough.

“Rail replacement bus services were set up for both.”

Middlesbrough MP calls for meeting with government ministers over East Cleveland health cuts

Tom Blenkinsop MP uses House of Commons debate to call on government to look again at proposals for East Cleveland

A Teesside MP has called for a meeting with government ministers about his concerns over the future of health services in East Cleveland.

Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, blasted planned health cuts in Parliament - as a consultation which could see minor injuries provision ended at East Cleveland and Guisborough Hospitals continued.

Locals can have their say on the proposals at a drop-in event held by the NHS South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) tomorrow from 5.30pm until 7pm at the Freebrough Enterprise Centre in Brotton.

Mr Blenkinsop said: “People in the rural East Cleveland part of my constituency need NHS services and support seven days a week... but East Cleveland now faces a triple whammy.

“Ending minor injuries provision does not, in the words of the CCG consultation letter, provide “better care for the vulnerable and elderly”, and I fear that the CCG is trying to disguise cuts to vital minor injury provision.

“This leaves no urgent care services in East Cleveland.”

As part of its IMProVE consultation, the CCG will provide additional outpatient, diagnostic and therapy services at East Cleveland Hospital, in Brotton, but move minor injury service from there and Guisborough to Redcar Hospital.

The detailed proposals, launched in April, also suggest closing Guisborough’s stroke unit and the Carter Bequest Hospital, on Cambridge Road in Linthorpe.

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Carter Bequest Hospital

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Dr Henry Waters, Chair of South Tees CCG, said: “There is clearly a great deal of interest in our plans and we had some good feedback last week about what we’re trying to achieve and the challenges we face in the future with a growing elderly population.

“I hope that people will make an effort to come down on Wednesday evening and see for themselves what we are proposing.”

Mr Blenkinsop also used the House of Commons debate about health to highlight his concerns about NHS England’s plan to close Skelton Health Centre and a GP surgery at Park End.

Mr Blenkinsop, speaking on Monday, continued: “They are looking – and have announced as a fait accompli – the total closure of the Skelton Health Centre and walk-in centre.

“If this happens Skelton will lose one of its GP practices, a nurse practitioner clinic and the attached pharmacy. The clinic serves people from the more socially deprived areas where there are grave health needs.

“But these cuts went beyond East Cleveland. We were then told that the GP surgery at Park End in Middlesbrough was under closure threat. Closure of this facility will, and I make no bones about it, lead to an increase in general ill-health in the area.”

Double delight for Martin Addison in return to NSSCC action at Donington

Martin Addison, from Yarm, was back behind the wheel of his Peugeot 106 Rallye for rounds seven and eight of the NSSCC at Donington Park

Martin Addison made a brief return to the Northern Saloon and Sports Car Championship and came home with a pair of class wins.

Addison, from Yarm, has teamed up with dad Bill - NSSCC champion for the past two years - and brother Rob to compete in the Fun Cup endurance series this season.

But he was back behind the wheel of his Peugeot 106 Rallye for rounds seven and eight of the NSSCC at Donington Park. And he took the class D honours in both races, with Darlington’s reigning class champion Paul Moss (Citroen Saxo) second on each occasion.

Ingleby Barwick’s Mike Williamson was back in action, despite rolling his Mitsubishi Evo 4 five times in the previous round at Knockhill.

And he finished seventh on the road and third in class B behind Mike Cutt (BMW M3) and Andrew Morrison (Seat Leon Cupra) both times.

Friend and neighbour Steve Kell, who had helped him with his repairrs, was also back out after driveshaft problems wrecked his involvement in round four and ruled him out of round five.

He took his Sierra 4x4 to ninth overall and fourth in class B first time out at Donington.

He was having a great race next time out and pushed Williamson hard but a boost hose split which meant he had to limp home and eventually finished 24th on the road and sixth in class.

David Botterill (Porsche 944 Turbo), also of Ingleby Barwick, arrived at Donington leading the ultra-competitive class A1 but was fourth in class on both occasions.

Jeff Wilson (Lotus Elise), Andrew Wareing (Lotus Europa) and Paul Brydon (BMW M3) made it a clean sweep of the overall podium positions for class A1 drivers in the first race.

Colin Simpson (Marcos Mantis) and Wilson completed a class A1 one-two next time with Cutt making up the top three.

Wilson was given a 10-second false start penalty for rolling under the red light in the second race.

Milddesbrough’s Clive Cooksey (Ford Fiesta) missed the meeting after blowing up his engine at Knockhill.

Rounds nine and 10 of the championship are at Croft on July 19-20.

Man arrested in West Yorkshire area in connection with North Ormesby sex attack

Cleveland Police arrest 29-year-old on suspicion of attempted rape after 52-year-old woman was attacked on A66 North Ormesby flyover

A man has been arrested in connection with a .

Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted rape, after a 52-year-old woman was attacked on the A66 North Ormesby flyover near Lytton Street, in North Ormesby on Saturday.

Officers from Cleveland Police arrested the 29-year-old in the West Yorkshire area at around 9am today and police say he will face questioning in due course.

The victim remains at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in a comfortable condition.

She underwent shoulder surgery and also sustained a broken nose after the brutal attack, when she was punched and dragged down a footbridge before being sexually assaulted.

The 52-year-old was walking along Borough Road on the flyover at about 6am on Saturday when the attack took place.

Appealing for information over the weekend, Det Insp Mark Dimelow said: “The community has understandably been shocked and upset by what happened to a woman who was simply walking to work and we are grateful for their support.

“I would like to reassure the public that this kind of incident is extremely rare.”

Roy Chubby Brown left 'gobsmacked' after death of fellow comedian Rik Mayall

Middlesbrough-born Roy Chubby Brown pays tribute to 'very talented' Rik Mayall who he met while staying in the same Liverpool hotel

Roy Chubby Brown has paid tribute to fellow comedian Rik Mayall saying he is “gobsmacked” at his death.

The Young Ones star died yesterday aged 56, with a spokesman from his management company confirming the news.

Now Middlesbrough-born Roy, 69, who now lives in East Harsley, on the outskirts on Teesside, has spoken of the “very talented” man who he met while staying in the same Liverpool hotel.

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Photos: Rik Mayall

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The father of six, who is married to Helen, 46, said: “I watched him perform at small, intimate comedy clubs.

“He then had countless TV appearances before morphing into a great actor.

“He was just a really, really funny man.”

Roy says that he found Rik to be entirely different from his often loud on-screen personas.

He said: “We sat and had a drink and he was very quiet and it was me asking all of the questions.

“He was one of the first alternative comedians - he was a very talented man.

“I think we were all fans of The Young Ones as it was so different.”

Rik also appeared in Blackadder and The New Statesman and had a long-running partnership with Ade Edmondson.

In 1998, he survived a near-fatal quad bike accident at his home in Devon.

The father-of-three recovered and returned to work, appearing in last year’s Channel 4 sitcom Man Down and in the BBC series Jonathan Creek.

Middlesbrough Offshore Wind Validation Centre plans move step forward

Middlesbrough's Advanced Manufacturing Park has netted £2.4m towards the first offshore wind centre of its kind in the UK

Middlesbrough is to be home to a £5.5m UK-first facility for the growing offshore wind sector.

Plans for an Offshore Wind Validation Centre have moved a step forward after the town’s advanced manufacturing park netted £2.4m in Euro cash towards the project.

The new research and development facility will help realise the full potential of creating jobs and developing businesses in the fast-growing sector.

An investment of £2.38m has now been approved from the European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007- 2013, which is managed by the Department for Communities and local Government.

Euro officials that granted the money say it’s the first centre of its kind in the UK.

Match funding for this project is being provided by Middlesbrough Council and the Growing Places Fund, managed by the Teesside’s Local Enterprise Partnership - Tees Valley Unlimited.

Materials used in the manufacturing of turbine blades will be tested at the centre, among other things.

The centre will be built on the Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park (TAMP), part of the Tees Valley Enterprise Zone, opposite Riverside Park Industrial Estate.

The 13-hectare brownfield site, next to the Tees, was previously a reclaimed steelworks.

Middlesbrough Council is developing the infrastructure needed to bring the site into use.

The centre will be a research and development facility with a focus on supporting the offshore wind sector - it will be operated by Middlesbrough-based TWI Ltd, a global technology firm, and Teesside University.

It is due for completion by June next year and will help 20 new and 35 existing businesses, creating 60 new jobs and developing 70 existing jobs by the end of next year.

Communities Minister Baroness Stowell said: “Middlesbrough is rightly recognised as one of the country’s great industrial bases and the Government wants to help it develop new skills and technologies to remain an economic force into the 21st century.

“The £2.4m the Government is providing will create a world-class technology and innovation park to make Middlesbrough even more attractive to existing and potential investors, create more jobs and great economic prospects for the people of Middlesbrough.”

The site was granted Enterprise Zone status in 2012, allowing businesses on site to apply for business rate relief of up to £55,000 per year for five years.

Councillor Charles Rooney, executive member for regeneration and economic development at Middlesbrough Council, said: “The development of Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park will give a significant boost to the economy of Middlesbrough and the Tees Valley.

“The first development by TWI Ltd will kick start the park and provide a world class research facility that support a number of key business sectors in engineering and manufacturing fields.

“We would like to thank the European Regional Development Fund and Department for Communities and local Government for their efforts in working to secure funding, which will enable the private sector to grow.”

Stephen Catchpole, managing director at Tees Valley Unlimited, added: “The Tees Valley Enterprise Zone is one of the most successful in the country, attracting over £450m of investment to the area and supporting almost 600 jobs.

“It is home to the world’s largest energy from waste production facility; the new National Biologics Manufacturing Centre and this funding will support the UK’s first Offshore Wind Validation Centre.

“We are looking to diversify our economy and take advantage of local skills and expertise and we welcome the ongoing support of our partners and stakeholders in helping realise the exciting opportunities that will deliver sustainability.”

The European Regional Development Fund Competitiveness Programme 2007-13 is bringing more than £300m into the North-east for innovation, enterprise and business support.

It will help create and safeguard 28,000 new jobs, start 3,000 new businesses and increase productivity by £1.1bn a year.

Big Up Tees Valley: Growing Teesside economy inspires regional event

Big Up Tees Valley event, which will celebrate regional business growth, takes place on June 12

The growing Teesside economy has inspired an event to celebrate regional business growth.

Teesside accountancy firm Evolution LLP has launched Big Up Tees Valley, which is taking place on Thursday.

It comes after the North East Chamber of Commerce annual report showcased a rise in positivity surrounding local businesses.

The event aims to help local businesses prosper by providing support and advice, which organisers from Evolution LLP hope will become an annual occasion.

The line-up includes Stephen Catchpole from Tees Valley Unlimited (TVU), Teesside’s Local Enterprise Partnership, who will speak about the support TVU has on offer for businesses, as well as the aims for the future in terms of investment from the Government and Europe.

James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, is also set to speak at the event by focusing on the local economy, international commerce and discussing positive outcomes for the local business community and how they can help each other trade positively.

Mr Catchpole, managing director at TVU, said: “Big Up Tees Valley will celebrate how Tees Valley businesses are embracing the opportunities emerging from the economic upturn and also highlight what is available to support their growth plans.”

Martin Barber, managing partner at Evolution, who came up with the idea of Big Up Tees Valley, said: “The aim of this event is to generate and breed positivity for the Tees Valley and then create a snowball effect. Positivity breeds positivity!

“Despite the skills gap we hear about, there’s still a willing workforce keen to be employed in both traditional Tees Valley industries as well as the emerging digital sector businesses which we excel in as a region. I couldn’t think of any better place to do business to be honest.”

Big Up Tees Valley will be held at Thirteen Group offices based at Hudson Quay in Middlesbrough.

Mr Barber added: “We don’t want to keep the Tees Valley a secret. As well as exporting our brilliant products and services, we need inward investment from global businesses in order to continue in the upward economic trend. We just need another quantum leap to go even further.”

The event on Thursday, June 12 runs from 8.30am-1pm. To register for free tickets visit http://bit.ly/bigupteesvalley

Morning news headlines: Fines 'could be increased fourfold', third of English adults 'have borderline diabetes'

The latest news headlines from around the globe

FINES ’COULD BE INCREASED FOURFOLD’

A fourfold increase in the maximum fines available to magistrates is to be introduced - meaning motorway speeders could be forced to pay up to £10,000, and disorderly drunks £4,000, the Government said.

Courts will also be able to levy unlimited fines for the first time for the most serious crimes dealt with in the lower courts - such as environmental offences - which at present attract penalties of up to £5,000 or more.

Justice Minister Jeremy Wright said the dramatic hike - the first since 1991 and for which the Government paved the way in legislation passed two years ago - would give magistrates the “greater powers” needed to punish offenders.

THIRD ’HAVE BORDERLINE DIABETES’

More than a third of adults in England have borderline diabetes, new research suggests.

If nothing is done to buck the trend, there will be a steep rise in diabetes, the authors said.

People are classed as having borderline diabetes, also known as pre-diabetes, when they have higher than normal blood glucose levels.

EFFICIENCY REFORMS SAVE £14.3BN

The Government has saved taxpayers £14.3 billion through efficiencies and reforms over the past year - the equivalent of £850 for every working household in Britain - Chancellor George Osborne and Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude have announced.

The annual savings claimed by ministers are the highest since the establishment of the Government’s Efficiency and Reform Group (ERG) after the 2010 general election, following a £3.75 billion save in 2010/11, £5.5 billion in 2011/12 and £10 billion in 2012/13.

ERG has helped Whitehall departments save £5.4 billion by improving commercial contracts, £4.7 billion by cutting the Civil Service workforce and reforming Civil Service pensions, £3.3 billion by tackling waste on major projects, £600 million by selling empty properties and moving out of expensive rented buildings and more than £200 million by moving services online, said the Cabinet Office.

’COMEDY GENUIS’ MAYALL DIES AT 56

Friends and actors have paid tribute to madcap “comedy genius” Rik Mayall, who has died at the age of 56.

The star shot to fame playing the poetry writing anarchist Rick in The Young Ones, and enjoyed a glittering career which saw him appear in Britain’s best-loved shows including Blackadder and Bottom.

It is not yet known what caused Mayall’s unexpected death, and the world of comedy took to Twitter to lament a legend lost “too soon”.

CAMERON SEEKS EU REFORM BACKING

David Cameron will resume talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and his Swedish and Dutch counterparts as he seeks support for his European reform agenda and the UK’s bid to block Jean-Claude Juncker from becoming president of the European Commission.

The Prime Minister is at the country residence of Fredrik Reinfeldt, where he was pictured being taken for a traditional row on a lake by the Swedish premier along with Ms Merkel and Dutch PM Mark Rutte before they sat down for discussions into the night over dinner about economic and institutional issues.

As he arrived for the pre-scheduled session, Mr Cameron said: “As the democratically-elected leaders of Europe, we should be the ones to choose who should run these institutions rather than accept some new process which was never agreed.

TOMATO PILL ’GOOD FOR HEART HEALTH’

A daily “tomato pill” can significantly improve the functioning of blood vessels in patients with heart disease, research has shown.

The findings suggest that a powerful antioxidant in tomatoes may contribute to the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet.

Participants in the study were given a supplement called Ateronon that contains seven milligrams of the tomato ingredient lycopene.

SAO PAULO SUBWAY STRIKE SUSPENDED

Striking subway workers in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo are halting their action for two days, union leaders have said.

The strike had thrown traffic into chaos in the city before it hosts the opening game of the World Cup.

In a statement on the union’s website, leaders said they would hold a vote on Wednesday to determine if their strike would resume on Thursday - the day the tournament’s first match, Brazil v Croatia, will be played in Sao Paulo.

Obama’s New Bow to the Islamic World — on The Glazov Gang

[Subscribe to The Glazov Gang, and LIKE it on Facebook.]

This week’s Glazov Gang was guest-hosted by Superstar Josh Brewster and joined by titans Nonie Darwish, author of “The Devil We Don’t Know,” Michael Hausam, a conservative writer and activist, and Karen Siegemund, founder of Rage Against the Media.

The Gang discussed: Obama’s New Bow to the Islamic World, analyzing who the Radical-in-Chief really wants to be admired by the most.

The dialogue occurred within the context of Why Obama Did the Prisoner Swap.

Don’t miss it:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here .

LIKE Jamie Glazov’s Fan Page on Facebook.

After Yuvan and Monika, now, Jai follows Islam

Chennai, Jun 8: The trend of celebrities embracing Islam has continued in Tamil Nadu, with another prominent Tamil actor becoming a Muslim. Actor Jai, who has reportedly been following Islam for few months, was seen praying in a Masjid in the city on Friday.

The development comes after two well-known Tamil celebrities- music director Yuvan Shanker Raja and actress Monkia-publicly announced their change of faith.

It is learnt that after Yuvan admitted to embracing Islam, Jai had started following few of Islamic rituals. He had even kept the fast during Ramadhan last year, and since then, has been visiting the mosques every Friday.

Meanwhile, the actor also hinted about his affinity to Islam in his messenger site, where his status read ‘Alhamdhulillah’, which in turn sparked off the rumours. On Friday Jai was spotted offering prayers inside Anjuman Masjid at T. Nagar, here alongside Yuvan.

It could be recalled here that Oscar winner AR Rahman also had changed his faith and accepted Islam years ago.

Obama’s New Bow to the Islamic World — on The Glazov Gang

[Subscribe to The Glazov Gang, and LIKE it on Facebook.]

This week’s Glazov Gang was guest-hosted by Superstar Josh Brewster and joined by titans Nonie Darwish, author of “The Devil We Don’t Know,” Michael Hausam, a conservative writer and activist, and Karen Siegemund, founder of Rage Against the Media.

The Gang discussed: Obama’s New Bow to the Islamic World, analyzing who the Radical-in-Chief really wants to be admired by the most.

The dialogue occurred within the context of Why Obama Did the Prisoner Swap.

Don’t miss it:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here .

LIKE Jamie Glazov’s Fan Page on Facebook.