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 26th September, 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.

Middlesbrough Register Office set to be demolished and replaced with car park

Did you get married at Middlesbrough Register Office? Send your pictures to pictures@eveninggazette.co.uk or leave them on our Facebook page

The romantic site of many couples’ special days could become a car park.

Under cost-cutting plans being considered by Middlesbrough Council, the town’s register office would be demolished and be replaced with a car park.

Proposals are also being developed that would see couples tie the knot at Middlesbrough Town Hall instead.

The Elm Street register office was highlighted in Mayor Ray Mallon’s Budget statement for relocation to save the local authority money.

The move is part of the council’s approach under the Change Programme to locate staff in fewer buildings.

The Executive sub-committee for property is holding a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

It is recommended that the Executive approves moving the register office to the town hall and that the current building is demolished and replaced with a car park.

In the short term the site would be used as a “premium” town centre car park and an evening car park for the town hall.

Long term the site could be developed to link Centre Square and Corporation Road.

The project will cost nearly half a million pounds but council chiefs say by doing this the savings and car park income they will make mean the cost will be recouped within under four years.

Subject to financial approval for the go-ahead, it is estimated that the refurbishment work in the town hall will take up to 32 weeks to complete. It is proposed the relocation of the registration service will take place around May next year.

“The provision of a more attractive and larger space for weddings may deliver increased wedding income in the future,” said Tony Parkinson, executive director of commercial and corporate services, in his report to be presented to the meeting.

“There may also be a knock-on impact in the sale of more wedding plus reception packages with the town hall, particularly after the town hall redevelopment. This would bring spaces such as the court room into use which would provide an extremely attractive wedding venue.”

Last year, The Gazette reported that the town hall had been given the green light for almost £4m from the Heritage Lottery Fund which includes £299,400 development funding.

Mr Parkinson added that the relocation of the service next to the coroner service - which has already transferred to the town hall - will “assist with closer working relationships” and “provide a better service to the bereaved”.

Did you get married at Middlesbrough Register Office? Send your pictures to pictures@eveninggazette.co.uk or leave them on our Facebook page

Eight year old boy kicked in chest by 'black-toothed' Middlesbrough bike thief

An eight-year old boy was kicked in the chest by a black-toothed bike thief - even though the youngster’s mum and dad were just yards away.

Alfie Speight was sat on the grass as mum Jane and dad John gathered golf balls for him in woodland near Middlesbrough Golf Club. But as Alfie sipped a drink of water, a man leapt out of the bushes and twice kicked the terrified schoolboy in the chest before making off on John’s new mountain bike.

The traumatised pupil of Pennyman Primary School, Netherfields, was left shaken up and with a red mark on his chest. And mum Jane says it’s beyond belief that an adult could attack a young boy for the sake of stealing a cycle.

Cleveland Police confirm they are investigating and have appealed for information.

Jane, 44, of Kenmore Road, Thorntree, said she, John and Alfie had gone out for one of their regular bike rides on Wednesday night when the attacker pounced at about 7.15pm.

She said: “Me and John were in a little woodland, no more than 100 yards away from Alfie. He was sat on the grass with our three bikes next to him.

“As we were looking for golf balls for Alfie, we heard him scream out. A man had come out of the bushes and gone towards the bikes.

“Alfie said to him ‘what are you doing? It’s my dad’s bike’ and he replied ‘not any more, it’s mine.’ Then he jumped in the air and kicked him in the chest.

“As Alfie grabbed his arm, the lad turned round, laughed in his face, kicked him in the chest again and rode off on John’s bike.”

Jane, who said the man who kicked Alfie wore heavy duty working boots, said John tried to use her bike to chase after the thief. But because its chain had come off when Alfie’s attacker stamped on it, he had escaped by the time John could ride after him.

She added: “Alfie was traumatised by what happened - he was crying, he couldn’t sleep.

“It’s shocking for an adult to do something like that to a child, just so he can steal a bike.”

And Jane says she was so angry, she even got on her bike and headed to Grove Hill in a fruitless attempt to find her son’s attacker.

“I just wanted to kill him,” she said. “Now I just want him found for what he did to my son.”

Alfie’s attacker is described as being in his late 20s, 5ft 8ins tall, of average build and with black, gappy teeth and a scar on his face. He wore a black cap and a black-grey tracksuit, with a scarf around his face and a black rucksack on his back.

The attack occurred next to the cycle path running between Sandy Flatts Lane and Cranswick Drive.

The stolen bike, which John only bought two months ago, was a red, silver and black Trek bike, with red handle grips.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police on 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

When Silence is Not an Option — on The Glazov Gang

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

This special Glazov Gang episode was joined by Dr. Ari Babaknia, an Iranian-born doctor who wrote and published a 4-volume book in Farsi “The Holocaust” (which in English is “Humanity, NOT”).

He came on the show to discuss “Humanity, NOT ,” which takes an in-depth look, in words and images, at the captured emotions of the victims, perpetrators, bystanders, and survivors of the Holocaust, told in their own words.

Dr. Babaknia focuses on the evil of genocide, the indifference of man in the face of evil, and when silence is not an option:

Don’t miss another special episode of The Glazov Gang in which Ann-Marie Murrell interviewed Jamie Glazov about the Jihad Denial we are witnessing in our culture — and his own battle on Hannity against the Unholy Alliance:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here .

LIKE Jamie Glazov’s Fan Page on Facebook.

Arabs draft resolution against Israeli nuclear arsenal

A number of Arab countries have circulated a draft resolution against the Israeli regime for its nuclear arsenal at an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) meeting.

The draft resolution, which is backed by 18 Arab countries, expresses deep concern about Israel’s nuclear capabilities. It further calls on the Tel Aviv regime to join the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

The draft is similar to previous draft resolutions proposed at the meetings of the Vienna-based IAEA.

The Tel Aviv regime, which is widely believed to be the only possessor of nuclear arms in the Middle East, reportedly maintains between 200 and 400 atomic warheads.

Furthermore, Israel has never allowed any inspection of its nuclear facilities and continues to defy international calls to join the NPT.

Hans Blix, the former head of the IAEA, said in an exclusive interview with Press TV that he is convinced Israel possesses nuclear weapons.

He demanded that Israeli officials join the NPT, saying Tel Aviv’s refusal to sign international nuclear treaties and its deliberate ambiguity policy with regards to its nuclear program are because of support from Washington.

A released report in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists also confirms that Israel possesses at least 80 operative nuclear warheads and has enough material to produce up to 190 more.

Nuclear weapon proliferation experts Robert Norris and Hans Kristensen estimate in the report that Israel halted its production of nuclear warheads back in 2004 “once it reached around 80 munitions.”

IA/HJL/HRB

Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Al-Aqsa Mosque

Israeli forces have once again attacked Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in East al-Quds (Jerusalem).

According to reports on Wednesday, clashes broke out between Palestinians and Israelis after Israeli forces stormed the holy site.

At least 20 Palestinians were reportedly injured in the clashes.

Israeli troops have escalated their raids on the Al-Aqsa Mosque in recent months. The Al-Aqsa Mosque is the third holiest site for world Muslims.

Almost on a daily basis, Israeli troops force their way into the ranks of Palestinian worshipers, triggering scuffles.

Recently, Israeli troops have been escorting Jewish extremists into the compound, where they engage in a flurry of provocative practices insulting to Muslims.

This comes as Israeli authorities are also systematically acting to change the identity and character of several Palestinian cities.

A report published by the Al-Aqsa Foundation in October 2013 said the Israeli regime is planning to build a synagogue at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound as part of its efforts to further Judaize the occupied Palestinian territories.

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

IA/HJL/HRB

Aussie Muslims threatened by wave of Islamophobia

A fresh wave of Islamophobia has swept through Australia, threatening the country’s Muslim community as they witness a rise in racially-motivated hate crimes, Press TV reports.

Community leaders have urged Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott to condemn Islamophobia in the country, after reports of Muslim women being verbally abused and mosques defaced.

A number of Muslim figures in the country have also reportedly received death threats.

On Wednesday, Australia’s grand mufti, Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, as well as other religious leaders called on the Muslim community to exercise restraint and reject the ISIL Takfiri cult’s call for Muslims to indiscriminately kill Australians.

Earlier this week, Australia announced that it was deploying armed security forces to guard the country’s parliament after it allegedly foiled a plot by militants linked to ISIL Takfiris in Syria and Iraq to carry out “public executions.”

The rise in hate crimes targeting Muslims in Australia comes after the government announced plans to introduce new anti-terror legislation in parliament.

The new laws would make it illegal for an individual to deliberately counsel, promote, encourage or urge a terrorist act while police would be also granted powers to secretly search the homes of suspects.

On September 18, 15 people were arrested after some 800 state and federal police forces raided more than one dozen locations in Sydney.

The Australian government says that up to 60 Australians are fighting alongside the ISIL Takfiris operating in Iraq and Syria, while another 100 are actively working to back the terrorist group inside Australia.

Observers believe the US and its allies, including Australia, are directly responsible for the rise of Takfiri terrorist groups such as ISIL in the region because of their interventionist policies, particularly in Iraq and Syria.

SZH/KA/SS

Israeli forces fire rubber bullets in Jerusalem school, 3 injured

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Three Palestinian students were injured by rubber-coated bullets on Wednesday amid clashes between protesters and Israeli police in the Old City of Jerusalem, the principal of their school said.

Munthir al-Natsheh of the Islamic Orphanage Secondary School told Ma’an that two of the students were inside their classrooms and another was in the school yard getting a drink of water when they were hit.

Muhammad al-Natsheh was hit in the shoulder, Muhammad Abu Leil in the stomach, and Rida Hirbawi in the head, the principal said.

The three were taken to a hospital for treatment.

Al-Natsheh condemned what he called the Israeli police’s “constant targeting” of the school, and he pointed out that police had even threatened to close the school because of alleged rock-throwing by the students.

Earlier, clashes took place between Palestinian worshipers and Israeli police in the Al-Aqsa compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, leaving 15 Palestinians and four Israeli officers lightly injured

Knifepoint robbery at a Carlin How convenience investigated by police

Police are hunting a robber who threatened staff at knifepoint at an East Cleveland convenience.

The robbery happened at about 6.55am on Tuesday September 23.

Police were called to reports of a knifepoint robbery which occurred at the Mini Market on Brotton Road in Carlin How.

During the incident, a man entered the store brandishing a knife before making his way behind the counter and taking a quantity of cigarettes.

When staff challenged the man he threatened them before making off from the store in the direction of Queen Street, Carlin How.

The man had his face covered during the entire incident but he is described as being in his early 20s, around 5ft 6” tall and of slim build.

He was wearing grey jogging bottoms and dark coloured hooded jacket.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Northern Rock Foundation is to close

A foundation which provides vital funding to charities on Teesside is to close - despite a £1m-a-year pledge from Virgin Money.

The Northern Rock Foundation has been unable to find backers for its work which is estimated to cost £3m-a-year.

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Money took over Northern Rock following the 2007 banking crash.

The Foundation awarded more than £200m to good causes over 17 years.

Virgin Money said it could offer £1m for charities via the Foundation each year but that other North-East businesses must fund the rest.

Today, it has been announced the charity will begin scaling down its work.

Over the past 16 years its cash has helped numerous charities and good causes on Teesside, including children’s charity Barnardos.

The Northern Rock Foundation was also among the numerous funders behind the giant £2.7m Temenos sculpture which now stands proudly at Middlesbrough’s Middlehaven site.

For the last decade the Foundation has also supported domestic violence charity My Sister’s Place, based in Middlesbrough.

A statement from the charity said: “It is with deep regret that, after 17 years of grant making, Northern Rock Foundation will close its current grant programmes at the end of 2014 and begin to prepare for the Foundation’s now likely eventual closure.

Toll in Yemen clashes climbs to 270

The toll in last week’s heavy fighting between Shia Houthi rebels and government forces in Yemen’s capital Sanaa has risen to 270, as rescue teams recovered more bodies, authorities said Wednesday.

At least 270 bodies of civilians and military personnel have been recovered in the neighbourhoods of north and west Sanaa where the clashes took place last week, Efe quoted Health Minister Ahmed al-Ansi as saying in a report presented to the council of ministers. According to the health ministry, the number of recovered bodies was 200 Monday.

The Houthis and the government Sunday signed a UN-brokered peace deal to end the armed conflict between the Houthi rebels and the army.

The peace agreement put an end to deadly clashes between the rebels and the army which broke out Sep 16 in north-western Sanaa and left more than 200 people killed, including about 50 civilians.

The Houthis, who took up arms in 2004, have controlled the northern province of Saada since 2010 and last week seized several government buildings in Sanaa.

–IANS

Michelin star given to North Yorkshire restaurant

VIEW GALLERY

Are you a foodie?

If so, you’re in luck as a North Yorkshire restaurant - around a half hour’s drive from Teesside - has been given one of the highest culinary honours.

The Star Inn, in Harome, near Helmsley, is one of the latest places to be given a Michelin star and to be included within the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015 which is released today.

There are only 14 new entries into the guide, making the honour all the more special.

“The 14 new stars in our 2015 guide highlight the enormous richness and variety of the UK’s

restaurant scene.

“They range from country pubs to hipster hangouts, from counter-restaurants to classic dining rooms,” said Rebecca Burr, editor of the Michelin guide.

Taken over in 1996 by Andrew Pern, the restaurant has since won several awards for Andrew’s ‘modern Yorkshire’ cooking, including a Michelin star from 2002 to 2010.

Pern, has also appeared on BBC2’s Great British Menu programme.

Other restaurants boasting a Michelin star near our area is the Raby Hunt, in Summerhouse, near Darlington, which has maintained its star.

Police searching isolated bungalow for drugs find two double barrel shotguns hidden there

Police who went to search an isolated bungalow for drugs found two guns that had been hidden there, a court was told yesterday.

They had a warrant under the Drugs Act to search the home of Carl Wilson, 40, on a farm near Eaglescliffe.

The drugs haul was small, ten Ecstasy tablets, one heroin wrap and a single cannabis plant worth a total of £125 which was for his personal use.

But hidden in a wardrobe and behind a bath panel were two double barrel shotguns.

Wilson said that he was storing them for a friend and that they had been there for 15 years.

Prosecutor David Crook told Teesside Crown Court that the police found one shotgun in a bedroom wardrobe, and that Wilson said there was another under the bath.

Forensic experts put them through tests to see if they had been used in a separate crime but the results came back negative.

Mr Crook said that Wilson did not have a shotgun licence, and they should have been kept in a locked gun cabinet to prevent them being stolen by burglars or violent criminals.

He added: “They were insecure and there was a risk of them being obtained unlawfully, but there is nothing sinister here. They should have been kept in a shotgun cabinet.”

Duncan McReddie, defending, said that Wilson originally forgot about them but when he remembered them he thought that if he reported them to the police he would get into trouble.

Mr McReddie said that the forensic tests found no evidence that the shotguns had been used or cleaned recently.

There was some ammunition in the bungalow which was not the subject of any charge.

Wilson’s partner had lived in the bungalow since her father built it on land owned by the family.

Her former husband was a gamekeeper and he had licences for weapons and ammunition, and the ammunition had been left there since he moved out years ago.

Mr McReddie added: “The courts have rightly expressed concern about the position of firearms.

“They could be stolen in a burglary or passed on to others who would use them for unlawful purposes.

“He was absolutely candid with the police during the tape-recorded interview.

“Everything he said was plausible and absolutely dovetails with the evidence.”

The judge told Wilson that he could have made an anonymous phone call to the police and arranged for the guns to be collected from a given place.

Judge Peter Bowers said: “You could easily have rung the police anonymously saying ‘I’ve got these two guns and could leave them somewhere to be collected’.

“Having found one hidden under a bath it caused suspicion that you were hiding it for a friend who had an ulterior motive.”

The judge added: “Everyone agrees that the seriousness is not your having them but that they should be kept in a locked shotgun cabinet.

“That is why we pass prison sentences.”

Wilson, of Moorhouse Estate, Eaglescliffe, was given a nine months jail sentence suspended for 18 months and he was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work after he pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing firearms with a certificate on March 5. two of possessing controlled drugs and production of cannabis.

The judge warned him that he would risk the prison sentence being activated if he possessed or used cannabis again.

John Green ready to stake claim for North-east title against Peter Cope

John Green is planning to pull off another upset when he fights Peter Cope for the vacant Northern Area super featherweight title next month.

The fascinating Middlesbrough-Hartlepool derby takes place on Steve Wraith’s October 12 show at Temple Park Leisure Centre in South Shields.

Unbeaten Green has only had three fights but two of them have been away from home when he was brought in to lose and the Berwick Hills docker tore up the script on both occasions.

The 25-year-old held Shaun McShane to a draw on his own turf in Motherwell and took out Liverpool’s previously unbeaten Ryan Moorhead in two rounds in his last contest in Southport in June.

Southpaw Cope is the more experienced and established boxer of the Northern Area combatants with nine wins and one defeat, but Green intends to rise to the occasion once again.

“Some people might look at it on paper and think I’m the underdog, but I don’t think it’s too early for me,” said the former national novice amateur champion.

“I think it’s a 50/50 fight.

“Cope is a tidy boxer and does the basics well. He has got a good engine and is tough.

“I sparred him in the amateurs but I’m not taking too much from that.

“This is a totally different ball game.

“But I’ve got nothing to lose and I’m going in there to win.

“I can box and I think I’m hitting hard, as I’ve shown in my last fight, and he hasn’t stopped anyone.”

Green is already fit as he was training for an eventually aborted eight rounder against Martin J Ward on last Saturday’s George Groves undercard at Wembley Arena.

And he is taking a lot of heart from the fact that he has performed so effectively away from home.

By contrast, Cope has only boxed outside the North-east once - a gritty losing English title effort against Mitchell Smith in his last fight in London.

“I thought my fight in Scotland was close when I was in the ring, but I’ve watched it back and how he was given a draw I’ll never know,” added the former Phil Thomas club amateur.

“I don’t mind going away from home for winnable fights, and with this one being a derby on neutral ground it’s even better.

“We’ll both have a load of fans there and the atmosphere should be electric.”

Tickets are £30 and £50, available from Darlington Boxing & Martial Arts Academy on 01325 468088.

Police release CCTV images after assault left man with broken jaw outside Stockton nightclub

CCTV images of a man police are hunting in connection with a serious assault outside in Stockton have been released.

A 34-year-old man was assaulted outside of Jokers nightclub on Yarm Lane in Stockton town centre at about 2am on Saturday September 20.

The 34-year-old man was punched - leaving him with serious facial injuries, including a broken jaw, the loss of a tooth and cuts to his mouth.

The victim subsequently underwent surgery for his injuries at James Cook University Hospital.

It is believed that the man in the images may be able to assist police with enquiries.

Anyone with information regarding his identity is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Stuart Hodgson from Stockton Volume Crime Team on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Boro Under-21s captain David Atkinson joins Hartlepool United on loan

Boro Under-21s captain David Atkinson has joined Hartlepool United on loan, according to Pools boss Colin Cooper.

Atkinson, who has captained the Boro Academy in their four games this season, has followed fellow youngster Charlie Wyke in making the short move to Victoria Park.

The 21-year-old is yet to make his senior debut for Boro, but will now be in contention to feature for Hartlepool against Portsmouth in League Two on Saturday.

Ex-Boro defender Cooper said: “I’ve been really busy this week and have David in from Boro. He is a very good young player, can play in a few positions and is ready for this now.”

“He has had a rough, young career because of injuries and is a terrific footballer, who is a big and strong lad.”

Earlier this week Hartlepool also extended the loan deal for Wyke until November.

Boro’s Under-21s will be looking for a fourth successive win as they face West Bromwich Albion at Victoria Park on Monday (kick-off 7pm).

Wearside League: Stockton Town hit six in derby romp at Redcar Athletic

Stockton Town have now won all 11 of their Wearside League games following a thumping 6-1 derby success at Redcar Athletic last night.

Redcar had defensive problems heading into the game and they were ruthlessly exposed by the visiting Wearside League leaders, who moved five points clear at the top with a game in hand on second-placed Easington Colliery.

It took Stockton just three minutes to open the scoring, Stephen Roberts volleying the ball into the net from close range after Adam Nicholson headed a Matty Garbutt corner against the bar.

After 11 minutes it was 2-0 as Garbutt slid the ball into the path of Kallum Hannah, who fired Redcar keeper Michael Barry for Stockton’s 50th league goal of the season.

Stockton’s top scorer Chris Stockton turned a loose ball into the net to put the Northern League aspirants three up, but the striker was rested for the second half after picking up a knock and replaced by Tony Johnson.

Redcar threw caution to the wind at the start of the second half and were rewarded with what turned out to be a consolation goal and the first that Stockton have conceded away from home this season.

James Swann’s corner was allowed to go to the back post where Kieran Stares headed the ball into the net after 50 minutes.

Stockton continued to pour forward and scored three more goals at 10 minute intervals.

Substitute Johnson found Hannah free and he drilled a shot across the face of goal and into the net for his second of the game.

Stockton replacement Luke Whittaker made it 5-1 after racing clear and Adam Nicholson put the finishing touch to the scoring after 86 minutes when he headed in from close range.

Fundraisers help make RSPB Saltholme more accessible for visitors

People with disabilities will be able to get more from their visit to a Teesside nature reserve following accessibility improvements.

RSPB Saltholme is saying thank you to a couple who have raised enough funds to buy motorised scooters so more people can enjoy the wildlife reserve near Seal Sands.

Robin and Susan Laycock have been using their woodworking skills for the past eight years to create a whole range of wildlife-friendly homes and feeders which they have then sold to raise the funds.

In 2009, the Laycocks, from Richmond in North Yorkshire, raised enough money to buy two motorised mobility scooters for the reserve but their efforts did not stop there.

Robin and Susan have continued fundraising and as a result the RSPB Saltholme has just taken delivery of a third scooter - an all-terrain Tramper mobility scooter.

Robin said: “Some years ago one of my brothers had a stroke and was unable to continue bird watching as he thought it was unfair for someone else to have to push him around.

“We visited RSPB Minsmere in Suffolk together and we were able to use their mobility scooter. This gave him the freedom to enjoy his bird watching again as he had the ability to move when and where he wanted.

“When the RSPB decided to build a new reserve at Saltholme, Sue and I thought it would be a good idea to provide a mobility scooter for them so other people with mobility problems could enjoy the freedom of exploring nature on Teesside.”

The mobility scooters are part of various facilities at the reserve to ensure everyone gets the most out of their visit. Other measures include wide, bound gravel paths, accessible toilets and a hearing loop for the hearing impaired.

Lisa Daley, centre manager at RSPB Saltholme, said: “Having the scooters on the reserve means we can give people who may not ususally have the ability to get out and enjoy nature, the opportunity to do just that.

“Just because you are less mobile for whatever reason, it does not mean you can’t come along and enjoy all the wonderful things Saltholme has to offer.”

All three mobility scooters are offered free of charge to visitors to the reserve. However, it is recommended that visitors call in advance to reserve a scooter to avoid disappointment.

For more information contact RSPB Saltholme by calling 01642 546625 or visit http://ift.tt/1xnoiGs.

17th Teesside Boys' Brigade wishing for help to fund new equipment

A youth organisation is hoping for the support of The Gazette’s readers in this year’s Wish campaign.

Formed back in 1974, the 17th Teesside Boys’ Brigade gives boys aged between five and 18 the opportunity to take part in a large range of activities including hiking and camping.

The group meets every Friday between 6.15pm and 9.15pm at St Andrew’s United Reformed Church on Cypress Road in Marton.

The full badge programme is completed in all sections and some members have been successful in obtaining the Queen’s Badge.

Members are given the chance to take part in numerous competitions. The group is particularly active in outdoor expedition work and takes part in the Boys’ Brigade national level competitions as well as the annual Cleveland Hike and an annual summer camp.

The captain, Colin Martin, said: “Last year we were really pleased that we managed to collect enough tokens to help fund the costs of the competitions we entered.

“This year we will use any money we get from the Wish campaign to either help fund some of our costs to enter competitions or we will use it to pay for some new equipment to help run the badge programme for the boys.”

Every year, The Gazette’s Wish campaign gives away thousands of pounds to not-for-profit groups and organisations benefiting the Teesside community.

To get involved, groups must first register online at http://ift.tt/XA3Wdt. All registered groups will receive confirmation in writing as well as a free starter pack to get supporters ready to start collecting tokens. Every registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

There are no losers in the Wish campaign but the aim is to collect as many tokens as possible. The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens will start appearing in The Gazette on Monday, October 13, with the last token appearing on Wednesday, January, 21. Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

To help the 17th Teesside Boys’ Brigade, send your token to: 15 Green Close, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS7 0DD.

Russia criticises US led airstrikes against ISIS in Syria

Russia’s Foreign Ministry criticised the airstrikes led by the US in cooperation with other countries that targeted the Islamic State (ISIS) organisation in Syria.

According to the Anadolu news agency, a statement issued by the ministry described the airstrikes as “a violation of international law” and urged the international community to put an end to the actions of the US and its allies in Syria.

The statement also added that there must be explicit consent from the government of Syria or a corresponding UN Security Council decision present before any action is taken in Syria.

The ministry’s comments came after President Vladimir Putin criticised the airstrikes in a late-night conversation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday, saying the airstrikes should not have been launched without the consent of the Syrian government.

The US and the members of its international alliance began airstrikes on ISIS targets in Syria early yesterday morning. In a written statement issued yesterday, US State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki said: “We warned Syria not to engage US aircraft if they pursue ISIS inside Syrian territories.”

She added: “We did not request the regime’s permission. We did not coordinate our actions with the Syrian government and there was no military-to-military communication with Syrian government forces. We provided no details about the timing or targets.”

£15k salary increase for chief's job at Teesside health trust is slammed by nursing union

A nursing union has slammed the £15,000 wage increase paid to the chief of a Teesside health trust while front line nurses faced another year of pay freezes.

New data from the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) shows that North-east and Cumbria chief executives were awarded a total of £130,000 extra in 2013/14.

RCN leaders have branded the pay rises as “one rule for managers and another rule for front-line nursing staff”, and say the nursing pay freeze has contributed to a shortfall of 20,000 nurses coming into the profession.

In 2013/14 Professor Tricia Hart was promoted to chief executive of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust from director of nursing, on a remuneration entitlement as reported in annual accounts of £220,000-225,000.

Her salary represents a £15,000 increase on her predecessor who received a £205,000-£210,000 salary.

The struggling trust which runs Middlesbrough’s 1,000 bed James Cook University Hospital must make millions of pounds of savings over the next year to plug a near-£30m financial black hole.

The trust is facing a £29m deficit for this financial year, and it has been projected that the 2015/16 budget deficit is likely to be almost £50m, putting it at risk of being deemed unsatisfactory by health watchdog Monitor.

A spokeswoman for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “The salary for the CEO post had remained static for a number of years. In seeking a replacement for the previous CEO we did a benchmarking exercise against other similar organisations and decided to increase the basic salary to help attract the best candidate.

“Even with the increase we still pay less than many other large acute trusts.”

RCN regional director Glenn Turp said today: “Under the Coalition Government, it’s one rule for managers and another rule for front-line nursing staff.

“Little wonder that we now have a shortfall of 20,000 nurses coming into the profession.

“The NHS recruitment crisis is only just beginning, and we are storing up massive problems for the future.

“The Government really needs to get a grip, and start taking the pay, terms and conditions of the nursing profession seriously.”

The RCN report showed the salary for the chief executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust fell in the last financial year from £240,000 to £230-£235,000.

Live: Jason Orange leaves Take That

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The Editor

Chris Styles

Editor, The Gazette

Email

chris.styles@trinitymirror.com

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@chrisstyles16

Chris was appointed editor of the 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.

Morning news headlines: British ready to join ISIS attacks, Cameron to apologise to Queen, Orange quits Take That

British warplanes are poised to join international air strikes on the Islamic State terror group in Iraq after David Cameron told the United Nations that the UK was ready to play its part in confronting "an evil against which the whole world must unite".

In what amounted to a rallying cry to MPs to back military action when Parliament is recalled tomorrow, the Prime Minister warned that Britain must not be so "frozen with fear" of repeating the mistakes of the Iraq War that it fails to take on the "psychopathic, murderous, brutal" jihadis.

Amid speculation that RAF planes could join US and French allies in bombarding IS targets as early as this weekend, Mr Cameron declined to discuss when the operation might begin or how long it would last, but acknowledged that it could take "quite a long time".

PM to apologise for Queen gaffe

David Cameron is to make an unprecedented apology in person to the Queen, after being caught privately describing her as "purring" in pleasure at the result of the Scottish referendum result.

A chastened Prime Minister admitted he was "very embarrassed" and "extremely sorry" over the gaffe, which came as he chatted with billionaire media tycoon Michael Bloomberg in New York.

Downing Street has already contacted Buckingham Palace to offer the PM's apologies and it is understood that Mr Cameron will say sorry in person when he next meets Her Majesty for one of his regular audiences.

Salmond keeps Royal appointment

Alex Salmond went ahead with a meeting with the Queen just days after announcing he would step down as Scotland's First Minister.

Mr Salmond, who is also to quit as SNP leader in the wake of the result of last week's independence referendum, travelled to Balmoral for the engagement.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said the meeting had been scheduled before the referendum and was due to take place "whatever the result".

Man to face 'murder plot' charge

A man is due to appear in court today charged with conspiracy to murder in relation to improvised explosive devices found in Iraq in 2007.

Anis Abid Sardar, 37, was arrested at his home in north west London on Tuesday by the Metropolitan Police's Counter Terrorism Command.

He is accused of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or property.

Orange quits Take That brothers

Take That star Jason Orange has revealed he has quit the group.

The 44-year-old insisted there have been "no fallings out" after he told bandmates Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald last week that he did not want to commit to recording and promoting a new album.

In a statement, he said: "I have spent some of the best years of my life with Take That and I'd like to thank everyone who has been a part of my journey, including my band mates, who I feel are like brothers to me.

Alice family makes come home plea

The family of missing schoolgirl Alice Gross has issued an emotional plea for her to return home as police stage a reconstruction of her final movements four weeks after she disappeared.

Alice, 14, was captured on CCTV on August 28 walking alongside the Grand Union Canal in west London back towards her home in Hanwell and has not been seen since.

A statement from Alice's family, released through Scotland Yard, said: "Alice has been missing for four weeks now. We are desperately concerned about her welfare and worry constantly about what may have happened to her.

Cannibal fetish man faces sentence

An NHS nurse with a cannibalism fetish will be sentenced today for attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl he sexually groomed online and promised to behead and eat.

Dale Bolinger bought an axe from a DIY store in Broadstairs, Kent, the day before he planned to meet the Mexican teenager called "Eva" after chatting to her on a website called the Dark Fetish Network (DFN).

Jurors sitting at Canterbury Crown Court took just three hours to find the 58-year-old guilty of attempting to meet a girl under the age of 16 following sexual grooming at his four-day trial in July.

Man who killed daughter sentenced

A young father who killed his baby daughter by repeatedly biting, punching and violently shaking her faces life behind bars when he is sentenced later.

Lithuanian Aurimas Medvedevas, 23, inflicted terrible injuries on two-month-old Aukse on September 5 last year, the day her mother went back to work for the first time since giving birth.

His partner, agency worker Dzesika Urbikaite, 22, returned to their Peterborough home that night to find her daughter dead in a cot.

Inquest into three kayakers' deaths

An inquest will be held into how three "relatively inexperienced" kayakers from the same family drowned in a swollen river.

Brothers Darren and Mark Thorpe and their cousin Gavin Bradley died after going for a day out on the river Tyne near Riding Mill, Northumberland, in May.

Darren, 41, Mark, 39, and their 36-year-old cousin, a shop assistant, set off from their homes in South Tyneside at around 9am and were due to return to their wives at 7pm.

Bad behaviour cuts learning time

Bad behaviour in the classroom is costing pupils up to an hour of learning time a day, a damning report from the schools watchdog has revealed.

Some forms of "low level" ill-discipline such as chatting, calling out without permission, swinging on chairs, passing notes around and using mobile phones are "very common" in schools in England, Ofsted found.

Surveys of teachers indicated that pupils are potentially losing up to an hour of learning each day because of this kind of disruption - the equivalent to 38 days of teaching lost per year, Ofsted said.

Guisborough man appears in court charged with late night attack on woman

A man has appeared in court accused of a late night attack on a woman.

Liam Robert Murray, 22, has been charged with GBH with intent in connection with alleged altercation with a woman at about 2am on Sunday, September 21, in Brotton.

The woman was treated at Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital for two suspected fractures to her cheeks, a ripped ear lobe and severe swelling.

Murray, of Whitby Avenue, Guisborough, was remanded in custody at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Monday. He will next appear at Teesside Crown Court.

Boro boss Aitor Karanka: 'If we continue playing this way we are going to be in a very good position'

Aitor Karanka may have been proud of his players following their cup exploits at Liverpool, but he insists the only game that now matters is Charlton on Saturday.

Boro were magnificent at Anfield on Wednesday night, coming from behind twice to take the hosts to a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out that featured no fewer than 30 spot-kicks.

The game ended 2-2 after extra-time with Liverpool finally progressing the fourth round of the Capital One Cup by winning the incredible 19-minute shoot-out 14-13, a competition record scoreline.

Delighted as he was by that display, Karanka’s sole focus is the club’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Charlton at The Valley.

Three successive league wins has lifted Boro to fifth in the table and the Spaniard is demanding the same level of performance he saw from his players at Liverpool on Saturday.

VIEW GALLERY

Read all of our coverage of Liverpool Boro match

“Our big game now is Charlton,” he said.

“The most important thing is that we have shown that we are capable of the kind of performance we managed at Liverpool.

“Last Saturday we played well against Brentford and we played well against Cardiff before that.

“If we continue playing in this way we are going to be in a very good position in the table.

“But always, and I want to say always, we have to keep our feet on the floor.”

The display at Liverpool certainly served notice to a nationwide audience that Karanka could well be building something special at Boro.

Looking back to Tuesday night he said: “It was the kind of game where you have to be very proud about your players, about your group, about your crowd, about everything.

“We have shown everybody on TV what kind of club Middlesbrough is.

“I told the players before the penalties that our work was done.

“We have played against a Champions League team at Anfield and everyone knows how difficult it would be for us to play against Liverpool.

“We have stood toe-to-toe with them and that is a very good thing for me.

“But now have another game in the league on Saturday and that has to be our focus now.”