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 8th October, 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.

Rise of the Barbarians

On Friday night, a Huntington Beach man, 43, was walking back to his car after the Los Angeles Angels played the Kansas City Royals in the American League Division Series. Three men accosted him, and then proceeded to beat him senseless. He is currently in critical condition at a local hospital after police found him unconscious.

I didn’t find the story particularly shocking, given that I took my father and two younger sisters to the Angels-Royals game on Thursday night. Throngs packed the stadium — the team announced the attendance at 43,321. We had bleacher seats, which sold for $68. The team must have also sold standing room tickets, since behind the bleachers — lines of fans stood three deep, watching the game.

When my family and I arrived at the game, the ushers had not cleared paths through the standing-room crowd for those who wanted to get to their seats. We gently edged our way toward the seats.

Which is when I heard a guy scream into my ear: “Why the f—- are you bumping me?”

I turned to face a young Hispanic man, wearing a long-sleeved flannel shirt (it was reportedly 93 degrees outside at the time), baggy jeans, an Angels cap cocked off at a bizarre angle, the brim unbent. He wore a close-cropped three-day stubble. He was approximately my height, but probably 20lbs. heavier than I. Two of his friends flanked him.

Though I hadn’t bumped, I quickly apologized — after all, what point is there in a confrontation at a sporting event?

My apology, however, was not accepted. “I said, why the f—- did you bump me?”

Again I apologized. When it became clear that this fellow had downed at least a few beers and had his mind set on some sort of violence, my sister grabbed my arm and we walked away. He glared at me the rest of the game. My sisters focused on reassuring me that getting into a physical fight with the dolt would have served no useful purpose, and could have ended in a 3-on-1 beating.

Which didn’t make me feel much better.

Unfortunately, this fellow wasn’t the only beer-soaked Neanderthal in the bleachers. When a Royals fan, who happened to be black, showed up with his girlfriend, two boozy white Angels fans screamed — with children in close proximity — “Go back to f—-ing Kansas City!”

It’s unlikely any of these charming folks were involved in the beating of the Huntington Beach man after Game 2 of the ALDS. But we now live in a society where young male barbarians are growing in number, their masculinity tied into useless aggression. More and more, young men seem to channel their aggressive instinct not into building, but into destroying — not into defending the innocent, particularly women and children, but into confrontations for no apparent reason other than demonstrating dominance.

Why?

As a society, we have robbed men of their protective missions. Men who seek to protect women and children are called anti-feminist, gender normative. Men have abandoned their responsibilities to the state. As for building things — well, there too, men have been told that to build is to act selfishly, without concern for the community. And young men have no male role models, since many of their fathers have abandoned them or abandoned true maleness in pursuit of vainglorious brutality. All of which leads to an increase in destruction by men without purpose, hemmed in only by the power of the state and the benefits of self-interest.

None of this is an excuse for barbarianism, of course. But it does help explain why masculinity used to center around acting like a gentleman, while now it centers around acting like a boor. The more we foster the barbarian mentality, the more barbaric society becomes.

Freedom Center pamphlets now available on Kindle: Click here .

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

The Nightmare of a Nuclear Iran — on The Glazov Gang

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

This week’s Glazov Gang was joined by Conservative Entrepreneur Monty Morton, who came on the show to warn us about The Nightmare of a Nuclear Iran – and everything

Obama isn’t doing about it [starts at 8:20 mark].

The discussion occurred within the context of Two Lethal Threats to America, in which Monty stressed two dire dangers facing the U.S., the other one being focused on in the first half of the episode:

Don’t miss this week’s second episode with Ako Eyong, a journalist from Cameroon, West Africa, where he became a political dissident and was eventually exiled for critiquing the government. He is the author of the new novel, The Vision of the Blind King.

Ako came on the show to discuss “A Cameroon Dissident’s Love Affair With America,” discussing his appreciation of living in the U.S., his new novel, the vital importance for a nation not to abandon God, the conflict between love and fear, and much, much more:

To watch previous Glazov Gang episodes, Click Here .

LIKE Jamie Glazov’s Fan Page on Facebook.

Boro Young Guns make it five on the spin

Boro’s Young Guns continued their fine form with a knockout win over Hull.

The Under-21 side beat the Tigers’ Academy outfit 1-0 at Rockliffe to progress in the first round of the Final Third sponsored Development League Cup.

Paul Jenkins’ on-song starlets worked hard to clock up a fifth successive victory.

After an opening day defeat to Derby, Boro rattled off wins against Brighton, Blackburn, Wolves and then rivals West Brom to go top in the second division of the Premier League Academy League.

And they took that form into the cup too in a hard-fought win.

Boro edged a goalless first half then quickly tightened their grip after the break.

They went ahead on 49 minutes when Robbie Tinkler headed home powerfully from a Andy Halliday cross.

And they almost had a second soon after as Jordan Jones burst through one-on-one only to be denied by Hull keeper Watson.

Hull almost sneaked back into the game 15 minutes from time when Jonathan Margetts got free to meet a cross but although his header beat Connor Ripley it came back off the post.

Police fugitive gives late night drinkers a surprise in Stockton pub

Regulars enjoying a late-night drink at a Stockton pub nearly choked on their beers when a police fugitive burst through the doors.

The bell had just rung for last orders at The Rimswell, on Bishopton Road West, when the mystery man rushed in - closely followed by a number of burly police officers.

Outside the police helicopter hovered overhead, while around six police cars and several unmarked police vehicles parked up in the pub’s car park.

Durham Police had alerted Cleveland’s Roads Policing Unit after a car failed to stop in the Darlington area, then drove off towards Stockton, shortly before 11pm on Sunday.

The vehicle was pursued by the police helicopter along Darlington Back Lane and into Stockton, where it pulled into The Rimswell’s car park.

Steve Sharp, landlord of The Rimswell, described the “surreal events” that followed.

“Last orders had gone when police came in and said ‘Where is he?’,” he told the Gazette.

“The barmaid had seen the guy go into the toilet and then into the bar.

“One of the customers then spotted him going behind the bar where he snuck upstairs into my flat.

“The police all chased upstairs and checked the room but there was no sign.

“The next thing I knew they were bringing him down.”

Steve, 48, who has been landlord of The Rimswell for two years, said the fugitive had climbed out of a window onto the pub’s roof, but was quickly spotted by police outside.

“The police were very thorough,” he added.

“They were looking in the fridge at one point, for the car keys. They found them in the toilet in a hoodie.

“They guy never said anything at all when they brought him down. I said ‘Tell him he’s barred!’”

Steve said around 15-20 customers were still in the pub at the time.

“It all happened that quick,” he said.

“It was all surreal - police helicopters and dogs. They were all giant coppers as well.”

Cleveland Police said a man was arrested for a number of offences.

He was taken to Darlington in custody. The vehicle was seized.

Cordell Group's exit from Grangemouth contract wipes £1.25m off profits

Engineering company Cordell Group was forced to wipe £1.25m off its profits after exiting a major contract at the Grangemouth oil refinery, accounts have shown.

The Stockton-headquartered firm has published accounts for the 17 months from August 2012 to the end of 2013, in which continuing growth in all sectors was marred by a “bitterly disappointing” loss triggered by events at Grangemouth.

Industrial action began in 2013 after owners Ineos said the plant was making losses and could only survive if staff accepted worse employment terms, and terms were agreed in October 2013 in which staff moved to a new pension scheme and accepted a three-year pay freeze.

In a strategic report accompanying the Cordell Group accounts, finance director Nigel Park said trading within its Scottish subsidiary Cordell Engineering Services Ltd (CESL) had been difficult, and that due to “the well-publicised and degenerating situation at Grangemouth the directors took the decision to depart from site.”

The group recorded pre-tax profit of £281,000 – a figure reduced by £1.25m through costs arising from the contract loss.

Mr Park said: “The board of directors took the decision to exit the contract, a tough decision, but ultimately one that has been proven to be well founded. Without this exceptional item profit before tax would have been £1.533m.

“Our exceptional event during the period was bitterly disappointing but delivered many valuable lessons that have been implemented.”

Formed 14 years ago, the group employs some 780 people across nine UK sites, predominantly in the North-east, and has operations in Canada and the Middle East, working in a range of markets including oil and gas, petrochemicals, mechanical construction and pharmaceuticals.

Turnover topped £70m in the period, while 2012’s revenue was posted as £40.04m, giving an average monthly revenue of £3.42m in 2012, compared to £4.12m a month in the period covered in the accounts.

The company said its term contracts remain the backbone of the business and, within its project work, significant progress was being made at the start of 2014 with a healthy list of work ahead.

Outside of large mechanical and electrical projects, the firm has identified 10 areas that have the greatest potential for growth, including pipework fabrication services, marine engineering and machining and fitting services, prompting the firm to spend “considerable resource” in sales and marketing as well as enhancing employees’ trade skill sets through training initiatives.

To take advantage of growing opportunities the firm also invested in sites, including a new 90,000 sq ft pipeshop in Stockton, opening the door to the group taking on larger contracts and making further headway into the offshore market.

New facilities in Thornaby for the panel shop and EC&I Construction Services business has also led to growth and new revenue and profit streams.

Looking ahead, the firm said it had started the year in a very good position despite “known but manageable” problems within Scottish operations and deployment into larger Teesside premises.

“Cordell Teesside has performed exceedingly well through 2013 and will continue with significant new orders. For the group, the forecast prospect register indicates a target annual turnover of circa £50m.

“Cordell is a different business from our competitors and from top to bottom we have to perform, make impact, make profit and invest in an ever changing future.”

Cordell is the second Teesside firm to have reported problems from Grangemouth in the last few weeks.

At the end of September, Middlesbrough-based Hertel reported a fall in profits after it lost a major contract at the refinery.

Ayresome Park Memories: FA boss Adrian Bevington remembers his days as a ball boy

It's approaching 20 years since Ayresome Park closed its doors for the final time. The passing of the once-great stadium is being commemorated by a revamped softback re-issue of the best-selling publication Ayresome Park Memories.

Alongside the big names and stars of the day who contributed to the book, many regular fans also submitted their memories for inclusion. One of them was Adrian Bevington from Acklam, who has since become one of the top men in English football as Club England managing director at the FA.

In his article, one of many supporters’ memories submitted to Ayresome Park Memories in the mid-90s, Adrian recalled: “As a true Boro fan the 1984-85 season provided me with a real treat when I spent the whole campaign as a ball boy.

“What more could a 13-year-old lad ask for, free entry into your own theatre of dreams, permission to run out of the tunnel to the centre circle, acknowledge the crowd and then sit on the touch-line once play had commenced?

“My outstanding memory occurred during a rare victory against Brighton. Mid-way through the first half, Heine Otto unleashed a very hopeful shot.

“As the ball carried towards the Holgate End – where I was seated next to the goal – Brighton goalkeeper Graham Moseley decided against coming to claim the ball and stepped backwards to catch it.

“As he did so, my instant reaction was to jump in the air and wave my arms vigorously in celebration of a goal.

“Moseley, I believed, had stepped over the line with the ball in his hands.

“On my reaction the linesman immediately began flagging furiously to attract the referee’s attention.

“After an animated consultation a goal was awarded, causing mayhem to break out.

“Brighton manager Chris Cattlin stormed out of his dug-out to join his players in protest against the decision while Moseley raced towards the melee to voice his opinion.

“Cattlin was duly banished to the North Stand and Moseley, who was cautioned for his protestations, turned angrily and charged towards the goal, or so I thought.

“He made straight for me and yelled ‘Well, was it in then?’ Quaking in my boots, I whispered sheepishly ‘probably’.

“For the rest of the game I made a conscious effort to avoid eye contact with Mr Moseley while convinced I had helped the Boro on to victory.”

Ayresome Park Memories, by Eric Paylor and John Wilson and published by DB Publishing, is available from The Gazette, all good bookshops and online, price £14.99.

Woman taken to hospital after car collides with lorry near Stokesley

An woman was taken to hospital after a smash between a car and a lorry.

A 54-year-old man was driving a Vauxhall car and the 62-year-old woman was a passenger in the incident on Tanton Bridge, near Stokesley.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended at 8.44am today.

The woman needed to be helped out of the car, though she was not trapped.

Paramedics treated the man at the scene but were unable to determine the extent of the woman’s injuries, so took her to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital.

The driver of the lorry is not believed to be injured.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101.

Shoe shop warehouseman avoids jail after stealing stock and selling it on eBay

A shoe shop warehouseman who made more than £19,000 by stealing and selling his employer’s stock on eBay has kept his freedom.

Cash-strapped Kevin Smith, 33, resorted to taking shoes from footwear firm Charles Clinkard and flogging them on the auction website to feed his family, a court heard.

He was spared prison after a judge heard he had “lost everything” because of his first criminal offence.

His illegal cottage industry was discovered in an investigation into significant stock losses in June.

He made a £11,554 profit in the preceding six months, Teesside Crown Court was told.

He had been stealing shoes from the warehouse and using company photos to advertise them for sale on eBay.

In total he made more than £19,000 from the online sales.

The Crown previously alleged the value of the stolen goods was up to £80,000.

But prosecutor Rachel Masters said today the loss to the retailer was “unquantifiable”.

Smith had worked for Charles Clinkard for nine years in the Middlesbrough and Stockton offices.

He immediately owned up in disciplinary proceedings and to police.

He confessed he had been selling the stolen stock for years, worked out he could sell about six pairs of shoes per week and dispatched them using a courier.

Smith, of Fulbeck Road, Netherfields, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to theft over a seven-year period from February 2007.

The married dad-of-three had references from his friends and family telling how he had worked hard all his life.

A letter from his parents was read out in court, saying he was a private, quiet and modest man who did not buy luxuries and cycled to work as he could not afford bus fares.

They said: “Kevin has always strived to do his best for his family, who he cherishes.

“He had his hours cut several years ago and found it a struggle to make ends meet.

“We thought he was coping with this but we now know he wasn’t.

“Kevin is deeply ashamed that he had to resort to this to provide for his family.

“Kevin is a good young man who has done something out of character.

“We totally support him in his hour of need. We now know he was struggling with stress.”

Robert Mochrie, defending, said Smith tried to “do right by his family” earning £700 per month in his job.

He came to make a similar amount of money each month from the illegal enterprise.

Mr Mochrie said: “This is the first time he’s ever been before the court.

“He’s in a lot of trouble here. He has done everything he can to prepare himself for prison. He’s fully expecting to go to prison.

“The real punishment here is the fact that he’s now lost his good character, he’s now lost his job.

“He and his wife have now separated, although they do still support each other. She is in court today.

“He has lost everything because of this.”

Mr Mochrie argued Smith deserved a chance because of his otherwise “exceptional conduct”.

Judge Michael Taylor told Smith: “Your future employment prospects will be blighted by this gross breach of trust.”

He said Smith’s pleas and previous good character enabled him to suspend a nine-month prison sentence for two years with supervision and a thinking skills programme.

Ice cream man threatened at knifepoint in Berwick Hills robbery

An ice cream man was threatened at knifepoint in robbery in Middlesbrough.

The 41-year-old was in his van at the junction of Evesham Road and Overdale Road in the Berwick Hills area about 8.15pm on Friday night when two men approached.

The pair threatened him with a knife and got away with money and cigarettes.

Police are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything or used the ice cream van that evening to come forward.

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Paul Whitehouse on 101.

Former Smiths singer Morrissey reveals he is being treated for cancer

Rock star Morrissey is being treated for cancer.

The former Smiths singer has been in hospital on several occasions over the last 18 months and he has now revealed that doctors have also been dealing with cancerous tissue in his body.

Despite his diagnosis, the 55-year-old songwriter insists he isn't afraid of death and accepts it is something that comes to us all.

Although he did not reveal what type of cancer he has, Morrissey confessed to Spanish newspaper El Mundo: "They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever. If I die, then I die. And if I don't, then I don't.

"Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that's what illness can do. I'm not going to worry about that, I'll rest when I'm dead."

Morrissey's health issues have included a bleeding ulcer in early 2013, a double bout of pneumonia in March 2013, food poisoning in July 2013 and a respiratory infection in June 2014 which forced him to cancel his US tour.

The Irish Blood, English Heart singer also claimed he's at an age where he should have stopped making music and thinks he may retire from songwriting and performing once he has completed his first novel.

Morrissey - who was dropped by Harvest Records shortly after the release of his 10th studio album, World Peace is None of Your Business, in July - said: "I'm at an age when one should no longer be making music.

"Many composers of classical music died at age 34. And I'm still here, and nobody knows what to do with me. The audience that I have is very young, which leads me to think that the songs of the Smiths, as with those of the Ramones, are more significant now than before

"My novel is coming along well, but it would be presumptuous of me to talk about something that is not finalised yet. It will probably be published next year and with luck I will be able to stop singing forever, which would make many people happy!"

Top comic Katherine Ryan on her way to Teesside for Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt gig

Another top TV comic has confirmed a date on Teesside.

Canadian Katherine Ryan, fast becoming a household name, brings her Glam Role Model show to Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt in May next year.

She’s already wowed millions of TV comedy fans on a string of shows including Live at the Apollo, Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, Mock the Week, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You and the brand new series of Celebrity Squares.

Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday at the Town Hall Box Office.

The announcement marks a welcome Town Hall debut for Katherine - and is the latest in a long line of comedy coups for the Town

Hall.

Irish comedian Dara O’ Briain recently announced a Boro show for April next year; big hitters Ross Noble plays the venue on October 18 followed by Jason Byrne, Jimmy Carr and Frank Skinner.

Rob Guest of Middlesbrough Town Hall said: “Katherine is absolutely taking the comedy world by storm at the minute, and we’re delighted that she’s heading here to the Town Hall for the first time.

“It’s a great gig to have in the calendar, and it all adds to an amazing comedy line-up we have here.

“I know we keep saying it, but comics love playing here in Boro. They tell us we have some the best audiences in the country – and we’re looking forward to another great night here.”

*Katherine Ryan: Glam Role Model. Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt, Sat May 16, 2015, tickets £14.50/£12.50 concs on sale 10am Friday Middlesbrough Town Hall Box Office on 01642 729 729 or online at http://ift.tt/1edwSZT

Petition launched ahead of Middlesbrough meeting to protect children from grooming

Two men are petitioning outside Middlesbrough Town Hall today to demand a police presence outside schools to protect children from grooming.

Lee Dyson, 34, a dad-of-six from Stockton, and Andrew Johnson, 37, from Bankfields, Middlesbrough, decided to take action after The Gazette reported that Middlesbrough Council has been told of incidents of primary school children in the town being groomed.

The council’s Executive are meeting at 1pm to discuss how to tackle the issue.

The men had planned to visit local schools with their petition but were advised against it.

They intend to attend the meeting and then go to Middlesbrough Police Station.

CLICK HERE to follow our LIVE coverage of the Middlesbrough Council meeting to discuss the issue.

Field of Remembrance created next to Stokesley War Memorial

A field of Remembrance to enable people to place a personal cross or poppy in memory of a fallen member of the Armed Forces has been created alongside Stokesley’s War Memorial.

On Saturday October 25, at 11am, a short service of dedication will be held when residents will be invited to place a cross.

The idea for the field was suggested by Stokesley resident and Royal British Legion (RBL) member, Alwyn Boulby, who has stepped into the role of poppy appeal organiser for Stokesley.

Since the demise of the Stokesley branch of the RBL, there had been nobody locally responsible for organising the annual appeal.

With a group of friends, Alwyn was offered space in the Town Hall to store poppies, trays, collecting boxes and publicity material.

Local shops, pubs and businesses have also again offered to host trays and collecting boxes - while Stokesley’s Army Cadet unit will again help out.

Crosses can be places at the Field of Remembrance at any time. This month’s service is in addition to the annual parish service and Act of Remembrance on Sunday November 9.

Reef Subsea signs major contract with Port of Blyth

Teesside-based Reef Subsea has signed a deal with the Port of Blyth to establish a service and mobilisation facility.

The specialists in flexible products, which is headquartered at Teesdale in Thornaby, will set up a 1800m2 facility at the Port.

Port of Blyth chief executive Martin Lawlor described the deal as “significant”, following recent news that Blyth would also host international Oil Spill Response Limited.

Reef’s new base will comprise internal and external storage space for asset maintenance and storage, combined with office facilities for a team of personnel.

It will allow for quick mobilisation and demobilisation of their equipment which is used for installing and trenching flexible products, such as submarine power cables, umbilicals and pipelines.

Ivan Coyard, chief operations officer at Reef Subsea, said: “By working with Port of Blyth, an experienced and supportive business partner, to take over our new onshore premises, Reef Subsea is continuing the strong growth pattern already established.

“These new premises will ensure that Reef Subsea has the facilities required to enable us to continue to provide first-class support to meet the diverse and specific needs of our clients. The whole team looks forward to working in partnership with the team in Blyth and the mutual benefits this will bring.”

Port of Blyth chief executive, Martin Lawlor, added: “We are delighted to have significantly strengthened our partnership with Reef Subsea, a prominent and well respected operator in this field.

“We believe the deal is testament to our first class facilities and growing reputation for providing service excellence to the offshore energy sector as a whole”.

Fast-growing Reef Subsea is establishing itself as a global leader in providing specialist subsea services to the offshore renewable energy and oil and gas industries.

It now has direct access to two mobilisation quays at the offshore energy-focussed Port of Blyth, and the required infrastructure to support mobilisation and demobilisation at immediate notice.

Reef Subsea has gathered considerable experience installing and trenching flexible products (submarine power cables, umbilicals, flowlines and pipelines) and post-trench burial of all subsea products into offshore oil and gas, renewable, seismic, and telecommunication sectors.

From its formation in January 2012, Reef Subsea has grown its workforce to more than 100 employees and has been seeking to expand and acquire further office space for some months.

Bosses have pledged to work under a new strapline of “Protecting the Bottom Line,” which they say clearly defines the core focus of the business - preserving the seabed whilst delivering specialist projects on time, and within budget.

'Distracted' surgeon carried out wrong operation on patient's finger

A patient was given surgery for a condition from which they did not suffer while on the operating table of a Teesside hospital.

An operation to cure carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was carried out - even though the patient suffered from separate condition trigger finger.

The surgeon, working for the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, was “distracted and not actively involved with pre-operative checks” in January this year.

The incident was recorded as a ‘never event’ - a serious, largely preventable patient safety incident that should not occur if the available preventative measures have been implemented.

CTS is a common nerve condition causing pain and a tingling sensation in the hand and fingers.

Trigger finger is a condition which affects the tendons in the hand, causing the affected finger or thumb to bend in towards the palm.

The error was revealed after a Freedom of Information request to the trust.

In its response, the trust said that the error was identified and discussed with the patient, before the correct procedure was also carried out.

The unplanned procedure was completed, but the trust says in its Freedom of Information response that the “impact of the incident was minor”.

A spokesman for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust said: “We have an open culture of reporting incidents at the trust.

“All incidents are reported, investigated and lessons are shared and learned irrespective of their seriousness.

“We do all we can to avoid any incidents including the never events occurring.

“Should there be an incident we are open with the patient concerned regardless of whether or not they have been caused any harm.”

The FOI response confirmed that there is a potential legal claim against the trust pending.

But it said that the processes on the World Health Organisation safety checklist had not been changed as a result of the incident.

However, the trust is examining the compliance with this “as part of an ongoing programme in order to gain assurance that all surgical team members in theatre are involved in the completion of this checklist for each surgical case”.

Woman left frightened after man touches her buttocks and asks her to go in park

Police are looking for a man who followed a woman in Middlesbrough before touching her buttocks and asking her to go into a park with him.

The 46-year-old was walking near the One Life Centre on Linthorpe Road when she was approached by an Asian man who made inappropriate comments to her, Cleveland Police said.

The man, described as being in his early twenties, of medium build and around 5ft6" tall, asked the woman to go into Albert Park with him last Wednesday between 11am and 11:30am.

Frightened by his approach, the woman pointed towards a man standing at the traffic lights at the junction of Linthorpe Road and Park Road North and told the suspect he was her husband.

The man, who was wearing grey clothing and had a full black beard with short black hair, then walked towards the park.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Michael Doherty on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Teesside war hero and his devoted fiancée nominated as Community Champions

Nominate your local heroes in the Gazette Community Champions Awards

It’s hard to imagine what this Teesside couple have been through in the past five years.

James Rose, 27 and Naiomi Wise, 25 from Marton in Middlesbrough have overcome obstacles that no couple should ever have to face.

In November 2009, James was serving in the army with the Yorkshire Regiment 2nd Battalion in Helmand Province. As if putting his own life at risk by being out there wasn’t enough, James stepped on an improvised explosion device (IED).

With medics unsure at the time if he would make it home, James survived the blast, despite losing both of his legs.

Since then, James’ fiancee, Naiomi, has been relentless in her devotion to his needs. In fact, Naiomi has gone way beyond all expectations to ensure James’ quality of life is the best.

In recognition of their strength and determination as a couple, James and Naiomi have been nominated as Gazette community champions.

Naiomi’s stepfather, Chris Dobson, believes they are both worthy of an award and nominated the couple individually.

Chris, 52, from Redcar, nominated Naiomi in the Champion Carer category which is sponsored by NHS South Tees CCG and NHS Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees CCG.

Chris said: “Naiomi has been through a lot herself but she has been the motivation behind James, getting him back to some sort of normal lifestyle.

“Naiomi is a different type of carer. For the last five years, she has devoted her time to helping James.

“James getting injured was as big of a shock to Naiomi as it was to James.

“He has had a lot of surgery and has spent a lot of time in hospital but he has never given up.

“He is trying to lead a normal life, doing everything a normal person would do.

“She has done really well keeping him going.”

Naiomi said: “I am overwhelmed that I have been nominated but I don’t feel like a carer.

“It’s nice to be nominated but I don’t do it to be recognised.”

James was nominated by Chris in the Armed Forces Champion category.

James, who now has a new set of bionic legs and lives with Naiomi in a specially-adapted bungalow said: “I feel overwhelmed that Chris has nominated me but I just feel that I was doing my job in army.

“I wouldn’t change anything. I’m going to miss the army.”

James is now taking part in adaptive rowing at Tees Rowing Club and is determined to compete in the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.

Chris said: “James is passionate about his future now that he has been medically discharged from the army.

“Naiomi drives James to achieve as much as possible and is always a champion in our eyes.”

To find out more about the Community Champion Awards or make a nomination, write to Community Champions, c/o Elaine Blackburne, The Gazette, Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 3AZ or visit http://ift.tt/1oh3wnR .

Teen arrested on suspicion of sexual assault during Boro match at Riverside

A teenager was arrested at the Riverside Stadium on suspicion of sexual assault - during a Boro match.

The incident took place some time during Middlesbrough’s home game against Fulham on Saturday.

A 17-year-old man was taken away from the ground by police after being arrested - but later released without charge.

The incident is believed to have taken place in the concourse of one of the stands during the game.

Another fan reportedly saw the incident take place, and reported it to a stadium steward, who in turn contacted the police.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman confirmed: “A 17-year-old man was arrested at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday, October 4, on suspicion of sexual assault.

“The man was later released without charge.”

A spokesman for Middlesbrough Football Club said: “We can confirm that we are aware there was an incident at Saturday’s game which led to the police being called.”

Full Swing Dance are hoping their moves will help to win your Wish tokens

A Teesside dance group is hoping for token success in this year’s Wish campaign.

Formed back in 2011 by Teesside University graduates, Rachel Highfield and Laura Morgan, Full Swing Dance provides the community of Middlesbrough with affordable, fun and enthusiastic classes in dance, drama and singing.

With over 85 members, who take part in classes and holiday activities throughout the year, the group delivers sessions at Hemlington, Normanby, Acklam and Brambles Farm throughout the week.

Every year the dancers are given the chance to take part in unique performance opportunities throughout Teesside. Therefore, it is hoped that The Gazette’s Wish campaign this year will help them to recognise and reward the talent of the dancers.

Rachel Highfield, of the group said: “This year we would like to reward our long term dancers and performers with the gratitude they deserve by hosting an awards evening, presenting the children with medals and trophies acknowledging their achievements.

“Any money we receive from the Wish campaign will help us to do this.”

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

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.

Registration for this year’s Wish campaign has now closed.

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 Full Swing Dance, send your tokens to: 29 Glenmor Grove, Middlesbrough, TS6 0EP.

Billingham Stars fail to shine again as they are battered by Blackburn in cup

Billingham Stars suffered yet another humiliation at the hands of Lancashire rivals Blackburn Hawks, going down 10-2 in a British Challenge Cup mauling.

Hoping to bounce back from a poor performance in their 4-2 defeat to Solway Sharks, Ultimate Windows-sponsored Billingham began brightly enough.

Michael Bowman almost opened the scoring with less than three minutes played as he skated through the Blackburn defence to test returning netminder Stuart Ashton.

It was to be a false dawn however, as with just four minutes gone the Hawks’ man-of-the-match Luke Brittle opened the home side’s account when he cracked the puck into the roof of James Flavell’s net.

Michael Elder pulled the visitors level in the 10th minute, firing accurately straight through Ashton and again giving the travelling fans hope of a better performance.

But first Adam Brittle, then Aaron Davies got on the scoresheet to take Blackburn into the dressing rooms two goals to the good.

Billingham were forced to make a change between the posts at the start of the second period, as Mark Watson came on for back injury victim Flavell.

Watson saw plenty of action as the Stars capitulated, with the rout starting in the 27th minute when Adam Brittle lifted the puck over him. Two minutes later player-coach Jared Owen put the game out of reach with a powerplay effort, then Daniel Mackriel scored with the Stars defence in disarray.

Billingham took a time-out but the goals kept coming - Jordan Bannon roofed one past Watson, then both Mackriel and Luke Brittle grabbed their second goals in the final two minutes for a humiliating 9-1 second session scoreline.

The final period looked to be heading the same way when Luke Brittle walked through a non-existent Stars defence for his hat-trick with less than a minute gone, but to their credit the Teessiders dug in and refused to let the home side convert their pressure into any further goals.

Billingham showed glimpses of their true selves as the session wore on, and finally got some consolation when Scott Ward netted in the last minute to make the final score 10-2.

Man of the match for the Stars was Matthew Campbell.

Stars director of coaching Terry Ward made no excuses for his side’s dismal display and was disappointed that they failed to raise their game following the Solway defeat.

“We were okay in the first period, then we lost James Flavell in goal,” Ward said.

“Mark Watson went in cold and we didn’t really protect him - they just ran away with the game in the second period.

“On the positive side it was 1-1 in the final period, we came out battling.

“We knew we had to do something to set our stall out as we meet them again in the league in a few weeks’ time.”

Billingham are again in Challenge Cup action this weekend with a double header against English Premier League outfit Manchester Phoenix.

The away tie is on Saturday (7pm) and both teams return to Billingham Forum for a 6.30pm face-off on Sunday.

Tees Valley Mohawks come from behind to progress in National Cup

Tees Valley Mohawks marched into the third round of the National Cup with a come-from-behind revenge win over Team Northumbria.

But their National Trophy campaign is over after defeat by Bradford Dragons.

Steve Butler’s men lost to Northumbria in the Trophy two weeks earlier but turned the tables at Teesside University’s Olympia Building with a 79-74 victory.

They struggled to get going early on, trailing 22-17 at the end of the first quarter.

And Northumbria were quick out of the blocks in the second period too, taking a 41-31 lead into the half- time break. The visitors’ advantage went up to a yawning 17 points before Mohawks produced their best defensive performance of the season, allowing them just four more points in the next seven minutes.

Alvaro Pontes made some great defensive stops, allowing Rob Donaldson and Romonn Nelson to gain some fast break points as the lead was reduced to just five points.

And in the final quarter Mohawks went on a 31-point onslaught to claim victory.

“Romonn and Rob were something special but it was a great team effort, especially on the defensive end of the court in the second half,” said Butler.

The previous day Mohawks were up by 10 at half-time at Bradford but couldn’t contain their former star Jason Swaine and Richard Sulcs as the Dragons came out 84-76 winners.

Nelson again top scored with 27 points while Donaldson weighed in with 19 and was well supported by Lloyd Samuels with 14.

Mohawks’ next game is a trip to Derby in their final Trophy pool game on Sunday. They begin their EBL Division One campaign on October 25 against Team Northumbria at the Olympia.

New pharmacy opens in Stockton's University Hospital of North Tees

A new pharmacy has opened in Stockton’s University Hospital of North Tees.

The pharmacy is the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust’s commercial arm Optimus’ first shopping outlet.

Panacea occupies the site of the vacated George Hardwick Foundation shop near Costa in the main entrance of the hospital in Hardwick.

Cleveland College of Art and Design student Sami Howe designed the logo.

The 22-year-old from Thirsk said she was “proud” her design was picked as the winner and is now displayed in the hospital pharmacy.

“I did loads of designs and because I won I went up to Newcastle to a company called Different where I could work on my logo.”

Pat Chapman, head of employability at CCAD, said: “The trust approached the college to work with students to offer a competitive design brief.”

Alan Foster, chief executive of North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Optimus board member, said he believed the new pharmacy will be a major asset for the hospital. He said: “Becoming an NHS foundation trust gave us freedoms to start up commercial ventures.

“The trust is the sole shareholder of Optimus and all surpluses come back into the trust to contribute to patient care.

“Panacea is the new outpatient pharmacy where people who have had drugs and medicines prescribed in our outpatient clinics can take the prescriptions to be dispensed.”

The pharmacy was due to be opened by former Dragons Den star and health club owner Duncan Bannatyne but he had to cancel last minute.

Morning news headlines: £100m for home improvements, Miliband under fire, Alice suspect found, Briton dies on Everest

Householders across the UK are to be offered an additional £100 million to fund energy-saving home improvements, after a Government scheme proved so popular it ran out of cash within three months.

Energy Secretary Ed Davey was announcing the new money for the Green Deal home improvement fund at the Liberal Democrat conference in Glasgow.

He was also due to hail progress on making it easier for consumers to cut their bills by switching energy suppliers, and set a target - described by aides as "ambitious" - for smaller independent firms to take 30% of the market from the so-called "Big Six" by 2020.

Have it all? Not me, says Mrs Clegg

In a rare interview about her personal life, Nick Clegg's wife Miriam has denied pursuing a "having it all" lifestyle, but said she wants to be able as a woman to combine family and professional life in the way men can.

With a successful career in her own right as a lawyer, marriage to the Deputy Prime Minister and three young children, Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, 46, is often seen as living proof that women are able to "have it all".

But speaking to Sky News, she made clear that the decision to choose Mr Clegg as her husband and father of her children was more important to her than any lifestyle aspirations.

Labour figures take aim at Miliband

Pressure is mounting on Ed Miliband over his leadership after more influential figures in the party took a swipe at his election strategy.

The Labour leader is struggling to gain the political momentum and his conference speech, during which he failed to mention the deficit, has appeared to clear the way for critics in the party to speak openly.

Concerns have been raised about plans to introduce a mansion tax on properties worth more than £2 million.

Father's plea to runaway daughter

The father of a missing London girl who is feared to have travelled to Syria has made a desperate plea for her to come home.

Abdirashiid Saciid Dirie has urged his 17-year-old daughter, Samya Dirie, to return, saying "nobody's against you".

She is believed to have left Heathrow with 15-year-old Bristol girl Yusra Hussien nearly two weeks ago.

Woodland body is Alice suspect

A decomposed body found in woodland is that of Arnis Zalkalns - the prime suspect in the Alice Gross murder investigation, Scotland Yard said.

A post-mortem examination of the body discovered in Boston Manor Park, west London, on Saturday, found 41-year-old Zalkalns had died from hanging and there was no evidence of anyone else being involved in his death.

Alice, 14, from Hanwell, west London, went missing on August 28 and her body was recovered from the River Brent in west London on Tuesday.

Briton dies during Everest trek

A British woman has died while trekking in Nepal's Everest region.

Local police official Purushottam Silwal told the Daily Mirror: "She possibly died of altitude sickness. Her body was airlifted to Kathmandu for a post-mortem."

It is believed she may have fallen ill while returning from a trip to Everest base camp, at 17,700ft (5,364m) above sea level, with her daughter.

Marooned sailor rescued from yacht

A sailor had to be rescued by a lifeboat crew hours after having become marooned on his yacht more than 18 miles (29km) out to sea.

An RNLI lifeboat was despatched once the Coastguard and British Navy had located the trimaran, a multi-hulled boat, which had been battered and dismasted.

Coastguards coordinating the search for the trimaran in the channel overnight were contacted by the British naval vessel HMS St Albans shortly before 4am, reporting they were standing by the vessel nearly 18 miles south of Portland, with one person visible on top.

£75 a night hospital stay warning

Hospital patients could be asked to pay for their "bed and board" if funding does not match increasing demand, a top health service manager has warned.

Rob Webster, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents NHS commissioners and providers, said the health service would have to make "tough choices".

But although he added plans to charge patients for accommodation had not been drawn up, the Independent quoted an unnamed source suggesting the fee could be £75 a night.

Warning over smart meter costs

A consumer group has called on the Government to take immediate action to cut the cost of the smart meter roll-out, warning it is in danger of "spiralling out of control".

Which? has written to energy secretary Ed Davey ahead of his speech at the Liberal Democrat party conference calling on him "to act now" to reduce costs ahead of the official roll-out starting at the end of next year.

The £10.9 billion programme will see a smart meter installed in every UK home by 2020 in an effort to give people more control over their energy use.

Tube workers to take strike action

London Underground workers are to stage a 48-hour strike next week in the long-running dispute over Tube ticket office closures.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union have been instructed not to book on for any shifts between 9pm on October 14 and 8.59pm on October 16.

The walkout threatens travel disruption in the capital and coincides with strikes by council workers and civil servants across the country in separate disputes over pay, jobs and cuts.

Colin Cooper feels he didn't have support of Hartlepool board, claims Carlisle boss

Colin Cooper felt he didn’t have the support of the Hartlepool United board, claims Carlisle boss Keith Curle.

The former Boro defender resigned as Pools boss in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Curle’s team.

The Carlisle manager, who spoke with Cooper after the game, sympathised with his plight, telling ITV: “Colin is a gentleman of the game and a scholar of the game as well, (he has) a good understanding, loved his job and a passion for the job that he was doing as well.

“I think he felt he wasn’t being supported or getting the backing off the field.

“It does have a detrimental affect on you as a human being when you are not doing the job or not being able to do the job you want to do.”

Curle’s predecessor as Carlisle manager, former Boro midfielder Graham Kavanagh, has been strongly linked with the Pools vacancy.

In the meantime, Pools host Sheffield United at Victoria Park tonight with Sam Collins and Stephen Pears taking charge of the team.

Chairman Ken Hodcroft admits Cooper’s resignation came as a surprise, saying: “We weren’t ready for it as a club.”

Fourteen rape cases originally recorded as 'no crimes' set to be reopened by Cleveland Police

Fourteen rape cases are set to be reopened by Cleveland Police.

The cases were originally recorded as “no crimes” but after a report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary suggested they should have been investigated, Cleveland Police will now look at them again.

Detective Superintendent Peter McPhillips said: “Despite having done the investigations, it’s apparent the HMIC felt we could have investigated further, so we have “re-crimed” all these offences so they are now on our system as rapes, and we have set up a team to reinvestigate all the offences.”

He confirmed different staff than before will carry out the investigations, but all will be experienced in investigating sexual offences.