Man accused of stealing Middlesbrough councillor's bike appears at court

A man accused of stealing a Middlesbrough councillor’s mountain bike has made his first appearance at court.

Ryan Anthony Stewart appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday charged with the non-dwelling burglary at the home of Naveed Hussain.

The 28-year-old, of Deepdale Avenue in Middlesbrough, is accused of stealing the Labour councillor’s £1,000 Cube Ltd Pro mountain bike.

The item was taken from the Linthorpe ward councillor’s house in Green Lane, Middlesbrough at 5.40pm on Monday.

Cllr Hussain, 33, an IT engineer, said: “It happened in broad daylight while my dad was in the garage.”

“I think people in the area need to be careful, especially coming up to Christmas,” he added. “Don’t leave anything visible.”

Stewart’s case was committed to Teesside Crown Court by magistrates sitting in court on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, for which a date is yet to be set.

Members of a collapsed Teesside based credit union have been reassured that their savings are safe

Depositors have been assured that their savings are safe following the collapse of a Teesside based credit union.

A compulsory winding up order has been made against the Redcar and Cleveland Money Tree and Glen Credit Union Limited.

Andrew Little and Peter Gray of Rowlands Restructuring and Insolvency in Yarm have been appointed as Joint Liquidators to handle the winding up of the credit union.

Because it is no longer trading, none of the credit union’s 800 members will be able to deposit or withdraw any money.

A notice issued by the board of directors said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we must write to notify you that a Winding Up Order has today been made against the Credit Union and that as a result, the Credit Union is closed and no longer able to accept deposits or allow members or juvenile depositors to withdraw any shares or money held in the Credit Union.

“Therefore you will not be able to access funds held within your account.”

But members have been told that their savings are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) which will pay back funds automatically - in seven days in most cases.

Mr Little said: “We are setting up a helpline and email address for members who have any concerns or queries about their individual situations, and we are working to resolve matters with as little disruption as possible for everyone.”

The winding-up order means that members whose wages or benefits are paid directly into their credit union account will need to make alternative arrangements.

Anyone who has a loan from the credit union remains legally obliged to repay it under the same terms and condition agreed with the union.

Mr Little said: “Because of the closure, we’re advising all members to make alternative financial arrangements, such as finding a new credit union or opening an account with the Post Office, a bank or building society.

“As liquidators, we are not permitted to do this on your behalf and you must transfer any accounts yourself.

“If anyone has any concerns, questions or queries about what to do, please contact us and we will look into your situation and advise you on what action you can take.”

Queries can be directed to the liquidators on a telephone hotline: 0845 8731405 or email rcmtg@rowlandsaccountants.co.uk.

For further information on the Financial Services Compensation Scheme and how it works, please go to the FSCS website at www.fscs.org.uk .

Teessiders urged to sign up for a night of sleeping rough to support local charities

Warm-hearted Teessiders are being challenged to sign up for a night sleeping rough to fight local poverty and homelessness.

Hardy souls are asked to spend just one night on the street to take part in the fourth Big Tees Sleepout outside Middlesbrough College on Friday, November 21.

Three previous Big Tees Sleepouts have helped raise around £35,000 for local people.

Organisers Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation are raising funds for homeless charities and foodbanks.

Among the causes set to benefit include Middlesbrough Homeless and Recovery League, the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal and the Stockton-based Moses Project that puts on Christmas Day lunch for addicts, homeless and struggling families.

The foundation wants to make it Teesside’s biggest ever sponsored sleepout by getting more than 100 fundraisers involved.

Joanna Wake, of Raw Marketing Company, is helping to organise the event. Joanna said: “We’ve seen first-hand the difference the funds raised at the sleepouts can make to those in desperate need.”

To sign up for the sleepout, visit http://www.bigteessidesleepout.co.uk

View: Man fined £6,000 for dumping 35 tonnes of waste on his Middlesbrough land

A landowner has been ordered to pay more than £6,000 after he failed to remove 35 tonnes of flytipped waste - despite repeated warnings.

Fidel Antonio Da Silva was prosecuted by Middlesbrough Council following an investigation after complaints from members of the public.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told the 53-year-old was the owner of a garage and land between Eastbourne Road and Rochester Road in Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, where the offence took place.

Middlesbrough Council’s Community Protection Service began an investigation on August 6, 2013, following complaints, and on visiting the site found waste including rubble, mattresses, plastic, green waste, furniture and other items.

As a result a warning letter was hand delivered the following day to Da Silva, as the owner of the site, requesting that he remove the waste within seven days and advising that failure to do so would result in the serving of a legal notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

On August 15 a further site visit was carried out where it was found that there was even more waste than a week previously, although some had been burnt.

A legal notice was then issued on August 20 requiring the waste to be removed within 21 days. Another site visit on September 26 showed this requirement had also not been complied with.

As a result Middlesbrough Council had to pay for the 35 tonnes of waste to be taken away, costing them £3,148.

Da Silva was then hand delivered a letter requesting he attend for an interview or give a written representation of matters he would like to be considered. Again, Da Silva failed to respond.

At Teesside Magistrates’ Court, Da Silva denied the allegations, claiming not to have received the letters or legal notice and said had he been aware he would have cleared the mess.

However, he was convicted of an offence under the Environmental Protection Act by District Judge Kristina Harrison following a trial.

She ordered Da Silva, of Cathenell Road, Eaglescliffe, to pay the council’s costs for clearing the site of £3,148, its legal costs of £2,074.67 and fined him £1,000 with a victim surcharge of £100 – making a total of £6322.67.

Councillor Tracy Harvey, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Environment, said: “Flytipping is an offence which is infuriating to the public and also carries a heavy cost to the taxpayer when the council is forced to clear up others’ mess.

“Private land owners also have a responsibility to keep their land clear of waste as there can be serious environmental consequences as well as the simple fact it is a horrendous eyesore.

“I hope this example illustrates the potential consequences of not doing so. Mr Da Silva had ample opportunity to remove this waste and avoid the need for a court case - and the result additional cost - but failed to do so.”

The court heard that Da Silva no longer owns the land.

Sex offender pensioner to have laptop and phone destroyed

A sex offender pensioner’s laptop and camera phone were ordered to be destroyed by a judge today.

Victor Pope, 76, from Middlesbrough, had been banned from owning them after he was jailed in 2003 for child sex offences.

He was given a Sexual Offence’s Prevention Order by Teesside Magistrates in July 2009 banning him from having any equipment capable of making photographs.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told Teesside Crown Court that two detectives visited his home on May 30 and they recovered eight items including also a tablet.

Pope made full admissions and he gave various explanations for buying them at car boot sales and he said that he loved playing around with such items.

Mrs Jacobs said that police experts have since examined them with negative results.

Peter Wishlade, defending, said that Pope had no access to the Internet and he bought them to repair them.

He paid 50p for the mobile phone, £2.99 for a digital camera and £25 for the laptop, and some of them did not work.

Pope came out of prison in 2006 and he bought a computer, and in 2009 an application was made and a Sexual Offence’s Prevention Order was imposed because he was seeing his grandchildren in the company of his adult daughter with her consent.

Mr Wishlade said that Pope had five children and a number of grandchildren.

Police went to his home on a supervision call and they discovered the computer that he had owned since 2006.

Mr Wishlade added: “He is 76 with substantial health problems.”

Judge Tony Briggs told Pope: “Bearing in mind the previous matters, the possession of equipment must set alarm bells ringing so far as you are concerned.”

Pope, of Webster Road, Middlesbrough, was given a nine months jail sentence suspended for 12 months with 18 months supervision after he pleaded guilty to eight breaches of the SOPO.

The judge ordered that the equipment should be confiscated and destroyed.

Adventure sports centre planned for Eston as part of latest Redcar and Cleveland regeneration vision

Plans to create and safeguard more than 1,000 jobs in Redcar and Cleveland will be presented next week.

Details of phase two of Redcar & Cleveland Council’s regeneration masterplan - a multi-million pound scheme which is hoped to revitalise Greater Eston and East Cleveland - will be discussed by Cabinet members on Tuesday.

Developments in phase one of the plan included South Bank’s Eco Village, sea defences in Redcar and the Redcar and Cleveland Community Heart.

Mark Hannon, the council’s cabinet member for economic development, said that while some projects were still on the drawing board phase two was very much underway.

Cllr Hannon said: “Construction of a community arts facility, within the new Laurence Jackson School site, in Guisborough, will start next year and work has begun to create East Cleveland Business Park.

“These projects, and many others, will set the conditions for the borough’s future prosperity and are some of the most important in the council’s history.”

A report being considered by councillors identifies a number possible priority projects that were determined during consultation, which include:

• developing East Cleveland Business Park for new leisure, retail, industrial and accommodation

• improvements to 32 shop fronts and the public realm in Skelton town centre

• plans to bring void shops and key buildings back into use within Loftus town centre

• a major adventure sports facility for Greater Eston

• improving quality and choice of retail and community services in Greater Eston neighbourhood centres

• tackling housing problems in South Bank

Other potential projects include marketing to encourage private investment in Saltburn’s visitor accommodation; a grants scheme for communities to deliver projects of their own; rural neighbourhood centres for small businesses and third sector organisations; and a range of transport improvement measures.

The council has set aside £7m for phase two and anticipates unlocking a further £64m in public and private sector direct match funding.

However, it is hoped the scheme could generate a further £192m in investment, over the next 20 years, with the council acting as an advisor to developers and industry.

Boro youngster Hayden Coulson eyes creative spark for England U17s

Boro young gun Hayden Coulson is hoping to show off his creative spark for England Under-17s in Cyprus.

The talented left-back is preparing for three European Championship qualifiers on the Mediterranean island this week, with the host nation lying in wait for the Young Lions first on Saturday.

Coulson is a keen studier of the game, particularly of Leighton Baines, and he is hoping to have make as much of an impact as his senior counterpart over the coming week as well as shutting out the oppositions attackers.

“Baines and Ashley Cole are two players that I look at the most and try to learn from,” he told TheFA.com at the team hotel in Paphos.

“I don’t get many goals, but I contribute with a few assists at Boro and I’ll be looking to do the same here if given the chance.

“I’m not on free-kicks, but I’ll be looking to use my pace down the wing and try and create some chances for the lads up front.”

Coulson was a regular for the Under-16s last season, playing in the Victory Shield and Montaigu Tournament prior to featuring in the St. George’s Park Tournament in August in his first taste of Under-17 action.

He believes that with his previous experiences with the Young Lions, and an early arrival in Cyprus, have given him the ideal preparation for the three qualifiers ahead.

“It’s been hard with the weather, the first training session was really hot. But we’ve got to work through it.

“That’s why we came out here a day or two early to make sure we were fully prepared – and it is going to help us get used to it and we’ll be ready for the first game. If we had arrived later then we would not have been as used to it but we’re fine now.”

He said: “We start off facing the Cyprus, and they are going to be at their home ground with a big backing.

“They’ll be used to the conditions, but we have prepared right and it’ll be a good game.

“We have watched the videos of them, and they play differently to what a lot of us are used to, and they’ll want to beat us.”

The 16-year-old continued: “France will probably be the hardest test on paper, but they’ll all be tough games.

“I’ve learnt that every time you play for England everyone always wants to beat you, but we have to play our normal game.

“We have a lot of pace and skill, but I think we have ability in all areas from defence to attack. We are confident we can do well this tournament.”

Callum Cooke and Dael Fry holding the trophy

And having watched his Boro team-mates Callum Cooke and Dael Fry go all the way in the competition last season, Coulson is looking to emulate his team-mates at The Riverside.

“It’s a really positive camp and everyone is loving it. We all want to follow on from what the Under-17s did last season.

“A year ago they were in our position now, so we have a lot of hard work ahead but we will keep going.”

England’s first game is against Cyprus at 1pm on Saturday.

Man spared jail after judge decides "society would be better off" if he continues to support his family

A man caught intending to deal almost £2,000 of cannabis has been spared jail.

Police stopped 36-year-old Darren Nicholas’ car on Tees Dock road near Teesport in April, and found a bag containing 180.3g of the Class B drug, a set of digital scales, a list of contacts and a phone containing 41 messages relating to drugs.

At Teesside Crown Court today, Recorder Angus Withington said that Nicholas’ actions deserved prison - but suspended his sentence after hearing that “society would be better off” if the HGV driver was kept out of custody.

Mitigating, Andrew White told the court that Nicholas, of Oldstead Court, Hemlington, Middlesbrough was a family man who had always been in employment and was the sole bread winner for his wife and four children.

Mr White said: “He is remorseful. He pleaded guilty straight away and co-operated with the police. He had received the cannabis and was selling it to like minded cannabis users to fund his own habit.

“He tells me he has been using cannabis for 15 years but has resolved to stop using it. He has only been taking very small amounts on a night to help him sleep, as the worry of this case has caused him a great deal of stress.

“Mr Nicholas has always worked, he supports his family and is in no way a drain on the state. Society would be better off if Mr Nicholas did not go to jail, and any custodial sentence was suspended so he could continue to do that.”Prosecuting, Jenny Haigh had told the court that Nicholas had been caught with £1,803 worth of cannabis and £275 in cash, as well as a “tick list” of names and numbers.

She said he had amongst three drug offences a conviction for possession of the Class B drug from 2013.

Judge Recorder Withington sentenced Nicholas, who had pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply at Teesside Magistrates Court, with an 12 month prison sentence suspended for 18 months - as well as 120 hours unpaid work and a supervision order.

He also gave him a six month sentence suspended for a year, to run concurrently, for admitting supplying cannabis between January 23 and April 3 this year.

Northern League: Marske host Billingham Synthonia in derby showdown

Marske United will be looking to keep the pressure on league leaders West Auckland Town tomorrow as they welcome Billingham Synthonia to the GER Stadium.

The Seasiders survived torrid conditions to beat Durham City 1-0 on Tuesday with fans’ favourite Danny Brunskill starting his first game back in a Marske shirt.

Fred Woodhouse’s second-half strike was enough to earn the points - keeping Marske three points behind Auckland with a game in hand.

But United will be without influential captain Craig Gott and in-form winger Josh MacDonald for the first derby clash of the season, which should have plenty of spice to it given that four players switched from Mount Pleasant to Central Avenue over the summer.

Synners go into the game languishing in 18th position having been beaten 4-2 at Bishop Auckland in the week, and temporary boss Michael Watson will be hopeful of springing an upset and grabbing his first win in the hotseat.

Elsewhere Guisborough will be hoping to return to winning ways against Whitley Bay after seeing their five-game unbeaten run ended by Consett.

Manager Chris Hardy admitted his side failed to get up to the tempo of the game - but believed they created the better opportunities at the Belle View Stadium.

The Priorymen will be without wide man Peter Bulman but Chay Liddle should start and new signing Josh Rowbottom comes into contention.

Meanwhile in Division Two Norton travel to mid-table South Shields looking to return to winning ways after their midweek defeat at Seaham Red Star. Andy Campbell’s side were leapfrogged by Team Northumbria in the table, but could return to the summit with a victory.

Billingham Town host Tow Law Town but will be without Gary Redman and Daniel Ballantyne, while Thornaby will be hoping to make it seven games unbeaten when they face Hebburn Town. Elsewhere Stokesley welcome Alnwick Town to Broughton Road.

In the Wearside League Stockton Town hope to continue their unbeaten start when they face Whitehaven. Micky Dunwell’s side have not lost in 19 games this season and will be favourites for another home win tomorrow.

Meanwhile Redcar Athletic have received mixed injury news this week ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Jarrow. Liam Wood could return after a six-week layoff, but Joe Bennett will miss out after suffering knee ligament damage that will sideline him for two months.

Michael Woodhouse hopes to be fit despite limping off during Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Easington Colliery.

Northern League: Marske host Billingham Synthonia in derby showdown

Marske United will be looking to keep the pressure on league leaders West Auckland Town tomorrow as they welcome Billingham Synthonia to the GER Stadium.

The Seasiders survived torrid conditions to beat Durham City 1-0 on Tuesday with fans’ favourite Danny Brunskill starting his first game back in a Marske shirt.

Fred Woodhouse’s second-half strike was enough to earn the points - keeping Marske three points behind Auckland with a game in hand.

But United will be without influential captain Craig Gott and in-form winger Josh MacDonald for the first derby clash of the season, which should have plenty of spice to it given that four players switched from Mount Pleasant to Central Avenue over the summer.

Synners go into the game languishing in 18th position having been beaten 4-2 at Bishop Auckland in the week, and temporary boss Michael Watson will be hopeful of springing an upset and grabbing his first win in the hotseat.

Elsewhere Guisborough will be hoping to return to winning ways against Whitley Bay after seeing their five-game unbeaten run ended by Consett.

Manager Chris Hardy admitted his side failed to get up to the tempo of the game - but believed they created the better opportunities at the Belle View Stadium.

The Priorymen will be without wide man Peter Bulman but Chay Liddle should start and new signing Josh Rowbottom comes into contention.

Meanwhile in Division Two Norton travel to mid-table South Shields looking to return to winning ways after their midweek defeat at Seaham Red Star. Andy Campbell’s side were leapfrogged by Team Northumbria in the table, but could return to the summit with a victory.

Billingham Town host Tow Law Town but will be without Gary Redman and Daniel Ballantyne, while Thornaby will be hoping to make it seven games unbeaten when they face Hebburn Town. Elsewhere Stokesley welcome Alnwick Town to Broughton Road.

In the Wearside League Stockton Town hope to continue their unbeaten start when they face Whitehaven. Micky Dunwell’s side have not lost in 19 games this season and will be favourites for another home win tomorrow.

Meanwhile Redcar Athletic have received mixed injury news this week ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Jarrow. Liam Wood could return after a six-week layoff, but Joe Bennett will miss out after suffering knee ligament damage that will sideline him for two months.

Michael Woodhouse hopes to be fit despite limping off during Wednesday’s 2-1 win over Easington Colliery.

Rockcliffe Hall appoints new chief executive

An award-winning leisure destination is marking its fifth anniversary with the appointment of a new chief executive.

Hotel executive Eamonn Elliott will join Hurworth-based Rockliffe Hall in December as the resort moves into the second phase of its development following five years of continuous growth.

Mr Elliott has worked at several prestigious venues, including eight years as general manager of the multi-award winning Devonshire Arms at Bolton Abbey in North Yorkshire. He was also manager of the AA Irish Hotel of the Year, the Mount Falcon and Spa in County Mayo.

For the last five years he has been general manager of the Grand Jersey Hotel, taking it from an unknown 4* hotel to the Channel Islands’ highest rated hotel - gaining a Michelin Star for its restaurant and AA 5* status.

In addition, he has won numerous awards and was named Institute of Directors Young Director of the Year 2013-2014.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Elliott trained as a professional footballer and played for Carlisle United before moving into spa management and gaining an honours degree in management from the University of York.

He said: “I want to make a statement of intent; I believe that the infrastructure, foundations and quality of Rockliffe Hall demand the best team in the country. I look forward to seeing the business embrace this challenge and establish itself as one of the top culinary, golfing, spa and hospitality destinations in the UK and Ireland.”

Warwick Brindle, chairman of Rockliffe Hall, added: “We are delighted Eamonn has agreed to join Rockliffe Hall as our chief executive as he brings with him such varied experience. We already have outstanding people that have made us a great success in the last five years and this appointment strengthens our team as we go into the second phase of development at the resort.”

Last year Rockliffe Hall was awarded the AA’s highest accolade of five red stars after being crowned VisitEngland’s Large Hotel of the Year in 2013.

Billingham taking nothing for granted ahead of Wirral test

Billingham will be taking nothing for granted as they welcome National Three North strugglers Wirral to Greenwood Road tomorrow.

Chris Hyndman’s side have been licking their wounds following last week’s 41-6 drubbing at Firwood Waterloo.

A lack of intensity was blamed for the result which leaves Billingham languishing fifth in the division - nine points adrift of second place.

But tomorrow provides an opportunity for Billingham to kick-start their promotion push with Merseyside new boys Wirral travelling to the North-east.

Hyndman said: “We didn’t really show up last week. That’s no disrespect to Waterloo - they played some good rugby and it’s clear that they’ve improved since last year.

“But we never really got going and the physicality of the game caught us on the hop. We had a couple of players sent to the bin and we paid the price.

“We came off the pitch and had a chat about what went wrong and what we needed to do to bounce back. We’ve had a big week on the training pitch and we’re ready for another difficult game tomorrow.

“Wirral haven’t had many wins this season but they haven’t been beaten by many points in any of their games. They scored 20 points against Sheffield last week who are doing well, so they aren’t a bad side.

“They’re still adjusting to life in this division having been promoted, but when you start looking at teams’ league positions you get caught out”.

After two training sessions this week Billingham are ready to roar again on home soil, having lost their last two league matches. Hyndman admitted this week has seen the team go back to basics ahead of a gruelling couple of weeks.

“We need to give ourselves a solid structure to work from tomorrow”, he said.

“That comes from a good defence and dominating the contact area. Rugby is a simple game and when you do the basics well you get quick, quality ball.

“We’ve tended to struggle against some of the bigger teams and we have to learn to stay switched on for longer. Next weekend we play Sale away, who are top of the league and flying. If we switch off there they could end up putting 80 points past us.”

In Yorkshire One Middlesbrough will be looking to secure back-to-back wins as they travel to Pontefract.

Ian Heslehurst’s side have found some form having won three of their last four league matches, but they will again be without scrum-half Connor Foley in West Yorkshire.

Foley picked up a dead leg in training before last weekend’s seven-try rout over Old Brodleians, so Peter Wright will again deputise in the number nine jersey.

After coming from behind to beat Hartlepool Rovers last Saturday, tomorrow sees Stockton travel to Newcastle to take on Medicals in Durham and North One. They will be without flanker Martin Dixon and scrum-half Jonny Horner, but Joe Green and Rob Green should both start.

In the same division second-placed Guisborough host Gateshead looking to build on last weekend’s 75-5 demolition of Sunderland.

Redcar relish underdog tag ahead of crunch clash with Ponteland

Redcar will relish the underdogs tag tomorrow in Durham and North Two’s top of the table clash.

That’s the view of coach Neil Young, with the Seasiders sitting one point behind leaders Ponteland despite winning all seven league matches.

Young said: “We’re looking forward to the trip because for the first time this season we’re not favourites and the pressure is off.

“When you are top the expectancy is to win every game but this week we are the underdogs, which makes us dangerous.

“The past few weeks have been intense and we haven’t played as well as in the earlier free-scoring games. Our defence has been magnificent but our attacking play has been somewhat lacking.

“We are taking a strong squad to Ponteland and should be able to be more adventurous. Ponteland were my tip to win the league and they haven’t disappointed so getting anything, even a point, will be a success.”

Redcar make four changes from Saturday’s win over Barnard Castle with Jon Davey, James Cochrane, captain Steve Johnson and Ben Durrans all returning.

In the same division third-placed Acklam host Hartlepool - with captain Steven Chambers believing recent defeats to Redcar and Seaton Carew have helped his side.

“After last week’s tough match we have not taken training lightly,” Chambers said.

“Working with a settled squad has allowed us to enjoy a bit of continuity and having a game plan for each match developed by head coach Johan Otker is reaping rewards.

“After being fancied as early promotion favourites we’re approaching each Saturday realistically. Those two defeats are spurring everyone to perform in every match.”

In Durham and North Three unbeaten Yarm hope to extend their lead at the top as they travel to Washington.

Ray Mallon backs artist whose father demanded ex-Mayor raffle his underpants for stolen Lowry painting

A Linthorpe artist, inspired by his father’s theft of a Lowry masterpiece, is raffling a limited edition painting signed by the Mayor of Middlesbrough.

Sean Durkin, 51, is a professional artist and the son of the infamous John Durkin, who caused a sensation in March 1972 when he stole a Lowry painting from the old Middlesbrough Art Gallery.

After taking the picture of St Hilda’s Church and Middlesbrough’s old Town Hall, he demanded that the Mayor at the time raffled his underpants for charity to secure the painting’s safe keeping.

Sean, who was eight at the time, remembers the affair well as he recalls seeing the painting of what looked like a big house, a church and some matchstick people scurrying around.

Yesterday, Sean invited Ray Mallon along to The Art House on Linthorpe Road, to sign a piece of his work that would help to raise money in a raffle for the Teesside Hospice.

Ray Mallon said: “I was really pleased to receive the invitation because Sean is a first class artist whose artwork is pretty unique overall.

“Some of it is similar to Lowry but others are completely original.

“I want to do everything I can to encourage people like Sean.

“On top of that Sean has donated a painting which has taken many hours to complete. This will be subject to a lottery with all the proceeds going to Teesside Hospice which is a really worthy cause.

“The nice thing about today is I am involved with a first class artist and a first class charity.”

As well as the limited edition oil painting, ‘Three Clocks’ signed by Ray Mallon which will be first prize, limited edition signed prints will be second and third prizes too.

An additional piece will also be donated to the Teesside Hospice to display in their newly refurbished reception.

Maureen Thompson, Chief Executive at Teesside Hospice said: “It means an enormous amount to us. We are really grateful for Sean thinking of Teesside Hospice for the raffle.

“We think everyone will enjoy it. Sean is a great person and we love his work.”

Ray added: “The Mayor at the time was asked to auction his underpants.

“Sean did ask me the same thing but I politely declined the offer.

“I am not even sure if the Mayor at the time wore underpants, they might have been bloomers.”

The raffle will be drawn on December 5.

Sean said: “If I can do something to help Teesside Hospice then that is great.

“If that painting could pay for care for one day, it would be the proudest day of my life.

“My dad thinks my work is great and he is hoping to be at the draw in December.”

Tickets for the raffle cost £2 and can be purchased online at http://ift.tt/1D5CmCX or http://ift.tt/1tQjvgg. They can also be bought from The Art House on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

Aitor Karanka: 'Watford are dangerous' as Hornets receive double injury boost

Aitor Karanka is under no illusions as to the magnitude of Boro’s top of the table tussle with Watford tomorrow.

The Hornets arrive on Teesside having surrendered top spot in the Championship to Derby County on Tuesday after a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

However, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side peppered Forest’s goal with 23 shots - an indication of their attacking prowess at this level.

With tomorrow’s visitors having won three of their last five away games and only failing to score once this season, Boro head coach Karanka admitted that the Hornets are a dangerous outfit.

Karanka told the club’s official site: “Watford are a very dangerous team mixed up of different styles because they have had a number of managers in a short space on time (four different managers in 37 days).

“Like Oscar (Garcia), he is Spanish and had the team playing in a good way, with their new manager it’s another approach to playing.

“I have a strong team who know how difficult it is to win games, so I’m confident going into this tough test.”

Tuesday’s drab 2-0 defeat at Molineux came as a shock to many Boro fans, with an impressive six-game unbeaten run indicating that standards on Teesside have been raised this season.

Patrick Bamford in action for Boro at Wolves

Boro squandered the chance to go top of the pile against Wolves, and despite sitting comfortably in third place, Karanka refused to read anything into his side’s league position at this stage of the season.

“I don’t want to lie, I see where we are and of course I’m happy,” he said. “It’s good knowing you are up in that position.

“But, I need to get the team focused on maintaining the position we’re in by the end of the season, because only two years ago the team was top of the table at Christmas, and then the second half of the season it fell to pieces.

“I have to learn every day and make sure we are in this position in May.”

Boro will be without captain Grant Leadbitter (suspended) at the Riverside tomorrow, but Adam Clayton (concussion) should return and Milos Veljkovic is in contention to make his first appearance.

Adam Clayton

Meanwhile Watford have received a double boost on the eve of tomorrow’s clash, with Craig Cathcart and Keith Andrews (both calf) recovering from their respective lay-offs and are available for selection.

Lewis McGugan (back) is also in contention to play, but the Hornets will be without Swiss midfielder Almen Abdi (shoulder), Gabriele Angella (ankle), Gabriel Tamas (cruciate) and Sebastien Bassong (calf).

Toxic mix of alcohol and black market drugs led to man's death

A man died after taking a lethal concoction of alcohol and black market medicine.

The family of Stephen Maxwell now wants his death to serve as a warning to others.

The 38-year-old died on August 5 this year as a result of combining alcohol with zopiclone - a medicine used to treat sleeping problems.

An inquest held yesterday at Middlesbrough Town Hall heard that Mr Maxwell had been drinking alcohol and taking the tablets with a friend from around 7.30am on the day of his death.

At around 4pm that same day, Cleveland Police responded to a call from the North-east Ambulance Service (NEAS) to attend a house on Beaumont Road in North Ormesby.

Upon arrival, officers found the body of a man.

It was initially believed he may have died as a result of a heroin overdose, due to his long history of drug misuse.

But Assistant Coroner Jo Wharton yesterday concluded that his death was alcohol and drug related and that the cause of death was the toxic effects of alcohol and zopiclone.

A post-mortem examination held on August 8 showed that Mr Maxwell had levels of alcohol and zopiclone in his system.

Separately, the levels of each drug would not have been enough to kill him - it was the combination of the two that was fatal.

Mr Maxwell, from Saltburn, had a long history of dependency on opioids.

In 2005 he had his left leg amputated above the knee and as a result often struggled with phantom pains.

Throughout his life, Mr Maxwell had struggled with addictions to heroin and methadone, but had not been using either for a long time.

After the inquest, his family expressed shock at the coroner’s ruling.

His sister, who did not wish to be named, said: “We were expecting to hear that it was the heroin that killed him, but hearing what we have today is a shock.

“People are buying zopiclone on the black market, drinking with it and not realising how lethal it is.”

Aitor Karanka: 'Grant Leadbitter is a very good player but I won't use ban as an excuse if we lose'

Aitor Karanka is confident his team can cope without Grant Leadbitter tomorrow.

Boro host Watford at the Riverside without their suspended skipper, who picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat at Wolves.

Leadbitter has started all but one league game so far this season, scoring six Championship goals.

He’s been an inspirational presence in the heart of the midfield, but Karanka believes Boro will manage without him.

“Grant is not available, but I will put 11 players on the pitch that can win the game,” he said.

“He is a very good player for us but I don’t want to use the excuse that if we lose on Saturday, it is because Grant was not on the pitch.

“I don’t want to use Grant’s absence as an excuse. When I built the squad I knew how difficult this league was and I knew that we would have to cope with suspensions and injuries.

“I am confident we can cope without him. He is very important for the team, but whichever player I put in the team on Saturday will do his job 100%.

“I have a very good squad, the one I wanted three or four months ago. Grant is not going to play on Saturday but there are other players that I trust.”

Stephen White/CameraSport

Bolton Wanderers v Middlesbrough Grant Leadbitter scores his sides equalising goal from the penalty spot

Adam Clayton is expected to replace Leadbitter providing he passes a fitness test.

The former Huddersfield midfielder was kicked in the head at Brighton and as a result was ruled out of the trip to Wolves.

Karanka said: “He got a kick to head and we will see if he is ready to play on Saturday.

“You have to be sure with head problems but I hope he can play.

“I am happy with how he has done since he came here. He knows the league and has brought us a lot of very good things.

“Off the pitch he is another good lad with a strong character. I am very happy with him.”

Karanka believes victory over second placed-Watford would be worth more than three points.

Despite losing 2-0 at Wolves, Boro held on to third place but are now three points adrift of leaders Derby.

“If you play a team in a similar position to you, you have to try to beat them because it is more than three points,” said the head coach.

“If you win you get three points and you stop them from getting three points.”

Judge tells drink-driver 'use the TransPennine Express' as motorist says he needs to get to Manchester for work

A motorist who has admitted dangerous driving while over the drink-drive limit has been told that he risks a jail sentence.

Lewis Farley, from Middlesbrough, has been given an interim driving ban after police chased his Audi A3 on Marton Road on September 3.

Judge Howard Crowson gave the 26-year-old the jail warning yesterday at Teesside Crown Court when he adjourned his case until November 14 for pre-sentence reports.

Farley, of Barker Road, Linthorpe, was committed for sentence by Teesside magistrates who imposed the ban on September 18.

That was after he pleaded guilty to excess alcohol, driving while disqualified, no insurance and dangerous driving.

Robert Mochrie, defending, said that Farley’s work takes him to Manchester.

The judge replied that the defendant would have to use the TransPennine rail service.

Teenager arrested following collision after which female pedestrian died

A teenager was arrested after a collision which claimed a female pedestrian’s life.

The 19-year-old was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving following the collision outside the Premier Shop on Saltersgill Avenue in Middlesbrough yesterday.

It involved a black Hyundai and a woman in her 50s.

She was taken to James Cook University Hospital with “potentially life-threatening” injuries and later died.

Emergency services were called at 6.35pm following reports of the incident.

The road was closed near the junction with Hollyhurst Avenue and diversions were put in place to allow emergency services to deal with the collision.

A resident who was at the scene moments after the incident said: “I was in my living room when I heard a loud bang.

"I ran out and saw a lady laid on the floor with people round her. She wasn’t moving and was very badly injured.

She added: “Someone rang 999 and they were here moments later.”

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said late last night: “Police are currently contacting her immediate family.

“The 19-year-old driver of the Hyundai was arrested at the scene in connection with Dangerous Driving and is currently being questioned by police.”