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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.
Olympic athlete Johanna Atkinson has faced some major challenges while representing her country in the Olympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
But she says taking part in the Big Tees Sleepout this month will be her toughest test yet.
The 29-year-old Teesside race walker, formerly known under her maiden name of Jackson, will give up her home comforts for a night on the streets in the fourth Sleepout, outside Middlesbrough College on Friday, November 21.
“The Big Tees Sleepout will have to be the toughest thing that I have done in my whole life,” Johanna, of Loftus, said.
“Compared to taking part in the big tournaments, sleeping rough overnight on the streets is far more daunting, especially now the weather has taken a turn for the worse.
“I was just walking the dog the other day and I was absolutely freezing so that made me imagine how horrendous it could be to sleep out on a street when it’s bitterly cold.
“But nothing will put me off because I know that tackling homelessness and poverty locally is such an important cause.”
The Big Tees Sleepout is organised by the Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation.
Johanna, who took a job in Skelton’s new Asda store when her funding was cut following disqualification in the 2012 London Olympics, is the reigning Commonwealth champion in the 20km walk. She is currently setting her sights on next year’s World Championships and then the 2016 Olympics.
Redcar-born Johanna, a former Sacred Heart School pupil, said: “This is the first thing I’ve ever done for charity and I know that I have let myself in for quite a challenge because I am certain that sleeping out for the night in winter will be very tough.
“But I am an athlete and I’ve got a very competitive spirit.”
Participants in three previous Big Tees Sleepouts have raised around £35,000 for local people in desperate need.
This time organisers Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation are raising funds for a range of local homeless charities and food banks, whilst helping to raise the profile of homelessness across the region.
Among the causes set to benefit include Middlesbrough Homeless and Recovery League, the Salvation Army’s Christmas appeal and the Stockton-based Moses Project, which puts on Christmas Day lunch for addicts, homeless and struggling families.
To sign up for the Big Tees Sleepout, visit http://ift.tt/YyTtbp . Participants must be aged 16+ and must register online in advance.
Hundreds of people from the North East business community have come together for one of the most prestigious awards nights of the year.
The Journal and Gazette Business Executive of the Year 2014 recognises business leaders from Northumberland and Tyneside, Teesside and County Durham and Wearside. One overall champion is selected from those winners, while prizes will also go to young executive of the year and non-executive of the year.
Two men have been arrested in connection with a suspected firearm incident in Dormanstown.
Armed police officers swooped on Britannia Place at 4.50pm on Tuesday amid unconfirmed reports a cyclist with a shotgun had opened fire at the door of a terraced house.
Cleveland Police today arrested two local men, aged 24 and 26.
Both men have been bailed until January pending further enquiries.
Police have not said for what offence the men were arrested on suspicion of.
Inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident, in which no one was injured, are ongoing.
Police have so far only said they received reports that a weapon “of some kind” was discharged towards a property.
House-to-house and other inquiries were carried out and anyone who has information which could help police is asked to call Detective Sergeant Amy Campbell on the non-emergency 101 number.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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 12th November, 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.
Proud Boro boss Aitor Karanka has reflected on his "amazing" first year of management.
Today marks the 12-month anniversary since the Spaniard took over at the Riverside, and since then he has overseen the club's transformation from mid-table battlers to serious promotion challengers.
In an interview on the club's YouTube channel , Karanka heaped praise on Boro chairman Steve Gibson for giving him the opportunity on Teesside, becoming the first foreign manager in the club's history.
He also went on to praise his staff, players and the fans for making him feel welcome in the North-east, but quickly focused his attentions on next weekend's clash at Wigan.
Boro are likely to come up against a new manager in the opposition dugout after the Latics today confirmed that Uwe Rosler had been sacked from his position at the DW Stadium.
Karanka's men will be backed by 4,800 Teessiders after all away tickets for the game were snapped up more than a week in advance.
A stalker who terrorised his former girlfriend and her family has been jailed for breaking court orders protecting them.
Shane Oliver repeatedly followed around his former partner - hurling verbal sexual abuse - after she ended their two-year relationship because of his violence.
The 48-year-old from Stockton scared the two children who were with her on Stockton High Street when he screamed abuse at her.
And, on a third occasion, a pub landlady ordered him to leave when he repeated the insults in a bar in the town.
Prosecutor Harry Hadfield said that Oliver harassed the victim on three days in July, despite a restraining order which she was granted by Teesside magistrates in September last year.
Oliver had also been given a suspended jail sentence for criminal damage to her home on the Tilery estate.
The couple had separated in April 2012 and the victim rang police after the first incident on July 21.
But she did not report the two others, when she was with her mother, because she was frightened.
In a victim impact statement she said: “I’m scared. I don’t know what he is going to do.
“Everywhere I go and what I do, it’s going to be abuse all the time. I just want him to leave me alone.”
Oliver had 16 convictions for 45 offences including wounding and actual bodily harm and he had been in custody awaiting sentence since July 31.
Mr Hadfield said that the restraining order expires on September 7 next year.
Rachel Dyson, defending, said that there had been more than one breach of the order but that Oliver had not used any physical violence towards his victim.
She added that he appreciated that he was in a difficult position but had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Miss Dyson added: “Clearly the Probation Service are willing to work with him further. They have not written him off yet.”
The judge told Oliver that he was in clear breach of the restraining order and he had frightened his former partner.
Judge Les Spittle said: “All she wants is to be protected and not bothered by you.
“It seems to me that the only way I can get the message home to you is to lock you up.
“They are serious matters aggravated by the presence of children.
“What you did is that you used foul, abusive violence against her, because what you said was not only disgusting and abusive, but it was frightening, and on two occasions when children were present you continued in this foul way.”
Oliver, of Hume House, Stockton, was jailed for 54 weeks.
He was also ordered to pay £100 court surcharge after he pleaded guilty to three breaches of the restraining order on July 21, 25 and 27.
The judge added: “Should it be that there arises any need for an extension of the restraining order that can be done.”
Young Middlesbrough Parliamentarian Trib Gosain is to take part in a debate in the House of Commons.
The 16-year-old, who was elected to his position as the town’s Member of the UK Youth Parliament in May, is one of 300 MYPs across the UK attending the event.
Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow MP will chair tomorrow’s debate, which will include five issues chosen by a ballot of young people.
The MYPs will then vote to decide on which two issues should become the priority campaigns for 2015.
Macmillan Academy student Trib said: “It’s an absolute honour to represent my town in the House of Commons.
“There’s no better stage than this to debate issues, and, given there will be a massive amount of media attention, hopefully we can turn a few heads.
“Important issues such as youth employment, which is critical, must be raised, linking into the debate topics.”
The role of an MYP is to meet with MPs and local councillors, organise events, run campaigns, make speeches, hold debates and ensure the views of young people are listened to by decision makers.
Councillor Len Junier, Middlesbrough Council’s Youth Champion, added: “As an elected person it is important that Trib takes on board as many views of local young people as he can.
“In difficult times when young people are being hit by cuts in community services alongside being targeted by national press, it is vital that their voice is heard.
“Trib has an opportunity to both spread the word about excellent pieces of work by Middlesbrough young people as well as representing the wider town. I have the greatest faith that Trib will do our town and its young people proud.”
The House of Commons debate marks the start of Parliament Week - an annual national awareness week which aims to build greater awareness and engagement with parliamentary democracy in the UK.
Four men have appeared at Teesside Crown Court accused of conspiring to supply cocaine.
Craig and William Moloney, Andrew John Pickering and Jason Stuart Singleton were in court via video link to Holme House Prison.
They are charged with conspiring to supply the Class A drug cocaine last month.
Singleton alone is also charged with possessing a Class B drug, amphetamine, with intent to supply on October 29.
They appeared before Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, yesterday.
None have entered pleas to the charges.
The case was adjourned until a plea and case management hearing on February 5 next year.
Pickering, 44, of Nunthorpe Gardens, Nunthorpe; Craig Moloney, 30, and William Moloney, 51, both of Cromer Street, Longlands; and Singleton, 39, of Maun Close, Retford, Nottinghamshire, were all remanded in custody.
A man has denied the murder of a woman and two burglaries.
David McCabe, 32, of Barrington Crescent, Middlesbrough, appeared at Teesside Crown Court today pleaded not guilty to the murder of Teresa Ryan between July 8 and 11.
He appeared at Teesside Crown Court today via video link to Holme House Prison for a plea hearing.
He previously denied two burglaries at one home on Worton Street, Middlesbrough.
In the first, it was alleged a television was stolen between June 30 and July 9.
In the second, it was alleged a handbag, money, cigarettes and a mobile phone were stolen on July 9.
Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, adjourned the case for a trial to start on January 13 next year.
McCabe was remanded in custody.
Detectives investigating an incident in which a 66-year-old man was found with serious head injuries have recovered a car which had gone missing on the night of the assault.
The victim of the “vicious” attack, Harry Campbell, is still in a “poorly but stable” condition in hospital.
Mr Campbell was taken to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital after being found with serious head injuries in his flat in Brookside, Boosbeck, in East Cleveland, on Saturday, October 25.
Police said at the time they believed Mr Campbell’s yellow Ford Fiesta, registration number NX13HBK, may have been stolen.
The Fiesta was found in a car park to the rear of The Esplanade in Whitby on Monday.
Officers are now appealing to the public to come forward if they believe they may have seen the car between the date of the incident and when the vehicle was found.
Detective Inspector Matt Murphy-King said: “On Monday evening we found the yellow Ford Fiesta that went missing on the night that a 66-year-old man was found with serious head injuries.
“We would appeal for anyone who may have seen this vehicle in the area of The Esplanade or the wider Whitby area since the incident happened to contact us.”
The victim is still receiving treatment at James Cook University Hospital. He is described as being in a ‘poorly but stable’ condition.
Two local men aged 37 and 40 were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and have been bailed pending further enquiries.
Anyone with information is asked to contact DI Matt Murphy-King on Cleveland Police’s non-emergency number 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
The green light has been given to build nearly 40 new homes on an allotment site in Stillington.
The development will see four semi-detached bungalows, 32 semi-detached houses and a terrace of three houses on 2.7 acres of land north of South Avenue.
Nineteen of the homes will be affordable housing.
The scheme also includes a “like-for-like” replacement of the allotments, which will be considered as part of a separate application.
Initially the plans had been opposed by Stillington Parish Council, and a number of residents.
Among the concerns raised were road safety, the limited extension of the 30mph speed limit through the village, and the potential impact on drainage.
The development also comes just months after a separate application for 54 homes in Stillington was approved in August.
And resident Stephen Fisher said “the village aspect will be lost turning Stillington into a small town instead of a rural village that it has been for many years”.
Another resident, Jeanie Scott agreed, saying: “It seems that the quiet rural village of Stillington is slowly becoming a small town without the appropriate amenities.”
But Judith Turner, chair of Stillington and Whitton Parish Council, told a meeting of Stockton’s planning committee yesterday that after detailed discussions with developers “the Parish Council and allotment holders do, on the whole, approve this.”
“We also understand half the properties for the site will be available for rent which we welcome for young people to be able to stay in the area,” she added.
Stockton Council’s planning officers had recommended the scheme be approved with conditions and it was unanimously passed by the planning committee.
The scheme also includes the creation of a new road access and a new footpath.
Under threat GP practices serving more than 15,000 Teessiders have been handed a reprieve.
Six surgeries across Teesside could have closed when their contracts with NHS England ended in the next six months, because of low patient numbers.
This week the Gazette reported that two surgeries in Middlesbrough - the Hemlington Medical Centre and the Resolution Health Centre in North Ormesby - had been handed a one year reprieve.
Now NHS England have confirmed that the contracts of Stockton Health Centre in Hardwick, Eston Grange Health Centre in South Bank and the Langbaurgh Medical Centre in Redcar have also been extended by a year.
And NHS bosses are looking at renewing their contract full-time at Marske Medical Centre.
A spokesman for NHS England in Durham, Darlington and Tees said: “We will be working with Hartlepool and Stockton CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and the local council to undertake further work and develop a set of proposals for a sustainable solution for a service for patients in Stockton.”
The one year extension given to surgeries in South Bank and Redcar will also lead to a review of services across the borough.
The spokesman continued: “This (extension) will enable a wider review to fully assess the levels of access and quality of all general practices across Redcar and Cleveland.
“This review will be in partnership with South Tees CCG and the local council.
“With the Marske practice, the review has shown there is a clear need for the service, particularly with the high number of patients currently registered at the practice.
“We will now be looking to re-procure the service.
“As always, we will put patient care at the centre of all work we do and continue to ensure patients have access to GP services.”
Drop-in services at Eston Grange Health Centre and at the Resolution practice in North Ormesby - which allow patients to see a doctor without an appointment - are the responsibility of the South Tees Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and are currently under review separately.
Details of the ‘super council’ being proposed for the Teesside region have been unveiled today.
Five local councils are to consult on plans to join forces in a bid to boost economic growth and job creation.
The move would see the local authorities retain their own identities, delivering local services, but unite as a formal Tees Valley Combined Authority when focusing on economic development, transport, infrastructure and skills.
The new statutory body could also unlock devolved powers and resources from Government.
The proposal already has the backing of the five leaders of Middlesbrough, Stockton, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool and Darlington councils.
Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said: “We need a strong single voice to advance the Tees area agenda to national government on the big strategic issues such as transport, employment and in particular the skills agenda which is the prerequisite to economic growth for our area.”
Cllr Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton Council, said: “We already have a strong track record in forging effective partnerships across sectors. By harnessing these strengths in a more formal arrangement we could build a better infrastructure, workforce and transport links to help Tees Valley thrive in the global economy and attract more investment and jobs for local people.”
Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Council, Cllr George Dunning, said: “The proposed combined authority would provide the five local authorities and business with the opportunity to strengthen their relationship and secure any future devolved powers and funding from central Government.”
Unlike most combined authorities, a Tees Valley Combined Authority would hold joint meetings with the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and its business representatives, while also sharing staff and resources - elevating partnership working between public and private sectors to a new level,
The proposal has already received strong backing from business leaders in the form of The North East Chamber of Commerce, the CBI and the Institute of Directors.
Sandy Anderson, chairman of Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “It is important that business is engaged from the very beginning of the process and its support is vital to the future success of a Combined Authority.”
Cllr Bill Dixon, vice-chairman of Tees Valley Unlimited and leader of Darlington Council, said: “This Combined Authority proposal will now be sent for approval by each local council involved and we are confident it will gain the support of people in Tees Valley.”
The consultation process is due to start on December 10 and last until the end of February when details will be available on TVU and all five council’s websites.
A submission will be made to Government soon after.
If successful the Combined Authority is expected to come into operation in Autumn or Winter of 2015.
James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, welcomed today’s announcement. He said: “I back this bid and will give it all the support I can. Where we work together across our area we have shown we can deliver and this will put that on a formal long term footing.”
Joe Maphosa has put the 2016 Olympics at the top of his hit list after being taken on by the GB Boxing Development Squad.
The Middlesbrough ABC boxer is now training eight days a month with the squad in Sheffield after impressing in four separate trials.
And the 20-year-old former England junior international and 2012 senior ABA bantamweight finalist has wasted no time in putting Rio on his radar.
“I’m really determined to make the most of it and go to the Olympics and all of the major tournaments,” Maphosa said of his GB spot.
“Whatever experience I can get, I’m going to take it with both hands.
“There is no-one on the GB Podium Squad at the moment in my weight category after dropping down to 49 kilos.
“If I can make good progress and move up, I could be there in Rio definitely.”
Maphosa says all of the ingredients are in place at the English Institute of Sport for him to become a top class international boxer.
His first bout in GB Squad colours will be in the New Year.
“I’m at the right place to kick on,” he said. “There is everything you need at Sheffield.
“The coaches are great and there is a lot of one-on-one stuff which has helped me a lot already.
“With sparring and technical sparring, you can do 12 rounds in a day.”
Joe’s brother Alex, 19, lost to smooth in-and-out boxer Charlie Lynn in the November 2 Elite Development Finals.
But he said it’s only a matter of time before he follows in his footsteps.
“My brother has got good attributes,” Joe added. “He is a skilful boxer and as long as he wants it, he can make it. He will be following me.”
Middlesbrough ABC’s Muzzy Fuyana won his support bout at the Development Finals, beating Chorley’s Liam Garmory by split decision.
A determined youngster from New Marske who continuously strives to go above and beyond to help others has been recognised for her efforts.
Enna Stephens, 11, was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour at the age of seven.
Having undergone 18 months of gruelling treatment to be rid of the cancer Enna has now had two years in remission.
Aside from making sure she gets better herself, Enna has been tireless in her quest to help others who have the disease and support those charities which help people in her position.
Taking everything in her stride and just getting on with life, the Westgarth Primary School pupil is in her element when she is organising charity events with the aim of helping others.
Enna’s mum, Vana Stephens, has nominated her daughter in The Gazette’s Community Champion awards in the Child of Courage category.
Vana, 44, said: “I think a lot of kids that have been poorly seem to have a different outlook on life.
“Enna always wants to help other people. If there is any opportunity Enna is the first to do it.”
Earlier this year, Enna ran a sweet stall at a family fundraiser and made 100 loom bands with her friends which together raised £300 on the day for local charity, Victoria’s Wish.
Last month, Enna single-handedly organised a sponsored pyjama dog walk with her friends which raised £500 for Cancer Research. She also organised a Macmillan Cancer coffee afternoon which raised £120.
Vana said: “It’s not something you can forget about. It is part of her life.
“For an 11 year old to be so socially aware and to want to help others around her, she just really deserves the award.
“All parents are proud of their kids but how many can say that their child is their hero and their inspiration to be a better person?”
Despite side-effects that the cancer has left Enna with, which affect her learning, she is determined to carry on with life as normal. Enna loves dancing which she does three times a week and she also attends singing lessons.
Enna has recently been nationally selected for a part in the Rays of Sunshine choir, part of a children’s charity which helps children live with serious or life-limiting illnesses. Enna will take to the stage next May at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Vana added: “I believe Enna is a caring young lady who could be spending her free time playing with her friends and ignoring what is going on around her but she chooses to do what she can to help.
“I am sure in the future she will be an enormous credit and a force to be reckoned with in the fundraising world.”
Ed Miliband has embarked on a push to bolster his public and party position, insisting he has emerged "stronger" from a "tough few days" of criticism of his leadership and poor polls.
The Labour leader will attempt to relaunch his pitch to voters by declaring his "resilience" in a speech today after a bout of bitter party infighting helped push his ratings to an all-time low.
He conceded he had to address concerns over his suitability as prime minister and people's distrust of disunited parties, but said he was backed by the "vast, vast majority" of Labour members.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has dismissed a move to enshrine in law the UK's commitment to spend 0.7% of national wealth on foreign aid as "bizarre".
Mr Hammond said legislation - which was promised in the Conservative general election manifesto and the Coalition Agreement - was not required as the United Nations target was being met.
The Government has given its backing to a private member's bill tabled by Lib Dem ex-cabinet minister Michael Moore in frustration over the Tories' reluctance to put the measure on the statute book.
The NHS must use new technology better to slash costs, Jeremy Hunt will say as part of a package of efficiency measures needed to prevent it running out of cash.
A new strategy document published by health and social care chiefs promises to give all patients access to their full medical records within four years.
It proposes the introduction of "kitemark" approved smartphone apps to enable people to look and comment on their personal data amid fears over security.
A search is under way for a woman who went missing from a ferry in the English Channel.
The passenger was reported missing just after 1.30am when the Pride of Kent ferry was around six miles off the coast of Dover.
HM Coastguard said a "massive search" was launched after the ferry crew alerted Dover Coastguard to say they feared the woman had gone overboard.
A campaign to tackle bowel cancer has been backed by a panel of medical experts as well as the father of Stephen Sutton, the fundraising teenager who died from the disease.
Bowel Cancer UK is calling for better diagnosis and treatment for people under the age of 50 who are at higher risk of developing the disease.
The initiative is focused on Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition which gives people a 72% higher risk of developing bowel cancer during their lifetime.
A young mother who became the first Briton to be convicted of funding jihadists in Syria faces jail when she is sentenced today.
Amal El-Wahabi, 27, hoodwinked an old school friend into agreeing to take 20,000 euros (£15,830) in cash to Turkey for her husband Aine Davis, a drug dealer who went to Syria to fight in July last year.
The plan was scuppered when Nawal Msaad, also 27, was stopped at Heathrow before boarding a flight to Istanbul and produced the rolled up notes from her underwear.
Scientists are analysing data from the European spacecraft which made history by landing on a comet.
The Philae probe touched down on the 2.5 mile-wide comet yesterday afternoon after a 10-year, four billion-mile journey through space in an achievement hailed as one of the greatest in science.
Officials from the European Space Agency are expected to speak later about the data they have been able to analyse so far.
A television expose of undercover journalist Mazher Mahmood was aired last night featuring up-to-date images of the "Fake Sheikh".
The Panorama episode was previously postponed due to legal action brought by Mr Mahmood.
He had argued in court that revealing his current appearance would breach his human rights by exacerbating the existing risk to his safety caused by his investigative work.
Roy Keane called police to the hotel where the Republic of Ireland team are staying ahead of a Euro 2016 qualifier after an incident involving a member of the public, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said.
The team's assistant manager made the call after an incident yesterday afternoon at the hotel in Portmarnock, Co Dublin.
In a statement the FAI criticised "inaccurate media reports" about the incident and added: "The manager Martin O'Neill and the FAI are fully aware of the circumstances surrounding this event, and the assistant manager (Keane) has their full support."
Apprentice contestant Pamela Uddin found it was "game over" as she was given the boot from the BBC1 show after touting a disastrous dating boardgame.
The assistant brand manager from Dublin was fired by Lord Sugar when her team had sales which were half those of her rivals in a challenge that saw them design and sell boardgames.
Their product, The Relationship Guru, was deemed offensive as it included sexist questions about men and women's likes and dislikes written by team member Daniel Lassman, while the other team came up with a guess-the-country game called Geoknow which had broader family appeal.
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.
What should have been a lovely day out for a mum and her five-year-old daughter turned into a nightmare when she became the victim of an assault.
Melanie Hennessy, 43, had taken daughter Daisy to a Remembrance Day parade in Redcar, to offer her respects to those who had died in battle.
On her way home, the tutor - who is blind in one eye as a result of two brain tumours - was confronted by an abusive youth after he had attempted to run in front of her car.
The youth started swearing at Melanie and when she politely asked him to stop, as it was upsetting her daughter, he pulled up his hood, fastened the drawstrings across his face, and pushed the her to the ground.
Speaking about her ordeal, Melanie, from Redcar, said: “I honestly thought when I asked him to stop swearing at me he would just apologise, I never saw what was coming at all.
“I went down with such force, I have never known pain like it.”
Melanie smacked her back on the wheel trim and her head just above it before landing on her coccyx.
A passer-by who had witnessed the attack came to help her up and said that they should ring the police.
Melanie said: “When he came over to me, the first thing I told him was that I had hit my head and that I had brain tumours.
“I was crying my eyes out as I was in so much pain and so worried.”
The police arrived and called for an ambulance to take Melanie to hospital, but after waiting for nearly two hours, she was taken in the back of a police car.
Unable to face the journey to James Cook Hospital, Melanie was taken to Redcar Primary Care Hospital.
The following day, Melanie was forced to return to the doctors as she was still in agony and was told that her injuries were similar to those she would have sustained if she had been in a car crash.
She said: “My whole body was aching and my head was thumping.
“It is still no better now and I was given strong pain killers and told that I would have to be off work.
“My husband Wayne has already had to take time off and we just can’t afford for us not to be working.
“The boy who did this to me just has no idea how it has affected us.”
Melanie’s daughter has also been affected by what she witnessed.
Melanie said: “Daisy was devastated and has been waking up in the night crying.
“He did not think about what it would do to her did he.
“I can’t believe he did it in front of my child.”
Husband Wayne, 46, was at work on the day of the attack.
He said: “I got a phone call out of the blue and had to travel 80 miles to get back to my family.
“It was the worst drive ever. It just makes you wonder how kids, can be like this? Why are they the way they are?
“I would like to ask him how he would feel if someone did this to his mum or someone from his family?”
Since the attack, Melanie has not been out on her own but is determined not to let it affect her.
She said: “I won’t let him win, I am too stubborn to let him ruin my life.”
Any witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact PC Daniel Scott on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
