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, Thursday 20th 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.

#OnThisBoroDay 2001: Phil Stamp vows to fight for his place at Boro after a surprise recall to the first-team squad

Swashbuckling Stampy didn't appear to fit into Steve McClaren's plans but after being called in from the cold he was desperate to prove he deserved another chance at Boro.

Competing within a squad all desperate to impress the new boss, the Boro-born midfield battler had his nose pushed out and looked destined to leave for pastures new.

He’d already been allowed to join Millwall on loan earlier in the season as Steve McClaren got to grips with the personnel at his disposal on the Rockliffe training field but rejected the chance to make the temporary move permanent for £500,000.

Stamp admitted it was a gamble.

But after being named as a surprise inclusion in Boro's squad for the trip to Villa Park, Stamp had been dangled a branch of hope from which to cling onto and had his mind set on forcing himself into the first team fold.

Phil Stamp

"I was a bit surprised to be included at Villa, but it was nice to be involved again," admitted Stamp to the Gazette on this day in 2001.

"It’s been hard for me because there have been times when I haven’t even been in the reserves, but the manager has always said that everyone would get a fresh start.

"I've worked hard in training over the last few weeks, and hopefully I’ll get the chance to stay in the squad now.

"It’s funny how football works, one month you’re not in the second team, then the next you’re playing against Aston Villa."

Stamp was focused on working hard in training, keeping his fingers crossed that more chances in the first team would come his way.

They did. But not until more than six weeks later.

It was on New Year’s Day when the then 26-year-old next got his taste of first team action in the 1-0 home win against Everton.

And he obviously impressed, keeping his place in the squad for the trip to Wimbledon in the FA Cup the week later.

Five appearances would follow in the next five weeks but that was as good as it got for the engine-room grafter.

Although he had turned his back on a move to Millwall, Stamp knew by that stage his time at Boro was coming to an end.

And despite having a year still to run on his contract, he headed north of the border and signed for Hearts the following summer.

It didn't take him long to make himself known in the SPL. Four yellow cards and a sending off in the first two and a half months of the season made sure of that.

Recovering heroin addict from Redcar with 'one injection mark per year of his life' jailed for drug dealing

A heroin addict-turned-dealer claimed to have injection marks in his arms for each year of his life, a court heard.

Anthony Farrow, 49, realised he could kill himself with a drug habit spanning more than 20 years, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Finally coming off heroin did not save him from an immediate prison sentence yesterday.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs told how Farrow was caught with heroin three times in four months.

He had a bag containing £28 worth of the Class A drug in his jeans pocket and £80 cash when he was arrested on suspicion of burglary on Queen Street, Redcar on July 22 last year.

Five days later while on police bail, he was spotted in an “exchange” on High Street West, Redcar.

He was seen to throw things on to the grass before he was arrested near a children’s play park.

Police found 4g of heroin in 10 packages, worth £229, and a bag containing £379 cash in the green area, but Farrow denied these were his.

He had £41 worth of heroin and £81 cash on him, and another £40 worth of the drug at his home.

Finally the nervous offender was caught with another £80 worth of heroin, £80 cash and a “tick list” when police searched a Queen Street flat for someone else on October 4 last year.

Farrow, of Coatham Road, Redcar, admitted three charges of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

His 44 previous offences since 1987 included four for heroin possession and one in 2004 for possessing drugs with intent to supply.

Graham Brown, defending, said Farrow was street dealing to feed his own “voracious” drug habit.

He said Farrow had the case hanging over his head for nearly 17 months and was not charged until June this year.

Farrow reached a crossroads, ended his dependency on heroin this year and had been clean for more than 10 months.

Mr Brown added: “His life was hand to mouth.

“At some point he reached a stage that he knew he was either going to kill himself or survive.”

Farrow counted more than 50 pockmarked injection sites on his arms - “one per year of his life” - and decided “that was not the way forward”.

Mr Brown told the court Farrow showed he could change and could be supervised by the Probation Service in a more constructive sentence than prison.

Mr Justice Green said Farrow was “near the very bottom or the lowest rung” of the drug supply chain.

Farrow was jailed for 20 months.

Malky Mackay appointed as Wigan's new manager before Boro clash this weekend

Malky Mackay will take charge of Wigan for the first time against Boro this weekend after being appointed as manager this afternoon.

Dave Whelan said he believes Mackay is the man to take Wigan back into the Premier League and described him as "overwhelmingly the outstanding candidate" for the position.

But the club face a potential backlash from fans unhappy with the appointment as Mackay is still under investigation from the FA into alleged misconduct.

The Scot was reportedly set to be named as Crystal Palace boss last year when Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan sent a dossier to the FA containing revelations of racist, homophobic and sexist texts and emails between Mackay and former head of recruitment Iain Moody.

But Whelan says it's "time to move on" and described Mackay as a "committed family man with decent values".

PA

Malky Mackay

He said: "I know that this appointment will draw criticism in some quarters but we go into it with our eyes open and we have nothing to hide on this subject.

"Malky made a mistake, he knows that, we know that and we have discussed this issue at length face to face.

"He apologised publicly for what happened at the time and has paid for what he did in terms of the bad publicity he has received since and will no doubt continue to suffer in the future.

"But I believe that it is now time to move on.

"Contrary to the way he has been portrayed in recent months, the Malky Mackay I met this week, and who has been vouched for by the many different people from whom we have sought advice before making this appointment, is an honourable man.

"He is a committed family man with decent values and is a professional who has worked and thrived for over 20 years in the multi-cultural world of modern football.

"There is nothing more to say about this subject, and as far as I am concerned we draw a line under it from today."

Former Boro boss Tony Mowbray was tipped to take charge at the DW Stadium earlier today and his odds tumbled from 5/4.

But Whelan was impressed by Mackay's previous achievements in the Championship.

Action Images

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan

"He is the man to lead us back into the Premier League, I am convinced of that having met him and discussed the demands of the job ahead of him," he said.

"He has led a team out of the Championship before and he knows this league inside out having played and managed in it.

"His achievements at Cardiff City were magnificent and we need a strong leader who will command the respect of a very experienced and talented dressing room – and he is the man to do it.

"I am delighted we have secured the services of someone who has so much to give to the game."

While Whelan wants Mackay to take Wigan back to the Premier League, the new manager's first task will be to pull the Latics away from the dangerzone.

Wigan fell into the relegation zone after defeat at Bolton last time out, leading to the sacking of the former Brentford boss.

South Bank drugs boss Robert Hickman given extra jail time after 'hopeless' appeal to cut sentence fails

A Middlesbrough man caged for his “leading role” in an £800,000 trans-Pennine drugs conspiracy must serve extra time behind bars for mounting a “hopeless” sentence appeal.

Robert Thomas Hickman, 29; and Jason Turnbull, 33, of Thornaby, Jamie Knox, 27, of Oldham, were part of a gang which funnelled hundreds of kilos of class A drugs into Teesside.

Hickman, of Shepherdson Court, South Bank, was caged for 16 years at Teesside Crown Court in May, after he was convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Knox, of Oakworth Croft, was jailed for nine years and four months, and Turnbull, of Lulsgate, received 10 years and five months after they admitted the same offence.

Three senior judges at London’s Appeal Court roundly rejected sentence challenges by the trio.

And they took the rare step of ordering Hickman to serve an extra month behind bars for wasting the court’s time.

Judge Peter Collier QC said there were 19 further co-conspirators implicated in the huge plot to flood Teesside with class A drugs.

VIEW GALLERY

More than 100 drug runs were made from North West to North East and the conspiracy ran from January, 2012 to March, 2013.

Police recovered more than 6kg of heroin, worth £690,000, 2.2kg of cocaine, worth £92,965, and 437 grams of crack cocaine, worth £41,201.

However, the overall plot involved the transport of hundreds of kilos of drugs, said Judge Collier.

Hickman, a “prominent Cleveland dealer”, was indentified by the trial judge as having played a “leading role” in the plot.

He was close to the ringleaders and was aware of most of the drug deliveries.

Knox played a “significant role”, having warehoused some of the drugs. Properties connected to him were found to contain substantial quantities of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine.

Turnbull, also a Cleveland dealer, was also attributed a “significant role” in the drugs ring.

Barristers for all three men insisted their jail terms were excessive and should be cut.

But Judge Collier, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Mr Justice Stewart, said: “These applications are unarguable”.

Lord Justice Bean said Hickman had been warned in advance that his appeal was “hopeless” and “without merit”.

His bid to reboot his sentence challenge was “unjustified” and the judge ordered that 28 days he had already served would not count when his release date is calculated.

Tommy 'The Hitman' Hearns to be guest of honour at sportsman's dinner in Marton

Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns is set to be the latest legendary brawler to grace Teesside.

The retired American professional boxer, also known as “Motor City Cobra”, was the first in history to win world titles in four divisions and then the first fighter to win five world titles in five different divisions.

This Sunday Hearns will be the guest of honour at a special sportsman’s dinner at the Marton Hotel and Country Club in Marton, Middlesbrough.

This latest visit from boxing royalty follows stopovers from the likes of Roberto Duran and Sugar Ray Leonard.

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Part-time promoter Tony Robinson is the man responsible for bringing the likes of Hearns, Duran and Sugar Ray to Middlesbrough.

The 37-year-old offshore worker said: “I’m a big boxing fan - it’s something I’ve been into all my life. Hearns was unbelievable, he’s definitely one of my all time favourites.

“He’s already here in England. He’s been here about two weeks visiting London and Manchester. When he gets to Middlesbrough, fans will have the chance to meet him and hear some of the stories from his career as one of the all time greats.

“He still looks like a big smart man, he’s still in shape and I’m sure he’s going to have plenty to say.

“Tickets have gone well so far, there will be about 200 to 300 people there.”

VIEW GALLERY

Sadly for Tony, he won’t be one of them. Despite organising the event, Tony was called into work meaning he’s going to miss the event he set up.

“I can’t believe I’m not even going to be there for it but I couldn’t miss work,” said Tony.

“I’ve managed to get three legends over so far, Leonard, Duran and Hearns. It’s sad for me but next year I’m going to try to get David Haye here, probably in late February.”

Tommy “The Hitman” Hearns’s visit will take place on Sunday November 23 at the Marton Hotel and Country Club, Marton, Middlesbrough starting at 12.30pm.

Tickets, £65, include a meal and the chance to hear anecdotes from Tommy’s amazing career. There will also be an opportunity to have your picture taken with the boxing legend.

For more information or to book tickets call the Marton Country Club on 01642 317141 or Jed on 07714748513.

12th Middlesbrough (Baptist) Brownies will use their Wish support to take them to new places

brownies are hoping your Wish tokens will help them to plan for their next outing.

First set up in 1987, the 12th Middlesbrough (Baptist) Brownies are a group of 14 girls aged between seven and 11.

While promoting friendship, sharing and kindness, the girls enjoy crafts, baking, playing games and various other team-building activities.

The group, run by volunteers at Middlesbrough Baptist Church, used the Wish support they received from Gazette readers last year to help fund this year’s Big Brownie Birthday celebrations which marked 100 years of Brownies.

The group is also in the process of using the money to help buy new adventure books which every Brownie and leader needs.

After registering for Wish again this year, the group’s Glynis Parks said: “We are hoping to take the girls on an outing so the money would help with that. Also it would go to the cost of crafts.”

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

Each registered group will be guaranteed a share of our £40,000 fund.

The more tokens a group collects, the bigger its share of the prize pot.

Tokens are now appearing daily in The Gazette.

The last token will appear on January 21.

Submissions for tokens will close at 5pm on Monday, February 23.

To help the 12th Middlesbrough (Baptist) Brownies, send your tokens to 35 Birchgate Road, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, TS5 5NP. Today’s tokens are on this page.

More than 160 Christmas jobs being created at Hillstreet Shopping Centre

More than 160 jobs have been created at Hillstreet Shopping Centre in time for the festive season.

Vacancies for temporary sales assistants and stockroom staff are available at stores across the centre including M&S, Primark and Pandora to cover the Christmas and January Sales period.

Peter Drabble, Hillstreet Centre Manager, said: “As we gear up for our busiest time of the year, we are pleased to be able to create more jobs for local people.

"With retailers starting to see an improvement in the general market, we are expecting big numbers of people in the centre this Christmas and our stores are all busily preparing for this.”

Those interested in temporary positions should click here or find out more on Hillstreet’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Book a FREE Christmas message to be published in The Gazette!

Click HERE to book your free Christmas message!

Is there someone you would like to wish a merry Christmas through the pages of The Gazette?

Would you like to send a FREE message in the paper this festive season?

Well now you can with a message in our special Christmas supplement!

You can have a FREE message of up to 6 lines.

Those wanting more can also upgrade from £6 - with two other style options available to choose from.

All messages will then appear in a supplement which will be published in The Gazette on December 19.

All you need to do is book your message online here.

The booking deadline is 1pm on Thursday, December 18.

Merry Christmas!

Man discharged from hospital following Eston baseball bat attack

A man who was attacked with baseball bats has been discharged from hospital.

The 29-year-old suffered serious facial injuries - including a fractured cheekbone - after being attacked by two men armed with the weapons.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough where he was detained for treatment. He has since been discharged.

The assault happened outside the Eston Hotel on Fabian Road in Middlesbrough on Friday, November 14 at 5pm.

Two men dressed in dark clothing and balaclavas approached the victim, who also sustained significant blood loss and hand injuries, and attacked him. Both suspects made off in a black vehicle.

Inquiries into the incident are ongoing and anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to ring police on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Live: Eight face trial at Teesside Crown Court over pub brawl at Park Hotel in Linthorpe

Eight people are facing trial at Teesside Crown Court over a pub brawl at the Park Hotel in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough on Sunday, October 6 last year.

All face the same charge of using or threatening unlawful violence together which would cause a person to fear for their personal safety.

Benji Bolsenbroek, 23, died shortly after the brawl.

Sycamore Aviation: Aircraft dismantling firm plans diversification strategy

An aircraft dismantling firm recently saved from administration is plotting a diversification strategy to secure the future of the business.

Earlier this month Sycamore Aviation called in the administrators following a downturn in business. But last week another aviation specialist, Glyn Wall Ltd, took over the company in a move which safeguarded the jobs of Sycamore’s six staff.

Previously Durham Tees Valley Airport-based Sycamore had focused on “tear-down” work, which involves stripping away and recycling high-value aircraft parts such as engines and electronic components.

While this will remain the company’s core business, new owners Glyn Wall and Andy McCormick are also looking at ways of recycling and reusing parts which have traditionally been scrapped. Meanwhile Kevin O’Hare will stay on in the business to run the tear-down operation.

Mr O’Hare said: “Glyn and Andy have a vast and varied aviation experience. We are looking to at revenue streams that will give us a steady flow of work and ease our cashflow.

“The tear-down market can have peaks and troughs so we need other strings to our bow. Rather than have all of our eggs in one basket, the company will offer other aviation services that will be complementary to our tear-down work.”

He said turnover projections were being finalised as part of a wider business plan, which will explore a range of potential revenue streams for the company. Mr O’Hare said he was “hopeful” that jobs would be created as a result of the takeover, which will see the Sycamore brand retained.

“It’s very early days,” he said. “There has been a lot to sort out and we are expecting work to come in in the new year. “We see a way forward for the business and that’s encouraging.”

A former pilot for airlines including Jet 2 and Thomas Cook, Mr O’Hare launched Sycamore in 2012 and a year later secured an investment package worth more than £750,000. But the firm, which had previously generated annual revenues of £1m, saw its order book thin considerably as airlines cut back on scrappages.

Sycamore is part of Durham Tees Valley Airport’s grand plan to create an aviation-related business hub on the site after the loss of several flights triggered a significant drop in passenger numbers.

Following the takeover by Glyn Wall Ltd, Durham Tees Valley Airport said in a statement: “As our masterplan for the future of the airport and the overall site development made clear, we believe there are substantial business opportunities for attracting aviation-related activities - including aircraft dismantling and recycling.

“We are pleased that the business of Sycamore Aviation has now been acquired by Glyn Wall Ltd and look forward to working with the new company in taking forward their business plans.”

Man arrested after 45-year-old suffers facial injuries in Stockton town centre assault

A man has been arrested after an assault in Stockton town centre.

The 21-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

It comes after a 45-year-old man was attacked on Bridge Road, close to the Thomas Sheraton Public House, at around 5am on Sunday, November 16.

The victim sustained an eye injury, suspected fractured cheekbone and cuts and bruises to his head and body.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for treatment.

Any witnesses are asked to contact PC Steven Kell on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Santa's address: Here's where to post your Christmas list to this year

Have you been naughty or nice?

Santa already knows (of course) if he’s going to be bringing you a lump of coal.

But if you have been a good girl or boy this year then Father Christmas will need to know what to bring down the chimney.

Here is Royal Mail’s Santa address - and they say if he’s not too bogged down with overseeing his elves then he might even find the time to write back!

Royal Mail say: “Santa is extremely busy at the North Pole, making sure all the presents, including yours, are ready and wrapped for Christmas Eve.

“It’s a very exciting time for all; Rudolph and Santa can’t wait to land at your home with all your gifts.

“Rudolph is especially looking forward to eating the carrots you kindly leave and maybe a mince pie for Santa…

“Santa will respond to as many letters as possible, in between getting the sleigh ready for the long journey on Christmas Eve.”

To receive your card back from Santa, make sure you write to him using the correct address on a stamped envelope.

You also need to include your full name and address for Santa to reply.

But you need to be quick - Santa needs to receive letters by Saturday, December 6.

The Royal Mail Santa address is:

Santa/Father Christmas,

Santa’s Grotto,

Reindeerland,

XM4 5HQ

Dimi Konstantopoulos: 'Playing in front of Boro's fantastic away support makes it feel like a home game'

Boro stopper Dimi Konstantopoulos says the "fantastic" support on the road this season has helped the team pick up points away from home.

And the in-form keeper has revealed that the players regularly comment on the superb showing from Boro fans at away grounds throughout the country.

Boro completely sold out their 5,000 allocation for Saturday's trip to Wigan in just over a week having already packed out the stands at Huddersfield and Rotherham this season.

And Dimi says the support from the travelling faithful has been a "massive boost" for the team.

"It's fantastic having so many fans travelling with us to Wigan," said the Greek keeper.

"All of the lads in the dressing room have been talking about how the away support has been brilliant this season, but for me the away support has been brilliant since I came to the club.

"We've had some massive followings as far away as Brighton and Bournemouth and our fans have still been really loud and arrived in numbers."

Skybet Championship Cardiff City v Middlesbrough - Dimi Konstantopoulos rises to take a cross

Konstantopoulos is itching to get back into action at Wigan after a two-week break and looking to extend a fine run of form between the sticks having notched three consecutive clean sheets.

"Once again, it's going to be a fantastic one and playing in front of that away support for big spells of the game makes you feel at home - it's a big boost to the boys and credit to the fans.

"Of course you feel a bit easier when you have your own fans behind you in goal, but as a whole team it's a massive boost as well.

"We've had games where we've been under pressure and our fans have never stopped cheering and a lot of times that's spurred us on to go and get the result."