Karanka admits he will not modify his behaviour if Boro are victims of another injustice

Aitor Karanka will not modify his behaviour if Boro are the victim of another refereeing injustice similar to the one they suffered last weekend.

The Spaniard has apologised several times since being sent to the stands by Mark Clattenburg in the aftermath of Rudy Gestede’s stoppage time equaliser for Blackburn at the Riverside.

He was subsequently charged with improper behaviour by the FA. However, Karanka can’t guarantee that he wouldn’t react in the same way if Boro were the victims of another refereeing oversight.

Both Clattenburg and his assistant failed to spot a foul on Dimi Konstantopoulos by Chris Brown as the keeper attempted to gather an incoming ball from Ben Marshall.

“I am not happy with my behaviour,” he said.

“It wasn’t good, but the day I see something similar to what I saw last weekend and I don’t have a reaction, that is the day I can no longer work in football.

“I have passion, I like my players to have passion and if I see three fouls in one and don’t have that reaction I will go home.”

Middlesbrough FC players fully behind Karanka despite tough week says Leadbitter

It's been an eventful week at Boro, but Grant Leadbitter insists the entire dressing room is behind Aitor Karanka.

The head coach was charged with improper behaviour by the FA on Tuesday after allegedly pushing the fourth official during last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers.

Karanka was sent to the stands by referee Mark Clattenburg, who included the incident in his matchday report.

Confirmation of the charge came just hours after it was announced by Boro that Craig Hignett had left his position of assistant head coach.

Leadbitter, who agreed a new three-and-a-half-year contract on Thursday, doesn’t think there be a negative reaction to either of this week’s incidents.

He said: “The manager makes all the decisions at the club so regardless of who’s here, the manager does all the training and everyone buys into the manager.

“One thing I do know is everyone is behind the manager. Everyone is buying into his philosophy and that’s what you need to be a successful team.

“At the moment we are winning games and doing okay in the league, we need to keep doing that.”

The skipper won’t allow the events that took place over the past few days to affect his team-mates going into this afternoon’s game at Millwall, adding: “This is football - 24 hours is a long time in football and decisions are made.

“Things go against you and then they go for you. I don’t want the club, the fans or the town moping about because of the referee’s decision last week.

“That’s gone, we can’t let it affect our season. I don’t want people to turn around at the end of the season and say Mark Clattenburg’s decision was a turning point.”

Leadbitter, 29 next month, has in all likelihood committed the best years of his career to Boro by penning a contract that doesn’t lapse until July 2018. Desperate to play again in the Premier League, there are two major reasons why he agreed to sign in the dotted line: Karanka and chairman Steve Gibson.

“It’s not a decision I took lightly and you never know what happens in football, but I believe in this club and I believe in the chairman,” said the midfielder.

“He’s one of the best in the country. I’ve spoken to him a few times and I’ve bought into his philosophy and the manager’s philosophy.

“It’s a good place to be. I think players that have left this club over the years thought the grass is greener, but it’s not, this is a great football club.

“The manager’s plan for the club was one of the big points when I made my decision. I’ve always felt since the manager came in that he’s shrewd with his ideas.

“He gets his points across and players in the dressing room buy into it. He makes all the big decisions and he makes all the right ones in my opinion. Everything at a football club revolves around the manager.

“Everyone wants the same thing and that’s what we all want to see this football club. We want to see the team win games.

“I want Premier League football and I believe this club is capable of that with the squad we’ve got,” Leadbitter added.

“We’ve got some good players and characters in the dressing room and I’m looking forward to the next few months ahead.”

Redcar Bears aim to complete team-building this weekend

Redcar Bears hope to complete their team-building for 2015 this weekend after tying up a deal to keep Polish prospect Rafal Konopka.

The 22-year-old who came into the side last season as a replacement for Richard Hall, is the fifth member of next year’s Ecco Finishing Bears team to be tied down.

That leaves two spots to fill and promoter Brian Havelock has three names in mind - among them club asset Matej Kus.

Former Czech champion Kus revived his career while on loan at Berwick this year after a disappointing 2013 and it is believed the Bandits are keen to have him back.

However the Bears management would only be willing to let him go back to Shielfield Park on a full transfer and are keen for him to line-up in Redcar colours again.

“We didn’t let Matej go out on loan because we didn’t want him,” said Havelock, “it was because we thought he would benefit from a year away.

“Even Matej himself agrees we were right because he had a great season.

“I’ve been talking to a couple of other riders too but I’ve told them I’ll give them a decision soon.

“I’m hoping I can get everything done and dusted over the weekend.”

Havelock also revealed he had agreed a deal with Kozza Smith before the Aussie ace was lured by a better deal to Glasgow.

“I’d never done a deal like it in my life, it was megabucks,” said Havelock, who had named Smith in his 2014 side before work permit issues sidelined him for the season.

“I couldn’t believe the sort of money we would have been paying out.

“But Glasgow offered him more and that’s the nature of the beast.”

Israel pledges millions to East Jerusalem settlement

JERUSALEM (AFP) — An Israeli local council said Wednesday it will spend millions of dollars beautifying a settlement in East Jerusalem.

Jerusalem city council said in a statement it planned to use 50 million shekels ($12.5 million) to fund construction of a park, children’s playgrounds, green spaces and new street lighting in Har Homa, as well as football and basketball grounds.

It did not give a precise time-frame for the spending plan, only saying work would begin “in the near future”.

Construction first began on Har Homa — or Jabal Abu Ghneim as the site is known to Palestinians — in 1997, well after the Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.

It sparked violent Palestinian protests and a freeze by the Palestinian Authority of high-level contacts with Israel.

The settlement construction is considered a breach of the Oslo accords by Palestinians and the international community but not by Israel, which does not see East Jerusalem as occupied territory.

Over 75 percent of Palestinians, and 82 percent of children, live below the poverty line in East Jerusalem, according to the Association for Civil Rights in Israel.

Despite forming nearly half of the city’s population, only around 10 percent of Jerusalem’s municipal budget is spent on Palestinians.

Listen: The Tripe Supper 4 - Boro podcast with Dominic Shaw, Philip Tallentire and Anthony Vickers

Craig Hignett's departure is the obvious talking point for our Boro writers in the latest edition of The Tripe Supper.

Philip Tallentire and Anthony Vickers join Dominic Shaw to discuss the assistant manager's exit earlier this week and debate what Aitor Karanka will be looking for as he lines up a replacement.

listen to ‘The Tripe Supper 4’ on audioBoom

Grant Leadbitter's new contract is also a point of discussion for our Boro men, who analyse the improvement of key players under Aitor Karanka over the last 12 months.

Click here to listen to episode one of The Tripe Supper, here for the second instalment and here for the third edition.

The Tripe Supper will be available on iTunes soon. Honest.

10 magical Christmas experiences in and around Teesside

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Christmas is magical.

The young and the young at heart can enjoy all the wonder of the festive season at attractions and events across our region.

Here is our selection of places that will (hopefully!) fill you with yuletide spirit.

:: Stockeld Park, Wetherby

Skate with penguins, ski through an enchanted forest and visit Santa in an award winning grotto.

Stockeld Park’s festive season is open until Tuesday, January 6 2015 - and new for this year is a 4D Cinematic Sleigh Sensation Experience.

You can also experience traditional Stockeld fun in the maze and pick up a hand-pruned Christmas tree, grown on the estate.

:: Strikes Garden Centre, Stokesley

The closest children usually get to eating with Santa is leaving him a few mince pies.

But at this garden centre you can enjoy a breakfast with the man himself on Monday, December 22 and Wednesday, December 24, starting at 9am.

Each child will also receive a gift from Santa.

The price is £6.99 per child, booking is required and there are only limited spaces.

:: Polar Express, Weardale, County Durham

Inspired by the hit film The Polar Express and book by Chris Van Allsburg, the officially licensed train ride has returned to the UK.

Set to the motion picture soundtrack, pyjama-clad passengers can relive the magic of the story and see their favourite characters come to life as they are whisked away aboard The Polar Express.

During the journey, the conductor will punch tickets and jolly dancing chefs will serve hot chocolate and cookies.

Like in the film, passengers will also enjoy a sing song and a special reading of the Van Allsburg classic.

Santa will board the cosy train to greet the children and will give a special sleigh bell to all those who believe.

For tickets and event information call 08000 23 23 83 or visit the website.

:: Santa Story Train, Pickering, North Yorkshire

There is a Santa Story Train adventure running from Pickering on Monday, December 22.

After departing from Pickering, each Santa Story adventure train runs through to Levisham station and then back again to Pickering (total return journey is around 10 miles and takes around 90 minutes).

During the adventure Santa’s elves will be providing entertainment throughout the train with songs, dancing and lots of fun - and Santa will be walking through the train, handing out an age specific present to each child at their seat.

Refreshments are included and will be served on-board the train – children receive a carton of juice and adults will have a hot drink plus an alcoholic tipple.

Everyone receives a mince pie too.

:: A Victorian Christmas, Kirkleatham, Redcar

Take a trip to another century as Kirkleatham Museum transforms itself into a Victorian wonderland.

Running this weekend, Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, the free ‘A Victorian Christmas’ event is set to provide fun for all the family with a range of activities to keep everyone entertained.

From meeting the reindeer to enjoying some Christmas delicacies and browsing a Victorian craft fair, there is plenty planned.

Victorian characters will also get people in the mood for Christmas with carol singing and children have the opportunity to meet Santa too.

:: Christmas at Beamish, Stanley, Country Durham

Step back into Christmas past and join the celebrations as you explore 1820s Pockerley Old Hall, the 1900s Town and Pit Village and 1940s Farm at Beamish.

Visit Father Christmas in his grotto and meet his reindeer.

Glide on the ice rink, savour festive food, enjoy a steam train ride and browse the traditional stalls.

There is a small extra charge over the period and the Father Christmas Grotto is £4 per child (1-16 years) and includes a gift.

The Beamish festive season runs until Sunday, December 21 - plus Monday, December 22, Tuesday, December 23 and Wednesday, December 24.

:: Christmas by Candlelight with North East Gospel Choir, Gibside, Gateshead

North East Gospel Choir perform a selection of traditional carols and festive gospel music in an atmospheric candlelit concert in Gibside Chapel.

Mulled wine and mince pies will be served and children are welcome.

For more information contact 01207 541820, email gibside@nationaltrust.org.uk or visit the website.

:: Father Christmas in a Pod, Carlton, North Yorkshire

Pop along to Lordstones Country Park to see Santa in a pod!

There is lots for the little ones to do including letter writing to Father Christmas, gingerbread decorating, roasted marshmallows and a gift for each child.

For the adults there is mulled wine and cider, roast chestnuts, mince pies and a fully licensed bar.

Dates include Monday 8, 15 and 22 of December, Tuesday 9, 16 and 23 of December and Wednesday 10, 17 and 24 of December.

The events start at 5pm and last until 8pm at the cost of £7 per child.

To book contact 01642 778482 and speak to Alex or Alan.

:: Stewart Park Frost Fair, Marton, Middlesbrough

An annual favourite, this event features a craft fair with music, fun activities and Santa’s Grotto - £2 including a gift.

The regular farmer’s market is also running from 9am until 3.30pm so you can stock up on Christmas dinner goodies.

The event takes place on Sunday, December 7 and runs from 11am until 4pm.

:: Christmas at Ormesby Hall, Ormesby, Middlesbrough

The 1868 diaries of James Stovin Pennyman - one of the previous owners of Ormesby Hall - revealed a very unusual Christmas tradition.

On December 21 1868, he and his family made a ‘Christmas ship’.

On 23 December and again on Christmas day they spent time rigging the new Christmas ship and then they painted it on Boxing Day.

It is a tradition that comes from Greece. James Pennyman was born in Corfu, a Greek island.

This tradition is followed at Ormesby Hall each Christmas by presenting a Christmas ship filled with ‘gold coins’ and handed out as treats to younger visitors.

You can see the Christmas ship in the first two weekends of December.

Father Christmas will be there too, with Christmas trees for sale in the courtyard, festive food available in the tearoom and candlelight tours around the mansion.

There is a small charge to see Santa and the candlelight tour,

Opening times are 10am until 3.30pm. Booking essential.

Watch: Bryan Robson describes the 1994/95 season as a career highlight as he looks back on the title-winning campaign

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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.

Watch: Derek Whyte and Graham Kavanagh look back on the memorable 1994/95 season

Join us on social media.

For the latest local news straight to your Twitter, Facebook feed or e-mail inbox.

Facebook

The Gazette

Gazette People

Newsletters

Sign up to our daily newsletter

Twitter

@EveningGazette

@GazetteBoro

@GazetteCourt

@Gazettepeople

@Gazettebusiness

The Editor

Chris Styles

Editor, The Gazette

Email

chris.styles@trinitymirror.com

Twitter

@chrisstyles16

Chris was appointed editor of the Gazette in January 2012. He is also a former Gazette news editor. Chris has more than 20 years experience as a journalist and has previously worked in senior positions in Newcastle, Exeter and Nottingham.

Schizophrenic 'fascinated with' Peter Sutcliffe detained under Mental Health Act after trying to kill escort

A man obsessed with Peter Sutcliffe who tried to kill an escort in his home was detained indefinitely in a mental hospital today.

Schizophrenic David Andrew Parsons, 21, heard voices commanding him to kill - and still wants to become a serial killer, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He told psychiatrists the voices in his head told him “to kill more prostitutes than Peter Sutcliffe had done”.

Prosecutor Shaun Dodds said Parsons arranged for an escort to come to his Eston home, then attacked her with a hammer.

He hit her repeatedly with a claw hammer and kicked her, but she bravely fought back and screamed until he fled.

He called 999 from a phone box and said “I’ve just tried to kill someone” on the night of June 23.

He told police he had planned the attack for weeks and would have “finished” the woman, but panicked when she screamed.

He said “I’m not even bothered” and showed no remorse for the attack ever since, the court was told today.

The court heard of the ongoing impact on the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

She said in a statement: “This has ruined my life and I’ve lost trust in people.”

“When I go to bed the memory is always there.

“I’m still shocked and in disbelief at what’s happened to me.

“He wanted to kill me. I don’t think I will ever get over it.”

Two psychiatrists recommended a hospital order with a restriction order for Parsons, formerly of Brackenfield Court, Eston, who admitted attempted murder.

Dr Pratish Thakkar said Parsons had a fascination with Peter Sutcliffe and wanted to emulate him.

He said Parsons showed no remorse for his crime, needed a lot of supervision and posed a high risk of re-offending in the future.

The psychiatrist added: “He expressed a wish he would like to become a serial killer.”

Robert Mochrie, defending, said Parsons wanted to be sentenced to “a very, very lengthy custodial sentence”.

He said Parsons had no previous convictions and had been “suffering or enduring mental turmoil for most of his life”.

Parsons had not eaten for a week at the time of the attack and had “all the hallmarks of a very unwell person”.

Mrs Justice Simler said Parsons heard hallucinatory voices since he was 14 and came to regard them as “companions”.

She said he would not have committed the offence if it had not been for his mental disorder.

She said the attack had serious psychological consequences and Parsons showed “a callous unconcern for others”.

She told him: “I am satisfied that you clearly have disturbing psychiatric problems and you pose an undoubted risk to others.

“The danger posed by you if you again act on your auditory hallucinations is very severe and potentially lethal.”

She detained Parsons indefinitely with restrictions under Sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act.

He will only be released when he is no longer deemed to pose a danger due to his condition.

Jelle Vossen: 'My first Boro goal is only just around the corner'

Jelle Vossen is adamant he will soon open his Boro goalscoring account and can’t wait to be let off the leash at Millwall.

The Belgian arrived at the Riverside on deadline day amid months of speculation, which prompted an online campaign among Boro fans to #FreeJelleVossen from parent club Genk.

But the loanee has had to be patient for his chance under Aitor Karanka, with £2.7m striker Kike Garcia, Chelsea forward Patrick Bamford and experienced Championship battler Lee Tomlin proving stiff competition.

Despite that Vossen came within a whisker of his first Boro goal against Blackburn last weekend, only to be thwarted by a stunning save from Rovers stopper Simon Eastwood.

But that is no problem for the Genk loanee, who believes he will join the Boro goal trail soon.

“Unfortunately I wasn’t able to score (last week) thanks to their goalkeeper - he had the game of his life,” Vossen told the club’s website.

“That’s unlucky for me but I’m happy iwth how I played and that I got my chance in the team. It’s unlucky the keeper pulled off a miraculous save, but now it’s up to me to keep going on the pitch and the goals will follow – I’m sure of that.”

With Bamford (illness) doubtful for Boro’s trip to the New Den tomorrow afternoon, Vossen could once again be given the nod by Karanka.

He admitted he does not mind what position he is deployed, and said he will put a shift in anywhere for the good of the team.

“I don’t know much about Millwall but on Saturday we’ll get to know our opponents on the pitch," Vossen said.

Katie Lunn

“I always prefer to concentrate on our own strengths though and I think we have a very good team – we can beat anyone in the league, so we can go there with a lot of confidence.

“It’s a big thing for this club to have a lot of good strikers and quality in attack. It’s a difficult task for the Gaffer to choose who plays because we all have our own ability and it’s up to him to make the choice.

“For me it’s important just to play, I’ve played as a deep striker before and even as an attacking midfielder so it’s not that important where I play because I try to do my best in any position I play.

“I’m not the type of target man striker who has the body to protect the ball from large defenders – I like to move, work and run a lot to create movement.”

Live: Jake McCabe being sentenced for causing death of Andrew Corfield

Teenage driver Jake McCabe is today being sentenced for causing the death of Andrew Corfield in Hemlington.

The 18-year-old has admitted causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury through dangerous driving following the crash which killed the dad-of three and left his daughter Alice fighting for her life.

McCabe also admitted handling stolen goods, causing death by driving while not licensed, and causing death while driving without insurance.

Live: Hammer attacker who tried to kill woman 'wanted to be like Peter Sutcliffe'

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A man who hoped to be imprisoned after pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a woman is today being sentenced.

David Andrew Parsons is due at at Teesside Crown Court over the alleged hammer attack.

The 21-year-old, of Brackenfield Court, Eston, has previously admitted trying to kill the woman on June 23.

She said the attack had serious psychological consequences and Parsons showed "a callous unconcern for others".

She said the attack had serious psychological consequences and Parsons showed "a callous unconcern for others".

She said he would not have committed the offence if it had not been for his mental disorder.

Mrs Justice Simler said Parsons heard hallucinatory voices since he was 14 and came to regard them as "companions".

Parsons had not eaten for a week at the time of the attack and had "all the hallmarks of a very unwell person".

He said Parsons had no previous convictions and had been "suffering or enduring mental turmoil for most of his life".

Robert Mochrie, defending, said Parsons wanted to be sentenced to "a very, very lengthy custodial sentence".

The psychiatrist added: "He expressed a wish he would like to become a serial killer."

He said Parsons showed no remorse for his crime, needed a lot of supervision and posed a high risk of reoffending in the future.

Dr Pratish Thakkar said Parsons had a fascination with Peter Sutcliffe and wanted to emulate him.

Parsons, formerly of Brackenfield Court, Eston, admitted attempted murder.

Psychiatrists both recommended a hospital order with a restriction order.

"He wanted to kill me. I don't think I will ever get over it."

"When I go to bed the memory is always there... I'm still shocked and in disbelief at what's happened to me.

12:58 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

She said in a statement: "This has ruined my life and I've lost trust in people."

12:58 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

The court heard of the ongoing impact on the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

12:57 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

He said "I'm not even bothered" and showed no remorse for the attack ever since, the court heard today.

12:57 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

He told police he had planned the attack for weeks and would have "finished" the woman, but panicked when she screamed.

12:54 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

He called 999 from a phone box and said "I've just tried to kill someone" on the night of June 23.

12:51 pm

Gareth Lightfoot

He hit her repeatedly with a claw hammer and kicked her, but she bravely fought back and screamed until he fled.

£50k approved for new Ingleby Barwick Youth Cafe

Funding has been approved for a new Youth Cafe in Ingleby Barwick.

As reported, the much needed facility will form part of a new community centre planned for the growing Stockton estate.

At a meeting of Stockton Council’s Cabinet yesterday members approved up to £50,000 be made available towards the provision of a Youth Café within the proposed community centre.

Councillors also agreed a proposal to secure a site from the developer Persimmon via a title transfer of land.

The land will then be transferred to Ingleby Barwick Town Council to enable a community centre to be built there, subject to the town council gaining planning permission and raising the funds to build it.

Stockton Council and Ingleby Barwick Town Council have been drawing up plans for a new centre on The Rings - but so far do not have an agreed site for it.

Ingleby Barwick independent councillor Ken Dixon said another community centre in Ingleby Barwick was “much needed”.

The council says the existing community centre at Beckfields is heavily used, which is why plans were drawn up for a new one.

Councillor David Harrington, also an Ingleby Barwick independent, fully supported a youth cafe, saying the idea was first “mooted a number of years ago”.

“It is a much needed community asset,” he said.

The Town Council will be responsible for securing the funding associated with the capital development - believed to be around £250,000 - and on-going maintenance and management of the community facility.

BJP MP forced to leave: we won’t allow his legacy to be misused by any political party to divide society

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s rhetoric of celebrating the birth anniversary of the Jat king Raja Mahendra Pratap received a major setback when party MP from Aligarh Satish Gautam was forced to leave midway a public function to mark the 128th birthday anniversary of the Jat king on Monday.

The function was organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha, an outfit of the Jats in the State, at a park. Visibly angry with the BJP for “politicising” and “dividing society” by “misusing” Raja Mahendra Pratap’s legacy, the Jat leaders didn’t allow the BJP MP to speak at the function. Several Jat leaders objected to Mr. Gautam’s attempt to speak after which Mr. Gautam was forced to leave the function midway.

Earlier, the State BJP had demanded to celebrate the birth anniversary mandatorily inside the Aligarh Muslim University campus, creating a controversy and confrontation with the AMU administration. The saffron party backed down after AMU Vice-Chancellor Lt. Gen. (retd) Zameer Uddin Shah wrote a letter to the Union HRD Minister saying the BJP’s insistence may lead to “communal conflagration” in Aligarh.

On Monday, the Jat leaders accused the BJP of “hijacking” the Jat king for its political interests. “The BJP will not be allowed to hijack Raja Mahendra Pratap who was a mass leader and a freedom fighter,” said Vijender Singh, who heads the Aligarh unit of Akhil Bharatiya Jat Mahasabha.

“Raja Mahendra Pratap believed in social harmony and religion of love and we won’t allow his legacy to be misused by any political party to divide society,” added the Jat leader.

“Surprisingly, we who have been organising the birthday for years, were never even consulted by the BJP,” added Mr. Vijender Singh.

Besides, the grand plans of the BJP to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jat king turned out to be a non-event which failed to attract people. In an indication that even the state BJP unit distanced itself from the controversy, no State BJP leader was present when Satish Gautam led the celebration at the BJP office in Aligarh in the presence of a small number of party volunteers. Even the State BJP chief Lakshmi Kant Bajpayee who had earlier aggressively demanded that the birth anniversary should be celebrated inside the AMU campus, was conspicuously absent from the scene.

Nightlife in Pictures: The Empire and Ku Bar

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Photographers from Sam Edge Photography, alongside Matthew Skelton and Eddy Maynard, provide you with a snapshot of Teesside nightlife.

This week features three night from a Middlesbrough and Stockton venue.

We have scenes from Milk and Sumo at The Empire and a great night out at Ku Bar.

Take a look and see if you are one of the many captured on a night out.

Find dozens more nightlife pictures on our About Town page .

Buttefly Giving is hoping to collect readers' Wish tokens

Butterfly Giving is hoping readers will take a flutter on their charity and collect Wish tokens.

Butterfly Giving was set up by Hannah Larkin, from Coulby Newham, when she was just 15.

She was inspired to set up the charity when she met George Soars - now a trustee - who was diagnosed with cancer at a young age and had to have a leg amputated.

The charity used last year’s Wish money to fund its Boobs & Boxers project aimed at dispelling myths about taboo cancers such as breast and testicular among young people.

The money helped to fund anatomically realistic models to help teenagers become better equipped to spot the signs.

Hannah said: “This year’s money will enable us to continue our Hospital Hampers project to send boxes to young people currently receiving treatment for a cancer diagnosis.

“The hampers contain favourite things and luxuries to make a stay in hospital that bit more bearable.”

To help Butterfly Giving, send your tokens to: 39 Comfrey Manor, Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, TS8 0XT.

Live: Hammer attacker being sentenced for attempted murder of woman

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A man who hoped to be imprisoned after pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of a woman is today being sentenced.

David Andrew Parsons is due at at Teesside Crown Court over the alleged hammer attack.

The 21-year-old, of Brackenfield Court, Eston, has previously admitted trying to kill the woman on June 23.

11:02 am

Gareth Lightfoot

GazetteLive will be publishing live updates from the sentencing.

11:01 am

Gareth Lightfoot

The hearing will take place at Teesside Crown Court.

11:01 am

Gareth Lightfoot

The sentencing of David Andrew Parsons is list to commence after 11am today.

Middlesbrough mayoral election result will be delayed due to concerns about 'overtired staff'

The result of next year's mayoral election in Middlesbrough won't be announced until around 6pm the day after polls close.

The decision has been taken following "inconsistent" results at the 2011 count by "overtired" staff.

May 7's vote takes place on the same day as the General Election and polls for ward councillors and following problems in 2007 and 2011, steps are being put in place to ensure staff can cope with the demand.

A report presented to the council's corporate affairs and audit committee on Thursday said: "In 2011... a key officer showed signs of stress due to the amount of work to be carried out and... there were a number of recounts which saw staff counting from 10pm to 5am.

“This resulted in inconsistent count results due to overtiredness.”

After 2007's mayoral election a key member of staff went off with stress and did not return to work.

The report said that “it is likely that the mayoral and ward elections will be closely contested” which will lead to the counting of second preference votes in the mayoral election and a number of recounts for individual wards.

On polling day some staff could be working for almost 24 hours from 6am through to 4am or 5am.

It was recommended and agreed that on the first day - Thursday, May 7 - General Election votes will be counted. On day two - Friday, May 8 - the counts for the mayoral and ward elections won’t start until noon with the results expected to be announced by 6pm.

It is proposed to use Southlands Centre on Ormesby Road as the venue due to its size, flexibility of rooms, easy access for returns from polling stations, space for candidates and the media, plus its parking facilities.

Elected independent mayor Ray Mallon has already said he will not be serving another term.

In the running for the top job are Labour's Dave Budd, independent candidates businessman Andy Preston and Cllr Len Junier, and, for the Green Party, David Masterman.

Middlesbrough Council has a reserve fund of £145,000 that is accumulated over a number of years to fund local elections but due to the number and type of elections next year it is expected that additional funding may be needed.

This is due to a need for more staff for polling stations, an increase in counting teams, cost for training sessions plus additional equipment such as ballot boxes and possibly polling booths.

The council will keep a record of costs to enable a re-charge to central government.

Plans submitted to turn former bank into Turkish barbecue restaurant

Plans have been submitted to turn a former bank into a Turkish barbecue restaurant.

Bilal Akar wants to set up the new restaurant in the former branch of the London City and Midland Bank on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

The Grade II listed building on the corner of the junction with Borough Road, which was built in 1912, served the local business district until the late 1990s when it was closed as part of the bank’s restructuring.

Since then it has been used as a bookmaker’s and as a branch of Bridgford and Bairstow Eves estate agents although it has been empty for several months.

The restaurant will seat 60 customers and will feature an open kitchen area with flame grill barbecue, as well as a bar area.

The proposed opening hours will be 10am until midnight seven days a week.

Informal indications by planning officers have indicated that the proposal will be accepted subject to a number of issues being addressed.

These include the provision of parking, the adverse impact on the local community in terms of smell, noise, litter, fumes and disturbance, secure provision for trade waste and limitations of late night opening where appropriate.

Mr Akar plans to retain the banking hall area of the building and enhance the interior to bring it back to its former glory.

Poker night in memory of top player and Middlesbrough takeaway boss John Law

Poker players will tonight pay tribute to a Teesside takeaway owner who was also a king of the table.

Cheung Tai “John” Law came to England as a teenager and became a successful businessman, running the popular Sun Lok Curry House on Beaumont Road, North Ormesby, for many years.

But he dealt with chips of a different type as a first class poker player. And tonight, his poker skills will be remembered in a charity tournament at the Rainbow Casino on Teesside Park.

A loving husband of Lichun and dad to Kerry, Stephen, Daniel and Anthony, John died on October 22, aged 64.

Having chosen the English name John after John Lennon, given his love of the Beatles, he established his takeaway business as one of Teesside’s favourites.

But in his spare time, he excelled at poker and, in 2005, finished second in the world series in Las Vegas, pocketing a cool $311,555 and narrowly missing out on a coveted gold bracelet.

Locally, John built his poker reputation by being relentlessly aggressive and fearless against any opponent, but always playing with an unrivalled grace and elegance.

His total poker earnings topped $650,000 - but perhaps more importantly, he’ll always be remembered as one of the kindest men to play the game.

So tonight, local players have arranged a charity tournament in his memory, with proceeds to Cancer Research and Macmillan.

Fellow player Andy McGee said: “John will be missed by all to ever have the pleasure of sharing his company, either at his local food restaurant or at the poker table.”

The event, for the John Law Memorial Trophy, is a £10 rebuy tournament, with an initial buy in of £20 (£10 registration fee to charity and £10 towards the prize pool). The evening, which starts at 7pm, will also include entertainment, added prizes, bounties, a free buffet at the first break and MC Phil the Tower.

For more information, visit the Rainbow Casino Teesside Park Facebook page.

Plans have been submitted to turn former bank into Turkish restaurant

Plans have been submitted to turn a former bank into a Turkish barbecue restaurant.

Bilal Akar wants to set up the new restaurant in the former branch of the London City and Midland Bank on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

The Grade II listed building on the corner of the junction with Borough Road, which was built in 1912, served the local business district until the late 1990s when it was closed as part of the bank’s restructuring.

Since then it has been used as a bookmaker’s and as a branch of Bridgford and Bairstow Eves estate agents although it has been empty for several months.

The restaurant will seat 60 customers and will feature an open kitchen area with flame grill barbecue, as well as a bar area.

The proposed opening hours will be 10am until midnight seven days a week.

Informal indications by planning officers have indicated that the proposal will be accepted subject to a number of issues being addressed.

These include the provision of parking, the adverse impact on the local community in terms of smell, noise, litter, fumes and disturbance, secure provision for trade waste and limitations of late night opening where appropriate.

Mr Akar plans to retain the banking hall area of the building and enhance the interior to bring it back to its former glory.

In court: Man accused of assaulting Tees couple on cruise liner off Lanzarote coast

A Glaswegian man accused of assaulting an elderly couple on a luxury cruise liner made his first appearance at Teesside Crown Court today.

Graeme Finlay is accused of assaulting the elderly couple while travelling aboard the Thomson Celebration off the coast of Lanzarote.

The alleged attacks left the woman with a fractured spine and shoulder injury, her husband with serious injuries to his face.

Finlay is accused of assaulting the Teesside couple, inflicting grievous bodily harm, on January 29.

The 52-year-old appeared for a short preliminary hearing this morning.

He has not yet entered pleas to the charges against him.

Robert Mochrie, defending, said the allegations were denied.

Judge Howard Crowson bailed British Gas worker Finlay, of Meadowside Quay, Glasgow, until a plea hearing on February 4 next year.

He also asked the court to look for a date for a trial, estimated to last two days.

Israeli forces detain relatives of stab suspect

JERUSALEM (Ma’an) — Israeli forces on Wednesday detained the father and two brothers of a 16-year-old Palestinian boy suspected of stabbing two Israelis near Maale Adumim.

Local committee spokesman Hani Halabiya said Israeli forces detained Samir Abu Sneineh and brothers Murad and Tariq after raiding their house in al-Eizariya.

Clashes broke out following the arrests, with five Palestinians injured by rubber-coated steel bullets, including four in the head and one in the foot.

Israeli forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets in the neighborhood.

Earlier, Ibrahim Salim Abu Sneineh, 16, stabbed and moderately injured two Israelis in a Rami Levy store in the Mishor Adumim industrial zone of the Maale Adumim settlement.

An off-duty Israeli security guard shot and injured Abu Sneineh.

Israeli police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld wrote on Twitter that the suspect was in a “serious condition.”