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, Friday 30th January 2015.

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 2002: Dwight Yorke's expected move to Boro collapses

Dwight Yorke’s expected move to Boro had dramatically collapsed and nobody was more furious than Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United boss was lining up a bid for West Ham’s Paulo di Canio but first needed Yorke to complete his expected transfer to the Riverside.

Yet despite the fact Boro’s £6.2m offer had been accepted, the deal wasn’t going ahead.

The reason? The striker’s wage demands leaving livid Ferguson to claim the experienced front-man and his agent had deliberately scuppered the move.

Steve McClaren was undoubtedly frustrated but wasn’t as forthright, instead quickly having to turn his attention elsewhere as he looked to bolster his attack before deadline day.

“The two clubs agreed a fee last week and United gave us permission to talk to Dwight Yorke,” said a Boro spokesman on this day in 2002.

“We were able to offer him what we believed was a very attractive package to join us.

“Unfortunately it would appear the offer did not meet with Dwight’s aspirations.”

Those aspirations were reportedly £57,000 a week, well beyond what Boro were willing to fork out.

It had turned into a Man United-themed frustrating transfer window for Boro. First they snatch Diego Forlan at the 11th hour and then Yorke prices himself out of a move.

Noel Whelan had fired three goals in his last five games but other than that Boro’s forwards were coming up short.

And, worryingly, you had to go back as far as the start of November for the last time Boro had scored more than a single goal in a game.

With deals for Forlan and Yorke falling through, McClaren was understood to have been targeting Brazilian striker Washington.

But time was running out if the boss wanted to wrap up a permanent deal before the deadline.

McClaren eventually ended up dipping into the loan market, signing Benito Carbone on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Cannabis farm gardener tried to escape from back door when police arrived to bust £60k crop

A professional cannabis factory was nipped in the bud when police busted a farm worth more than £60,000.

An empty house in Stockton was packed with equipment, with its electricity supply bypassed to grow drugs.

Vietnamese gardener Thinh Nguyen, 24, has been jailed and wants to return home after he was caught fleeing the fledgling crop.

He tried to escape from the back door of the home on Durham Road, Stockton when police raided it on the afternoon of December 3 last year.

The house appeared about to be given over to cannabis cultivation, said prosecutor David Crook today.

Teesside Crown Court heard how 137 immature, non-flowering cannabis plants were growing, aided by high-powered lights, timers and ventilation.

If the crop had matured, it could have produced £61,650 worth of the Class B drug.

Inside the property were “the beginnings of what could have been a far more substantial grow”.

Equipment was ready to power two to three more growing areas, said Mr Crook.

Officers found 208 plant pots, 40 600W lighting units, 62 transformers, 61 bags of soil, 30m of garden hose, eight tubs of fertiliser and four boxes of tubing.

One room was set aside for accommodation. Phones and tablet devices were found in the house along with £337 cash.

Nguyen, now of no fixed address, aided by a Vietnamese interpreter in court, pleaded guilty to producing the Class B drug, his first UK conviction.

He admitted he was paid £300 for his part in the farm, now deemed a “lesser role” by the courts.

Andrew Turton, defending, said: “He had arrived at this grow the very morning on which he was arrested. That is accepted by the Crown.

“It shows that he has just come to this enterprise, which was a new grow and he had been parachuted in, effectively, to deal with it.

“He gave clear instructions that he wasn’t trafficked. He came here of his own free will.

“He came to the UK via Russia, financed by his grandmother in the hope of making good for himself.

“He has been in the UK for 12 months and he has decided that the UK holds no further attraction for him.

“He wishes to return to Vietnam as soon as is possible.

“He understands that the court will pass an immediate custodial term today.

“And at the conclusion of the period in custody there is a chance that he will be returned to his homeland.”

Judge Tony Briggs jailed Nguyen for one year, saying he was fully involved as a “lesser participant” in a professional set-up aimed at gaining a high yield.

Teesside firms CAN grow their presence in civil nuclear say experts

Teesside manufacturers are being urged to tap into a £1.5m fund set up to help them break into the UK’s fast-growing civil nuclear sector.

Grants of around £10,000 are on offer from Fit for Nuclear (F4N) for firms competing for work - and experts say firms already working in sectors from aerospace and automotive to electronics, marine and general fabrication can diversify.

It’s estimated that more than 5,000 SMEs are needed to ensure the UK has enough capacity to meet its civil new build programme.

Around 16 gigawatts of nuclear power production is in the pipeline by 2030, with an investment price tag of £60bn; meanwhile multi-billion pound decommissioning contracts are already underway.

The Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) recently joined forces with the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) to roll-out F4N, which lets companies measure themselves against industry standards and bridge any gaps to meet requirements.

Companies can apply for the funding to support R&D projects, “optimise production” or develop new processes or products. They can also access the Nuclear AMRC’s world-leading workshop capabilities in welding, metrology and design support.

All projects must be completed by March 31, 2016, with firms urged to apply as soon as possible to secure a share of the funding.

Mike Tynan, chief executive of the Nuclear AMRC, said: “Smaller manufacturers have a vital role to play in civil nuclear, if they can meet the standards demanded by the industry’s top tier.

“To win work, Teesside companies need to make sure they have the ability to meet safety, quality and cost standards, and can demonstrate that their specialist capabilities can deliver value to clients.

“We created F4N to help manufacturers close any gaps in performance, and this new funding will provide vital support for anyone taking the next steps and getting ready to compete for nuclear opportunities.”

The funding call will allow management teams to drive business improvements in areas, such as improved manufacturing processes, factory layout, bid writing, training plans and strategy.

Steven Barr, head of MAS, said: “Almost 200 businesses have already embarked on F4N, and more than 75% have recorded immediate tangible bottom-line benefits.

“This is just the start and the current funding call will look to accelerate the number of companies getting involved. Nuclear is seen as a difficult sector to break into. Yes requirements are different, but it’s not as problematic as some people make out.

“We’ve successfully worked with manufacturers involved in aerospace, automotive, electronics, marine and general fabrication, taking their core expertise and making them applicable to nuclear.”

But Teesside firms must focus more on quality, health and safety if they’re to succeed - with speed and cost playing ‘second fiddle’ to exacting standards and a world class H&S record according to F4N assessor John Ransford.

He is currently helping companies across England stake their claim for work, ranging from fabrication and maintenance to precision components and technical design.

A “completely different” mindset is needed by management teams looking to enter the industry for the first time, he claims.

“For a long time manufacturers have had it drummed into them that they need to deliver quicker and take cost out of the equation.

“Nuclear is very different. There is more of a partnership approach to working with suppliers. In addition, firms will have to demonstrate the right culture and behaviour.”

F4N is backed by top tier partners including Areva and EDF Energy.

Best foot forward for Saltburn's Podology owner Laura Dicken as she meets TV Dragon

A Saltburn chiropody and beauty clinic has been handpicked by TV ‘Dragon’ Theo Paphitis in his Twitter campaign that gives big boosts to small businesses.

Podology owner Laura Jane Dicken will meet Theo at the ICC, Birmingham today - and pick up some tips for her growing company - after she tweeted his Small Business Sunday campaign.

Each week, Theo picks the best of the small businesses that tweet him using the hashtag #SBS. They must describe their businesses in one tweet, and only those tweets made between 5-7.30pm each Sunday count.

Theo is chair of Ryman Stationery, Boux Avenue lingerie and joint owner of Red Letter Days among others, and is best known for appearing on TV’s Dragons Den. He chooses his favourite six small businesses, who are then retweeted to his 400,000 followers, with benefits range from increased Twitter followers, to positive media publicity and increased sales.

Laura said: “After I tweeted, my phone started pinging with all the re-tweets - I wondered what was going on.

“Theo has 400,000 followers, so it’s great; it’s all about networking.

“I didn’t think too much about it, then one of his team rang me and invited me to the event in Birmingham.

“There will be 900 people there.”

Podology has celebrated ten years in Saltburn, after Laura started a small chiropody practice.

Podology in Saltburn - Laura Jane Dicken (not pictured), who founded the chiropody and beauty business in Saltburn, is meeting Theo Paphitis after he chose the business to feature in his Small Business Sunday campaign. Each week Theo reviews and chooses his favourite lucky six who are then re-tweeted. As he has over 400,000 followers, this provides a massive boost to the chosen lucky businesses.

“I’d worked for the NHS, and didn’t feel like it could give people the time and quality of treatment they needed,” she says.

Business grew rapidly and she moved to larger premises on the town’s Milton Street - now the company employs 11 staff and has taken on two apprentices.

Joanne said: “After I had my two children, I knew we needed somewhere bigger.

“Four years ago, we introduced beauty treatments. We bought the flat above and extended, now we have four treatment rooms and a manicure station.

“Our apprentice scheme is going well and we have forged links with Redcar and Cleveland College for work experience placements, so students can see what real life is like.

“I wanted it to be a high-end beauty clinic, as we’ve got that integrity of healthcare. We have brands like Elemis, HD Brows and do a lot of in-house training with the girls.

“I didn’t think it was going to grow as much; I was 24 when I started, I look back now and think ‘how did I dare to do that.’”

Podology was runner-up for the Professional Beauty Awards last year - and is hoping to take home a trophy next time.

“Hopefully we can win the Professional Beauty Awards this year - I feel like I’ve given it a good shot and it’s a great exercise in keeping the business at a top level because you come under their scrutiny.

“I know we’re in the top five in the country.”

Sedgefield based Filtronic results plummet through tough trading conditions

Filtronic plc, which has a site at Sedgefield in County Durham, has seen its half-year results plummet on the back of project delays and tough trading conditions.

The firm, which designs and manufactures microwave electronics products for the wireless telecoms infrastructure market, has reported revenues of £7.3m for the six months ended November 30 2014, compared to to £20.1m in the comparable period the previous year.

Wireless sales dropped from £16.5m to £3.9m, while broadband sales saw a slight reduction, from £3.6m to £3.4m

The company reported an operating loss for the period of £4.1m, compared to a £1.7m profit the year before.

Filtronic’s customers include leading international original equipment manufacturers as well as a wide range of mobile phone network operators.

Filtronic chairman Howard Ford said: “Whilst we are disappointed with the sales performance in the first half and foresee that the upturn in the second half is likely to be later than we had originally planned, we remain confident in our strategy and in the sales growth potential from the OEM products we have developed and are continuing to develop leading to a much improved trading performance over the medium-term.”

Boro Bass Aitor Karanka praises Gibson for his support in the transfer market

Aitor Karanka has once again paid tribute to Steve Gibson’s support.

The Boro boss added midfielder Adam Forshaw to his squad this week with the club paying Wigan in the region of £2m for the 23-year-old.

Karanka now has arguably the best squad in the Championship at his disposal and he’s quick to recognise the role played by Gibson.

“The chairman has supported me again, and I do not have words enough to say thank you to him,” he said.

“The main reason I came here in the first place was because of him, and he has supported me ever since.

“Our first meeting was fantastic and he has always supported us. Imagine for him, how important it is to improve the squad without spending a lot of money, because in the past he had to spend a lot of money.”

Karanka said he has no intention of allowing any of his key players to leave during the current transfer window, though he’s well aware every player at virtually every club has his price.

“Our only thoughts are about improving the squad, and we have done that,” he said.

“The thoughts coming from the players are that they are happy here and thinking about how to get promotion.

“They are all concentrating hard on our objective. That is pleasing. In their heads, their only thought is to play in the Premier League with Middlesbrough.

“The only way that we would sell a player is if someone came with a massive amount of money to share around everybody,” he added, tongue in cheek.

“How many million would that be? Lots and lots!”

The Ghosts of Auschwitz in the Muslim World

In exile in Argentina, the world’s most wanted man was writing a defense of the indefensible.

He rejected “so-called Western culture” whose bible “expressly established that everything sacred came from the Jews.” Instead he looked to the “large circle of friends, many millions of people” whose good opinion of his crimes he wanted.

These millions of people were not in Germany. They weren’t even in Argentina.

His fellow Nazis had abandoned him after deciding that the murder of millions of Jews was indefensible and had to be denied instead of defended. But he did not want to be denied. He wanted to be admired.

“You 360 million Mohammedans to whom I have had a strong inner connection since the days of my association with your Grand Mufti of Jerusalem,” Adolf Eichmann, the architect of the Holocaust wrote. “You, who have a greater truth in the surahs of your Koran, I call upon you to pass judgment on me.”

Eichmann knew he could expect a good verdict from a religion whose prophet had ordered the ethnic cleansing of Jews and which believes the end will

“not come until the Muslims fight the Jews and kill them. When a Jew hides behind a rock or a tree, it will say, ‘O Muslim, O servant of Allah! There is a Jew behind me, come and kill him!’”

There was Eichmann’s Hadith Holocaust with even the rocks and trees finding Jews for the Islamic SS.

A more literal judgment came Eichmann’s way five years later in Jerusalem when Israeli agents used extraordinary rendition to seize him and bring him to trial. But the Muslim world had issued its own verdict long ago when the Mufti of Jerusalem had come to Europe urging the extermination of the Jews.

“This is your best opportunity to get rid of this dirty race… Kill the Jews,” the Mufti had ranted to fellow Muslims.

On the 70^th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the ghosts of Eichmann and the Mufti of Jerusalem, who had visited its gas chambers while the Holocaust was underway, still linger there.

A Holocaust survivor in Auschwitz recalled being told that the Mufti’s arrival was a working visit.

“When we have won the war he will return to Palestine to build gas chambers and kill the Jews who are living over there,” an SS officer told him.

Eichmann’s Nazis lost, but the Mufti’s Islamists continue their genocidal agenda. Mein Kampf may be banned in Germany, but it’s a bestseller in the Muslim world.

The edition is often the translation of Louis Heiden aka Luis al-Haj, a Nazi convert to Islam whose introduction proclaims, “National Socialism did not die with the death of its herald. Rather, its seeds multiplied under each star.” The reference was meant literarily. The old Egyptian flag had carried a crescent and three stars on a green field. The new flag of the Arab Republic had two green stars.

Haj worked under Johann von Leers aka Omar Amin, another Muslim convert in the Nazi Ministry of Propaganda, who praised the persecution of the Jews under Islam as “an eternal service to the world”.

An earlier edition had been published by the brother of future dictator, Gamal Abdel Nasser.

In two years in Egypt, Mein Kampf had sold 911,000 copies, an extraordinary accomplishment in a country with a working age population of 13 million suggesting that as many as one in fourteen adults might have bought a copy. By American equivalent bestseller standards it had outsold the Da Vinci Code.

During those same years the vast majority of Egyptian Jews had been ethnically cleansed by Nasser.

At the beginning of the decade, Muslim Brotherhood godfather Sayyid Qutb had written his own Mein Kampf titled, “Our Struggle against the Jews” in which he claimed that Allah had sent Hitler. The claim has more recently been repeated by the Muslim Brotherhood’s Yusuf al-Qaradawi on Al Jazeera in ’09.

“The last punishment was carried out by Hitler… Allah willing, the next time will be at the hand of the believers,” he said.

Today everyone agrees that the Nazis were evil. By the fifties, even Eichmann’s fellow Nazis were looking to jettison the Holocaust and improve their brand. But the Nazis back then were often treated the way that Muslims are today.

Media coverage emphasized distinctions between the radical and moderate Nazis. (Hitler was, of course, a moderate.) Nazi grievances were treated as legitimate. Their crimes were lied about and covered up.

In 1933, the Associated Press’ wire report claimed that the persecution of Jews had already ended. Another wire story headlined “Jew Persecution Over Says Envoy” cited Secretary of State Hull’s relief that the Hitler regime was doing its best to curb further persecution of the Jews.

Hull would later apologize when the Republican Mayor of New York City referred to the Fuhrer as a “man without honor”. Mayor LaGuardia might have been suffering from Fuhrerphobia.

Jewish protests were treated as shrill and baseless alarmism. “U.S. Investigation Shows No Cause for Protest,” the AP headlined its coverage.

“Notwithstanding assurances given by German government leaders and by Hull that the Nazi excesses against the Jewish race had ceased in Germany, Jewish leaders went ahead with plans for mass protest meetings,” another wire story read. “All requests that these meetings be canceled fell on deaf ears.”

A week before the story, the first official Nazi concentration camp of Dachau had opened.

The media coverage should sound familiar. It’s how Iran’s nuclear buildup is being covered. It’s how Muslim violence against Jews is covered. It’s discussed reluctantly and immediately dismissed. Jews are written off as pests who refuse to listen when Kerry, like Hull, tells them there’s nothing to worry about.

That is how the Holocaust really happened.

Auschwitz just shows us the final stage. It doesn’t show us the sympathy for the Nazis, the willingness of some on the left to see them as allies in overturning the existing system and the anger at the selfishness of the Jews in putting their own desire not to be killed ahead of world peace.

It was easier to appease the Nazis. It is easier to appease the Muslim world. The Jews were not seen as a canary in the coalmine; instead, like the Czechs and then the Poles and then everyone else, they were an obstacle to making a deal with the devil. Today it’s the Nigerian Christians, the Burmese Buddhists and a long list of others around the world including the Jews of Israel who stand in the way of peace.

The ghosts of Auschwitz are still haunting Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Gaza, Iraq, Iran and a hundred other places. The victims are Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Yazidis and numberless others. The Nazis began with the Jews. The Muslim saying is, “First the Saturday people, then the Sunday people.”

Auschwitz is what happens when we fail to take threats like that seriously because we want peace at any price. The price of peace was Auschwitz, it was millions dead, countries carved to pieces, peoples enslaved for years and others for generations. The price of peace was ignorance, apathy and then war.

Eichmann found support for Auschwitz in the “surahs of your Koran.” So did the Jihadis who murdered Jews in Paris. If we forget that, then we forget the real lesson of Auschwitz.

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NP3 High School Principal Responds to Concerns over Hijab Day with Smears

The exchange below is yet another example of how one side of the debate about Sharia and jihad is trying to have a rational discussion, while the other responds only with slogans and smears. A woman in California responded to my call yesterday to write to NP3 High School principal Tom Rutten. She then received the email below, which is drearily predictable with its cries of “hate” and lack of specific response to any of the concerns she raised. She kindly forwarded this response to me, and I wrote the third email below to Rutten.

I don’t expect a response, or at least one that deals with the points I raised, so I thought I’d post all three emails here so that you can see which side here is being reasonable, and what happens when those whose political views are not favored ask reasonable questions.

Meanwhile, Hamas-linked CAIR is crowing over this ridiculous piece on the controversy, and well they should crow, as only their point of view is represented. Fox 40 made no attempt to contact me, of course, or to speak with anyone who wrote letters to the school expressing concern over Hijab Day. The whole thing is dismissed, as always in the mainstream media, as “bigotry” — on that, see my email to Rutten below. The Fox 40 story is also riddled with errors. I did not name the student responsible for Hijab Day in my post, as you can see here. The principal’s name is Rutten, not Sutten.

And of course Fox 40 makes no mention of CAIR’s ties to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood, the jihad terror convictions of several of its former officials, the fact that the United Arab Emirates designated it a terror organization, etc. But it does go out of its way to say I (without naming me) am “anti-Muslim,” without bothering to note the issues regarding the oppression of women and religion-and-state involved here. Typical sloppy and one-sided mainstream media story. In posting it, Hamas-linked CAIR has disabled comments, as they always do. That in itself is telling.

1. Concerned citizen to Tom Rutten:

I am a taxpayer, Girl Scout leader, and public education advocate in Southern California, and I am writing to express my shock, dismay, and disappointment at learning that a school in your district, the Natomas Unified School District, held a Hijab Day today, encouraging all girls and women to wear hijabs. This is outrageous.

It’s outrageous primarily because it brought religion into a public school in a way that directly conflicts with the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits school-sponsored prayer and religious indoctrination. Encouraging girls and women to wear hijabs for “modesty” is clearly an example of religious indoctrination. Can you imagine the public outrage if a Jewish student requested “Yarmulke Day” and all men and boys at the school were urged to wear a head covering of the type that Jewish men and boys wear? It’s unimaginable. For your future use, here’s a guideline on Religion in Schools produced by the ACLU: http://bit.ly/1BxnPic.

Additionally, it’s astounding because, per the flyer, “Hijab Day” was organized by, or encouraged by the Muslim Students Association, which is considered by many national security experts to be tied to the Muslim Brotherhood. In other words, tied to terrorism. I could provide you a dozen links to articles about this, but perhaps you’d like to do your own google search. It’s out there.

I know that you are a busy man, Mr. Rutten, but I really would like to understand why the NP3 thought this was acceptable. If you’d please reply to me, I’d appreciate that.

2. Tom Rutten to the concerned citizen:

Since this was a student run event I have attached the student response below.

Tom Rutten

At a time when anti-Muslim sentiment is growing, I wanted to let my classmates and teachers know about the challenges that young Muslim women face when they put on a headscarf. It is unfortunate that a small effort to promote mutual understanding would provoke such a hate-filled and irrational response.

NP3 Hijab Day was part of my Senior Project, meant to bring awareness to my campus about the misconceptions surrounding Islam, particularly those surrounding the headscarf. I invited a speaker to talk to faculty about addressing Islamophobia in the classroom and the challenges in the Muslim world, and they appreciated the open and frank discussion.

The irrational reaction by some intolerant individuals is similar to the many manufactured controversies nationwide over the teaching of basic information about Islam, the faith of one-fifth of the world’s population, in public schools. In many other cases, any discussion of Islam or American Muslims brings about this reaction.

The person who promoted the misinformation about this issue, Robert Spencer, is one of the most notorious Islamophobes in America.

This extreme reaction clearly demonstrates why this presentation was needed in the first place.

South Poverty Law Center’s profile on Robert Spencer:

http://bit.ly/1LoM3mX

3. Robert Spencer to Tom Rutten:

Dear Mr. Rutten:

Thank you for your kind response to Ms. [redacted], which she forwarded to me.

The message from your student was most interesting. I trust that you have explained to her that to respond to the concerns voiced by Ms. [redacted] and others by linking to a smear piece on me is an example of the ad hominem fallacy: attacking the person voicing the concerns rather than the concerns themselves. The Southern (not “South”) Poverty Law Center attack piece is also highly inaccurate and misleading. The FBI, in fact, even stopped using the SPLC’s work on “hate groups” last year, in light of the fact that the SPLC had stopped tracking real hate groups and was using the label to smear those who disagreed with its political views.

I am not going to try your patience by showing the falsehood of all of SPLC’s smear claims; suffice it for the moment to point out that I have led seminars on Islam and jihad for the United States Central Command, United States Army Command and General Staff College, the U.S. Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the FBI, the Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the U.S. intelligence community.

I trust that you also have explained or will explain to your student that to dismiss all concern about NP3 Hijab Day as “hate-filled,” “irrational,” and “Islamophobic” doesn’t contribute in the least to “open and frank discussion,” but actually forecloses on the possibility of such a discussion by trying to intimidate people into thinking that concerns they thought were legitimate are actually manifestations of a “bigotry” they were not aware they had. This is just the opposite of “open and frank discussion,” and I am sure you would agree that this kind of name-calling, intimidation, and groupthink should not be encouraged in academic settings at any level.

For your convenience, here are the major concerns that people have about the NP3 Hijab Day event:

1. FBI statistics show that hate crimes against Muslims, which are never justified, are actually quite uncommon, with hate crimes against Jews being over four times more common. Details here: http://bit.ly/1BxnQme

Yet I would venture to guess that there has been no event at NP3 High to call attention to the challenges that Jews face, and that none is in the works. I understand that NP3 Hijab Day was a student-run event. Would a Jewish or pro-Israel student be allowed to stage a similar Day calling attention to anti-Semitism? If this included the rise in Islamic anti-Semitism in Europe and elsewhere, would this be allowed? Would you allow a Yarmulke Day at NP3 High?

2. CAIR and the MSA appear to have been involved in this event. Both were named unindicted co-conspirators in the Holy Land trial, which involved funneling money to the terror group Hamas. Both have demonstrable ties, documented and noted by the FBI, with Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. See, for example, these links:

http://bit.ly/1LoM3n0

http://bit.ly/1BxnQmh

Is it really wise to allow people from organizations that have ties to terror groups to interact with NP3 students?

3. As I am sure you’re aware, even student-run events by Christian students have come under fire in public schools in recent years, and many see them as a violation of the Establishment Clause. Would you allow a Wear the Cross Day? I have never heard of such an event in any public school except in conjunction with protests against it on Constitutional grounds. Do you not think this is a double standard — and one perpetuated by Hijab Day at NP3 High?

4. Many women and girls around the world have been brutalized and even killed for not wearing a hijab. A list of some of them, with further links to the relevant news stories, is at this link: http://bit.ly/1BxnPik

Are you not concerned that NP3’s Hijab Day might end up justifying and helping perpetuate the pretexts for this oppression? What steps did you take to ensure that that did not happen? If a student wanted to hold a Day calling attention to the oppression of women that is all too often justified by Islamic law, would that be allowed at NP3?

I hope these questions make it clear that there are legitimate concerns regarding NP3’s Hijab Day, and to dismiss them as “hate-filled” is simply an attempt to shut down the public discussion that is needed on these issues. I look forward to receiving your answers to these questions. Also, I would be happy to come to NP3 High School at my own expense, in order to engage in an open forum with students on these and related issues, and to ensure that the “open and frank discussion” on these issues at NP3 High is not dominated solely by one perspective only. We can settle on a mutually agreeable date for this open forum at your convenience — I can be reached at this email address and at [redacted].

Cordially

Robert Spencer

*

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Cleveland Police warn Facebook users about online scam

Facebook users are being warned of a scam asking them to take out mobile phone contracts in exchange for money.

Cleveland Police say several people have been contacted by an ‘old friend’ on the social networking site, who asks if they will take out four mobile phone contracts in their own name in exchange for money, usually £1,000.

Users are assured everything is legal and a meet-up is arranged, where fraudsters say they will take the phones, wipe them, and the contracts will then not have to be paid.

They will never see the phones again or receive any cash, but are left with contracts on the phones.

Police say that all parties involved are breaking the law - including the invidual being scammed - and asked anyone who is suspicious to call 101.

Alice Corfield: 'We just have to keep going and keep praying', says mum Lisa

Andrew Corfield was doing a typical “dad job” of running his daughter to her sister’s on the night he was killed in a horrific crash just minutes from his Hemlington home.

Widow Lisa has today revealed more details of events leading up to the crash on the night of Tuesday, October 28.

It was an accident which left her teenage daughter Alice in a coma.

The teenager was on her way to stay with her big sister, Amy, and her six-year-old niece, Lucy-May.

The mother and daughter had recently moved house from the Es estate in Hemlington to the Ds following weeks of harassment.

“I wasn’t scared for me but I was scared for my daughter, she was frightened of a knock on the door,” Amy, 21, told The Gazette.

Andrew and Alice never arrived at their destination.

Tributes left to Andrew Corfield

Family had been targeted by thieves and vandals

Lisa, Amy and brother Owen, 20, dashed to the scene of the crash site, which was just a few minutes away from the family home.

Since that terrible night, Lisa has remained strong so she can visit her daughter’s bedside every day but in quiet moments in her empty home she admits she can’t help thinking ‘if onlys’.

“I just can’t help thinking if we hadn’t had all that going on, the crash would never have happened.

"Andrew would have been at work, Alice would have been at home,” said Lisa, 39, who also has a two-year-old granddaughter, Leah, Owen’s daughter.

Owen, Amy and Lisa Corfield

Amy said the trouble began with a falling out with a friend a month before and led to an alleged assault at her home.

A trampoline belonging to Lucy was destroyed in a fire and toys were stolen from Amy’s garden but police say they have no evidence to link the fire to a culprit.

When Lucy became too scared to stay in her home, they moved to a new flat - but “they soon found out where we lived”.

'Your husband is a dead man walking'

The incidents culminated in an altercation between a gang of young women and men and Amy outside her home.

Lisa and Andrew dashed to their daughter’s defence as well as calling the police to the scene.

Andrew - who Lisa said had to pull several women off her - acted as peacemaker.

Lisa was then sent a text message saying: “Your husband is a dead man walking”.

Days later Andrew died in a tragic accident

Two days later, in a tragic coincidence, Andrew was killed in a crash on the corner of Cass House Road and Fordyce Road.

The driver of the other vehicle - 18-year-old Jake McCabe - fled the scene.

He is now in prison serving a seven-and-a-half year sentence after pleading guilty at Teesside Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving and causing serious injury through dangerous driving.

McCabe’s sentence is “not enough” for the Corfield family and Amy is setting up a petition for tougher sentences for people convicted of the same offences.

“It won’t change anything for us but it would help other people,” said Amy.

Family are now focused on getting Alice home

Amy said those involved in “the trouble” have “left me alone since the crash” - and that the family hopes to put it all behind them.

Their focus now is “getting Alice home”.

Although Alice can now breathe by herself, her recovery so far has been “very slow”.

Andrew and Alice Corfield

Doctors are unable to give the Corfields a prognosis for the 18-year-old, who suffered damage to almost every part of her brain.

Alice suffered horrendous injuries - including broken ribs, broken collarbone, broken pelvis, punctured lung and tears to her liver, kidney and spleen.

Her skull was detached from her spine and had to be bolted back together as a result of the crash.

The family last month celebrated the teenager's birthday at her bedside.

Alice is now battling C-diff

Alice is currently battling a C-diff (Clostridium difficile) infection - a type of bacterial infection affecting the digestive system which most commonly affects people who have been treated with antibiotics.

She has been moved into isolation in a side room in HDU (high dependency unit) at James Cook University Hospital but may move to a rehabilitation unit in the future.

The former student at King’s Academy and Middlesbrough College may be moved to Walkergate Park Centre in Newcastle.

But, with no residential facilities at the unit, Lisa has to decide how to make that work.

Lisa Corfield and Andrew Corfield and their children Owen, Alice and Amy (left to right)

Since the crash, the mum hasn't driven any further than to and from the hospital - and finding a property to rent on a month to month basis is proving impossible.

“We just have to keep going and keep praying,” she said.

“We think she can see and hear and she can move her arm a little bit but it’s hard to tell how she is really.

“And we don’t know if this is as far as she goes, if she’ll stay like this or not.”

New blow as Andrew's dog is put to sleep

The family was dealt another blow last week when Andrew’s beloved dog, Benny, had to be put to sleep.

The 11-year-old alsation/labrador cross lost a leg to cancer three years ago but the disease returned in his mouth.

“He was Andrew’s dog, he was lost ever since we lost Andrew,” said Lisa.

Lisa is waiting for Alice to improve enough to be part of the burial of Andrew’s ashes.

The family plans to bury the ashes with Jack, the son they lost to cot death in 1995, and Benny’s ashes.

“I think of Benny with his four legs again jumping all over his dad. You have to think of them like that.”

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The Cleveland Police response

Inspector Tina Notman said the force was "sorry to learn that the Corfield family have expressed dissatisfaction" with how two reported incidents were dealt with last year.

"We received a report of an incident of criminal damage in early October 2014, where a trampoline had been set alight.

"The second report was made later the same month with regards to a verbal altercation involving a number of people.

"We have not received a formal complaint into the force, but will look into the matter of how these reports were dealt with.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the Corfield family following the tragic incident on October 28, following which Jake McCabe pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving.

"Family liaison officers will continue to offer the family support.”

Championship permutations: What are the best and worst scenarios for Boro this weekend?

Intriguing and unpredictable.

You'd have to be brave to have a punt at how this year's Championship table will look come the start of May.

In fact, it's hard enough trying to predict how it will look after this weekend's round of results.

By the time Boro's players have hopped aboard their coach - or flight - back to Teesside mid-afternoon on Saturday they could be topping the table yet they could have slipped to fifth.

If it's the latter they could then drop another place should Ipswich beat Wigan on home turf, as you'd expect.

But let's not get ourselves too wound up before a ball has even been kicked as the Championship swings back into action following a break for the majority of teams for the FA Cup.

It's tight and competitive. We shouldn't be surprised, it's the nature of the Championship.

But while 19 points separated runaway leaders Leicester and sixth place Reading this time last year, just four separate top of the table Bournemouth and Watford, who occupy the final play-off place, this time around.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe

Ironically enough, those two sides, both in a rich vein of form, kick-off this weekend's fixtures on Friday night.

The Cherries will be looking to put last weekend's cup disappointment behind them and can send out a message to their promotion chasing rivals with a victory over Watford, fresh from smashing 7 (seven) past basement boys Blackpool last time out.

Should Bournemouth pick up all the points, Boro will head for Griffin Park on Saturday lunchtime four points off top spot.

The need for three points against high-flying Brentford will be emphasised.

But the Bees will approach the clash with Boro in exactly the same manner. Mark Warburton's men have won three on the bounce and their mind-set will quickly be changing from delight at how the season has panned out to focus on a top two spot come the end of the season, they are just two points off the summit after all.

However, the Hornets will view Friday night's trip to the Goldsands as a big opportunity. Three points there and they'll leapfrog Ipswich, Brentford and Boro into third place, at least temporarily.

A point would go down a treat from a Boro point of view.

Aitor Karanka

Should Bournemouth fail to take maximum points, Aitor Karanka will send his side out at Griffin Park knowing a win would take them top of the table.

With Derby facing a potentially tricky tie at Cardiff (that's what I'm trying to convince myself it is), Boro could well end the weekend in top spot.

But Steve McClaren's side are frustratingly efficient while Russell Slade's under-performing Bluebirds are anything but.

The Rams are one point and one goal better off than Boro in the Championship standings and regardless of Bournemouth's result, they'll head to the Cardiff City Stadium confident of piling even more pressure on under-fire Slade.

So where does that leave Ipswich?

If Watford win at Bournemouth and Boro slip up at Brentford, the Tractor Boys will kick-off at 3pm on Saturday having dropped to sixth in the table.

Brentford Manager Mark Warburton

But Mick McCarthy's side are ruthless on home turf; of all of the ties facing top six sides this weekend Ipswich is the one game that could be deemed a gimmie.

Wigan are not only in the mire at the bottom, they're also in the middle of an apparent quick-fire sale of all of their assets.

Anything less than a win for Ipswich would be deemed as points dropped.

Wolves head to Bolton with Neil Lennon undoubtedly ready to fire up his troops following the no-show at Rotherham midweek while Norwich face a testing trip to Birmingham.

AK and his players won't need any reminding of the importance of the game at Brentford. It was already at the forefront of the gaffer's thoughts in the immediate aftermath of that stunning display at the Etihad last weekend.

A draw on Friday night, a Boro win and surprising slip-ups for Derby and Ipswich. Now wouldn't that be nice!

Superfast broadband for Redcar after multi-million pound investment

Redcar is the first location on Teesside to get superfast fibre broadband as part of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK programme.

Two fibre broadband cabinets, on Hambleton Road, and Coatham Road, are now live with more than 370 homes and businesses in the area able to order the new technology.

Redcar & Cleveland Council has allocated £260,000 to secure in excess of £1m of funding as part of the first phase of improvements across the borough, which will allow access for more than 3,000 homes and businesses.

The announcement was welcomed by Councillor Mark Hannon, Cabinet Member for Economic Development who said: “The Council is committed to improving access to faster broadband in the borough and I am delighted that Redcar will be the first location in the Tees Valley to benefit from these improvements.”

“High-speed broadband will become available to thousands more homes and businesses across Redcar & Cleveland with more than 90% of the borough covered by March 2016.

“These improvements will help to boost the competitiveness of local firms and offer new ways of flexible working, entertainment and learning opportunities for our residents.”

In April 2013, the council, in partnership with seven other local authorities, agreed a £25m deal with BT to transform broadband speeds for businesses and residents across Teesside, County Durham, Gateshead and Sunderland.

A public sector investment of £9.1 million from the eight partner authorities was bolstered by a BT investment of £5.9 million and £9.1 million Government funding.

Stephen Catchpole, managing director for Tees Valley Unlimited, said: “High-speed communications are vitally important in order to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

“The start of transforming broadband speeds in Tees Valley will help reinforce the area’s credentials as a great place to live and do business.”

Simon Roberson, BT’s North East regional partnership director, said: “By upgrading to fibre, businesses will discover all sorts of ways to make their business more efficient and cost effective.

“Faster broadband breaks down the barriers to doing business in the digital world with new ways of working, such as online trading, which helps to empower small businesses to find new markets, sell new products, try new business models and compete on an equal footing with larger businesses, not just in the UK but globally.”

Ingleby Barwick mother donates hair to charity to help youngsters who don't have the luxury

For one Teesside mother, donating her hair to charity was the only way to help her deal with a close relative’s cancer diagnosis.

Jenny Williams, 35, who takes great pride in her long hair, decided she would do her bit to help those suffering from the disease, and who may have lost their hair as a result, after a family member received the dreaded news.

After doing some research into where her locks could be put to good use, Jenny decided on the Little Princess Trust - a charity which provides real hair wigs for children suffering hair loss.

Mother of two, Jenny said: “Cancer is such a cruel disease for anyone to go through.

“Unfortunately, our family has had very recent experiences with it and I feel helpless.

“I came across this fantastic charity by chance and felt an overwhelming urge to donate.”

Jen, who works as a travel agent, had ten inches of her dark locks cut off at The Edge Hair and Beauty Salon, on Linthorpe Road, in Middlesbrough yesterday.

Jenny Williams gets her hair cut for charity, at The Edge Hair and Beauty, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough

Salon manager Jen Legg did the honours, leaving Jenny with a drastically different style in the form of a short bob.

Jenny, of Ingleby Barwick, said: “I love my long hair and rarely get it cut. I love being able to style, straighten, curl and pin it up, so for me to donate ten inches is huge, but some poorly little girls are out there, fighting this dreadful disease and they don’t have my luxury so it’s a no brainer. They can have my hair to play with.

“This is my way of doing something to help.”

Jenny loves nothing more than doing her hair for an occasion. She also admits to being a regular at the salon’s ‘Dry Bar’ which offers 30 minute appointments to have your hair styled or pinned up.

Following the chop, Jen said: “It feels really light now but I am ecstatic. I feel so happy.

“When I first decided to do it, I thought if I can raise the £350, which is the amount it costs for one wig, then it would be worthwhile.”

Having raised more than four times that amount so far, with donations still to come in, Jen is delighted that she has managed to beat her target.

She said: “I would just like to say a huge thank you. People don’t realise how much their donations are going to mean to a child out there.”

The salon is now offering free haircuts to anyone else who is interested in donating their hair to the Little Princess Trust or another charity of a similar kind. For details, contact the salon on 01642 210444.

To make a donation and help with Jenny’s charitable efforts visit http://bit.ly/1Kcslre .

Multi-millionaire Duncan Bannatyne: 'I went to Lidl today for first time'

Forget Harrods or Harvey Nics.

Budget German supermarkets seem to be the new place for for multi-millionaires to stock up on their groceries...

At least that’s the case with health club mogul Duncan Bannatyne who let the world know about his shopping trip to Lidl - and his intention to give Aldi a whirl too.

“I went to Lidl today for first time,” the Dragons’ Den star said to his 700,000 Twitter followers this week - his message locating him in Stockton.

He quickly followed it up with another tweet saying he may try another of the famous German budget stores.

“What is difference between Lidl and Aldi? I might try Aldi tomorrow,” said the 65-year-old Yarm resident.

His followers were quick to recommend products - including bread and vegetables.

And although he didn’t find the experience fully satisfying, he has vowed to return.

“So what was the verdict Duncan?” asked Lidl.

Duncan replied: “Not sure really, found it difficult to find things as aisles didn’t seem to be signed very well.

“Will try again though,” he added.

Duncan Bannatyne

Media savvy Lidl didn’t waste the chance to plug its new products: “If you get the chance to come and visit us this week, we have some delicious Asian products!”

Stockton has a Lidl in Wellington Square and there is one in Thornaby town centre.

Nearby Newport Road in Middlesbrough also has one of the stores.

Duncan rose to fame in the BBC2 Dragons’ Den show after making his fortune as a health club owner.

However, he has told bosses he won’t appear in the next series.

The Teesside-based health club boss was one of the original team of business experts when the programme launched ten years ago.

In the programme Duncan and the other judges invest their own cash in ideas pitched by budding entrepreneurs.

He wrote in the DailyMail in 2013 that the Sunday Times Rich List showed his wealth falling from £430 million to £85 million in two years in a piece discussing his divorce from Joanne McCue.

Piers Morgan appears on 5 live and claims his tweets are 'impeccably spelled' days after 'Middlesborough' error

Boro-baiting Arsenal fan Piers Morgan today appeared on national radio extolling the virtues of good grammar and spelling.

Yes, the same Piers Morgan who tweeted “Middlesbrough” as “Middlesborough.”

Earlier this week, after Boro were drawn at Arsenal in the FA Cup fifth round, the former News of the World and Daily Mirror editor tweeted to his 4.35 million followers: “BREAKING NEWS: Middlesborough knocked out of FA Cup. Congrats on a great run.”

Almost instantly, outraged Boro fans pointed out his mistake, prompting him to quickly delete the offending tweet.

In a follow-up jibe, he tweeted: “Yes, I know I spelled Middlesbrough wrong. But it SHOULD be spelled the way I spelled it. #Middlesborough”.”

Yes, that’s what he tweeted: “I know I spelled Middlesbrough wrong.” But when he appeared on BBC Radio 5 live today in a debate about good grammar and spelling, it appears his memory briefly failed him.

Talking about the “onslaught of social media” and the sloppy use of language he thinks it encourages, he said: “There is no excuse. My own tweets, and obviously I tweet quite a lot, are always impeccably spelled and perfect grammar and that is how it should be.”

“Impeccably spelled” - Middlesborough.

During the interview, Morgan also slated Lord Sugar’s tweets - “he literally can barely spell his name” - and asked: “Why have a language when you are going to encourage people to be woefully disobedient?”

In response, a tweet from @wktkeeper pointed out: “ha ha you can’t even spell Middlesbrough right.”

But the forthright former Britain’s Got Talent judge was having none of it.

He replied: “No, you lot spell it wrong.”

Normanby Primary School Glee Club start tour at Lincoln Cathedral - and finish at Abbey Road

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Gleeful primary school children kicked off a mini musical tour of Britain by performing in Lincoln Cathedral.

And to round it off, they’ll follow in The Beatles’ footsteps by recording an album at London’s famous Abbey Road studios.

Students from Normanby Primary School’s Glee Club - named after the hit US TV show - are on tour this week after planning a challenging and exciting adventure to sing at some very prestigious locations.

Their mini tour - a reward for impressing at last summer’s Tuned In music festival in Redcar - began on Wednesday in Lincoln with a performance attended by, among others, Redcar and Cleveland Mayor, Councillor Carole Simms. Then it was off to London for a few days, including visits to St Paul’s Cathedral and St Margaret’s Church at Westminster Abbey.

Incredibly, they were also following in the footsteps of countless illustrious musicians by finishing their tour with an album recording session at the famous Abbey Road Studios on Saturday, where they will be accompanied on the organ by music teacher Christopher Nixon and directed by music leader Sonia Herlingshaw.

Tracks the 46 eight to 11-year-olds will be laying down include Coldplay’s Fix You, Better Midler’s The Rose, Johnny Nash’s I Can See Clearly Now and a chorus piece, A Small Part of the World.

The children will also take in the sights, with visits to the London Eye, the theatre to see Matilda and the Hard Rock Café.

Miss Herlingshaw, who organised the tour, said: “The opportunity for our young people to perform at such amazing locations has been fantastic and the standard of singing our children has achieved is second to none.

“Normanby is a school that prides itself on the massively wide range of opportunities its young people get and while this is a first in our borough, it certainly won’t be the last. Ideas are already coming for the 2016 Glee Club tour.”

Headteacher Carl Faulkner said: “I am so proud that Normanby Primary School pupils have the opportunity to represent Middlesbrough in these iconic venues. This event has been a year in the planning and will give these children a life-changing opportunity. We seek to inspire them and show them that hard work pays off.

“The children have rehearsed tirelessly and been supported by my dedicated staff. We can’t wait to hear the recording of their performance at Abbey Road.”

The CD will be available to buy from the school.

Teesside comedian Patrick Monahan wins Act of the Year for Stand up for Labour

A Teesside comedian has won Act of the Year for Stand up for Labour.

Stokesley’s very own Patrick Monahan was presented with the trophy for Stand up for Labour Act of the Year by Shadow Justice Secretary Sadiq Khan MP and Andy Slaughter MP in a packed House of Commons meeting room last night.

It took Patrick over a minute to pick up the award as he hugged most of the audience on the way.

He beat three runners-up, Mary Bourke, Sir Ian Bowler (Nat Tapley) and Paul Ricketts.

The Award was made following a poll of audience members in the 61 gigs Stand up for Labour held last year.

In 2014, Patrick appeared at Stand up for Labour in Enfield, Chiswick, Bristol, Norwich, the City of London, Manchester (during the Labour Party Conference), Stockton-on-Tees and Kingston.

Patrick said: “Doing the Stand up for Labour gigs has always been a joy and now I have an amazing award for it - it’s the creamed icing on the top of the beautiful cake.”

Patrick will be appearing in Stand up for Labour in Tottenham, Loughborough and the Ministry of Sound before the General Election campaign kicks off in earnest in March.

'I CAN help and I WILL help': Roy 'Chubby' Brown pledges support for Zoe's Place

One of Teesside’s favourite sons has taken Zoe’s Place to his heart.

Comedian Roy 'Chubby' Brown has been given his first guided tour of the Normanby baby hospice ahead of a fundraising night he is helping to organise.

And having seen the place for himself, he’s even more determined that the night will bring in thousands of pounds.

The event, at Eston Labour Club on April 28, is already a sell-out.

It will see Chubby, fellow Teesside comic Mick Monroe, Keith 'The Voice' Hammersley and Chubby’s band, The New Retros, all taking part.

BBC Tees presenter Paul “Goffy” Gough will be hosting.

Chubby admitted he can be inundated with requests to support good causes, and it can be difficult to decide which ones to help.

But after his look around, he said Zoe’s Place had “gone right to the top.”

He said: “The good thing is I can help - and I will help”.

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And he’s putting his money where his notorious mouth is by pledging £1,000, as well as arranging the entertainment for the Eston club night.

During his tour of the hospice, Chubby - who turns 70 next month - was clearly taken with, and at times moved by, the staff, children and facilities, listening intently as community fundraiser Rachel Willmore told him what Zoe’s Place does, and how it needs £1.2m a year to stay open.

Kneeling next to children Amber Smith and Charlie Wilkinson, he said: “They steal your heart, don’t they?”

He was also shown inside the Zoe’s Place chapel - the building is a former convent - as well as the hi-tech multi-sensory light room, funded by £25,000 from TV Secret Millionaire David “DJ” Jamily.

And all those flashing lights gave Chubby an idea.

Ian McIntyre/The Gazette

Roy 'Chubby' Brown looks over the sensory room with Keith Hammersley and comic Mick Monroe

He said: “I could do with a room like this for my act - I’m sick of doing 10 minutes when the fridge lights come on.”

But while a joke was never far away during his tour of the hospice, the dad-of-seven, who also has grandchildren and great grandchildren, couldn’t have been more serious about his determination to help.

“You’ve got to man up when you see places like this," he said. "And I’m full of admiration for the staff, who do such a great job.

“But it’s great it gets a lot of local support.

"People in this area have always had a reputation of being a bit rough and down to earth, but their hearts are in the right place.”

And Chubby’s sure April 28 will prove a great night, with raffles and auctions helping boost the takings.

“The wife’s bra is going up for sale," he said. "Someone might need a tent.”

Port Clarence burglar who impressed judge with efforts to get a job walks free from court

A burglar who impressed a judge with his efforts to find a job has walked free from court.

Reece Holmes,21, ended his search for work when he spotted a Green industry firm working in his neighbourhood and he asked them to take him on and they did.

The firm trained up the Port Clarence criminal who had convictions for dwelling and non-domestic burglaries and they gave him a fat salary.

But a row with his girlfriend after which he got blind drunk and committed another burglary put everything at risk.

Despite him spending six weeks in custody on remand his bosses kept him on, Teesside Crown Court was told today.

He has also been switched from working on contracts away from home so that he can complete a tagged curfew on Teesside.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said that Holmes was in breach of a suspended 16-month prison sentence when he broke into a garden shed in Westholme Court, Billingham, at 4.45am on December 14.

The owner heard him banging about and he called the police who caught him. The man said in a Victim Impact statement that it had upset his wife who now worried about being in the house alone.

Graham Brown, mitigating, said that Holmes had stayed off drink for two years before the argument with his girlfriend, and he was heavily under the influence when he was arrested.

He still could not remember the burglary or why he went into the shed. Mr Brown said that other burglars might claim that they went in to urinate or to sleep.

Mr Brown added: “His employers have confirmed that he is going to be kept on by them depending on today.

“That very well-paid job came about as a result of the direct action by the defendant. He saw the company working in the area where he lived, he approached them and they took him on, sending him on courses.”

The judge told Holmes that the job and the time he had spent in custody had spared him from an immediate prison sentence.

Judge Peter Bowers said: “You managed to get yourself a job which showed at least some determination on your part to make your way, and you have spent six weeks in custody.

“Because you have done six weeks and you have got a job, it might be worth taking a chance with you.”

Holmes, of Saltholme Close, Port Clarence, was given a 12 weeks jail sentence suspended for 15 months, a curfew until February 28 from 8PM to 6am and ordered to pay £250 compensation in a month after he pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

The judge said that the previous suspended sentence would remain in force until February next year.

Middlesbrough charity boss puts up £2,000 funeral savings as reward to help find stolen forklift truck

A Middlesbrough charity boss is putting up his £2,000 life savings as reward to anyone who can help find his organisation’s stolen forklift truck.

For 24 years Rod Jones has run Convoy Aid Romania - a charity which exports consignments of donated goods out to north east Romania for those in need between four and five times a year.

But Rod, 68, fears 2014 could have been the last year for the charity after a warehouse break-in some time between December 10 and January 2 resulted in the loss of a forklift truck and other items which are essential for the organisation to operate.

Linde forklift truck which weighs more than 6 tonnes

Almost a month has passed since Rod appealed for anyone with information to come forward - as of yet nobody has.

Now, desperate to get the charity back on track, Rod has put up his life savings as a reward to anyone who can help get his forklift truck back.

“I’ve got just over £2,000 saved up for my funeral - that’s my life savings.

“I’ve buried 24 years of my life into this so I’m prepared to offer £2,000 to anyone who can help us get our forklift truck back.

“It’s just about everything I’ve managed to save. Somebody out there must know where the truck is, they can get in touch very privately either through the police, Crimestoppers or by contacting me directly.”

Cleveland Police are still appealing for information to the burglary at Convoy Aid on Blue House Point Road in Stockton which took place some time between Wednesday December 10 and Friday January 2.

During the raid, thieves sawed through a chain and padlock on the entrance gate, then forced two large doors to the warehouse. Once inside, they stole the Linde forklift truck, which weighs more than six tonnes, as well as a large compressor, an electrical generator and a selection of tools.

Due to the nature their work, Convoy Aid’s forklift truck is an essential for moving pallets onto vehicles.

Speaking on earlier this month, Rod said: “This could wipe us out completely.

“It’s devastating - there’s no big wigs here, nobody makes any money out of it.

“If they knew what damage they’re doing to people who have nothing.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Martin Rowland on 101.

Teesside can 'look to future with confidence' thanks to £14m cash boost - Stockton MP

An extra £13.9m boost for the Teesside economy means the area “can look to the future with confidence”, believes one local MP.

The Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has agreed to an expansion to its Growth Deal with the Government which will see the extra cash invested in Teesside between 2016 and 2021.

This comes after £90.3m funding was committed by the Government in July last year.

The partnership estimates over the next six years, up to 5,000 new jobs could be created, safeguarded or enabled, 1,500 new homes built and that it also has the potential to generate £150m public and private investment.

James Wharton, Conservative MP for Stockton South, said it was “Yet another big investment in Teesside’s economy”.

“This money will improve our infrastructure and enhance skills training, meaning we can look with confidence to the future,” he said.

In the last five years steel making has returned, the contract to bring train making to our doorstep with Hitachi at Aycliffe has been signed and over £300m from Government has come directly into our local economy.

“We used to be the poor relation when Newcastle ran all regional development, now we are leading the way in the North-east. We need to continue to deliver this long term plan for our economy and stay on the road to recovery, today’s announcement will help us to do that.”

MP Alex Cunningham

Alex Cunningham, Labour MP for Stockton North, said any additional investment for the area “is very welcome – even if it is spread over several years to come.”

“We have seen a tremendous fall in investment in our area over the term of the outgoing Government and we need every penny to develop skills and create jobs in the Tees Valley where unemployment remains way above the national average as we have seen resources moved from the north of the country to the south.

“What we need is action to reverse that decline including a commitment to support the local carbon capture project which could drive the way to countless jobs and utilise the skills and expertise of the people in our area.”

MP Ian Swales

Lib Dem MP for Redcar Ian Swales added: “I am delighted that the Government is pumping yet more money into the Tees Valley. The projects are much needed and will further enhance the infrastructure, skills and business opportunities throughout our area.”

This expanded deal will complement the projects already prioritised including road schemes in Stockton and Middlesbrough, innovation schemes in Middlesbrough and skills projects in Redcar and Cleveland.

Projects include road widening and improvements at the A689 Wynyard/A19 junction; upgrading existing facilities at Cleveland College of Art and Design including a new building for creative industries; specialist accommodation for an Oil and Gas Academy at Redcar and Cleveland College; road and junction improvements at Ingleby Barwick to support new housing and work to the A66/Teesside Park interchange.

The LEP chairman Sandy Anderson said the extra cash “will enable Tees Valley Unlimited, its partners and stakeholders to initiate additional projects to help deliver more prosperity to the area”.

Linda Edworthy, director of strategy and investment at TVU, said: “Each LGF project is about helping the area increase its ability to create employment and greater economic prosperity for Tees Valley. For example, all the road improvement schemes are linked to jobs. In South Bank Wharf’s case, it will involve the construction of roundabouts and connecting the Wharf, which is part of our Enterprise Zone, with the main highway. This will open up the site and make it viable for commercial development and, thus generate employment opportunities.”

Louise Baldock, Labour parliamentary candidate for Stockton South, also welcomed the news, saying: “I am passionate about Teesside being able to develop and strengthen our own economy. Nobody in Whitehall knows better than us what is needed here. I would like to see more direct investment in Stockton but improving skills and creating jobs anywhere on Teesside is hugely welcome. A victory for partnership working.”

What proposed projects will this new tranche of funding deliver?

• Tees Valley Skills programme – a programme of funding to provide support to develop skills in key growth sectors.

• Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park phase 2 Technology and Research Centre – creation of flexible research and development space for SMEs. This will reduce the cost of and barriers to entry into research and increase the volume of research undertaken.

• South Bank Wharf – construction of a roundabout to connect the main highway to South Bank Wharf and open up access to the site which offers commercial potential for oil and gas rig decommissioning.

• Skelton Industrial Estate - provision of an access road and utilities to develop the estate onto an adjacent site. This is the primary commercial location in East Cleveland.

• Billingham Bio Pharmaceutical Campus – site clearance, road works and site remediation to enable the expansion of a major Biotechnology facility.

• Kirkleatham Business Park - purchase of land at Kirkleatham and servicing of the site with a spur road. This will be followed by the creation of a series of plots to be developed by companies to meet demand for business accommodation.

• Hartlepool Innovation Skills Quarter – the project will deliver small scale, high quality workspace and studios, incubator space and business support for creative industries.

This adds to the projects that were announced in July 2014, including:

• A689 Wynyard road improvements- signalisation and road widening to complement the Highways Agency Pinch Point scheme on the A19 junction.

• Materials Processing Institute – creation of an open access technology centre.

• Teesside Advanced Manufacturing Park (TAMP) Offshore Wind Validation Centre – to provide research and validation services for offshore wind tower manufacturers as well as for the oil and gas and sub-sea sectors.

• Cleveland College of Art and Design – upgrading existing facilities including construction of a new building for creative industries.

• Redcar and Cleveland College – to provide specialist accommodation for an Oil and Gas Academy and provide specialist teaching and support accommodation for a number of skills initiatives.

• Tees Valley Business Growth Hub – the capital funding element of a programme to provide a range of coordinated funding and advice services to business.

• Durham Tees Valley Airport – new road to open up access to the south side of the airport for aviation-related activities.

• Ingleby Way/Myton Way – road and junction improvements at Ingleby Barwick to support new housing.

• A66/ Teesside Park Interchange – remedial work to deal with differential settlement which creates level changes in the main carriageway

• Sustainable Transport, Access to Employment – a package of transport measures that will enhance accessibility to employment and essential services

Work underway to bring £160k Captain James Cook statue to Stewart Park

Work is underway to raise funds for a statue to one of Middlesbrough’s most famous sons in Stewart Park.

A tribute to Captain James Cook will be built at the park in Marton, Middlesbrough - already home to the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum.

The £160,000 project gained momentum with the announcement in November of a £25,000 contribution to the fund, as part of Middlesbrough Council’s capital programme proposals.

Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said it was important to create a fitting tribute to the famous explorer in recognition of his contribution to the heritage of the town - and hopes the move will act as a catalyst to attract further external investment.

A Captain Cook statue has long been an ambition of the Friends of Stewart Park and Councillor Tom Mawston, chairman of the group, said: “A statue of Captain Cook in his birthplace at Stewart Park is long overdue, so this contribution from the capital programme is very welcome.

“The park is widely regarded as one of the jewels in Middlesbrough’s crown and would be a fitting location for such a tribute.”

Those behind the scheme are planning to bid for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, as well as appealing to local residents, groups and organisations to contribute both in cash and kind.

“We are now exploring funding opportunities, including a possible bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund which has already been instrumental in helping to transform the park into a fantastic amenity for the people of Middlesbrough and beyond,” continued Cllr Mawston.

“We’re also keen to hear from anyone who would like get involved, either by making a donation to the fund or offering their knowledge and expertise to the project.

“It’s a great chance to be part of something that will be enjoyed by generations to come.”

In recent years, a popular tribute to football legend Brian Clough was placed in Albert Park while a tribute to wartime Victoria Cross hero Stan Hollis is also due to be unveiled near the War Memorial close to the Albert Park gates, later in the year.

A statue to Captain Cook would complement the £9 million revamp of the park - part funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Big Lottery Fund under the Parks for People scheme – which has seen a major overhaul of the Victorian estate buildings and the creation of a new visitor centre.

A key element of the restoration is a new play area featuring a play ship based on Cook’s Endeavour and a map of the explorer’s celebrated voyages of discovery.

Israel launches ground, aerial strikes against Lebanon

BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) — The Israeli military on Wednesday afternoon confirmed that they had launched numerous ground and aerial strikes against Lebanon in response to a Hezbollah attack on Israeli vehicles in the occupied Shebaa Farms.

The military said in a statement that the military had launched “combined aerial and ground strikes at Hezbollah operational positions.”

Lebanese security sources told AFP that Israeli tanks began shelling areas of southeastern Lebanon shortly after the attack on the convoy.

Two sources told AFP that more than a dozen shells had been fired on Lebanese border villages and that Israeli warplanes were flying over the area.

There was no immediate information on casualties.

“At least 15 shells have been fired against five villages in the south,” one security source said, adding that Majidiyeh village was hardest hit.

Another security source said the Israeli army was firing a shell into the area about every two minutes, and was using artillery as well as tanks.

The Lebanese army is deployed in all five villages that were shelled, but it was not immediately clear whether Hezbollah had a presence there.

Images broadcast from the scene on Israeli television showed large plumes of white smoke billowing across the area.

Police sealed off several roads close to the border in northern Israel.

The strikes came hours after Hezbollah launched an attack on Israeli military vehicles in Shebaa. The army said that at least four were injured in the attack, while security sources close to Hezbollah said that there were several Israeli fatalities.

Lebanese satellite channel Al-Manar reported that Hezbollah — which said the attack was carried out by its “Quneitra martyrs” in reference to a deadly Israeli air strike on the nearby Golan — targeted nine Israeli military vehicles and had killed “a large number” of troops.

Shortly after the hit on the convoy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would respond to any attack.

“The IDF (army) is ready to act with force on any front,” Netanyahu said.

Israel’s chief of staff Lieutenant General Benny Gantz convened an emergency session of his top brass, the army said.

Wednesday’s attack is suspected to have been carried out in retaliation for Israel’s bombing of a Hezbollah convoy in Syria last week, which killed six Lebanese fighters — including the son of assassinated Hezbollah commander Imad Mughniyeh — and one Iranian general.

The day before the raid, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah threatened to retaliate against Israel for its repeated strikes on targets in Syria and boasted the movement was stronger than ever.

Israel occupied parts of southern Lebanon for 22 years until 2000 and the two countries are still technically at war.

In 2006, Israel launched a bloody assault against Hezbollah that killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and some 160 Israelis, mostly soldiers.

The Shebaa Farms area is a mountainous, narrow sliver of land rich in water resources measuring 25 square kilometers (10 square miles).

It has been occupied by Israel since the 1967 Middle East war.

Since Israeli troops withdrew from south Lebanon in 2000, the area has become an area of friction between Israel and Hezbollah.

Before it was seized by Israel, Syria and Lebanon both claimed ownership of the land. Hezbollah leaders have promised repeatedly to free the area from Israeli control, calling it the last strip of Lebanese territory still occupied by Israel.

Israeli warplanes also struck Syrian army targets on the Golan Heights early on Wednesday hours after rockets hit the Israeli-held sector.

Nobody was injured by Tuesday’s rocket fire from Syria, which Israel said was “intentional.”

The Israeli air force responded nearly 12 hours later by striking Syrian army targets at around midnight (2200 GMT).

Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said Israel would not tolerate any fire on its territory and would respond to any attack, whether by forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad or any other group.

“The overnight attack by the air force against regime targets in an area under Assad’s control in Syria is a clear message that we will no put up with any fire at Israeli territory or any breach of our sovereignty, and we will respond with force and determination,” he said in a statement.

Source: MAAN

Inquiry into proposed housing development on Great Ayton farmland is extended

An inquiry into a proposed housing development on farmland has been extended.

An eight-day appeal hearing over Hambleton District Council’s decision to refuse permission for 113 homes to be built on Great Ayton land farmed by the Phalp family was meant to conclude last week.

But with the time allocated for the appeal proving to be insufficient, it has now been adjourned until March 12 when there will be a two-day extension to conclude the hearing.

The Phalp family was overjoyed when plans to build 113 properties on the land they farm at School Farm, off Station Road in the village, were refused by Hambleton District Council last year.

But with Gladman developments lodging an appeal, the ongoing hearing will determine whether the initial refusal will be overturned.

“It would rip our hearts out,” said Kath Phalp, whose family face the prospect of losing their livelihood if the plans were given the go ahead.

Her husband Mark added there has been “extreme pressure put on our family and the business” by the ordeal.

The appeal opened on January 14 and at the Civic Centre in Northallerton.

But due to the “overwhelming” support the Phalps have received from villagers, it had to be moved to the Golden Lion in the town.

The family have farmed and lived at School Farm for more than 24 years. They also run a popular farm shop on the land.

But in 2013, Gladman submitted an application to build 113 homes on the site.

And in September last year, the company also submitted an application to demolish the farm buildings.

A second appeal against the non-determination of this application within eight weeks has also been submitted by Gladman. This will take place from May 21.

Formerly part of the Fry estate, the land is owned by the Ward family. Gladman has been handling the plans on their behalf.

“The overall vision for the site is to provide a distinctive and high-quality place, which enhances the qualities and character of Great Ayton village,” read the design and access statement, which outlines the potential development.

Aitor Karanka: 'There has been interest in our players but they all want to be here'

Aitor Karanka does not expect to make any further signings during the current transfer window though he did confirm that there has been interest in some of his players.

The arrival of Adam Forshaw this week has completed Boro's January business, according to the head coach, who also ruled out any significant departures.

The window closes on Monday night but fans can rest easy because Karanka does not need to move on any of his senior players.

Asked how much business Boro would be doing before the deadline, he answered: “Nothing because the only position where we were working to bring someone in was in midfield and Adam is here so at the moment everything is okay.

“Always, the transfer window can have surprises but I don't expect anything.”

Adam Forshaw

Karanka says won't be working late on Monday, adding: “Everything is clear, we now have the squad we wanted so I don't think we are going to have any surprises.”

With Boro doing so well on the pitch at the moment, it's no surprise that rival chairmen have been making enquiries about the availability of certain players.

The Gazette understands, however, that Steve Gibson has slapped a not for sale sign on all members of his first team squad.

Karanka admitted there had been interest, saying: “Yes, but I think - and it's a good thing - all my players want to be here.

“They know how big this club is and we are in a very good position. The players who are here want to be here.”

© CameraSport

Aitor Karanka

Karanka may be pleased that Forshaw has bolstered his squad after joining from Wigan, but he confirmed that the 23-year-old won't be in his starting XI at Griffin Park.

He did say, though, that he might give the former Brentford midfielder could get a run-out from the bench against his old club.

Dani Ayala starts a two-match ban so Kenneth Omeruo looks likely to stand-in at centre-back while Mustapha Carayol won't travel, despite playing for the Under-21s earlier this week.