Mum threw plates at partner while high on cocaine and booze after funeral

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A mum who attacked her drunken partner after a funeral has been spared jail.

Mother-of-three Roberta Suddick and her partner had taken cocaine and alcohol at the wake before they returned home to her children.

They argued because he had stayed back for more drink, and she threw plates and a glass at him cutting him above his right eye.

They grappled on the floor, and her daughter phoned Suddick’s stepfather who escorted her and the children from the house in Hemlington.

Suddick told police that she threw a plate at her partner because he punched her.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson told Teesside Crown Court that the 33-year-old said she felt remorse and shocked by what she had done, and that the children had heard the incident on October 28.

Suddick said that on the way out she kicked him in the head as a reaction to him grabbing her. He was treated at hospital but he refused to have stitches.

Miss Atkinson said that when Suddick was arrested she was intoxicated but she had several cuts to her hands, an injury to her forehead and bruises on her arms.

The next day she had medical treatment because she had glass in her foot.

She had no previous convictions but a caution in 2008.

Graham Brown, defending, said that it was one of the few cases where he wondered whether the defendant should be before the court.

He added: “It was a case where the complainant did not want to be the complainant.

“The situation could have been resolved in the beginning if he had left but he did not. Various things were thrown partly out of frustration and partly out of anger.”

He said that Suddick was in receipt of state benefits and the three children were doing well at school.

The judge told Suddick that it was sad to see her at crown court .

Judge Howard Crowson said: “You were drunk and he was perhaps more drunk than you, and an argument started up and I know you regret that the children were in the house.

“During that argument you threw some plates and a glass which hit him. and it caused an injury sometimes seen in the boxing ring.

“It was not a very significant injury. He did not wish to make a complaint but it is to your credit that you have pleaded guilty.

“You are a mother who has got three children who are doing well.”

Suddick, of Mardale, Hemlington, was given a 12 month community order with supervision and £100 Victim surcharge after she pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Aitor Karanka: Manchester City and Liverpool were surprises, but now everybody knows Middlesbrough

Aitor Karanka believes his team can win at the Emirates if they can starve Arsenal of possession.

Following their stunning FA Cup fourth round victory at Manchester City, Boro are looking to claim their second Premier League scalp of the season on Sunday by eliminating the Gunners.

With Boro also taking Liverpool to a penalty shootout in the Capital One Cup, the club have proved they can hold their own against top flight opposition.

Asked if Arsenal have any weaknesses that can be exploited, Karanka said: “In the same way that Liverpool and Man City are very dangerous when they have the ball, they can have problems when they don’t have the ball.

“The trick is to keep the ball against them. Again, we’re going there to play, in the way we know we can, and we’re going to try to win but we know that it’s going to be difficult.”

Karanka admits Boro are not a surprise package any more after beating City and climbing to the top of the Championship.

“I think Liverpool could have been a surprise; Man City was a surprise, but now everybody knows Middlesbrough,” he said. “We played very well against City, we are top of the table now, so for them (Arsenal) it is not going to be a surprise.

“It is going to be difficult, very difficult,” added the Boro boss.

“Arsenal are another Champions League team with an amazing squad, you can say that they have some players injured but they still have a very strong squad.

“It’s a good challenge for us, and a chance for everybody to watch Middlesbrough again.”

Three-year-old makes own way home from nursery in Acklam

A three-year-old boy was able to walk home from nursery school to his family home, it has emerged.

The youngster was reported missing from Little Owls Playgroup at Newham Bridge Primary School, Cayton Drive in Acklam.

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “We were informed that a three-year-old old boy had left the nursery called Little Owls in Newham Grange on Tuesday, February 3, at 3.30pm, and made his way home.

“The incident was referred to Middlesbrough Council.”

Little Owls Nursery declined to comment on the incident when contacted by The Gazette.

Newham Bridge Primary School said it was aware an incident had taken place but was unable to comment.

Middlesbrough Council was contacted for a comment, but was unable to provide a statement.

According to Little Owls section of the Newham Bridge Primary School website, the facility looks after children aged between two and five.

Little Owls has two playgroups in Middlesbrough, with a second site at Marton Community Centre.

On the website the firm says: “All staff are DBS checked and have been specially selected for their exceptional skills with children.”

A report by education watchdog Ofsted after an inspection last February rated the facility as a level three “requires improvement”.

The inspection said children were “safe and secure because staff have a good understanding of how to safeguard them, by effectively minimising risks”.

It added that the playgroup was owned and managed by a community interest company and employs two members of childcare staff.

At the time of the inspection, the nursery had nine children on its roll.

Lettings double at the Wilton Centre in Redcar

Investment in facilities has led to a surge in signings at a Teesside business and science park.

In the past year, lettings figures at the Wilton Centre have doubled and occupancy is now at 70% - up from 57% in 2011.

The 500,000sq ft centre - known locally as the Wilton Hilton - was based on the former ICI headquarters. The firm sold it for an undisclosed sum in 1999 and occupancy in recent years had plummeted.

But site director Steve Duffield said improvements during 2014 - including a suite of high quality conference and meeting rooms - had “added significantly” to the attraction of the Centre, as a location for business office space, as well as its reputation as a world-class science park.

He said: “We took a long term view when the economy was less robust, that it was worthwhile investing in the premises to sow the seeds for future growth in lettings when things started to improve again.

“Last year’s figures show that this was a prudent approach to take. The buzz is certainly back at the Wilton Centre.”

In the past few months the Wilton Centre has signed leases with a number of new businesses and had significant existing tenants renewing their presence.

In September 2014 life sciences company Absolute Antibody, which is developing next generation engineered antibodies, relocated its laboratory and office operations from Oxfordshire to the Centre and expanded its business at the same time.

Earlier in the year Whiterock Executive Limited, a fast-growing national executive recruitment agency headquartered in Leeds, opened a North-east office that had almost doubled in size to employ 5 staff by the end of 2014.

And in December Manchester-based process engineering specialist Haden Freeman also launched a regional office employing seven at the Centre, which it plans to treble in size within seven years.

Steve added: “Signings were very healthy last year. And a with a number of new businesses having taken up new space already this year, and a big relocation on the horizon in the next few weeks, we are cautiously optimistic things will be even better in 2015.”

During 2014 the centre has revamped its Lakeside restaurant and coffee shop, launched a state-of-the art gym for tenant employees.

Wilton Centre’s commercial property agent, Stephen Brown, Partner at Dodds Brown, said: “The demand reflects both the quality of the office accommodation and the excellent facilities and environment at the Wilton Centre.”

Watch: Seven arrested and three taken to hospital after 'mass brawl' in Middlesbrough

Seven men were arrested after a mass brawl involving a “blade” in a Middlesbrough street.

The fight, involved at least 15 people and started just before 1pm on St Aiden’s Drive, close to Tesco Express on Linthorpe Road, in Middlesbrough, yesterday.

Police said three men were taken to hospital with head injuries. A weapon, believed to be a machete was recovered from a nearby church rooftop.

Police said all injuries were “minor and not believed to be life-threatening.”

A spokesperson for Cleveland Police said: “We were called to a large fight on St Aiden’s Drive involving a blade.

“Three are currently at hospital receiving treatment for minor injuries.”

Witnesses said they saw a weapon being recovered from the rooftop of Middlesbrough Community Church and a man, covered in blood, being put into an ambulance.

A woman who works at a salon on Clifton Street said she made a call to police after a client told her “loads of people” were fighting outside the shop.

VIEW GALLERY

She said: “One of our clients shouted that people were fighting outside. I saw loads of people running around and two people fighting.

“I went to the door and phoned the police who said they were already on their way.

“It was absolute chaos, people were throwing dog chains around and it looked as though one man had been hit badly, blood was pouring from his head.”

Seven men were arrested in connection with the incident, all on suspicion of affray.

Scenes of crime officers were also on scene, where a trail of blood could be seen leading from a house on Clifton Street. A hat was left on the ground as evidence.

A spokesman from Cleveland Fire Brigade said: “We were called at 1.11pm at the request of the police to retrieve a weapon from a roof.”

Baroness Grey-Thompson launches sports wheelchair business encouraging people to 'Aim High'

A paralympic legend is helping launch a new business venture to help people with disabilities into sport.

Baroness Grey-Thompson and her husband Ian have joined forces with Invacare Ltd and the Top End brand to offer sports wheelchair equipment to people of all ages and abilities.

And the new business has been named Aim High, in keeping with Tanni’s family motto.

For the past 30 years, Tanni, who won 11 gold medals during her career, and Ian have been involved in a range of wheelchair sports as competitors, coaches and enthusiasts.

They have looked to make the experience for wheelchair sport as positive as possible for top class performers and keen participants, through technical coaching, positioning in the chair and chair and equipment development.

L-R Athlete Callum Hall, technical manager Ian Thompson, Paralympian Jade Jones and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, on The Avenue, Eaglescliffe

The business is part of their ‘delivering one rounded athlete’ approach and the team are looking forward to supplying first class products and services to individuals of all ages and abilities.

The launch was marked by the handover of the first racing wheelchair to Callum Hall in Eaglescliffe today.

Callum is part of a training group organised and coached by Ian Thompson which also includes Jade Jones, the Commonwealth bronze medallist and Simon Lawson who was recently named in the GB team for the IPC World Marathon Championships.

Tanni, who lives in Eaglescliffe, said: “We want to help people reach their goals, be that getting a bit fitter and healthier, being able to get out into the fresh air and countryside, ride with the kids, participate in a local fun run and who knows where that may lead. Just aim high.”

Guisborough dog owners protest against proposed kennel closure, say 'We need a local pound'

Dog lovers and their pets staged a peaceful protest in a bid to get a suitable replacement for Guisborough’s Waterfall Kennels.

The kennels - used by Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils to house stray dogs - are due to close on April 1.

But the protestors, who brought along several ex-Waterfall dogs to show how valuable the facility has been, fear the new arrangements may involve kennels away from Teesside which may not have the “non-destruction” policy Waterfall operates.

Middlesbrough independent mayoral candidate Andy Preston was among those who turned up to support the peaceful demonstration, which took place today outside the Guisborough kennels complex.

One of the organisers, Jane Galliford, whose group Maxi’s Mates volunteers at the kennels, said she was meeting the landowners, Gisborough Estates, next week with a view to getting the closure delayed while another site is found.

She said: “We want a local pound with proper no-kill facilities for all the dogs, not just the dogs that get on with others.

“We want every dog to have a chance, not just the lovely fluffy ones that are easily rehomed.

“We won’t give up without a fight - we aren’t going to go away. We’re doing this for the dogs because we care about their welfare.”

Margaret Young, chair of animal group Save Our Strays, said: “Hopefully this demonstration will make the general public more aware the kennels are closing, because a lot of people still don’t realise.

“What local people need is a local pound.

"If you lose your dog, it will be a long way to go if you have to travel to somewhere like Durham, for example. And it would have to have a non-destruction policy.”

She said SOS has agreed to take, if possible, any dogs left at the kennels if they do close on April 1.

Middlesbrough and Redcar and Cleveland councils both say they are still working to secure alternative arrangements.

Melissa Lacey: Why I've decided to stop treatment for one-in-three-million cancer

A mum diagnosed with a rare appendix cancer has made the heartbreaking decision to stop treatment so she can be well enough to spend precious time with her family.

Melissa Lacey has decided to stop chemotherapy treatment in order for her to have a better quality of life in her final days.

The 33-year-old mum-of-one was told it will be a “miracle” if she lives to see the next two years when she was diagnosed with rare appendix cancer, pseudomyxoma peritonei, last year.

It affects just one in three million people.

But as if one cancer wasn’t enough to deal with, Melissa also has bowel cancer, ovarian cancer and peritoneal cancer.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to make,” said Melissa, who lives in Billingham with her “soulmate” husband Carl and their eight-year-old son Evan.

Melissa Lacey with husband Carl and son Evan

“It was during treatment last week when my tongue began to swell and one side of my face began to drop - I was having an allergic reaction to the treatment, it was just awful.

“It was then that I just thought, do I really want this? I’d had three allergic reactions to three chemo treatments and I had had enough."

One of Melissa’s biggest wishes is now to take her little boy to Walt Disney World - something she insisted she would fund herself even if it meant draining her life savings.

But her old school friends vowed to help and a fundraising page was set up by Michelle Kenny, who last saw Melissa at the age of 16 when they were pupils at Sunderland’s Southmoor School.

The page, ‘Memories for Melissa,’ was initially set up to help raise £500 but more than £2,800 has now been gathered.

Melissa Lacey with son Evan and husband Carl

The Gazette has also been sent donations to be passed on - with two kind-hearted women sending in a total of £45 after reading of Melissa’s plight.

She said: “There is no promise that the chemo will make me better, it’s just a hope that it will help to slow the process.

“And for me, I’d rather have two years filled with amazing memories with my son and my family and friends, over maybe five years lying in a hospital bed, which I have been every weekend since having chemotherapy.

“It makes my little boy unhappy, he wakes up in the night thinking I’ve died and it breaks my heart. All I want to do is make him happy.

I’m shocked by the response I’ve had. I never did this for financial gain but I’m grateful people have taken the time to think of me.

Melissa added: “If my time is going to be short, the most important thing is to give my little boy the most amazing time he can have and I’m so humbled people want to help me with that.

“I would spend it on making memories for Evan and whatever’s spare, I would donate the rest to pseudomyxoma research.”

• To donate, click here.

Boro all over the world: Fans unite to create online map of supporters across the globe

Boro fans of the world unite - with the Boro Fans Worldwide interactive fan map

Boro Fans Worldwide is a new website for fans and supporters of Middlesbrough FC to put their own mark on an interactive map and find other Boro fans across the globe.

Visitors are asked to ‘pin’ their location to an interactive world map and submit their own short, 140 character, ‘fan story’ of how they came to love the Boro.

Each fan’s pin then appears on the map along with their personalised Boro logo, first name and initial.

Loading up the map, one of the first things that strikes you is how far afield fans have spread - from Argentina to South Korea, we’re everywhere.

And fans who have moved away from the area are often keen to show off their Teesside credentials and love for the Boro.

For example Keith, pinned in London, wrote: “Teessider upon Thames, moved to London 5 years ago. Still say ‘Mam’ instead of ‘Mum’ and ‘Tea’ instead of ‘Dinner’,” while Peter V, pinned in Oslo, Norway, wrote: “Several children. A few wives. One football club! UTB!”

Greg Matthewson, Peter Hinton and Peter Brock

But it’s not just Teesside ex-pats who have pinned their colours to the map, it’s also interesting to see different trends among Boro fans from different countries.

In Scandinavia for example, many fans have written how they got the Boro bug back in the 1990s.

Fridtjof, who is pinned in Molde, Norway, wrote: “Became a fan when Jan Åge Fjørtoft played for the club. It’s been a rollercoaster ever since.”

And Torger H, pinned in Ålesund, Norway, wrote: “Got a friend who became a fan when Fjørtoft played in the end of the 90’s. So, I joined in some years later.”

Designed and developed by creative designer Peter Hinton, developer Peter Brock and SQL developer Greg Matthewson, the map’s creators have been delighted with the feedback they’ve received so far.

Former Nunthorpe School pupil Peter Hinton, 29, said: “The reaction so far has been great. We’ve had 4,200 visitors, 8,000 visits and 780 people added since we launched on Sunday. We didn’t expect it to have so many people on it so quickly.

“We were thinking about what we could do to help put Boro on the map and came up with the idea of the fan map. There’s one or two American football teams that have similar sites but, as far as we know, nobody’s done it yet with football.

“It seems to have really resonated with Boro fans, especially people living away from Teesside. There’s a real passion at the moment with Boro doing so well - there’s a lot of pride out there.

“We’re going to let the fans direct where the site goes in the future, possibly with more interactive features. We’ll wait to see what feedback we get.”

Pin your colours to thew map at www.borofanmap.com

New leader at Redcar and Cleveland Council after George Dunning resigns

A new independent leader has been appointed at Redcar and Cleveland Council after George Dunning resigned his position.

Cllr Mary Lanigan, leader of the Independent Group, was elected to lead the council until May’s elections.

Bitter infighting in the Labour group has now led to the party effectively lose control of the authority.

The change at the top is the culmination of weeks of wrangling, which first saw Cllr Dunning and a number of colleagues be deselected and then quit the party.

Rival councillors had called for a vote of no confidence in him ahead of yesterday’s full council meeting.

But a packed public gallery watched Cllr Dunning jump before he was pushed to leave the position he has held since 2007.

The Independent and Liberal Democrat groups have now gone into coalition, with Lib Dem Cllr Josh Mason - who hinted at a possible council tax cut for rate-payers - named as deputy leader.

Read more: Mary Lanigan: Who is Redcar and Cleveland Council's new leader?

Many had expected fireworks at the meeting after Cllr Dunning and ten other councillors resigned their Labour Party membership after he and a raft of senior councillors were told they could not stand again for Labour in their wards.

In his resignation speech, Cllr Dunning talked up his administration’s successes, and thanked the council’s executive, deputy Sheelagh Clarke, the cabinet and his family - especially his wife Beryl.

Cllr Lanigan, Loftus ward councillor, went up against Cllr Sue Jeffrey, the new leader of the council’s Labour Group, in the leadership contest and received 30 votes to Cllr Jeffrey’s 15.

After the meeting, Cllr Lanigan told The Gazette that she will present her own budget that she believes “the people of Redcar and Cleveland will be pleased with”.

She said: “The aim between now and the local elections on May 7 will be bring about stability and continue with the pressing issues affecting Redcar and Cleveland Council and the residents of the borough. It is hoped that party politics can be set aside in order to achieve this.”

Cllr Dunning delivers his resignation speech

Members of the new cabinet were expected to be named on Thursday evening.

Cllr Mason added: “I will be calling for a council tax cut, I think it is affordable.

“After months of Labour Party wrangling and back-stabbing, it’s time to put our residents and communities back at the top of the council’s agenda.”

All eleven of the councillors who resigned their Labour Party membership last week voted for Cllr Lanigan to be leader.

After the meeting, Cllr Dunning said that the group will stand as independents in May - apart from Doreen Rudland and Wendy Wall who will not stand again.

Cllr Dunning: “This is a sad day, and I feel for my team who have worked very hard for this borough.

“I fully supported Cllr Lanigan for leader. We will see what policies are put forward before we decide to support them.”Former deputy Cllr Sheelagh Clarke said: “George went out with dignity. He has been a brilliant leader.”

Cllr Olwyn Peters, one of the eleven to resign her membership, said: “I am sad for George, but we went in there with our heads up and controlled the meeting. I feel that is a little bit of justice.”

Cllr Mark Hannon, another to resign from Labour, said: “I feel that lazy Labour in Redcar and Cleveland is now a damaged brand. I can’t see them getting control back of the council.”

Billingham lecturer could be the best in the world after being named one of the top 10

A Billingham lecturer is one step closer to being crowned the best in the world.

Middlesbrough College A-level biology teacher, Dr Richard Spencer, has been named as a top ten finalist in a competition to find the world’s best teacher.

Dr Spencer, known to his students as Doc, is the only teacher in Europe to make the shortlist for the $1 million Varkey Foundation Global Teacher Prize - the biggest prize of its kind which seeks to find one exceptional teacher who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession.

Launched in March 2014, the competition is widely referred to as the Nobel Prize for teaching.

Dr Spencer, of Wolviston Court, Billingham, said: “I still can’t quite believe that I’ve been shortlisted - I keep pinching myself.

“It’s a great honour to be chosen as one of the final ten candidates, all of who are doing incredible things in the world of teaching and learning.

“I’m very mindful that the whole purpose of the global prize isn’t to make a celebrity out of a teacher but to celebrate the teaching profession and the importance of teaching.”

The competition has already seen Dr Spencer achieve extraordinary things. He was chosen at random as one of three of the 50 shortlisted candidates to meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in Rome on February 5, at the IV Scholas Occurentes World Educational Congress.

Dr Richard Spencer & Pope Francis

Dr Spencer studied for a PhD in molecular biology before becoming a teacher.

He taught at SRC Bede Sixth Form in Billingham for more than a decade and has previously won prizes for his work as a science teacher.

He was awarded an MBE in 2010 for services to science communication and was named as one of the UK’s Leading 100 Practising Scientists in 2014.

A member of three UK science committees – Science on Stage UK, Nuffield Bioethics Education Advisory Group and Commemorating Biology Working Group, Dr Spencer involves his students in science projects, contributing to science education at conferences and festivals across Europe.

He said: “What I love about teaching is the privilege of working with young people, to fire their passion and reciprocate their energy.

“The buzz of seeing those ‘light bulb’ moments when challenging topics start to make sense for students makes you realise that the hours of planning innovative learning experiences were worthwhile.

“Seeing my students develop in confidence, knowing that I have helped to prepare them for future success way beyond their time with me in the classroom is hugely rewarding.”

Middlesbrough College principal and chief executive, Zoe Lewis, said: “Doc is an inspiration to staff and students and we wish him the best of luck when he travels to Dubai for the final.

“Of course it will be marvellous if he wins but just getting to the top ten is a magnificent achievement and he’s already a winner as far as we are concerned.”

Dr Spencer will be flown to Dubai along with the other nine finalists for an award ceremony taking place on Sunday, March 15, at the Global Education and Skills Forum.

'The curfew will be worse than prison' says victim who feels sorry for his attacker

A teenager's request for a light in a McDonald’s restaurant led to a punch which fractured his skull outside.

Chemical engineering student Caine Inyanga, 19, was not sent to prison for the attack, which knocked out its victim and left him suffering from tinnitus.

But the injured man Adam Turner does not bear any malice to his assailant - and even said he felt sorry for him.

The 19-year-old approved of Inyanga’s suspended sentence, with a four-month tagged curfew which forces him to stay indoors every night, 150 hours’ unpaid work and a £1,000 compensation order.

“I think the sentence is probably better than him going to actual prison,” Mr Turner said today.

He went to McDonald’s on North Ormesby Road, Middlesbrough after a night out in the early hours of October 10 last year.

He asked for a light from Inyanga, got no response, then asked the woman with him.

Inyanga, who had been drinking and taking drugs, demanded Mr Turner and his friend “get outside now”, said prosecutor Emma Atkinson.

Caine Inyanga

They made it clear they did not want to fight, but he punched both of them, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The blow to Mr Turner caused him to fall to the floor and he lost consciousness.

He suffered hearing loss and tinnitus.

He said he was a huge music fan, the condition ruined his enjoyment of music, and he found if painful to be around loud noise.

Mr Turner told the Gazette: “I’m a passionate music fan so knowing that I wouldn’t be able to hear music in the way I did before is the worst thing you could probably do to me.

“It still affects me quite a lot, in every way really. Being a toolmaker, sound is part of my job as well.

“It’s got a lot better since hospital. It’s still not the same as it was.”

Adam Turner

He said he remembered little of the assault: “I don’t go out to fight.

"I just go out to have a good time. I’d rather hug someone than fight them.

“I woke up in hospital getting told I was attacked. It left me wondering why. I was very confused.

“I remember waking up strapped down to a table with this horrible thing around my head, X-raying me. That petrified me.

“I woke up in the trauma ward and I was alone, just bawling my eyes out.”

His friend suffered bruising and swelling to his left eye.

Inyanga ran away after the assaults but handed himself in at Stockton police station when he learned of the seriousness of Mr Turner’s injuries.

He handed over his phone, in which a text message contained the phrase “battered for rudely interrupting”.

He told officers he was offended when the two men “came a bit too close” and Mr Turner was quoted as saying: “It’s a free country.”

Teesside Crown Court

He pleaded guilty to charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and common assault - his first conviction.

Scott Taylor, defending, said: “Nothing could have been said that would have provoked the action that happened.

“He misread what was going on. Anything that followed was not the fault of the two injured parties.

“He has shown remorse. He asked that I pass on his sincere apologies to both individuals.

“He accepts that they in no way deserved what eventually came their way. He’s obviously petrified about going to custody.

“He’s never behaved like this before.”

Judge Howard Crowson said: “This is the tragedy of it. These are both placid men, neither of them violent.

“I’ve read references which express astonishment that you would have behaved like that at all,” he told Inyanga.

He said Inyanga’s state meant he was more irritated than normal with innocent requests, resulting in a terrible injury.

“You probably never intended any such harm, not that level,” he added.

He said Inyanga, who had bright prospects and was assessed to be a low risk of re-offending, expressed great regret and shock and admitted fault.

Prison would destroy Inyanga’s career, he said, losing him his university place and meaning he could not compensate the victim.

Given his youth, previous good character, guilty pleas and genuine remorse, he suspended the 16-month prison sentence for 18 months.

Mr Turner, who lives with his parents in Hartlepool, said outside court: “I did feel sorry for him when I got told he stood to lose his university place.”

He believed the sentence was more suitable than jail, saying of the curfew: “That would be horrible. That would be worse than prison.”

Bernie Slaven: When you are at the top you are there to be shot at

Boro are top of the table now and that brings different problems.

It is hard to claw your way to the top - but it just as hard to stay there.

When you are at the top you are there to be shot at.

Teams change the way they play against you. Some try to stop you playing and shut up shop, others raise their games.

Then there is the pressure. When you are on top there is more expectation going into games and bigger risks in losing or even drawing a game and a feeling that it is a disaster if you slip back and need to start all over again.

The big question now is can this squad handle the pressure of being top?

Personally I think they can handle it. Yes.

They have showed over the course of the season that they have a squad that has quality and depth.

They have shown that they can handle all different types of opposition and can deal with footballing teams, pressing team, long ball teams, teams who shut up shop, teams who try to bully them. They can handle anything that comes their way on the pitch.

And the have shown they can handle the mental challenges too.

Middlesbrough's Jonathan Woodgate scores Boro's first goal

They went to Man City and never flinched. They showed no fear, kept their concentration and stuck to the game plan and took their chances. That’s not easy. That’s real bottle.

They went to Blackpool, made seven changes, switched shape and played on a farmer’s field and came through it.

So we know they can handle pressure. That will mount every game from now on but I think they will take it in their stride.

I think mentally and physically they are geared up to win promotion and I think they have an excellent manager who is determined and tactically astute and has drilled a strong mentality into his team and who has courage to make the big calls.

For me Boro now have a great chance to get promoted so long as they don’t take their eye off the ball and keep the right frame of mind.

They can’t get cocky. And to be fair Karanka won’t let them do that.

And they will still need the rub of the green with decisions and injuries and maybe some other results going the right way but they’re top of the pile now. Its in their own hands.

Mary Lanigan: Who is Redcar and Cleveland Council's new leader?

Read: How former leader George Dunning's resignation unfolded today

Redcar and Cleveland Council’s new leader, Councillor Mary Lanigan, is an experienced local politician from the independent side of the tracks.

In March 2002, she was elected to Redcar and Cleveland Council unopposed to be a Loftus ward representative on Loftus Town Council.

At the time, she received a ringing endorsement from Councillor Steve Kay, of the East Cleveland Independents, who called her: “Extremely hard working and dedicated to serving Loftus and the surrounding area.”

In May 2003, she became part of an eight-strong independent group on the borough council.

And in May 2005, when the council’s 28-strong Labour group took control of the authority, thanks to support from Cllr Lanigan and fellow independent Mike Findley, she was named Cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning.

A regular campaigner for better bus services, she has had several spats with bus company Arriva over the years.

And in 2009, she hit the headlines after suggesting a proposed 3.75% rise in council tax levels might not be enough.

In February 2013, East Cleveland Independent councillors Steve Kay and Barry Hunt and two independents - Stuart Smith and Cllr Lanigan - joined forces to form a new political body on the council, The Independent Group.

Cllr Kay was elected group leader, with Cllr Lanigan deputy leader - subsequently becoming its leader

As an Easington resident, she has always taken a keen interest in East Cleveland issues.

In March 2013, for example, with the borough council tax increase set at 1.97%, she pointed out that Loftus council taxpayers were also facing a 17.23% rise in its parish precept.

She said: “We are one of the most deprived wards in the borough and you are pushing people to the brink. You have think about people out there.”

Her recent roles have included membership of the council’s regulatory (planning) committee and its Executive Scrutiny Board.

And now the council she leads has just weeks to finalise its budget for 2015-16.

Lee Nelson heading to Middlesbrough for Suited and Booted tour date

Live at the Apollo host Lee Nelson has confirmed he will be playing a gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt.

Tickets for Lee’s new show, Suited and Booted, go on sale at the Town Hall Box Office and online at 10am tomorrow.

The Boro gig, which is part of an extended tour, will mark a Teesside return for the comedian following a previous Town Hall visit in October 2013.

Known to comedy lovers both as both the host of Live at the Apollo and for his own BBC3 series, sharp-eyed TV fans will also remember Lee cheekily trying to board the plane to the World Cup with the England squad last summer.

Lee Nelson

He joins an ever-growing list of top comics heading for the Town Hall this year, including Jimmy Carr, Dara O Briain, Alan Carr, Dylan Moran, Paddy McGuiness and Dave Gorman.

In addition, the Big Mouth Comedy Club continues to bring a mix of familiar faces and some of the best up-and-coming comics to Boro every month.

Rob Guest, of Middlesbrough Town Hall, said: “Lee just absolutely sizzles up there on that stage – easily one of the best live comics you’ll see this side of anywhere.

“He went down a storm here a couple of couple of years back, so it’s great to have him back here this autumn with a brand new show.

“It just adds to an incredible year ahead for comedy fans here at the Town Hall,” added Rob.

“We’ve had a constant string of great comics over the last few years, but this year is shaping up to be our best yet – and there could still be plenty more to come.”

The Middlesbrough date for the show has been confirmed as Thursday, November 12, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £20 from the Town Hall Box Office on 01642 729729 or online here.

Boro boy Colin Osborne is aiming to get back in the darting limelight alongside Glen Durrant

IF Colin Osborne has anything to do with it, Glen Durrant won’t be the only homegrown darts player that Teesside will be talking about this year.

Durrant is Middlesbrough’s darting man of the moment thanks to his sensational run to the semi-finals of last month’s BDO World Championship.

South Bank’s Osborne is no stranger to the limelight himself as a UK Open finalist, five-time PDC ranking event winner and Championship League of Darts victor.

And having hung on to claim the 64th automatic place in the PDC’s order of merit to keep a tour card for 2015, the Derby-based thrower is “working extremely hard” to recapture some of his former glory.

“Glen deserves all of the credit he is getting at the moment, because he was fantastic at the Lakeside,” Osborne said.

“Teesside sport is buzzing with Boro doing so well, and I couldn’t be happier for Glen.

“I saw him at Lazenby on Boxing Day and was texting him after every round - he was so close to getting to the final.

“I’m sure he can kick on and I’m working extremely hard on all aspects of own game to get back to where I belong.

“I’ve set stepping stone targets, like qualifying for the UK Open, Players Championship and Worlds, and anything else is a bonus.

“I’d be lying if I said I haven’t been doing some soul searching over the past year, but I’m in a good place at the moment and looking forward to having a positive season.”

Osborne has signed a fresh four-year-deal with Winmau, is with a new management team in United Sports Promotions and does a couple of nights a week with the darts academy at Central College, Nottingham.

The 2009 UK Open runner-up began his 2015 campaign last weekend in disappointing fashion from a results perspective, with a trio of first round defeats at the UK Open qualifiers in Wigan.

But he felt he showed flashes of form, especially in his losses to Andrew Gilding (6-4) and Rowby-John Rodriguez (6-3).

“The scores don’t tell the full story,” Osborne said.

“I was 3-1 and 4-3 up against Andrew Gilding and he has been on fire on the floor over the last two years.

“He has qualified for everything and made two last 32s and a last 16 at the weekend.

“I was 5-1 down against Rodriguez, got it back to 5-3 and missed seven darts to make it 5-4.

“I’m trying to get back to a position where it used to come naturally for me.

“I just need a bit of luck and a few darts the right side of the wire here and there, and that will get me up and running.

“There were a lot of positives to come out of the weekend.”

Osborne has three more chances to qualify for the UK Open back in Wigan from February 20-22.

BDO counterpart Durrant is at the Scottish Open this weekend and will then make his England comeback at the Six Nations in Belfast, also from February 20-22.

Read London writer's account of visit to Middlesbrough - you'll be pleasantly surprised!

“Devoid of junkies, beggars, and single mothers I felt cheated out of the sinister edge I’d been promised,” reveals writer Paul Breen.

The published author had been visiting Middlesbrough to watch his team Charlton play at The Riverside recently.

But, rather than the sterotypes he’d imagined, the Londoner was left shocked at what the town had to offer.

His words appeared in a blog post entitled An Afternoon on the Edge of England on Amy Lord’s tenpennydreams.

Here we publish extracts of his thoughts on the town:

The arrival

“Last Saturday I went on a blind date, a meeting arranged as a consequence of football – Charlton Athletic versus Middlesbrough. My date was with the town itself, a place that gets an awful lot of bad press, and has been described as Britain’s worst town. I was going there early in the morning to spend the day sightseeing, and then go to The Riverside in the afternoon to see the football.”

“I do apologise in hindsight for believing some of the media portrayals, I was half-afraid of what I’d find up there."

"If you believed the stereotypes, she’d [my date] would be a chain smoking single mother from a boarded up council estate. She’d be dressed in a shell suit, and be surprised that anyone lived in a world beyond the Tees.

"That, of course, was if I could see her through the endless haze of smog, or get past the junkies and beggars in the streets around the station which sounded like some sort of pre-tourism Amsterdam.”

Eve Micklewright Middlesbrough College and Transporter Bridge

Transporter alone was worth the visit

“I came upon Middlesbrough College which seemed to be having an open day, and would have been worth a visit if I wasn’t in a hurry, having limited time.

"I work in education, and this looked a place worthy of exploration. But it was that or looking at the shiny blue structure of the Transporter bridge, which again was worth far more of a visit all on its own.

“This working bridge across the River Tees stands like a sculpture on the edge of the docks, framing a picture of industry in the gaps between its angles and cables. Again its imposing figure speaks of heritage and history, and fascinating stuff to discover.

“Heading back into town past the bridge once more I found a high street as ordinary as anything in Kent, Essex, Enniskillen, or Glasgow. Devoid of junkies, beggars, and single mothers I felt cheated out of the sinister edge I’d been promised. Maybe the David Lynch exhibition in the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) would give me a sense of the dark undercurrent I’d been expecting.”

Statue of Brian Clough at Albert Park.

Tree-lined pathways and Cloughie

“Setting off down the road I missed the turn though and ended up in Albert Park, a good fifteen minutes walk away. There I discovered tree-lined pathways where people walked their dogs and children played on the benches close to the statue of one of the town’s best known sons. Brian Clough, football star and manager, appears at the entrance of the park with his boots slung over his shoulder, and not a single delinquent within reach of his famous sharp tongue.”

“By this stage I’m starting to form a theory about Middlesbrough, my date for the afternoon. It’s like a place I know in Australia – Machan’s Beach, a beautiful secluded suburb on the north coast where they have a notorious crocodile who keeps away visitors. Maybe Middlesbrough’s the same – create a false impression, put up an unflattering profile picture and keep the visitors away!”

“As I made my way into the Dorman Museum at the edge of the park, I’d seen nothing so far to put me off this town. Getting inside the museum, I did have one regret – that I hadn’t longer to explore this pearl of history if I also wanted to see the Mima gallery."

Vince Hopson Middlesbrough's Cenotaph and The Dorman Museum.

The public art

“But I was desperate to find mima and set off on my travels again, to where I found swans and a 30 foot sculpture of the ‘Bottle of Notes’ designed by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Swedish and Dutch artists respectively."

"Added to the sight of the Transporter Bridge and the Giant Butterfly Net along the docks, this has to be one of the most interesting sights of Middlesbrough.”

Joseph Hanson Temenos at Middlesbrough

There was so much left to see

“Middlesbrough, as I made my way back to the Riverside, wasn’t a day spent killing time in the company of somebody straight off the set of Benefits Street.

"It was actually an afternoon that I was sad to see the end of, because there was so much that was still left to see.

"This was a city with culture and a pride in its own heritage – more of a factory worker who goes to the theatre on weekends than slob who watches the Jeremy Kyle show, and that in itself is a terrible stereotype perpetuated by a media that doesn’t look below the surface.”

“Going back to my blind date analogy, the best compliment I can pay the town is that if Middlesbrough were a woman my wife would have been awfully jealous when I got back to London because I never stopped talking about her the whole of Sunday!”

• Paul Breen is an Irish author from London who supports Charlton Athletic. You can visit his personal website or follow him on Twitter @CharltonMen

Sean Cook is latest appointment at Askew Bunting Solicitors - sponsored

Askew Bunting Solicitors are pleased to announce the appointment of Sean Cook, who will joining the practice as a consultant.

Sean, who has more than twenty years’ experience in the legal profession, will be based at the Guisborough office, dealing with family and civil litigation matters.

He completed his training at a firm in Middlesbrough and qualified as a solicitor in 1996, specialising in civil litigation and family matters.

In 2000 Sean relocated to Manchester, and then Leeds, where he worked in a large national practice dealing with high value civil litigation, representing clients in the county court, High Court and Court of Appeal.

In 2010 Sean returned to Teesside to join a local firm.

In 2013 Sean was appointed by the Lord Chancellor to sit as a Deputy District Judge on the North-east circuit, hearing Civil and Family cases.

Askew Bunting Solicitors is based in both Middlesbrough and Guisborough - the Guisborough office having been established in 1935.

It currently employs 46 staff and offer legal advice in matrimonial and family, residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and probate, civil litigation and personal injury.

Senior partner Will Towler feels Sean’s appointment can only enhance the firm’s professional reputation.

“We are delighted to welcome Sean, who will be a valuable addition to the team”

Jan Bennett, Partner and head of Matrimonial Department, said: “We are thrilled to have Sean on board, bringing his wealth of knowledge and experience”.

• Askew Bunting can be found at 55-62 Borough Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2JH. Call on 01642 252555.

Bungled boiler burglary caused thousands of pounds of water damage to flat and shop

A serial burglar whose bungled attempt to steal a boiler caused a water leak into a flat and the shop below has been jailed today.

Drug-addled Craig Stewart Thompson, 35, burgled an empty unfurnished flat on Eastbourne Road, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough.

Water was found leaking through the ceiling into the One Stop Shop beneath on the morning of November 17 last year.

“Intoxicated” Thompson was spotted by police leaving the flat in wet clothes claiming he had come to see a friend.

He was led away by officers after another man was caught inside the property, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Emma Atkinson said the burglars had kicked through a door, smashed a window and tried to remove the boiler, causing the leak.

About £3,000 damage was done to the flat as water pipes and the door needed to be replaced and the property could not be rented out until repairs were complete.

The shop’s ceiling, air-conditioning, fire system and freezers were also damaged.

More than £2,750 worth of stock was lost, along with a day’s trading.

Thompson, of Lansdowne Road, Longlands, Middlesbrough, told police another unnamed man asked him to “help out”.

He later pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal and criminal damage, in breach of a community order.

His 68 previous offences included seven burglaries and one attempted burglary.

He has served a five-year sentence for aggravated burglary, and jail terms of three years in 2009 and 29 months in 2012.

As a “three strikes” burglar he faced a prison sentence of at least three years.

Uzma Khan, defending, said Thompson was a prolific drug user for some time but had kept out of trouble since his last release in August 2013.

Associates led him to have a relapse and also introduced him to heroin not long before the burglary.

He was seen taking drugs at the time, could not have a proper conversation when confronted by the shop owner and stayed in the flat even when told police were coming.

Ms Khan said Thompson was remorseful and was tackling his drug problems in prison.

Supported by his family, he wanted to find work and “draw a line under it once and for all”.

Judge Howard Crowson told Thompson: “An enormous amount of damage was caused.

“In your condition I doubt very much you had any appreciation of the amount of damage that was being caused.

“You knew it was unoccupied. To that degree it had been targeted.”

He said Thompson’s background was against him, but a well-written letter told how he had taken advantages of programmes in custody.

“You believe yourself capable of change. I hope that’s right,” he added, jailing Thompson for three years.

Your Pub in pictures: Mink Bar - Middlesbrough

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Pub Name:  Mink Bar

Address:  25 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough TS1 1LP

Website: www.m-ink.co

Landlord/manager:  Dai Parry (licensee)

How long have you been at the pub?  Since opening - three years on March 8.

What’s your recent history as a landlord?  I have worked in entertainment and hospitality internationally for over 10 years, including South Africa and the USA, before coming back to Boro to open Mink.

Tell us three of your best-selling drinks:  Dortmunder Union Pils, vodka, wine.

Tell us why you think your pub is one of the best on Teesside:   We are a unique quirky venue offering a variety of nights including live music.

What is your most popular night and why do you think it is?  Saturday night when our resident DJs prove to be very popular, especially for the hire of our party venue. But we must also mention intimate Fridays with big band live music and a much more mature crowd, a favourite for couples and engagement parties.

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Recap: Redcar and Cleveland Council leader George Dunning resigns and replacement elected

George Dunning has resigned as leader of Redcar and Cleveland Council.

George Dunning resigned from the Labour Party along with 10 others last week and will now be replaced as leader of the council.

Seven of those to quit Labour - including Cllr Dunning and his deputy Sheelagh Clarke - had been told they had not been chosen to stand for the party in May's election.

At today's meeting, held at the Redcar's Civic Heart building, the Lib Dems were due to move a motion calling on Cllr Dunning to stand down but he offered his resignation before that could happen.

Independent Mary Lanigan was chosen as the new leader following a vote.

Shots fired in Middlesbrough street: Teenager arrested after reports of air rifle

A teenage boy was arrested after reports of shots being fired in a Middlesbrough street.

Armed police were called to Granville Road, central Middlesbrough, following reports of shots being fired from an upstairs window.

Cleveland Police were called at 2.10pm today to reports of air rifle shots being fired and armed response units were dispatched.

Armed police searched a house on Granville Road and a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of assault and firearms offences.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud reveals Boro came close to signing him

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud has claimed Boro were interested in signing him as a youngster.

The French striker moved to the Emirates from from Montpellier in 2010 for a hefty £9.6m fee, and he has since gone some way to repaying that sum by banging in 34 goals in 84 games.

Giroud was a surprise omission from Arsenal’s starting line-up against Leicester on Tuesday, and is expected to lead the line in Sunday’s FA Cup fifth round clash with Boro.

But the 28-year-old admitted things could have been very different, with Boro interested in bringing him to Teesside when he was still learning his trade at French club Tours.

Instead he opted to move to Montpellier, and after scoring 33 goals in 73 games for the French side, Arsenal won the race for his signature.

“Yes that’s true, Middlesbrough and Celtic (also wanted to sign me),” he told the club’s website.

“It was a great team. Today they are close to coming back into the English Premier League.

“It will be nice to play against them and it will remind me of my previous years in Tours.”

Olivier Giroud

Giroud could be one of a number of changes to Arsene Wenger’s side, with the Gunners ready to rotate their squad for Sunday’s televised duel.

Wojciech Szczęsny, Gabriel Paulista, Kieran Gibbs, Danny Welbeck and Giroud could all be restored to the starting line-up, while Jack Wilshere could make a shock return following a two-month lay-off.

But Aaron Ramsey (hamstring) will miss the match, joining an injury list already boasting the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Abou Diaby, Mathieu Debuchy and Mikel Arteta.

Boro will be looking to upset another of the Premier League’s giants after dismantling Manchester City in the previous round, and Giroud acknowledges that Arsenal will have to be at their best.

“If they are here it’s because they succeeded in beating a great team like City, so we need to be aware of that,” Giroud said.

Action Images / Paul Burrows

Middlesbrough's Patrick Bamford celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates

“We need to play our game straight away from the beginning and not let them take confidence.

“It will be a tough game, especially in the FA Cup. We know that even though a team is playing in an inferior division, they will really want to beat us at home, especially Arsenal. We are really cautious and we want to start the game on the front foot.

“Every game is a tough game in the FA Cup. It’s always a big fight. We have the spirit because we won it last year, we have more experience maybe and hopefully we will keep this trophy with us.”

Watch: Six arrested and two taken to hospital after 'mass brawl' in Middlesbrough

A "mass brawl" has resulted in six arrests and two men being taken to hospital.

Police were called to St Aiden's Drive in Middlesbrough at around 12.53pm to a report of an ongoing fight in the street.

Weapons are believed to have been involved in the incident.

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Four men have been injured, two of whom have been taken to James Cook University Hospital for treatment. All injuries are minor and are not believed to be life threatening.

Live updates: Police incident in Middlesbrough

Boro youngster Hayden Coulson hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ben Gibson

Promising youngster Hayden Coulson has been receiving some words of advice from two Boro team-mates who have done it all at Under-17s level ahead of meeting up with the England squad this week.

Coulson is currently with the Young Lions in Portugal preparing for their Algarve Tournament opener against Holland on Friday afternoon, when he hopes to impress enough to land a spot in next month’s squad for the Euro Elite Round qualifiers.

His Boro colleagues Callum Cooke and Ben Gibson have both won the European Championship under the guidance of head coach John Peacock in 2014 and 2010 respectively, and they have been quick to offer support to their young team-mate.

“Callum mentioned this tournament to me a few weeks ago, and said that it is a great one to be involved in. He’s been in this position only a year ago, so he knows exactly what it is about,” Coulson told TheFA.com.

“It’s good to know that people from your club have been there and done it before.

“The seniors also have a bit of advice for me to when they realise I’m coming away with England.

“Ben Gibson talks to me all the time about it, telling me how proud and great it is to represent your country.

Ben Gibson

“He has helped me prepare for the social side of things when I’ve been coming away too. He told me how important it is to get involved with the lads and build up the team spirit.

“That is slowly developing. We are a bit quiet, but we are coming together and hopefully that is happening at the right time.”

Coulson comes into the international fold on a high, with his club flying high at all levels.

Middlesbrough sit top of the Championship table and the club’s U21s are performing well in the league and the U18s, with whom Coulson is a regular for, are runaway leaders in their division.

“It’s been great, and maybe a little unexpected, but we are top of the league by a distance,” said the youngster.

“We’ve put in a lot of hard work. Craig Liddle has come in to take over the U18s after Paul Jenkins moved up to the U21s. He’s quite strict on what he wants, but it’s been working.”

He continued: “I’ve not managed a goal yet this year, but I’ve got quite a few assists.

“I’m hoping I can get a goal out here and add a few more to my game, but I’m just as happy with an assist.

“As a defender, clean sheets are my main priority, but if I can help my team out with an assist then that is a bonus and helps the team.”

Coulson featured for his country in the St. George’s Park Tournament and First Round Euro qualifiers, but missed out on the last meet up through injury when the squad travelled to Florida in November.

But with three tough tests this week against Holland, Portugal and Germany, he is looking to impress Peacock enough to be involved in next month’s European Championship Elite Round qualifiers.

“I missed the Florida Tournament with an ankle injury. It was gutting, it’s a big tournament that I really wanted to go to but it’s good to be back now,” he said.

Sport.FA Youth Cup. Fourth Round. Middlesbrough FC v Newcastle United FC. at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Boro's Hayden Coulson on the ball

“To miss out on the games out there, against top teams such as Brazil, it would have been a great experience and it was a shame to miss it.

“I was following all the action from back home, and the lads did well, but obviously I wish I had been there.”

He continued: “But now we’ve got some tough opposition out here. This will be just as good experience coming up against these sides.

“I’ve played against Portugal before at the St. George’s Park tournament, so I’ve seen how good they are, but we all really want to impress and give a good showing.

“This week is a good chance to show what I can do and hopefully get selected for the Elites.”

England face Holland on Wednesday (3.30pm kick-off).

Reports of 'stabbing': Police dealing with ongoing incident in central Middlesbrough

BREAKING: A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: "Police were called to St Aiden's Drive in Middlesbrough at around 12.53pm to a report of an ongoing fight in the street. Weapons are believed to have been involved in the incident.

"Four men have been injured, two of whom have been taken to James Cook University Hospital for treatment. All injuries are minor and are not believed to be life threatening.

"Six men have been arrested in connection with the incident."