Nightlife in Pictures: Painting the town green for St Patrick's Day

Pictures from out and about at the most popular club nights on Teesside

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Nightlife in Pictures:

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Photographers Eddy Maynard, Nicola Thompson and Matthew Skelton capture the Teesside pub and club scene.

This week features pictures from the St Patrick's Day celebrations at the Atik theme night Animals V Machines alongside more from Sumo and Milk at The Empire.

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

Find dozens more nightlife pictures on our About Town page.

Medical professional drove car at colleague and made lewd comments, hearing rules

Benedict Doree made sexual remarks and gestures towards female workers, fitness to practise panel finds

A medical professional bullied and drove his car at one colleague and sexually harassed another at a hospital, a hearing has found.

Benedict Doree had denied bullying a colleague and striking him with his car at James Cook University Hospital, and making lewd sexual remarks and gestures towards a female colleague, while working for a private company which makes prosthetics.

But a fitness to practise hearing held by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) found the majority of allegations against Mr Doree, of Ingleby Barwick, to be proved.

They included driving his car at a colleague while both were on their way to work at Otto Bock, based at the hospital, in May 2011.

A raft of verbal abuse - including lewd remarks about a picture of his colleague’s wife and a string of offensive insults - were found to have taken place after the HCPC panel said it found evidence from the unnamed victim to be “truthful”.

It was also found that Mr Doree, who worked as a prosthetist for 25 years, sexually harassed a female member of staff employed by James Cook Hospital - which included him laying on the floor while she was working on a treadmill, gesturing with his belt, and saying “get on that and ride that baby”.

The panel also found that Mr Doree had grabbed her head and thrusted his pelvis towards her face on at least three occasions, made lewd comments, and mimicked cupping a pair of breasts when discussing 17 and 18-year-old girls who had attended a birthday party for his daughter.

Mr Doree and his representative at the hearing, held at the Thistle Hotel in Middlesbrough, had claimed that the allegations against him had been fabricated.

But Gordon Sutehall, who chaired the panel, said: “Mr Doree had made a suggestion that there had been professional jealousy from Colleague A.

“The panel is unable to accept Mr Doree’s contention that Colleague A had made his claims up.”

Mr Sutehall also said the female colleague was “a compelling witness”.

“She obviously found giving evidence difficult," he continued. "The panel has found no reason for her to fabricate the claims."

Allegations that Mr Doree had driven in an intimidating manner while the male victim, who gave his evidence from behind a screen and was referred to as Colleague A throughout, was cycling to work were not proven.

And claims that Mr Doree repeatedly glared at Colleague A, and made chicken noises whenever he spoke, were also not proven.

The panel also did not find that Mr Doree had inappropriately massaged the shoulders of the female colleague, or that he had taken a photograph of her with his mobile phone whilst her legs were apart in a hoist during a training session.

Mr Doree’s fitness to practice will now be decided in July, after the HCPC hearing was adjourned.

Art of the east coast on display at mima

Works on display, including John Constable, focus on representations of the English east coast from the last 200 years

A new exhibition examining the landscape of the east coast opens at mima today.

The works on display, including John Constable, focus on representations of the English east coast from the last 200 years.

Running until June 27, the exhibition particularly looks at the influence of industry and technology on landscape.

The works on show are specifically drawn from the collections of Contemporary Art Society member museums and galleries on the east coast, and also consider the influence of art schools along the east coast.

From the early Norwich Society of Artists (1803–1833) to the progressive Time-Based Art course in Hull during the 1990s, artists and students have looked to the local landscape for inspiration.

Some works show a nostalgic view of landscape and the rural idyll, others a more political viewpoint and see a landscape under threat.

John Sell Cotman and Peter De Wint see it divided by landowners and industry in the 19th century, while Fran Cottell and Simon Poulter look at the privatisation of land during the Thatcher era.

The exhibition’s title - Damn Braces: Bless Relaxes - is taken from William Blake’s The Proverbs of Hell, from his illustrated poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (c 1789).

A copy of Blake’s Book of Job (c 1825) owned by poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson is on show complemented by a recording of Tennyson’s written descriptions of the Lincolnshire countryside.

The exhibition focuses on the landscapes of Northumbria, Humberside, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.

Meanwhile another new exhibition will open at mima on May 2. Chance Finds Us will feature work by eight North-east-based artists including Rachael Clewlow and Nick Kennedy, who were both born in Middlesbrough.

A number of new works have been made specifically with mima in mind, including two new paintings by Rachael. These works chart her movement through the local landscape in a series of walks made over the last six months, offering a new vision of Teesside’s geography.

“This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the wealth of talent and the calibre of artistic thinking that is present in the North-east,” said Alix Collingwood, mima curator.

More details at www.visitmima.com.

Embracing the Divine: exploring Hindu Faith, Devotion, and Celebration, at Dorman Museum

Hindu communities in Middlesbrough and Durham have worked with museum curators to create a new exhibition about their faith

Members of the Hindu communities in Middlesbrough and Durham have worked with museum curators to create a new exhibition about their faith.

The exhibition, Embracing the Divine: exploring Hindu Faith, Devotion, and Celebration, at Middlesbrough’s Dorman Museum, runs until July 4.

The exhibition is designed to give an introduction to Hinduism as both a religion and a way of life.

The experiences and opinions of local Hindus are reflected throughout the exhibition which explores themes such as stories, celebration, family, community and personal worship.

The exhibition contains objects loaned from Durham University’s Oriental Museum including historic artefacts, personal shrines from India, and photographs of Hindu worship taken by the internationally renowned anthropologist, Stephen P Huyler.

These are displayed alongside images of local Hindus’ own household shrines and a film showing Holi Festival celebrations at the Middlesbrough Hindu Cultural Society and Temple.

A Banyan tree installation created by the local artist, Bub Bacon, is a prominent feature in the gallery – this tree represents the act of worshipping deities that reside in trees and other sacred natural features, which is a common practice in India.

The Dorman Museum is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday.

Entry to the museum and the temporary exhibition is free for all ages.

Swimming: Aimee Willmott dominates pool as she powers to a gold in Glasgow

1-year-old from Ormesby crossed the line in the 400m individual medley more than five seconds clear of second-placed Danielle Lowe

Teesside swim queen Aimee Willmott powered her way to a gold medal finish on day one of the British Gas Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The 21-year-old from Ormesby crossed the line in the 400m individual medley more than five seconds clear of second-placed Danielle Lowe, recording a time of 4mins 35.94secs.

It was a dominant performance from the Middlesbrough ASC member, who led from the third lap onwards.

Willmott, a former Nunthorpe School pupil, finished in the silver medal position last year but was expected the go one better following the withdrawal of eight-time champion Hannah Miley.

She won her heat earlier in the day in 4mins 40.70secs.

Aimee’s time in the final was inside the Commonwealth Games Nomination Time and she’ll be hoping to achieve another gold medal finish at the same venue in the Games final in July.

Rosie Rudin, aged just 15, was third in the 400m IM final in 4mins 45.33secs.

Middlesbrough have five members taking part in the Championships, which finish on Tuesday and double as a qualifying selection for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, European Long Course Championships and European Junior Championships.

Willmott, who is also aiming to qualify for the European Long Course Championships in Berlin, is joined in Glasgow by Georgia Nixon, Emma Cassell, Jack Baister and Perry Gardner.

Georgia Nixon, aged 17, finished 19th overall in the 400m IM, recording a time of 5mins 0.07secs.

Emma Cassell, Jack Baister and Perry Gardner were hoping to gain a place on the European Junior team.

At 15, Cassell is the youngest member of the team and she took part in the 100m butterfly heats yesterday, finishing 35th overall in a time of 1min 04.51secs.

Baister, aged 17, will be taking part in the 1500m freestyle. He has had a taste of a British Swimming selection, competing in Portugal last year in an open water event.

Gardner, 16, was 30th overall yesterday in the 100m backstroke in a time of 58mins 48secs.

Northern League: Guisborough's express run still on track for the league's top four

Guisborough's express train run into the top four shows no sign of slowing down after upsetting title-chasing Shildon in midweek

Guisborough's express train run into the top four shows no sign of slowing down after upsetting title-chasing Shildon in midweek.

The Priorymen pitch up at Crook tomorrow after coming from behind to stun the second-placed Railwaymen at Dean Court thanks to 90-plus goal combo Danny Johnson and Mikey Roberts.

Guisborough prevented Shildon from going top of the Northern League first division, even though they trailed at half time to a Leon Carling own goal.

Carling headed into his own net while under pressure from former Boro striker Paul Connor, but Johnson levelled with his 42nd league strike of the season just after half time.

Roberts made it 2-1 to the Priorymen with 20 minutes left on the clock when he scored direct from a corner.

Connor levelled for Shildon from a through ball, and they were in the box seat when Guisborough right-back Lee Bythway walked after receiving a second yellow.

But Guisborough dug in and and Roberts broke clear to fire past keeper Lewis Graham.

“The first half was all about Shildon, but the second half belonged to us,” said Guisborough manager Chris Hardy.

“We came out showing energy and real purpose, and ran out worthy winners.”

Billingham Synthonia have everyone fit bar Theo Furness and Foster Garton for their penultimate home game against a Bishop Auckland side playing their fourth match in 10 days.

Synners have won their last three against Penrith, Newcastle Benfield and Durham City.

But they look like they might have to do without midfielder Furness and full-back Garton for the rest of the campaign due to ankle injuries.

Jamie Clarke is still suspended for Marske’s home game against Celtic Nation, so John Alexander continues to deputise up front in his stead.

Josh Myers and Lev Yalcin are back, but Bryan Stewart is unavailable.

Billingham Town will try to make fresh legs count at Newcastle Benfield, who crushed them 9-0 at Bedford Terrace in January. Relegated Town have just two league wins to their name, and have shipped 24 goals without scoring in a run of three straight defeats to big boys Spennymoor, Shildon and Dunston.

They will be well rested after a free weekend however, and Benfield will be playing for the second time in three days after taking on busy Bishops on Thursday night.

Young side Town have selection issues but new blood may arrive in time for kick-off.

Boss Darren Trotter said: “Two or more players could be recruited to make their debuts tomorrow.”

In Division Two, Norton will try to maintain their recent free-scoring ways in their next-to-last game against Birtley.

The Ancients’ final four fixtures are all at Station Road and the last two have gone swimmingly with 7-0 and 3-2 victories against Esh Winning and Whitehaven.

The Whitehaven win saw Nicky Martin score twice for his 150th and 151st Northern League goals.

Thornaby are at home to Jarrow Roofing in their penultimate game, looking to return to the win column after losing 4-1 at Willington on Wednesday.

Chris Hardy - no relation to the Guisborough boss of the same name - scored a hat-trick for Willington. Lee Mahon scored the Thornaby goal.

Stokesley will be desperate for a first win in 10 games at Brandon. Their slide has coincided with losing Aaron Foley and Greg Upton to long-term injury.

Guisborough Rugby Club planning a good time... on and off pitch

Guisborough tomorrow hope to celebrate winning a play-off place – but whatever the outcome of their home game with Novocastrians, the club will have a good time.

They are hosting an end of season Family Fun Day, to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, and the Guisborough Under-15 squad’s tour to Canada.

There’s a barbecue, bouncy castle and children’s face painting, while the club’s young players aged six to 15 will be demonstrating their rugby skills.

There will be a raffle and the bar will be open throughout the day which starts at 1pm.

Guisborough first team player Michael McDougall said: “Like all clubs we rely greatly on fundraising and donations in order to keep our club going. And we are also fund raising for MNDA, a charity which is very close to the club’s heart.”

On the pitch Guisborough expect to stretch their long unbeaten home record by beating a Novos side at the lower end of the Durham and North One table.

But whether Guisborough finish runners-up and in the play-offs will depend on how Consett fare in their remaining three games.

However Consett need maximum points and are at leaders Horden tomorrow.

Billingham also face the crunch, probably needing a win against title chasing Huddersfield at Greenwood Road to preserve their National Three North status.

Billingham are currently one place above the drop zone, but with just five points separating four sides and one of them, Percy Park, having a game in hand, every point could count.

“We have to play to win, and if need be try and grab bonus points,” said Billingham director of rugby Stewart Evans. “We don’t have to change our philosophy because we always try to attack.”

Billingham are without powerful forward Dan Burns, who suffered a broken hand last week, while prop Colin Dickinson faces a fitness test on hand and rib injuries. Steve Smith, Craig Shepherd and Matthew Kirby return to the squad.

In North One East Middlesbrough probably need to win at Alnwick, who also need points to make sure of staying up.

Boro need at least two points to stand any chance of getting out of the bottom three, however if they win by more than seven points at Alnwick, they will definitely stay up.

Josh Evans plays on the wing in place of Michael Thornburn, while Shaun Kay returns to the back row, with Jack Pierce switching to the second row and James Wardle to the bench.

Having last weekend ensured they avoided relegation, Stockton host Blyth in the final game of the season of the Durham and North One season.

But Stockton, who have suffered injury wracked season, are without five of the players who gained the point they needed in last week’s game with Darlington.

Skipper Steven Taylor is unavailable, so Jonny Cheetham starts in the back row and lock Matt Doherty is a replacement.

Scrum half Brian Thwaites is missing so Dan Wilson replaces him. Ritchie Brown’s centre slot is taken by Craig Slaughter. Full-back Jeremy Good is unavailable so Dan Phinn returns, and winger Joel Simpson is missing, but experienced Simon Crozier covers.

In Division Two Redcar host Seaton Carew, with players back including front row Steve Wilson, Phil Dyball and Jason Nicholas, back row Steve Johnson and No 8 Andy Little.

Charlie Templeman plays on the wing and Ben Durrans returns to the centre. Veteran Rob Bryce is on the bench alongside Sam Caines and Ben Anderson.

Skipper Dyball said: “We would like to finish on a high. We feel we have made progress this season and look to build on it for the future.

“We have some young lads coming through, mainly in the backs, but are desperate to get some new forwards, especially props, to replace the old stalwarts who have kept us going this year”.

Redcar are holding a players past and present, reunion day. Garry Schofield, the ex Great Britain rugby league player and John Stabler, ex West Hartlepool and Durham County will be there, as will former first team captain Andy Tate from New Zealand.

In Division Three Yarm host Chester-le-Street.

Acklam complete a tough Yorkshire One season with a home game against York.

STOCKTON (home to Blyth 1.30, 3.00): Conway, Muirhead, Johnston, Highfield, Toulson, Cheetham, Douglas, Dixon, Wilson, Lee, Crozier, Slaughter, Tampin, Farrell, Phinn. Reps: Parkinson, Doherty, Douthwaite.

REDCAR (home to Seaton Carew, 1.30, 3.00): Wilson, Dyball, Nicholas, Bryce, Young, Hurley, Johnson, Little, Condell, Young, Templeman, McIlvenny, Durrans, Addison, Allison. Reps: Caines, Bryce, Anderson.

MIDDLESBROUGH (at Alnwick, 11.00, 3.00) from: Lonsdale, Kearney, Warsama, Pierce, Harland, Heselhurst, Kay, Bradford, Wright, O’Farrell, Kilbride, Bellerby, Metcalfe, Evans, Todd. Reps: Helm, Wardle, Foley.

£85k-a-year police role: Cleveland Police Commissioner recruits new chief of staff

Force solicitor Simon Dennis will replace Ed Chicken in controversial role as Barry Coppinger's chief of staff

The controversial chief of staff position at Cleveland Police has now been filled.

Police and Crime Commissioner Barry Coppinger has appointed Simon Dennis to take on the £85,000-a-year job.

He replaces Ed Chicken, who was on secondment from Middlesbrough Council.

He retired at the end of last month.

Mr Chicken controversially replaced Stuart Pudney, who was axed by Mr Coppinger just days after his election as Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Pudney was forced to clear his desk less than 12 months after taking over the £90,000-a-year position .

He was previously chief executive of the now defunct Cleveland Police Authority.

Mr Dennis joins the force from his current role as force solicitor and head of legal Services for both North Yorkshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner in North Yorkshire.

Prior to joining the police, he worked as a senior lawyer with North Yorkshire County Council and began his career in private legal practice.

His appointment was confirmed at a police and crime panel meeting.

Labour's Mr Coppinger said: “I’m delighted to welcome Simon to the team. He was the best person for the role from an impressive field of candidates and has a solid background in compliance, governance and scrutiny.

Mr Dennis’s role will involve providing strategic leadership, support and advice across a range of functions, and take on the role of statutory monitoring office

He said: “I’m delighted to be appointed to the role of chief of staff, leading the commissioner’s dedicated and highly effective team.

"There are some tough challenges ahead.

“I am looking forward to working with the commissioner, the chief constable and her chief officer team as well as our local and regional partners to ensure a first class service is delivered to the public of Cleveland.”

In February, Stockton South Conservative MP James Wharton blasted Mr Coppinger over the position - pointing out that it could pay for three police officers .

Swine Dining to mark first birthday at Saltburn Farmers' Market

Hog roast business Swine Dining will mark its first birthday at Saltburn Farmers' Market

A fledgling business which started out a year ago will mark its first birthday at Saltburn Farmers’ Market tomorrow .

Richard Willis started hog roast business Swine Dining last year with the support of his girlfriend of three years Sue Bell.

The couple, who got engaged on Christmas Day last year, have been working on the venture together – with Sue helping on weekends to fit around her full time job.

Richard, 42, said: “The first year has been tough but right now we’re getting a lot of bookings in – they’ve tripled from last year. I’m thinking of investing in a second hog roast so that we can do two bookings in one day.”

The farmer’s market, which has been going six years, kicked off with a great start last month.

Lorna Jackson, market organiser, and co-director of Real Meals Delicatessen said: “We’re so pleased to see Richie doing well - there was a waiting list to get on the market of three years and he waited patiently until there was an opening.

“He’s a great addition to the market – there’s a big queue every second Saturday of the month to get some delicious hog roast!”

The market, held outside Sainsbury’s, has expanded in size since last year – with a new ‘secret square’ opening behind the Consteel engineering office which holds six extra stalls and increases the size of the market by a third.

Tomorrow’s market runs from 9am-2pm.

Woodpigeon's Mark Hamilton at Westgarth Social Club

Mark Hamilton is in town for an intimate solo show at the Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough

Woodpigeon's Mark Hamilton returns to Teesside for the first time in a little over three years for an intimate solo show at the Westgarth Social Club in Middlesbrough on Friday, April 25.

Since last visiting, Woodpigeon’s fourth album Thumbtacks and Glue has been released along with a clutch of EPs and a collection of rarities.

Mark’s last visit, in the company of Teesside favourite Withered Hand, saw him play the inaugural show in the intimate downstairs room of the Westgarth in front of a packed and deeply appreciative crowd.

This time round, the audience at the Westgarth will be amongst the first to hear him perform a selection of new material, in addition to old favourites, as he travels around the UK for a handful of dates before returning to Canada and heading into the studio to begin work on a fifth album, with producer Sandro Perri,

A regular at the End of the Road Festival, and having twice graced the Westgarth SC, Woodpigeon has previously played dates in North America with Grizzly Bear, Iron & Wine, Calexico and Andrew Bird.

Support comes from Manchester based singer-songwriter Liz Green. A winner of the Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent Award, Liz releases her second album, Haul Away, on Monday through Play It Again Sam records, home of Editors, Pixies and Joan As Policewoman.

Liz visits Middlesbrough as part of her nationwide tour.

Tickets £8, online from http://ift.tt/OOxmQr Seetickets; Ticketweb and in person from the venue and The Olde Young Teahouse, or call 08444 771 000.

The Manfreds at Billingham's Forum Theatre

The Manfreds will be playing some of their biggest hits including 5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo and Do Wah Diddy Diddy

The Manfreds will be at Billingham’s Forum Theatre next week.

The group head to the venue on Wednesday and will be playing some of their biggest hits including 5-4-3-2-1, Pretty Flamingo and Do Wah Diddy Diddy, along with a mix of solo hits and jazz and rhythm ’n’ blues renditions.

Paul Jones, with his award winning harmonica sound, will be joined by fellow original Manfred Mann members, Mike Hugg on keyboards and Tom McGuinness on guitar, plus Rob Townsend on drums, Marcus Cliffe on bass guitar and Simon Currie on saxophone/ flute.

Tickets are £19.50, concessions £17.50, details on 01642 552663 or http://ift.tt/1hLZsVm.

Four years for Stockton robber who pestered, threatened and attacked pub-goer

Gary Hughes, 30, threatened to make a false sex assault claim about his victim before assaulting him and stealing his phone

A robber threatened to make a false sexual assault claim to police before attacking a man and stealing his phone.

Gary Hughes, 30, was jailed for four years after he pestered and assaulted a pub-goer.

Weeks after release from jail, he started bothering the victim in Goldies pub in Stockton.

He asked: “Do you want me to get one of them lasses to sit on your knee?”

The pub customer, who was “merry” after a Christmas party, said no and bought Hughes a drink to try to get rid of him.

Hughes followed and carried on pestering him as he left and walked home, despite being told to go away, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Hughes started asking for money as they neared a railway bridge in the early hours of December 21 last year.

He said: “If you don’t give me money, I’ll tell the police that you touched me up.”

The other man replied “go on then”, and as he started to use his phone, he felt a blow to the head and fell to the floor.

Prosecutor Sue Jacobs said he was punched, kicked and blacked out for a short time.

When he came around, his assailant had run off with his £300 iPhone and his wallet. He suffered “lumps and bumps” to his head, pain to his ribs and shortness of breath.

He later said he was angry about the robbery.

Hughes, of Hartington Road, Stockton, admitted robbery, his 58th criminal offence.

He had previous convictions for robbery and theft, and had served a string of increasingly tough custodial sentences - 20 months in 2006, two years in 2008 then 30 months in 2010.

Peter Wishlade, defending, said no great force was used and Hughes denied kicking or attacking from behind.

“It is therefore a relatively simple street robbery,” he said.

Hughes remembered nothing about having the phone - though he admitted picking it up - and said he didn’t know what happened to it.

Mr Wishlade said: “This is not a totally one-sided incident.”

He said Hughes claimed he was headbutted by the victim in the pub and asked him why, leading to a “heated” conversation as they walked outside.

The victim said he “pushed his head away with my head” in the pub, said Mr Wishlade.

He added that Hughes was remorseful and was doing well tackling his drug addiction.

Judge Peter Bowers told Hughes: “You know this was a serious offence. On any view you were pestering the victim. It’s made worse by the fact that it happened in the early hours of the morning. You were in drink.

“At the time you’d just been released from a six-month sentence. You were probably on licence for that as well. Your record’s appalling really,” he added, jailing Hughes for four years.

Economic Forecast Breakfast debate highlights key issues for North East economy

Businesses from throughout the North-east have been given an optimistic assessment of the region.

Around 130 people turned out at Ramside Hall in Durham for a debate on the local, national and international economy yesterday.

The Economic Forecast Breakfast was supported by wealth management firm Brewin Dolphin, in conjunction with the Gazette and sister paper the Journal on Tyneside.

The event, chaired by Recognition PR owner Graham Robb, included market analysis from Brewin’s head of fund research Ben Gutteridge, who summed up the optimism in the room, pointing out that despite some lingering uncertainty there was reason to be “positive and constructive” when it came to a global outlook.

The view was backed by chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, James Ramsbotham, who spoke of the positive feedback his organisation had seen recently in its Quarterly Economic Survey.

“The results last year were far stronger than we’d seen before,” he said.

“To see that strength continuing in the first quarter of this year is really, really encouraging.”

There were only two areas, in fact, that were not as strong as the NECC would like, with concerns remaining over recruitment and turning investment plans into reality.

For Rachel Turnbull, chief executive of TT2, which operates the Tyne Tunnels, improving the region’s infrastructure was the big topic of the day.

“From a North-east perspective, we need to take a holistic approach to infrastructure,” she said.

“That’s a bigger issue than just transport itself, but certainly spending on roads would be a priority.”

Catherine Walker, inward investment director at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, meanwhile, gave some insight into how her organisation was working to identify and attract new sources of investment while working closely with existing sources to maximise their potential.

“We do that by looking at key sectors and key markets; it is highly targeted,” she said.

“We’ve been in operation for a very short time, but we’ve managed to look at 19 different projects, creating or safeguarding around 600 jobs.”

Digital, she added, was a hugely important sector for the organisation and the region.

“Across our five universities we have got more computer science students than anywhere else in the UK, apart from London,” she said.

“We need to shout about that, we need to retain these people and we need to attract others.”

From inside the academic world, Dr Joanna Berry, director of engagement at Newcastle University Business School, spoke of the appetite among young people not just for starting their own companies, but for getting involved with established SMEs.

This enthusiasm was nurtured, she said, through the likes of extended work experience placements and through the university’s close links with industry.

“I visited Accenture and they are very much behind getting apprentices into IT,” she said.

“Their problem is that they can’t get enough female apprentices.

“But they have even started to set up computer clubs in primary school to get to the stage where in 10 to 15 years’ time people can take their technology skills forward.”

Paul Chapman, design and R&D manager at Nifco UK likewise said his company had become an “enthusiastic advocate” of apprenticeships.

Currently, there were 17 at the firm, with more being taken on this year, including a design apprentice.

With greater flexibility than ever in the available courses, he added, graduate apprenticeships may become a popular route into industry in the future.

Other issues covered in the debate included corporation tax breaks for SMEs, the growing place for alternative funding methods such as crowdfunding, and high speed railway HS2.

For Rachel Turnbull the jury was out on the latter, but James Ramsbotham said using current projections, upgrading the East Coast mainline would require it being closed every weekend for the next 15 years.

“The only way to solve that is to build a completely new line,” he said.

On the subject of Europe, the panel was largely in favour of remaining in and reaping the benefits.

“I believe we absolutely need to stay in the European market,” Ramsbotham said.

“I think it provides a crucial advantage to businesses in this country.”

He added, however, that uncertainty about the future was causing problems for some firms, particularly those involved in international trade, as their foreign counterparts often had long-term business plans in place.

“Businesses desperately need to know what’s happening,” he said.

Table tennis: Top seed Le Fevre is facing tough opposition

Karina Le Fevre heads the seedings for the Middlesbrough Table Tennis Championships which take place at the Ormesby Club

By Alan Ransome

English international Karina Le Fevre heads the seedings for the Middlesbrough Table Tennis Championships which take place at the Ormesby Club, Sunday.

The competition for the main title will be strong with the previous winner Martin Rutter, top cadet Josh Harland, and another member of the Ormesby women’s team who captured the national club title, Chloe Whyte, seeded fourth.

Josh Harland leads the seeds for both the junior singles and the cadet singles with Calum White and Michael Jones in second position.

In the first division singles, Martin Rutter heads the seedings while Ashwell heads the seedings for the veterans.

Rutter and Harland are the favourites for the men’s doubles with Wilkinson and Young in second place. Play starts at 9am at the Ormesby HQ on Cargo Fleet Lane.

CLEVELAND players dominated the North-east trials to qualify for the English Table Tennis Association’s Under 14/13/12 and 11 National Championships in Doncaster at the end of May.

The following players qualified:

Under 14 Boys: 1 Will Dobinson (Cleveland), 2 Charlie Anderson (Clev), 3 Cameron Elcoat (Clev), 4 Jack Jacomb (Durham).

Girls: 1 Holly Williams (Clev), 2 Madelaine Dunn (Clev), 3 Jessica Dunn (Clev).

Under 13 Boys: 1 Will Dobinson (Clev) 2 Joe Cope (Clev), 3 Josh Weatherby (Dur), 4. Cameron Elcoat (Clev).

Girls: 1 Charlotte McCarty (Clev), 2 Kelsey Bradley (Clev), 3 Charlotte Weatherby (Dur), 4 Georgina Peart (Dur).

Under 12 Boys: 1 Josh Weatherby (Dur), 2 Joe Cope (Clev), 3 Kieran Wardell (Clev), 4 James Dale (Clev).

Girls: 1. Charlotte McCarty (Clev), 2 Kelsey Bradley (Clev), 3 Charlotte Weatherby (Dur).

Under 11 Boys: 1 Luca Pontone (Dur), 2 Thomas Rayner (Clev), 3 Travis Miller (Clev), 4 Connor Hudson (Clev).

Ritchie Humphreys return to face old Hartlepool team-mates

Ritchie Humphreys played 543 times during 12 years at Victoria Park and returns to the club with high-flying Chesterfield

Hartlepool tomorrow host a high-flying Chesterfield side that contains Ritchie Humphreys, who played 543 times during 12 years at Victoria Park.

He told the Hartlepool official website: “It will be good to see staff, the players and supporters but it is a very important match for both clubs.

“It is not about me coming back to The Vic for the first time, there is a bigger picture than that.”

Third-placed Chesterfield are chasing automatic promotion, while Pools have tumbled down the League Two table, and need another win to ensure thay stay well clear of the relegation zone.

Christian Burgess, on loan from Boro, is a doubt for Pools because of an ankle injury.

Wearside League: Leaders Stockton go for a 100th win in Redcar derby

Stockton Town bid to cement top spot in the table with a 100th Wearside League win at home to derby adversaries Redcar Athletic

New leaders Stockton Town bid to cement top spot in the table with a 100th Wearside League win at home to derby adversaries Redcar Athletic.

Reigning champion Town moved three points clear at the summit as they banked win No 99 in midweek – 2-0 against Sunderland West End – and Redcar did them a huge favour by winning 1-0 at Stockton’s chief title rivals Ryhope.

Third-placed Redcar’s victory had potentially season-changing significance, but although Stockton will have been massively grateful it will be straight back down to business at Bishop Road West tomorrow with vital points and local bragging rights on the line.

Stockton dominated from start to finish at Sunderland West End, getting the breakthrough goal just after the half hour when Chris Stockton pounced on a spilled Kallum Hannah effort to score.

Stephen Roberts was lucky not to double the lead when he cracked a shot off the underside of the crossbar.

But he got his reward when he scored the second a minute into the second half with a perfectly flighted chip.

While Stockton continue to impress, Redcar are having a scintillating campaign of their own and the manner in which they dealt with Ryhope points to a keenly contested derby.

Their sixth minute winner arrived when Michael Woodhouse’s pass was picked up by Steven Barker, who raced into the area and played it back for Adam Preston to rifle the ball into the net. Redcar limited Ryhope to just one shot from inside their area over the whole of the 90 minutes, and were unlucky not to double their lead with three good chances in the final 10 minutes.

Adam Nicholson and Scott Meehan return to the Stockton squad.

Wolviston target a second away victory in four days at Harton and Westoe.

It's Easter - And panto is back on Teesside

There's fun for all the family at local theatres in the week ahead

The Chuckle Brothers will be at Billingham’s Forum Theatre tomorrow with their hilarious new show, A 2014 Space Oddity.

Paul and Barry visit a toy shop to buy some water pistols. Whilst trying them out they notice a toy space ship - and they get in. “Don’t touch anything” the shop keeper shouts out, “especially that button!”. But the Chuckle Brothers can’t resist it, press the button and are suddenly off on a space adventure.

There are performances at tomorrow at 2pm and 5pm.

Tickets £14, family ticket £52. Details on 01642 552663 or http://ift.tt/1hLZsVm.

Charles Dickens meets Roald Dahl via Horrible Histories in Grisly Tales from Tumblewater at ARC on Friday, April 18.

Welcome to Tumblewater. Not that it’s a very welcoming place - unless you’re an undertaker or an umbrella salesman. Caspian Prye, the twisted landowner, controls everything and everyone; even the police.

Into this world stumbles Daniel Dorey, a fearless orphan armed only with his wits and stories. Can he bring down Caspian Prye? Can he rescue the girl in the distant room? Can he even stay alive long enough to tell his tales?

Edward Jaspers, co-writer of Hamlet! The Musical, performs this one-man adaptation of Bruno Vincent’s deliciously dark novel - which was nominated for the 2010 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Awards.

Tickets are price £6, family £20, details 01642 525199 or at www.arconline.co.uk.

And panto fun returns to Darlington Civic Theatre next week - oh yes it does!

Peter Pan will be at the venue on Saturday, April 19 and Sunday, April 20. The show stars Tracey Beaker’s Dani Harmer and legend Bobby Davro.

Join Wendy, Michael and John as they take off to Neverland with the boy who never grows up.

Take part in their adventure and meet a fantastical range of characters along the way; Tinker Bell, the Lost Children, Tiger Lily, Nana the dog, mermaids, pirates, Smee and, of course, the deadly Captain Hook.

Tickets are adults £16.50 and £18.50, children £14.50 and £16.50, family ticket £65.

Details from 01325 486555 or visit http://ift.tt/OGHH1i.

Danby and Castleton: Walk with Bob Woodhouse

A series of scenic footpaths and bridleways run through birch woods and open moorland to link two of Eskdale’s attractive village settings at Danby and Castleton

Starting from Danby Parish Hall we make our way down the sloping roadway towards the station and after about 100 yards bear right into Bridge Green.

We pass the Methodist Chapel, on our right, and cross the beck before bearing right up the roadway and then a grassy track to reach the public road.

Turning left along the roadway we pass the approach to Winsley Hill Farm and then follow the stony track on our right away from the road.

As the trackway rises there are fine all-round views and when the routes divide we follow the lower track before joining the Esk Valley Walk going left.

A wall lines our left side as we approach a wooden field gate leading into birch woodland at Danby Park. There are two more gates before we pass two properties on our left hand and then reach the public road.

Turning left down the sloping roadway we continue under the railway bridge and cross the road bridge over the River Esk.

We turn right along the road and soon pass Esk Mill on our right.

At the end of the wall on our left we leave the roadway to head up the hill on the Esk Valley Walk to High Castleton.

At the top of the hillside we turn left to walk as far as the primary school where we turn right on the bridleway.

A stony slope runs downhill to pass through two field gates and around a field with grazing llamas to cross a plank bridge.

Keeping to the right along the lower level we pass through a series of eight field gates before reaching the public road where we turn left with views of Danby Church across the field on our right.

Keeping directly ahead at the junctions with Wandells Lane and Tofts Lane we walk towards North End Farm and at the split in the route we bear left towards Plum Tree Farm.

The trackway runs below the farm to pass through a wooden gate at the end of the wall and we continue ahead through two more gates on the approach to Rowantree Farm.

Passing the farm buildings on our right we follow the lane uphill to pass High Bramble Carr, on our left, and continue along the grassy track beside the stone wall to join the public road.

At this point we turn left down the roadway to pass the Fox and Hounds Inn on our right and then Lilac Terrace on our left before making our way along Brook Lane into Ainthorpe.

Turning right at the junction we walk down the slope and over the bridge to our starting point at Danby Parish Hall.

Acklam customs fraudster made nearly £400,000 from crime - ordered to pay back £216,500

Racehorse owner Joseph Paul Honeyman made almost £400,000 from evading duty on importation of tobacco, cigarettes and spirits

A racehorse owner who stored almost a million cigarettes in a lucrative customs fraud made nearly £400,000 from crime.

Joseph Paul Honeyman is serving a 14-month prison sentence for evading duty on the importation of tobacco, cigarettes and spirits.

Teesside’s top judge has branded him a “professional criminal businessman” who cheated the public purse.

Honeyman, 55, was back in court yesterday for a hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act, designed to take away cash and assets gained through crime.

Lawyers at Teesside Crown Court agreed he made £399,385 from criminal activity. He was ordered to pay more than half of this amount - £216,500, the amount he had available.

The judge, Recorder James Adkin, ordered Honeyman to hand over the money in six months or serve two and a half years in prison.

Honeyman first ended up in court after the seizure of 984,500 cigarettes, 710kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 499 litres of vodka.

He was sentenced last October by Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough.

The judge told him: “You carried out a business of importing tobacco, cigarettes and spirits, and doing so by evading duty.

“That is not a victimless crime. We are all, every member of the community, victims of your crime. You have cheated the public revenue and done so persistently and professionally.”

Honeyman was found in his home on Croft Avenue, Middlesbrough, with 118 cases of vodka in the garage, and cigarettes and tobacco in the dining room.

Customs officers found 980,900 counterfeit cigarettes and 708.25kg of tobacco in a house owned by Honeyman on the same street.

A total of £309,699 duty had not been paid on the haul in April 2011, the court was told.

Honeyman told investigators he made money from the sale of his successful fruit and vegetable business and a racehorse he partly owned.

He admitted three charges of dealing in goods with fraudulent intent.

In 2005 he was given a suspended prison sentence in Germany for 11 charges of evading about £35,000 tax on tobacco imported from Luxembourg.

Peter Makepeace, defending, said Honeyman warehoused goods on others’ behalf, sold some on instructions and received a small percentage for this “functional role”.

He said Honeyman had a good work history, was a valuable member of the community and employed others in his businesses, but got into financial difficulties.

The judge told Honeyman: “I’m prepared to accept, just, that you were not at the top of this particular tree and there were others who were guiding and controlling you.”

Diane Donnelly, assistant director of criminal investigation at HM Revenue and Customs, said afterwards: “Honeyman was out to line his own pockets and went to jail for his crimes, but our action does not stop there.

“We will continue to look for any profit he has had from his illegal smuggling activity and take action to recover it.

“Anyone with information about tobacco smuggling should call the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 595000.”

Police helicopter called and teens arrested after railway workers shot at with air rifle in Carlin How

Two male youths, aged 17 and 18, have been arrested on suspicion of possession of an air weapon after two workers came under fire

View gallery

Area around Kilton Beck Viaduct in Carlin How

View gallery

Two teenagers were arrested after railway workers were shot at with an air rifle.

Cleveland Police were called to Kilton Beck Viaduct, in Carlin How, after receiving reports that the employees had come under fire.

A helicopter was sent to find the suspects and officers later arrested two male youths, aged 17 and 18, on suspicion of possession of an air weapon.

One of the men fired on, railway contractor Darren Aldridge, 38, said: “We were out weed spraying on the railway.

“We were working along this viaduct and when we came back to the van we heard about 10 shots whistle by us - I imagine if they were coming that close they must have been aiming at us.

“We didn’t know where they were coming from, but my friend said, ‘It’s a pellet gun.’”

The men reported the incident to their company office and the police were then called.

Darren said: “The police were here in five minutes and a helicopter came just after.

“It hovered over the field just next to where we had been working and we could hear the helicopter loudspeaker saying, ‘lay down your weapon’.”

The other railway contractor involved did not wish to be identified but said: “We were working along the railway at the top of the viaduct when we were shot upon, possibly with an air rifle. The pellets were coming past us pretty close.

“We heard that the persons possibly responsible have been caught.”

Neither of the men were injured in the incident.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at 12.53pm to Kilton Beck Viaduct in Carlin How after receiving reports railway workers were being fired at by an air rifle.

“The force’s helicopter was involved to find the suspects and officers later made two arrests in connection with the incident.

“They have both been arrested on suspicion of possession of an air weapon and are currently in custody.”

Video: CAIR Reacts to Brandeis’ Plan to Honor Ayaan Hirsi Ali

Brandeis University recently announced that it would be honoring women’s rights advocate Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), however, despises Ali for her truth-telling about Sharia and Jihad. It therefore intimidated Brandeis and the university surrendered to Sharia and cancelled its plan to honor Ali.

The following parody, created by David Wood at AnsweringMuslims.com, provides video footage of CAIR’s “strategy session” to bully Brandeis at one of its recent banquets: