More than 215,000 dead in 4 years of Syria war

BEIRUT: More than 215,000 people have been killed in Syria in four years of conflict, a monitoring group said on Sunday as the brutal civil war entered its fifth year.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it had documented the deaths of 215,518 people in Syria since March 2011, among them more than 66,000 civilians.

Some 5,000 people have been killed in the past five weeks alone.

The civilian death toll includes 10,808 children, and nearly 7,000 women, according to the group.

While civilians accounted for nearly a third of the deaths, the majority of those killed in the conflict have been combatants.

On the government side, 46,138 soldiers have been killed, along with more than 30,000 Syrian pro-regime militiamen, the Observatory said.

In addition, 3,401 Shiite fighters from abroad have been killed in battle alongside regime forces, among them hundreds from Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement.

On the rebel side, the Observatory gives separate death tolls for fighters from jihadist and non-jihadist groups.

It reported the deaths of nearly 27,000 jihadists, from the Islamic State group and the Al-Qaeda affiliate Al-Nusra Front.

It said more than 39,000 other rebel fighters had been killed, but included in that figure Kurdish militia killed battling jihadists in the north and east.

It reported the deaths of a further 3,147 people who had not been identified.

Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said the figures were almost certainly not complete.

The death toll “is certainly higher than the more than 215,000 we have recorded because of the large number of missing people whose fate is unknown.”

He said some 20,000 people had disappeared in regime custody.

The fate of many thousands more civilians and fighters from all sides who have been kidnapped also remains unknown.

“More than 215,000 people have been killed and the international community remains silent and not a single crime has been punished by an international court,” Abdel Rahman said.

“This impunity only encourages the murderers to continue their crimes.”

Coatham Coaches post record half year results after surge in business from corporate customers

A Teesside coach hire firm is going for growth after posting record half year results.

In the six months to January 31, Coatham Coaches recorded revenues of £560,000 - almost nine tenths of the £650,000 sales achieved in the whole of the previous financial year.

The expansion has been triggered by a surge in business from corporate customers, which include petrochemical giant Sabic and steelmaker SSI UK, as well as repeat business from local schools and organisations.

Now Coatham, which operates a fleet of 12 coaches and five cars, says it’s on course to break through the £1m turnover barrier by the end of its current financial year in July.

Managing director Mark Hodgson said: “The company has done really well in recent times. We’re profitable, we’ve built up our team of staff to 22 people and our current fleet has an average age of less than four years.

“We’ve seen a big increase in corporate hire business and we have contracts with schools and local authorities.”

Coatham is mulling over a potential acquisition of Falcon Cars after a partnership agreement last year saw the coach firm take over the operation of Falcon’s five vehicles. But Mr Hodgson said he was not looking to make further acquisitions or position Coatham for a potential sale.

Instead he is beefing up his fleet by investing £525,000 in three super-green coaches, a move that will enable the firm to comply with EU rules on transport-generated emissions. He said the company would target steady organic growth although there were several challenges to overcome, including a shortage of skilled drivers and tougher rules on driver training and working patterns.

Mr Hodgson, who has six full-time and nine casual drivers on his books, said: “Although legislation is there for a reason, working patterns are very inflexible now and drivers have to spend a fair amount of time out of the office on mandatory training courses. That means we have to organise cover so that we can manage the workload.

“There’s definitely a skills gap. Drivers aren’t knocking on the door looking for a job. Those who do want a job are demanding a premium because drivers are in short supply.”

Mr Hodgson joined Coatham in 2007 after the firm was set up in the early 1980s by his father Michael.

*For an in-depth feature on Mark Hodgson, see tomorrow’s Business supplement.

Plans to transform disused Yarm pub into a supermarket move step closer despite mixed reaction

Plans for a disused Yarm pub to be transformed into a supermarket have moved one step closer despite mixed reaction from residents.

Developers have put plans forward for the former Layfield Arms, on Devonport Road, to be converted into a small supermarket - with unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Co-op is one of the high street names interested.

A planning application was submitted to Stockton Council relating to issues such as external alterations including the introduction of an ATM cash machine and alterations to the Layfield Arms car park entrance.

The application has now been recommended for approval despite concerns.

Originally opened in the 1980s as The Harvester, in its early days it was also a favourite for revellers on their way to the Tall Trees Hotel and MacMillans nightclub but closed its doors towards the end of last year.

In recent weeks, a petition set up by residents to fight against the change gathered around 1,000 signatures.

As well as wanting their local pub reopened as a pub, the group also feared it could spell the end of their local Lifestyle convenience store.

Campaigner Laura Stubbs, 29, said: “We want to protect our corner shop, our local shop, where this development will have a detrimental affect on his family business.

“We would also be gutted to lose the pub. It only closed in November, but its been closing on and off for the last two years.

“There are a lot of loyal customers around here.”

Laura Stubbs (right) with other campaigners

In total, Stockton Council have received 110 objections, including the petition and Yarm Town Council.

Yarm borough and town councillor, Andrew Sherris, has previously spoken about his concerns regarding the plans and recent changes in the planning law which could see the new supermarket be given the go-ahead without a change of use application to the council.

He said: “We need to look very carefully at such things as the opening times, security of the car park and whether the introduction of a cash machine can be limited to shop hours.

“Otherwise residents will be disturbed by motorists pulling up at all times of the night.”

Two letters of support were also received claiming that the proposal would be more convenient for the area and would also create employment opportunities.

Rod Hepplewhite, from Prism Planning, agents for the developer, said it was hoped the application would be determined by the end of March, with the shop potentially ready to open in May.

Stockton Borough Council’s planning committee will discuss the application on Wednesday, March 18 at 1.30pm.

Redcar gran thanks Helping Hands For You charity that 'can’t do enough for you'

Dressed smartly in a bright cardigan and wearing her favourite beads, 84-year-old Audrey Pratt sits comfortably in the armchair in the front room of her Redcar semi.

And that’s just the way she likes it. After several serious illnesses that confined her to bed and sometimes meant being hospitalised, nothing gives her more pleasure than knowing that she can live independently in her own home.

She has limited mobility and can only walk around with the use of a walking frame, but she is determined to enjoy life as much as she can, in the house which has so many happy memories for her. With two sons who live in other parts of the country, so they can’t help her on a day-to-day basis, Audrey has to rely on outside assistance.

Her home is full of handles which help her to move from room to room, she has a stair lift, her upstairs bathroom has been converted into an easy-access wetroom and in the front garden is a mobility scooter.

But much as she loves being in her home, she also likes to get out and the highlights of her week are the twice-weekly Community Days held at the Redcar Literary Institute by the charity Helping Hands For You.

Audrey Pratt and Helping Hands co-ordinator Stuart Simmons

The Redcar charity was set up ten years ago as a befriending service to enable elderly and disabled people in Redcar to continue to live at home as long as possible.

On Mondays and Fridays, clients are collected from their homes by bus and enjoy a few hours at the Institute with breakfast, entertainment, a two course lunch, and a bus trip back home – for just £8.

Audrey meets up with her friends there and they enjoy playing bingo and chatting for a few hours.

She said: “We have a good laugh and we are all good friends. We look after each other and for all of us it is our chance to get out of the house. Everyone is so kind, they can’t do enough for you.”

Audrey is also very grateful for other services offered by Helping Hands. The charity offers a range of help - a regular visit from a volunteer who soon becomes a friend, shopping, escorting with or without transport to the doctors or hospital, dog walking, gardening, DIY and decorating.

The gardening, DIY and decorating is organised by co-ordinator Stuart Simmons and incurs a small charge. Stuart was recently working at Audrey’s home renovating the rear entrance to her home so that she can use the downstairs toilet.

“I really don’t know what I would do without them,” she said. “I know I can rely on Stuart.”

“It may sound simple but can make all the difference to the life of someone struggling on their own,” said Helping Hands co-ordinator Carole McQuade. “Sometimes all the elderly person needs is a friend to talk to or to get them some shopping. Providing them with a sympathetic volunteer can change their lives.”

To become a volunteer in Redcar and Cleveland, contact the Redcar and Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency on 01642 440571. For details of Helping Hands for You - how you can help them or they can help you - ring Carole McQuade on 01642 774449, email helpinghandsforyou05@gmail.com

Constable who assaulted youth among ten Cleveland officers who quit while under investigation

A police constable who assaulted a youth and another who took part in a long distance event while on long term sick leave were among the Cleveland officers who quit the force while under fire.

Ten officers were accused of misconduct at Cleveland Police between April 2013 and November 2014.

They resigned while being investigated by the force - and faced no further action - while a further two were dismissed following a hearing.

Resignations included Ann Hall, the most senior member of the force’s staff. The chief officer had been due to face a misconduct hearing following allegations of misuse of public funds in Operation Sacristy but left in May 2013.

And Chief Inspector Mick Williams left of his own will in May 2014 before an internal disciplinary hearing. He had been placed under investigation after his son was locked up for child sex offences.

The officer was initially arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in November 2013 but did not face any criminal charges.

Also on the list was former Detective Chief Inspector Heather Eastwood who quit her job ahead of a disciplinary. It was alleged she failed to inform superiors of her arrest for being drunk and disorderly.

The 12 officers at Cleveland Police are among the 444 officers placed on the national College of Policing’s Disapproved Register during its first year of operation.

The list prevents them from re-entering the police service after being dismissed for misconduct or resigning or retiring while subject to a gross misconduct investigation where there would have been a case to answer.

Detective Superintendent Jon Green, head of Cleveland Police professional standards department, said due to a change in law introduced in January, officers can no longer resign while the subject of gross misconduct proceedings.

“Those who would have appeared at a gross misconduct hearing, had they not resigned, are still subject to the national Disapproved Register and therefore are prevented from seeking re-employment within any policing role,” he said.

“For some time Cleveland Police has published details of such cases on our website, in order to promote transparency and confidence in our internal discipline processes.”

Nationally, the highest number of officers left the service - through dismissal, retiring or resigning - due to data misuse. And 41 were accused of giving false evidence.

Five were dismissed for child sex offences, according to the register.

College of Policing chief executive, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said: “It is encouraging to see 91% of misconduct cases came from internal complaints and investigations.

“This shows the willingness of police officers and forces to confront unacceptable behaviour and use the formal misconduct mechanisms to hold offenders to account.”

Live: Breaking news, traffic and travel across Teesside

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#OnThisBoroDay 2001: El Tel and Robbo step up their search for a striker with a bid for Charlton's Matt Svensson

Boro were stuttering under El Tel and Robbo and the pair responded by starting the search for a new cente-forward.

Venables had done a superb job in guiding the club away from the dangerzone but a six-match winless run in the league meant Boro were still looking over their shoulder.

Dean Windass had been recruited but Boro weren’t planning on stopping there.

Millwall’s 23-goal striker Neil Harris had been linked with a move, Boro had even reportedly weighed up a sensational return for the White Feather.

“We’ve spoken about Ravanelli, he’s an outstanding player,” admitted Venables on this day in 2001.

“There’s been no contact but we’re considering lots of options at the moment and are still not out of the business of adding to our squad.”

Another option was Charlton Athletic striker Matt Svensson.

The 26-year-old, who had been subject to interest from Boro in the past, was anything but prolific and had struggled to nail down a place in the Charlton side.

That didn’t deter Robbo and Venables as Boro lodged a £2.5m bid.

Addicks chief Alan Curbishley wasn’t interested, but Svensson was.

“If the clubs did reach an agreement and I got an offer, then I would consider it,” he said.

While the speculation rumbled on, Boro’s current crop of strikers were being urged to find their scoring boots once more.

A trip to Newcastle United offered the perfect opportunity to stop the rot in the league and Robson was backing Alen Boksic to prove himself on the big stage.

The Croatian striker hadn’t scored during an eight-match winless run in all competitions but Robbo didn’t question the frontman’s contribution to the cause.

“Boksic has been playing well enough but the goals haven’t been coming,” said Robson.

“It would be nice to see him break his duck at Newcastle.

“We’ve not been scoring as many goals as we should, but I’ve no problems with Alen’s general play.

“Obviously he has to get back on the scoresheet eventually, but as long as the overall level of contribution stays the same, then I’m happy.”

Robbo will have been happy the following day. Boksic scored both goals as Boro got back to winning ways with a superb 2-1 win at St James’ Park.