Archive

  • PM's catalogue of praise for Argos

    TONY Blair was in Darlington yesterday to open a 740,000sq ft Argos depot. He was joined by the town's MP Alan Milburn and delegates from Darlington Borough Council for the visit to the warehouse, on the Faverdale East Business Park, which will eventually

  • Right royal reward for charity worker

    CLAIRE BARRON had a very special reason for being away from her desk on Thursday - she was having lunch with the Queen. Her invitation to dine with the Royals was a reward for the valuable volunteer work she has carried out for the National Children's

  • Slowdown takes a bite out of Greggs' profits

    BAKERY chain Greggs became the latest casualty of the consumer slowdown yesterday. The Newcastle baker, which has 1,312 outlets trading under the Greggs and Bakers Oven brands, said sales in recent weeks had dipped as shoppers continued to avoid the high

  • Vardy predicts £2bn turnover

    MOTOR dealer Reg Vardy expects this year's turnover to be more than £2bn after a strong performance in used car sales. Managing director Robert Forrester said the Sunderland company was performing in line with expectations and that he expected turnover

  • Souness denies Dyer will be forced to quit football

    GRAEME Souness last night refuted suggestions Kieron Dyer's football career was under threat. Dyer appeared to have finally put his injury hell behind him after a two-month absence with a 20-minute cameo in Newcastle's 3-0 victory at West Brom last Sunday

  • Pensioner Doreen fights back against garden thief

    A HAVE-A-GO pensioner spoke last night of how she tackled a burglar. Disabled Doreen Culling, who can only stand with the aid of a walking stick, went on the attack when she saw a yob 60 years her junior emptying her garden shed. The 82-year-old decided

  • My sex shame secret with missing Jenny

    A MARRIED man has told of his secret love affair with missing shopworker Jenny Nicholl, The Northern Echo can reveal. Unemployed David Hodgson - who was interviewed by police over the 19-year-old's disappearance - has admitted to a Sunday newspaper that

  • Premier Commentary: United win would just paper over cracks

    GIVEN the outstanding talent of Wayne Rooney, it is not inconceivable that when Chelsea visit Old Trafford tomorrow, Manchester United could be celebrating victory after the odd moment of magic from their boy wonder. But even if he does, it is hard to

  • Mendum gets nod

    UniBond League: Bishop Auckland manager Brian Healy is set to give midfielder Dale Mendum his debut in their away game at Brigg Town this afternoon. Healy has been working hard on bringing in new players in the last fortnight, and he's hoping that the

  • Quakers' Congo star living the dream out of Africa

    THE road from Kinshasa to Darlington is not a particularly well-trodden one. The capital of the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo has little in common with County Durham but, for the last four months, one man has been providing a common thread. At

  • First world war soldier's leaf art donated to museum

    A REMARKABLE survivor of the war that was supposed to end all wars is demonstrating the artistry that can be born of conflict. Nearly 90 years ago, a soldier serving in the trenches painstakingly used what nature had provided to create his own original

  • Call for tougher rules to stamp out Government 'bias'

    TOUGHER rules to stamp out a repeat of government "bias" in the run-up to last year's North-East assembly vote were demanded yesterday by the elections watchdog. The Electoral Commission called on ministers to observe a "purdah" from the moment a campaign

  • Work starts on history garden

    WORK is finally under way to create a "history garden" in Hartlepool's Headland. The project, which will take eight months to complete, includes the creation of an imposing formal square in front of the Borough Hall. The garden will feature a history

  • Comment From The Northern Echo: Tories must get it right

    WE believe in strong political opposition, nationally and locally. The opposition throughout the Blair years has been ineffective and that has ultimately been detrimental to his Government and the country. It is therefore vital that the Tories get it

  • Pensioners' flu jabs cancelled as supplies run out amid rush

    HUNDREDS of elderly people in Darlington have had their flu jabs cancelled after a surgery ran out of the vaccine. Denmark Street Surgery has sent letters to 600 patients telling them they will have to re-book their appointments towards the end of the

  • Owen is delighted with move

    MICHAEL Owen yesterday admitted he wasn't sure what to expect when he arrived at St James' Park from Real Madrid but reckons his initial fears have subsided and the move has exceeded all expectations. Owen, by his own admission, cut a frustrated figure

  • Centre to get £92,000

    SUPPORTERS of a community centre have received a cash windfall. A Big Lottery Fund grant of £92,000 will mean a full-time manager can be appointed to run St Cuthbert's Youth and Community Centre, in Middlesbrough's West Lane. The centre has been running

  • Stockbroker embezzled £370,000

    A STOCKBROKER who stole more than £370,000 from his firm to fund a gambling addiction was jailed for two-and-a-half years yesterday. Graham Houghton, 33, embezzled cheques from Brewin Dolphin Security in Newcastle, an international stocks and shares company

  • Officers tackle anti-social behaviour

    A DEDICATED team of anti-social behaviour officers is taking to the streets of Darlington from next week. The team will work to tackle the well-documented issues that cause misery for people around the borough. Nicola Rowland will head the team as anti-social

  • Plan to replace hundreds of houses adopted by council

    HUNDREDS of houses in Stockton face demolition as part of a major regeneration scheme in the area. Stockton Borough Council has adopted its plan for the Parkfield district following extensive consultation in the community. The council says it intends

  • £500,000 package to restore bus service

    AXED bus services are to be restored in a Teesside town, thanks to a £500,000 rescue package, it was disclosed last night. Stockton Borough Council has stepped in to reinstate evening and Sunday bus services taken off the road by the Stagecoach bus company

  • Guard sprayed with gas

    TWO robbers fled with a cashbox after they sprayed a noxious gas at a security guard. The robbers struck at the Jet garage, in Havannah Road, Parsons, Washington, Wearside, at 3.15pm on Thursday. The two men drove into the forecourt in a dark Mazda, as

  • Family welcomes new member

    A CHARITY worker has told of his trip to Africa to see how some of the poorest people on earth are given aid to help themselves. Send a Cow's volunteer coordinator Simon Tate, from Leyburn, spent two weeks in Uganda and Rwanda finding out more about the

  • Two years on, disciplined officer gets conduct award

    A POLICEMAN who was disciplined after hitting a young mother in the face was up before his bosses again yesterday - to get a good conduct award. Traffic Officer Andy Langford, who is based in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was one of a number of officers presented

  • Wilkinson leads young Falcons at Gloucester

    JONNY Wilkinson will captain a Newcastle Falcons team featuring a lot of exciting young talent at Gloucester today. Toby Flood and Mathew Tait will play alongside him at centre and summer signing James Hoyle makes his debut on the wing. Up front 21-year-old

  • 05/11/05

    BULLY TACTICS: IT was with sadness and concern that I witnessed the behaviour of a number of campaigners who attended a protest, and meetings at the town hall this week. The campaigners claim to be voicing the concerns of people who are opposed to Darlington

  • Centuries-old church bells restored to ring out again

    For centuries, the peal of a church's bells rang their symbolic messages across a city. But over the years, the bells deteriorated and, in the 1960s, this part of the city's life came to an end. Now, after restoration, the ages-old traditon returns.Gavin

  • Music night for winter

    A TOUCH of summer is coming to Northallerton during the dark days of November. Pavlo - nicknamed the Greek God of Guitar - is returning to the Hambleton Forum on November 28 at 7.30pm. He played to a full house earlier this year, and leisure officers

  • Knitters needed for world record bid

    BOSSES at the MetroCentre in Gateshead are asking shoppers for their help to knit the world's largest Christmas stocking and enter the Guinness Book of Records. The world record stands at just under 36ft long and 17ft wide and was made in Virginia, US

  • News in brief

    COFFEE FRIENDS: The League of Friends at Stead Memorial Hospital, east Cleveland, is holding a coffee morning at Coatham Lodge, Coatham Road, Redcar, next Saturday, from 10am to 2pm. Admission is 50p.

  • Irresponsible sales linked to vandalism

    IRRESPONSIBLE traders who sell drink, fireworks and spray paint to children are fuelling anti-social behaviour, claim consumer watchdogs. Trading standards officers from Durham County Council have launched a tour of the county's shopping centres, to get

  • Music festival's future is secured

    THE future of a North Yorkshire world music festival has been secured with a £47,000 lottery grant. The Arts Council has pledged the money to the organisers of Musicport, in Whitby. The announcement comes after this year's festival, held last month, was

  • Record entries in local pride awards

    A RECORD number of entries has been received for a competition that aims to recognise the efforts of people looking after the local environment. Council officials in Hartlepool have received 67 nominations for the Pride in Your Neighbourhood Awards, whichoperates

  • Volunteer scheme to combat vandalism

    COMMUNITY-MINDED volunteers from an east Durham disability charity are helping to combat vandalism across the Easington district. East Durham Homes (EDH) is working in partnership with the Shaw Trust, which provides work and training opportunities for

  • Hodgson's men have it all to lose

    DAVID HODGSON believes Darlington are in a lose-lose situation if they fail to progress to round two of the FA Cup at Barnsley this afternoon - financially and in terms of team morale. The Quakers' boss has spent most of this week hammering home the message

  • Opportunity knocks for teachers in the region

    TEACHERS in County Durham are being urged to use the region's history and heritage to liven up lessons. Heritage Education Around Durham (Head) is a collective of museums, libraries and archives that have joined up to promote their facilities and resources

  • Will my Pension Credit be cut?

    Q I have been receiving Savings Credit and some benefit to help with my council tax. Because I will soon have underlying entitlement to Carer's Allowance, I am due to have Guarantee Credit next month as well. I have just received an unexpected inheritance

  • Reprieve for foxhounds as their home is saved from demolition

    A GROUP of retired fox hounds who faced having to be put down have been saved after a compromise by planners. David Cowie, of Wolsingham, County Durham, built kennels to house dozens of the hounds shortly after the fox hunting ban was imposed in February

  • Schwarzer: UEFA changes needed to bring fans back

    ANOTHER inadequate attendance for a Middlesbrough fixture in Europe has led to goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suggesting a change of UEFA Cup format could be the best way to bring back the fans. The Boro shot-stopper is calling for European football chiefs

  • Addict who stole from gran is jailed

    A DRUG addict who stole more than £4,000 from his grandmother to feed his addiction was jailed for 15 months yesterday. Jobless Andrew Johnson, 22, was already on probation for cashing two of her cheques, but his grandmother, Mary Johnson, 67, and her

  • Moors look to strengthen squad to end inconsistency

    Arngrove Northern League: Spennymoor manager Ken Houlahan has demanded more consistency from his promotion chasers as they prepare to face North Shields at the Brewery Field this afternoon. The new Moors go into the game in second place in the table but

  • Time on McCarthy's side despite Pompey debacle

    THE "pendulum" might have "swung" after last weekend's calamitous 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth but, when it comes to Sunderland's season, the clock is still ticking. As Mick McCarthy knows only too well, that has not always been the case. In March 2003, McCarthy

  • Boro ready to face an old-fashioned test

    HAVING watched Middlesbrough concede just once in three matches, manager Steve McClaren has warned his defence to be ready for a completely different threat tomorrow. Boro's new-look three-man defence of Chris Riggott, Franck Queudrue and Matthew Bates

  • Bright idea will certainly hold water

    AN innovation by a watercooler and dehumidifier maker has been nominated for a Queen's Award. Ebac, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, hopes that its WaterTrail cooler will be a winner at the Queen's Awards for Enterprise in April. The WaterTrail keeps

  • Benefit fraud mother faces jail

    A MOTHER-OF-TWO who carried out a £16,700 benefits fraud was warned yesterday she could go to prison. Nicola Hinchliffe wept as her solicitor, Richard Buchanan, outlined to magistrates her catalogue of troubles, including suffering a brain tumour, her

  • Workers 'stunned' by plant closure

    ONE hundred workers have lost their jobs after a glass and building materials manufacturer went into receivership. Staff at Vetroprint Limited, in Spennymoor, County Durham, were "shocked and stunned" after being told on Thursday lunchtime that the company

  • At Your Service: All wi' smiling faces

    Fourteen into one does go - but only just - as they proved in East Cowton on All Saints Day. THINGS two weeks ago had been left in the middle of a field, or strictly in the church of St Lawrence, Hutton Bonville, which stands in the middle of a field

  • Founder of the awkward squad

    REBELLION is in the air. On Wednesday, Tony Blair's majority of 66 fell to just one as Labour backbenchers voted against their own government. Traitors! Treason! Betraying their own leader! But they followed a long and noble tradition begun 81 years ago

  • School opening delayed again

    THE opening of a £35m North-East "super-school", the first of its kind in the country, has been delayed until April. The Government has hailed the so-called education village, in Darlington, which will teach youngsters from the ages of three to 19, as

  • Bankruptcies at record high

    THE number of people going bankrupt in England and Wales has soared to its highest level since records began in the 1960s. More than 12,000 people in England and Wales were declared bankrupt during the three months to the end of September - nearly a third

  • Let It Be worth sticking with

    DESPITE much water flowing under the bridge since the publication of our acclaimed annual Racing North pull-out in March, ten-to-follow pick Let It Be (6.50) continues to reward the faithful, writes Colin Woods (Janus). What a magnificent servant she's

  • Computer hacker set free from jail early

    A COMPUTER hacker who helped spread a virus that infected thousands of computers worldwide was freed early from a six-month prison sentence yesterday. Andrew Harvey, 24, of Sherburn, near Durham City, was jailed along with Jordan Bradley, 22, of Darlington

  • Bell looking to defend title and extend run

    FORMER Great Britain international Stewy Bell defends his title and goes for his fifth victory in tomorrow's sell-out Fruit Bowl 7 multi-terrain event at Gibside. The race, recognised as one of the most picturesque in the region, has attracted a limit

  • Lawrence hoping boos will wake up Cats

    LIAM Lawrence is hoping the boos that rang around the Stadium of Light last weekend will act as the "slap in the face" Sunderland need to propel them up the Premiership. Ten months ago, the Black Cats were given a similarly frosty reception when they

  • Souness denies Dyer will be forced to quit football

    GRAEME Souness last night refuted suggestions Kieron Dyer's football career was under threat. Dyer appeared to have finally put his injury hell behind him after a two-month absence with a 20-minute cameo in Newcastle's 3-0 victory at West Brom last Sunday

  • Chimney burglar caught again

    A BURGLAR dubbed Britain's most incompetent crook has had his collar felt again - this time for trying to get into prison. David Gardner, 31, hit the headlines two years ago when firefighters had to rescue him when he got stuck 12ft down the chimney of

  • Teessiders aim to keep run going

    Wearside League: After ending Birtley Town's unbeaten record last weekend, Teesside Athletic aim to maintain their impressive form at Ryhope CW this afternoon. "This is our first season in the league and last week's result was by far our best," claimed

  • Road safety for youngsters

    ROAD safety training is being given to children across Darlington. The borough council's road safety team is running courses for children to teach them how to cross the road safely. The training started this week at four schools in the borough - including

  • Honest Sweeney finally finding the best of form

    ANTONY SWEENEY may not have been struck with the Hartlepool United injury curse this season, but feels his game has still been affected by the chopping and changing to the side. But now, after playing an integral part in the club's recent revival, Sweeney

  • Woman dragged 40 metres in theft

    A WOMAN was dragged along a road for 40 metres after she tried to stop someone stealing her car. It happened at 5pm on Wednesday when a 53-year-old woman drove her black Peugeot 307 from Sunniside into St Thomas Street, Sunderland. She parked at the back

  • Everyone has the right to speak without fear of intimidation

    BULLY TACTICS: IT was with sadness and concern that I witnessed the behaviour of a number of campaigners who attended a protest, and meetings at the town hall this week. The campaigners claim to be voicing the concerns of people who are opposed to Darlington

  • Policeman is awarded for scheme targeting uninsured motorists

    A POLICEMAN who pioneered a scheme to get uninsured drivers off the roads has been honoured for his work. Inspector John Greveson developed and implemented the Uninsured Driver Scheme across North Yorkshire last year. And as a measure of its success,

  • School choir takes top competion honours

    YOUNG singers have struck a chord with a judge in a singing contest. Pupils at Barnard Castle School, County Durham, performed in front of Newcastle Cathedral's master of music, Scott Farrell, in the annual house singing competition. The honours were

  • Rubbish collection going to be reduced

    WASTE collections in a North Yorkshire district are set to become a once-a-fortnight event. Richmondshire is the only district in North Yorkshire still collecting rubbish once a week. Council officers have proposed that collections every two weeks are

  • Robbery bid at takeaway

    A MAN armed with what is believed to be a fake gun walked into a takeaway and threatened a customer before demanding cash. It happened on Sunday, at 11.30pm, at The Curry Garden, in Coatsworth Road, Bensham, Gateshead, and the would-be robber made off

  • Road safety training for children in bid to slash accidents

    ROAD safety training is being given to young children across Darlington in a bid to cut the number of accidents. The borough council's road safety team is running courses for children to teach them how to cross the road and to stay safe when out and about

  • Schwarzer: UEFA changes needed to bring fans back

    ANOTHER inadequate attendance for a Middlesbrough fixture in Europe has led to goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suggesting a change of UEFA Cup format could be the best way to bring back the fans. The Boro shot-stopper is calling for European football chiefs

  • Schoolchildren open bridge they helped to design

    A NEW bridge based on the designs of Stockton schoolchildren was opened yesterday. Pupils from Layfield Primary School, Yarm, came up with the designs for the bridge, crossing Skytering Beck, in Willey Flatt Field, Yarm, following a workshop they held

  • College urged to save centre

    PARISH councillors are urging Bishop Auckland College to save a dales computer centre from closure. The Computer Learning Centre, at the Durham Dales Centre, in Stanhope, is the only one in Weardale offering a City and Guilds qualification. But with numbers

  • Grant brings museum closer

    A COMMUNITY has secured a £5,000 grant to help it build a museum. The Shildon Community Rail Trail (Vehicles From Bygone Ages) has been given the money by the National Lottery Awards for All fund. The money will help volunteers create a museum of horse-drawn

  • Post office boss jailed for benefit fraud

    A TRUSTED postmaster has been jailed for stealing more than £40,000 of benefits from needy and vulnerable people. Grant Wallace, 36, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court to two years in prison after admitting 19 counts of theft and 31 counts of using

  • Top team nets inter-schools trophy

    A PRIMARY school netball team is celebrating after winning an inter-schools title. St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Coundon, beat teams from other primary schools in the area to be named Bishop Auckland Schools Netball Champions. Headteacher Stefa McManners

  • Trust must find 400 members to be viable

    A DALES charity that offers a lifeline to vulnerable people must find 400 members. But the chairman of the Durham Dales Community Alarm Trust has said the charity must retain its identity and not be swallowed up in a larger organisation. The trust offers

  • Firefighters praise pupils' safety posters

    FIREFIGHTERS have visited a school to praise pupils for their efforts to highlight the dangers of fireworks. Pupils from St Mark's Elm Tree Primary School, Stockton, took part in a poster competition that was organised by the town's Co-operative Funeral

  • Twinkle-toed engineer retires

    THE longest-serving worker at an engineering company is swapping his steel toe-capped boots for dancing shoes. Gordon Low, 65, has retired after more than 28 years with the Tanfield Group's engineering division, in Stanley, County Durham. A ballroom and

  • Season's first hunt - despite the ban

    HUNTS across the region are reporting membership booms as they prepare for the first meets of the official hunting season today. Hundreds of supporters are said to have joined their local hunt as a show of solidarity in the fight against the ban on hunting

  • One in a million

    ACCORDING to Chris Tarrant, presenting Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? is a bit like the interview we're doing. He's right, up to a point. We are sitting facing each other and questions are being asked, but I'm the one putting them, no-one can win a million

  • Machete youth jailed

    A YOUTH helped himself to stock from a small convenience store while a frightened shop assistant looked on, a court heard. Lee Stockton, 19, was yesterday sent to a young offenders' institution for a year. A judge at Durham Crown Court heard how he made

  • No personal licence for nightclub

    THE licensee of a nightclub has been refused a personal licence following objections from North Yorkshire Police. Keith William McCalmont unsuccessfully applied for a personal licence. Mr McCalmont is the licensee for Monty's Night Club, North Street,

  • Parents urged to take care

    DANGEROUS driving around primary schools across the Hambleton district will come under special scrutiny next week. Community safety experts will be promoting safer school runs as part of the Watch Out! There's a Kid About! campaign being run as part of

  • Brighten up to keep safe in dark nights

    PEDESTRIANS are being urged to make themselves more visible to motorists now that darker nights have arrived. Road safety officials have issued a Be Safe, Be Seen plea following the turning back of the clocks last weekend. Paul Watson, Hartlepool Borough

  • Have your say on chocolate factory future

    LOCAL people are being given their say on the future of the former site of the old Terrys of York chocolate factory. The factory complex, in Bishopthorpe Road, closed in September after all production was switched to Europe. A draft development brief

  • Patients are left without a dentist

    PATIENTS have had their appointments cancelled after a dentist took early retirement. A number of patients from the Birdgate Dental Practice in Pickering, North Yorkshire, are now without a dentist. They are being sent letters in the next few days by

  • £1.5m to boost for services

    AN extra £1.5m is to be invested in improving services and the environment in east Durham. Easington District Council yesterday voted to release the money from its general fund reserves to help finance dozens of local initiatives. Earmarked for the new

  • Local history to enliven classrooms

    TEACHERS in County Durham are being urged to use the region's history and heritage to liven up lessons. Heritage Education Around Durham (Head) is a collective of museums, libraries and archives that have united to promote their facilities and resources

  • Rogue traders fuelling anti-social behaviour

    IRRESPONSIBLE traders who sell drink, fireworks and spray paint to children are fuelling anti-social behaviour, say consumer watchdogs. Trading standards officers from Durham County Council have launched a tour of the county's shopping centres to get

  • Police operation targets Christmas criminals

    POLICE have issued a warning to homeowners and shoppers not to fall victim to crime in the run-up to Christmas. Operation Darc will be targeting the type of criminal activity usually associated with the dark winter evenings, in Darlington and the south

  • Wingman flies into form at perfect time

    IN KEEPING with tradition, today's meeting at Doncaster marks the end of turf action on the Flat until next March, but before the curtain finally falls the outcome of this season's last big race, the November Handicap, must be decided. With five three-year-olds

  • School bid to boost child reading skills

    PARENTS, staff and governors at a Darlington school are working together to help pupils with their reading. Reid Street Primary School has joined the national Better Reading Partnership, which involves volunteers working with children to help them improve

  • My sex shame secret with missing Jenny

    A MARRIED man has told of his secret love affair with missing shopworker Jenny Nicholl, The Northern Echo can reveal. Unemployed David Hodgson - who was interviewed by police over the 19-year-old's disappearance - has admitted to a Sunday newspaper that

  • A man for all treason

    It is 400 yeras since Guy Fawkes was discovered surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament. Nick Morrison looks at how terrorism today parallels the Gunpowder Plot - and the life and grisly death of the most famous

  • A man for all treason

    It is 400 yeras since Guy Fawkes was discovered surrounded by 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under the Houses of Parliament. Nick Morrison looks at how terrorism today parallels the Gunpowder Plot - and the life and grisly death of the most famous

  • Time on McCarthy's side despite Pompey debacle

    THE "pendulum" might have "swung" after last weekend's calamitous 4-1 defeat to Portsmouth but, when it comes to Sunderland's season, the clock is still ticking. As Mick McCarthy knows only too well, that has not always been the case. In March 2003, McCarthy

  • Fireworks taken off shelves

    TRADING standards chiefs have suspended the sale of certain fireworks from Aldi stores amid fears they could cause problems. The fireworks are two selection packs called Spider and Viper, two packs of rockets called Sydney and Rio and a large Roman candle

  • Couple used drug money to pay for holiday

    A DRUG dealer's plans for the holiday of a lifetime were put on hold when police raided his home and seized all his money. Christopher Costello and his partner Mary Gidney had hoped to use some of the proceeds of unemployed Costello's cannabis dealing

  • The latest score? Police are winning against hooligans

    POLICE are winning the war on football hooliganism in the North-East, with a big fall in the number of arrests, figures released today show. A total of 201 supporters of the region's five league clubs were collared last season, little more than half the

  • Season's first hunt - despite the ban

    HUNTS across the region are reporting membership booms as they prepare for the first meets of the official hunting season today. Hundreds of supporters are said to have joined their local hunt as a show of solidarity in the fight against the ban on hunting

  • Murder-accused doctor: I was shocked to be arrested

    A FAMILY GP accused of triple murder told detectives he never had any intention of hastening the deaths of his patients. Dr Howard Martin said he had been put under immense strain by the allegations and was shocked when he was arrested for murder. Teesside