A KNIFEMAN who threatened a family was spared jail yesterday to redeem himself on drug treatment courses. Daniel Randall was high on amphetamines and drink when he flew into a rage during a barbecue at his home. Randall, 28, was alleged to have hit a
PROTESTORS are trying to scupper plans to build an environmentally friendly business centre in north Durham. Derwentside District Council has received letters objecting to the scheme to develop an office block that creates its own renewable energy. The
Police have quizzed Newcastle United stars Lee Bowyer and Kieron Dyer following their on-pitch brawl in front of 52,000 fans. A file is now being sent to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if either of the players is to face criminal charges. The
PREMATURELY in Preston - north end, possibly; Serendipity Street, beyond argument - the column adjourned for a quick one last Wednesday before the train arrived on platform two. The pub was the Railway Inn, the music machine played Planxty, a charming
ADMINISTRATORS have confirmed they are close to selling a troubled North-East pub and club chain to a mystery buyer, in a deal which will secure more than 400 jobs in the region. Wessex Taverns Group went into administration on March 31, after a slump
A PROPERTY branded by neighbours as the House from Hell after it became the haunt of drug dealers can reopen after a court heard safeguards were in place to prevent further trouble. The house, in Mayfield Grove, Harrogate, was boarded up in January when
A MAN whipped his girlfriend with a towel after she came home drunk, a court heard yesterday. Philip Wilson, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, who had a "love-hate relationship" with his partner, rowed with her when she returned home after a night out. He
A POLICE team set up to tackle anti-social behaviour in Darlington has arrested 45 young people since it was launched in February. The figure amounts to almost one arrest per shift. Of the 45 arrested, 26 have been children aged 16 or younger - and many
CHANGES are being made at the top of the police force in North Yorkshire. Detective Chief Superintendent Carmel Napier has been appointed Acting Assistant Chief Constable. She takes over the responsibilities held by Deputy Chief Constable Roger Baker,
A family portrait by one of the North-East's best-known living artist is expected to realise several thousands of pounds when it comes under the hammer next week. The portrait of Anne Cornish by her father Norman, who was born in Spennymoor, County Durham
Firms which used to supply MG Rover are starting to lay off workers in increasing numbers following the collapse of the car group, threatening fresh job losses sparked by the crisis, it emerged last night. Manufacturing officials said about 1,200 workers
COUNCIL bosses have come under fire after announcing changes to a concessionary travel scheme. Darlington Borough Council's taxi vouchers initiative gives £50-worth of coupons to pensioners and disabled people who face difficulty travelling. They can
A REGIONAL crime fighter has died following a road accident on the North York Moors. Mother-of-two, Joyce Gaw-thorpe, 53, was admitted to The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where she later died, following Saturday's two-car collision on
BARROW woman Barbara Lawton will be pounding the streets with her sweeping brush as the first female member of the team. The group of council workers wheeling the mobile dustbins has been expanded by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council in a bid for cleaner
DURHAM'S three national league clubs have seen their hopes of having the county cup final played next week scuppered by Westoe. Following their exertions at Twickenham on Saturday, the South Shields club have opted to go along with the county's much-criticised
Armstrong is still confident ALUN Armstrong has confidently insisted that Darlington remain on course to achieve their play-off goal, writes LEE HALL. Despite their recent poor run, which has produced just one win in their last five games, Quakers are
HIGHER airfares and food prices helped boost inflation last month, official figures showed. More expensive plane tickets and higher milk and vegetable prices contributed to the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rising to 1.9 per cent in March from 1.6 per cent
A rapist who was freed from jail only to strike again will be eligible to apply for parole in just four years time. Clifford Church was yesterday handed a life sentence for a sickening and prolonged sex attack in which he pounced on a married woman as
The widow of a man who took a fatal overdose of drugs could have saved his life by simply calling 999, a court heard today. Paul Anderson, 43, who was weak, vulnerable and in constant pain, took an overdose of morphine on July 17, 2003 and died the next
A PARADE led by the DLI Band will open this year's medieval fair in Sedgefield. It will be marshalled by Ray Barron, led by the (TA) DLI Band and include the flower queen and her attendants. Former Sedgefield Rector The Reverend Martin King and his wife
It may not seem like it, but being a politician's wife is a job in itself, as shown by Sarah Kennedy post-delivery. SO who'd be a politician's wife? Especially in an election. Especially when you've just given birth. Those mothers of you out there, cast
CHERIE Blair raised eyebrows yesterday when she admitted she was considering sending son Leo to school with a packed lunch. The Prime Minister's wife said she was "seriously considering" the option because the quality of meals at the four-year-old's school
A MAN racially abused and assaulted his love rival during a quarrel over his children, a court heard yesterday. Anthony Cormack, 39, of Montrose Street, Darlington, pushed Kevin Hughes in a "threatening manner," and made derogatory comments about his
No doubt it should be viewed as inspiring - the human race pushing out its boundaries. So why is it hard not to feel depressed by what now seems to be the imminent colonisation of the Moon? For the last decade or so we have left our neighbouring satellite
Elderly and disabled residents can now pick up their "Message in a Bottle" packs. The packs, which contain a medical bottle and two stickers, are available from Boots, in Northgate, Age Concern, in Bradbury House, Moss Pharmacy in Morrisons, Morton Park
TEETHING PROBLEMS: I HAVE discovered that my dentists' surgery is going private. Myself and my family are NHS patients and were told we would have to pay for private treatment or find an alternative practice - which was quite distressing as we have been
WHOEVER succeeded John Paul II would have faced an enormously difficult task. The challenge of following one of history's best-loved Popes has fallen to Joseph Ratzinger - Pope Benedict XVI - and he has our best wishes. His election will delight the traditionalists
COUNCIL tenants have voted against their homes being transferred to another landlord. Durham City Council said 95 per cent of tenants who returned a questionnaire opted for the authority to continue running housing. The Government has ordered councils
RESIDENTS have condemned a traffic scheme they say is making their street dangerous for elderly people. The system was introduced to a residential area of Northallerton late last year when work started on a £21m development at the town's Friarage Hospital
MORE than 200 shop staff and call centre workers are to lose their jobs, after retail chain Index announced detailed store closure plans. But up to a further 75 jobs were saved, after rival firm Argos yesterday snapped up three of its North-East sites
FIREFIGHTERS have begun lecturing young offenders on the consequences of their actions in a bid to tackle high levels of arson on Teesside. Cleveland Fire Brigade and the Youth Offending Service have devised an education programme aimed at those aged
A MURDER inquiry into the death of a 58-year-old grandmother was called off last night after a post-mortem examination revealed she died of natural causes. A 40-year-old man who had been arrested was released and bailed pending inquiries. Police and paramedics
A store looks set to shake things up and get children drinking healthily. Diva Shakes opened this week in the Castlegate Shopping Centre, in Stockton, serving up more than 40 types of milkshakes. It is the only milkshake bar in the region and one of only
GORDON and Lily Corner this week celebrate 60 years of happy marriage. The couple were married at St Paul's Church, in Haswell, east Durham, on April 21, 1945. It was their love of dancing which brought them together because they met at a regular village
ADMINISTRATORS have confirmed they are close to selling a troubled North-East pub and club chain to a mystery buyer, in a deal which will secure more than 400 jobs in the region. Wessex Taverns Group went into administration on March 31, after a slump
GRAEME Souness has leapt to the defence of Nicky Butt, after the much-maligned midfielder refuted suggestions he had snubbed Newcastle's fans in the wake of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United. Butt was the only Newcastle player not
A TEESSIDE regeneration group has appointed a new manager to oversee its work in the region. John Ford will be responsible for the day-to-day running of North Hartlepool Partnership. The group is spearheading the multi-million pound regeneration of the
HEALTH chiefs have been urged not to shut a hospital's maternity department. Managers of the Friarage in Northallerton admit one of four options being considered is to close the maternity unit. Options for the future of the service are being investigated
SUNDERLAND midfielder Liam Lawrence has admitted that winning promotion to the Premiership could hinder his chances of further first-team football next season. But, after silencing the doubters who questioned his ability to adapt to life in the Championship
JACK Ross, absent without leave at Hartlepool United, has launched a furious attack on the club and manager Neale Cooper - and is adamant he won't be returning. Ross, sidelined with ankle ligament damage since February, insists he will quit the professional
People's Court (ITV1) THE centrepiece of ITV1's new daytime schedule gives viewers the power to decide who's right and who's wrong in a court case. My vote would come down on the side of those who say this programme is guilty - of being trivial and boring
ALUN Armstrong has confidently insisted that Darlington remain on course to achieve their play-off goal, writes LEE HALL. Despite their recent poor run, which has produced just one win in their last five games, Quakers are seventh in League Two, where
DETECTIVES investigating the death of a student are trying to piece together her final hours. Kimberley Bage, 16, was found with multiple stab wounds at her mother's home in Troutpool Close, Hartlepool on Friday at about mid-day. Police are anxious to
A COUNCIL is promising to use feedback from young people in its strategy for public transport in the town. A group of 14 students from High Tunstall School, in Hartlepool, aired their views on a range of transport issues affecting them at a special event
FIRST came the wisps of white smoke, then the bells of St Peter's rang out to announce that the world had a new pope. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope last night. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. The 265th pontiff emerged onto the balcony
THE demolition of a former primary school was well under way yesterday - as developers told of their delight at progress on a £60m community village. The old Alderman Leach school, in Cockerton, Darlington, is being pulled down to make way for housing
COUNCILLORS settled a long-running planning debate yesterday by allowing a model aircraft club to use a field. Shildon Model Flying Club has been granted temporary planning permission to use a seven-hectare stretch of farmland at Old Eldon, between Newton
A PLANNING inquiry into a Cumbrian windfarm is being watched with interest by campaigners in the North-East. The public inquiry into an application for 27 wind turbines at Whinash, near Tebay at Penrith, Cumbria, began yesterday and is expected to last
A PHOTOGRAPHER has won national recognition from a leading UK magazine for her new website. The site of Darlington-based Lucy Carolan, which has been live for just a month, was selected from more than 30 entries to win Website of the Month at Black and
BOSSES at a North-East airport yesterday announced a significant rise in passenger numbers. More than 65,000 people passed through Durham Tees Valley Airport, at Middleton St George, near Darlington, in March - representing a 37 per cent increase on the
HEALTHCARE provider Castlebeck, which runs hospitals in the North-East, has joined forces with a provider of online learning to design an induction programme for its staff. Creative Learning Media (CLM) specialises in multi-media training for healthcare
DOZENS of young readers have given up their lunch breaks to train as student librarians. A total of 107 volunteer librarians from 15 secondary schools across Teesside will be presented with certificates at the annual Student Librarian Training Scheme
A JUDGE who allowed Mark Hobson, who went on to kill four people, to walk free from court after he stabbed a love rival, has faced criticism for not jailing him. Judge Scott Wolstenholme gave the former binman 100 hours' community work and two years'
WHEN Steve McClaren returns to the negotiating table to discuss his new contract later this month, one thing's for sure, he won't be bringing a video of last night's game with him. Middlesbrough somehow eked out a draw from game that won't live long in
GRAEME Souness has revealed a radical reversal of the St James' Park transfer policy by claiming that a troop of teenage arrivals this summer could cost him his job. The Magpies manager, who has already spoken of making six new signings before the start
MORE than 200 shop staff and call centre workers are to lose their jobs, after retail chain Index announced detailed store closure plans. But up to a further 75 jobs were saved, after rival firm Argos yesterday snapped up three of its North-East sites
COMMUNITIES in the North East have been awarded more than £57,000 in National Lottery funding. The money will help them commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. In the coming months, a series of VE and VJ Day
THREE tourism businesses are celebrating after winning national awards. Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, in County Durham, was awarded the region's first ever gold in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the Enjoy Excellence In
DISABLED youngsters could be left heartbroken if vital volunteers are not found to help with pony riding lessons. Two specially-trained ponies trot along to the Priory Woods Special School, in Ormesby, Middlesbrough, every week for a two-hour session
After two days of voting, the Roman Catholic church yesterday chose German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as the next pope. Nick Morrison profiles the man now known as Benedict XVI. IN the battle for the soul of the Roman Catholic church, the conservatives
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren was a relieved man last night while his Fulham counterpart, Chris Coleman, was struggling to contain his fury after a last minute penalty decision cost his side a vital win at the Riverside. McClaren was keen to point
YOUNGSTERS and parents will take centre stage at the region's biggest concert hall after months of practise with professional percussionists. Pupils from Hartside Primary School, Crook, will perform at The Sage Gateshead in July. The reception class and
People's Court (ITV1): THE centrepiece of ITV1's new daytime schedule gives viewers the power to decide who's right and who's wrong in a court case. My vote would come down on the side of those who say this programme is guilty - of being trivial and boring
JEEPSTAR (3.05) holds strong claims in his bid to take Epsom's £20,000 Great Metropolitan Handicap back up to Tim Easterby's North Yorkshire base. The gutsy gelding made great strides during 2004, picking up valuable contests at Pontefract and Musselburgh
DURHAM coach Martyn Moxon is hoping his team's superb start to the season will help them forget their Riverside phobia when they start their four-day match against Worcestershire today. Other than Martin Love, only Gary Pratt in the middle of the 2003
CAMPAIGNERS last night criticised a decision to cut the sentence of a former Army Red Cap who sexually assaulted two schoolgirls. Anthony Harrison, of Skirlaw Road, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had his six-year sentence reduced at London's Appeal Court
A 23-year-old woman is taking on one of the world's most physically and mentally exhausting challenges in an effort to become the first female Paratrooper. Lieutenant Jenny Hands is going through the notorious P Company training course at Catterick Garrison's
THREE tourism businesses are celebrating after winning national awards. Beamish, The North of England Open Air Museum, in County Durham, was awarded the region's first ever gold in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category at the Enjoy Excellence In
FIRST came the wisps of white smoke, then the bells of St Peter's rang out to announce that the world had a new pope. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was elected Pope last night. He chose the name Pope Benedict XVI. The 265th pontiff emerged onto the balcony
CRIMEFIGHTERS in North Yorkshire have added a new weapon to their arsenal - digital cameras. Safer Ryedale, the community safety partnership, has bought 16 cameras and additional equipment. They are being issued to individual neighbourhood beat officers
A POLICE force's new protective dog boots proved crucial in the capture of a suspected burglar. General purpose dog Max was fitted with the Bark 'n Boots footwear to protect his paws during the search of a factory complex. In the past, a dog could not
A NORTH-EAST jail criticised for "systematic failings" in a suicide case has come under fresh fire at the inquest into the death of serial killer Harold Shipman. The prisons ombudsman, Stephen Shaw, said staff at Frankland Prison, near Durham, had made
SO who'd be a politician's wife? Especially in an election. Especially when you've just given birth. Those mothers of you out there, cast your minds back to around 12 hours after you'd had your first baby. How did you feel? Euphoric, no doubt. But also
VOLUNTEERS will create a flowerbed in Consett today. The project in Middle Street is part of the Pride in Consett North scheme run by Consett North Partnership and Groundwork West Durham. It is working to improve unsightly areas in conjunction with Derwentside
AMELIA USHER, a pillar of the north Durham community, has celebrated her 100th birthday. Mrs Usher marked the occasion surrounded by family and well-wishers at Durham House Residential Care Home, in Chester-le-Street. The daughter of a local wholesale
PROTESTORS are trying to scupper plans to build an environmentally friendly business centre in north Durham. Derwentside District Council has received letters objecting to the scheme to develop an office block that creates its own renewable energy. The
VICTIMS and offenders are coming face-to-face in a scheme designed to help young offenders reform. Now, Sunderland's Youth Offending Service (YOS) is seeking to recruit more community-spirited people to its panel of volunteers who help draw up referral
BARRY Johnson may be forced to quit the Scottish Rally Championship because his rivals are not prepared to give him a run for his money. Shildon-based Johnson has romped to victory in the opening three rounds this season to add to the four he won at the
TAX disc holders are being handed out across east Durham to help thwart thieves. The theft of vehicle licences from cars has been a minor, but persistent, problem for some time in the area. As part of a campaign targeting vehicle crime, funding has been
A ST George's Day celebration will take place in Crook on Saturday. The Crook Community Partnership is staging the event, between 10am and 2pm, in and around St Catherine's Community Centre, in the Market Place. Children will be able to have their faces
JEEPSTAR (3.05) holds strong claims in his bid to take Epsom's £20,000 Great Metropolitan Handicap back up to Tim Easterby's North Yorkshire base. The gutsy gelding made great strides during 2004, picking up valuable contests at Pontefract and Musselburgh
