A SELF-CONFESSED porn addict groomed and abused a child and shared indecent pictures of the youngster online. Civil servant Graham Allport discussed his depraved desires with a woman he met on an erotic fantasy website – then blamed her for him
POLICE on Wednesday night lifted a cordon from streets near York Minster after a man who officers say was intending to harm himself was brought to safety. North Yorkshire Police tweeted that the man had been taken to hospital 'to receive the support
DURHAM secured their fourth victory of the Specsavers County Championship Division Two season, hammering Sussex by 186 runs at Emirates Riverside thanks to a fine performance with the ball by Chris Rushworth. The home side appeared to be in trouble
A TREASURED motorbike has been stolen from a shed. The burglary in Seaham is believed to have occurred overnight on Tuesday. At some time between 11pm on Tuesday, September 11 and 7am yesterday, Wednesday, September 12 the thief or thieves approached
AN unusual artwork has been installed in Kielder Water & Forest Park in Northumberland. As part of the Heritage Lottery funded “Living Wild at Kielder” project, and Kielder Art & Architecture, Plashetts Rising, has been created to emerge
DETECTIVES are hunting four men who robbed a man in a city park. The incident happened at around 9pm on Tuesday when a 32-year-old Asian male was walking along the side of Nuns Moor Park, in Newcastle. He was approached by four men, dragged into
I’VE interviewed many famous people over the years – politicians, actors, singers, sports stars, comedians, several of them household names. Each interview has been memorable in its own right, but few have made an impression on me the way Fenella
A TRIAL date has been suggested for the case of a teenager accused of stabbing to death a female shop worker in a late-night attack at the premises, last week. Ethan Mountain, 19, is alleged to have stabbed Joan Hoggett at the One Stop Shop, in
TONY PULIS might have struggled to bring in the wingers he wanted over the course of the summer, but he certainly can’t be accused of overlooking his midfield area. While he is still short of experienced options to play on the left and right following
A CAMPAIGN to install defibrillators in schools is being backed by a community police team in the North-East. Officers in West Gateshead have already seen life-saving machines installed in 11 different schools on their patch. Now they are helping
TEESDALE residents have been asked to choose their top three priorities for the coming year. The Teesdale Area Action Partnership (TAP) is one of 14 AAPs across County Durham which operate to give residents a greater choice and voice in local affairs
Hyundai i30N (Price, as tested, £26,345) WHAT IS IT: HYUNDAI goes high performance. ON THE ROAD: 'Born in Namyang and honed at the Nürburgring' is how Hyundai bill the i30N. If you needed any indication of just what the i30N brings
OUR schools exist to teach our children, not to tell them and their parents how to dress. The question of schools dictating to parents to use one particular supplier for the school uniform (Echo, Sept 7) should be examined by the government and
YOUR comment is correct in its description of Boris Johnson (Echo, Sept 11). He should never be in any top job in the political arena. He moves whatever way he sees is advantageous for him and to hell with the country. You ask why top Tories support
THE Prince of Wales was welcomed by a Northumbrian piper as he started a series of engagements in the North-East today. Charles started his two-day trip to Northumberland by visiting The Sill, a national landscape discovery centre, where he was
WITH regard to the front page story (Echo, Sept 8), regarding cancer detection and the fact that too many cases are only detected when the emergency services are called. People die due to late detection. This my little story, relating to bowel
A COMMUNITY building to be used by young people in rural communities has been officially opened. Former England rugby star Dean Richards did the honours at the new Young Famers’ Club facility in West Butsfield, near the A68, between Consett and
JOHN GILMORE of Bishop Auckland suggests “the poor are poor because they haven’t got enough money as wages are low” (HAS, Sept 9). Perhaps the reasoning should be turned around to a suggestion people are struggling on low wages because there are
REGARDING Darlington’s Crown Street library, it just goes to show that old sayings come true. A new brush means a good sweep – and this one was a new council leader. So I say to all the staff jolly good luck for the future. T Sellers, Guisborough
A 71-YEAR-OLD woman has been injured in what is believed to have been an unprovoked attack. Police were called to the Acomb area of York after reports an elderly woman had been assaulted outside the Co-op store on Beckfield Lane at 5pm on Tuesday
A DRUNKEN knifeman was at a hospital entrance shouting: “I’m going to slit someone’s throat,” a court was told. Patients and staff said they could see and hear Aaron Dodds pacing up and down outside The University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton
THERE will be another chance to view inside Richmond's Old Grammar School as part of a project to restore the much-loved building. The open day, on Thursday, September 13, from 10am until 7pm, is part of the National Heritage Open Days. Richmondshire
A PICTURE of a man wanted in connection with a burglary has been released by police. Officers investigating a break-in in Sunderland have identified a man they would like to trace. At 6.50am on Friday, July 13, police received a report that someone
COUNTY Durham super-bantamweight Thomas Patrick Ward is in line to fight in a world title final eliminator later this year, with the International Boxing Federation (IBF) picking him out to take on Mexico’s Cesar Juarez. Ward successfully negotiated
RAFA BENITEZ is not worried about Newcastle United’s position in the Premier League’s bottom three, even though he wants to see his team “manage” games better in a bid to find a first win of the season. The Magpies have lost three of their opening
SUNDERLAND have formally issued Papy Djilibodji with notice that they intend to terminate his contract. Djilobodji, an £8m buy from Chelsea, has been informed that the Black Cats intend to sack him after breaching the terms of his deal. In
THERE’S something bad happening in Oz. You see there’s a wizard who wants to be all powerful and is spreading fake news to try and make it. He’s built his yellow brick road and now he’s putting all the talking animals in cages. But this isn’t his
A CAR crook has been given three months to do 90 hours of unpaid community work or go to prison. Cameron Miles has repeatedly breached a suspended sentence by failing to turn up for appointments. He was given the 12-month term with 120 hours
EMERGENCY services were called to the River Swale in Brompton-on-Swale after reports of a person in the water. North Yorkshire Police were called at 9.04am to the Brompton-on-Swale caravan park after hearing that a person was in the river and their
FUEL prices have risen for a tenth successive week. The average cost of a litre of unleaded stands at more than £1.30 at UK forecourts, with diesel exceeding £1.34, Government figures show. Fuel has not been more expensive than current levels
FRESH fears have been raised over access to cash as figures suggest free-to-use ATMs are vanishing at an "alarming" rate of more than 250 per month. Cash machine network Link released figures showing a 1,300 fall in the number of free-to-use ATMs
Group thanks THE founder of the Great Aycliffe Cancer Support Group, Allison White, has thanked organisers and members of the public who helped raise £654 at a fundraiser at The Turbinia, in Newton Aycliffe, on Saturday. The charity supports people
AN elderly woman has today admitted killing one of her best friends in a car crash. Jean Barnett, 79, could be jailed after pleading guilty to causing the death by dangerous driving of Linda Pyers, 70, on January 26. Driver, 78, arrested
A TEAM of eight storytellers have started to prepare 24 Christmas stories from around the world which will be told through a town's shop windows. Bishop Auckland Town Team have been preparing for their annual Advent Windows event which will run
WORLD-class sprinters, long jumpers and pole vaulters will head to the region when the Great North CityGames moves to Stockton next year. The world-class sporting event, which has been staged on the NewcastleGateshead Quayside for ten years as
A POLICE officer who was once in the top six per cent of newly qualified sergeants in the country has been sacked after deliberately squeezing a woman's breast while on a 16-pint pub crawl. PC Ralph Bainbridge, of Cleveland Police, groped the woman
A TOURIST information centre is appealing for more volunteers to help keep the service running. Volunteer Beverley Lawrence said the centre had recently changed its name from Richmond Tourist Information Centre to Richmond Information Centre to
VANDALS have damaged the Grade II-listed Edwardian bandstand in the town's North Lodge Park. Police said the damage is believed to have been caused between August 29 and 31 and the children's play area in the park has also been vandalised.
RED polo neck, serious expression, world-weary and excessively sincere. I didn't identify much with the lead character Holly Evans in BBC One's new drama Press. Except for, perhaps, the world-weary part. Anyone who Twitters will have seen it
A CONSTRUCTION group has launched two new divisions as it embarks on an expansion programme amid plans to grow turnover. Francis W Construction, based in Darlington, has launched Francis W Groundworks and Francis W Roofing to form the Francis W
A PUBLIC meeting is being held after a community cricket club was told it is no longer able to use its ground. It is understood Alan Cassidy, who owns Langley Park Sport and Social Club, near Durham, has told Langley Park Cricket Club to find a
THE family of a young woman murdered by her ex-boyfriend have been working with Northumbria Police to develop a training package on stalking and harassment which has now been shared with other forces. Alice Ruggles, 24, was killed at her home in
FOUR talented soloists from the world of opera are joining together to give a special concert at The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond on Sunday, September 16, at 7.30pm, in aid of a local charity providing dance lessons for children with special
In a Lincolnshire village a devoted and frolicsome young couple are preparing to say their farewells as the First World War breaks out. Charles, an ex-soldier, strives to lay his wife’s fears to rest as he answers the call of king and country.
OUR pick of tonight's TV Joanna Lumley's Silk Road Adventure (ITV, 9pm) THE eponymous host is off on her travels again, following in the footsteps of David Baddiel, whose recent exploration of the Silk Road was also compelling TV. Her first
A DRIVER has died in hospital following a crash. The 50-year-old local man was driving a Ford Kuga car which crashed into the back of a stationary vehicle in Cockton Hill Road shortly before 6am on Monday. He was taken to Darlington Memorial
STUDENTS who struggled at school are celebrating college exam results which will change their lives thanks to an innovative approach to learning that even involved a hypnotherapist. English and maths lecturers at Darlington College were rewarded
IT was the railway’s worst nightmare: two steam engines had somersaulted in a mass of metal down a steep bank at the entrance to Teesdale, tearing up the track as they toppled. And, in just a few hours’ time, this track was due to carry the most
MP Helen Goodman added a splash of pink to her outfit in support of Breast Cancer Now’s wear it pink fundraiser. The Bishop Auckland MP is calling for community groups, businesses, schools and friends in the constituency to join her and get involved
DENVER HUME has been hailed as a sign of Sunderland’s bright future and an indication of how academy graduates will make Jack Ross’ squad even stronger. Hume, who made his first team debut last season, was introduced to the Sunderland starting line-up
RAFA BENITEZ will not risk Jonjo Shelvey against Arsenal this weekend, even if the Newcastle United midfielder is desperate to make his return from injury. Shelvey has missed the last few games with a thigh injury he picked up during pre-season
A BANNED motorist who failed to comply with a police drug test after crashing, has succeeded in cutting his prison sentence by seven weeks. David Welsh was last month jailed for 24 weeks by Peterlee magistrates after admitting driving while disqualified
ORGANISERS behind the returning Sedgefield book festival hope to get the creative writing juices flowing with a host of workshops. Writers, poets and novelists from across the region will be heading to the town to lead sessions during Book Ends
SEDGEFIELD’S celebration of literature will return this month with an action-packed programme. Book Ends returns for the second time for three weeks of writing workshops, talks, concerts, displays of art, photography and children’s events from Saturday
A LIFE-LONG crook is behind bars for a crime spree which left businesses with hefty repair bills and hit trade. Geoffrey Baker was labelled a professional commercial burglar by the prosecutor who outlined the trail of misery he left across Darlington
IT’S been a great year for cone sales. I don’t mean the type you get ice cream and a flake in, although it has been a good year for all things heat related, but more the annoying orange pointy ones which seem to be on every road surface. It’s also
A CHARITY is calling for youth volunteers as part of a drive to improve health and social services. Healthwatch Darlington is encouraging young people to join their Youthwatch group after losing many of its members to university and full-time jobs
AMBITIOUS plans are afoot for Richmond’s Old Grammar School and its doors are being thrown open to the public this week. This Thursday the school will be open to visitors from 10am to 7pm as part of National Heritage Open Days. Also known to
Stolen bike A WITNESS appeal has been launched over the suspected theft of a Sinnis Apache motorcycle that has been taken from Abbott’s Yard Car Park, in Darlington. The bike was reported stolen on September 3. The 125cc motorbike has largely black
HAVING won convincingly at the weekend with a weakened team, Tommy Wright admits he will have to give his team selection some serious thought for the trip to Southport. After a largely disappointing start to the season, Darlington beat previously
Carer meeting HAMBLETON and Richmondshire Carers Centre hold a special carers meeting in Northallerton on the second Monday of each month at 10am in the upstairs cafe at Barkers. The event is for people who look after someone who is ill, disabled
RIPON Karate Dojo has received a cash boost from homebuilder, Taylor Wimpey North Yorkshire, towards state-of-the-art equipment. The club, which is located close to Taylor Wimpey’s Lime Gardens development, has received £500 towards an advanced
A NORTH-EAST police force is recruiting new special constables. Applications to join Durham Police as a Special Constable will be open from 9.30am on Friday until 5pm on September 28. ‘Specials’ are volunteer police officers who commit a minimum
A NEWLY-QUALIFIED sports therapist has launched a therapy and massage business at a County Durham leisure centre. Alan Kay, of Newton Aycliffe, decided to set up AK Sports Therapy and Massage after graduating with a sports rehabilitation degree
THIS week, 15 years ago, a couple broke their engagement celebrations to rescue an elderly woman. Carl Kennedy and Abi Barker had just broken the news of their wedding plans to Carl's parents, Mick and Kim, and were walking towards a pub to celebrate
AN MP has welcomed the news that a North-East port has become the first to sign up to a scheme aimed at reducing plastic pollution. PD Ports, the operator of Teesport, have become the first port anywhere in the country to sign up “Operation Clean
MORE than 100 professional and semi-professional hookers and prodders from around the world will descend upon Reeth next month. The international group of rug makers are meeting for a four-day celebration of the ancient craft, as part of The International
MORE than 100 young people have been recognised for completing a summer of team-building and charitable work at a graduation event. Teenagers flocked to Cineworld in Middlesbrough to take a look back at all of their fantastic achievements as part
A SINKHOLE that opened up and forced the evacuation of a supermarket has now been repaired. The Sainsbury’s store in Ripon had to evacuate its customers and staff when the large sinkhole appeared in a walkway next to the building on August 21.
A TALENTED boxer is aiming to take on the best in the world. Michael Webster is aiming to fulfil his ambition of becoming a professional boxer after 13 years as an amateur where he won a number of titles and medals. The 25-year-old, of South
A PUBLIC consultation is now under way on proposals aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, such as noisy groups of youths and abusive drinkers in Darlington town centre. Darlington Borough Council announced in July that the authority is considering
TWO gifted Nigerian students were used as a conduit to help launder money scammed from a restaurateur, a court heard. The owner of Tango, on Elvet Bridge, Durham, unwittingly paid a rental bill for £16,250 into an account set up by the scammers.
THE NORTH-East is set to lose four MPs in a shake-up of the UK’s electoral map, it has been conformed. Following several rounds of consultation, the Boundary Commission for England has now made its final recommendation on how to reduce the number
A SIXTH form is set to benefit from a new three-storey multimedia block after getting the go ahead from councillors. Durham County Council’s area planning committee approved the proposals for the Durham Sixth Form Centre, off Freeman’s Place and
A FAMILY who have spent hundreds of pounds on petrol taking their young daughter to hospital for vital cancer treatment says the Government needs to do more to help other families struggling financially. Melissa Sayers, of Peterlee, east Durham,
PREDICTIONS the roll-out of Universal Credit (UC) would spell disaster for a borough featuring areas with high levels of deprivation have proved unfounded, a meeting has heard. Darlington Borough councillors were told since the Government’s controversial
ANIMAL lovers are urging people to help save hens destined for slaughter by adopting them and giving them new homes where they can live out their lives. Emma Docherty’s house in Langley Moor, near Durham, is set to become a rehoming centre for
FORMER fireman Guy Ledgard returned to his station 20 years after hanging up his boots. The 75-year-old , a resident at Ingleby Care Home, relived his days as a White Watch Manager at Thornaby Fire Station. Serving White Watch Manager Dave Bradshaw
VIRGIN Trains East Coast (VTEC) may have survived if the Department for Transport (DfT) had assessed its bid properly, MPs have found. The department encouraged overbidding and failed to sufficiently stress-test the proposal submitted by VTEC,
