LOOKING back to the week of June 13, 2012, when young Kieran Maxwell was preparing to carrying the Olympic Flame.

TEENAGE torch carrier Kieran Maxwell said he would have to overcome his nerves before he took to the streets for his part in the Olympic torch relay, on Sunday, June 17, 2012.

Kieran, of Heighington, near Darlington, will carry the torch through Bishop Auckland.

The 13-year-old had his left leg amputated at the knee after it was discovered he was suffering from Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer that attacks bone and muscle.

He said: "I am really excited to carry the torch, but I am nervous too because so many people will be watching me."

Kieran joined a disabled gymnastics club in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to build up his strength to enable him to walk the 300 metres with the flame.

He said: "My gymnastics has made me stronger and I have been lifting objects and practising my walking."

A conman whose bogus airline collapsed leaving a mountain of debt was in June 2012 avoiding deportation by refusing to reveal his nationality.

Convicted fraudster Victor Bassey – who was jailed for two years for setting up a fake airline – was detained by the UK Border Agency while officials make plans to expel him.

But Bassey caused a headache for the authorities by staying silent on his background – despite previously claiming to be Nigerian.

It was also believed the 51-year-old was trying to be released from the detention centre in the South and return to the North-East.

Despite the delay, the efforts to deport Bassey were welcomed by his victims, who lost tens of thousands of pounds through Excelsis Aviation.

Finally, a teenager was hailed a hero after his quick-thinking saved a 12-year-old boy who was choking on a sweet.

Joseph Redfearn was with friends in Nunnery Lane, Darlington, when he saw Alasdair Cunningham staggering towards him, red-faced and gasping for breath.

A sweet had become lodged in the youngster's throat while he was running during a game of football, leaving him unable to breathe.

Despite never having had any first aid training, 16-year-old Joseph sprang into action and performed the Heimlich manoeuvre. After the third attempt, the sweet was dislodged and his airway cleared.

Joseph, a year 11 pupil at Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, said: "One of my friends asked a man nearby to call for an ambulance, but I didn't think he would last long enough for one to come.

I didn't want to see him die – I had to do something.

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