FIVE years ago this week, headlines were dominated by a tragedy when the body of a grieving grandfather was found in a burning car.

Neighbours described their shock when a Toyota Auris burst into flames at Enterpen Hall, in Hutton Rudby, near Stokesley one evening.

The road was closed by police and a bomb squad was called in as a precaution.

After police investigation, the man was identified as Ronald Bamlett – who had parked his car opposite the former home of his beloved grandson, who died prematurely of meningitis, and was believed to have set fire to himself.

There was also shock of a different kind when Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio was sacked only six months after taking the reins.

The controversial manager was dismissed after a poor start to the season that saw the Black Cats take only one point from five games.

Di Canio was met with difficulties from the beginning of his position after he was accused of making fascist remarks.

The sacking came a day after Sunderland were beaten 3-0 by West Brom.

Meanwhile, a North-East wildlife photographer told of the terrifying moment a tiger shark grabbed his colleague's £11,000 camera.

Dr Miguel Lasa, 49, of Hartlepool, was swimming without a cage in the Bahamas when the shark snatched the camera from a guide's hands, dropping it 100 metres away.

The guide was unharmed and even managed to pick up his camera which was barely marked.

Dr Lasa said: "The equipment has arms and strobes attached so it immediately attracted the attention of the shark. It's very bulky so it was easy for the shark to grab hold of.

"They are very powerful and can swim long distances very fast.”

Tiger sharks are the world's second most dangerous breed, just behind the great white. It is considered a near threatened species due to fishing by humans.

Also, a centre designed to help the recovery of traumatised veterans and military personnel was opened.

Phoenix House, in Catterick Garrison, was described as unique by senior military figures who attended its opening.

Run by Help for Heroes and supported by the Ministry of Defence, the £10.7m centre was opened by retired Brigadier John Painter, 88, who was wounded in the Second World War, and former soldier Gaz Golightly, from Hartlepool, who lost a leg in a car accident ten years ago while serving with the Royal Logistic Corps.

Co-founder of Help for Heroes, Bryn Parry, said: "Today, everyone who has supported the charity - from donating £2 for a wristband to taking part in a challenge or giving professional time and experience -can see just how much they have helped to achieve.”