Archive
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Auditions to find star of Billy musical
Young dancers and singers in the North-East have a second chance to become the next Billy Elliot. Auditions are being held in Newcastle to find a star to play the role of the ballet-dancing miner's son in Billy Elliot the Musical. They are on Sunday at
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Strachan's a cut above, says Cooper
GAVIN Strachan might still be in the infancy of his Hartlepool United career, but boss Neale Cooper has no doubts about his ability. Strachan, a summer signing on the eve of the new season for Cooper after the midfielder was left without a club, has been
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Labour MPs pledge to rebel over 'super hospital' plans
REBEL Labour MPs in the North-East are threatening a humiliating defeat for Prime Minister Tony Blair today over his plans to set up "super-hospitals". MPs opposed to the creation of foundation trusts pledged to defy mounting pressure from their own whips
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Facing up to very un-Christian evidence
EVER heard of Sunderland Point? No? And you happen to live in Sunderland? If you do, your ignorance of the eponymous Point is as excusable as that of other North-Easterners. For Sunderland Point is a landmark on the Lancashire coast. Or rather it is the
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Doctor denies sexual assaults
A FAMILY doctor has denied carrying out a series of sex assaults on patients at his North-East surgery. Dr Syed Amjad Husain appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday where he denied 26 indictments. The 29-year-old, of Orchard Court Surgery, Darlington
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City waits for results
THE City was last night awaiting Northumbrian Water's first interim half-year results, which are due to be released today. The utility group returned to the London Stock Exchange after nearly a decade following a short spell on the Alternative Investment
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'The door closes...I'm left outside'
ONE of Tony Blair's closest advisors leaned over to John Burton and whispered to him: "You bugger, Burton!" It was on the small plane flying overnight from May 1 to May 2, 1997, from Teesside Airport to London. Blair - having just been re-elected as MP
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Let me play, pleads Dyer
KIERON DYER last night begged Sir Bobby Robson to let him loose on Manchester City on Saturday. Dyer, who was out for a month with a hamstring injury, came through Monday's reserve game against West Bromwich Albion unscathed. Now he is desperate to return
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Campus hit by lecturers' strike
LECTURERS at a North-East university yesterday went ahead with a one-day strike over the threat of compulsory redundancies. Members of the National Association of Teachers in Further and Higher Education (Natfhe) were protesting over planned cuts, which
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Neighbour in court for kicking car
A MAN who kicked a neighbour's car had been subjected to years of harrassment by the owner, a court heard yesterday. Kevin Neil Allen, 38, pleaded guilty to kicking a Vauxhall Astra belonging to Peter Sidgewick on July 20. Derek Walton, prosecuting, said
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Home truths about teenagers
14 Alone (C4) FOURTEEN is a funny age. "I feel like a grown-up because I don't feel like a child any more," explained one of the ten 14-year-olds taking part in this experiment. The aim was to see if they were mature enough to live together peacefully
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Ex-council chief's success at equine art
A FORMER town hall chief who spent decades fighting for a better deal for his area has found a new lease of life by combining his passions - painting and horses. Neil Johnson took up his brush and has been tending his horses full-time since retiring as
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Committee member to give lecture
TEESSIDE Business School will welcome Kate Barker, a member of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, to deliver its annual business lecture tomorrow. The committee meets each month to decide the UK's interest rates. Mrs Barker's talk will cover
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Solicitors accused of fleecing ex-miners
GREEDY solicitors have been condemned by MPs for taking up to £8,000 of the compensation paid to sick or crippled former miners. Fifty nine MPs - including several from the North East - have signed a parliamentary motion attacking their "dishonesty" and
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Backing for organs appeal
A NATIONAL campaign to persuade people to donate organs has won council support. The Vote for Life campaign is seeking volunteers for the Organ Donor Register of people willing to donate organs after their death. Surveys show that nine out of ten people
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Executive salaries revealed in report
THE head of a new primary care health trust is being paid between £85,000 and £90,000 a year. Details of the salary band of chief executive Penny Jones are shown in the first annual report of the Craven, Harrogate and Rural District trust. Ms Jones, 53
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Mum hopes for instant success with Cinderellas
MOTHER-OF-TWO Jackie Wood-Woolley knew in an instant she was going into business for herself when she drove past an empty shop. In the same instant, she knew the shop would be called Cinderellas and it would unashamedly be a true girlie shop. Now Jackie
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Opera star to perform for patients
SINGER Suzannah Clarke will perform for patients in the main atrium at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, tonight. The Middlesbrough soprano will appear as part of the health trust's performing arts initiative. Children from Red House School
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Disappointment as villagers reject parish council scheme
A CAMPAIGNER hoping to create a parish council has spoken of his disappointment after the idea was rejected by villagers. Dr Graham Mitchell, who is chairman of Norton Parish Council steering committee, had hoped that most people would support the plan
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Force uses smart way to cut break-ins
A POLICE force is using "DNA" in an effort to cut a city's house burglaries. Officers in Sunderland will use Smart Water, a crime prevention property marking device which leaves a unique but invisible mark on property. Each dose contains a unique mixture
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Auditions to find star of Billy musical
Young dancers and singers in the North-East have a second chance to become the next Billy Elliot. Auditions are being held in Newcastle to find a star to play the role of the ballet-dancing miner's son in Billy Elliot the Musical. They are on Sunday at
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Accused denies interest in child porn
A FORMER Scoutmaster on trial for downloading child pornography from the Internet said in court yesterday that he had no interest in the subject. Kelvin Marshall was a group Scoutleader and Cub master living with his wife and five-year-old daughter when
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Sex attacker fears ruled out by police
FEARS that a sex attacker was at large in North Yorkshire have been dismissed by police. Officers had warned parents and women to be on their guard in Malton and Norton following two reports of sexual assaults on 14 and 15-year-old girls on Friday, November
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Two more on the horizon
THE second pair of condemned US warships heading for the North-East are due to arrive within the week, officials said last night. The Canopus and Compass Island, now being towed across the Atlantic, will dock at the Able UK yard on Teesside until a court
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Hodgson can save Quakers, Conlon
DAVID HODGSON was last night hailed as the man to steer Darlington to safety by top scorer Barry Conlon. Hodgson's third spell in charge at the club is now in its 17th day and he is already well aware of the huge task that lies ahead. Darlington are just
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The burden of babies
A child is for life, not just for Christmas. And lasts a lot longer than a dog. Two reports out this week have chilled the marrow. The first showed that babies do not necessarily bring happiness. A third of mothers questioned were no happier having had
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Hodgson can save Quakers, Conlon
DAVID HODGSON was last night hailed as the man to steer Darlington to safety by top scorer Barry Conlon. Hodgson's third spell in charge at the club is now in its 17th day and he is already well aware of the huge task that lies ahead. Darlington are just
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Middleham Melody can ring a happy tune at Hexham
HEXHAM'S fearsome uphill climb to the winning post holds no fears for one of the most consistent mares currently in training, Midlem Melody (3.00). Only once out of the first three on her previous eight outings, Midlem Melody fought like a tigress to
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New effort to fight truancy
THE region's truants will be swept off the streets and back into schools this month as the latest round of truancy sweeps were launched. For the next three weeks, teams of police and education officers will patrol the North-East's streets, shopping centres
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The burden of babies
Whether they're keeping us up at night or still living with us well into adulthood, babies are not always the bundles of joy we expect, as two reports show this week. A child is for life, not just for Christmas. And lasts a lot longer than a dog. Two
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My name's Bond - police constable James Bond
A POLICE force will be the first in the north to trial a James Bond-type radio. The hand-held set to be used by Cleveland Police includes a global positioning system, which gives the location of an officer at any time. It also cuts out interference from
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Cameras traced victim's last walk before fatal attack
A jury yesterday watched security camera footage of an alleged murder victim setting out on the walk that led him to his death. Security film captured the electrican George Button walking with his wife Christina and their dog out of the cul-de-sac where
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Woman's heartfelt plea to missing boyfriend
THE girlfriend of a missing man yesterday issued an emotional plea for him to come home. Civil servant Peter Critchlow, 25, from Markham Street, The Groves, York, went missing early on Saturday after a night out drinking with friends in the city. His
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Australian theme bar to open early for rugby world cup showdown
ANGLO-AUSTRALIAN rivalries are rising in the North-East in the run-up to this weekend's rugby union World Cup showdown in Sydney. The mounting interest in Saturday's final in Australia is also reaping rewards for two businesses in Durham. The Walkabout
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Inquest verdict on depressed teenager
THE BODY of a teenager, whose disappearance sparked widespread searches, was found in thick undergrowth six months later, an inquest heard. Craig Foreman, 18, who was suffering from depression, left home with a large amount of medication in October last
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Let me play, pleads Dyer
KIERON DYER last night begged Sir Bobby Robson to let him loose on Manchester City on Saturday. Dyer, who was out for a month with a hamstring injury, came through Monday's reserve game against West Bromwich Albion unscathed. Now he is desperate to return
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Failed firm boss agrees to five years out
THE boss of a collapsed computer firm has given an undertaking not to hold a directorship or be involved in company management for five years. The undertaking was made by William Byung Choi, from New Jersey, in the US, who ran the Young Shin computer
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Boro are in the clear
MIDDLESBROUGH yesterday breathed a huge sigh of relief after the FA decided not to charge them for their part in the explosive Premiership fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers. A day after Franck Queudrue was cleared by the FA of violent behaviour, Soho
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Workers threaten first strike in Nissan factory's history
Workers at Nissan's top-performing North-East plant are threatening to strike for the first time in the factory's 18-year-history. Trade union Amicus has announced members would be balloted on action over plans to move 60 jobs in the purchasing department
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Thirlwell to return at Crewe
PAUL THIRLWELL is poised for his first start for eight weeks on Saturday as Mick McCarthy tries to cope with a midfield selection crisis. The Sunderland manager could be without Colin Healy and Alan Quinn as well as Jason McAteer for Saturday's trip to
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Hotels 'busiest for five years'
BUSINESSES are continuing to recover from the devastating effects of the foot-and-mouth crisis, the latest statistics have revealed. Occupancy figures for hotels and guest houses from March to May together with August and September were the best recorded
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Trust gives welcome boost to school's nursery plans
EFFORTS to raise money for a new nursery at a Darlington primary school have been given a boost. The Charitable Trust of Abbey presented Alderman Leach Primary School with a £100 cheque yesterday. The money will be used to buy equipment for the nursery
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Full steam ahead at
TEESSIDE'S PD Ports, Logistics and Shipping is to continue with its expansion plans after seeing both turnover and profit increase in the past six months. The company's growth strategy saw turnover increase by 3.2 per cent to £79.7m for the six months
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Drax puts finance plan to creditors
DEBT-LADEN Drax Holdings has put forward a restructuring plan to allow the business to continue trading. The business is writing to senior creditors proposing a restructuring of its £1.3bn debt and a related cash offer for the business from International
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Santa in clear after being nabbed by police
THE spirit of goodwill reigned between Father Christmas and North-East police chiefs last night after a charity muddle got Santa into trouble. Father Christmas, alias 51-year-old Frank Brown, had his furry collar felt by police as he collected cash for
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Musicians in their Elements
TWO musicians will be demonstrating their instrumental virtuosity at community venues next week. Simon Mayor and Hilary James will display their dazzling musicianship to Langley Park and Castleside, near Consett, by performing a mix of blues, folk, swing
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World tour in music
YOUNGSTERS learned about instruments from around the world at a concert and workshop last week. Stewart Death and Gavin Woods, of Travelling by Tuba, took their All the Instruments of the World concert and workshop to Raventhorpe Preparatory School, in
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Motorist banned for 18 months
A MAN who crashed his car while over the drink-drive limit appeared in court yesterday. Christopher Stephen Bowes, 28, of Spring Court, Darlington, had been at the Mardi Gras nightclub with a friend on November 8 when he decided to drive to his girlfriend's
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Drink-drive man failed to report accident
A MOTORIST was banned for 18 months yesterday after his drink-driving caused an accident which he failed to report. Alexander Hynd Smith, 53, was driving a Ford Transit van in Moorlands Road, Darlington, when his driving caused Maxwell Turnbull to swerve
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Learning library open day
MEMBERS of a learning library celebrated gaining an award by holding an open day. Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster presented Spennymoor Learning Library with the Investors In People Award when he attended the event at the town's leisure centre. The learning
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Pupils add colour to carnival
ARTWORK has been createdto complement a British Asian carnival taking place in the region next week. Pupils at Branksome School, Darlington, took part in a workshop with artist group Bravura, from Stokesley, to create shadow and silhouette art for shop
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Search and rescue trio step down
THREE stalwarts of a search and rescue team stood down this month after a combined 64 years of service. The contributions to the Teesdale and Weardale Search and Rescue Team by president, Lord Barnard, team leader, Alan Best and secretary Lesley Sutherland
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Chase driver pulled PC along the road
A MOTORIST was yesterday ordered to pay compensation to a police officer who was dragged along the ground during a high-speed chase through Darlington town centre. South Durham Magistrates' Court was told that Adrian Williams, of Tennyson Gardens, Darlington
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Recruitment drive for firefighters
A RECRUITMENT drive is being held tomorrow to attract more retained firefighters to an understaffed fire station. Pump crews from Darlington or Bishop Auckland are having to drive to Barnard Castle to provider cover for the fire station, which is two
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Watching the police
DURING the dark days of Operation Lancet, this newspaper made repeated calls for the Home Office to intervene in the management of Cleveland Police - a force which had clearly lost its way. Those calls were rejected on the grounds that the Home Office
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Tenants back creation of company to run homes
COUNCIL tenants have backed plans to set up a company to run their homes. Ninety-nine per cent of people who took part in a survey for Easington District Council agreed to the creation of an Arms Length Management Organisation (Almo). It would be responsible
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Crisis-hit police get a final warning
THE Government's police watchdog has given the North-East's most controversial police force six months to sort itself out. Unless Cleveland Police improves its performance by the spring, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Ken Williams will personally
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Strachan a cut above, Cooper
GAVIN Strachan might still be in the infancy of his Hartlepool United career, but boss Neale Cooper has no doubts about his ability. Strachan, a summer signing on the eve of the new season for Cooper after the midfielder was left without a club, has been
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Taking to the stage in aid of charity funds
THE Grangetown Star Performers are planning a concert to raise money for the BBC's Children in Need appeal. The 11 adults with learning disabilities from the Grangetown Centre, who are well known for their pop star impersonations and fundraising, will
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Youngsters become flag designers to celebrate town improvements
CHILDREN can see their artwork flying high across Middlesbrough after their drawings of a rejuvenated neighbourhood were made into flags. The West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) community involvement team worked with artist Bob Zilla to encourage
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Crusader wants council apology
LEYBURN resident, Bernard Borman, said yesterday he hoped his eight-year feud with Richmondshire District Council could soon be at an end. The administration's standards committee agreed to listen to his grievances against senior members of the authority's
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Stuart's charity bid is a cut above
VILLAGERS could see their council chairman get a new hairstyle this weekend. Sherburn Parish Council chairman Stuart Walton, who is also a Liberal Democrat Durham city councillor, is allowing the winner of a draw to do what they want to his hair. And
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Prison warders criticised for £15,000 party
Warders at a prison housing some of Britain's most notorious killers are to hold a £15,000 Christmas party - at the taxpayer's expense. Bosses at Frankland jail, which holds Doctor Death Harold Shipman, have defended the slap-up party, in the face of
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Birthday bleatings
THE Gadfly column is now 18 years old, though not necessarily at the age of maturity (nor, indeed, consent). Since we decided that local politics was beyond the pale - or, more truthfully, were misdirected along such lines - nothing has occupied readers
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Family doctor denies sex attacks on patients
A FAMILY doctor has denied carrying out a series of sexual assaults on patients at his North-East surgery. Dr Syed Amjad Husain appeared at Durham Crown Court yesterday where he denied 26 indictments. The 29-year-old, of Orchard Court Surgery, in Darlington
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Teenage gang leader faces jail
THE teenage leader of a gang which terrorised a neighbourhood for years has been warned he faces jail for disobeying an anti-yob law. Carl Rankin, 19, appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced for breaching an anti-social behaviour order
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'The door closes... I'm left outside'
ONE of Tony Blair's closest advisors leaned over to John Burton and whispered to him: "You bugger, Burton!" It was on the small plane flying overnight from May 1 to May 2, 1997, from Teesside Airport to London. Blair - having just been re-elected as MP
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Vodafone announces 20% dividend rise for shareholders
VODAFONE shareholders were handed a cash windfall yesterday after the mobile phone group raised its dividend 20 per cent and set aside £2.5bn to buy back shares. The announcement came as Vodafone unveiled half-year turnover up 13 per cent to £16.9bn with
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Carrier vows to continue growing
BUDGET airline easyJet is forecasting continued growth - despite seeing annual profits drop by a quarter. The company also revealed that flights from Newcastle had been a key driver of performance and was its fastest growing UK airport. Integration of
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Addict in car chase given jail sentence
AN addict who led police on a high-speed chase through south west Durham was so affected by drugs that he could not produce a blood or urine sample when he was caught. Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday how Darren Stabler, 28, reached speeds of up to
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Patients moved in as £10m hospital opens its doors
PATIENTS will begin to reap the benefits of a new £10m hospital this week after a two-year building project. Chester-le-Street Community Hospital has been built on the site of the town's former hospital, using Private Finance Initiative cash. It has 39
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Brown moves to defuse steel tariffs row
CHANCELLOR Gordon Brown has announced a series of initiatives to boost trading links between the UK and US to coincide with this week's visit by President Bush. In a speech to the CBI's annual conference in Birmingham yesterday, Mr Brown said he did not
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Cameras traced victim's last walk before fatal attack
A jury yesterday watched security camera footage of an alleged murder victim setting out on the walk that led him to his death. Security film captured the electrican George Button walking with his wife Christina and their dog out of the cul-de-sac where
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Birthday bleatings
THE Gadfly column is now 18 years old, though not necessarily at the age of maturity (nor, indeed, consent). Since we decided that local politics was beyond the pale - or, more truthfully, were misdirected along such lines - nothing has occupied readers
