Archive
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Teenagers admit raping pensioner
TWO teenagers have admitted breaking into a 65-year-old woman's home and raping her in an attack that shocked the country. David Humphrey and Lee Beazley pleaded guilty to raping the frail widow at her home in Marton, Middlesbrough, last year. The pair
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Firm rejects talk of cuts
CONSERVATORY specialist Amdega last night rejected rumours of job cuts and said it expected to increase its workforce of 350 as it restructures. The Northern Echo understands that workers are concerned about pay cuts and possible job losses at the Darlington
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Cheese maker predicts rise in turnover
THE maker of Wensleydale Cheese has revealed plans to invest in its visitor centre after predicting turnover would be more than £16m this year. The award-winning Wensleydale Creamery, in Hawes, North Yorkshire, has seen sales grow year-on-year, helped
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Teenagers admit raping pensioner
TWO teenagers have admitted breaking into a 65-year-old woman's home and raping her in an attack that shocked the country. David Humphrey and Lee Beazley pleaded guilty to raping the frail widow at her home in Marton, Middlesbrough, last year. The pair
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Deaf craftsman is top of the glass
WHEN Marie Drummond ran out of ideas for a birthday present for her husband, Joe, she decided to send him on a stained-glass course. Mrs Drummond was not to know that her gift would not only brighten his life, but that of the whole community. Because
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Schwarzer's u-turn signals a fresh start
BUOYED by Mark Schwarzer's decision to withdraw his transfer request, an upbeat Steve McClaren has told everyone involved with Middlesbrough to "stop feeling sorry themselves" ahead of this afternoon's crunch Premiership clash with Wigan. Last weekend's
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Sales award puts Maria on top of the world
ONE of The Northern Echo's sales executives has beaten competition from around the world to win a prestigious award. Maria McMann, who works for Newsquest (North East), publishers of The Northern Echo, has been named Sales Executive of the Year for 2005
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Kendrick and Quakers demonstrate comeback credentials
It was not long ago that Darlington's bid to reach the play-offs looked all but doomed, but now they are emulating the phoenix-like return of left-back Joe Kendrick, Quakers' own comeback kid. In the summer, 12 months after signing Kendrick on a free
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Bee with a sting in its tail
EXACTLY 130 years ago, the builders finishing the roof of the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle dropped their copy of The Northern Echo. It lay among the dust and spiders of the decades until it was rediscovered last week. The roofers had that day - January
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Hollywood goes political
THE image from the film Syriana shows a bearded George Clooney in the street, a car ablaze in the background. It could be a scene from any of the blockbuster movies Hollywood churns out, the ones packed with big explosions and breathtaking stunts. Except
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'InBiz will lead to 10,000 jobs'
A £25M scheme to create 10,000 jobs and set up 7,500 businesses in the region in five years was launched yesterday. If successful, the InBiz Project 10k will be introduced across the UK, with London identified as the second project area. The scheme, which
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Ex-mayor ousted from council
A FORMER Mayor of Middlesbrough has been removed from council office after failing to attend meetings for six months. This is the second time the socialist Independent councillor, Frank Gill, has fallen foul of the rules governing attendance. In early
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Probation official faces porn charges
A SENIOR Home Office probation official has appeared in court charged with possessing and distributing child pornography. Vincent Barron, 49, a former probation officer, who is now a senior Home Office IT manager, faces two charges relating to indecent
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Call for council to change view
CAMPAIGNERS celebrating victory in the first parish referendum to be held in Darlington yesterday called on council chiefs to change their stance over the closure of a renowned pub. Nearly 400 people turned out this week to vote in favour of sparing the
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Merger of emergency services 'unwanted'
GOVERNMENT plans to regionalise police, fire and ambulance services have been condemned. Councillor Pamela Anderson, vice-chairman of Ryedale District Council, said "These are unwanted and unaccountable regional administrations of the emergency services
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Scheme offers step to fitness
A scheme to promote healthier lifestyles in the workplace, which is the first of its kind in the country, was launched yesterday. The One Step - Fit for Work campaign has been set up to encourage local employers and their staff to become more active while
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Former custodian of miners' banner to give lecture
A LOCAL historian is giving an illustrated lecture as part of a former pit village's banner restoration celebrations. Arthur Moyes, who wrote The Banner Book, will give a talk, called A Study of Mining Communities, in Bowburn Community Centre, Durham
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Shedding pounds
TWO college workers who shed stones in weight are persuading others to join their health drive. Natalie Johnson, the college's community learning administrator, from Shildon, and Sharon Proud, the community learning officer, who lives in Bishop Auckland
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Teenager who terrorised neighbours is given Asbo
CONSTRAINTS have been placed on a teenage tearaway who was accused of terrorising villagers in his neighbourhood. An anti-social behaviour order was imposed on 18-year-old Craig Anthony Bland, with various conditions added to curb his behaviour. The order
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Leaflets distributed to inform of Asbo
POSTERS and leaflets of a man who received a two-year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) were yesterday circulated in the area he has terrorised for years. For the past three years Gary Raisbeck has waged a campaign of intimidation against neighbours
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SOS petition opposes housing proposal
CAMPAIGNERS handed over their objections to controversial plans for a housing development on a car park yesterday. The Save Our Shire (SOS) protest group is fighting plans by Richmondshire District Council to sell off Yorke Square car park, in Richmond
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Children to design chill out room
PUPILS from a Darlington school are celebrating after landing a £5,000 grant to design their own chill out room. The students, from Hummersknott School and Language College, will be able to pick their furniture and decorate the room, which will be available
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Bring them on, says Nash as he aims to clip Swans' wings
GERARD Nash will certainly be in for a tougher time this afternoon than he was on his debut - but the Hartlepool United defender is relishing the prospect. Nash arrived at Pool on loan from Ipswich and made a comfortable bow seven days ago as Pool kept
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Don't go down without a fight, McCarthy tells Cats
MICK McCARTHY has told his players if they are to be relegated he wants them to go down 'kicking, scratching and fighting' and turn the managers of teams immediately above them into insomniacs. Rock-bottom Sunderland go to fifth-bottom West Brom this
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Keeping students safe and out of trouble
A NEW campus police officer has joined the ranks at a North-East university. PC Angela McCourt has been assigned to the University of Sunderland on the tenth anniversary the safety scheme, which ensures staff and students feel safe and secure. The scheme
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Groundbreaking treatment can halt onset of blindness
A NORTH Yorkshire hospital has begun offering groundbreaking treatment that can halt the onset of blindness. Harrogate District Hospital is providing photo dynamic therapy (PDT) to patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Experts say AMD
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Swans at risk as oil pollutes town lake
FOUR young swans have been plucked from an oil-covered lake in an emergency operation. Booms have been installed on Hemlington Lake, on the edge of Middlesbrough, while investigations continue into the source of the pollution. Environment Agency inspectors
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Where did it go so horribly wrong for North-East's big three?
Injuries, injudicious signings, indisciplined defending, inertia - the story of Newcastle's season has been starkly similar to the terrible tales of the past. A campaign that started with ambitions of Europe could yet finish with an unseemly battle against
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Jenny murder: brothers freed
TWO brothers arrested on suspicion of murdering Jenny Nicholl were last night back home after being released by police. Although North Yorkshire Police are refusing to confirm the men's names, it is believed David Hodgson was released on police bail pending
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Promotion no longer just a dream for RA
Darlington RA manager David Woodcock wants his players to launch a determined effort for promotion, starting today at home to Peterlee. The RA were well below par when they lost to Chester-le-Street in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek and Woodcock
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Boro's shot at redemption
WHEN Middlesbrough take to the field against Wigan later today, they will be searching for salvation as well as playing for Premiership points. Tuesday's FA Cup win over Nuneaton helped to settle a few nerves but, with last weekend's Highbury humiliation
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Warship flies flies the flag for county links
A WARSHIP is flying the flag for the region on its way to its latest mission. County Durham's adopted ship, HMS Bulwark, a 20,000-tonne amphibious assault craft, was presented with a county flag by the county council last month. And as it sailed past
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New kids on the cell block
Michael Scofield isn't like other prisoners. He doesn't want to get out of jail, he wants to get in. So he stages a botched armed robbery to ensure that he's put behind bars in five's new imported US drama series, Prison Break. He aims to make contact
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Castle makes a return as film setting
A NORTH-East castle is one of the main locations in a new television series. Raby Castle, near Staindrop, County Durham, has been chosen as the backdrop in the BBC's production of Elizabeth - The Virgin Queen, which begins tomorrow. The castle doubles
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No cash to spend for Souness
Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness may be tempted to come out of retirement after being told he has no money to spend during the January transfer window - not even for loan signings. The Magpies squad is already stretched to the limit with injuries
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Carry on regardless as Souness sees his loan deal hopes dashed
GRAEME SOUNESS will have to work with what he already has at his disposal at Newcastle United but, claims chairman Freddy Shepherd, he should not expect miracles from his depleted squad. Despite having a number of first-team regulars ruled out through
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Speicalist travel firms offer a better service
IN a travel industry dominated by huge operators, high street agents with a limited range of brochures, and multi-million pound TV campaigns, it can be difficult to track down the small, specialist travel firms. That's a pity because the Association of
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Holocaust angel is finally recognised for her heroism
AN Auschwitz survivor has lived to see the woman who saved her life posthumously honoured. Maria Kotarba repeatedly shielded Lena Lakomy, then aged 23, from the worst of the evils of the notorious death camp. Although Lena's husband was murdered by the
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Eye-style wheel will open in North
A HUGE London Eye-style wheel is expected to be in operation in a North city by late spring. The landscape of York will be transformed by a wheel that will soar 60 metres into the air and give passengers stunning views for 20 miles around. The National
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A learning curve for Walcott and Arsenal
AFTER falling asleep on the team coach as the Southampton squad headed back from an away trip to Hull City in November, Theo Walcott woke up to find his face covered in Jaffa Cakes. At 16 he had had his first lesson in professional football. Now Arsenal
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Damages for boy, 11, burned by loose wire
A YOUNG boy recovering from severe burns after coming into contact with a live electrical wire outside a grocery store has received thousands of pounds in compensation. Brett Blackburn, 11, is still receiving treatment to his burned hand caused by the
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Promotion no longer just a dream for RA
Darlington RA manager David Woodcock wants his players to launch a determined effort for promotion, starting today at home to Peterlee. The RA were well below par when they lost to Chester-le-Street in the Durham Challenge Cup in midweek and Woodcock
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Protest group's landmark number of supporters
A PROTEST group battling to retain Hurworth School in its present village location has chalked up a landmark number of supporters. Save Hurworth and Rural Education (Share) is fighting Darlington Borough Council's proposals to merge the school with Eastbourne
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Egg thieves are deterred by threat of jail sentences
Birds' egg thieves are being forced to ply their trade abroad following a series of successful prosecutions by police and wildlife investigators. According to the RSPB and the police, the number of illegal collectors has reduced dramatically since prison
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Firm rejects talk of cuts
CONSERVATORY specialist Amdega last night rejected rumours of job cuts and said it expected to increase its workforce of 350 as it restructures. The Northern Echo understands that workers are concerned about pay cuts and possible job losses at the Darlington
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Hollywood goes political
There was a time when loading a film with a political message was considered box office suicide, but a new breed of movie-makers is more than happy to get serious - even if it means alienating half the audience. Steve Pratt reports THE image from the
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Stubbs makes about turn after ending North-East woe
ALAN STUBBS yesterday made a surprise return to Everton, and bizarrely likened his time at Sunderland to 'a six-month injury'. The 34-year-old's commitment to the Wearsiders fight against relegation was such that he admitted watching more of his beloved
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North-East victim of gas poisoning tragedy
AN inquiry into the death of a North-East man, whose body was found at his Spanish home after he was overcome by carbon monoxide fumes, was under way last night. Alan Jones, originally from Darlington, may have lain dead for days at the dream home he
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Bus firm raising security
A BUS company is increasing security after a female passenger was injured when a brick was thrown at a bus. The 21-year-old woman suffered minor injuries when a brick was thrown through the window of a bus she was travelling on near Seaham, County Durham
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Children encouraged to take scientific approach to project week
SCHOOLCHILDREN got to grips with some of the complexities of the world of science yesterday. Youngsters at Firthmoor Primary School, in Darlington, have tackled an array of subjects over the past few days as part of a science week project. Each day has
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MPs defend local PCTs
TWO MPs have hit out at plans to create a countywide primary care trust to run health services such as GP surgeries and clinics. North Durham's Kevan Jones and Easington's John Cummings, both Labour, say they do not believe the proposed organisation would
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School bus service out to tender
EDUCATION bosses are struggling to find alternative transport for schoolchildren after a bus company announced it is to pull out of a County Durham town. Go North East has blamed the deteriorating condition of its depot in North Bondgate, Bishop Auckland
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Bikers to take trial ban to Parliament
SPECIAL Parliamentary consent may be sought to save a motorbike event from being scrapped. An unopposed Private Members Bill is expected to be tabled to ensure the Saltburn Hill Climb - cancelled last year because of traffic regulations - has a future
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Homes plan turned down
A PLAN to build two detached homes on a Ripon site once rejected for a supermarket has been turned down Harrogate Borough Council planning committee voted to refuse the scheme at Beeches Farm, Magdalen's Road. Planning officer Mike Warden recommended
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Gift of art for hospital
A STUDENT has created four pieces of art for her local accident and emergency unit. The work by Helen Whitehead, from King James High School, in Knaresborough, will be installed in Harrogate District Hospital. The collages are made from fabric, cord,
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Woman threatened with knife during raid
A FEMALE shop worker was left shaken after being threatened with a knife during a robbery. The 22-year-old was working at an off-licence in Bishopton Road, Stockton, when three masked men walked in at about 8.50pm on Thursday. She was uninjured but Cleveland
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Schools crack nutty problem
CHILDREN suffering from allergies can at last tuck into school meals in Middlesbrough. In the past, children with severe peanut allergies were denied meals as the district council could not provide nut-free products. But that policy has changed following
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Leaflets inform residents of Asbo
POSTERS and leaflets of a man who received a two-year anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) were yesterday circulated in the area he has terrorised for years. For the past three years Gary Raisbeck has waged a campaign of intimidation against neighbours
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Contractor's pledge after damage to grave
A COUNCIL chief is to meet with the company employed to cut grass after complaints from a woman that her father's grave had been damaged. Daphne Oliver was distraught when she discovered what looked like lawnmower damage on the black granite at the family
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Villagers rally round to help
A COUPLE are publicly thanking a community for uniting to help them make alterations to their home to make it more wheelchair-friendly. Rob and Kathryn Hills have posted flyers around Tantobie, near Stanley, to show their gratitude to their friends, neighbours
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Youngsters encourage their parents to park and stride
SCHOOLCHILDREN in Durham are encouraging their parents to take part in a new twist on a popular park-and- ride transport project. The campaign to "park and stride'' is the idea of the school council at St Godric's RC Primary School, in Framwellgate Moor
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Probe fails to find source of salmonella
AN investigation into a salmonella outbreak at a nursery has failed to identify the cause. Thirteen children and staff at Bishop Auckland College Nursery, in County Durham, were infected in June and July. An outbreak control team called in to investigate
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Happy return for Kendrick
It was not long ago that Darlington's bid to reach the play-offs looked all but doomed, but now they are emulating the phoenix-like return of left-back Joe Kendrick, Quakers' own comeback kid. In the summer, 12 months after signing Kendrick on a free
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Models find their barings
Hundreds of people who made an exhibtion of themselves last summer when they stripped off for a nude art project were reunited yesterday at its unveiling. Olivia Richwalrd, one of the daring models, reports. You think you are not going to recognise someone
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Man who drove at Asians is spared jail
A DRIVER who mowed down a group of Asians on a pavement walked free yesterday after a judge said that he was under the racist influence of his passenger. Andrew Eddy, 20, was waiting at the wheel of his red Ford Mondeo when his drunken cousin emerged
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Let the plane take the strain
LOW-COST airlines are leading a revolution in European camping holidays with so many families leaving cars at home to catch the plane that operators are fixing coach or taxi transfers to campsites. Around 25 per cent of those taking camping or mobile
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Wartime saga gives actor his TV debut
THE television debut of a North-East actor takes place this weekend. Peter Sandys-Clarke, 24, who is originally from Staindrop, in Teesdale, is starring in the ITV production, Foyle's War, which will be screened at 9pm tomorrow. Mr Sandys-Clarke, who
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Police identify body found in marina
THE body of a man discovered in a marina has been identified by police. The heavily-tattooed man is 30 and originally from the Lancashire area. But police say he was staying with friends in Hartlepool before tragedy struck late on Wednesday night. Members
