Stories for 19 January 2007

The Northern Echo News

Preacher of hate gets £1m legal bill

Abu Hamza was yesterday made liable for more than £1m of legal aid for his defence at his trial on charges of inciting murder and race hate.The judge said he accepted that Hamza, who is seeking to appeal against his conviction to the House of Lords, might not be able to pay, but his judgment would allow the Legal Services Commission to seize his assets.Lord Justice Hughes said he was making an order for the recovery of the full costs of his defence because of the "inaccurate and false information" Hamza had provided the court about his financial interests.The judge accused Hamza of lying about his financial interests.The order means that the Legal Services Commission (LSC) will be able to apply to seize a £220,000 house in Greenford, west London.Hamza had claimed the house belonged to his sister but the judge said he did not believe him.Speaking via video link from prison to the Old Bailey court Hamza pleaded poverty, saying he had no assets and no access to any money since his disability benefits were stopped in April 2003.He said he had been living off handouts from various family and friends.But the court heard that Hamza, whose wife and six children live in a council house, was still managing to contribute to private school fees totalling £9,000 a year.Hamza was jailed for seven years last February for inciting murder and race hate charges.The LSC has been investigating Hamza's finances since February 10 when the judge ordered Hamza to disclose his financial circumstances.Investigations have centred on Hamza's property dealings, including the purchase of a £220,000 house in Hicks Avenue, Greenford.LSC spokesman Richard Shand said after the case: "We are obviously pleased by the judge's decision."We must ensure that legal aid is spent on the most vulnerable people in society and those who can afford to pay, do so."This case is an example of how we get value for money for the taxpayers."The LSC gave an assurance that yesterday's order would not be enforced until the outcome of Hamza's appeal application.The solicitor's bill is subject to assessment and the final amount approved could be less than that submitted.  more...

Belgravia ends Newcastle United bid

The Belgravia Group have announced they no longer intend to make an offer for Newcastle United.   more...

Jade Goody evicted from Big Brother house

JADE Goody has been voted out of the Big Brother house following the most controversial week in the show's history.   more...

Tories launch campaign in North

The Conservative Party today launched a campaign group to connect with voters in Northern England.   more...

Baby who grasped a chance for life

PEACEFULLY sleeping in her mother's arms, little Rosie Foster is oblivious to how special she is.The baby has amazed doctors who gave her a five per cent chance of survival after they discovered she had two life-threatening conditions.Parents Chris and Louise Foster, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, had been advised to terminate the pregnancy by doctors who believed a miscarriage was almost inevitable.But the couple decided to give their second child a chance to fight for her life and have been rewarded with a beautiful girl.Now they hope that by sharing their story they can offer hope to other couples facing the same agonising decision.Mr Foster, a civil servant, said: "We were told that the statistics were 95 per cent against her survival."We felt that was a five per cent chance of life, which was better than nothing."Ultimately, we felt it was the baby's decision. We had to give her a chance to fight for her life - and she did."Experts at Newcastle General Hospital and the city's Royal Victoria Infirmary said that if the baby did survive it would be born with serious disabilities such as Edwards, Down or Turner syndrome.Feeling strong enough to cope with whatever was thrown their way, the parents decided to continue with the pregnancy.Mrs Foster said: "I was devastated, concerned about my health and if the baby was suffering, but we were told that wasn't the case so carried on."Every day I wondered whether she had died inside."In September, Mrs Foster had a scan and was told the fluid on Rosie's chest had disappeared. Consultants said they had never seen such a remarkable recovery.On December 15, Rosie was delivered by caesarean section at Darlington Memorial Hospital and doctors found she had Turner syndrome.The parents plan to set up a website to share their story with other families searching for hope.  more...

Lap dancing club approved despite 1,000-name petition

A lap dancing club has been given the go-ahead despite public protests.Plans announced last year to open the Red Velvet club above a chip shop in Front Street, Consett, County Durham, provoked a storm of outrage - with more than 1,000 people signing a protest petition organised by the town's churches.But after a four-hour hearing yesterday, members of Derwentside District Council's alcohol and entertainment licensing sub-committee granted the club a license.Sukhdev "Sonny" Gill, the 21-year-old businessman behind the plan, said: "I am very happy with the decision made."Consett is a town which needs to become self-sufficient and it needs people to be entrepreneurial."Without people like me, the future for this town is very weak."Mr Gill told the hearing that the club would vigorously enforce age restrictions and would have no insensitive advertising outside the premises.But during yesterday's highly-charged meeting at the council chambers in Consett, objectors argued that the club, which will be open until 2am and will feature topless dancers, was demeaning to women, could lead to members of the public being harassed in the street and could increase the incidence of sexual assault in the town.The Reverend Stephen Dallin, superintendent Methodist Minister for Derwentside, said that he feared the opening of the club could lead to further incidents similar to the brutal rape of a young woman in Blackhill Park, in November 2005.He said: "If the club goes ahead, I believe we will have more incidents like this in Consett and the surrounding area."Mr Dallin said that he feared the club would impact on children attending young people's groups at the nearby Methodist Church, in Station Road.He said: "Parents will be worried about their children coming to the clubs. "I think they will be reticent about coming out at night, especially if they have to go past this club."However, the committee of three councillors granted the application after hearing that none of the statutory bodies, including the police, has raised any objections to the club.They also said that only objections from people living within 200 yards of the club could be considered, which ruled out the majority of those who had signed the petition.Councillor Alex Watson, the leader of Derwentside District Council who spoke against the plan as ward councillor, said the authority would review its procedures in the wake of the decision.He said: "I am hugely disappointed given the depth of hostility to the proposal."Protestors said they were now considering their next course of action. No decision has been made as to when the club will open its doors to the public.  more...

Ten dead as storms sweep the country

A TRUCK driver was killed when her lorry tipped into a canal during high winds yesterday.Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the A629 Skipton Western bypass, at noon, and the middle-aged woman was pronounced dead at the scene - one of at least ten people killed as storms of up to 100mph swept the country.Police expected to reopen the road at 9pm as rescue cranes working to move the upturned wagon from the canal near the junction with the A59 battled with the 80mph gales. Police said the woman was not from the region.The A1 at Leeming, in North Yorkshire, was shut in both directions after four lorries jack-knifed and overturned at about 3pm, and the A66 over Bowes Moor was closed for a time.The heavy rain led to standing water on most roads, and the Environment Agency issued 18 flood warnings on rivers and streams across the region.Newcastle International Airport cancelled 11 flights throughout the day. Durham Tees Valley planes were running on time, but deferred flights were taken on from Leeds, Humberside and Manchester.Severe delays were in force on the East Coast Main Line, as fallen trees caused havoc across the rail network.GNER and Virgin Trains warned passengers to put off travelling until today if possible.Sue Donaghy, who works as a personal assistant for Stockton South MP Dari Taylor, was on the 9.58am Darlington to London train, which was stuck south of Peterborough Station until after 4pm.Ms Donaghy was taking two voluntary workers from Stockton to Westminster for a lunch and guided tour when passengers were told the train was to be taken back to Peterborough after London King's Cross closed to incoming trains."It was a pretty awful journey," she said."Train staff were giving out hot drinks but people were getting frustrated."In the end, we had to get back on a train north and headed home."Train tickets dated for travel yesterday will be valid today. Passengers are advised to check travel details before departure by calling National Rail Enquiries on 08457-484950.Snow fell in Newcastle, Gateshead, and parts of County Durham, and 15 gritters and ploughs were deployed across County Durham after two inches of snowfall in high areas.All outdoor sports, including school football matches, organised by Gateshead Council have been cancelled this weekend due to the weather. Veteran actress Honor Blackman also called off her autobiographical show at the Customs House, in South Shields.Scotland was hardest-hit by snow, with several cars stuck on the A809 near Killearn, near Stirling.Power lines collapsed in the gales and about 1,500 homes in North Yorkshire and hundreds more across the North-East were without electricity.Mike Leighton, operations director for CE Electric UK, said: "The safety of our staff is paramount and there will be times during the gales when it is just too dangerous for them to continue working, but we want to reassure customers that our priority is to restore supplies as quickly as possible."Among the dead was a two year-old-boy, from Belsize Park, London, who was crushed under a falling brick wall, while Michael Heard, the managing director of Birmingham International Airport, was killed when a falling branch struck his car in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.Crew members on a stricken cargo ship had to be airlifted to safety after the vessel was battered by gale force winds in the English Channel.A major rescue operation was launched after the London-based MS Napoli became stranded 50 miles off the coast of Cornwall, with a hole in its side and a flooded engine room.All 26 crew abandoned the vessel to get into a lifeboat and two French and two British helicopters were sent to airlift them to safety. North Yorkshire Police is asking the drivers of high-sided vehicles not to travel in high winds today unless it is absolutely necessary.  more...

More celebrations for Flyer phill

DARTS hero Phill Nixon was bowled over yesterday when he landed an award from leading sportsmen from a different field.The Ferryhill Flyer's remarkable runner-up performance in last week's British Darts Organisation world championships won him fans across the region.Among them are players and staff at Durham County Cricket Club, which yesterday made him an honorary club member.Players Gary Scott and Ben Harmison presented the membership, which gives Mr Nixon free or discounted admission to all home matches and priority booking for international fixtures at the Riverside in 2008, yesterday. Mr Nixon, who started the championship as a 150-1 outsider, clawed back from 6-0 down in Sunday's 13-set final to level the score, before eventually losing 7-6 to England captain Martin Adams.Andrew Jarvis, from the cricket club, said: "Phill really captured the imagination of the public and it has been fantastic to hear everyone talking about his performance and determination. "We are delighted to offer him honorary membership of the club and we look forward to seeing him here at the Riverside at the start of the season."Mr Nixon, 50, said: "I have been watching the Ashes Down Under and cannot wait to watch some live cricket at the Riverside over the summer."The region will continue to celebrate Mr Nixon's performance with a civic reception today.Residents are urged to gather outside Ferryhill Town Hall, between 1.45pm and 2pm, to greet Mr Nixon and his family as they arrive in a limousine provided by A&K Limousine Hire, of Ferryhill, courtesy of The Northern Echo.The family will then enjoy a buffet and presentations by Ferryhill Town Council, Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County Council.  more...

Teenager left in coma has court case thrown out

THE case against a teenager left in a coma for six weeks after a car crash was yesterday thrown out by magistrates - citing major failings by the prosecution.Nineteen-year-old Aidan Mucklin was cleared of charges of drink-driving and driving without due care and attention which were brought following a single vehicle accident between Croft-on-Tees and Middleton Tyas, near Darlington, in December 2005.Mr Mucklin - who denied the charges and said he was not behind the wheel - spent six weeks in intensive care, 124 days in a high-dependency unit and was twice resuscitated.He suffered a broken neck, spinal injuries, a fractured skull, blood on the brain, broke his left cheek and right leg and lost the use of his left hand.The student, from Brownlee, North Cowton, near Darlington, still suffers from his injuries and is registered disabled.Lee Goodchild, defending, told Northallerton magistrates that Mr Mucklin's injuries were consistent with being a passenger in the Rover 25 - which had contained five people.He said police arrived to find him hanging out of the passenger side of the car.Yesterday, his case - appearing before the court for the eighth time - was thrown out.Mr Goodchild said the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had been to court five times without the necessary files and had failed to respond to defence requests for disclosure.He said that it was not mentioned until yesterday that the car -crucial evidence in the case - was available for examination by the defence.Speaking afterwards, Mr Mucklin, a student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, said: "It's a big relief. It's been like a grey cloud hanging over my head for the past 13 months. "I can get on with my life, get to college and hopefully go to university." His mother, Nicola Mucklin, said: "It has been a horrendous experience for us. He has still got his injuries and he still has to go to the hospital for the rest of his life."The chairman of the bench, Colin Brown, said that the CPS had offered no explanation for the delays in the case.Speaking in court yesterday, he said: "They only identified today that the car was available for forensic examination - potentially important evidence."Article six of the Human Rights Convention has not been met. The overriding criminal procedure rule is to deal with matters efficiently and expeditiously and all parties are duty bound in their roles to do this. Clearly, the Crown has not met its responsibility to do this."We are of the view that it would be an abuse of process for this court to continue this prosecution."  more...

Rabbits get free health checks at Vets

RABBIT owners will be able to get their pets a free health check during a week dedicated to the animals.National Rabbit Week runs from Monday to Sunday, January 28, and some vets are offering Healthy Hopper MOTs.Owners will be able to take their pets for a free health check at the Gilmoor Veterinary Group's Hare and Hounds veterinary centre in Gilesgate, Durham.Among things nurses will look out for are obesity and dental ailments, common problems in rabbits.To book an appointment, call 0191-386 4477.  more...

Mums on the run to give hospice a helping hand

A MOTHER and daughter are preparing to take part in a charity challenge for a cause close to their hearts.It will be a memorable Mother's Day for Kelly Alderson and her mum, Debbie Finnegan, from Teesside, when they compete for the first time in the 25th Tees Valley Half Marathon.The pair, along with cousin Rachel Lively, have never completed the 13 miles, but are determined to cross the finishing line at Redcar Leisure Centre for baby hospice, Zoe's Place.Ms Alderson has a two-year-old son, Owen, who suffers from cerebral palsy and is a regular visitor to the Normanby hospice. She has now become a dedicated fundraiser.The 27-year-old said: "Whether I'm jogging or walking, I'll finish. I'll do anything I can to help and I'm really hammering people to give me sponsorship."Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has linked the half marathon to Zoe's Place for the past two years.In that time, 30 runners have handed over £4,666 in sponsorship - enough to fund four-and-a-half days care for four children.Hospice events co-ordinator Rachael Bareham said: "The support we've had from the half marathon has been brilliant."For details about the event, on March 18, or an entry form, call 01642-496425 or 496426. Applications can also be downloaded from the website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk  more...

£15.4m scheme for routes into town

A £15.4M scheme to improve road access to a North-East town is expected to move closer next week.The main arterial routes into the north of Middlesbrough along the A66 will be upgraded to improve access.The aim of the scheme is to ease traffic flow in and out of Riverside Park, the South-West Ironmasters site, the St Hilda's area and Middlehaven.It would include: * a new two-way road link from the Newport roundabout, over the railway, through the South-West Ironmasters site to link up with Riverside Park Road;* widening to provide a fourth lane on the eastbound section of the A66, between the slip road from the A19 and the exit to the Newport roundabout;* increased signal control at the Newport roundabout, and extra traffic lanes on the roundabout;* localised widening and alterations to the carriageway markings of the A66 westbound between the Hartington and Newport junctions to increase capacity.Ron Lowes, Middlesbrough Council's executive councillor for transport, will be asked on Monday to give the go-ahead to detailed plans.He said: "This scheme will mean a huge improvement in access to Riverside Park and the Greater Middlehaven area and will also improve traffic flows between the Newport and Hartington roundabouts."The scheme could be built without major disruption to traffic using the A66.Further consultation is to be held with businesses on Riverside Park. If it proceeds as planned, work could start before the end of the year. The work is expected to take about 15 months to complete.  more...

100 years old - and theatre's going as strong as ever

THE only North-East theatre able to stage West End productions is celebrating its centenary.A birthday cake was made to mark The Sunderland Empire's 100th year - with guests invited from the city and the arts field to celebrate the occasion.The theatre, famed for its Edwardian architecture, was founded by Richard Thornton, of South Shields, and began as a variety theatre.It opened on July 1, 1907, when 3,000 people watched leading impersonator Vesta Tilley. The venue went on to host legendary performers such as Stan Laurel, WC Fields and Charlie Chaplin.It survived the Second World War, despite being damaged in bombing raids.It closed in 1959 but was bought by Sunderland City Council and went on to host acts such as The Beatles during the 1960s.This year, West End shows at the Empire include Guys and Dolls next month, and Starlight Express, in April. The musical of the Mel Brooks film, The Producers, will be staged in June.A theatre spokeswoman said: "It is now the North-East's flagship theatre, playing host to the most sparkling stars and prestigious entertainment."As the only theatrical venue between Manchester and Edinburgh with the facilities to host the top West End touring productions, the Sunderland Empire sees audiences travel from far and wide."For details of the theatre's programme, visit www.livenation.co.uk  more...

A community under siege

THE teenagers who hang round Hurworth Grange Community Centre, near Darlington, probably cannot imagine how much trouble they have caused.Youths have met in the fields around the Grange for years. Some drink, some smoke, and occasionally, things get out of hand and the police are called.The scene is not unusual. But, last year, things got a great deal more serious.Gary Orpen, of Hurworth Cottage, a large house with a gated drive, next to the Grange fields, says youths have climbed over fences to damage his property, and thrown missiles.In May, Mr Orpen started legal action against members of Hurworth Community Association, who manage the Grange on a one-year rolling lease from the parish council.He accused the community association of failing to prevent criminal damage, and failure to maintain the woodland. He has also started legal action against the parish council, as landlords.If the legal action is successful, the community association's volunteers could lose thousands of pounds. The parish council have made an offer to Mr Orpen, thought to involve land, to try to prevent the case reaching court. But, for the members of the community association, and some members of the parish council, the damage is done.Every member of the community association has now resigned. When he left last month, Don Parr, the former chairman, blamed the "intolerable pressure" of fighting the legal action.On Monday, the three remaining trustees left, exasperated and upset. They did not want this. They joined the association to help their community, not fight litigation. They volunteered to improve village life. By the end, their lives were just solicitors' letters and sleepless nights.Until Monday, Peter Allan had been in the community association for eight years. Now, he said, his motivation has gone."I have been treasurer for seven years, and during that time I have put a tremendous amount of time in - and, until now, I have enjoyed it," he said. "I have been to four meetings in one week. I have spent 12 hours or more a week working as a volunteer."Attending meetings to discuss the Orpen affair is not what I want to do. I just don't want to continue. It has taken the motivation out of me."It's a very great shame an incident like this has happened. It has been a great personal stress."Hugh Jackson, who also left on Monday, became caretaker chairman of the community association when Mr Parr resigned. He took the post only after confirming with lawyers that he could specify zero personal liability."I felt in a vulnerable, exposed position," he said. "I felt extremely ignorant."Parish councillors are also volunteers, and have also been affected by the stress of the legal action. Peter Foster is a ward councillor and deputy chair of the parish council."I have just read a letter from Mr Orpen's solicitors," he said. "It's all jargon. "I don't know how long it takes solicitors to get where they are, and which schools they went to, but I went to the university of life."As it goes on, I'm getting more and more shocked by it. They're throwing their weight and their jargon against normal, everyday people."Councillor Brian Jones, the chairman of Darlington Association of Parish Councils and Parish Meetings, said the legal action was "extremely unfortunate"."Parish councillors are volunteers, they do not receive any recompense and give up a lot of their own time," he said. "It is an extremely unfortunate incident."Legal action is not something that happens often, and it is regrettable when it does."Previously, Mr Orpen's solicitors, Dickinson Dees, have declined to comment.  more...

Justice campaigner praised for fight

A GRANDMOTHER whose campaign led to the scrapping of the 800-year-old double jeopardy law has just missed out on being crowned campaigner of the year.Ann Ming had been nominated in the campaign category of the Morgan Stanley Great Britons of the Year awards, which last year was won by TV cook Jamie Oliver for his work in promoting healthy school meals.She was beaten to the title by Laurie Pycroft, a 16-year-old who founded the Pro-Test movement supporting the use of animal testing in medical research.Mrs Ming, who travelled to London's Guildhall to be part of a star-studded awards ceremony last night, spent 17 years campaigning for justice for her 22-year-old daughter, Julie Hogg, after being angered at the failure to bring her killer Billy Dunlop to justice.Dunlop was charged with murder and put on trial twice, but on each occasion the jury failed to reach a verdict and he was formally acquitted in 1991. He later confessed to a prison officer while serving time for assault that he was guilty but, under the double jeopardy law, he could not be tried again on the same charge because he had already been acquitted. However, Mrs Ming, 60, of Norton, near Stockton, continued, with the help of The Northern Echo, to bring pressure to bear on the authorities and, in 2005, after lengthy consultations, the double jeopardy law was scrapped. This meant that cleared defendants could be tried again if compelling evidence became available indicating guilt.In October, Dunlop was finally jailed for life with a recommendation that he serve a minimum 17 years.Judges at the awards ceremony praised Mrs Ming's "sheer bloody-mindedness" as well as modesty, and said her efforts as a ordinary citizen in sustaining her fight for so long was truly inspirational.  more...

The moment it all went wrong for Top Gear's Richard Hammond

DRAMATIC pictures of the horrific dragster smash that almost cost TV presenter Richard Hammond, left, his life have been published for the first time.They show the jet-powered Vampire suffering a blow-out as it speeds down the runway at Elvington, near York, at 288mph.The machine then spins onto the grass, flips into the air and rolls before coming to a bone-crunching halt.Both the rollbar and driver's helmet are seen to be pushed into the ground and partially buried by the impact.The pictures are featured in the new issue of Top Gear magazine.Hammond will also talk viewers through the footage when the TV show returns later this month.He made a remarkable recovery after the smash last September. Doctors first predicted he could be in hospital for 15 months, but he was released within weeks."If there's one thing I shall take away from seeing the footage it's the knowledge that things can and do go wrong," he said."If seeing the footage helps a single person to learn that lesson, then it's worth showing."Although the TV star - nicknamed the Hamster - has little recollection of the crash, he has tried to imagine what happened. "I will have taken a few deep breaths on the start line as the engine roared and my thumb hovered over the afterburner switch."Then I will have hit it and 10,000 horsepower will have hurled me towards the horizon and up to 280mph. The rest is, I'm afraid, history."Hammond suffered brain injuries in the smash but was saved by paramedics and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which flew him to Leeds General Infirmary.The father-of-two, who once worked as a radio reporter in North Yorkshire, spent five weeks in hospital, but is now making a full recovery.Following the crash, donations totalling £250,000 flooded in to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, giving them enough to buy a new helicopter.* Top Gear returns on BBC2 at 8pm on January 28. Full Hammond interview and more pictures in Top Gear magazine.  more...