Stories for 2 September 2006

The Northern Echo News

Police appeal for missing Cindy

POLICE are appealing for help to find a missing teenage girl. Cindy Marie Shield, 15, was last seen on Thursday, August 10, when she left her home in Shildon, County Durham, saying she was going to visit a friend.She has contacted her family since disappearing, and last weekend told her father she was coming home but never arrived.She is 5ft 5in, slim, with shoulder-length light brown or blonde streaked hair and brown eyes.She was wearing a red V-neck T-shirt, a green padded waist-length jacket, white Nike trainers and red plastic beads and earrings. She could be in the company of older people in the Darlington or Bishop Auckland areas.Sergeant Gary O'Neill said: "We are very concerned about the length of time Cindy has been gone, even though this is by no means the first time she has gone missing."Anyone harbouring her could find themselves in trouble and could be charged under the Child Abduction Act."Anyone with information is asked to call 0845 60 60 365.  more...

Suspended sentence breach leads to jail

A WOMAN given a suspended sentence for outraging public decency last year has been jailed after being caught shoplifting.Michelle Randall and her then boyfriend were arrested following complaints they had sex on a grass verge behind a bus shelter in Brandon, County Durham, on a sunny afternoon in June last year.She admitted committing an act outraging public decency and resisting arrest, and received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, at Durham Crown Court last October.Her then partner, a 26-year-old man, was fined £350.Randall, of George Street, Langley Park, County Durham, left with a warning from Judge George Moorhouse that if she breached the order by committing another offence within the year, she would lose her liberty.She returned to court yesterday after being committed for sentence by North Durham magistrates, having admitted a charge of theft on August 1.Tim Gittins, prosecuting, said she was arrested after leaving a clothing store in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, wearing a £17 jacket under her coat, having removed the price label.Mr Gittins said she made two other appearances before magistrates in County Durham in July, both for shoplifting, receiving a 24-month community order with a drug supervision requirement.Lorraine Mustard, mitigating, told yesterday's hearing that the offence for which she received the suspended sentence was, "in essence, for enjoying the company of her partner, when happened upon by a police officer."Miss Mustard said Randall had lapsed back into her heroin addiction after being without methadone in July, which led to her committing the shoplifting offences, to raise money for her next fix.She said: "She is 26 and has an 11-year-old son. She is now ready and willing to apply herself to rid herself of the addiction."She is committed to giving up the drug."Judge Richard Lowden told her: "Since receiving the suspended sentence here, you were given a community sentence with an order to attend drug rehabilitation and yet, this latest theft was committed within weeks of that."The court means what it says when it imposes a suspended sentence."He activated the 12-month prison sentence and added 28 days for the theft, minus 31 days spent in custody since her arrest.  more...

Burglar jailed after attack on elderley man

TWO burglars left an elderly victim for dead when he disturbed them as they broke into his caravan.One of the pair, 23-year-old Christopher Kevin Crane, was yesterday jailed for nine years.Crane and an accomplice attacked 75-year-old Jimmy Mundell as they attempted to burgle his caravan, at Etherley Bank, near West Auckland, County Durham, late on February 1.Durham Crown Court heard they forced the door and Mr Mundell was restrained on the floor while Crane searched the premises.But he managed to break free and so Crane assisted his partner, grabbing Mr Mundell by the throat, before both attacked him, striking him about the body and head.Mr Mundell grabbed a wooden stick with nails in, but Crane snatched it and struck him with it, Jane Mitford, prosecuting, told the court.The victim, who suffers from hearing difficulties, then tried picking up a knife, but Crane also took it from him, before fleeing with his accomplice.Miss Mitford said Mr Mundell was unconscious until about 9am the following morning, when he raised the alert.He suffered a broken nose and heavy bruising, but three weeks later was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act, against his will, for several months.Miss Mitford said he has since been allowed supervised home leave.When arrested, Crane denied responsibility, describing it as a "despicable" crime.But he made admissions after forensic evidence, including a fingerprint and blood left on the stick, were put to him, saying he was there with someone called Barry.He said he took £1.06 in the raid, and on getting home washed all his clothing.Miss Mitford added that another man has been arrested, but has not yet been charged.Jamie Hill, in mitigation, said he had "genuine remorse" and was shaken by what he had done.He had been drinking and took drugs before the break-in, not realising anyone was in the caravan.Crane, of Low Martin Field Farm, Gilmonby, West Auckland, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to resist apprehension, and burglary.Jailing him, Judge Guy Whitburn QC told Crane: "You thought you had left him for dead."The pair of you clearly thought you had killed him."He put up stout resistance and he received a terrible beating. The consequences for this man have been grave and nine years is the least sentence I can pass."  more...

Help your favourite charity

THE Northern Echo today teams up with the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) to offer five readers the chance to give away £1,000 each to their favourite local charity.It may be a charity you work for, one that has helped you in the past, or one whose cause you just particularly admire.All you have to do is "Give It Up For" your favourite charity by writing to us to nominate the group and telling us why you feel it deserves to win.As an example, your chosen charity could be a group operating a minibus for the elderly in your community or a trust which looks after local wildlife.Anything goes - but it must be a charity and UK registered to qualify. We will come up with a shortlist of nominations before giving readers, a chance to vote for your favourite.Echo reporters will also profile some of the nominated charities in the run-up to voting.The top five charities chosen will each receive a cheque for £1,000.The cash giveaway is intended to promote National Giving Week, from October 16 to 22, led by CAF.The aim is to get people thinking about what they can give up for the causes that matter to them - a night out with friends, a monthly donation from their pay, or even time.CAF aims to help make it easy to find charities and donate to them tax efficiently.It also helps companies to set up donation, volunteering and community investment schemes and provides banking, financial and training services for charities to help donations go further.Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, said: "We are delighted to be supporting this worthwhile campaign and we hope people will support 'Give It Up For' to the benefit of the many good causes across the region we know are out there."Sheila Hooper, an executive director at CAF, said: "It really is excellent that The Northern Echo is supporting this campaign. "We believe the Echo's well- established commitment to its local communities will help inspire people to give more to charity."For more information, visit www.giveitupfor.org Nominations must be received by Friday September 15 at the latest in order to qualify.  more...

Pensioner woke to discover burglars ransacking home

A PENSIONER who was waiting for a liver transplant was woken from his afternoon sleep to find a couple ransacking his home.Ivan Craggs came face-to-face with burglars Leslie Sedgewick and Gemma Myeah during the terrifying ordeal.A court heard that Mr Craggs and his wife, Jennifer, who was returning from a shopping trip with her elderly mother as the raid was taking place, were left traumatised by the break-in.Sedgewick, 25, of Broughton Avenue, Middlesbrough, denied any involvement in the break-in, but was found guilty at the end of a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month.Reforming drug addict Myeah, 19, of Eden Road, Middlesbrough, admitted burglary and was sent to a young offenders' institute for 18 months. Sedgewick was yesterday jailed for six years after a judge ruled he pressurised his girlfriend into joining him.Mike Bosomworth, prosecuting, told the court Sedgewick threatened to kill Mr Craggs during the incident on February 24 -only a month after he was released from a three-year prison sentence for a similar offence. Judge John Walford told the pair that their actions had left the family profoundly affected.Mr Bosomworth said Sedgewick and Myeah broke into the house in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough, at about 4pm to steal the keys to an MG car.During the raid -described as a systematic search of all the rooms - the pair took a camera, money, watches, a portable CD player and a mobile phone, as well as the car keys.When Mr Craggs confronted Sedgewick upstairs, he was pushed out of the way, but chased him downstairs, where he saw Myeah. Mr Bosomworth said the householder grappled with the teenager, but she fought free and the pair fled before trying to get into the car.Mrs Craggs and her mother, who was in her 90s, returned from their day out and saw the incident.The pair fled the scene after being unable to find the keys, but Sedgewick returned a short time later and tried again -unsuccessfully -to take the vehicle.After their arrest, Sedgewick blamed Myeah for the break-in, and she admitted being involved after initially denying it.Robin Denny, for Myeah, said: "She was subject to a great deal of pressure."Tom Mitchell, for Sedgewick, offered no mitigation.  more...

Soldier sent to prison for life term after rape

A SOLDIER who raped a 17-year-old male has been jailed for life.Royal Artillery engineer Lee Beadall was branded sinister by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court, who yesterday imposed an indefinite jail term to protect the public.The 25-year-old had denied two charges of rape and a third charge of causing someone to engage in sexual activity without consent, but was found guilty by a jury's unanimous verdict.Beadall lured his victim into an alley near Debenhams, in Sunderland, and subjected him to a prolonged sexual assault.The Sunderland teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, then went to a police station to report the attack, which happened on December 30, last year.Jailing Beadall, Judge Michael Cartlidge said: "You seem to me to be someone who is extremely dangerous and sinister."It seems to me perfectly obvious that the court has to impose, in a case as serious as this one, a sentence of imprisonment for the public protection. This is, in effect, a life sentence."Beadall will serve at least six years before he can be considered for parole.Judge Cartlidge said a statement from the victim and from his family made clear the devastating impact the attack had on the teenager.He said: "It is quite plain that the victim has suffered terribly from what has happened."It should not surprise anyone that he has been traumatised."He had been enjoying himself with friends in Sunderland when he found himself in a taxi queue with the defendant."The defendant lured him into a back alley, where he was pushed over and threatened - 'don't move or I'll slit your throat'."He was made to remove his trousers and underwear to his ankles and then the offences occurred."The court heard that Beadall, of no fixed address but believed to be from Sunderland, refused to accept his guilt for the attack.Judge Cartlidge said: "I must acknowledge that the victim has been enormously courageous in coming forward to give evidence in the first place, and in withstanding the cross-examination put to him."After the verdict, the victim's mother said: "We are pleased with the outcome. We are happy he has been sent to jail."  more...

Son admits part in attack on horse trainer Johnson

THE son of a champion racehorse trainer has admitted being involved in an assault on his father after he had been drinking in his local pub.Howard's Johnson's 24-year-old son, Jonathan, has accepted a police caution for his part in a beating which left the trainer with a dislocated shoulder and facial injuries.Detectives from Crook, County Durham, had been looking for Jonathan Johnson and another man since the incident late on August 9.They have not said where Jonathan was picked up, only that it was in the local area.On August 21, police arrested a 27-year-old, questioned him at Bishop Auckland police station and bailed him until early October.The assault happened after Mr Johnson had been out drinking in the George pub near his yard at White Lea Farm, where he trains millionaire Graham Wylie's successful string of thoroughbreds.Doctors operated on his injured shoulder and he recovered so quickly that he was soon back on the gallops with his arm in a sling.He has refused to talk about the incident and his wife, Susan, said he was trying to forget what had happened.A spokesman for Durham police said yesterday: "Detectives from Crook investigating a complaint of assault which followed an incident on August 9 last night arrested a second man."During an interview the arrested man, who is 24, made certain admissions following questioning."He accepted an official caution and was released."Another man, aged 27, was arrested in connection with the same incident on August 21 and was released on bail pending further inquiries."He is due to answer the bail in early October."The victim has been fully aware of the outcome of all police inquiries."Mr Johnson became one of the most successful trainers in racing after he teamed up with Mr Wylie, a 45-year-old miner's son, who netted a £116m fortune by selling off his shares in computer firm Sage.One of the partnership's greatest moments was a hat-trick of wins at last year's Cheltenham Festival.The pair are spending millions setting up a new yard at Stonechester Farm, near Willington, where they will bring on young horses.Mr Johnson did not want to comment yesterday.  more...

One giant leap for man leaves a lasting legacy

THE story of a remarkable survival 400 years ago is retold in ballad form to mark the anniversary later this month.The performance will be given after a memorial stone is unveiled to Robert Willance, whose death-defying leap is commemorated at a cliff near Richmond, North Yorkshire.A civic procession on September 16 will walk from the town hall to Westfields, where the public can join a six-mile walk to Willance's Leap.In 1606, Willance - a prosperous Richmond draper - was hunting when he and his horse fell over Whitcliffe Scar. The horse was killed, but its rider survived by cutting open the carcass and placing his badly broken leg inside to protect it from the cold until rescue arrived.The procession on September 16 is organised by the town council and includes 40 representatives from neighbouring authorities. The public can join at the entrance to Westfields allotments at 1.35pm.The new stone, sponsored by the Company of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers, one of the town's ancient guilds, replaces one which went missing several years ago.Three stones mark what are reputed to have been the horse's last strides before it plummeted 100ft down the cliff.The day also includes a musical evening at the town hall, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 from the town hall, tourist information centre, Guitar House shop and Castle Hill Bookshop.Richmond and District Civic Society will place a plaque in St Mary's churchyard, where Willance's leg was buried, followed ten years later by the rest of his body.Councillor Linda Curran, Mayor of Richmond, who leads the events, said: "Richmond is a place steeped in history and stories like this undoubtedly add to the town's appeal for both visitors and residents alike."We wanted to mark the 400th anniversary of the event with a programme of activities that will appeal to the whole community and we would like to see as many people taking part as possible."The Richmond Open Spaces Appeal (Rosa) charity is using the walk to raise money towards buying and protecting land around the town.  more...

18th birthday behind bars after street attack

A TEENAGER will spend his 18th birthday behind bars after taking part in a violent attack.Two other teenagers were also handed a custodial sentence following the unprovoked assault on two men earlier this year.The three teenagers, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Teesside Youth Court, in Middlesbrough, yesterday.The court heard the attack happened at 3am on July 8, when two men were approached by a group of youths in the Linthorpe Road precinct, near McDonald's, in Middlesbrough.The men, from London and Torquay, were in the area working and were on their way home.Without warning, the teenagers began punching and kicking the men in a shop doorway.The attack, caught on security cameras, saw the youths throwing cans of lager, a bag and a bicycle at the men. The teenagers walked away before running back to attack the men for a second time. One victim was dragged along the floor. The teenagers then cheered and raised their arms in a victory gesture.Four teenagers were arrested, but only three appeared in court for sentencing after pleading guilty to affray. The other teenager is still wanted on a warrant.One victim was treated for cuts to his face, swelling, a chipped tooth and impaired hearing.At the time of the offence, the youths were aged 14 and 17, but are now 15, 18 and one will mark his 18th birthday today.All three defendants were given a four-month detention and training order. They must spend two months in secure accommodation and two months working in the community.  more...

A chance to step into history as heritage sites open doors

VISITOR records could be smashed when some of the region's most famous historic attractions open their doors for free for one day only.All major heritage sites across the UK will be open next Saturday, many of which are usually closed to the public or charge for admission.These include 20 top attractions in the North-East and 16 in North Yorkshire, including Alnwick Castle and Lindisfarne Priory, in Northumberland, Ormesby Hall, Teesside, Clifford's Tower, in York, and Whitby Abbey.It is hoped it will be the largest mass participation of its kind, with the organisations hosting the day - The Civic Trust, English Heritage, the National Trust and the Historic Houses Association (HHA) - wanting people to make history by taking part and breaking a total of one million visitors.Each visitor will be counted in order to keep a running total, and they will also be encouraged to fill out postcards detailing why history matters to them.The free open day is part of Heritage Open Days, which runs between September 7 and 10, and aims to celebrate England's outstanding architecture and culture.The "History Matters" campaign is being backed by the likes of historian David Starkey and author Bill Bryson. It aims to raise the importance of history in everyday lives and encourage people to get involved in looking after their history and heritage.Rob Flower, head of visitor operations for English Heritage in Northumberland, said: "English Heritage, the Civic Trust, National Trust and HHA are calling for more than a million people nationwide to break visitor records for one day and show how much they care about our heritage. "We're urging everyone to become involved and visit a top local historic site for free and prove that history matters to them."Writer and actor Stephen Fry, who is also backing the campaign, said: "Now is the chance for every citizen young or old, rich or poor, to vote with his or her feet and demonstrate their commitment to our heritage by visiting a property or historic site." In total, 3,500 historic properties of every period and style will be open for free, including many previously hidden gems such as castles, factories, town halls, barns, parish churches and Buddhist temples. A wide range of tours, events and activities are also taking place across the region, bringing local history and culture to life. For example, in County Durham, the district of Easington will be hosting a programme of events, including a tour of an Anglo-Saxon church, access to Seaham Docks, an exhibition of mining heritage, a unique 1960s architectural gem in the form of Passmore's Apollo Pavillion and a Family Heritage Day hosted at Welfare Park, in Horden. There will also be a free bus trip running across the Tees Valley taking people to some of the participating properties. Booking is essential and is subject to availability.A free heritage passbook is available for locations across the Tees Valley by calling (01642) 528130 or downloading it from www.teesvalleyhods.co.uk. The passbook includes tours of Darlington's Civic Theatre and Railway Centre, a chance to explore historic churches, as well as a chance to see a range of places, from working farms to the top of the Transporter Bridge in Middlesbrough.To find out more about participating properties, opening times and events in your area, visit www.heritageopendays.org or call 020 7539 7921. Lines are open from Monday until Friday, between 9am and 6pm.  more...

Prescott link downplayed by TVR boss

THE boss of a regeneration company has played down his involvement in a deal brokered by the Deputy Prime Minister's son to buy land on which to build homes.Joe Docherty, chief executive of Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR), met and had lunch with John Prescott's son, Johnathan, who was acting as an agent in the purchase of the Eaglescliffe Logistics Centre, a site on Teesside containing factories and offices.Mr Docherty confirmed the meetings took place, but said the extent of his and TVR's involvement was that they were contacted out of courtesy and merely listened as an interested party to the proposals, said to involve winning potentially lucrative planning permission for a mixed development, including up to 600 homes.Caroline Spelman, the shadow local government secretary, has called for an inquiry should there appear to be a conflict of interests involving Mr Prescott senior and his son's business activities.Last night, Mr Docherty said TVR had treated Johnathan Prescott and the company which had bought the site, JG Land and Estates, no differently to any other.He also said TVR played no role in the planning process and would only make representations to the local planning authority, Stockton Borough Council, if a development had a detrimental economic effect on an area.He said: "It is part of TVR's role to actively encourage inward investment into the Tees Valley. "In order to effectively fulfil this role, we actively pursue dialogue with many developers and agents, listening to their proposals in order to establish whether there are any viable commercial opportunities for the Tees Valley to take. In every respect, our dialogue with Johnathan Prescott and JG Land and Estates has followed the same open and transparent process as it would with any other developer or agent."Until a cabinet reshuffle in May this year John Prescott and his former department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, was responsible for the redevelopment of brownfield, industrial sites and planning blueprints published for how many new homes need to be built and where.A spokesman for Johnathan Prescott said: "Johnathan only talked to Tees Valley Regeneration in general terms about the Eaglescliffe site."  more...

Whisperer cures horses of bad habits

OWNERS of horses which have bad habits, such as kicking, bucking or biting, are being offered a free cure by a "whisperer".Dawn Savage, who has two horses of her own, is willing to travel anywhere in the North-East, from her home at Gainford, near Darlington, to soothe any horse which behaves wildly.She has used her own brand of kindness to stop a number of them from acting in an unruly way, and one grateful owner has nominated her for an award.Ms Savage, who works part-time in a food warehouse to leave time for her hobby, paid £2,000 for a course on which she learned whispering techniques, made famous in the US.She said yesterday: "You don't actually whisper. You just treat all horses in a quiet and kind way, which makes them respond."You show them that it is easier for them to do what you want them to do, rather than acting badly."Some people try to bully horses into behaving, but I never use any sort of tough methods."I am always calm and quiet, and each horse responds. It works 95 per cent of the time."Jamie Mackey, a woman living in the Morpeth area, nominated her for an award from the Your Horse magazine.She put her name forward because of the way she treated her horse, Willow, which was difficult to handle and frequently bucked before becoming peaceful. Magazine readers will vote on whether she should get an award.Ms Savage said: "I like having successes like that, so I'm happy to help other owners. I don't charge a fee, as I treat it as a hobby. I only ask for expenses."She said the main qualities needed are patience and understanding. She simply stands beside a horse, watching its body language, and can tell from tiny body movements what is troubling it.She said: "It is silent communication. It is because it is all done so quietly that it is known as whispering."Any owner wishing to use her services can call her on (01325) 730952.  more...

Disabled dog abandoned in a ditch

A DISABLED dog, in an appallingly neglected condition, was dumped in a ditch in the latest shameful example of North-East animal cruelty.Deaf, blind and unable to stand, with its spine protruding from under its coat, the male, tan collie crossbreed could only lie whimpering in the mud.Its distressed cries were heard by a passer-by, who contacted the RSPCA.The elderly animal, estimated to have been aged between seven and 10 years old, was rescued by animal collection officer (ACO) John Lawson last Saturday.The passer-by called the charity after hearing the dog whimpering from the ditch behind the Bowes Incline Hotel, Birtley, near Gateshead, close to the old A1.As well as being painfully thin, the dog was also deaf and had a heavy cataract in its left eye.Its right eye was sealed up with pus and its claws had been allowed to grow so long they curled round beneath the pads of its paws.Because of the extent of the dog's injuries, a vet advised that it be put out of its suffering.ACO Lawson said: "This is a shocking case of neglect and abandonment. The dog was so emaciated that his ribs and spine were protruding from under his coat. He was deaf, blind and too weak to even stand."He appears to have been malnourished and neglected for a considerable period of time and has obviously suffered from a variety of ailments."It's unbelievable that anyone could treat an animal like this, especially one in such a desperate condition. If anyone has any information about who may once have owned this dog, I urge them to contact the RSPCA immediately."Anyone with information can contact the RSPCA cruelty and advice line on 0870 5555 999. Calls are confidential and charged at the national rate.  more...

Two years on and no trace of Melvyn

TWO years after a North-East man went missing during the Olympic Games in Greece, his disappearance is still shrouded in mystery. And while distant hopes remain that Melvyn Gamblin may still be found, police last night said there had been no fresh leads for more than a year. The Northern Echo can also reveal that Mr Gamblin's six-bedroomed Victorian home, in Darlington, has been put on the market for £210,000, after standing empty since he disappeared in Athens in 2004.Tomorrow is the second anniversary of the day that avid sports fan Mr Gamblin was reported missing, after he failed to board his flight home on September 3. An international investigation was launched - involving Interpol, Greek authorities and Durham Police - and detectives from England travelled to Greece with Mr Gamblin's brother, Bryan, in an attempt to find clues.Hopes were high that the Middlesbrough FC season ticket-holder Mr Gamblin may have shown up at the team's UEFA Cup fixture against Egaleo, in Athens, in October 2004, but to no avail. Detective Sergeant Dave Wilkes, of Durham Police, said that, while the situation looked bleak, a breakthrough in the investigation could yet come. He said: "While the file on Melvyn Gamblin remains open, there are no active leads being pursued as far as we know. "However, neither we nor his family have given up hope that, even after two years, some positive development may still be forthcoming. "Details of Mr Gamblin and the events surrounding his disappearance are logged with Interpol, and we have every confidence the authorities in Greece will follow up any credible information they receive."Throughout his stay in Greece during the Olympics, Mr Gamblin kept in regular contact with friends and family, but failed to check out of his hotel and left several items of his luggage in his room.Despite reported sightings in the Greek islands of Aegina and Poros in the following weeks, Mr Gamblin - who is originally from Bristol, but lived in Darlington at the time of his disappearance - has still not been found. Last night, neighbours close to Mr Gamblin's home said they had long accepted that he would probably not return. One said: "I don't think many people knew him that well, he kept himself to himself, but he seemed a nice man. "We were all so surprised to hear of his disappearance. I think once it reached the year mark we started to think we wouldn't see him again."Another said: "It is very sad, but it didn't surprise me to see the For Sale sign go up. "You do wonder if he'll ever be found, but it does seem so unlikely now."  more...

Surgeon accused of killing patient

A NORTH-East surgeon was last night charged with the manslaughter of a patient.John Gordon Stephen, a consultant surgeon with the County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital Trust, will appear in court next week, accused of the manslaughter of Alan Dunn.The 62-year-old works at Darlington Memorial Hospital and Bishop Auckland General Hospital.Mr Dunn, a hospital porter, from Barrington Terrace, in Ferryhill, County Durham, died on December 10 last year. The 60-year-old, who suffered from depression, had stabbed himself in the chest with a knife in an apparent suicide attempt. His wife, Coleen, 59, called an ambulance and he arrived at Darlington Memorial Hospital at 8.13am. He died shortly after 9am.Mr Stephen was the on-call consultant that night. After his arrest at the beginning of the year, the consultant voluntarily withdrew from emergency work, but he was not suspended.The matter has been referred to the National Clinical Assessment Service.Mr Stephen, who lives in the Bishop Auckland area, was charged when he attended Durham police station to answer bail at about 4.45pm yesterday.Last night, Mr Dunn's family said they were shocked by the development, but hoped it would lead to answers about the father-of-four's death.Mr Dunn's eldest son, Lee, said: "The police have been brilliant and kept us informed throughout the investigation, but it was a shock when we heard they were charging him over Dad's death."I know for sure that no one ever intended to hurt my dad, but we need to know if a mistake was made, for us and for future patients."I will go to any subsequent trial so we can get answers to the questions we still have about whether he could have been saved."Dad was depressed, but I feel what he did was a cry for help."If he had been saved and we could have talked to him, I think we could have helped him get over it."There were times he was really down at home, but if I took him for a ride out, to play bowls or just with the dog, he would pick up."Mr Dunn was a miner for 40 years before he became a porter in the x-ray department at Bishop Auckland General Hospital in the mid-1990s.He was described as a popular man who adored his wife and children - Lee, 40, Graham, 38, Michael, 34, and Angela, 32, and his nine grandchildren.He was often seen walking his dog around the Ferryhill area and was a popular member of Ferryhill Workingmen's Club.A former colleague of Mr Dunn's, who asked not to be named, said: "Everyone thought the world of Alan. "He was a lovely man and wouldn't have wanted all this to happen, he thought the world of all the doctors."He added: "People also think a lot of Mr Stephen, he is a well-respected family man." A police spokesman last night confirmed that Mr Stephen had been charged with manslaughter and said he was released on bail to appear before south Durham magistrates on Friday.Mr Stephen said he could not comment for legal reasons. County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital Trust also declined to comment.An inquest into Mr Dunn's death was opened and adjourned in January.  more...