Stories for 28 September 2006

The Northern Echo News

Pensioner falls beneath train

A PENSIONER suffered horrific injuries this morning after falling under the wheels of a Metro train as he waited on the platform.   more...

Top Gear star transferred from hospital

TOP Gear presenter Richard Hammond was discharged from Leeds General Infirmary this morning.   more...

Huntsman in $700m sell-off

THE Huntsman Corporation is announcing this afternoon a $700m deal to sell its European Chemicals and Polymers Division on Teesside to the Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC).   more...

'Town is the heart of crack cocaine dealing

LEADING police officers have described Middlesbrough as the hub of crack cocaine dealing in the North-East.A three-day clampdown on street dealers and crack houses was started yesterday to nip the problem in the bud before organised crime gets a stranglehold on the town.Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price said: "Crack is a very addictive drug. People want more and more - and commit more and more crime to get it."It leads to the complete breakdown of neighbourhoods and organised crime moves in because it is a very valuable trade drug."It can lead to gun crime and bad-on-bad shootings - that is to say criminals shooting other criminals."Crack is mostly being sold in deprived areas, but those benefiting are moving to nice areas with nice big homes."In a first for the region, yesterday's drug raids were supported by two of the Forensic Science Service's (FSS) mobile labs.Fast, on-the-spot analysis helped identify suspicious substances taken from the 21 houses searched across Middlesbrough yesterday morning.A microwave, believed to be involved in the production of crack cocaine, was taken to the mobile unit were forensic analysis.DNA samples and swabs were also processed on-board the Forensic Response Unit.Mobile phones found in the raided properties were taken to the i-Van, a specialist unit where digital data is downloaded.Dr Mark Pearse, of the FSS team, said: "The labs allow us the unique opportunity to carry out a range of real-time forensic analysis at the crime scene, giving the police access to the latest technology."This will help speed up the course of justice by giving them forensic results straight away."We can also use a satellite dish to transmit the results of the DNA tests to the national database to see if they match any records."The van can be used to analyse anything from footprints to forged signatures, bullets to cocaine and can decipher DNA from long-buried human remains or record security camera footage for closer inspection.To help speed up the judicial process, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also had two of its lawyers on standby to charge the people arrested.The CPS and Cleveland Police have worked closely in the preparation and issuing of 125 warrants for the three-day clampdown.Chris Metherell, the CPS special case worker for the raids, said: "We can make sure the resources are in place to work with the police on deciding what charges should be brought against anyone who is charged."Cleveland Police has been running a "dealer a day" initiative since 2001 and one of the main targets of the force's anti-crime initiative - Operation Sabre - is drug dealing and its associated problems.Thousands of pounds worth of drugs have been taken off the streets of Teesside and hundreds of people have been arrested in connection with the supply of drugs.Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs issued a warning to all drug dealers, saying: "If you are dealing in drugs, we will find you and you will be arrested. "We are not prepared to allow drug dealers to get a grip in our area."Crack cocaine is often the drug of choice for prostitutes and this leads to a repeat cycle of offending. Wendy Shepherd, the children's service manager with the Barnardo's Secos project, which helps child prostitutes in Middlesbrough, said: "It's a vicious circle. They get hooked drugs and then have to work to pay for the drugs. "We work with the girls to get them off all types of drugs through rehabilitation and treatment."Anyone with information about suspected drug dealing is asked to contact Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.  more...

31 arrested as police crack down on drugs

POLICE chiefs pledged no let-up in the fight against crack cocaine last night after launching the biggest drug-busting operation the region has ever seen.More than 300 officers are expected to carry out raids across Teesside this morning after the first wave of swoops led to 31 arrests yesterday.Operation Sabre is targeting known dealers and crack houses in an effort to disrupt the drugs trade across the North-East.Cleveland Police believe the show of strength will loosen the grip that organised crime has on the supply of addictive drugs in Middlesbrough.The three-day operation began at dawn yesterday.More than 40 vehicles, including four detention teams, four scene-of-crime officer teams and five dog teams, launched the raids on 19 addresses yesterday.By the end of the first day, police had made 31 arrests - 22 men and nine women - recovered £7,000, heroin, crack cocaine, ecstasy and anabolic steroids. Police officers also discovered ammunition, a loaded crossbow and an air weapon.After a briefing at the Riverside Stadium, in Middlesbrough, Chief Constable Sean Price led the convoy of police vehicles.He said: "Crack cocaine was starting to get a grip on the Middlesbrough area and organised crime was starting to move in. "If we act now we will be able to get them out before they get a foothold."For the first time, Cleveland Police used two mobile forensic science labs to examine drugs, mobile phones and computers.The raids were focused around Middlesbrough's University and Gresham wards.Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon called on the community to support the police.He said: "Robust policing of this matter addresses the concerns of the community, it removes dangerous criminals from the streets and also acts as a pre-emptive strike to prevent matters deteriorating further."If this is to have a lasting effect, it is crucial that everyone supports the police. The council and other agencies must do everything within their powers to ensure that matters do not deteriorate again."Assistant Chief Constable Adam Briggs said: "We targeted a number of addresses to ensure the people dealing this filth will be dealt with by the courts."Councillor Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council's executive member for community safety, said: "Drug dealing has a very negative effect on communities and Cleveland Police responding with an operation of this scale will provide a lot of reassurance for those people." 'Hub of crack dealing' - Page 5  more...

Street attack victim knocked out by shock from stun gun

A MAN was left fighting for his life after being shocked by an electric stun gun and subjected to an horrific attack, it was revealed yesterday.The unnamed victim needed brain surgery after being knocked unconscious by the device, which is usually used on cattle in slaughterhouses. He was then subjected to an unprovoked attack.Police believe as many as 15 men and women took part in the assault at the weekend. The 40-year-old victim was left for dead on the pavement of a housing estate.Police say the incident began after the victim left a friend's house in Fourth Avenue, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, shortly after 11pm on Saturday.The attack is believed to have lasted about 30 minutes and at varying points involved between eight and 15 people. When police and paramedics arrived the victim was unconscious on the pavement. He had suffered serious head and chest injuries.Detective Chief Inspector Ken Donnelly said last night he believed the victim's assailants had turned the hand-held stun gun on him at an early stage of the assaults.He said: "He was conscious until the stun gun - originally designed and manufactured to subdue animals going for slaughter - was used. "He was then subjected to a series of physical assaults that left him with serious injuries. "These guns are capable of building up a considerable electronic charge and would have knocked him out. They are prohibited weapons and are not legally freely available."Mystery surrounds the reasons for the attack and a poor response to appeals for witnesses. Detectives renewed their appeals for help last night.Det Chief Insp Donnelly said investigators had searched a number of houses in the area in their hunt for the stun gun. They have also tried to obtain witness statements, but had been disappointed with the public's response so far.He added: "This was a particularly nasty incident and we know there are people who can give us the information we need that would put those responsible before a court. We need them to come forward as a matter of urgency."The victim was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and then transferred to Newcastle General Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for his head injuries. He remains critical but stable in the hospital's high dependency unit.Four people - a man in his 40s, a man in his 20s and two women, one in her 20s and the other in her late teens - were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and questioned at Durham and Peterlee police stations. The man in his 40s has been released on police bail pending further inquiries. The other three were released without charge.Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 0845-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555111.  more...

Clinton in praise of Tony Blair

FORMER US President Bill Clinton and Tony Blair are likely to become two regular guys hanging out together, judging from comments from the former.Mr Clinton, who addressed the Labour Party's conference in Manchester yesterday, was asked if he would miss Mr Blair after the Prime Minister stood down next year.He replied: "Well, I hope I'm going to see him more. "If I didn't see him, I would miss him."In Manchester, it was almost like a close colleague delivering a retirement speech as Mr Clinton and Mr Blair shared a political stage for what could be the last time.Congratulating Mr Blair and his Government on its "stunning success" in running the country, Mr Clinton said it was no accident that Britain had led the fight against climate change and tackled unemployment under Mr Blair's party. Mr Clinton, who last addressed a Labour conference four years ago, was given a standing ovation as he stood up to speak, after being introduced by Mr Blair as "the one and only Bill Clinton". Mr Clinton said: "I want to say a special thank you publicly to my friend, Tony Blair, for his leadership - his preservation of our old Atlantic alliance through quite a lot of storm, as well as occasional sunshine. "I want to thank him for his personal friendship to me - through storm and sunshine. "I want to thank Cherie and their children for their many kindnesses to Hilary and me and Chelsea and enduring the rigours of public life."I want to thank Gordon Brown for his brilliant economic leadership and the entire New Labour team for their support."Leaving the conference centre with Mr Blair, Mr Clinton was asked who he wanted to succeed the Prime Minister.He made it clear he was not backing away from his previous comment that Gordon Brown would make a good Prime Minister, saying: "I stand by what I said."  more...

Fighting for their future -

THE future of a 35-year-old boxing club which has produced more than 90 British champions has been cast into doubt.Darlington Amateur Boxing Club has recently lost its base after it was knocked down to make way for flats.Boxers, aged from as young as nine to those in their 20s, used to train in Larchfield Sports Centre, in Larchfield Street.After the centre was knocked down, the team moved to a temporary home in the Dolphin Centre.But the club has had to buy new equipment which can be taken down and stored away to enable the move.Members of the club also hope that they can secure sponsorship or grants to help pay for the equipment or even a new permanent home in the town.Secretary Lol Degnan, who has been part of Darlington's boxing heritage for more than six decades, said: "We don't know what the future is. We hope we are winning. Everything we put up has to come down, so we would prefer to have our own sports hall."A permanent home would also allow the club to personalise the gym, with photographs, memorabilia and also mirrors.Coach Mick Winn said: "The coaches are very down at the moment. There is no atmosphere here."Gyms are normally dirty, smelly places but we are in a hall with a lot of other people."The council is bending over backwards to help us."The club has produced many British champions over the years and other fighters, including former ABA light heavyweight champion Anthony Todd and Michael Hall, who fights as Oscar Hall and is rated in the top ten of British boxers.A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We were happy to be able to accommodate the club at the Dolphin Centre for three nights a week and we are glad we could help with the relocation from Larchfield Street."The club could be based at the Dolphin Centre permanently, or for as long as it wishes, but we are aware that it would ideally like its own venue."The sports centre was owned by Darlington College, which has recently moved to a new site off Haughton Road.Anyone who can help the club is asked to contact Mr Degnan on 01325-383278.  more...

Bout of Africa

A Northern Echo reporter who spent seven months working as a volunteer in Africa is to talk about his experiences.Mark Tallentire, of Ramshaw, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, spent seven months teaching in Zambia, as part of the Methodist Church's Experience Exchange Programme.He returned to the region in August before starting work in The Northern Echo's Bishop Auckland office, and is now to talk about his work, as part of Etherley Methodist Church's Harvest festival weekend."I'm really looking forward to this opportunity to talk about what I saw and learnt out there," said Mr Tallentire."A number of local groups, companies and individuals very generously gave money to help fund my work, and this is my chance to tell them what they helped achieve."Mr Tallentire, 22, taught English, social studies and music to children and media and communication to adults at the Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation, in Kitwe. The talk, called Re:Call Zambia will take place on Monday, October 9, from 7.30pm, in Etherley Methodist Church. Admission is free. Donations will benefit the Methodist Relief and Development Fund.   more...

Family mourns rail line victim

A DEVASTATED family is grieving the loss of a father killed when his car collided with a high speed train.John Anthony Power, 54, of York, died when a Virgin train smashed into his Vauxhall Astra, near York, at 100mph.Friends of Mr Power, of St George's Place, have spoken of their shock at the popular family man's death.Grandfather Mr Power, a delivery driver for the Gap Group, in Murton, County Durham, leaves his wife Hazel, 50, and five children and grandchildren.One friend, Paul Kendall, 52, said: "John was a quiet family man who looked after his kids and his grandkids."They were his life. He adored them. He was a hard-working grafter."A family friend, who asked not to be named, added: "He was a smashing man and that's it. Just a good family man. We'll all miss him."Mr Power died at about 9pm on Monday when the Virgin Cross-Country train ploughed into his car.His car had smashed through a wooden fence at the end of a dead end road, Moor Lane, and on to the track.It stopped in front of a Virgin Intercity diesel carrying 74 passengers from Plymouth to Edinburgh.The crash on the East Coast Main Line at Copmanthorpe, a mile from York, derailed one carriageThe train driver and passengers were unhurt, but the wreckage of the car was dragged half a mile. Last night, there were unconfirmed reports that Mr Power was delivering a part to a nearby Network Rail depot when he died.Police and rail investigators were last night still searching the area for clues as to how the accident happened.Sergeant Andy Lehman, of the British Transport Police, said: "Our sympathies are with the family and friends of John at this difficult time."The crash echoes the 2001 Selby smash, 20 miles away, when Gary Hart's Land Rover ended up on the track and derailed a Newcastle to London high-speed service on the East Coast Main Line at Great Heck.  more...

The way forward is all . . . ubuntu

BILL CLINTON left Labour's foot-soldiers scratching their heads yesterday when he revealed the secret of keeping the voters happy - more ubuntu.The smooth-talking former US president won a predictably ecstatic reaction from conference delegates as their "mystery guest" - but what on earth was he talking about?Since leaving the White House, Bill has been tackling the great challenges of global warming and Aids which, as he explained, meant he had spent a lot of time in southern Africa.It was there he had been won over by the philosophy of the locals to sum up how we all depend on each other which, he admitted, was a tad "mystical".This, it turned out, was the doctrine of ubuntu or, to give it its English translation "I am because you are". And you thought the third way was heavy stuff.Nevertheless, the delegates clapped happily, so if a pledge to create an ubuntu nirvana turns up on Labour leaflets stuffed through your door at the next election, you know where it came from.Earlier, Mr Blair had introduced Mr Clinton as a "politician who was also a rock star", which was clearly, for the former Ugly Rumours singer, as high praise as it was possible to give.As the former president declared happily: "I found there was life after politics", the PM was surely imagining where he might build the future HQ of The Blair Foundation.Back in the present, Mr Blair gazed on adoringly at his political hero, while Gordon Brown fidgeted nervously. John Prescott just looked bored out of his skull.Mr Clinton was careful to heap praise on both the Prime Minister, for his "magnificent valedictory speech", and the Chancellor, for his "brilliant economic leadership".But, several times, he urged Labour to take care of its "home improvements".Was this a coded endorsement of Mr Brown, who has already fitted the curtains at No10?He may be the world's most charismatic politician, but the Bill Clinton we saw yesterday delivered a rambling speech that never touched the heights of Mr Blair's a day earlier.All in all, it was a shame he missed the morning debate on world poverty, featuring International Development Secretary Hilary Benn and Monica Naggaga, of Oxfam.Bill would have loved squeezing in on the platform between Hilary and Monica.  more...

Caps off to Andy's statue

WORLD-FAMOUS cartoon character Andy Capp will finally be commemorated in his creator's home town after support from a public vote.Plans for a 5ft statue of the character are pressing ahead after the idea was backed by almost four to one in a poll of people living in Hartlepool.Of 527 people who responded, 406 said they wanted a statue of Andy Capp, created by Hartlepool man Reg Smythe.Now the North Hartlepool Partnership is working to finalise the funding arrangements for the project, which is expected to cost about £20,000.The partnership has written to the Daily Mirror newspaper, in which the cartoons were first featured in 1957, asking if the newspaper would be willing to contribute to the cost.The statue will be made of bronze, and, subject to planning permission, will be sited on the seafront, near the Harbour of Refuge pub.North Hartlepool Partnership Board member Councillor Edna Wright said: "A statue will not only be a fitting tribute to the creative legacy of Reg Smythe, I'm sure it will also play an important part in attracting visitors to the Headland." Campaigners hope regional development agency One NorthEast, which is also financing the regeneration of the Headland area in Hartlepool, will help with the funding.It is hoped the sculpture, by Shropshire artist Jane Robbins, will be completed by March when the North Hartlepool Partnership ends.  more...

Ryanair unveils new services from North-East

RYANAIR today announced two new services from the North-East to Barcelona.   more...

Grandmother ordered to keep out after urinating next to grave

A GRANDMOTHER who urinated next to a man's grave in front of his horrified family has been banned from entering the cemetery.Annette Slight, 54, admitted dropping her trousers and squatting next to the freshly-laid grave of Henry Tutty while his widow, daughter and grandchildren looked on.Mrs Tutty took a photograph of Slight's actions on her mobile phone, leading to her being banned from Sunderland's Bishopwearmouth Cemetery.It means that Slight will not be able to tend the graves of her parents, who are both buried there, for two years.Slight was convicted of causing harassment, alarm or distress after she confessed to relieving herself next to floral tributes laid for 57-year-old Mr Tutty.She was given a two-year community order, was forced to wear an electronic tag and was given 40 hours community service at Sunderland Magistrates' Court last month.After the case, Mr Tutty's family demanded that Slight be expelled from the cemetery.Last night, Sunderland City Council chiefs said Slight had been banned because her behaviour "could not be tolerated".Mr Tutty's daughter, Lauren, 27, said: "We are really relieved that we know we won't be bumping into her when we visit my dad's grave."Two years is better than nothing, but after that time is up we are going to ask for something more permanent."If they can't ban her for life, we would like her visits to at least be supervised, because she obviously can't be trusted by herself."Slight relieved herself on the grave in January after being ticked off by Mr Tutty's family for letting her dog urinate on his grave.Yesterday, a council chief said that Slight's "repugnant" behaviour had meant a ban was justified.Peter High, head of environmental services at Sunderland council, said: "We have previously expressed concern at the repugnant nature of the offence and the distress caused to the Tutty family."The ban we have imposed will initially be effective for the same period as the community order imposed by the court, and we will work in partnership with our community safety partners and with the public to ensure its terms are applied."The ban, issued under the council's cemetery regulations, is the first of its kind in the city."When contacted, Slight refused to comment on the ban.  more...

Park 'maniac' was children's entertainer

Police rushed to the scene after receiving reports of a sword-wielding maniac threatening a group of children in a park.But they found themselves being booed by the kids they went to save after the culprit turned out to be a juggler staging an outdoor show.The samurai sword was a prop used by children's entertainer Jason Toms, who was putting on an impromptu show in Ferryboat Lane, Sunderland. Instead of putting the showman behind bars, police asked him to move on - much to the disappointment of the crowd.Mr Toms, 37, of Sunderland, is one part of a double act that includes his daughter Riah, 12.He said: "I don't want people to think I'm some kind of maniac. The Samurai sword wasn't even real. "We do performances for children's parties and, from time to time, I've done shows on the field next to where we live. "The police were really nice about things and I understand they had concerns, but it was all very innocent."As part of his act, Mr Toms lies on a bed of nails and gets children to walk across him, while Riah spins balls of fire around on a chain.Mr Toms, who is married to Kim, 36, was shocked when his brief brush with the law attracted so much attention.He said: "I only do this as a hobby but the kids love it. I even teach them how to do circus tricks of their own, things such as plate-spinning and stilt-walking. "The police said they did not have a problem with me doing this on private property - it was because we were on the public field."The performing pair began putting on shows when Mr Toms was looking for a common interest he and his daughter could share together.He said: "We thought we might enjoy a kite hobby together, but the shop we went to then started selling juggling balls and the whole thing has developed from there." Mr Toms said that in future he intended to stick to performing only at private parties.  more...

Dating website for people affected by sexul diseases

THREE people from the North-East have helped create the UK's first dating website for people living with sexually transmitted diseases.The idea for the website - www.datepositive.net - came from a Tyneside woman who feared she would find it difficult to find a new partner after she was diagnosed with genital herpes.The woman, who wants to be anonymous, found that all of the dating and friendship websites for people with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - such as HIV and genital herpes - were based in North America.The woman got together with four friends to investigate the idea of a new website for the UK and Ireland.A few weeks ago, the website went live and the backers, including three from the Newcastle area, hope it will provide a service to thousands of people in Britain and Ireland living with STDs caused by viruses.Sheelagh Caygill, a former internet journalist who lives in the Gateshead area, said: "We realised through her experience that there wasn't a UK site for people living with STDs such as Aids, HIV, and herpes."The idea isn't just about creating an online meeting place. We are providing members with information and resources and therefore have built additional sections containing support group information, news, and weblinks."There are plans to add a forum and chatroom so people can discuss experiences and support.The first 500 members of www.datepositive.net will receive free membership for one year.Dr Abayomi Opaneye, consultant in genito-urinary medicine at James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, said: "I think it is a great idea. STDs caused by viruses can lead to difficulties, including psychological problems. A few of my patients with genital warts have said they have problems dating."Michael Kay, service manager with the Middlesbrough-based HIV charity Tees Positive, said the website could be useful to people who were only comfortable dating someone with equal HIV status.A spokeswoman for the Brook chain of advice centres said: "People who have been infected with viruses such as herpes, HIP or genital warts may find an online source of information, support and friendship to be very valuable. "It's particularly important that the site should provide information about safer sex so that members know how to take good care of their sexual health."  more...

Fears growing for missing girl

POLICE are becoming increasingly anxious about a schoolgirl who has been missing from home for a week.Charlotte Louise Lord, 15, was dropped off by taxi at a school in Darlington last Thursday, after travelling from her home in Hartlepool. She is understood to have left the school at lunchtime and has not been seen since.The teenager, who has family connections in Darlington and Hartlepool, is described as vulnerable and an asthma sufferer.Police said she is known to frequent fast food shops in Darlington and Middlesbrough.When last seen, Charlotte was wearing a black zip-up cardigan, a white polo shirt, black trousers and black shoes.Anyone with information about her whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Tony Green on 01642-302126.  more...

Mountaineer hopes not to peak too soon in charity fundraiser

RECORD-BREAKING mountaineer Alan Hinkes is hoping for better luck than last year when he lines up for the Great North Run on Sunday.Twelve months ago, he tore his right Achilles tendon and his left calf muscle after setting off at a sprint.Mr Hinkes, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, is planning to take it slowly this time round to make sure he can run all the way.He said: "Last year I set off too fast and ending up having to walk it all."I was in the celebrity area and I could see clear road in front of me, so I sprinted."Whatever age you are, you shouldn't do that. I won't make that mistake again and I'll set off at a proper pace this year."Mr Hinkes, 52, is running the race to raise awareness of the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.The charity funds research to treat and cure the disease, which is caused by a defective gene that clogs the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system, with thick sticky mucus.Mr Hinkes has supported the trust for more than ten years."Nobody can know what it is like to have cystic fibrosis," he said. "But I have breathing difficulties to a certain extent when I am at altitude."It is a really good charity to get involved with."He has taken part in the Great North Run a number of times since the event was first run in 1981. This year, he will also run the mini version of the race alongside his three-year-old grandson, Jay.Mr Hinkes said: "He has got his little red T-shirt and his new running shoes already. I am a bit worried that I might end up carrying him, but when he sees everyone else running I am sure he will follow suit."I am really looking forward to that. Obviously with all the concern about children's health these days, it is good to get them involved in events like this."Mr Hinkes is the first Briton to have climbed all of the world's 148,000m peaks. He is one of only 13 mountaineers in the world to achieve the feat.'I am alive because of blood donors'THREE years ago, Mike Livermore's life was saved by a blood transfusion after he suffered a haemorrhage. Now he is dedicated to promoting the importance of being a blood donor - and is running the Great North Run dressed as Billy Blood Drop, the mascot of the National Blood Service, to help in his mission. Mr Livermore, from Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said: "I am alive now thanks to the tireless efforts of blood donors and so will continue to do my utmost to attract more donors to help save others like me."Vicki Hutchinson, from the National Blood Service, said: "We are so proud that Mike has not only chosen to take on this challenge, but that he will also participate in the race dressed as Billy. "As Mike demonstrates, blood really does save lives." Anyone aged between 17 and 60, who weighs over 7st 12lbs and is in good health can be a blood donor. For more information call the helpline on 08457-711711 or visit www.blood.co.ukRaising awarenessAN actor will return to his home city to lead a team of runners in this weekend's Great North Run.Ben Price will wear a gold vest to expose how gold companies are damaging the poor communities in which they work.The actor, who found fame with roles in Casualty and Footballers' Wives, is running in aid of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development's (Cafod) Unearth Justice campaign.Cafod is targeting gold mining companies as well as national high street jewellers, calling on them to take steps towards ensuring the gold they produce, buy and sell is ethically and responsibly produced.Running in dad's memoryA PHOTOGRAPHER is embarking on this year's Great North Run in aid of a cause close to his heart.Chris Booth, a photographer for The Northern Echo, will be raising money for the British Lung Foundation, in memory of his father, Brian, who died five years ago of emphysema and bronchitis.It will be the fourth time that Mr Booth, 30, has completed the 13-mile run for the charity, which he hopes to complete this year in under 1hr 45mins - his personal best.Mr Booth, who is originally from Bradford but now lives in Darlington, said: "I am doing it in memory of my dad who died in 2000 of lung disease."So far, he has raised more than £300 for the charity. He has been training three times a week, running about 26 miles in total.He said the Great North Run was such a special event because of the spectators and participants.He said: "It is a very emotional day because there are so many people running in memory of someone and there is such a huge amount of support throughout the race, from start to finish."It gives you tingles down your spine."  more...

'We thought report of star's 300mph crash was a joke'

YORKSHIRE Air Ambulance staff revealed yesterday how they thought the call telling them of the high-speed crash involving Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond was a joke.Mr Hammond, 36, was seriously injured last Wednesday when the jet-powered car he was driving at Elvington Airfield, near York, crashed at about 300mph.Air ambulance chief executive Martin Eede said the call came at 5.40pm. "It had been a very quiet day and the guys were just packing up. The bizarre thing is that five minutes later they would have left for the day," he said.He said the crew were about to put the chopper "to bed" for the night when the air ambulance dispatcher caught them. "He said, 'Hang on a minute, guys don't put it away just yet - a jet powered car has crashed at 300mph', and they said, 'Yeah yeah, of course it has' - but then they got going."David Gardner scrambled the chopper and paramedics Peter Vallance, Steve Cobb and Darren Axe were airborne within two minutes. They arrived at Elvington 12 minutes later.It took crews 15 minutes to prepare Mr Hammond for flight and only 12 minutes to get him to the regional specialist head injury unit at Leeds General Infirmary.Mr Eede said Mr Hammond, who is making good progress in hospital, was conscious in the ambulance, but was distressed and clearly disorientated.And Mr Axe told The Sun: "With head injuries, patients are often highly confused and agitated, which can come across like aggression. They often ask the same questions over and over again, which Richard did."Richard kept saying over and over, 'Let me out' and asking what had happened and where he was. He also kept saying 'Help me' and I told him 'I am trying to help you Richard, we won't be long'."Following the accident, the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service received more than £238,000 in donations from Mr Hammond's fans and friends. The money will help buy a second air ambulance, which costs about £1.5m.  more...

Close call for driver with no brakes

A WOMAN was lucky to escape with her life after petrol thieves cut her brake lines by mistake.As she set off from home, the unsuspecting victim discovered to her horror that her brakes were not working.It was only through good fortune that she was able to bring it to a stop at the bottom of a hill without crashing.Last night, police warned of the potentially fatal consequences of the actions of petrol thieves - and have appealed for help in catching the culprit. The woman, who lives in Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, became the latest victim of a spate of thefts of petrol. The thieves have been cutting the fuel lines of cars to get petrol. Chester-le-Street Community Inspector Paul Anderson said last night: "Obviously, the actions of these thieves could have fatal consequences. "If someone had been driving along and needed to stop suddenly or stop at a junction, it could be disastrous. "It was really fortunate the woman concerned was able to stop her car in time and without colliding with anything."Insp Anderson said the woman had parked her car in the street on top of a bank in the village. He said: "As she drove off, she realised her brakes were not working. Luckily, she managed to bring her vehicle to a halt at the bottom on the hill."Initially, officers were examining the possibility that she may have been targeted by someone with a grudge against her."But what we believe has happened is that someone has intended to steal petrol by cutting the fuel pipe and cut the brake lining by mistake."Insp Anderson said the crime matched the technique of a thief who has been operating in the area in the Kimblesworth and Sacriston area in recent weeks. He said: "We have had several thefts of petrol from cars and are looking into the possibility that a number of offences in the area are linked."We are appealing for information to track the culprit down."Obviously, whoever is doing this is leaving the scene reeking of petrol fumes. "We are asking anyone who notices anyone coming home smelling of fuel to get in touch."What this person is doing could have fatal consquences." Anyone with information is asked to telephone 0845-60-60-365.  more...

Brave Bradley gets his wings

SOARING through the clouds at 100 knots, 2,000ft above rolling green countryside, a little boy realised a dream. Four-year-old Bradley Young has a passion for planes and helicopters, but will never fly because of a rare heart condition.But this week, he had the time of his life when he stepped into the cockpit of a flight simulator and took the aircraft for a spin.Flight company Northern Aviation, based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, invited Bradley and his family to tour its facilities and try the pilot training device themselves.Parents, Ian and Glynis, of Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, said it would be too risky to take Bradley up in a real plane.He is fitted with a pacemaker because of an irregular heartbeat and suffers a condition called long Q-T syndrome, which severely affects blood flow to his heart and could be fatal if he has a shock.Mrs Young said: "Bradley loves watching planes and helicopters in the sky, but knows he won't get to fly in one, it would be too dangerous. "He was excited before visiting the airport and wasn't disappointed - he absolutely loved the day."The company's hanger and airfield provided a real- life adventure playground for the family as they explored aircraft including a former RAF Bulldog, now used for aerobatic displays, and a luxurious Cessna Golden Wing.The day also gave brother James, 12, and seven-year-old sister, Cherise, a rare moment in the spotlight as they also enjoyed VIP treatment at the airfield.Mrs Young said: "Everything we do as a family has to fit around Bradley, so they have to be patient and probably miss out on lots of things other kids do."They were playing it cool until they got inside the plane and then really enjoyed every minute. They said it was brilliant."George Ditchburn, business development manager at Northern Aviation, said: "The simulator is used for training pilots and once you're sat in there, with all the controls exactly like a real aircraft, facing a moving film, you really feel you are flying."The majority of pilots are born from a dream of flying and, hopefully, the day with us has gone a long way to realising Bradley's dream."Mr Young said the only bad thing about the day was that his three youngest children's Christmas wish-list now includes a private jet.  more...