Stories for 31 January 2007
The Northern Echo News
Man dies after setting himself alight
A MAN who set himself on fire after apparently rowing with his mother has died. more...
Business as usual for lotto millionaires
IT will be business as usual for a North-East greengrocer and his wife - despite scooping a £1.1m lottery windfall. more...
Thieves steal sat-nav system from ambulance
POLICE have appealed for help in tracing a satellite navigation system stolen from an ambulance. more...
Casino fears
Bogus caller fleeces workers
DETECTIVES are hunting a bogus caller who stole bank cards from workers on a County Durham industrial estate then fleeced them of hundreds of pounds. more...
Policeman dismissed after complaints
A NORTH Yorkshire police officer has been dismissed as complaints against the force rise. more...
Pair charged over illegal trafficking
A 34-year-old man and 30-year-old woman were last night charged in connection with illegal trafficking of people to the UK for work in the care industry and are expected to appear before Teesside Magistrates Court on Monday, February 5. more...
Roadworks on A66 uncover site of ancient settlement
DWELLINGS dating back to the Iron Age and Roman eras have been uncovered during work on a major road improvement scheme in the region.The half-dozen round houses, including paddocks and fields, were uncovered along the A66 during work to create a dual carriageway.The scheme is on the stretch between Carkin Moor and Scotch Corner and Greta Bridge to Stephen Bank.It was while excavations were being carried out at Scotch Corner, near the junction of two Roman roads, that the discoveries were made.Highways Agency project manager Lynne Biddles said: "It's fantastic we've been able to uncover all these settlements and artefacts ahead of these dualling schemes. "We can now piece together the history of this area and preserve it for the wider community to enjoy."The site is close to the Melsonby crossroads and other features include a circular house, square structures, pits and field ditches. These are thought to be associated with a larger settlement close by, on the other side of the A66, near Rock Castle Farm.The finds, to be handed to a local museum, were discovered with the help of a team of archaeologists who have been carrying out detailed excavations in four areas on the Carkin Moor-to-Scotch Corner stretch, in advance of the major works.The A66 follows the line of an important Roman road, dating back to the 1st Century. Potential sites were discovered in 1999 and these helped to influence the early design of the road schemes.Archaeologists were given permission to begin the excavations last May.The road scheme has enabled archaeologists to carry out the first excavation of Scots Dyke, a large ditch running for 14km through North Yorkshire. Experts now believe that the dyke is a thousand years older than was previously thought and it has been provisionally dated to the 1st Century. The site is considered of such importance that an unexcavated section will be preserved intact under the new A66 carriageway.Metal detecting near Black Plantation has also revealed another insight into the way communities lived in the 17th and early 18th centuries with the discovery of objects including a small silver christening spoon more...
Roll of the dice pays off as region wins the chance to build two casinos
THE Government last night unleashed a gambling bonanza as the North-East hit the jackpot with approval for a major new casino.In a long awaited announcement the Casino Advisory Panel (CAP) revealed Middlesbrough as one of eight areas across the UK to get a large casino containing 150 gaming machines with jackpots of up to £4,000.Scarborough, in North Yorkshire, joined the town as the region's second winner, gaining permission for a small casino, along with seven other sites.In a shock decision, Manchester edged out favourites Blackpool and London's Millennium Dome to be chosen by the advisory panel as the location for the UK's first and only Las Vegas-style super-casino.The super casino will be housed on a 5,000sq m site and will have up to 1,250 gaming machines with unlimited jackpots.The recommendations will now be considered by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell before going to a Parliamentary vote, although this is expected to be merely putting a rubber stamp on the report.However, both Blackpool and Greenwich are thought to be considering legal action over the decision.The 1,500sq m casino in Middlesbrough will initially bring £10m worth of investment, along with 300 jobs.But the knock-on effect could mean many more millions being invested, along with hundreds more jobs created.Middlesbrough Council envisages a "city scale" visitor attraction, complete with restaurants, bars and a hotel.The casino is likely to be sited either at the regenerated Middlehaven site on derelict land by the River Tees or at the existing Middlesbrough Leisure Park, in Marton Road.A council spokesman said it would launch a competition to find an operator with a view to the casino opening by 2010.Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon said the successful bid was fantastic news and said the town was "on a roll". Last week, the £14m Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art opened its doors for the first time.Mr Mallon said: "This offers further proof that Middlesbrough is open for business and can compete with other towns and cities."Potentially, this is the biggest thing that has happened in Middlesbrough for many years."Mr Mallon played down fears that a large casino could create difficulties with problem gambling as well as attract other problems such as drugs and prostitution.He said: "I can assure people that our casino will be policed properly and whoever operates it will have to abide by the Mayor's Charter, which spells out how we expect them to manage the casino and ensure that appropriate safeguards are put in place for young and vulnerable people."Council officials said there had already been interest from potential operators.Yesterday, Stanley Casinos, which operates 46 casinos across the country, became one of the first to publicly express an interest.Financial director Michael Riddy said: "We look forward to an open and competitive bidding process." Margaret Fay, chairwoman of One NorthEast, which backed the bid, said: "This will bring significant regeneration, tourism and economic benefits, not just to the town but to the whole of the North-East."Councillor Alex Watson, chairman of the North-East Assembly, said the Middlesbrough development would bring "spin-off benefits for local businesses in the construction, entertainment, hospitality and business sectors".But groups who work with gambling addicts urged caution. A spokesman for the North-East Council on Addictions (Neca) said: "We aim to work closely with the local authority in Middlesbrough to encourage safe practice with regard to dependency on gambling."John Daniels, of Middlesbrough Citizens Advice Bureau, said: "We already see a number of people with gambling debts who use the debt service that is available here."If a casino of this kind is built in Middlesbrough and, as a result, there is a significant increase in people with gambling problems, we would hope that some funds and extra resources would be made available to put into organisations like ours." In Scarborough, which has won permission for a smaller casino, the council leader Tom Fox said it would bring prosperity to the resort.However, Captain Colin Stevens, of the Salvation Army in Scarborough, said: "Much has been made of the potential economic benefit of casinos, but that needs to be balanced against the potential devastating effects of problem gambling to individuals, families and communities."Ã Comment - Page 1 more...
Honours probe: Levy arrested
THE cash-for-honours inquiry took a dramatic twist last night as Prime Minister Tony Blair's personal fundraiser, Lord Levy, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.The development - less than two weeks after the arrest of Mr Blair's close aide Ruth Turner - increased speculation that the police are focusing attention on a possible cover-up of the alleged sale of honours.Lord Levy was detained after attending a police station yesterday morning to answer bail for alleged breaches of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925 and Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.After questioning by officers from the Metropolitan Police Specialist Crime Directorate, he was released on bail pending further inquiries.In a statement released through a spokesman, the peer said he "completely denies any allegations of wrongdoing whatsoever".It is thought likely that yesterday's development is linked to the January 19 arrest of Ms Turner on suspicion of honours offences and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. Mr Blair's director of Government relations was also released without charge and said she "absolutely refuted" any allegations.There were claims that her arrest may have been prompted by the discovery of a separate email system at Number 10, from which crucial emails may have been deleted. Downing Street has denied the existence of a second IT system, and last night made no comment on the latest arrest.The cash-for-honours inquiry was prompted by complaints last March from Scottish National Party MP Angus MacNeil, and Plaid Cymru parliamentary leader Elfyn Llwyd, that large donations and loans to Labour were being rewarded with honours in contravention of a 1925 anti-corruption law. The inquiry was later widened to cover the Conservative Party.Following Lord Levy's second arrest, Mr MacNeil said: "I expect the Prime Minister will be very uneasy this evening."Mr Llwyd said: "The net is tightening, and there will be further interviews and arrests. In my view, the Prime Minister will be questioned again - possibly under caution." more...
Birthday joy for tsunami family
A COUPLE caught up in the Asian tsunami will celebrate the first birthday of their son tomorrow.Greg and Louise Harrand, both 33, were on their honeymoon on the Thai island of Ko Phi Phi when the 12ft wave struck on Boxing Day, 2004. Mrs Harrand was sucked under the water and suffered broken ribs and a badly cut chin. Mr Harrand was also dragged under the water, but managed to hang on to a table until the water subsided.After their narrow escape, they abandoned plans for years of luxury holidays to start a family.Baby Harrison was born on February 1 last year. He will have a party with family members tomorrow, and a celebration with ten toddler friends on Saturday.Mrs Harrand said: "It is going to be a bit chaotic. I will be worn out by Sunday."Harrison was christened in October and instead of presents, the couple asked people to donate money to a charity set up to help more than 20 children orphaned by the tsunami.The children's parents were all staff at the hotel where Mr and Mrs Harrand were staying. The couple, who live just outside York and own Hedley House Hotel, in the city, plan to return to Thailand next Christmas.Mrs Harrand said: "Friends of ours have just been back this Christmas. We wished that we had gone with them."Speaking to the people who have just come back, they found it very comforting and not traumatic at all."She has made a scrapbook of all the couple's press cuttings for Harrison.She said: "I will show it to him when he is old enough to understand. It is important that he knows what happened." more...
Museum's invent-ory of patently bad ideas
THE weird and wacky world of crazy inventions is featured in a touring exhibition that is coming to the region this weekend.Ingenious Contraptions, which opens at the Museum of Hartlepool on Saturday, features a bizarre collection of inventions from 1851 to 1951.It contains some of the strangest and most eccentric labour-saving devices ever thought up by people hoping to strike it rich.The collection is owned by 72-year-old Maurice Collins, whose home in north London is packed with thousands of contraptions, gizmos and gadgets from the past.Mr Collins, a world authority on peculiar inventions, has written two books devoted to the subject.He said: "I started my collection about 35 years ago. "I began by wandering round Victorian rubbish tips looking for the ultimate antique lemonade bottle. When I found the bottle, I began to look at other things."There were other bottles that were painted, and the concept of items being sold across the shop counter in that period began to fascinate me."I looked around and found things like a Victorian knife cleaner, a lemon squeezer, a nose shaper and a boiled egg warmer - all very, very peculiar."Among Mr Collins' favourite items are a clockwork teasmade, a clockwork wasp and fly catcher and a pig bristle remover.He said: "My personal favourite, that always makes me smile when I think about it, is an 1898 locket designed for putting your used chewing gum in."Some of the items he comes across are so strange, Mr Collins spends much of his time doing research at the Patent Office trying to identify them.As well as providing a fascinating insight into the world of inventions, the touring exhibition is also benefiting a charity for families with disabled children.Mr Collins said: "All the money from the rentals I charge museums for housing my collection goes to the Kith and Kids charity. "I have a disabled daughter, so the charity is close to my heart."The exhibition runs from Saturday until Sunday, March 25.The museum, inside the Hartlepool Maritime Experience building, is open every day from 10am to 5pm, with free admission. more...
Ex-worker returns crate of cash after judge rules
A MAN returned £1,300 in coins his former employer used to pay him after a judge ruled he should be given a cheque.Fred Raine, 61, received a crate containing thousands of coins after a long-running wrangle with Malcolm Lee, of Lee's Coaches, of Langley Moor, Durham.A judge ruled that Mr Raine should be paid by cheque, but advised him to return the 11-stone box of coins first.Mr Raine found the box of 1p to 20p coins dumped in the hallway of his home in Burnhope, County Durham. After the crate was delivered, the matter was referred to the County Court, in Durham, where the judge ruled Mr Raine had not been paid in legal tender and that a cheque should be issued by Mr Lee. Bailiffs then tried to get a cheque from the company, but were were told the money had been paid. The case returned to court yet again when a judge directed that Mr Raine should return the box, before the warrant was returned to the bailiff to act again. Mr Raine, who returned the money yesterday with the help of his nephew, Jason Tinley, said: "I do not see why I should have to take the money back."They dumped it on me and when we asked the man who brought it to take it back, he refused."I have a heart condition and disc problems in my back."The crate was, and still is, completely open and we have no idea as to the amount inside it."The saga began in June 2005 when, after a dispute with Mr Lee, Mr Raine handed in his notice and, on medical advice, spent his last days at work on sick leave. He said Mr Lee refused to pay him what he was due and the matter went to an industrial tribunal, which awarded Mr Raine £2,300.Mr Lee paid the first £1,000, leaving £1,300 outstanding, which he paid in thousands of unbagged coins in an unsealed crate with no paperwork. The Northern Echo was told Mr Lee was unavailable for comment. more...
Troops from north seize weapons haul in Iraq
TROOPS from the region have uncovered a major haul of weapons during a night-time raid in Iraq.More than 400 mortar rounds, plus bomb-making equipment and rockets, were discovered by soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment.The operation began when men were spotted loading mortars into two vehicles in a compound in Az Zubayr, a town ten miles south-west of Basra City, just after midnight on Saturday.After observing for a short time, soldiers from the regiment, normally based at Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, launched a raid.Items including light rockets, ammunition, radio equipment and bomb timer units were discovered.Between 400 and 500 mortar rounds were found during a second raid on the compound.Three men were then seen running from the compound.The men were tracked to a nearby building, where one man was detained.About 250 British soldiers took part in the operation.Lieutenant Jamie Metcalfe, from the Yorkshire Regiment, said: "Acting on information, the operation was aimed at undermining the ability of militant groups who try to attack multi-national forces."It was particularly impressive how quickly the battlegroup responded to the information we received."The strike was carried out quickly and efficiently. We certainly never expected to find what we did."We do know there are militants operating in this area - we have received indirect fire from them in the past."The fact that we found such a large amount of ammunition, that could be used for either mortar attacks or for producing improvised explosive devices, means we have certainly put them on the back foot."We gathered some very useful information on the ground that could lead to us carrying out further operations."I believe this sends out the message that we are watching them and if they do try to launch attacks on us we have the means and capability to bring them to justice."Men detained during the raid will be processed by the Iraqi government. more...
World Cup club hit by theives
THE winners of the first ever World Cup have been left without goal nets and an expensive grass cutter following a theft at their ground.West Auckland Town FC, who beat Juventus to win the Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy in 1909, had their Darlington Road ground broken into on Sunday night.The thieves made off with a grass cutter and their goal nets, which will cost several hundred pounds to replace. The club, who play in the Arngrove Northern League, are appealing for the return of the uninsured items.The grass cutter, which is red and marked with WAFC, costs about £400 and had recently been serviced at the cost of £170.The goal nets are plain white and are the only set the club owns, meaning they will need to be replaced before the team's next home game against Dunston Federation on February 17.The club's general manager, Stuart Alderson, said: "It is really shocking. Every penny counts at a football club like ours and these are going to cost us £500 or £600 to replace."When we come to the end of the season, we are always struggling for cash."I can't believe that anyone who lives in West Auckland would do this - or what they are going to do with a grass cutter and some goal nets."Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0845-60-60-365.The famous World Cup trophy was stolen from West Auckland Workingmen's Club in 1994 and never found, although it has since been replaced by a replica. more...
A loud bang, then wreckage lay strewn across the road
THE 723 single-decker stood skewed and hideously twisted. The refuse wagon, its front brutally mangled, lay overturned in its shadow. Devastation and tragedy had come to the A167, on the outskirts of Darlington.A shredded tyre, torn metal, shattered glass and other debris covered the sunlit road as police and highways officials solemnly carried out their investigations.Paramedics, an air ambulance team, firefighters and police had been called to the accident between Darlington and the A1(M) at about 11.40am yesterday.They found a scene that was shocking even to the most hardened members of the emergency services.The 41-year-old driver of the wagon was declared dead at the scene. The driver of the bus, a 52-year-old local man, was taken by air ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he was being treated last night for a dislocated hip. Looking at the distorted shell of the bus, it was hard to believe that anyone could have emerged alive from the front of the vehicle.As police continued their inquiries, traffic was diverted around the area.Sergeant Tony Cutmore, of Darlington police, spoke of his relief that the bus, which was travelling from Darlington to Durham, had not been carrying more passengers.Workers at the nearby Simon Robinson garage told how an air ambulance had landed in the field next to the road minutes after they heard the sickening bang of the collision.Jane Peacock, a paramedic on the Great North Air Ambulance, described the scene as the helicopter came into land."It was a scene of devastation. The HGV had been overturned and there wasn't a lot of the front of the bus left. It looked very serious from the air," she said."When we arrived, there was nothing we could do for the driver of the HGV, but we took the bus driver to The James Cook University Hospital."If the bus had been full it would have been a lot more serious. People were really lucky."Also on board the helicopter was air medic Dr Simon Le Clerc.He said: "If the bus had been full there would have been a lot more serious injuries. We are very lucky that it wasn't a major incident, it could have been carnage."The driver of the bus was given painkilling drugs at the scene for serious injuries before he was transported to hospital by the air crew.Five bus passengers, described as walking wounded, were also treated at the scene and taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance.The road re-opened at 9pm last night.As shocking and tragic as it had been, there was an overwhelming sense that it could so easily have been much worse on the A167. more...
'Deflated tyre may have led to crash tragedy'
A motorist who crashed into an elderly couple's car, claiming the life of a woman, probably lost control of his vehicle because it had a deflated tyre, an inquest heard. Grace Hutchinson, 69, of Chestnut Avenue, in Spennymoor, died of multiple injuries that she sustained in the collision on August 1 last year.She and her husband, Norman, were driving along Whitworth Lane, between Brandon and Spennymoor, when a Peugeot 306 travelling in the opposite direction veered onto their side of the road and the two vehicles collided.Yesterday, an inquest at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court was told that the driver of the Peugeot, Scott Wilks, 22, from Crook, failed to control his car when it skidded on a left-hand bend in the road.His passenger, Richard Leddy, and Mr Hutchinson told the hearing that both cars were travelling at about 40 to 45mph on the 60mph road and the accident happened so quickly there was insufficient time to react.PC Ian Hague, of Durham Police's accident investigation unit, said examinations of both cars after the collision revealed that one of Mr Scott's rear tyres was deflated.He said that despite forensic examination, it was impossible to say whether it had lost air before or during the accident, but that it could have caused the 306 to skid.Recording a verdict of accidental death, Coroner Andrew Tweddle said: "What caused the Peugeot 306 to go out of control remains unclear. It was not going particularly quickly, and the road itself was in good condition."We can rule out speed, with the problem tyre being the most likely cause of the accident." more...
Union officials recommend offer over ambulance meal breaks
UNISON officials representing ambulance staff last night recommended that its members accept an interim offer of £35 for each meal break disturbed by an emergency call. more...
Rare mopeds stolen
THIEVES have stolen three rare mopeds worth a total of £15,500 from a shed in Stockton. more...
Chief Constable announces shock retirement
THE Chief Constable of North Yorkshire, Della Cannings, has announced her retirement from the force. more...
Drug user jailed for biting paramedic
A CRAZED drug user who bit a paramedic as she tried to strap him to a stretcher has been jailed for 15 months. more...
Man suffers serious burns in mystery incident
A MAN is in a critical condition in hospital after suffering serious burns during an incident to which police were called. more...
BREAKING NEWS: Tata win auction for Corus
INDIAN company Tata Steel is set to become the world's fifth-biggest steelmaker after winning a bidding auction battle for Corus Group. more...
Prices forced down by a glut of houses
A NORTH-EAST town has become the only place in the country to see a drop in house prices over the past year.The average house in Darlington has seen a price drop of 0.4 per cent - or £458 - while the North-East as a whole has seen the lowest rise in property values in England and Wales over the past 12 months.House prices in the region rose by 4.8 per cent, compared to 7.8 per cent nationally.The gap has widened between the average house price in the region, £124,265, and the national average, £173,717.The figures from the Land Registry, which collates data from every house sale in England and Wales, show the region has the lowest average house price in the country.They come as the Nationwide Building Society has recorded the lowest rise in house prices for eight months.Last night, Darlington's estate agents were baffled as to why a typical home in the town has seen £458 wiped off its value in the past 12 months and say statistics belie a buoyant market, with a good turnover.Sonia Walton, who works for Nick and Gordon Carver residential estate agents and has been a valuer in Darlington for more than 20 years, said: "The market's been quite buoyant in Darlington. These figures do surprise me, especially because of how the last four months have gone. Right across the board, houses are selling, and selling well."She said one possible explanation for the apparent drop in prices was the increase in newly-built homes - making Darlington more of a buyers' market.Chris Spence, of Charltons Estate Agents, said the market had been "fairly buoyant"."If a property's well valued, it will sell. I think the danger has been some agents have put optimistic prices on properties."He said Darlington was still affordable for first-time buyers.Craig Purdie, of David Oliver estate agents, said the slight drop could be down to Darlington's property boom about seven years ago.He said: "It is always a vibrant town. It is next to the A1, it is handy for the train and commuting and it is near villages including Hurworth, Middleton St George and Heighington."Across the North-East, there was variation in house value rises, with prices in Middlesbrough jumping 10.4 percent to £104,255, with the average homeowner adding £9,794 to their property.Hartlepool also saw a rise above the regional average but below the national average, with the typical property increasing by 6.4 per cent from £96,253 to £102,391.York saw the region's second lowest rise, with the average house price increasing by £6,390, or 3.5 per cent, to £181,312.However, the statistics have not deterred developers.Joan Peart, sales and marketing director for George Wimpey North East, said sales and viewings in January were "encouraging"."We look forward to continuing to explore the potential of new sites in the region throughout 2007 and building more new homes in the future," she said.Michael Poole, of the National Association of Estate Agents, said the figures could be deceptive and varied within the region, with some areas of some towns experiencing higher rises than the average would suggest."I wouldn't say the demand for housing in the North-East is less than anywhere else in the country."He said the statistics may reflect a greater choice for properties in the region."Buyers have more choice and, because they have more choice, they are a little bit choosier and more inclined to make offers."You still get good value for money in the North-East." more...
Wagon driver killed in bus crash horror
ONE man died and another was seriously injured yesterday in a crash involving a bus and a refuse wagon.The accident, which was described by witnesses as horrific, happened at 11.40am when the bus and wagon were involved in a head-on collision.Two vans and a car were also believed to be involved in the accident, on the A167, between Darlington and junction 59 of the A1(M), about a mile south of the motorway.A three-mile stretch of road was closed for several hours while a police investigation team was joined by vehicle inspectorate workers and Arriva bus company officials to determine how the accident happened.Sergeant Tony Cutmore, from Durham Constabulary's road policing unit, said: "It is a jigsaw puzzle."The driver of the council wagon, who has yet to be named, was declared dead at the scene. The bus driver was flown by Great North Air Ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with serious injuries.Four other casualties, including passengers on the 723 bus from Darlington to Durham, were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.Witnesses, including motorists and passengers, were being interviewed, and the security camera footage from the Arriva bus was recovered for examination.Officers also carried out skid tests and inspected the scene as part of their investigation.Darlington Borough Council said it was helping police with the investigation.The bus and one of the vans were heading north from Darlington - the refuse wagon, which was forced onto its side in the collision, and the second van were heading in the opposite direction.Police were still trying to establish which direction the car was travelling in.Sgt Cutmore said: "It is not the type of accident that we get an awful lot."Occasionally, we do get lorries and buses involved in accidents. As you can see by the extent of the accident, it has been quite an extensive accident."Medic Dr Simon Le Clerc was on board the air ambulance.He said: "From the air, we thought it was going to be really bad and we thought the bus driver may have been killed."The driver of the bus suffered serious injuries to his pelvis and lower legs. He was conscious and was given painkilling drugs at the scene before being taken to hospital.The accident happened in a dip in the road near the Stuart Robinson garage.Workers from the garage rushed to the roadside when they heard the collision.Jim Robinson said: "We had heard a big bang and a guy walked down here. He said there had been a big crash."It was carnage. It was just total carnage in the middle of the road."He and other workers cleared the garage forecourt so motorists could turn their vehicles and head back to Darlington.Colleague Adrian Wood said: "It is a fairly straight road. It is unusual. But the sun is very low today."Fire officers from Darlington fire station were also called to the accident.Watch manager Kevin Thompson said they were not asked to rescue any passengers but they had to clean up part of the scene.He said: "We were involved in making sure that the area was safe."There was some leaking diesel coming from one of the vehicles, which we stopped from entering the watercourse."They also helped paramedics with the casualties.Any witnesses who have information about the accident are asked to contact Durham Police accident investigations unit on 0191-375-2159.Iain McInroy, operations director for Arriva North-East, said: "Our 723 service and another vehicle were involved in an incident at Coatham Mundeville."As a result, our bus driver had to been taken to hospital and five of our customers received medical attention for minor injuries from the ambulance crew attending."Sadly, the driver of the other vehicle has died and our thoughts are with his family and friends." Scene of devastation - Page 3 more...
Pupils contaminated after ceiling collapse
FOURTEEN school pupils have been contaminated by asbestos dust after classroom ceiling tiles collapsed. more...
Angry motorist ploughed into family
A MOTORIST ploughed into a family after chasing them in his car following a row outside a football ground. more...
Shameless couple's open air sex show results in ASBO
A SHAMELESS couple have been hit with an ASBO after they were caught having more...
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