Stories for 20 February 2007

The Northern Echo News

Rail shortlist for N-E route announced

THE four companies shortlisted to run the East Coast Main Line were announced this morning.   more...

Father's horror in child sex scandal

A FATHER has spoken for the first time of the horror of having his three daughters and two foster children removed when they were wrongly diagnosed as sex abuse victims.It is the 20th anniversary of what became known as the Cleveland Child Sex Abuse Scandal - but many of those innocently accused still live with the pain of having their families torn apart.In the summer of 1987, the nation was gripped by stories of an apparent epidemic of child sex abuse that resulted in 121 children being taken into care on the basis of controversial detection techniques.Matthew Allen, a foster parent in Middlesbrough - whose real identity has been changed - last night spoke for the first time of the night his life changed for ever.Two of his foster children were diagnosed as being the victims of sex abuse by paediatrician Dr Marietta Higgs, who also accused many other innocent parents of abusing their children.She then asked to examine his three daughters, aged nine, seven and one-and-a-half.He said: "We went along and the children were examined by Dr Higgs, and after which she appeared and delivered the bombshell that they showed signs of being sexually abused, and that they were being kept and would we please go."It was almost as if one had been hit on the jaw by a prize-fighter."I felt shocked, my stomach began to turn because it was almost as if I was in a dream. I was waiting any moment to wake up, but I didn't wake up because it wasn't a dream - it was reality."The children went into a room for an examination, the door was shut and that was the end of it. We were not allowed to say goodbye to them and we were then given a cup of tea."Then when we started to ask questions, we were told we were either to go peacefully or security would be called and we would be physically removed."It would be a further seven months before he was reunited with all his children.Speaking on Radio 4 last night, he said that, two decades on, his family were still coming to terms with the false diagnosis and the hurt caused by malicious accusations in the community, which continued after the children were returned.In the years leading up to 1987, the number of child sex abuse allegations in Cleveland was no greater than other parts of the UK. But in January 1987, the number escalated rapidly, peaking in May, June, and July.Also at the centre of the scandal was Dr Geoffrey Wyatt who, along with Dr Higgs, referred the cases to the social services department of the now defunct Cleveland County Council.Matthew Allen's story is familiar to countless other families.Social services used place-of-safety orders to remove children from their home on the say-so of a paediatrician. For some, it caused irreparable damage to relationships.Children diagnosed as sexually abused were placed on wards nine and ten of Middlesbrough General Hospital.But parents started to fight back, and a pressure group was formed with the help of a local vicar and Middlesbrough MP Stuart Bell.Mr Bell said: "The reaction within the families was very devastating. One woman was told that her child had been abused and, of course, the implication was that the husband had done it and that split the family immediately."Dr Higgs and Dr Wyatt were barred from further child protection work, and Sue Richardson, child abuse consultant for Cleveland council's social services department, was dismissed. Twenty years on - Page 5  more...

Civil servant ran pirate DVD factory

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Father's anger at Red Cap justice

THE father of one of three Red Cap soldiers from the region murdered in Iraq said last night he had little faith their killers would be brought to justice.Ben Hyde's father, John, spoke after it emerged a plan to arrest those responsible for the slaughter was rejected by the British Government.Foreign Office documents show a British operation to detain the suspects was turned down, amid fears it would stoke up controversy.Lance Corporal Hyde, 23, from Northallerton, North Yorkshire; Corporal Simon Miller, 21, from Washington, Wearside, and Corporal Paul Long, from South Shields, South Tyneside, were among six military police officers killed after an estimated 400 Iraqis surrounded a police station in Majar al-Kabir in 2003.Last February, a court in Baghdad issued arrest warrants for eight suspects. But a year on, no one has been detained, despite pressure from the British Government.L Cpl Hydes father, John, from Northallerton, said: "At the end of the day, we have very little faith that anything will ever be done."How much pressure the British Government can put on the Iraqis is open to question."Cpl Miller's father, John, said: "I have been saying for a long time now, what is it about this incident that the MoD and the Government and the Iraq Government just will not act on? It becomes very suspicious. I do not believe it will ever happen."The families are due to meet Defence Secretary Des Browne in a fortnight to discuss the latest developments.A Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed the warrants issued by an Iraqi judge had not been enacted.He said: "We do not have the power to put people on trial. We are present in Iraq at its Government's request and must respect its sovereignty."The UK has pressed the Iraqi authorities to enact the arrest warrants on a regular basis through diplomatic channels at the highest possible levels including, most recently, at the end of January, when the Defence Secretary raised this directly with the Iraqi PM.The Red Caps were apparently mistaken for Paratroopers who had opened fire during a riot in the town that morning.In March last year, coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.  more...

Work begins to transform railway centre and museum

WORK to transform one of the region's most important museums into a national attraction has started.The first stage of the £1.7m refurbishment of Darlington Railway Centre and Museum got under way last week as builders started work on replacing the roof. The museum, in Victorian railway buildings near North Road rail station, will be closed for a year from April 10 when museum staff will begin work on new interactive displays.The world famous steam engine Locomotion No 1, the first locomotive used on the Stockton to Darlington Railway, will be moved to form the centrepiece of the refurbished museum.Darlington Railway Centre bosses hope that the refurbishment will raise the profile of both the town and the region. Julie Biddlecombe, keeper of collections at Darlington Railway Centre, said: "We hope to create a museum and visitor attraction that Darlington can be proud of and one that will put us on the map as a part of railway history." Councillor Lee Vasey, Darlington Borough Council cabinet member for leisure services, said the museum would prove to be an outstanding visitor attraction. She added: "Darlington has a special place in world history as the home of the first passenger railway, and we want to have a fantastic museum befitting for a town which has played such a vital role in shaping the modern world."A new shop and reception area will be built, and the platforms will be recreated in the style of the 1910s, the era generally considered to be the heyday of rail travel. The Ken Hoole study centre, part of the existing museum, will close on March 9, while it is expanded into a national resource for rail enthusiasts and those eager to learn more about Darlington's industrial past.But museum bosses say the refurbishment is not only good news for train enthusiasts.John Wilks, senior researcher at Darlington Railway Centre, said: "This will be a museum for everyone from schoolchildren to lifelong train enthusiasts from all over the world. We will be creating a hands-on, interactive experience that will enhance the fun side to railways."  more...

Cleveland scandal - 20 years on

Some of those caught up in the Cleveland Child Abuse Scandal 20 years ago speak out for the first time. Reporter Graeme Hetherington follows the stories of one of the many families devastated by the false accusations, a vociferous opponent of the medical establishment, as social services worker at the centre of the storm and a leading medical officer, brought in to try to resolve the child sex abuse crisis.   more...

Footballers swap pitch for the catwalk

MIDDLESBROUGH footballers are used to strutting their stuff at the Riverside Stadium, but last night they swapped the pitch for the catwalk. The club was hoping to raise £15,000 for Macmillan Cancer Care from the Fashion Strikes charity event last night, which also featured an auction, dinner and music by Journey South and Alistair Griffin.Middlesbrough stars including Andrew Davies, Andrew Taylor, James Morrison, Matthew Bates and Adam Johnson modelled clothes by local stores The House, Bakers Tailoring and Psyche, together with Izzy Lane. Macmillan fundraising manager Jill Campbell said: "This has been made possible by the generosity of Middlesbrough FC and we are grateful ."  more...

Tributes paid to former councillor

TRIBUTES have been paid to a man who was involved in politics in County Durham for more than 50 years.John Armstrong, from Morley, near West Auckland, died in Bishop Auckland Hospital, on Friday.As an independent councillor, he represented Evenwood on Teesdale District Council, as well as sitting on Durham County Council.Mr Armstrong, 80, served on Evenwood and Barony parish councils and was secretary of Lands Village Hall Association.He was born in 1927 and became a miner at 14. He moved up to pit deputy before training to be an insurance agent in 1950.He resigned from Durham County Council in 2001 and was made an honorary alderman.He served on the district council from 1955, when it was Barnard Castle Rural District Council and was chairman four times. Raymond Gibson, friend and fellow councillor, said: "I think we'll never see the likes of John Armstrong again in politics."He showed great dedication, and if you went to him with a problem he took it up - he didn't make promises he couldn't keep."Friend and colleague Clifford Sykes said: "He was a respected man and was very good at his job"John's wife, Mary, died in 2003 and he is survived by his daughter, Mary Bevan, and two grandchildren.His funeral is to take place next week at St Cuthbert's Church, in Etherley, County Durham.  more...

Independent inquiry into police response to stabbing

AN INDEPENDENT investigation has been launched into how police handled an incident in which a grandmother-of-three was stabbed to death in her home.The Independent Police Complaints Commission revealed yesterday that it will investigate how Durham Constabulary responded to the incident in which 57-year-old factory worker Margaret Iley was stabbed in Horden, County Durham, on February 9.The divorced mother-of-two suffered several stab wounds at her home in Smillie Road and died shortly afterwards.Joseph Iley, her 54-year-old former husband, who she divorced 14 years ago, has been charged with murder.It is understood that Durham Constabulary referred the case to the commission three days after Mrs Iley's death when members of her family raised questions over the nature of the police response.Both the commission and police say they cannot elaborate on the nature of those concerns due to the impending legal proceedings. However, three investigators, based at the commission's office in Wakefield have visited the region and carried out an initial assessment of the case.Yesterday, Commissioner Gary Garland announced that, following an initial report, a full independent investigation using the commission's investigators will be conducted, which will focus on what actions the police took after they became aware of an incident at the property.Mr Garland said: "This was a horrific incident and my sympathies go out to Mrs Iley's family and friends."The commission will be examining the police response to determine whether anything could, or should have been done differently."A spokesman for Durham Police said: "We referred the case to the commission and they will examine our response to the tragic circumstances surrounding Mrs Iley's death."We believe a full and transparent investigation by the commission will provide reassurance to both Mrs Iley's family and the local community. This force places great importance on investigating all domestic violence, an issue that remains very high on our agenda."The findings of the commission are not likely to be made public until after the conclusion of court proceedings arising out of Mrs Iley's death.Mr Iley, who is unemployed and lives in Emmerson Court, Horden, appeared before Newcastle Crown Court, on Friday, charged with murder.He was remanded in custody until April 23.  more...

Bugs and mobiles - it's all in the park

BUGS and beasties were brought to life when youngsters put their craft skills to the test.About 40 children were at Summerhill Country Park, in Hartlepool, yesterday, with artist Bub Bacon.They used old material, scrap paper and recycled plastic containers to create insects.Summerhill manager Tony Davison said the activity was a great success and all the children were happy with their creations.He said: "During the school holidays, we always try a variety of craft activities involving several local artists."Bub Bacon is very good at engaging young people in arts and crafts, so they have learned how they can create things out of materials that would otherwise have been thrown away."* A few places remain for tomorrow's activity - Fishy Mobiles - where youngsters from five upwards can transform old CDs into decorative fish.To book a place, call 01429-284584.The workshop will run from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and costs £1.80.Children under eight-years-old must be accompanied by an adult.  more...

Crossword proved a winner for Sue

THE winner of The Northern Echo's Champagne Christmas Crossword is Sue Bendelow, of Catterick Village - who won it once before in the late Seventies."I hope I don't have to wait as long to win it again," she said when she received her magnum of champagne, which was her prize for winning what The Northern Echo believes is the largest crossword printed anywhere in the UK."I'll be doing it again next year," she said."I don't do it for the winning, but to complete it - that is a real achievement."It took her at least a week over the Christmas holidays to complete, "although I only did it in the mornings", she said.Sue is a data processor at the Thirsk tailors, Austin Reed.Both she and her partner, Robin, are 50 later this year, and they said they will probably save the champagne to help their birthday celebrations.* There are too many answers for us to print in paper.As in previous years, they are available on our website www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/champagnecrossword, or by sending your address to Champagne Crossword Answers, Sue Heath, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington DL1 1NF.  more...

Hunters ride out as pantomime characters

HUNTSMEN and women have attempted to show their lighter side by dressing up in pantomime costumes.Members of York and Ainsty South Hunt dressed up as characters from Cinderella for a drag hunt at Crayke, near Easingwold, North Yorkshire. David Tesseyman, from the hunt's committee, said: "We have just been trying to get rid of the negative stigma that can be attached to hunting - trying to destroy the myth. Most of the pantomime cast were on horseback. The hunt was fantastic; children were waving at us from passing cars and there were about 150 people in attendance. The hunting ban is still in place, but we can still hunt within the law. These aren't nasty people, they are willing to have fun."The event came after hunt members staged Cinderella in Elvington.  more...

Lenny Henry gets his wires crossed as staff set Comic Relief target

Taking calls: Comic Lenny Henry gets in a muddle as he drops in to npower's call centre in Peterlee, County Durham.   more...