WHEN each offence is considered in isolation, the crimes committed by Joanne Mafham and Claire Richards may appear to be relatively minor. But when repeated vandalism, abuse of shopkeepers and small-scale theft are viewed collectively, their impact on
DRINKS giant Allied Domecq reports on Tuesday, and is forecast to show that final pre-tax profits have risen from £453m to £480m. The figures will be boosted by wine acquisitions Montana and Bodegas y Bebidas as well as the purchase of Malibu. The spirits
THE economy accelerated to its fastest pace for more than two years last quarter, dampening the likelihood of an interest rate cut next month. The economy grew by 0.7 per cent from July to September, above the 0.6 per cent recorded in the previous quarter
ONCE upon a time - well two months ago, actually - there was a manager called Kevin Keegan. He promised his followers that Manchester City would finish in the top six of the Premiership this season. His long-suffering supporters believed him, and expected
A girl of eight pulled her teeth out with pliers after an horrific sexual assault, a court was told yesterday. Teesside Crown Court heard that the girl pulled out six of her teeth with pliers, slashed her arms, took drug overdoses, and was caught trying
A NEW £210,000 centre which could provide a significant help to the North-East's fabrication industry was officially opened yesterday. The Offshore Energy Centre at Wallsend, created by the Government and firms including AMEC, BP and Shell and regional
The remains of a massive Iron Age cattle ranch have been identified in the region. The discovery of the ranching operation, which stretches for more than 10km on chalky hillside near Malton, North Yorkshire, has been hailed as a major find by archaeologists
NATIONAL LOTTERY: Yet again we have the "community fund committee" of the National Lottery handing money over to dubious organisations. This unelected, unaccountable and totally incompetent group of faceless lunatics has handed over millions of pounds
The leader of the Northern Liberal Democrats has attacked the "hidden bureaucracy" which controls around £10bn of public spending in the North-East. As the party gathers for its regional conference in Gates-head this weekend, Councillor Chris Foote Wood
Ever since former footballer Vinnie Jones put his hardman image to good use in the film Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels, the entertainment bug that bit him just hasn't let go. Not only has he become a film star, appearing in blockbusters such as Gone
THE delights of the North York Moors have always been popular with walkers, dressed in sturdy clothing to protect themselves from the vagaries of the weather. But a new breed of hiker has begun to step out boldly across the heather, and clothing is the
SIR BOBBY ROBSON has revealed the awesome potential of Newcastle's Titus Bramble - by comparing him to a cross between Kevin Beattie and Mike Tyson. England Under-21 international Bramble finally began to justify the £5m fee Robson paid for him in the
A NORTH-EAST fashion retailer which became a national success story is undergoing a £4m overhaul in a bid to take on the big boys in the menswear market. Discount retailer The Officers Club today unveils its ambitious plans to move upmarket and into direct
THE first of these on-your-knees columns appeared on April 16 1994, a somewhat trepidant account of Sunday morning proceedings at St John's in Shildon. "It is to be a sort of parish church Down Your Way," the Vicar explained to his congregation and so
THREE shopkeepers face possible prosecution after selling cider to an under-age customer. The traders fell foul of a recent swoop in Sunderland, involving a 15-year-old volunteer, who was sent into premises to see if shops would sell alcohol to minors
It's 20 years since Channel 4 was launched with the promise of offering something different. But, with ground-breakers such as Brookside dying on its feet and the failure of the new breakfast show, there's very little to celebrate THE television company
Darlington will leave Exeter a much happier crew this evening after securing a comfortable 4 - 0 victory over the southern side. This is a superb result for caretaker boss Mick Tait, who took over from departing manager Tommy Taylor midweek. Craig Liddle
Collier Bay, a most consistent sort who has conditions to suit, can enhance his November Handicap claims by taking the Tote/Racing Post 'Ten To Follow' Handicap over a mile and a half at Doncaster this afternoon. Alan Swinbank's runner didn't see the
STEVE McCLAREN reckons Alen Boksic has a reputation to match the likes of Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Owen. Boksic's goal record of late would suggest otherwise; the Middlesbrough striker has yet to score this season. But he has shaken
DAVID Bellion vowed last night to fire Sunderland to safety after the Frenchman was told by Howard Wilkinson that he will be deployed as a frontline striker. After being shunted on to the wing by Peter Reid for most of his time at Sunderland, Bellion
A BITTER family feud which saw a war hero thrown out of his home was finally settled amicably out of court yesterday. Battle of Britain ace, Squadron Leader George Bennions, agreed to settle his case against son-in-law Frank Slade and pay £3,000 towards
A LEADING surgeon has warned that more UK doctors may refuse to refer their patients to see visiting foreign medical teams. Such a boycott could seriously damage ambitious Government plans to use "flying doctors" from abroad to cut waiting lists. Charles
Darlington will play Wrexham next month in the first round of the FA Cup. The draws, made late Saturday afternoon, will also see Hartlepool tackle Southend. The draw for the first round of the FA Cup will see Port Vale facing Crewe Alexandra at Vale Park
A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to award a police chief £4,000 a year for private school fees was rejected at a meeting yesterday. The recommendation that the soon-to-be-appointed new chief constable of Cleveland Police should be given the cash on top of a £105,000
"ONE of the best young coaches in the country" was how Darlington chairman George Reynolds described Gary Bennett when he succeeded David Hodgson as manager two years ago. But today Bennett locks horns with his former club in Mick Tait's first game in
This wasn't a night for idol whispers. Just one sight of Gareth Gates in white suit and gelled, spiked hair has the 10,000 sell-out crowd screaming at the Telewest Arena, Newcastle, last night. Gareth was supposed to be second best to Will Young in ITV's
Terry Venebles thought that he had the magic touch with his return to the Riverside. But the dismismissal of Garety Southgate's late equaliser took the shine off the return. Alan Smith was shown a red card, for two bookable offences, and this proved the
Richard Harris, one of the great screen and stage stars of his generation, died last night in a London hospital. The 72-year-old actor had been receiving treatment for Hodgkin's Disease after falling ill earlier this year. Screen veteran Harris, who underwent
SIX points clear at the top of Division Three - the League table makes good reading for Hartlepool United fans this morning. Pool snapped up the chance to turn up the heat on their rivals as they won at Southend last night, and they don't have to worry
NEWCASTLE Falcons are determined to use two successive home games to climb away from the lower reaches of the Zurich Premiership. They face third-placed Sale tomorrow and London Irish next week, when the game will go ahead on the Sunday despite a plea
A COMPANY is celebrating after breaking through the £10m annual turnover barrier for the first time. Bishop Auckland-based company MMP Group, which operates construction, joinery and finishings divisions, is set to report growth of over 25 per cent in
HUNDREDS of mourners packed into a football-themed funeral to pay tribute to a father-of-five who died suddenly last week. Alan Milne, a lifelong Manchester United fan, was found dead at his Skerne Park home in Darlington last Saturday. An inquest was
IT'S a typical October night in Willington. It's pitch black dark, there's a bitingly cold wind and the rain is bucketing down. Only the foolish would venture out unless they had a very good reason. And what better reason than turning out to support Willington
AN elderly man was threatened and punched by masked robbers in his own home. The 81-year old is extremely shocked after being left with facial injuries and tied up late on Thursday night. Four masked robbers entered the man's home, in Station Road, Thirsk
Management appears to have been a breeze for former England and Middlesbrough head coach Terry Venables but, as Tel returns to the Riverside today. Sports Writer Paul Fraser discovers the Leeds boss is finding it tough going in Yorkshire WHEN Terry Venables
CAMPAIGNERS fighting the planned demolition of a North-East care home have applied for an injunction to bring a halt to its closure. Human rights solicitor Alistair Wallace confirmed that he had sent a fax to the High Court in London requesting an injunction
Donald Campbell was a dashing bucaneer who cheated death many times. But, as Nigel Burton reports, the smallest mistake might have proved his undoing... A SPLIT-SECOND mistake almost certainly cost Bluebird ace Donald Campbell his life on Coniston water
When scientists solve one puzzle of the universe, another crops up. John Von Radowitz looks at seven of the biggest questions that are exercising the cleverest minds SCIENTISTS have answered all kinds of questions about the universe, but every solved
If the thought of another traditional British Christmas of shopping, cooking and relatives fills you with despair, don't worry. Lesley Richardson checks out the alternatives Christmas is traditionally a time of goodwill and cheer - not to mention enormous
TWO teenage girls who plagued Darlington town centre with a campaign of violence, vandalism and intimidation are thought to have made legal history in the North-East. Joanne Mafham, 18, and Claire Richards, 17, have become the first female friends in
Jim Meads saw his first stage play five years ago. It was a life-changing experience that led him to university, the RSC and now to forming his forming his own theatre company. Steve Pratt talks to the director at the cutting edge of regional theatre.
MIDDLESBROUGH skipper Gareth Southgate insists Terry Venables will get it right at Leeds. The knives are already out for Boro's former head coach following his indifferent introduction to the Elland Road hot-seat. Venables today returns to Teesside for
Fire Brigade union officials have decided to suspend their first two strikes following internal meetings, it was announded today. The move follows "constructive" talks on Friday with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The Fire Brigades Union wants a
Laurent Robert put away an amazing second half winner against gutsy Charlton at St James' Park today, giving the Magpies a 2 - 1 victory. The French midfielder's scorching 60th-minute strike sealed his side's come-from-behind win and satisfied boss Sir
