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Business Echo PDF - January 23rd 2007

A KILLER who stabbed an amateur photographer to death for his camera bag filmed a sick confession on his mobile phone. Scott Nichols sneered into his phone and growled "murderer" shortly after killing harmless Lee Phipps, 31, near his home in South Shields

A PROBATION Service expert who distributed child pornography while setting up a £10m Home Office database of sex offenders has been sentenced to 14 months in prison. Vincent Barron, of Kirk Rise, Frosterley, County Durham, sent ten pornographic images

DARLINGTON boss Dave Penney ran the rule over three trialists in this afternoon's friendly win at former club Doncaster Rovers this afternoon. Phil Lumsden and Carl Mottram both started, as did Michael Mackay who scored the opener in the first half at

Commonwealth Bank Series Adelaide New Zealand 210 (J D P Oram 86, A Flintoff 4-21) v England 120 (D L Vettori 4-24) New Zealand beat England by 90 runs ENGLAND crashed to an embarrassing defeat to New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval which sent them to

HAILE Gebrselassie plans to honour a long-term commitment by making his first appearance in the BUPA Great North Run on September 30. However, the 34-year-old Ethiopian will wait until after the Flora London Marathon in April before deciding on his racing

THE region's manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products have been warned that they have six months to prepare for new legislation. The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive comes into force this month

YORKSHIRE WATER says it has made encouraging progress in its efforts to protect precious wildlife sites on its land. The company's efforts have been praised by Natural England, an organisation which advises the Government on wildlife issues.

BIG business has been criticised for failing to report fully on its environmental performance. An Environment Agency report has revealed that 84 per cent of FTSE All-Share companies submitting annual reports with year-ends from March 31 last year

Fledgling port logistics company GTL has exceeded all expectations by breaking the £1m turnover barrier within its first year. But with the possibility of a £300m deep-sea container terminal being built in its midst, the business is bracing itself

RESIDENTS of one small village in South Wales might feel a bit like guinea pigs but they are actually at the cutting edge of telecoms. As of late last year, the people of Wick, near Cardiff, have been the first to benefit from BT's 21st Century

Dubai is fast becoming one of the world's premier business venues - and the North-East is already starting to benefit from its booming economy through the establishment of an array of trading links. Deborah Johnson and Tony Kearney report. LOOKING

WHEN writing a newspaper column, care has to be taken to refrain from focusing excessively on one's own organisation. However, in the spirit of charity associated with the season, perhaps you will forgive me for a flagrant transgression of this

LAST week, the DTI announced plans to close what has come to be known by employees and their representatives as a "loophole" in the regulations relating to paid annual holiday. Currently, an employee working full-time (five days per week)

BRITAIN'S only Pretzel maker has been sold to a German crisp and snack company for an undisclosed sum. County Durham-based Union Snack - famous for its Penn State Pretzels - has been acquired by Intersnack Limited, which has its headquarters in

IT is an over used adage that there are lies, damn lies and statistics. We are bombarded from all sides by all sorts of conflicting data that one minute tells us we are the best thing since sliced bread and the next we are informed how poor we

SHARES in engineering firm The Tanfield Group have more than doubled in price in the past four months on the back of soaring sales and a series of lucrative contract wins for the firm. After hitting a four-year high of 60p last week, the price

A BELATED Happy New Year. Last year proved to be a good one for investors. The FTSE 100 rose by nearly 11 per cent and, if dividends from shares are thrown into the mix, that equates to a return of 14 per cent. For the second year in succession

Massive job losses, plant closures and falling sales. The car industry has just gone through an apocalyptic year. But despite the general gloom, there were some outstanding performers - and one or two giants with a point to prove in 2007. Nigel

Small Middlesbrough firm Chilli Developments has launched a David and Goliath-style legal battle against two of the big names behind the £200m Middlehaven project. Business Editor Kate Bowman reports exclusively. TWO years ago, Chilli Developments'

Ringstons is opening a chain of up to 100 tea and coffee shops across the UK to rival high street leader Whittards of Chelsea. Business Editor Kate Bowman reports. RINGTONS has been helping customers up and down the land make the perfect cup of tea

WATSON Burton has advised on the £940m management buyout of the UK's largest estate agent group, Countrywide plc. Watson Burton corporate partners Andrew Walker and Lester Wilson, and associate Martin Smith worked with the management team of the

ARCHERS Law will start another era in its 140-year history when it moves to a new headquarters as part of its ongoing expansion. After spending more than 100 years at its base in Yarm Road, in Stockton, the law firm is to move into a three-storey

A TEAM of solicitors in the region has helped win compensation for a dying pensioner who was exposed to asbestos as an apprentice. Thompsons Solicitors asbestos team, based in Newcastle, won more than £115,000 for Thomas George after he was exposed

DICKINSON DEES is extending into North Yorkshire by merging with a company in York. The firm, which is based in Newcastle, plans to merge with Philip Ashworth & Co, forming the springboard for a complete Yorkshire presence from February 1. The

LAW firm SFM has discovered a legal loophole to allow its clients to protect their gains from inheritance tax. The Gateshead company says its technique can potentially save significant sums of money, and could reduce the statistic that up to 80

LAW firm Winn Solicitors has invested £3m in a new base and increased the number of staff to 70 to help it deal with a national boom in accident claims. The Newcastle firm, which specialises in road traffic accident work, now deals with more

WE are just over five months away from the day that all enclosed public places and workplaces will become smoke-free. The implementation of the smoke-free elements of the Health Act 2006 on July 1 will mean that virtually all enclosed public places

A DANCE teacher who has helped hundreds of young hopefuls make the grade, is among the first recipients of a new qualification. Former professional dancer Pauline Cook, who has earned a reputation for her successful dance school in Consett, was

URGENT repair work to safeguard the future of a church is on schedule to be completed within the next few weeks. The 100-year-old Elvet Methodist Church, in Old Elvet, Durham City, has been restored after six months' work. The 450-strong congregation

A DURHAM school will follow a timetable this week aimed at a healthier lifestyle. For the second year running, Easington Community School is staging a Healthy Living Week with all departments focusing their lessons on how to improve personal

DURHAM youngsters have left their a mark on a youth arts programme. Members of the East Durham Youth Forum were asked to create a logo for Easington District Council's Defining the Future programme. Working with local artist Paul Richardson,

A LOCAL authority says it will have to reduce services and possibly cut jobs after winning a three-year contract to run community alarm and warden services for the elderly. Durham City Council has won the contract, part of a national shake-up

STAFF at an independent school have been given top marks for their teaching skills. Ofsted inspectors have highly praised Cundall Manor Preparatory School, between Ripon and Thirsk. The school's broad curriculum came in for praise for providing

A PEACE vigil is to be held at a parish church to mark an international campaign. The World Disarmament Campaign has designated this weekend for services for peace and disarmament. St Matthewfs, in Leyburn, will be holding a vigil from 5pm, on

SUPERMARKET PLAN IT is with dismay that I read that Asda is looking for a three to ten-acre site to develop in or around Masham, possibly the old cattle market. Masham's road structure and design will not support a supermarket of any size, and

SIGNS have been erected across a borough to protect its heritage. Seven North Riding of Yorkshire boundary signs have been erected on roads leading into Redcar and Cleveland following a donation of £1,150 from the Yorkshire Ridings Society. The

A FESTIVAL celebrating the food, drink and culture of the Yorkshire Dales is being planned to aid recovery from the foot-and-mouth disaster. Organisers of Dales Harvest hope the two-day event will become an annual showcase for local producers.

A BUSINESSMAN has warned that bowing to pressure from residents who want trading estate traffic banned from their street could encourage the creation of "private" roads. Norman Bell, who runs plants business Roots and Shoots on Richmond's Gallowfields

A CENTURIES-OLD pub which was shut down by a fire three weeks ago will be back in business tomorrow night. The Red Lion, in North Bitchburn, closed two days before New Year's Eve when an electrical fault started a blaze in the bar. Marmite the

WIND FARMS I WOULD like to speak out in favour of the proposed development of the Butterwick Wind Farm, near Sedgefield (Echo, Jan 20). The public should be aware of scaremongering through misinformation generated by the antiwind farm campaigners

YOUNG Scouts celebrated their group's ballooning numbers and 100 years of Scouting at the weekend. Members of Bishop Auckland Scout District released 300 balloons on Saturday, to mark the centenary of the scouting movement. Each balloon represented

A GROUP staging a musical based on the 250-year-long story of Auckland Castle's £20m Zurbaran paintings are appealing to singers in south Durham. Bishop Auckland Choral Society was given £19,000 to stage a specially written oratorio from March

THE company set up to manage Wear Valley's council houses is facing its first inspection - with £27m riding on the result. For more than a week, Government inspectors have been assessing Dale and Valley Homes, which took over managing Wear Valley

YOUNG cooks worked against the clock to dish up healthy meals for a TV-style contest yesterday. Four year six children from Hartside Primary School, in Crook, had 15 minutes to create the best healthy feast from mystery ingredients. Bradley Tomlinson

BEING WATCHED

ENTERPRISING youngsters have had a taste of life in the business world at a special event held at their school. Year eight pupils at Hurworth School, near Darlington, had an Enterprise Day to learn about running their own business. During the day,

MORE than 30 people in Darlington have been punished for housing benefit fraud since April last year, new figures show. Of the 31 claims found to be fraudulent, six resulted in a successful prosecution. Penalties included a £250 fine, and 250

INSTALLING digital-ready television aerials on council flats will cost Darlington Borough Council £250,000. When analogue television is switched off in 2012, most houses will be able to receive digital television with a settop box and their existing

DRIVERS leaving their cars on pavements to avoid a 50p car parking fee will cause someone to be seriously injured soon, a Darlington man has warned. Colin Iddon, of Allan Street, Albert Hill, has an 11-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy. She

FREEZING weather means Sedgefield must pass a 7.30am inspection, but if the overnight forecast frost does not materialise then Zaffie Parson should not be left out of calculations. Geoff Harkerfs mare came good on a successful visit to the course

EIFION Williams believes the seeds have been sown for a good striking partnership at Hartlepool United. Williams has been paired with Richie Barker since the latter moved from Mansfield earlier this month. The partnership got its first goal on

HAVING seen Darlington earn their first away win for two months at Grimsby Town on Saturday, boss Dave Penney said he believed the late goal owed as much to Tim Ryanfs character as his willingness to shoot. The defender has arguably been the most

SUNDERLAND expect to tie up a deal for Plymouth Argyle left back Tony Capaldi after seeing top target Stephen Warnock sign for Blackburn Rovers. Roy Keane has been tracking Warnock for a month but Lucas Neill's decision to leave Ewood Park for

SOME weekend. Last 32 of the FA Vase, last 16 of the FA Sunday Cup. West Auckland are playing in one and hosting the other, five or six of their players in the Sunday side, too. The Vase tie's at VCD Athletic, at Crayford in Kent - Garden of

A FORMER club singer and lorry driver is accused of systematically abusing a young girl for five years. Arthur Geoffrey Horrobin, now 66, is alleged to have indecently assaulted and raped the girl on several occasions between 1985 and 1990. The

While men once ruled the world of cars it seems that women are increasingly in the driving seat - and now a website has been set up reflecting this trend. Women's Editor Sarah Foster meets its founders. THEY may not look like Jeremy Clarkson (for which

BE PREPARED If ever you visit the doctor, Be sure to wear a clean vest. He may have to examine you, And I always find it best. Now he may just want to sound you And check if there's anything sore, But if he has to go to the basement, There's nothing

TO paraphrase PT Barnum: "No one ever lost money by underestimating public taste". That cynical judgement has been proved once again by the rumpus over Celebrity Big Brother. The most hideous aspect of the whole sordid business is not the accusation

ANY additional funding in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour is, of course, helpful. We therefore welcome yesterday's announcement that England will have 40 "respect zones" - including four in the North-East - which will get more

YOUNG musicians will soon be strumming some of the signature tunes which made music hall favourite George Formby famous. Thanks to the Durham Music Service, pupils at two County Durham schools are tuning up on the ukulele. For the first time

A CONSTRUCTION worker was jailed for seven years yesterday for breaking into a sleeping woman's home and twice raping her. Crane driver Gavin Roberts, 29, who was convicted after a five-day Teesside Crown Court trial, tearfully told the judge

THE job creation company behind one of the region's flagship economic developments looks likely to be brought under direct council control. A consultants' report into the future of the County Durham Development Company (CDDC), set up in 1987

A CHILLING recording of a mother-of-three begging for her life as her former partner allegedly stabbed her to death was played to a courtroom yesterday. The recording played to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday featured Brian Whitfield

PRIVATE care homes that fail to ensure staff are properly trained face a bleak future, the country's social care supremo said yesterday. David Behan, the Government's recently appointed director general for social care, was speaking to The Northern

A BRAVE young girl who battled against a brain tumour joined a renowned ballet company on stage last night. Chloe Clark, from Shildon, County Durham, made a guest appearance in Swan Lake, at the Sunderland Empire. The nine-year-old was made an

A JAPANESE company has been fined £15,000 and ordered to pay £30,000 in costs after one of its production line workers was engulfed by fire. Ray Davison died in hospital two days after suffering 80 to 90 per cent burns at the Hashimoto factory

THE Byker estate, in Newcastle, has been protected for future generations after it was awarded grade II-listed status from the Government. The multi-coloured 1970s estate - designed by renowned Swedish architect Ralph Erskine - will now be subject

A MUSEUM curator was so concerned about a valuable painting in her care that she took it out to dinner. Cotherstone, a 160-year-old painting of a champion horse was yesterday safely returned to the region after a decade on the other side of the

A NORMAN WISDOM lookalike led a gang who assaulted and robbed an elderly couple in their home. Police have launched a hunt for the thief, who is in his forties and bearing a close resemblance to the comic, after he tore at the pensioner's trousers

COMMUNITIES across the region will receive Government money to stamp out a yob culture, the Home Secretary said during a visit to the region. The Home Office's Respect campaign came to the region as the Government announced a £6m package to tackle

THE funeral cortege for Middlesbrough footballing hero Johnny Spuhler passed the club's stadium for fans to pay their last respects. The cortege went past the ground before it travelled to Teesside Cemetery, in the town. The centre forward and

A PUBLIC schoolgirl from the region who was shown on reality television praising slavery is at the centre of a new race row. Scores of viewers have complained about comments made by 18-year-old Lucy Buchanan, from York, on Channel 4's Shipwrecked

A TEENAGER whose quick thinking saved the life of an elderly diabetic man will receive an award today. Philip Bullock, 15, of The Meadowings, Yarm, east Cleveland, was walking home at 6pm on Thursday, November 9, when he came to the rescue of

A TEENAGE boy is recovering after being stabbed by a stranger. The 14-year-old was stabbed at about 10.40pm, on Saturday, as he walked along Millbrook Avenue, in Middlesbrough, with a friend. He suffered a single stab wound to the body and was

VICTIMS of the Holocaust will be remembered by Middlesborough residents on Sunday. A Holocaust memorial service will be led by the Reverend Meg Robb at the United Reformed Church, in Linthorpe Road, from 12.30pm to 1.15pm. The service, which is

SIGNS have been erected across a borough to protect its heritage. Seven North Riding of Yorkshire boundary signs have been erected on roads leading into Redcar and Cleveland following a donation of £1,150 from the Yorkshire Ridings Society. Chairman

A DINNER lady who embraced Jamie Oliver's school meals revolution has been rewarded for her culinary efforts. Avril Lines, who organises the lunches at Ingleby Mill Primary School, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, went back to school to make sure

CAMPAIGNERS urging leisure chiefs to splash the cash at a rundown swimming pool begged a Government minister yesterday to keep the pool in their town. Minister for Sport Richard Caborn listened intently as supporters and users of Guisborough

AN 18-year-old North-East soldier killed in Iraq when a roadside bomb struck his patrol vehicle was described last night as a young man with so much promise''. Private Michael Tench, of A Company, 2nd Battalion the Light Infantry, was killed and

THE company rated as the Manchester United of theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, has decided to end 31 years of North-East seasons and replace it with a series of individual shows throughout the year. Both the main Newcastle partner, the citys Theatre

SHILPA: In a strange twist of fate, Shilpa and Jermaine, probably the two least known celebrities in the series (apart from Jack, who doesn't count) are now the favourites to win. Shilpa deserves it, just for putting up with days of bullying. JERMAINE

MONSTER HOUSE, Publisher: THQ, Format: PS2. Price: £29.99 Age rating? 7+ THE game of the film, Monster House is an amusing and refreshing take on survival horror aimed at a young audience. Some parents felt the movie had a few too many scares for

The Man With No Past: Extraordinary People (five): Tales From The Jungle (BBC4) ONE day in December 2005, David Fitzpatrick was found outside a London hospital. He didn't know why he was there or even who he was. This "unknown male" became listed

A UNIQUE agreement is to be signed between business organisations in the North-East and the Middle East to strengthen trading ties, which could see investment and employment opportunities flooding into the region. A memorandum of understanding is due

TWO years ago, Chilli Developments' ambitious plans to revamp part of Middlesbrough's derelict Middlehaven site reached a significant milestone. Councillors gave approval to the local firm's £50m regeneration proposals and managing director Simon Brown

FRED RAINE was in for a shock when he received the balance of his severance pay.Instead of a cheque for £1,300, an 11-stone crate containing thousands of coins from 1p to 20p coins was dumped in the hallway of his Burnhope home, in County Durham.The crate

DISTRAUGHT family members were left waiting for nearly an hour at a funeral as bungling council workers hurried to finish digging a grave.Nearly 50 mourners at the funeral of 83-year-old Ethel Hird had to wait to pay their final respects to the mother

A FACTORY worker who went home in his tea break to download the biggest collection of internet child porn a police force has uncovered has been jailed for five years.Maintenance fitter Derek Cole, 46, was obsessed with child pornography and probably downloaded

TWO key players behind a massive North-East regeneration project are being sued for £10m by a small development company, The Northern Echo can reveal.English Partnerships (EP) and Tees Valley Regeneration (TVR) are being drawn into a David and Goliath-type

WEST Brom are insisting centre-back Curtis Davies will still be at the Hawthorns next month - despite Newcastle United confirming their interest in the player.The 21-year-old is seen as the best young English defender outside the Premiership, and manager

GARETH Southgate has told Mark Viduka he can become the Middlesbrough version of Teddy Sheringham and play on for years at the Riverside.The 31-year-old has been a revelation since returning from a broken toe, with six goals in his last five appearances

If your car spends more time parked up in the drive than being used, then a pay-by-the-hour car club could save you thousnds of pounds. Lindsay Jennings meets the founder of one club, WhizzGo, which is coming to a city near you. THERE is the hum of

A new activity class for parents and babies will soon begin in the North-East. Women's Editor Sarah Foster meets the mum behind it. IT was while she lived in London as a first-time mum that Sharon Thompson first encountered Gymboree. She wanted somewhere