Central Middlesbrough - TS1 & TS2

Archbishop tells of joy at degree

2009-11-10T11:22:34Z

THE Archbishop of York has spoken of his delight at receiving an honorary degree from Teesside University.

Dr John Sentamu, will become an honorary graduate of the university on Friday, November 27.

Also receiving accolades on the same day will be singer Paul Rodgers, novelist Adele Parks, Trevor Arnold MBE, former managing director of K-Home International, and Formula 1 engineer Rob Smedley.

Dr Sentamu will receive a degree from Lord Sawyer, chancellor of the university, at a ceremony in Middlesbrough Town Hall.

He said: "I am delighted to be receiving an honorary degree from Teesside University. It is a great honour for me to come to Middlesbrough and receive this Doctor of Laws Honour.

"Teesside is a fantastic place with a great university and great people, I am proud to be able to serve the area as Archbishop."

Sausage week a sizzler for Middlesbrough students

2009-11-10T11:07:42Z

CATERING students cooked up a storm as local experts sampled their specially created bangers as part of National Sausage Week.

Five teams from Middlesbrough College created their own sausages from scratch to tickle the taste buds with a wide variety of ingredients including chillies, garlic, spices and lemons.

The panel of judges was made up of the managing director of Country Valley Foods and Newboulds, James Munro, and the joint owner of the Bay Horse Inn, Hurworth, near Darlington, Marcus Bennett.

Also on the panel was award winning sausage maker Di Fletcher of Country Valley Foods. She gave the students a master class in how to prepare and produce a product.

Challenged to concoct a sausage linked to Teesside, the winning team named their banger the Spicy Dorman Long.

Taking inspiration from Teesside's ship building past - trading steel with India and the Middle East for herbs and spices - their sausage was a combination of fresh chillies, cloves, paprika and pepper corns.

It will be produced by Darlington's Country Valley Foods and sold in all 12 Newboulds stores across the area.

The sausage will also be available in the college eateries later in the year.

Stephen Donnison, senior course co-ordinator NVQ level three in catering and hospitality organised the event.

He said: "The idea behind it was to teach learners about food manufacturing, processing and product development.

"I think the students did absolutely fabulously and really rose to the occasion."

An evening of music

2009-11-10T11:06:23Z

ENJOY an evening of music, featuring a recorder and keyboard accompaniment, at the Settlement Community centre, Union Street, Middlesbrough on Saturday, November 23, at 7.15pm. For further details contact 01642 863242 or 312612.

Help to keep this lifeline going

2009-11-10T10:53:56Z

A CHARITY providing vital mental health services in Teesside hopes to push their cause to the forefront of our Minds.

One in four adults suffer from mental health problems and local charity Middlesbrough Mind offers them support and help through lots of different services including a drop-in centre which is open six days a week.

The Open Mind Centre, caters for the adult residents of Middlesbrough experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems.

It is a place where they can meet other people, relax, learn new skills or take part in activities.

Laura Hartland, Mind community fundraiser, said the centre aims to offer: "People suffering from mental health problems a little bit of support and the opportunity to socialise with other people without stigma.

"There are not many support services available over the weekend and it has been described as a "lifeline" so it is vital that we can keep it open."

To help them achieve their goal Mind has signed up for the Gazette's Wish campaign and are busy collecting tokens to ensure a share of the £30,000 cash pot.

This is the first time Middlesbrough Mind has taken part in the campaign.

The more tokens they gather in the bigger the share of the cash jackpot they will receive. All they need now is for you to collect on their behalf.

Laura said: "The money raised won't go to one specific project but to our many different projects. To ensure that they can all continue to run."

Mind provide another service on a Monday and Friday called Listening Support, in which adults living in Middlesbrough who are experiencing emotional distress or mental health problems are offered free confidential support.

Laura says Mind see the Wish campaign as a fantastic platform to spread the word about what they do.

She said: "It's an opportunity for us to reach out further into the community because we are not an incredibly well known charity.

"It's a great campaign for some of the small charities in the area. To let people out in the community know that we're there to provide support."

"We aim to support people with mental health difficulties. Being none judgemental and confidential while trying to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health."

The charity aims to raise as much as it can.

"It's a brilliant opportunity especially at a time when money is so tight for people," added Laura.

Anyone who wants to help should send their Wish tokens to Middlesbrough Mind, 1st Floor, 47 Grange Road, TS1 5AU.

Jury told of date rape drug claim

2009-11-10T10:37:04Z

A MURDER trial jury has heard of the "possibility" that a date rape drug was put into a man's drink the night he beat an acquaintance to death.

Anthony Muldoon's defence lawyers asked questions about Rohypnol, known as the "date rape drug", at Teesside Crown Court yesterday.

Muldoon, 26, denies murdering Norman Illingworth, 57, and assaulting Andrew Hulse, 38, in Mr Illingworth's home on Essex Street, Middlesbrough, earlier this year.

He accepts he caused their injuries, killing Mr Illingworth, and consumed alcohol and amphetamines on February 17, the day before the death.

But he maintains he was not responsible for his actions because his drink had been spiked with a drug that night.

"He will maintain that there was some additional feature to what he had," said defence barrister Eric Elliott QC.

"Mr Muldoon actually carried out the killing. It's a question of what was going on in his mind at the time."

Muldoon, formerly of Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, denies murder and assault causing actual bodily harm.

Witnesses have been asked about a variety of drugs including anti-depressants, medication used for epilepsy, diazepam and tamazepam.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Eilish Gilvarry was asked about Rohypnol. Defence QC Eric Elliott said: "I'm not saying this was the situation, but it's a possibility. I'd invite your views on whether you could exclude the use of it."

She said Rohypnol's effects could include aggression and violence. But she saw nothing to suggest it had been given to Muldoon.

She agreed with prosecutor Toby Hedworth QC that there was nothing in Muldoon's behaviour that could not be explained by alcohol, a stimulant drug and panic.

She could not explain why Muldoon was naked on the street in the early hours of February 18 after he inflicted the injuries to the men.

She agreed this was not consistent with the general effects of alcohol and amphetamine.

Acting Detective Inspector Simon Hurwood said he was "perturbed" to discover the day after Muldoon's arrest that blood samples had not been taken from the suspect.

He added: "It was rectified as soon as I was told. His blood was taken immediately. It won't happen again for any investigation I'm supervising, I can assure you."

He agreed with Mr Elliott that it was possible such samples could have explained Muldoon's account of events if they were taken earlier.

He said a protocol on taking such samples was still being discussed. Mr Elliott said this meant the "terrible mishap" could happen again. "Unlikely," said the officer.

Proceeding

Man tells of pneumonia ordeal after being diagnosed with swine flu

2009-11-10T10:20:55Z

A YOUNG and fit Teessider says he was close to dying after being misdiagnosed with swine flu over the phone.

Caspar Scallen, 20, was diagnosed with the illness on the NHS Pandemic Flu Service phone line.

But days later he was rushed to hospital and told he had been suffering with a chest infection which had later developed into pneumonia.

And Caspar, of St Aidan's Drive central Middlesbrough, says he was told had it been left any longer, his family could have been booking his funeral.

"I wasn't well so we phoned the pandemic flu line and I was issued with Tamiflu," Caspar, a horticulture apprentice, said.

"They told me to phone the GP because I had chest pain, but he just told me to call back in 24 or 48 hours if it didn't get any better. Because someone said I had swine flu, he wouldn't come to see me.

"My chest was still really bad so when I called back again they issued me with some painkillers and told me to ring back if it still wasn't better."

As the pain seriously worsened, Caspar phoned his doctor once again. The surgery was closed so he called the emergency out-of-hours number and an ambulance was immediately sent to take him straight to James Cook University Hospital.

"It was the worst pain I have ever had," said Caspar, who has since given up smoking.

"When I was in the ambulance it felt like I was going to pass out."

His girlfriend, Kim Dale, 19, said: "In hospital they said it was a really bad case of pneumonia and if he had left it any longer, we could've been booking his funeral."

Caspar, who lost two stone, spent six days in hospital and is due to return to work next week. But he has been left frustrated and angry by his treatment.

"It's not right," he said. "The doctors should come out and see you. They are so concerned about swine flu that they rule other things out.

"I could have died."

While not able to comment on Caspar's individual case, Peter Kelly, executive director of public health for Teesside, said that an investigation would take place.

He said: "The national flu pandemic service is designed to help GPs cope with the considerable extra demand that the flu pandemic is putting on their services, and to give patients rapid access to diagnosis and treatment for pandemic flu where appropriate.

"The symptoms of flu that most people experience can also occasionally be due to other illnesses. If a patient or their relative is concerned due to a deterioration of the illness, then in the first instance telephoning their GP is the best step.

"I cannot comment on the individual circumstances of this case, but I will ensure an appropriate investigation takes place.

"This situation emphasises our ongoing message to NHS health professionals which is that they all need to be particularly vigilant at this demanding time."

In August a survey of GPs found that 90% believed infections and serious diseases could be missed because swine flu is being diagnosed over the phone.

In a survey of 251 GPs, 87% answered "yes" when asked the question: "Does diagnosing swine flu over the phone mean other diseases may be missed?" Another 10% were unsure and just 3% said no.

For up-to-date information on swine flu visit www.tees.nhs.uk

Take notes at Alex's music lecture...

2009-11-09T11:50:49Z

A BUSINESS lecturer will be turning his attention to his other passion when he gives a lecture about rock music.

Alex Gillett of Teesside University Business School also plays guitar with The Eruptors. He will talk about his music as part of the Culture on Campus programme. The free lecture Let There Be Rock will take place from 1-2pm on Wednesday in Room G013, Phoenix Building. The band has enjoyed success with two albums and has a third in the pipeline.

Alex said: "Topics like music distribution and promotion are real business issues."

Visit www.tees.ac.uk/culture or email Janice Webster at j.webster@tees.ac.uk.

TV doc hosts health casino

2009-11-09T11:42:18Z

TV CAMERAS will be rolling for a singles night with a difference, as adults who could be gambling with their sexual health come together to play casino.

Channel Four's Embarrassing Bodies is coming to Middlesbrough to host the singles casino night, featuring star of the show Dr Christian.

Over-18s from across Teesside are invited to take part in the show, at Middlesbrough Town Hall on Saturday November 28, which includes gambling with condoms instead of chips.

The exclusive event aims to put the spotlight on sexual health to ensure adults think about sexual health check ups in the same way as a regular dental appointment or smear test.

A talk by Dr Christian, pictured, will also explore the excuses people come up with for not using appropriate protection.

Tickets will only be available to the first 300 people who undergo a full sexual health MOT.

In order to cope with the increased demand, NHS Tees nurses are setting up special clinics in The Mall, Middlesbrough, over the next two weeks to offer over-18s a full sexual health check-up and hand out tickets to the show.

Dr Christian said: "I want to encourage people who are sexually active or embarking on a new relationship to get themselves tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

"I want it to be as normal as having a regular dental check up or cervical screening as there should be nothing embarrassing about getting a STI test - if anything it shows you are taking responsibility for your sexual health."

Elaine Jenkinson, Sexual Health Lead for NHS Tees said: "Taking chances with your sexual health can be a bit of a lottery - no one knows what the consequences will be.

"It could result in an STI or an unwanted pregnancy and could cause unnecessary worry and stress."

The Embarrassing Bodies event at Middlesbrough Town Hall will be screened on Channel 4 next spring.

Free sexual health check ups will be available at The Endeavour Practice in the Health Centre in The Mall, Middlesbrough, tomorrow from 9am to 5pm and at NHS Middlesbrough's Life Store in The Mall this Thursday, Saturday and Thursday November 19 from 11am to 5pm.

For more information visit the Life Store in The Mall, Middlesbrough.

Tuning in for a musical night

2009-11-09T11:27:46Z

MIDDLESBROUGH Town Hall's Classical Concert Series is proving a hit with music lovers from far and wide.

The series was launched last month the St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra.

It continues on Thursday, when the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Jacek Kaspszyk, presents Brahms' epic Symphony No.1.

The concert opens with Elgar's In the South, and Russian Pianist Mikhail Rudy will perform Chopin's romantic First Piano Concerto.

For details call 01642 729729 or see www.visitmiddlesbrough.com

Journey's end

2009-11-09T11:27:00Z

THERE'S still time to buy tickets for spiritual stand-up comedian Mark Ritchie and his Tale of Three Journeys in Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt, on Tuesday, November 10 at 7.30pm. Tickets £5, concessions available from the box office or from Nathan on 01642 640353.

Middlesbrough dad faces joining sons in jail

2009-11-09T11:16:37Z

A FATHER is likely to join his two sons in prison after he was found guilty of taking part in a brick-wielding gang attack.

John Sweeney Galbraith, pictured, was one of three men - including his own son John Paul Galbraith - who turned up to a home on Woodlands Road, Middlesbrough, and laid into the householder with bricks.

They arrived at about 3am on New Year's Day, two of them hooded and with scarves over their face. Resident David Barwick declined Galbraith Jnr's challenge to fight outside and tried to close the door. But they forced their way in and repeatedly punched him and struck him with bricks.

In June, John Galbraith Jnr, 24, of Fallows Court, Middlesbrough, was locked up for two-and-a-half years for the aggravated burglary, which he admitted, plus 18 months for other offences.

He and his brother Scott Galbraith, 21, with three other defendants, were locked up for a series of violent crimes.

Only married foreman engineer John Galbraith Snr walked free from court with a suspended prison sentence for his part in a pool hall fracas.

At that time, he was not prosecuted for the brick attack at Woodlands Road.

He was charged later after his blood was found on a door handle at the house.

Galbraith Snr, 47, also of Fallows Court, denied taking part in the aggravated burglary, where grievous bodily harm was inflicted, and stood trial at Teesside Crown Court. He said he wasn't at the scene of the crime and suggested his blood was found there because his son had helped him with a nose bleed.

The prosecution said the blood showed Galbraith Snr must have been part of the violence. The Crown said his alibi, that he was at a New Year's party, was concocted to cover up his involvement.

A jury unanimously found him guilty.

Judge Les Spittle bailed the dad until November 26 for a pre-sentence report.

The judge told him: "You know what happened to another who was involved in this matter. It's almost inevitable that the same will happen to you. But I want to find out what has happened since the last sentence. I must warn you custody is almost inevitable in this case."

Mr Barwick said in a statement read to jurors in the trial the assault "felt like hours.".

After the incident ended, he stumbled into the sitting room, where windows had been smashed, and collapsed.

He awoke bleeding from the head with cuts to the face and lumps to the head.

The intruders struck after a previous incident of violence.

Fire kills 80 pigeons as loft destroyed in Port Clarence

2009-11-09T10:52:30Z

A MASSIVE blaze at an allotment today led to the death of more than 80 racing pigeons in a loft.

The blackened timbers were still smoldering this morning from damage wrought by the fire at allotments behind Samphire Street at Port Clarence.

Cleveland Fire Brigade were called to the incident at 3.25am.

Four fire engines rushed to the scene and found a number of sheds ablaze.

Watch manager Steve Walsh, of Billingham Fire Station, said the fire measured about 20m by 4m.

"When we got there it was already well alight," said Mr Walsh. "One of the main problems was gas cylinders - they can go off with explosive force - so we had to dedicate one of the jets to securing the area where those were which impaired operations a little bit.

"I would urge allotment owners to return empty cylinders when not in use."

Firefighters also had to operate with a limited water supply.

"We will be carrying out an investigation into the cause of the fire but at this moment in time we are treating it as suspicious," added Mr Walsh.

Loft manager Stewart Lewis, pictured above, said: "Most of the birds in the loft were breeding hens."

Stewart, of nearby Laburnum Grove, received a call from the allotment owner Andrew Appleton telling him about the fire.

"It's made a right mess, we'll have to clear all this away and start again," said Stewart.

Allotment owners have now called for improved security.

David Green, 43, keeps horses at the site. He said: "We need more police round here. If anything happens, you just get a crime number and they come round in a couple of hours."

The shocking scene found by drugs police in the kitchen of a Middlesbrough home

2009-11-09T10:48:05Z

A BABY'S bottle and dummy sit on a kitchen worktop near a bag of heroin and the materials used to prepare drugs.

This shocking scene was uncovered by drugs bust police at a home on Emerald Street, Middlesbrough.

The dealers living and operating their illicit trade in that house have been jailed for a total of more than 11 years.

James Dean Bradley, 33, and baby-faced, diminutive Carl Adam Garbutt, 21, were tragic drugs casualties themselves.

They started their sentences cleaned up, "drug-free" and with ambitions to become drugs counsellors to use their terrible experiences to help others in a similar position.

Judge John Walford told the two: "Both of you have had your lives ruined by drugs.

"You know the misery it's caused you both, but you're prepared to ignore that and to spread its misery amongst others."

Teesside Crown Court heard how police saw them dealing to callers at the home on the morning of June 24.

When officers raided the property the same day, Garbutt, pictured, was arrested in the living room, in the presence of Bradley's 12 to 14-month-old daughter.

Bradley was also in the home as a bag containing 25.3g of heroin was found, worth more than £2,500 on the streets.

Prosecutor Ian Mullarkey said the drugs were found along with heroin-contaminated pocket digital scales, a spoon, rolls of tin foil and cling film, a foil wrap and pieces of foil.

"In close proximity to those items was a child's bottle and a child's dummy," he added.

The judge told Bradley: "You were in charge of a heroin dealing enterprise supplying street-level dealers and also supplying users.

"(An) aggravating feature is evident from the photographs, there with your infant child, a bottle and her feeding apparatus, in close proximity to the heroin and the paraphernalia surrounding it."

He jailed Bradley, pictured, for seven years, and Garbutt for four-and-a-half years.

He said: "You, Carl Garbutt, were a willing participant in the delivery, the dealing of drugs to other people. You were playing a much lesser role, I'm satisfied. Your report is as depressing a document as I've had the misfortune to read.

"It's apparent that you are the victim of feckless and damaging parenting and as a result you've been even at your young age a long-term drug abuser."

Garbutt received three years for the drugs crimes and 18 months from a breached suspended sentence.

They each admitted possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Both had long lists of previous convictions including possession and supply of Class As.

Rachel Dyson, defending Bradley, said he had a heroin addiction from the age of 17. He had been proud of keeping off drugs for nine months, but "unfortunately he succumbed to temptation".

"Within a fog of addiction that he was experiencing at the time, he was unable to see the severity of his actions.

"He is perfectly aware of the consequences his actions have had, not only on the wider community but also upon his close family.

"There is a child in relation to this matter. She has been accommodated with his partner's mother.

"He has addressed the problems in his life. He is incredibly remorseful."

John Gillette, for Garbutt, said he had a troubled upbringing with a father, brother, sister and himself all falling under the influence of drugs.

"When somebody's taking heroin when they're 12 years old, the prospects aren't very good," said Mr Gillette. "He says rather hopelessly he really just wants to be a normal person. He's never really had the opportunity. Everything's been stacked against him right from the outset."

The judge said the sentences were severe to deter others.

Designer gifts at Town Hall Crypt

2009-11-07T11:41:58Z

CHRISTMAS shoppers in Middlesbrough have the chance to bag some unique and unusual designer gifts and soak up the atmosphere at a Christmas Designers' Marketplace from 11am to 4pm on Sunday, November 29, in the Town Hall Crypt.

About 50 stalls will offer a range of goods from both emerging and established designers. Founder and organiser of the Designers' Marketplace Helen Stevens said: "This is a great chance for people to get their Christmas shopping sorted and also to get into the festive spirit."

Accused 'can't recall' attack

2009-11-07T11:11:50Z

A MURDER accused told police he couldn't remember attacking an electrician at his Middlesbrough home, a court heard.

During interview, Anthony Muldoon claimed his memory of the night of February 18 was hazy and he couldn't recall exactly what had happened.

Muldoon, 26, is accused of the murder of 57-year-old Norman Illingworth and assaulting Andrew Hulse.

He accepts causing their injuries but denies he was responsible for his actions and alleges his drink was laced with drugs at the home of the victim, in Essex Street.

During the fifth day of the trial at Teesside Crown Court, the jury heard evidence from police interviews with Muldoon.

Asked what had made him behave in that manner on February 18, he replied: "All I remember is a vodka bottle going over my head. I don't know what it was over. I can't remember attacking him."

Muldoon told police he struggled to recall the details of that night but when told of what had happened afterwards said he had felt like he wanted to die himself.

"I didn't mean for any of this to happen, I didn't mean to hurt anybody." he said.

Muldoon, formerly of Surrey Street, Middlesbrough, now of no fixed address, denies murdering Mr Illingworth and assaulting Mr Hulse.

Proceeding