The Northern Echo

'New Evidence Will Clear Robin'

LAWYERS acting for a subpostmaster jailed for the murder of his wife have revealed new evidence they say makes the conviction unsafe. Robin Garbutt's legal team yesterday produced documents at the Court of Appeal which they say cast doubt on the prosecution case that the appellant was a thief.

Region Hit by Unseasonal Snowfall

CHILLY air brought unseasonal snow to parts of the North-East and North Yorkshire yesterday. Cold northerly winds brought wintry showers to higher ground.

Tributes Paid to Auction Mart Boss

TRIBUTES have been paid to the managing director of a livestock mart who died after an incident involving a bolt gun. Stephen Aitken was described by his colleagues as a respected auctioneer, whose hard-work and enthusiasm helped to build Darlington Auction Mart into a thriving business.

Family's Show of Faith in Court Number Seven

FRIENDS and family of convicted killer Robin Garbutt remained upbeat as they left court yesterday. Supporters are convinced the seemingly mild-mannered shopkeeper, who waved as he was taken back to his cell, is innocent and has been the victim of a hideous miscarriage of justice.

Gemma's Marathon Efforts for Father

A WOMAN who is tackling four physical challenges to raisemoney inmemory of her beloved father has completed her first feat. So far, Gemma Marshall, from Staindrop, County Durham, has raised [pounds]990 for Bowel Cancer UK after running the Marathon of the North, in Sunderland, which she completed in four hours, 58 minutes.

Heritage Site Bid Is Withdrawn

A BID to make a North-East monastery a World Heritage Site has been withdrawn. Campaigners have been pushing for World Heritage Site (WHS) status for the twin monastery ofWearmouth and Jarrow for several years.

Group Fights to Save Annual Steam Rally

ENTHUSIASTS are fighting to save a steam rally beset by bad weather and financial losses. Masham Steam Engine and Fair Organ Rally, in North Yorkshire, which attracts up to 12,000 visitors a year, has become a major date on the tourist calendar.

Court Told Railway Cash Was Legitimate

A HERITAGE railway accounts manager accused of stealing money from the company says she was merely reimbursing herself, a court heard yesterday. Corina Heslop, 42, told police that the [pounds]36,781 she acquired through eight cheques paid to herself was in recompense for payments to creditors shemade on behalf of the company.

Cancer Pill Is Approved

A NEW pill to treat advanced skin cancer costing about [pounds]40,000 for six months will be made available to NHS patients in the North-East. Vemurafenib is one of five new cancer treatments approved for use in the NorthEast.

Five Receive Awards for Justice Work

FIVE justice workers are being recognised for their efforts. Three prison officers and two probation officers have won North- East Prisoner After Care Society (Nepacs) awards for their work to cut re-offending.

Inquest Hears of Time Spent in Hunt for Boy

POLICE yesterday revealed the extent of the search to find an eight-year-old boy who was swept away by a river swollen by days of heavy rain. The body of Ian Bell was found nine days after he fell into the River Wear near his home in Sunnybrow, near Willington, County Durham.

Chess Team Reach Final of Competition

SCHOOL pupils put up a valiant effort in their bid to be named kings of the chessboard. Pupils from Byers Green Primary School, in Spennymoor, County Durham, took part in the UK Chess Challenge competition.

Stable Lad Cycling to Raise Funds

A FORMER stable lad paralysed from the chest down after falling from a horse is on an epic journey to raise money for Racing Welfare. Paul Bamford hopes to raise [pounds]100,000 for the charity by riding an adapted bicycle from Redcar racecourse to Doncaster racecourse in six days.

Reward Hopes After Seal Find

A14TH Century silver seal found in a farm field has been declared treasure. The seal, in the shape of a shield, was found in farmer Mark Hinton's field near Kirkby Fleetham, North Yorkshire, by metal detectorist Ivor Miller in 2010.

'Brother Died Following Feud Over Inheritance'

AN inheritance feud ended in tragedy when a man pinned his brother to a shopping centre bench and triggered a fatal heart attack, a court heard yesterday. Brothers Anthony and Michael Marshall met to discuss the will of their late brother, Alexander, at a solicitor's office in Morpeth, Northumberland, on August 23, last year, Newcastle Crown Court was told.

[Pounds]1m Sports Facilities Are Opened

A [pounds]1M sports redevelopment project and centre was opened yesterday. The Unity City Academy, in Middlesbrough, joined forces with Middlesbrough Council to build the changing facilities.

City's Past Is Brought Back to Life

CHARACTERS from a city's colourful past will populate a World Heritage Site on Friday. Durham Cathedral, along with neighbouring Palace Green and Palace Green Library, will host the event, from 6pm to 8pm.

Inbrief

Banners will welcome torch RYEDALE residents will create their own banners to welcome the Olympic torch to the district. The artwork will be displayed along the torch route when it arrives in Pickering on June 18.

Plan for Home Put Forward

CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert and extend an outbuilding near the former home of a well-known Dales historian have been resurrected. The owner of Coles House, in Askrigg, North Yorkshire, has submitted a new proposal to turn an outbuilding in the grounds of the property into a home.

Big Band Soundmarks New Era for Town Site

THE big band sound will herald the start of a new era for Hambleton Forum, in Northallerton. A June concert by the Alan Owens Big Band will be the first organised by the Forum Users' Group, which was set up to take over the running of the Hambleton District Council-owned facility.