The Northern Echo

Thief Tells Judge 'It's Time to Move On'

A PICKPOCKET posed as a Good Samaritan as he targeted elderly shoppers twice in six weeks. Neil McCormack was described by one victim as "acting like a gentleman" as he helped her negotiate a pavement. As hewas doing so, however, McCormack dipped his hand into the 90-year-old's bag and stole her purse.

Rugby Star Joins Shopping Scrum

AN international rugby player opened a charity event at a North- East hotel yesterday. Tongan back row forward Josh Afu launched the Ramside Shopping Extravaganza, in aid of Mencap.

Stepping Back in Time for Some Valuable Lessons

A SECOND World War theme day was held at one of the region's schools to mark the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the conflict. Children at Yarm at Raventhorpe School, in Darlington, went to school dressed in wartime-style clothing.

Lecturer Awaits Outcome of [Pounds]2m Will Challenge

A UNIVERSITY lecturer will find out today if she can reclaim the [pounds]2m family farm left to the RSPCA by her parents. After eight months, Christine Gill will hear if her legal bid to take possession of Potto Carr Farm, in Potto, near Northallerton, North Yorkshire, has been successful.

Opera Star Strikes Chord with Students

[Pounds]2.5m Fraudster Is Stripped of Assets

A CROOKED businessman who brought a North-East company to its knees in committing a [pounds]2.5m fraud has been ordered to sell everything he has to begin to repay the money. Douglas Brown is said to have realisable assets of about [pounds]650,000 - less than a third of what he swindled when he was managing director of Palmer UK Ltd, in Hartlepool.

Columns Add Up for Pupils

YOUNGSTERS ran the rule over Durham Cathedral yesterday when they took part in a project to promote mathematics. About 100 pupils aged 11 to 14 from schools from Newcastle, Teesside and County Durham visited the Norman-built structure, part of a World Heritage Site, to improve their number skills.

Pilot Was Urged to 'Throw It About'

A SOLDIER on board an RAF helicopter that crashed killing three men admitted he encouraged the pilot to "throw it around", an inquest heard yesterday. Former Captain Rob Earle was on the doomed Puma helicopter which crashed near Hudswell Grange, Catterick Garrison, North Yorkshire, on August 7, 2007.

Postal Workers Vote for Strike

POSTAL workers have voted in favour of a national strike in a bitter dispute over jobs, pay and services. The outcome of the ballot could result in widespread disruption to mail deliveries in the run-up to Christmas.

Research to Preserve History Found in Rock

A GEOLOGY group has secured funding to look into ways of preserving the millions of years of history found in North Yorkshire quarries. The North-East Yorkshire Geology Trust has been awarded [pounds]83,600 to produce detailed reports into four aggregate quarries that have reached, or are heading towards, exhaustion.

New Service Provides Transport to Hospitals

NEW transport arrangements should make it easier for south Durham residents to get to hospital, following a controversial shake-up of healthcare. A one-stop booking system is now operating for patients in the Durham Dales who need to travel for treatment in Bishop Auckland, Darlington or Durham.

Mercedes Appeals for a Loving Home

A PUPPY is looking for a loving new owner. Ten-month-old Staffordshire terrier Mercedes was made homeless after her owners were forced to give her up because of a change in their circumstances.

Hear All Sides

SHILDON I WOULD like to clarify certain statements made in Colin Devonport's letter about Shildon (HAS, Sept 23). The decision to refurbish the Civic Hall was virtually unanimous, apart from myself and Labour councillor Peter Quinn voicing our concerns about the estimates received, believing them too expensive. However, neither myself nor Coun Quinn disagreed that the refurbishment was essential. As mayor, it was my duty to open the newly-refurbished hall. That does not make me a hypocrite.

Taking a Few Steps Into the Blind World

If you are reading this, it is unlikely that you have experienced a shopping trip without being able to see where you are going, who you are talking to, or what you are about to bump into. Lauren Pyrah reports AS someone fortunate enough to have been blessed with perfect vision all my life, until yesterday, I had no idea how strange and frightening it is to have this powerful sense taken away - or how reliant I am on my eyes for the most basic of tasks.

Hear All Sides

PEDESTRIAN HEART THE most recent example of Darlington Borough Council's Labour group's inability to manage is the recent report on the Pedestrian Heart project. The report indicates that it was not a case of one mistake, but a comedy of errors with mistakes and failures at every stage.

Pensioner Gets 14 Years After Rapes 20 Years Ago

A PENSIONER has been jailed for 14 years after what a senior judge said was the worst child rape case he had seen in 20 years. Former soldier Kenneth Chandler, 72, repeatedly raped a schoolgirl 20 years ago.

Fancy Spell at Sea?

YOUNG people will be given the opportunity to get a taste of life on the high seas this week. The Ocean Youth Trust has moored a 70ft-vessel, James Cook, in Hartlepool Marina and is offering free taster sessions aboard the ship.

Crime Fall Credited to Officers On the Beat

CRIME figures are falling, according to Cleveland Police. In the past 12 months, recorded incidents have fallen by 16 per cent and by a quarter since a Neighbourhood Policing scheme was launched two years ago.

Planting Push Bears Fruit

BELMONT, near Durham City, won accolades in three recent award schemes. The parish, taking in Belmont plus neighbouring Carrville and Gilesgate Moor, was named a silver medal winner in the Northumbria in Bloom awards urban community category, one up from last year's bronze ranking.

Students Launch Appeal

STUDENTS have launched an appeal to help Romanian youngsters have a happy Christmas. The second and third years, who are studying at Durham University, visited the former Soviet-bloc country earlier this year.