09/03/2012 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

tonight's headlines. Victims of a jailed Teesside property developer

demand their money - as authorities try to seize funds from him. A

police investigation after more protests against Sport Direct

inside and outside the ground. The Lib Dems are in the region for

their spring conference. But they're receiving a mixed welcome.

And Woodwork. Meet the man behind these amazing sculptures and see

how he does it. In sport, we look ahead to big

games on Wearside and Teesside and salute success in the pool ahead of

the London Olympic and Paralympic They invested their life savings,

all believing he was building their dream homes. Garry Robb, a former

Teesside nightclub boss turned property developer took the money,

but never built the hundreds of holiday homes in Northern Cyprus.

Now as the authorities try to seize �1.6 million from his bank accounts,

his victims are demanding that money is returned to them. He is

currently in jail in Cyprus for illegal and possession. Stuart

Whincup reports. He fled from Teesside to Northern

Cyprus to escape drugs charges and became a multi-million pound

property developer. You have been on the run for five years cannot

when you give yourself up? promised families their dream homes

- but this is how they ended up. Howard Hind has spent the last

seven years trying to get his life savings back - the �140,000 he

invested in Robb's development. affects your family, your

relationship with your wife, because it is on your mind all the

time. It is there in remind all the time, you were trying to find a new

course of action. Your money is going into an empty pit. It is not

nice to realise you have been fleeced of your life savings.

victims have their own civil case. If they can prove the money is

theirs, they keep it. What's left will go to the Serious Organised

Crime Agency. But SOCA is currently at the High Court trying to seize

the entire �1.6 million - with a large proportion going to the

Treasury. Patricia Clarke was another of Robb's customers who

believes the years of street and legal wrangling contributed to her

husband's early death. It killed my husband, really. He worked all his

life, and that was going to be our retirement. He did not cope with it

very well. I didn't cope very well with it either. It is so sad.

Robb says the problems with his property developments were caused

by mistakes made by his employers and contractors. But Howard and

Barbara know they face another long legal battle. They say they can't

give up, but admit it's unlikely they will ever see their dream home

completed or their life savings returned.

A building has collapsed in a busy district of South Shields this

evening. Police were called to the Biz Bar on Ocean Road at 5.30 this

evening following reports that a building under renovation had

collapsed. It's not believed that anyone was inside at the time.

Traffic is being diverted away from the scene. If we get any more on

that story - we'll bring it to you later in the programme.

Newcastle United fans have staged another angry protest against the

re-naming of St James' Park. This time, a section of supporters at

last night's reserve game against Sunderland, started ripping up

Sports Direct signs in the ground and throwing them onto the pitch.

Then, a Sports Direct store in the city centre was violently attacked

after the match. Here's Jim Knight. These were the angry scenes in the

stands last night. The signs were being ripped off the walls near the

back and then hurled over the heads of supporters sitting below. Gusts

of wind added to the drama too, occaisionaly spinning the signs

high into the air. As stewards tried to control the situation, the

referee had to briefly stop the game. The signs were relatively

lightweight so no-one was hurt and the protest sparked a series of

tweets and updates on social networking sites as fans started

boasting and celebrating what was happening. And no sooner had the

dust settled on those ugly scenes in the stadium, when some of the

fans came to the town centre to this store to launch another angry

protest. This time, they attacked the windows on the store. This was

more threatening and violent than anything that happened earlier in

the stadium. As the plate glass door was kicked in, Sports Direct

staff inside were left terrified about what was going to happen next.

Really, really serious crime with members of the public going to

their normal business, setting up their work, are terrified for their

safety. We are trying to catch those responsible. A spokeswoman at

Newcastle United today declined to comment on the events of the night.

Meanwhile, a Police investigation to find those responsible is now

underway. Hundreds of Liberal Democrats from

across the country are gathering at the Sage Gateshead this evening for

their spring conference. But it won't all be sweetness and light,

as hundreds of protesters will gather outside the venue tomorrow.

The party is under fire on everything from health reforms to

unemployment. But the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg started his

visit at a Sunderland business which is creating jobs. Our

Political editor Richard Moss is at the conference for us tonight.

Richard. Thank you. When the Liberal

Democrats decided to hold their conference here in 2009, they were

in control of the council and were fighting to be the main opposition

to Labour. Three years on, they have lost control of the council

and are in coalition with their former sworn enemies and are taking

flak for council cuts and rising unemployment in the North East.

When Nick Clegg arrived today, he chose to accentuate the positive

with investment that was made in the area this week. We caught up

with them at a firm in Sunderland using government money to create

badly-needed jobs. If you're in government, it is the

kind of company you want to be seen in, a growing one. Unipres UK is a

major supplier to Nissan, the cars are made by a robot Stibbard the

components together. The success of Nissan means that it is expanding

this massive factory getting �5 million from the regional growth

fund and as it happens, Nissan is also getting money from this fund.

But should it? It is right for us to say, we will not give you free

money, but we will give you extra top of money if you show it makes a

difference in creating more jobs than it otherwise would do. It is

not just a small company or a large company, is that a company that

will create more jobs in the area? He wants to talk about successful

industry but he will face more questions this weekend. You wait

all year, then two turn up. Vince Cable opens the science festival in

Newcastle, the City that the Lib- Dems lost control of in 2011, and

at the spring conference tomorrow, they would be a sizable rally at

the support for the contraband short health reforms. -- the

controversial health reforms. about creating more money for the

private sector by making a profit out of ill-health. They are facing

an electoral disaster and they will see that for the next few years.

I thought this legislation would privatise the NHS or tear it apart,

then it would never see the light of day. But because people

demonstrate, he does not mean necessarily they are always right.

Of course, being in government does not mean that they will face

protest this weekend? David Walker and CLIVE people have set off to

run 42 miles from Middlesbrough at and will join the protest and they

are concerned about the Liberal Democrat's backing of the NHS

reforms and they want to persuade delegates here to ditch the reforms

for the good of patience and good of the Rome party. I think the

public and the profession will get behind the Liberal Democrats. They

are taking an extreme and dedicated decision and the need to listen to

that, and it think it would help them in a big way in getting

credibility back, because their credibility is shot at the moment.

How cheerful is this conference likely to be then? There will be

attempts to cheer them up, they want to celebrate more and

apologise less, but they will have to move through the protest to get

to the Hall tomorrow and they would be reminded of the advantages and

disadvantages of being in government. The wife of PC David

Rathband has released a statement thanking Northumbria Police and

well-wishers for their support. Kath Rathband, who was separated

from her husband, says she will be attending his funeral in

Staffordshire, and a police memorial service later this month.

But she won't be present at a public memorial service tomorrow,

at Newcastle's St Nicholas Cathedral. PC Rathband, who was

shot and blinded by gunman Raoul Moat in July 2010, was found dead

last week at his home in Blyth. Two men have appeared in court in

connection with the death of an unknown man whose body was found in

Newcastle earlier this week. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was

found in Wingrove Avenue early on Wednesday morning. David Moore,

who's 28 and from Bentick Terrace, and Lee Tams, aged 29, of no fixed

address, appeared before Newcastle magistrates facing manslaughter

charges. They were remanded in custody to appear before Newcastle

Crown Court on March the 23rd. Police are still trying to identify

the victim. An MP has admitted assaulting four

people - including the Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson - in an attack in

the House of Commons bar. Mr Wilson, who is the Labour whip, was among

four people assaulted by his fellow Labour MP Eric Joyce in the

incident last month. Joyce, the Falkirk MP, pleaded guilty to four

charges of common assault at Westminster Magistrates Court. He

was given a community order, fined �3,000 and ordered to pay his

victims �1,400. Should we have a regional

government for the North? Well you might be forgiven for thinking

we've been here before. Remember this white elephant? The idea of a

North East regional assembly was rejected during a referendum eight

years ago. But now a campaign group - the Hannah Mitchell Foundation -

wants to revive the debate. It thinks the whole North should have

a regional government - and launched its proposals today. BBC

Newcastle's political reporter Fergus Hewison has more.

No - 696,519 and that the region has voted no to an elected assembly

for the north east. That was 2004 - a resounding NO to regional

government. But this is now - and new calls for a voice for the north.

We think we need to move on from the last referendum and learn

lessons from that. But a lot of people in the foundation of

thinking we need to go for an all northern approach that brings in

the North East with Yorkshire and also the north-west. If you look at

the North East, it is a relatively small region on its own. It has got

strong links with the North West, particularly with Cumbria and

pretty poor transport links. But do people feel it's time to revisit

the idea of regional government? More power at this end of the

country would be a good idea. It would let us have a say. We tried

it once and they turned it down. I do not honestly think it will work

any better around this time. Certainly, not independent, but

some sort of devolution would make sense, there is an imbalance of

finance and other things, so we need more of a voice. So some

enthusiasm. But the man who led the NO campaign against the regional

assembly doesn't believe there's any appetite. The public has

already decisively rejected this at a major referendum - 78% voted

against this solution because this is a politicians' solution to

problems politicians gave us and it will involve more politicians.

campaign for a regional government is in its early stages. Supporters

say they have an open mind about what form any new body would take.

Critics argue it's an idea well past its sell by date.

And there's more on that story on this weekend's Sunday Politics.

That's earlier than usual at 11:00 on BBC One.

Well there's plenty more to come in tonight's programme. Mark's here

with the sport. In football - it's a big weekend for one of our non-

league sides. Aand the man who's transformed a

little corner of North Yorkshire - with the help of his chainsaw.

And we have the weather forecast coming up with fine weather to look

forward to. Pop star Joe McElderry and former Sunderland player Jim

Montgomery have been at the official opening of a hostel for

homeless young people today. The hostel and training centre in

Sunderland is run by the charity Centrepoint. It will be a temporary

home to eighteen young people between the age of 16 and twenty

five. Lyttanya Shannon reports. He's the winner of two talent shows,

most famously the X-factor. But today Joe McElderry was away from

the bright lights - instead he was spending time with young people not

far from his own age, but with experiences a world apart. I have

been fortunate with the experiences I have had and the child that I

have had, but some people are not as fortunate and an environment

like this where there are sessions where you can talk about things and

you can get help to stay here, it is like a family foundation that

every human being needs. And his wasn't the only well known face.

Former Sunderland player Jim Montgommery was also there to show

his support. They have got the home base here with fantastic rooms.

They have got lovely places and they have always somewhere to come

back to. It stops them from lying in the streets and dossing in the

corner has, so it is good they have somewhere to come back to. 18 young

people with difficult backgrounds will be housed here - typically for

a period of up to two months, longer for those who need more help.

Young people like Nathan - who after receiving training and advice

as well as a bed - will be moving into his own flat on Monday.

makes a big difference, really, because most people have to find

work and to get off the dole, they want to make something of their

life. Definitely. But there have been some concerns from local

residents that the new centre could attract trouble-makers. But the

managers here though say the building is rigorously managed.

These young people are Sunderland young people and through no fault

of their own, they are facing homelessness and we are here to

help them and to support that. Let's work together to eradicate

this handful issue. It's hoped this new facility will go some way to

doing that and to help Centrepoint deliver much needed services to

hundreds of young people in the North East for some time to come.

You may remember a recent Look North report of the mysterious

carvings that appeared in a woodland beauty spot in North

Yorkshire. The highly detailed wooden sculptures along the banks

of the River Nidd at Knaresborough have proved such an attraction that

people are travelling from far and wide to see them. And now their

creator has come forward. He's Tommy Craggs, a chainsaw sculptor

from County Durham. Peter Lugg reports.

A stroll along Abbey Road in the Nidd Gorge has always been popular

with visitors to Knaresborough but now almost overnight it seems to

have become a national tourist attraction thanks to the talents of

a man from Consett and his power tools. You have to try and

visualise the three-dimensional form. Sometimes it can take days

and weeks, just thinking about it in the night-time, trying to plan

these cuts he will make. These extraordinary sculptures are the

work of Tommy Craggs whose mission it is to turn old tree trunks into

works of art. The wing shape was there with the two stems spanning

out. I just had to shape it up and Calvet in the head for the shape.

The grain of the wood goes up a long go back. This takes a bit of

mountaineering to get to see it closely. It is based on the Green

man concept. He is called King hollow. The sculptures have been

commissioned by the man who lives in the big house by the river who

when tidying up his woodland one day thought he'd like to go one

better. I wasn't trying to create anything, to be fair, I just wanted

to do something nice with something beautiful while it was alive and

keep beauty in them while they are there. Franny budding sculptures

out there, this is how a simple face is done. -- for any budding

sculptor's. Tommy's now negotiating with the Mother Shipton's tourist

attraction for carving's on their side of the gorge.

I have seen theirs in real life, and they're absolutely astonishing!

Sport now and a big weekend for many of our teens.

Sunderland will take part in a pre- season tournament in South Korea

this summer against Korean club Seongnam and Hamburg. Tomorrow they

take on a near full-strength Liverpool at the Stadium of Light

having managed just one win in their last eleven against the

Merseysiders - and that courtesy of a beach ball!

Academy graduate Jordan Henderson, who makes his first return after

his big money move to Liverpool, played in the famous beachball game,

Sunderland's only recent win against Liverpool - and one of the

most unusual. After the dust settled on those two red cards in

the Tyne Wear derby, Martin O'Neill was left hoping he can shuffle the

pack to good effect against the Carling Cup holders. But was he

taken aback after his captain Lee Cattermole saw red after the final

whistle last Sunday? It was really disappointing to come into the

dressing room and find out that not only was he sitting there

dejectedly, but there was another one to contend with after that, and

I suppose, if we had hung around for another few hours, we could

have lost another five! But anyway, in the cold light of day, obviously,

you have to count the cost. As for the two managers in last weekend's

bad tempered derby draw - will they be making up any time soon? If I

don't know. By ensure, as time presses on, things get forgotten

about. -- I'm sure. Newcastle United have to wait until

Monday to continue their push for European football. The Magpies face

a resurgent Arsenal at The Emirates but while a Europa League place

remains in sight. United legend Alan Shearer thinks Alan Pardew's

men will probably miss out on the Champions League. A win would put

them within two points of the Gunners, but Shearer believes a top

four finish may be just beyond them. I wouldn't discounted, but it

probably well be. It would be a shame if they don't, because they

have had such a magnificent season. It would be great if they could end

on at high. He is up against it straight away. He has got on with

his business quietly and he has done an exceptional job and demands

exceptional credit. It's not quite a derby, but

Middlesbrough face their near neighbours on Sunday when Neil

Warnock's Leeds United visit the Riverside. The visitors still have

an outside chance of making the play-offs but fell to an unlucky

defeat last week against table- toppers Southampton. Boro boss Tony

Mowbray says its a game to relish. I think in football, managers want

to be involved in big games, high energy games with a lot at stake.

And this game falls into that category. By ensure they will be

wound up to come and have a real go. -- I am sure. We have to be ready

for them. In League One, Carlisle United -

whose players we saw earlier in the programme - are at home to Bury -

with Hartlepool at Walsall. Now tomorrow's going to be a big day

for non-league York City. Already chasing promotion back to the

Football League, the Minstermen take on Luton in the first leg of

the FA Trophy semi-final. Half an eye was on the weekend

ahead and another shot at an FA Trophy final at Wembley. We have

been there once and we want to go back again and when this time and

bring it back with us. We have had our days out at Wembley in previous

seasons and they were a disappointment, but the big thing

for everyone is getting back into the leak. It York have competing

priorities, but for the man in charge of their responsibilities,

the trophy is a lifeline. It is probably worth �200,000 for as when

you look at the prize money and the gate receipts leading up to the

final. It is quite significant at our level. I want to lead my team

out at Wembley and on the day, it is about a bit of luck, but wanting

it more than them. It should be a great day on Saturday and I am

looking forward to it. Good luck to Chester-le-Street

swimmer Steph Proud who is in with a shout of Olympic qualification

tonight. She has missed out on Olympic qualification despite

coming second in the backstroke final at the British Championships

in London. Her semi-final performance put her just a fraction

short of the time needed to guarantee selection for the Games.

Meanwhile, Sunderland's Jonathan Carlisle came seventh in last

night's men's final, while former City of Newcastle swimmer Andy

Mayor made it through to the butterfly final.

And congratulations to Lyndon Longhorne, from County Durham. He

swam to victory in the 150m Individual Medley in the multi-

disability events, touching in a British record of just over three

minutes. Finally good luck to our rugby

league clubs at the start of a new league season. York are on their

travels in the Championship on Sunday - and in the division below

them, Whitehaven are in South Yorkshire, while Gateshead and

Workington both kick off with home matches.

In basketball, BBL leaders Newcastle Eagles hope to bounce

back from a rare defeat with victories at home to Leicester

tonight and away to neighbours Durham Wildcats 24 hours later.

Thank you. In South Shields, and a building has collapsed in a busy

part of the South centre and police were called to the bar at 5:30pm

following reports that aid renovated building had collapsed.

Let's go to work Chief Reporter there are now.

The building came down, as you said, at about 5:30pm. Fire officers that

arrived here were dreading the worst, but when they arrived, they

established that nobody had been in front of the building and nobody

was inside. They have spoken to the builders and it was under

renovation, but thankfully, there was nobody inside. There is an

awful lot of damage. The road has been closed off. People are waiting

to see what has developed. Fire officers have been shouting into

the rubble since we have been here. We do not know how long this road

will be closed, but if you know Ocean Road, it happened at 5:30pm.

Now, the weather. Can be expected some spring sunshine? It has been

It will continue with mixed fortunes, but I think it would be

quite fine and settled. A lovely settled shot here from all the

water. Getting us in no mood for Rachel Baird weekend. If you get

the opportunity, the daffodils are allowed to with this spectacular

display. Let's have a look at the headline in more detail, it would

be very mild in the region this weekend. Mostly dry and in the east,

some good, sunny spells to take you through Saturday and Sunday. This

evening, a lot of cloud around which will stay with us overnight,

but the drizzly rain will finally move off by dawn tomorrow morning.

With cloud in place, temperatures not dipping took far. Seven-nine

degrees. Tomorrow morning, there will be a bit of drizzle around

Cumbria first thing, but it will not be long before it disappears.

More cloudy on the western side, but it should stay dry through the

remainder of the day. As the cloud comes up and over the Pennines, it

should break up so the best a brightness and sunshine will be at

the North East coast. High a temperatures in the east of 14, 15

degrees Celsius tomorrow. Above- average. 10-12 for Cumbria. Mild

everywhere. Settled for the weekend, because of this high pressure in

charge. Again, most of us will be dried this weekend, but then East,

West spit in terms of sunshine and cloud on Sunday. Over the weekend,

a quick reminder, the best of the sunshine right across the East and

Sunday afternoon for the North East coast, it looks particularly bright.

Temperatures, doing well, staying above double figures everywhere.

Peking in the mid-teens. If you're out and about this weekend, the

sunshine it will be in the North East coast but you should not have

to wrap up to warm our data umbrellas. If you are out and about,

send us your weather pictures. Thank you. What every you're doing,