30/09/2013 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, welcome to Look North. In the programme tonight...

After Durham's Chief Constable's call to legalise hard drugs, another

top officer speaks out about the misery heroin can bring to family

life. 18 years for Pamela Jackson's

killer, but her family says it is not enough.

Claims that 3,000 people are using food banks in Middlesbrough, but one

local politician says people on benefits should spend more on food

and less on drink and cigarettes. And the final chapter for the

Lindisfarne Gospels. A act more The exhibition closes tonight, after

nearly 100,000 people view the historic manuscripts. As a And in

tonight's Team Talk, Newcastle prepare to take on the Premier

League's only unbeaten side. And another defeat for Sunderland,

but Kevin Ball will remain in charge for the clash with Manchester

United. 43 organised criminal gangs in one

single county — all of them making money from supplying illegal drugs.

And now, that county's Chief Constable says the war on drugs has

failed. Mike Barton, of Durham Police, says it is time to end the

prohibition of Class A drugs like heroin. Low He says, instead, the

NHS could supply the drugs, reducing crime figures, breaking the power of

the gangs and giving society the chance to wean users away from their

addictions. His views came in an article he has

written for a national newspaper and he is one of the most senior figures

to speak out against government policy. Chris Stewart has the story.

It costs the country billions. It is estimated that at least half of all

shoplifting and property crime is committed to get the money to feed

an addiction. But how to stop it? Time for a

rethink, says Durham's top cop. And today, support from one of his

own senior officers. And Paul Beddow knows more than most what addiction

can do. Someone very close to him,

personally, has been hooked on heroin for years. I have seen people

being destroyed, nor just direct families but extended families,

destroying everyone around them. We have to think of doing things

differently to help those individuals and families. The chief

has spoken out and spa the debate. My view is that we should talk His

boss Mike Barton has taken a calculated risk.

About the snow. He knows he will make enemies, including other police

officers and politicians. But he does have the backing of his

Commissioner, himself a former senior police officer. We already

have two legal drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, of which can cause a lot

of misery. I think we need to minimise drug use and then treat the

people afterwards. That is what we had to focus on.

The timing of this will not be an accident. It came on the day that

the Conservative party conference got underway. He says the force has

identified 43 different gangs making money from drugs will turn up the

pressure just a little bit more. He said this before Freni was working

as a young detective in Lancashire and the story was reported any local

paper. However, people in the Home Office do not have the tendency to

speak up when it is a young officer, but they do find it as the chief

constable. "What caused you to assault and kill

Pamela Jackson is known only to you." The words of the judge

immediately before he sentenced Adrian Muir to 18 years for killing

the mother of three last March. But Muir could be out in half that

time. The pair had been in a relationship, but after an argument,

he battered her to death at her home in Chester le Street, before driving

the body to West Yorkshire and burying her in a shallow grave in

the moors above Halifax. He had denied murder, but on Friday, the

jury at Newcastle Crown Court found him guilty of manslaughter.

Pamela Jackson's family were too upset to comment, then. Today, after

Muir's sentencing, they gave vent to their feelings. The past six months

can only be described as horrendous and heart—rending for our family. It

is the hardest thing we have ever had to deal with. There was never

any doubt who was responsible for taking her life. I cannot understand

how and why a lesser charge of manslaughter was given. We feel a

sense of injustice for Pamela. I feel a sense of relief that he has

been locked up. If he had admitted this in the first place, he would

not have hurt the family through so much pain. 18 years as the right

centres, but we feel robbed, because no amount of time can bring as

Pamela back. I do not know how a merger can be allowed to be given a

manslaughter sentence. He took the cowardly way out. If he had admitted

it. Nothing will bring her back. He could be out in nine years and that

is all he could get first some and who is capable of killing someone

and banning them on the move. It is not justifiable. We have got to live

with it now. We are pleased with the sentence. Every flex their nature

Pamela was killed and and the concealment and a web of lies Adrian

Muir that concocted after he had killed Pamela. That is reflected in

the manslaughter period. A The construction of Sellafield's

Evaporator D, the county's largest ongoing nuclear building project,

has moved a step closer, with the delivery by sea of the 58—tonne

evaporator vessel. Kin The module was moved into

position yesterday. The project is already late and

hundreds of millions of pounds over budget, according to a report from

The National Audit Office. 3,000 people, that is how many are

currently using foodbanks in Middlesbrough, according to the

Trussel Trust. Changes and delays to claimants' benefits are said to be

be the biggest reason for people turning up, but one of the town's

politicians has told Look North there's "no such thing as poverty"

in Middlebrough. She says some benefit claimants should be spending

their money on food — and not alcohol, cigarettes and bingo.

Stuart Whincup has tonight's Look North Report.

Kenny hates that it has come to this — a proud man, begging for food. How

do you feel about having to come here? In one word —— humiliated.

He moved from Scotland to Teesside to work at the steelworks.

He had a job, a home and a wife. Now, he has lost all three and says

his benefit payments have been delayed. You can lose your dignity.

I do not like skiing anyone for anything. I have always worked for

everything I got. It was not my fault that the closed the steelwork

is. But some question if everyone coming

here really needs free food. Joan McTigue says no child in

Middlesbrough goes hungry and few families are in desperate need. If

you ass Kenny Child —— period of the jail goes hungry and able be up in

arms. They do not. I would say, how many cigarettes do you smoke every

week, do you buy alcohol? If that is the case, they are spending their

money on the wrong things. They should be spending it on food first.

Here in Middlesbrough, The Trussel Trust had expected to feed 1,500

people a year, but that number has now doubled to 3,000.

It says changes, reductions and delays to benefit payments are the

main reasons people use foodbanks. I think we see a sense of anger from

people through the door. They are already on low income or hit by the

camp claim it and now been told they have to pay even money more money

because the price of food and fuel are rising.

That is not how everyone sees it, though, and last month, Education

Secretary Michael Gove was criticised for suggested food bank

users could not budget properly. I think what he was saying was that

they are a number of factors which create the system that lend up with

people using food banks. But with the right advice and support, it

could be overcome. It is not so simplistic that this is just because

we are in recession or because of welfare reform.

Back at the food bank, Stephen's trying to turn his life around,

after struggling to overcome his drug addiction. People do pass

judgement. People say things to you. It is nice to have some help. I have

asked the government for help. They will save you will pay this into

this account, but they say I will get paid tomorrow, so I ask them,

what will I do today? Stephen and Kenny say they do not

want to come here, but they have no choice.

Next year, the Trussel Trust says it is expecting to feed 5,000 people in

Middlesbrough. They have been here for three months

and attracted almost 100,000 visitors. But tonight, the

Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition in Durham closes its doors for the last

time and the 1,300 year—old manuscripts will return to London.

Peter Harris is in Durham for us now. People have queued here all day

to see them. When they close at ten o'clock tonight, that will be. They

build that one amazing book, one incredible job no —— Germany, but no

they will go back and know the logistical task will begin of moving

the manuscripts back under the greatest secrecy. If I told you, I

would have to kill you. I cannot tell you how they will be moved for

security reasons. But I can assure you they are not just going into my

shopping bag or in a briefcase! Nearly 100,000 people saw the

Lindisfarne Gospels Gospels. It cost nearly £1 million to stage the

event, bet the University see the bloke even because of the amount

raised in attendance contributions. If you wear gloves, you lose some of

the sensitivity and me scuff some of the edges of the pages. They are

beautiful artefacts, but people over 1,000 years have seen and responded

to them in different ways. For more than 100 volunteers, one last task

—— repaving the huge party after the doors close at ten o'clock. It has

been a wonderful thing to be involved in. It is a big party

tonight? Yes, it is a lovely chance forever and to get together. A few

drinks? I am driving, so I could not possibly be drinking expiration Mark

the University is hoping they will be backing down in seven years time.

It has been such a success that people are bound to be asking, can

we not keep the Gospels here? The Vice Chancellor thinks they should

not be kept here permanently because they are a national treasure and

because it also costs a fortune to rate this exhibition on. You have to

control the atmosphere that they will be kept at and also there is a

huge cost of security to protect them. They will be returning at

seven years intervals. But there will be a big party have done ten

o'clock for the volunteers after it closes and we will be therefore that

emulate bulletin. Business Secretary Vince Cable has

promised the BBC's Inside Out programme that he will crack down on

companies which break the law by paying less than the minimum wage.

The wage rate is going up tomorrow by 12 pence, to £6.31 an hour for

adults. But as Chris Jackson reports, critics say it is now too

costly for workers to stand up to rogue employers. Karen get a job

driving a minibus, taking disabled kids to and from school in Cumbria.

She was offered 80p a week, but similar sums did not add up. So, the

flat rate you got, the hours went up but your money did not. At one

point, I worked out that I should be getting £135 a week. She took her

boss to an industrial tribunal and one £2000. But even heading to a

tribunal would be get harder. The government has scrapped a legal aid

for employment advice and others may know have to pay a listing fee to

appear at a tribunal. People see this as left the way open for

unscrupulous employers. This is why I want the government to be more

proactive in this. We are looking at how we can toughen up the processes

to make it easier for the authorities to act. I thought the

intention was to name and shame these people? I think that naming

and shaming in the future will be a much bigger part of the action.

Across the North, 381,000 are paid the minimum wage for adults. It goes

up tomorrow to £6 31. Many are looking to see a tougher employment

policy in action. Also on Inside Out tonight, the man

who says he is "richer than the Queen" tells us about his ambitious

plans for Bishop Auckland Castle. That is Inside Out on BBC One at

7.30pm. Coming up shortly here on Look

North, Dawn is in the studio for tonight's Team Talk.

Before that, we join Durham's triumphant cricketers, as the club

receives a top award for the second time. And what does the weather

holds this week? I will be here with the full forecast for the region

shortly. Following a fantastic season, which

silenced quite a few critics, Durham Cricket Club has been awarded a

prestigious honour for the second time. Captain Paul Collingwood was

presented with the Chairman's Medal by Durham County Council at a

special ceremony this afternoon. The award was also bestowed on the club

in 2008. In its 21st year as a first—class

county, Durham Cricket Club has not only won the County Championship,

their third victory in six years, it also hosted the Ashes.

And the combination was enough to win them the Chairman's Medal for

the second time. Durham County Council are particularly happy with

the wealth of local talent coming through. It is a great achievement

and it is nearly all local talent, home—grown talent, and I think that

the beginning of this season, they were not given much of a chance, but

proved everybody wrong. Good for them.

The victory has been made all the sweeter for captain Paul

Collingwood, because before the season even started some people were

already writing it off. They did not give is any chance whatsoever in

terms of doing very well in the championship. Most people were

saying we would be relegated. Fortunately, the guys did not listen

to that too much. Maybe even gave the motivation to go out and prove

people wrong. And for Ben Stokes, today is extra

special, as he has just been selected for the Ashes series in

Australia this winter, after being sent home from there during the

England Lions tour for living it up a bit too much. Nobody 's life is

perfect. He probably had a bit of time to reflect a map. The selectors

have obviously thrown out an olive branch and his ability and potential

has been rewarded. So, Durham are on top of the cricket

world and you are about to see them again in tonight's Team Talk.

That has got you thinking! First, the news that Sunderland will not be

announcing a permanent successor to Paolo Di Canio any time this week?

No, that is because Kevin Ball, the Interim Head Coach, as they call

him, has been told he will be in charge for this weekend's home game

with Manchester United. The club clearly feeling the team is in safe

hands for the moment. Yes, Ball's first Premier League

game in charge, yesterday's 3—1 defeat by Liverpool, watched by

owner Ellis Short. The only way is up?

No. I think he is saying, we have only got one point!

Kevin Ball, looking very studious here, but he just did not have much

luck. No, he took family Stone to meet the owners Elio in the day.

Now, there was the handball missed for the opening goal by Daniel

Sturridge. That was a nice sliding tackle. And here are Durham Cricket

club again, pleading leading the trophy they won at half time. That

inspired a comeback in the second half. They could have equalised, but

we have speeded this up from a Sunderland, comedy did not touch it

again and was finished off and 3—1 for Liverpool. If you like today, we

put any decent performance, but the result did not come our way. Whoever

gets appointed, they know that the players will want to work hard and

are willing to work hard. I will probably speak to the board tomorrow

and we will just see what happens. We will take it from there.

Newcastle play Everton tonight. The Blues are the Premier League's only

unbeaten team. Yes and Alan Pardew is still smarting from last

weekend's defeat to Hull, but the Magpies French trio of Loic Remy,

Yohan Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa are all in the squad, having been rested

for the midweek League Cup win against Leeds. Newcastle have won

just one of their last ten trips to Goodison Park, while Everton have

not lost at home this year. We have got more offensive player this year

and this bodes well for scoring goals, but we cannot defend the

re—re— dead and Alaska reroll those the game.

We have to play that game behind us and we are committed to getting a

good performance at Everton. Further down the divisions, we had

two winners and two losers, with Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray

labelling his side's performance "unacceptable", in the 2—0 defeat at

QPR, who were ahead inside four minutes.

And against a team who had already kept seven clean sheets this season,

it was uphill from there. Joey Barton's shot deflected in by

defender Frazer Richardson. Young Ben Gibson, nephew of chairman

Steve Gibson, making his full league debut for the club, was hit on the

arm by a shot from former Boro midfielder Gary O'Neill. A very

harsh penalty, but that was game over.

In League One, though, Carlisle are going well under caretaker boss

Graham Kavanagh. It may be picked a better pressure on the chairman, but

it is a good headache to have. Matty Robson's free—kick saw the Blues

come from behind to beat Notts County. David Amoo making it three

wins out of three since Kavanagh took charge.

In League Two, yet another home defeat for Hartlepool, this time at

the hands of Oxford. Luke James's third goal in two games

made it 1—1, but after Oxford went back in front, the game turned on

this penalty given against keeper Scott Flinders.

This made it 3—1, in the last minute, but there was still time for

Steven Howard to be shown a straight red for this tackle. Pools are

likely to appeal over that one. Better news from Bootham Crescent,

though, where York city picked up their first win since the opening

day of the season. It was 1—1 with Portsmouth, before the Minstermen

knocked in three goals in the space of just eight minutes, through Lewis

Montrose, Ryan Jarvis, and Wes Fletcher's second of the match.

Now, in rugby union, there was a real nailbiter at Kingston Park

yesterday? Yes, Newcastle Falcons went within

inches of potentially beating Gloucester in rugby union's

Premiership, but in the end, they had to settle for a losing bonus

point. Dean Richards side got off to a

flying start, as the Falcons broke through the Gloucester defence in

the first minute, allowing winger Tom Catterick to touch down for the

Falcons first try of the season. Rory Clegg converted from the

touchline. It was left to the video ref to

confirm Rob Cooks' try for Gloucester, but Newcastle still had

a five—point lead at half time. After the break, the Cherry and

Whites took the lead for the first time, with another try and penalty

and Gloucester had a 22—16 lead, as the clock ticked down.

With 20 seconds left, Ally Hogg looked to have got over the line,

but was judged to have been held up, much to the disgust of the crowd. A

losing bonus point only slight consolation.

Newcastle Eagles got the new basketball season off to a winning

start, but local rivals Durham Wildcats pushed them all the way on

Friday night. The Eagles led by 15 points at half—time, but really had

to hold on, after Durham battled back to within one score in the

final period. Darius Defoe top scored with 22 points in the 85—78

victory. And the Eagles made it two wins from two last night, as they

thrashed Cheshire Phoenix 106—65. And we have saved the best till

last, because another speedway trophy has landed in the region. And

Newcastle Diamonds were 12 points down from the first leg of their

Premier League Cup final with Ipswich Witches, but they romped

home by 65—27 in the return on Tyneside last night.

They were helped by injuries to two key Ipswich riders inside the first

five heats, but the Diamonds showed no mercy and went on to lift the

silverware for the second time in three seasons. You will do.

It was a marvellous weekend. Yes, M Oldfield more timely —— more

all Tom Noel over the next few years.

The headline for the next few days, cloudy and breezy, especially in the

North East. Mostly dry overnight. For partly cloudy night with the odd

spot of rain in the West of Cumbria. Tempi adjusting up into double

figures overnight. First thing tomorrow, cloudy and gloomy in the

North East. There will be some great breaks in Cumbria, but that will

begin to cloud over during the day. The best of the weather probably in

the North Pennines. High temperatures of 15 Celsius, the

further south you are. In Cumbria, high temperatures of 70 degrees

Celsius. —— 17 Celsius. In more pleasant day they are. Over the next

couple of days, enters an argument between high pressure in the West

and low pressure in the East. Notice the squeeze on the right lanes,

which will mean strong breezes, especially for the East Coast, with

the rain coming up overnight on Thursday. So, fairly changeable over

the next few days. What does that mean for the towns and cities over

the next few days? There you can see the mixture of cloned and sunshine

for the next couple of days and it becoming more gloomy as the week

progresses, particularly for the North East. Rain and showers could

come in the next couple of hours. Orwell, it was nice while it lasted!

We are back at 10:25pm. Goodbye for now.