14/05/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Detectives continue to question a man over the murder of

Claudia Lawrence as forensic teams search houses

Jobs gloom as unemployment goes up in the North East ` the only part

And, they're the dedicated followers of fashion ` we meet

the aspiring clothing designers hoping to make it to the top.

In sport, we look at Gateshead?s bid to end a 54`year

And, Newcastle United answer the question ` will Alan Pardew be

First tonight, detectives are still questioning

a man on suspicion of killing the York chef Claudia Lawrence.

Michael Snelling, who's 59, was arrested yesterday at

Today, forensics officers continued their search of that property,

along with the house he lived in, in York itself.

We'll be live there with Phil Connell in a few moments.

First, Gerry Jackson has been following the activity on

North Tyneside, a place where Mr Snelling has longstanding links.

Yes, and quite a few people here know him. It is five years and two

months since Roger Lawrence disappeared on her way to work.

Weeks after the police announced a renewed investigation into her

supposed murder, enquiries have turned to this ordinary looking

semidetached home close to North Tyneside's coast road. Here,

officers have spent a second day in a meticulous search for evidence.

Day two, and, while their suspect was being held at 90 miles away, his

former home was once again being examined. Neighbours say Michael

Snelling grew up in this area, and in recent years has frequently

returned from his York workplace to visit his mother here. Forensics

officers with specialist search equipment has spent much of today

inside the property. A search dog has also formed part of the

investigation. We understand this is a device to scan for fingerprints.

One neighbour who has lived for many years that she has known the 59 your

old since he was 13. She paints a picture of a caring son who died on

his mother, a keen Newcastle United fan, and in her view, in every

respect, a respectable man. Unlike Vista Snelling's home in York, this

house so far bears no signs of close inspection of the garden, but it is

another indication to Claudia's family and friends that this

investigation is moving more quickly and extensively than it has for much

of the last five years. In absence of any body of Claudia, the family

have taken a more hopeful line, and I think that continues until it is

disproved. For most of today, the uniformed police presence has

consisted of one officer in this quiet Tyneside neighbourhood. For

now, the main focus of this murder hunt remains elsewhere.

We have regarded this street in North Shields as a brand`new

location in the inquiry, but we have since learned there was a brief

forensic search of this property little over a year ago. Something

has prompted the police not just to reawaken their interest in this

house, but to spend two more days inside it.

Forensic searches have been continuing at the York home

Phil Connell has spent the day there for us and joins us live now.

Well the second day of this investigation, and here in York this

semidetached house remains the focus of the police inquiry. This morning,

forensic teams arrived to carry on with their investigation, searching

inside the house, and also in the back garden. The area behind the

garage here this morning, a blue tent was erected, and throughout the

day, that seems to have been the focus of the investigation. This

afternoon, a sniffer dog arrived from the South Yorkshire force to

help with the investigation. The man who lives here, 59`year`old Michael

Snelling armour is still being questioned by detectives in York

tonight. Earlier today, it emerged he had worked as a lab technician at

York University, the same place where Claudia had worked as a chef.

Has there been any more reaction from family and friends in York?

For family and friends it remains an incredibly difficult time. We hope

that this arrest came as a complete surprise to them. Earlier, we spoke

to one close friend of Claudia who told us how they have been coping. I

have never totally given up hope, and I have always wanted a

resolution. That has not changed. As time has gone on, you have to get on

with life to a certain extent, but Claudia's disappearance has been

part of my life over the last five years, and it will be for ever.

Police are still stressing tonight that Claudia has not been found, and

that more arrests could follow in this investigation.

A man who denies murdering his wife has told Manchester Crown

Court he first started hearing voices in his head and seeing

Ahmed Al`Khatib admits killing Rania Alayed,

who's originally from Stockton, but denies murder on grounds

The court has also been hearing about extensive social media

exchanges in the weeks before Rania's death.

The family of the three men who died in a kayaking tragedy on the

River Tyne on Sunday have released photos of their loved ones.

Brothers Darren Thorpe, who was 41, and Mark Thorpe, who was 39,

Their cousin Gavin Bradley, who was 36, came from Jarrow.

The men had intended to kayak down the river to Wylam, but,

when they failed to return home to South Tyneside on Sunday night, the

The search for 19`year`old Luke Pearce, is now into its fourth day.

The student went missing after a night out with friends

Luke hasn't been seen since the early hours of Sunday

morning when he left his friends after a night out at Jimmy Allen's.

Unemployment has gone up in the North East ` the only part

The number of people without a job increased by 5,000 to 135,000

In Cumbria, the number claiming benefit is down to just under 6,300.

So, given that surprise rise in North East unemployment, what can we

Many experts foresee yet more people choosing to become self`employed.

This will sleep five people, it has got its own shower, toilet and

self`contained kitchen unit. Out here will be the fire pit and a

fantastic view. Tom is one of a 4.5 million countrywide army. He is self

employed, a sector that has grown by 650,000 people since the recession

started in 2008. For Tom, starting his campaign business in North

Yorkshire was an alternative to unemployment. I was working as a

chartered surveyor. When the downturn hit, it appeared to be an

ideal opportunity. But there are downsides. More than a quarter of

newly self`employed people said they would rather be working for an

employer. A typical self`employed worker earns less than the typical

employee, and nearly 30% of self`employed people pay into a

pension, compared to 51% of employees. The reason for prizes in

self`employment are complex. There is an older workforce putting off

retirement, a growing desire to be our own boss, and a weak jobs market

has meant there are fewer options. In the north`east there are 124,000

self`employed people. That figure could rise, given today's surprise

hike in unemployment. Peter's agency is here to give them loans. The cash

going to the self`employed affected by changes in the steel industry,

said various areas in the region. We have dealt with in number of

businesses that have started off with self`employment, maybe two

people in a room in a back office, and they have blossomed. And the

rise of the self`employed looks set to continue. 5 million is the

It's just over a week until polling begins

In the North East, three seats are up for grabs.

So, to help you decide who should fill them,

our Political Editor Richard Moss has taken Look North's hot seats to

Gateshead to bring candidates face to face with the voters.

All we now need are some European election candidates so the voters

can put them through their paces. First up with a question, it is

ironic, who is worried about immigration. Our people coming in,

contributing to the country, they pay their taxes, that there are a

hell of a lot here for a free ride. The majority of people come into the

UK to work. One in seven businesses that are started in the UK are

started up by immigrants, so they are creating jobs. I think there is

a lot of misunderstanding about immigration. I don't think there is

any misunderstanding. How can this country survive much longer when it

is being squeezed so tight. But the reality is that is not the

responsibility of immigrants in the north`east. 40% of the NHS, the vast

majority in the north`east is dependent on migrant workers

bringing in their skills and looking after people across the region. The

important thing is to make sure that anyone who comes to the country

comes here to work and not just a claim in a fit. The covenant has put

steps in place to ensure that. There has to be six months before you can

claim any benefits, and then if you don't get a job you have to go back

to your own country. At the moment, there are 27 other countries who

have a complete open door. UKIP is saying we should have a fair points

`based system so those who are coming into the country are those

who are going to work hard, make a difference. A great start for UKIP,

but I have a feeling their candidate won't get on quite so well with

Craig. Nissan is one of the biggest employers in the north`east. 8% of

the cast made there are sold back to Europe. If we come out of Europe,

those trade links that we have will dissolve. Where will that leave us?

People will say that those jobs are not necessarily at risk if we pull

out, but it calls into question the investment decisions of the

companies in investing in the north`east. At the moment, we have

the highest unemployment in the country. We should focus all of our

attention on bringing in more in basement `` investment into the

north`east to create good jobs for local people, rather than putting

them at risk. Labour accused UKIP of scaremongering. Outside of the EU,

we would still continue to trade with the EU.

Not on the scale that it is at the moment. It would not be in any

one's interests to impose tariffs on the UK. I am how that Nissan was

brought to the UK by Margaret Thatcher's government. We work hard

to ensure they continue to have access to the single market. I find

it funny that you take credit for bringing Nissan to the north`east.

It is a fact, you can see it. It was during her government that happen.

You might not like it as a Labour supporter, but it happen. I am not a

Labour supporter. To have strong representatives in Brussels means

they can actually help with legislation that affects businesses

here. Eurosceptic Karina seems like a

better bet for UKIP, but she has an awkward question for their

candidates. If you view the European Union as undemocratic, is it

hypocritical to take away from the European Parliament? You have to

take up the seeds are otherwise you can't use that platform to campaign

for what you are going to achieve, and you can find out what is going

to happen, and let people know what it happening. It is important we

have someone strong in the European Parliament. There is no more

bureaucracy then there is in local council. It is in the

administration. As long as the EU is developing policies, it is my role

to get in there, work on the legislation, represent the

north`east and make it better. Glenda is worried about jobs. I feel

like the young people of today have been thrown on the scrap heap. What

is your opinion and how will you help? We have been pushing in the

European Parliament for a youth guarantee, focusing on regions like

the north`east where we have high unemployment in the youth areas.

Fans need to be channelled into create jobs, and good

apprenticeships, and also training opportunities. Almost a million

young people are unemployed in this country at a time when have I

uncontrolled immigration. We need to do better, we accept that. We have

to do encourage more industry, expand the single market, get more

people to come and invest in the region. So, our European candidates

have just over a week before they find out which one will head for the

hot seat in Brussels. There are eight parties

in total standing in the European You can see a full list

of candidates for all the regions North Yorkshire police have released

59`year`old Michael Snelling on conditional bail following the

arrest yesterday related to the disappearance of chef Claudia

Lawrence. We will bring you more at 10:25pm.

Some of the biggest names in the fashion industry keep a sharp

eye on graduates from Northumbria University for up and coming talent.

That's why hundreds of aspiring designers apply to study

But only 20% of them make it onto the course.

As part of this year's Newcastle Fashion Week,

the students show their final year collections to buyers.

But, do they have what it takes to make it to the top?

Their creations do the talking, the models do the walking. A year of

work and into a matter of minutes. The final year fashion students show

their collections. The collection is based on Margaret Thatcher, this

idea of a woman in a man's world. As a young fashion student from

Bedlington, choosing Margaret Thatcher as they style icon is

controversial, isn't it? It is, or the connotations that go with it,

but it seemed relevant, when we started researching it was the time

when she passed away. That was the key inspiration for the collection.

I have been trying to challenge conventions of fabric using silicon

rubber. You have made all of these yourself? Yes, I have made moulds.

It is all done by hand. It has been a painstaking process. The course

was set up 60 years ago to provide skilled labour for garment

manufacturing in the region. Over the years, factories have closed,

workforces disbanded, but here in the faculty of Art and design, that

skills live on. I have spent 20 years in the industry, and being one

of the last seamstresses out of the industry I feel it is important for

me to work in an environment like this so I can pass on my skills of

what has become a dying trade in the UK. And that is despite being highly

sought`after in the global fashion industry. On average, 350 students

apply here every year but only 70 are taken on a half of whom are from

the north`east. Once they graduate, more than 80% get full`time jobs.

That's largely thanks to former students, who are now holding top

jobs for high end and high`street labels,. We have a huge body of al

night around the world. Dash`macro alumni. They have a huge amount of

industry experience. A lot of them won't go to recruitment agencies,

they will come to us because they know the knowledge and experience

that our students have. Northumbria University for fashion

is regarded as the creme de la creme of fashion colleges. We produce

fantastic fashion designers who go on to work for fabulous brands.

On to sport, and we now know the answer to the question every

Newcastle United fan's been asking for the past few days ` will

Within the last couple of hours, Newcastle United has confirmed that

Alan Pardew will remain as the Magpies' manager.

He's been under pressure from some supporters, after a slump which

saw the team lose seven of their last eight Premier League games.

But, at a meeting of the Fans' Forum, the minutes of which have

just been released, the board said Pardew would keep his job, that

owner Mike Ashley isn?t actively trying to sell the club, and that

the priority next season would be the Premier League above any Cup

This Sunday they go to Wembley, trying to win back their place

in the Football League after more than half a century.

Last night, Gateshead's Gary Mills was honoured

for his incredible work in turning the football club around, when he

picked up the Manager of the Year trophy at the National Game Awards,

In the space of just eight months, Mills has taken the club

from relegation candidates to the Conference Play`Off final.

Mark Tulip caught up with the squad, on a day trip to one of Gateshead's

Tourists and footballers alike converging

on the Angel of the North, the nineties brainchild of London`born

sculptor Antony Gormley, who was just ten when Gateshead were voted

Also bidding for iconic status, the new Wembley Stadium `

nine years younger than the Angel, but no stranger to a few

We scored a goal right at the end in the last minute to wind at Wembley,

it was unbelievable. To get there for Gateshead is a massive

achievement. He has a winning mentality, and that

proves, finishing third. Hopefully we can go on and get to the football

league on Sunday. He played in an FA Cup semifinal, but that wasn't at

Wembley, was it? No, it was at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, we lost the

game. Not good memories of that game. But it is another game which

is high profile, but this time it is that the new Wembley and everyone is

looking forward to it. The manager is the man who, as a teen aged,

guided them back via a Wembley final. I was involved in 1980, I

played in the European cup at 16. I have one at Wembley, I have scored

at Wembley. I have had a lovely career. I look back on it with fond

memories, but this would be the greatest achievement for me. You

cannot put into words what 90 minutes of football means to

Gateshead football club. You can apply the same tag to this man, Gary

Mills, the Gateshead boss. We will have more on Gateshead

tomorrow. In cricket, Sri Lankan batsman Kumar

Sangakkara finally hit form in his Signed up for two games as part of

his preparations for the upcoming Test match series with England,

Sangakkar hit 159 as Durham reached With the game badly affected

by rain, it finished in a draw. Time for the weather forecast now.

It is unusual to follow cricket with a mention of sunshine! This was the

view earlier on today. Tomorrow the sun will come out again, but it will

be a slow start. A damp start in some places, but it will become

warmer in the afternoon. Through this evening and into the night,

cloud spills from the West, thick enough give some light rain and

drizzle through the first part of the night. That moves eastwards. A

mucky and to the night. Nothing colder than eight or nine Celsius

under those clouds. A great start for many, with some misty conditions

and the odd spot of rain. Why the afternoon, the cloud will lift and

break, giving a much lighter feel to the second half of the day. A

weather front passing through tonight will introduce warmer air

and temperatures will be up on today. Through the next few days,

high pressure is in charge. Sunday looks like a bit of a change with a

weather front coming from the north`west, which will eventually

bring some cloud and rain. In the meantime, there is a lot of dry

weather to be had. For tomorrow and Friday, most places dry. Assemble,

for most of us. Friday looks to be a nice day with temperatures on the

up. Another fine day for most of us on Saturday. Things will start to

change on Sunday with thickening cloud. We will keep you posted.

Remember, if you have got a picture that you think should feature in

next year's weather calendar for May, do let us have it.

That led from the team this evening. Join us again at 10:25pm. Goodbye.

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