23/05/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Welcome to Friday's Look North. In tonight's headlines: A life sentence

for a man obsessed by the lottery. He murdered his neighbour. She was a

pensioner who tried to help him. Local election results. No councils

change hands. Labour continue to dominate and UKIP win two seats in

Hartlepool. Ready for home. The country's young heart patient is

leaving hospital for the very first time. Parking patrols.

Schoolchildren ticket dangerously parked cars following concerns over

safety. The forecast later. In sport, Durham are hoping for a

rain`free weekend, with England's cricketers in town on Sunday. But

will the merger of rugby league and rugby union go down a storm as

Thunder join forces with the Falcons?

Murdered for just ?30 by a man who'd blown his benefits on the national

lottery. It's a tragic story. Rose Doughty, who was 72, was killed at

her flat in the Netherfields area of Middlesbrough by a neighbour,

41`year`old Christian Darko. He was a man she'd repeatedly helped. Darko

admitted killing her, but said it was manslaughter because of

diminished reponsibility. A jury this afternoon decided it was

murder. He was given life and will serve a minimum of 27 years. Our

Chief Reporter Chris Stewart has the story.

A man so consumed by greed it would cost a kindly neighbour her life.

Christian Darko came from Ghana and didn't like Teesside. His plan was

to win the National Lottery to pay for a move to London. And that's

where his money went. How much exactly? His benefits were ?75 a

week and of that ?60 went on lottery tickets. He had convinced himself

the big win was just around the corner. It's the day of the murder

and Darko's leaves his flat to go upstairs to ask Rose Doughty for

money. But in the carrier bag, there's a knife. And when she

refuses this time to hand over any cash, he kills her. He takes ?30

from her handbag within ten minutes, he'd be spending some of that money

on more lottery tickets. Mrs Doughty's daughter says there could

only be one verdict. He went up there with the intention to kill our

wonderful mother. He did it out of greed. It had to be murder and not

manslaughter because he murdered her. Your mum was a kind woman in a

way because she was kind he went back to be pestered again and again?

If she was not kind she would not be dead. She was a good neighbour and

lent him a flask with hot water the night before, we are talking about

the winter months and had no electricity due to him spending his

disposable income being spent on the lottery. So a kind grandmother who

paid a dreadful price for that kindness. That, says her family,

makes her loss even harder to bear. Finally they're all in. The region's

local election results have been declared. And while UKIP has two new

councillors in Hartlepool and came second in many wards across the

region it didn't make a wider breakthrough. Here's the final

picture tonight. Labour held on to all its councils and the

Conservatives maintained their grip in Harrogate. And while high profile

Lib Dems kept their Newcastle seats the party struggled elsewhere

finishing sixth in one Carlisle ward. So nine councils held

elections. None changed hands and out of the 175 seats up for grabs

across the North East and Cumbria it was a good night for Labour. With

the round`up of a long night and the morning after here's our Political

Correspondent Mark Denten. Tonight 's political weather report, no

earthquakes but a few political casualties. In Hartlepool UKIP

picked up two seats, one from Labour and one from the independents.

People are voting for UKIP because we are a national party with a lot

of new and positive ideas for the way the country needs to be run. We

are beginning to resonate with the local population. But that was the

high point for UKIP. There was a lot of second places but no more seats.

In Sunderland, the party picked up more than 30% of the votes. Labour

held the council but the man lost his seat to an independent. The

elections were close and there have been over the last 12 years. It was

one of those things where I knew it would have to go right to the wire,

70 votes in it that's all. The Conservatives gained a seat, but

lost one as well. We have coming with a councils and will go out with

eight councillors. We have been able to increase our majority quite

considerably. Overall it has been a good night. In Carlisle, Labour held

the council and gained one seat. The Conservatives were unchanged. The

two politicians locked in that general election both found reasons

to be cheerful. We held our own and within the city council especially

so it is a good result. We held overseas we hope to hold and our

votes have held up to. It is a good base going forward to the general

election next year. The Lib Dems were brutally exposed, not only

losing a seat but coming six as well. Their tally was only 31 votes.

At the end of the day it is pretty dismal for us. But that is politics

isn't it. I think things could turn around. There was better news for

the Lib Dems in South Lakeland. They only lost one seat. In Newcastle

those relieved faces tell it all. The Lib Dems get their sees thereto.

We know one or two seats were targeted by the labours, mine was

one of them so we're pleased to have one. We are pleased Newcastle have

faith in the Liberal Democrats. 24 councillors which is enough to hold

and ministry in to account which is exactly what we will continue to do.

Labour gained a seat in North Tyneside, cue a happy Labour mayor.

We have held onto our seas and gain two. I think any other counties will

have done that. There was disappointment for Tyneside, the

former mayor could not get back on the council beaten by Labour. Better

news for her colleagues 80 miles south. They held Harrogate council,

once again a story of UKIP coming second but with no wins. We have

come second and we're reasonably idol of winning, but nationally we

have had a good day. Labour stayed strong in Tyneside and Gateshead

holding 18 seats and losing once an independent. In Gateshead there was

no change, Labour and Lib Dems kept the same seats. No political

earthquakes or councils shifted, also scratching their heads trying

to work out the political weather forecast.

Our political editor Richard Moss joins me now. Richard, what do these

results mean? Good question. On the face nothing much has changed.

Labour still dominate and the Lib Dems took another hit. The

Conservatives are main strong in areas where they have often been

strong. We have the UKIP factor though T. What does this mean. They

polled well but have no seats. They wanted to build a bridge to these

councils to gain seats on them. Their opposition can turn around and

say you voted UKIP but they did not get anywhere. What they hope is the

will be cracks in the foundation so voting UKIP will become habit. There

is an antiestablishment feeling. In Copeland in West Cumbria there was a

referendum to have and are elected mayor. This council has been

controlled by Labour for 35 years but now the control is under threat.

They wanted an elected mayor, the first authority to buy one of these

since 2001. When you are run by an elected mayor or whatever party,

what does not change the budget cuts on how to manage these. We still

have the European elections as well. What can we expect from those? That

could be great news for UKIP. The polling shows they have a chance to

get the first MEP in the North. The rest of the combination, Labour

should judging by these figures come top of the pile in the north`east.

All these parties will be studying this to look at the next back set of

elections, crucial seats I Carlisle and Stockton South which Labour need

to win to get into power. Thanks Richard. And there'll be more

analysis of the local election results in Sunday Politics at

23.00PM on BBC One. A woman's body was recovered from

the River Tyne this morning although formal identification has not been

identified yet. She has been missing from a home in Byker since May the

2nd. A coroner's ruled that a 17`year`old

boy whose body was discovered on a Cumbrian beach killed himself after

receiving violent threats on Facebook.

Callum Moody`Chapman from Grimsby went missing from his aunt's home in

Maryport just days before last Christmas. A postmortem found that

he'd drowned. Today an inquest heard he'd sobbed as he read threats made

on the social media site. Callum Moody Chapman, was described as a

happy`go`lucky boy, who loved his family and put others before

himself. Keen on skateboarding and riding his BMX, Callum had no

problem making friends. You never could meet another boy like him, if

he got into trouble at school he wouldn't be in trouble long because

he knew how to work his charm. You know, he was unbelievable. But one

weekend last December his life was turned upside down when he read

threats to stab and beat him on Facebook. He was so troubled by it a

coroner decided today, he killed himself. After today's hearing,

Callum's mum and dad said cyber bullying had taken their son's life.

From what I would say to parents is, I know you don't like trying to be

nosy and look into your child's personal accounts or whatever, but

you have to look out for the signs, the signs of bullying. The cyber

bullying going on at the moment is rife. There are people out there

that do it, they use Facebook as a weapon not as what it should be used

for friends and for genuine chats. The evidence Callum's family heard

was harrowing. The night he disappeared, he came to the harbour

here crying and sobbing, he made two phone calls. One was to's older

brother Robert to say yet messed up his life and he was sorry and asked

his brother to say goodbye to his baby niece. The second call was to

his father Kevin, he said simply, dad I love you. One 17`year`old boy

who cannot be named for legal reasons, earlier this year pleaded

guilty for charges of assault and offences under the malicious

Communications act. A baby thought to be one of the

a baby thought to be one of the youngest in the world to undergo

open`heart surgery is now well enough to go home. Chanel Murrish

had just been born when open heart surgery was carried out to save her

life, with another seven hour operation only a week later. Only

half of her heart had developed. 50 medical experts have been involved

in saving her. Here's our health reporter, Sharon Barbour. Watching

her baby sleep peacefully is a sight this mother feared she may never

see. A scan when Fay Murrish was pregnant revealed only half her

baby's heart had developed. Her chances of survival were low. I was

given three options, we could terminate the pregnancy, we could go

on with the pregnancy and give birth naturally and go away without any

intervention. Or we could take every option and every medical procedure

to help. But something remarkable happened. They saw what appeared to

be their baby give the thumbs`up from the womb and believed she was

telling her parents everything was ok. They decided to do everything

they could to save her with the help of around 50 medical experts in

Newcastle. There was a big crowd behind us, I had a team with me. She

outshone me completely. She had a big crowd in the corner already to

grab her as soon as they cut the cord. Her cry turn to a gasp and all

I heard was somebody shouts get out of here we do not have time. Lots of

different specialists were there involved. The intense this tier, the

other cardiologists, the cardiac surgeons, lots of expertise with

everybody pulling together to try and arrange things so I delivery was

as smooth as possible. The baby was resuscitated and then ventilated as

well, the surgeon opened her chest afterwards. After this life`saving

open`heart surgery, this was the moment she opened her eyes five days

later. Two days later, she underwent another seven hour open`heart

operation against the risks were high. Now at three months old,

Chanel, the youngest baby in the world to undergo major heart surgery

is ready to go home. There she will need more operations and possibly a

transplant in the future. For now though, after such a scary start,

Chanel number five member of the family is going home at last. It

makes you take every day at a time and we are very grateful. She is a

picture isn't she? Now it's often claimed there are too many charity

shops on our high streets. Well, a north east charity is about to

expand the concept by opening a charity supermarket possibly the

first in the country. Our Business Correspondent Ian Reeve reports.

There are more than 10,000 charity shops in the country. Bu it has been

claimed only one charity warehouse. It is here on the outskirts of

Stockton, selling from a vast space to raise cash, for a charity that

helps families affected by autism. Primarily it is a fundraising

exercise, but we wanted to be a hub for parents and supporters so they

can meet and share issues. Hopefully also buy something and obviously

donate things because we want things donated for other people to buy. For

Mr Dicken, the warehouse is a return to the poor track area of Stockton.

A place once home to a major part of his DIY empire. Come to Dickens home

improvement hypermarket at Stockton. You will realise why people say

there is nothing else like it in the country. Unlike in those days, there

will only be one paid staff member here. The charity needs about ?1

million a year. 20 volunteers will keep it going. I think people come,

and feel engaged. It will be a huge superstar, there is a lot of

organisation and logistics going into it but we have a tremendous

team of volunteers that are dedicating all of their time and

energy into making it work. But will people come here and spend? Charity

shops get a bad press, supposedly taking over how high Street. ``

hour. How about the concept on an enormous scale? It is a new unique

experience. The coffee shop helps with that, the free Wi`Fi, we want

people to come in and say, I am going to go back there again and

enjoy the experience. It does not look like a charity shop. It doesn't

feel like one when you come in. There could be more warehouse is

established by this particular charity, maybe ten in the

north`east. It may be the start of a trend that will be copied elsewhere.

Quite a concept. Inconsiderate drivers who park too close to a

County Durham school have been targeted by teachers and pupils this

afternoon. The children and staff at Vane Road Primary in Newton Aycliffe

handed out leaflets to parents on the school run, asking them to park

more safely near the school. Adrian Pitches reports. School is out that

these pupils have one more assignments. It is to stop people

parking outside the school and risking people 's lives. I only go

across the road to school but I need to go with my mum because I cannot

see which way the cars are coming because they parked outside the

house. The children's other one is spearheading this they are asking us

as adults to help them be more safe in the school. The parking

vigilantes are welcomed by parents and grandparents alike. It is great

everyone is getting together to solve this problem. I've been

getting on to them about this for years. It has got a really bad over

the last few years. Shouldn't we hand out tickets though? I think we

have to give out fixed penalty notices because as I say it is

saving youngsters from injury and that is what we are here all about.

It is not just about the kids, it is about the residents as well who

complain about their and safety and their own problems when they come

back or go from their homes. After half term pupils and police will see

if the campaign has worked. Time for sport now, and one of the

region's longest`serving footballers is on the move, Jeff? Yes ` not

quite sure where, yet. He's on his holidays at the moment, so we might

find out next week. The man in questions is Shola Ameobi released,

as expected, by Newcastle United today, after 14 years with the club.

Steve Bruce is keen to take him to Hull City. Meanwhile, Magpies'

defender Paul Dummett has said he's received on`line death threats from

Uruguayan fans, after their star man, Luis Suarez, went in for a knee

operation this week. The injury has interrupted the country's World Cup

preparations, and they blame Dummett for this challenge in United's game

with Liverpool, 12 days ago. The youngster was sent off but the red

card was later rescinded and there's no evidence the tackle was directly

responsible for Suarez's problem. It's nearly 120 years since rugby

split into separate codes League and Union. But today, in an unusual

move, the region's only top`flight rugby union club Newcastle Falcons

ended months of speculation by announcing they've taken over rugby

league side Gateshead Thunder to unite professional game in the north

east under one umbrella. The move will apparently benefit both clubs.

15 years ago, Gateshead Thunder had one ill`fated season in rugby

league's top`flight. Since then, after more financial problems than

anybody cares to remember, they are now in the third tier of the game.

The aim is to get the Thunder back into the big time. There is a very

clear vision. There is a very clear path to get all the way to the super

league. What we will not do is sit here today and say that definitely

will happen but that will happen if the club is good enough on and off

the field. ??FORCECYAN it is the most important thing that has

happened since 15 years of those long forgotten days. It will not

happen overnight. We are only two leagues away from the super league

and getting out of the one we are in should not be too difficult now, we

may have a chance this year that we will see. The benefits are obvious.

An immediate investment to buy new players, they will retain their

identity and coaching setup, there will be financial stability and

access to the Falcons facilities. But what is in it for the Falcons?

You have to look at the long`term of this. By Gateshead Thunder becoming

part of Newcastle Rugby Limited means the overall businesses more

sustainable and there will be benefits to Newcastle Falklands as

well. `` Balkans. You can see the immediate short`term, the winners in

the next few months are Gateshead Thunder. Falcons. They will continue

to play the rest of the season at the Thunder Dome at Gateshead

Stadium but in the not too distant future they will be playing here at

Kingston Park. The home of the Falcons which will hopefully by

then, be the brand`new artificial 3`G pitch. It is unlikely to have

any crossover of the two clubs but they'll be a crossover of ideas

between the two coaches. So for now though, Thunder just need to carry

on winning. The rain in Somerset couldn't

prevent county champions Durham from slipping to their first defeat of

the four`day season ` but no`one from the cricket club will welcome

it at Chester`le`Street on Sunday. That's because Durham's ICG is

hosting England versus Sri Lanka, the latest One Day International,

and a potential money`spinner in a difficult financial climate. Now

here's a collectors item, an England victory in 2014. Last nights game

may have been a rain affected but hopefully it persuaded cricket fans

to snap up the few remaining tickets for Sunday's ODI against Sri Lankan.

Local schoolchildren were there today in the drizzle, practising the

dance routine they will entertain spectators with during the interval

between innings. It is another important milestone in Durham's

relatively short history in hosting international matches including,

last summer's successful Ashes test. We have had international cricket

here every year since 1999 so we are well established. We have

demonstrated that we can have events and now the biggest test match there

is. I'm confident when we look in the future there will always be

significant international cricket in Durham. It would be good to see him

back out? Yes without a doubt. They love having him without a doubt. He

is a fountain of knowledge, I suppose, as I said earlier, you

cannot buy that. His record speaks itself. A bloke to have in your

changing room and a fantastic player sure we would not happen for many

years to come. Fast bowler, Graham Onions is hoping to return from his

latest back injury in 7`10 days, missed yesterday's defeat. He would

love to get back into the England squad. But it is first things first

with Durham. Of course I'm disappointed. Nobody likes to lose a

game of cricket, especially when your champions because the pressure

is on more. For me personally, it is disappointing when you see the lads

lose when you can do nothing about it. I am 100% determined to get back

on the field and help the lads as much as I can really.

Let's hope the rain stays away on Sunday. I know so we can ask about

that best remark go on then. It will be changeable holiday weekend

weather`wise. We might see a few of these. Rainbows. Thank you to Amelia

for that picture. Over the weekend we're expected

these. Rainbows. Thank you to Amelia for that picture. Over the to see

sunshine and a fair few sunshine in the north`east. Overnight tonight is

a few showers to come, heavy at first for the North Pennines and the

Yorkshire Dales. It is misty over the hills to stop showers blown in

from the east but it should die away by dawn. Temperatures as low as nine

Celsius. Reasonably mild for the weekend, some spells of sun

especially in Cumbria. A few showers around as well. Into late morning

and afternoon the showers are more widespread blowing in from the brisk

winds from the East. The temperatures are higher than they

are today, 14 Celsius. Most places are staying at around 10 Celsius.

Not feeling springlike with strong winds and showers coming in from the

North Sea, when we tour westward is most of Cumbria is likely to be dry

but there is still a risk of showers here as well in the late afternoon.

Over the next couple of days, things stay unsettled. An area of low

pressure across the UK will slowly move away as high pressure builds to

the east. We are expecting things to stay changeable through Sunday,

possibly heavy showers for a time. On the bank with a Monday in self,

things should become more settled. It should stay that way for much of

Tuesday but there is more rain waiting on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The detail now. After tomorrow, in Cumbria there will be heavy showers,

possibly thunder in some places. By Spurs in between and the

temperatures start to climb high. `` showers. There will be trying breaks

which will feel more springlike. On the bank holiday thing should be

largely dry and fine. Only a few isolated showers. That is more like

it for late May. In the north`east, also unsettled on Saturday was

showers, heavy in places. Gloomy further north. On Monday things are

looking that little bit drier and finer the temperatures will not be

as high as they are in the West. That's how the weekend looks. Thank

you Anna I have seen better. I think you have. Good night.