21/11/2011 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Welcome to Monday's Look North. Could it have been prevented, the

inquest opens into the death or of Ashleigh Ewing, the mental health

worker killed in a horrific attack. Tributes to the digger driver who

died in a water-filled pit. The town where taxi drivers say

they are too afraid to work at night. And restrictions on sheep

farms they -- dating back to the Chernobyl disasters look set to be

lifted. No Brucie bonus at the Stadium of

Light. And the end of the road for She was killed in 2006, in one of

the most horrific crimes in this region in recent memory. But was

her death presentable? Why was at a Ashleigh Ewing centre loan to visit

a man with a violent and disturbed past? An inquest into Ashleigh's

death was opened in Newcastle this afternoon by a coroner who

immediately criticised the lack of transparency in the case.

Five and a half years on, and still her family waits. She was stabbed

to death by Ronald Dixon, a man so disturbed he tried to break in to

Buckingham Palace to kill the Queen. This is him filmed with his dog a

quarter of an hour after he killed Ashleigh. He was on the way to a

police station where detectives would learn the full horror of the

attack. He stabbed her with a knife and turn it snapped, then he went

to fetch another, and another, and another. He has now been sent to be

secure institution for life. The mental health charity where she

worked was fined �30,000 for failing to ensure her safety. So

why do we need an inquest? Neither of those court cases gave

Ashleigh's family the chance to ask questions. Questions about why he

was suitable to live alone in the community and why Ashleigh was sent

on her own to visit him. It has been said that it is crucial that

the family have the circumstances of the death more fully explained.

The hearing is more important than the conclusion. It was not the

first time Dixon's mental health problems had let to violence. There

has been an NHS inquiry into the management of Dixon. A lack of

transparency was found to be startling by the coroner.

Police have tonight name to a man killed at a tragedy in a quarry in

Northumberland. 58-year-old David Hume died after his digger fell

into a hole which filled with water. This is the do get in which it

David Hume or lost his life. Slowly it was driven away from the quarry

this afternoon for further inspection. The police and health

and Safety Executive was still working on the site today. The

victim had been found in deep water and although he was rescued and

airlifted to hospital, he was pronounced dead later on Saturday

afternoon. Mr Hume was 58, a popular they get in nearby Alnwick,

he was part of a group that organised Christmas lights. He was

friendly, good humoured and a first rate citizen. A first-class guy.

is believed Mr Hume leaves an elderly parents. Today, nobody was

available for comment at the A teenager has appeared in court

charged with the murder of his stepfather in County Durham.

Stephen Macintyre, who was 37, was found at a house in Austen Place in

Stanley. He had been stabbed in the chest.

Both tunnels under the River Tyne were open to traffic today in a

move that surprised early commuters. It means that for the first time

the A19 is now a dual carriageway all the way to Northumberland.

Cheers from the workers, and cheers from commuters, too. An end to

chronic congestion, truly light at the end of the tunnel. There is

going to be no congestion now. queues have been far too long.

has been an absolute nightmare at times sitting in the traffic at

times. Are you through every day? Yes, five days a week. It will be a

big help. For the first 10 motorists on both sides of the

Tunnel, there is an added bonus. A �50 a Tyne Tunnel permit. That �50

permit will probably help, too. especially would be hard times we

are in at the minute, as well. has been a long time coming. I have

got to congratulate the people of Jarrow, they have put up with a lot

of disruption. The tunnel had to be built. I have been here for four

years and working hard for four years. We are proud and happy. A

bit sad because we will have to leave but definitely happy today.

For the first time, the dual- carriageway is open. Eight is open

to the two weeks early, a great early Christmas present for

commuters in the North East. It was a dramatic day that helped

to secured 2,500 jobs. But tonight, the takeover of Northern Rock is at

the heart of a new political row. Labour say that taxpayers have been

left millions of pounds out of pocket. But today, ministers say

they were forced to sell because of a deal struck by Labour.

It is nearly four years since those queues outside the Rock as it came

close to collapse. The Virgin Money takeover has safeguarded 2,500 jobs,

the Bank's HQ will stay in Newcastle. Did taxpayers get value

for that deal? There has been a barrage of criticism from Labour,

they say that the Government sold to quickly and cheaply. Today, the

Government hit back. Here is the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

Northern Rock had to be sold by 2013. Given the hand that we were

sold by a deep previous government, we tried to get the best to deal

for the tax payer, the consumer and for Northern Rock.

But Labour MP, Chi Onwurah, said the Government should not have sold

now. We have still got a �400 or �500 million last. They are not

committing that that money will be used to pay down the national debt,

they are not saying what it will be used for. So, what do the money's -

- numbers say? We have put �1.4 billion into Northern Rock. It was

sold for �747 million. The last two taxpayers could be up to �650

million. Taxpayers could get another �280 million back from the

deal. I am sure they are capable of driving a hard a bargain than that.

What was the other option? Did we have another alternative? I do not

think so. One other big question tonight. Will of Virgin's territory

soon covered this place? The answer tonight, no conversations have

happened yet with the club but they will definitely happen soon.

Still to come, how you help to raise more than the �1 million for

Children In Need. And after a rather damp night weather wise for

most of us, it turns more interesting later in the week.

Now, its image is one of the most upmarket towns, but even Harrogate

has problems with drinkers late at night. One taxi firm's drivers are

refusing to work late shifts. Central Taxis have even installed

CCTV cameras in their cars. It is not the image most people

have of Harrogate. But for Geoff, a cabbie for over two decades, he

sees a different side, the town at night. Over the years I have been

doing it, the job has got harder and worse. Most recently, he was

robbed at knifepoint. What would any body do? I just tried to get

away from the scene. And Jeff's experience is not unique. His firm

is now planning on putting CCTV in their cars. 40% of the drivers that

work for me will not work nights. I have three sons, there is no way I

would let any one of my kids out on the streets at night. That is how

bad it is. It is hard to know the exact scale of the problem here in

Yorkshire. If you get a cab, the driver is almost certainly self-

employed. That means if they want to report something, they have to

take time off work, that means more money lost. That means that most

crimes do not get reported, what we know is just the tip of the iceberg.

In an effort to tackle problems caused by a drinking, across the

region at Knight Marshal schemes have been introduced. Harrogate has

launched its own. Today it enters its third week. Hello? Harrogate is

still one of the safest places in our region, but that does not mean

it is for late-night cabbies. That is something that street marshals

and in part CCTV aim to change. It sounds like good news now.

Restrictions on sheep farms in Cumbria, dating back to the

Chernobyl disaster, may finally be on the verge of being lifted.

Siobhan eight farms are still being monitored and tested for radiation,

but the Food Standards Agency could be lifting restrictions next year.

For 25 years, David has lived in the shadow of the Chernobyl nuclear

disaster, because radiation from it rained down on the Cumbrian fells.

With it, came restrictions on the movement of his flock. He is

looking forward to returning to normality. It is laughable, really,

because at the time they said it we could have a problem for three

weeks. That was 25 years later, now. It is going to make life a lot

easier. Those restrictions imposed after the nuclear disaster will be

subject to a formal consultation. We have new evidence, taken from

surveys conducted over the past two years. It shows risks to consumers

are very low and even if all of the current restrictions were removed

they would still be very low. average income is often no more

than a �10,000 per year, so it is very costly to them. Now is the

time to bring an end to it. Protecting consumers remains at the

heart of any decision. But farmers are hoping that the effect of

Chernobyl on farmers can now be The first batch of local

schoolchildren have finished a course instigated by Prince Charles

to spark of their interest in business. The scheme was launched

in an attempt to attract the workers of the future. Prince

Charles has taken more than a passing interest in Teesside's

steel industry. He first visited when the blast for all this was

mothballed and then last month he met children participating in what

is called an industrial cadetship. It was the idea of the Prince. The

aim is to get young people interested and encourage them to be

the workers of the future. I hope that we have stimulated an

interest in manufacturing. If not the steel industry itself.

The course included classroom work and trips to see the steelmaking

process. That left an obvious impression.

I liked seeing the metal and stuff. And how hot the metal was when it

went through each stage. We were given an insight into how

business works. We saw how much steel is made per year.

The 24 children who finished the course now have a better idea about

what goes on in the bed Factory they pass on the way to school.

It has given them a better understanding of roles and

responsibilities at British Steel. They have an understanding of the

skills required to work in this industry. It has been very useful.

These children are for Keane. They are not far away from making career

Time it to say thank you to those of you who helped raise an

incredible �1,257,000 for Children In Need. All in all it was a big

event. If you missed it, here is a flavour.

If as you can see we are dressed for the occasion.

We are all set for this year's Children In Need.

I am with the choir director. I am very excited. The children

have been practising hard and cannot wait to sing.

We are very excited. He they are in the finer voice

already. Look at all of these How much have we got, Mr bank

It has been a fantastic setting. Good night. Playing us out, the

The sports news now. Newcastle's record equalling unbeaten run has

finally come to an end against Manchester City.

But it was not a bad start to the campaign and they may not come up

to a -- mob against a better side. Alan Shearer said that they had

nothing to fear but they have not defeated Manchester City at home

since 2000. They get their opponents at bay for the majority

of the first half. -- kept. And they had their chances. Ryan Taylor

just had one of those days. Caught out with the penalty. Mario

Balotelli put it away. And this mistake allowed Micah Richards to

add a second for Manchester City. When you look at Manchester City's

then she you could tell that the afternoon was probably not going to

get much better. Millions of pounds on the bench. Hatem Ben Arfa was

back at the ground where he broke his leg. But Sergio Aguero put the

result beyond doubt. Off to Old Trafford next.

We are in a great position anyhow. I have no fears going to Manchester

United. And we have some key players coming back. That will help

with my options. We will aim to give them a good game.

This is the top of the premier league. Newcastle will drop to 4th

if Tottenham defeat Aston Villa tonight. It is very tight at the

bottom. Sunderland are do not want to be stuck down there for much

longer. They really needed a victory against Fulham but they did

not get it. Martin Jol did them no favours despite the fact he is a

close friend of Steve Bruce. But Kieran West what looks like a good

deputy in goals. The defence is solid but they cannot score enough

goals. They did have a lead character more back. -- we Qatar

This grievance was off the line from old boy Dickson Etuhu --

clearance. If only this had gone and. Look at the reaction of Steve

Bruce. He does need to find a goal scorer.

It is very difficult to replace the players we have lost. We have had

to deal with that. But we must move on. They're difficult players to

replace but Our aim is to keep moving forward.

Three big games on the way for Sunderland. Wigan, then Wolds, then

Blackburn. In the Theory they should get something from all those

The championship, and Middlesbrough are also having trouble. At least

when it comes to turning draws into wins. Six draws from a nine. Still

unbeaten at home but 12 points have got away from them. N a four of

those games they have been ahead and been pegged back. Scott

McDonald scored but Blackpool hit back almost straight away. McDonald

is apparently upset about being taken off when he was on a hat-

trick. Tony Mawbray said that he was not happy but you could argue I

was not happy during the 11 games when he did not score! But they may

have found a new goalscoring super hero all. Look at this. A caped

crusader at the Riverside. What next? Defeat for Carlisle.

Meanwhile Hartlepool are enjoying life away from home. This victory

came at Scunthorpe and was their 5th of the season. Not the cleanest

finish their but no disguising the happiness. And what about this for

an unorthodox pass. Brave, a brave goalkeeping. Very good. As was this

Just one goal and it when Carlisle were defeated at Sheffield United.

But they never really looked like getting an equaliser. It could have

been worse, they saved a penalty in If that is the football, now on to

the trampolining. We do not say that orphan. We have been following

the fortunes of Kat Driscoll at the World Championships in Birmingham.

She picked up medals in the team and pairs competition. But sadly

for her in the Olympic event, the individual final, she aborted her

routine after a mistake, and finished last.

There was no point aiming for just an OK routine. So I had to go as

bad as I can and it just did not pay off. -- as big as I can. Et

And now the weather. It does not look as exciting as it was on

Friday night, a damp night ahead. Poor visibility also. That is

because the weather is drifting along on a relatively mild

southerly wind. Lots of cloud and rain around and it is heading our

way in the short term. Later in the week things will turn more

interesting. But this evening and overnight, cloud and rain.

Especially for Cumbria, into Northumberland later on. Over all,

a fairly damp field two things. Misty, murky conditions and poor

visibility. Temperatures, lots of cloud, and a southerly breeze, that

will keep temperatures above five is Celsius. That takes us into

tomorrow. A dull and miserable start. Rain around in places but

and improving picture throughout the day. Brighter weather spreading

down from the north-west during the afternoon. Most of Northumberland,

into time and we're, there should be sunny spells throughout the

afternoon. -- Tyne and Wear. Temperatures, similar to today. The

other change you will notice is the wind will change from suddenly to

north-westerly late in the day. That well below the cloud away. --

that will dwarf. More lines on the chart here it means more wind. As

we head into Tuesday, a Brighton in scenario. Temperatures in double

figures. -- brightening. Thursday and Friday, a fair amount of cloud.

But there will be eight gusty westerly wind. Thanks to everybody

Tonight's headlines at Milly Dowler's mother has told the

inquiry into press ethics that the hacking of have Potter's phone gave