27/02/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

They targeted the sick, elddrly and vulnerable. Then conned thel out of

their life savings. And plans for this whiskey distillery. Thd family

lost five sons in the First World War. In sport, the magpies Dawn

putting on the red and whitd shirt of Sunderland in memory of his

father. And red tape means these guys will not make it true what

their team at Wembley. They targeted the sect, elderly and vulnerable.

They conned them out of thehr life savings. A gang of four men from

North Yorkshire, three from the same family, went door to door, telling

their victims their homes ndeded urgent repairs. One man with

Parkinson's disease lost ?240,0 0. Other victims had dementia `nd

mental health problems. Tod`y, as the gang was sentenced to a total of

8.5years in jail, the victils' families described them as

''disgusting and evil.'' Sttart Whincup has this report. Sat on the

roof, smoking and killing thme. Look at them, they're not doing `nything.

But their victims have handdd over their life savings for this work.

They were scared and believdd their homes needed urgent repairs. And

this is the fake holiday cottage they tricked people into investing

in. But once it was built, they moved in themselves. They are

picking on the most vulnerable people in society, they are evil.

David's brother lost everything He's suffering from Parkinson

Disease and thought the gang were his friends. But they took his life

savings.They took ?250,000. No words can say how bad it feels. It really

clears your heart out. A peck on the weakest, the elderly, dementia

sufferers, people like that. They are coward. And this is the man who

befriended and then betrayed the ill pensioner. 46`year`old Montx David

Croke. For eight years he pretended to care for him. He would t`ke him

out for regular drinks and leals. Then at the end of the night, Croke

would stand over him and watch as the pensioner transferred money on

line to his account. This c`se is probably the worst we have dver

seen, primarily because the main victim was groomed and befrhended by

the offenders over eight ye`rs so there was a long period of offending

where they went back and back and back and took more money from him.

Eventually the gang were catght and they were charged by the police But

even that didn't stop them. They carried on targeting and exploiting

more elderly victims. One woman in her late 80s, who was suffering from

dementia, lost nearly ?20,000. Her family said they were horrified to

learn what had happened. It is disgraceful that such vulnerable

people are being targeted in this way. The head of the family, Monty

David Croke, was sentenced to five years in prison. His sons, Lonty

Croke Jnr and Billy Croke, were sentenced to a total of 3.5 years.

And the fourth member of thd gang, James Coverdale, was given `

15`month suspended prison sdntence. Together they made over ?330,00 .

One of their victims, who lost his life savings, is now being forced to

sell his home. Stuart joins us from the BBC Tees newsroom in

Middlesbrough now. Stuart, do we know how many people were t`rgeted

by this family? Trading standards says it knows of 17 people who lost

money to this gang. Despite the warnings of agreeing to work on the

doorstep this has happened. These people went to great lengths to

build up friendships and le`sh and ships with their victims. One victim

was taken out for meals for eight years. That has really been the

difficult thing for families to face. Not only have they lost life

savings but they have been betrayed by people be considered fridnds A

Keswick man's been found guhlty of starting 16 fires in his hole town,

some his own street. John Brown who's 48 and from Windebrowd Avenue,

had denied starting the firds during his trial at Carlisle Crown Court.

He was convicted of six counts of arson, being reckless as to whether

life was endangered, and a further ten of arson. He was remanddd in

custody and will be sentencdd next month. Family and friends are

remembering the missing York woman Claudia Lawrence on what wotld have

been her 40th birthday. It's almost five years since Claudia was

reported missing. Despite a high`profile police investigation

involving up to 100 officers, no trace of her has been found. York

City Council has revealed the results of its controversial

six`month trial closure of Lendal Bridge, which officially ended last

night, although car and lorry drivers still face fines if they

cross during the day. More than 40,000 penalty charge noticds were

issued, netting around ?500,000 in revenue for the council. Thd idea

was to cut congestion. The local bus operator said customer numbdrs have

grown and services have been more punctual. The penalties rem`in in

place and a decision on the future will be taken in the spring. The

former Newcastle United footballer Nile Ranger has begun his ddfence

against an allegation of rape and has told a jury the accusathon

against him played a part in his career at St James' Park coling to

an end. Ranger, who's 22, is accused of raping the woman at a hotel in

the Jesmond area of the citx. Our Chief Reporter Chris Stewart has the

story. Nile Ranger, the man in the middle, leaving court this dvening.

He's accused of raping a wolan in a hotel, she says she couldn't

remember anything until the next morning, when she says she woke up

to be told by the footballer that she should take the morning`after

pill. Today the court has hdard about his arrest, how the police

were given a hand`written statement in which he said he and the woman

got drunk before going to the Carlton Hotel. His barrister, Toby

Hedworth QC, then told the jury about Nile Ranger's previous

criminal convictions. These included burglary, handling stolen goods and

robbery ` offences committed when he was a teenager in London. After he

signed for Newcastle, he was sentenced for drink`driving, being

drunk and disorderly, scuffling with two police officers, and an offence

of battery when he pulled hhs then girlfriend's hair. Mr Hedworth then

asked him, "Have you ever h`d sexual activity with a female against her

wishes?" He replied, "Never." He also said the allegation was a

factor in his contract with Newcastle United coming to `n end.

"I was getting in bother, l`teness and stuff", he said. "It was like a

ticking time`bomb with the whole rape allegation. Parents who

campaigned to save their local play park are celebrating after Carlisle

City Council agreed not to remove the equipment. The swings and slide

at Belah Park were due to bd taken down, along with the kit from 2

other playgrounds in the city as part of the council's plans to shave

a quarter off its annual budget But now the playground will not only

remain open, it'll also be hmproved. Alison Freeman has this report. A

day for laughter and smiles. After a month`long campaign by parents this

play park has been saved. It was a wonderful day and everybody in the

community is absolutely delhghted. We have to fund raise and ilprove

the local equipment so everxbody on the estate is absolutely a static.

They are saying how well thd community have done coming together.

The pieces of equipment werd due to be removed from Belah Park `s part

of the council's plan to save a third of its annual budget. But

parents collected more than 1,0 0 signatures on a petition opposing

the move. Yesterday both sides came up with a plan of action to allow

the park to remain at minim`l cost to the taxpayer. The communhty will

be responsible for fundraishng so they can update these rather tired

pieces of equipment and buy some new ones. At the council meeting I said

our door was open to anybodx who wanted to come and talk to others.

It is a joint effort. I think this is the way forward for the future.

With cutbacks councils cannot now just do things on their own. I think

this community effort is thd way forward. Swings and slides `re still

being removed from 20 other parts in the city which the council says it

cannot afford to renovate. Now the parents here are looking for ways to

find a bigger and better pl`y area for their children. Your watching

Look North. Still to come: Sports news plus the latest film sdries

commemorating the start of World War I and the ?5 million whiskex

distillery being created th`t this Lake District farm. Join me later

for the full regional forec`st. Now, do you have views about the BBC its

programmes and services? If you do, the BBC Trust's Audience Cotncil

England, is looking for people to join its regional audience panel.

It's keen to hear from people of all ages and backgrounds. The p`nel

meets three times a year. It isn't paid but you do get expenses and the

opportunity to say what you think. To find out more, and to get an

application pack, go to the website: bbc.co.uk/ace. If you don't have

internet access, call 0800 092 030. The closing date is Friday, seventh

March. Calls are free from landlines but there will be a charge hf you

call from a mobile number. Work is underway to transform a derdlict

Lake District farm into a ndw ? million distillery and tourhst

attraction. It will make thd area's first commercially produced

whiskey, creating 30 jobs. Our reporter has more. Drinking can make

many people creamy but the lan who has been dreaming of a Lake District

whiskey has a clear vision for this former daily farm. Paul Currie

already runs a Scottish distillery but has spent three years on plans

for a company in addition. Now he has the bill that is here preparing

for a grand summer opening. There was the a lot of whiskey produced

illicitly in the 19th century. There is a great heritage festively. Here

we are using the slightly pdaty water from the River Derwent. This

was built as a modern Victorian farm but daily farming is no longer

profitable. Turning it into a distillery means these historic

buildings will be kept intact with a modern industry giving it a future.

We are selling one product `nd seven markets so you will see this in

Japan and the United States in the future. Up to 30 jobs will be

treated at the distillery which the backers say is something to cheer in

straitened times. Time now for our latest series World War I at home.

100 years ago a whole gener`tion of young men left our region for war.

One family was affected mord than most, they lost five sons in

conflict. During the First World War thousands of men left the north`east

ever to return. This is the story of one remarkable family. Six sons went

off to war. At the time the mother said if she had more sons she would

have gladly send them to. At the outset it would have been a big

adventure, a chance to escape from this monotonous lifestyle wd were

living here. What happened next four the mother and her husband lust have

been unreadable. News came through that the 32`year`old son had been

killed, in the second son and another to but less than fotr months

before the end of the war the last to die was recorded. Plans to bring

her sixth son home were madd. This would be the original article from

1918. It is under local and other notes.

Peace deal is probably the lost close`knit community I have ever

worked in. People rallied round There have been countless

opportunities for people to do that today. `` Teesdale. The letter was

forwarded to the War office and he was sent home. I like to relember

dad. He took us to the picttres If my grandad had not been pardoned,

wiki have been next? If it was not for the people of the town `nd the

local vicar we would certainly not be here telling the story. We have

been unable to find any othdr letters written by the Queen. The

Royal family say she would not have wanted such letters in black and

white. It is almost impossible to imagine, isn't it? There is a World

War I report on look North dvery evening this week. Tomorrow morning

you can hear another story `bout the impact the war had on the area in

which you live. There is more online. In the last week or so we

have caught up with a number of former Sunderland players who tried

to bring silverware back to Wearside but you have to go back to 0973 to

find men who did manage to `chieve that. Last night we met Dennis

Tueart. Tonight Mark Tulip's joined by another of those heroes from 41

years ago. Where are you Mark? I'm in the Tonic bar in the centre of

Sunderland. And in a short while a party will be getting underway to

mark the launch of a special League Cup Final magazine. Well, Mhcky

Horswill won the FA Cup in 73 and knows what it's like to turn Wembley

red and white. He later joined Sunday's opponents Manchestdr City.

At 20 you were the youngest player on the pitch and I think yot will

get the honour at 90 to go out again? I cannot remember much of

that game to be honest with you but we have been invited down to Wembley

to delete the supporters from the pitch. I am really looking forward

to it, excited and honoured to be doing that. What advice would you

give to the team? What we dhd, we were not nervous at all. We went out

there to get a good account of ourselves and enjoy yourselves, that

is all you can do. Anything can happen on the day, one against one.

Prediction? 2`1 to Sunderland. And you are the fanzine editor, this

time round a labour of love? Yes. It has been a massive bonus for us this

year. And an exclusive interview with the new Manchester Citx player?

Yes. Do you think they can lift the cup and survive in the Premher

League? Why not, it is the lot of games so can happen. We can go for

the treble! For the moment ht is back to the studio. His dad was a

lifelong Sunderland fan, he preferred the black and white of

Newcastle United. At this Stnday, magpies supporter Rob and R`ymond

will pay respects to his late father at Wembley. Robin will we are the

red and white shirt and chedr them on for him. It is the lonelx place

for a magpie. Robin is the lagpies fan of to Wembley to support

Sunderland. There he will don the red and white in tribute to his

dad. He was a very special lan, a very clever man. He brought me here

on many occasions to see Sunderland. It will be an honour to Wear the

Sunderland shirt on Sunday with the message I have got on the b`ck of

it. His dad was never able to persuade him to switch allegiances.

He had been there in 1973 when the FA Cup was one. His son was born on

a special weekend and he cotld not get to that match. He would be very

proud to be going down to Wdmbley this weekend to see them in the cup

final. Do you think you will be welcomed back at St James is when

all this is over? I'm sure H will be. Robin says the red and white

shirt will be a one`off but it is a gesture that would make his dad

proud. Now among the Sunderland fans at Wembley was supposed to be a

group of Kenyon 's who have taken the team name for their teal at

home. The one Kenyan who was allowed to travel was a special guest at the

Stadium of light this afternoon 4000 miles from porn, this hs David

from Sunderland AFC in Keny`. The name was chosen because of the large

number of Africans who have played for Sunderland. Some Sunderland fans

travel to their village last year to offer practical help. This was paid

for by Wearside sponsors. D`vid arrived in Sunderland for the return

trip alone. He was the only one who could get out of Africa. Thdy were

disappointed. It is incredibly frustrating, have you had the chance

to speak to them since you `rrived? Yes, they are very disappointed The

British Embassy, the way thdy have handled the processing of these bees

as has been absolutely disgtsting. Because of their inability to

process them on time they h`ve spoiled the hopes and dreams of the

whole community. Kevin Ball was going to be doing a coaching session

on his behalf. He is missing out on a fantastic opportunity. I `m sure

further down the line B will probably have that offer opdn to

them again. What a shame. If this was a leap year Saturday wotld be

the 10th anniversary of the last time one of our big clubs won a

major cup final. Tomorrow nhght there is a special programmd

featuring former players and are laws might then manager, Stdve

McClaren. Finally getting to relax a little bit and join in the

celebrations, to get covered in Champagne, he deserved that. You

have to join in and celebrate. We have got fans who have been through

it all before and still now come to me and say that was the gre`test day

of my life. That is a great sense of achievement. Now what will be

happening in the weather? Some lovely sunny spells today whth some

dried bright weather on the costs. The winter has not been extreme but

you have kept that is supplhed with some great weather pictures.

Tomorrow we will put the little gallery on our Facebook age. Clear

skies overnight, the lot of dry weather around throughout the night.

Mist and fog patches forming, cold enough for ice and frost on

pavements. It looks like th`t low pressure that could have brought the

threat of snow over the weekend will now pass to the south. It should not

bother us too much. A few sharp showers this evening but thdse will

become less frequent overnight and most places will dry up. Thd

temperature as low as `1 so there could be some icy patches. @ cold

start tomorrow morning. Mist and fog in places. Most places will brighten

up through the day and the dry. You south of the region into thd veil of

your will see be mist and frost lifting into low cloud which could

linger through the day. Highs of around seven Celsius and thd winds

will be fairly light as well. As we head through the next few d`ys there

will be dry and bright weather for Cumbria. Maybe some wintry showers

on Saturday night but by thd AV and mind of dry weather, staying cool

with the risk of overnight frosts. Mostly dry through the day on

Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the north`east. Temperatures seven or

eight Celsius at the very bdst. The wind lighter than recently. Keep

your February wedding pictures coming and remember to check out our

gallery on the Facebook pagd which we will put online tomorrow. That is

the way the weather is lookhng tonight. Not too bad at all. Now for

a last look at the headlines: The number of people coming to live in

the UK has risen significantly in the past year, driven by a dramatic

increase in the number of pdople coming from other EU countrhes. A

gang of men from North Yorkshire has been jailed after corning elderly

and vulnerable victims out of their life savings. That is it from me.

For now, goodbye.