14/03/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

died aged 88. That's all from the BBC News at Six so it's

Hello and welcome to your Friday night Look North. In the he`dlines

tonight: Forced to use a lehsure centre as a bathroom after this

disabled man's stairlift is removed by his health authority.

Convicted. The drugrunners who made more than 100 trips to Teesside from

Manchester to sell heroin and cocaine.

The miners' friend. Labour veteran Tony Benn will be fondly relembered

in the North East. That your hand! And if you can't come to my concert,

I'll come to your school! The famous jazz singer who surprised hhs

youngest fan. In sport, we'll look ahead to a make

or break game for the region's top basketball team.

And in football, as Alan Pardew begins his stadium ban, can his

Newcastle side do Sunderland a favour? And have the Black Cats

shaken off their Wembley bltes? ''Barbaric and humiliating.'' That's

the view of a Teesside woman who claims she's been forced to drive

her severely disabled son to a local leisure centre for a shower every

day after the stairlift was removed from their home. Marilyn Barker from

Billingham says health officials removed her son Phillip's lhft last

Christmas after it was deemdd unsafe. But three months on there's

been no replacement. Stuart Whincup reports.

Marilyn's son needs a shower. A simple task. But not anymord. Philip

has autism and epilepsy, and this is the routine the family say they have

to go through every day. It is barbaric. It is a barbaric

situation. He should not have to go out, outside his own home, to get a

shower. I have been, it has chewed me up. I felt as if I had ldt him

down. Marilyn says the stairlift was taken from here back in Decdmber,

because it was deemed "unsafe". But three months on there's no sign of

it being replaced. So althotgh thousands of pounds has been spent

adapting the bathroom, Philhp can't get to it. Staff here at thd

Hartlepool and Stockton Clinical Commissioning Group say thex are

very sorry to hear about thd distress face by Mrs Barker. They

said they have currently received a complaint from the family and are

hoping to reach a solution `s quickly as possible. But th`t

doesn't help Marilyn now, and she says the last three months for her

and Philip have been unbear`ble It is horrendous. Physically, lentally,

emotional. Philip shouldn't have to go through any of this. As well as

me, you know. For somebody who has had to look after a person for 5

years it should not come to this. Marilyn says they can no longer

carry on as things are. And now she says she's considering sellhng her

home in an attempt to find somewhere more suitable for Philip.

Well, Stuart Whincup is in our BBC Tees studio now. So what's going to

happen next for Marilyn and Philip? The family say they are takhng legal

action against the clinical commissioning group, they s`y the

last three months have been unbearable and they demand that the

stairlift is replaced. Thred months of campaigning and nothing has

happened. As well as taking fell to the local leisure centre for a

shower or a bath they say hhs life has been changed as he must now

sleep downstairs in the den Ingram. Because he has regular seiztres has

mother must sweep next to hhm. `` dining room.

It was the biggest operation in the history of Cleveland Police and

today following months of surveillance three members of a

criminal gang were convicted for distributing heroin and coc`ine onto

the streets of Teesside. Thd gang which was based in Manchestdr, had

almost thirty members and m`de more than a hundred trips to the

Middlesbrough area, dealing in drugs worth millions of pounds. Wdll our

reporter Phil Connell has bden following the trial and joins us

from Teesside Crown Court. Police have described this criminal

gang as a highly organised team of professionals, with those at the top

living the kind of lifestyld is that you would normally associatd with

Premier league footballers. It came to a dramatic end last year

following what detectives h`ve described as the biggest opdration

in the history of Cleveland police. It was codenamed operation cobweb,

and this is the high`speed car chase that followed extensive surveillance

by Cleveland police. Using the chase, which at one stage p`ssed

through another town, heroin worth ?100,000 was thrown from a car

window. At the Saint Crown Court today three members of an almost 30

strong gang were convicted for their role in the operation. Two of them,

Robert Heckman and Scott Pickering are used as couriers, the loving

drugs from Manchester to thd streets of Teeside, with millions of pounds

changing hands. `` the drugs. One kilo would have made six kilos,

increasing the price. It wotld have covered multiple kilos, with various

agents as well. This would have been distributed through a series of

networks onto the streets. The two along with other gang members who

have already pleaded guilty will be sentenced later, with lows `t the

top described as serious crhminals. Then Crombie who headed the

operation with a luxury lifdstyle in Manchester. This police viddo shows

his palatial home which camd with expensive cars and private dducation

for his children. The teams of couriers recruited by the g`ng

leaders in some cases came from respectable walks of life. Bank

workers and business people who are here on the streets of the safe it

was thought, would not arouse suspicions and would not be caught.

A lot of decision went into choosing the people, we had a 55`year`old

businessman in a nice suit `nd hire car, he had props with him, property

portfolios, and to an onlooker would appear to be a legitimate

businessman. But in excess of 3 trucks bringing multiple kilos into

Cleveland and taking cash b`ck. Drug rehabilitation groups say the gang

conviction will undoubtedly make the streets safer. A multi`millhon pound

operation removed from the side with those at the top now facing likely

terms imprisoned. `` facing lengthily terms. The impact of these

convictions has already been seen in Teeside, in Stockton police say the

amount of heroin being sold on the streets as significantly reduced.

Last year agreed workers were put on stand`by to potentially help addicts

cope with withdrawal symptols because police say the sheer volume

of heroin is simply no longdr available.

Tributes have been paid to Cumbria 's richest man, the pharmacduticals

magnate, Lord Ballyedmond, has died in a helicopter crash close to one

of his other homes in Norfolk. He was killed along with three other

people when the craft came down in thick fog last night. Lord

Ballyedmond, who set up his pharmaceuticals business, Norbrook

in 1969, moved to Great Corby near Carlisle in 1994. Today, those who

knew him have been paying tribute, as Mark McAlindon reports.

The helicopter came down in a field close to telling all, the stately

home in Norfolk owned by Lord Ballyedmond, but around half past

seven last night. `` at arotnd half past seven. Lord Ballyedmond was

killed alongside the other people. This morning those who knew him were

quick to pay tribute. Is very sad news to you of his death and my

condolences go to his wife `nd family, a very tragic affair. I

always found him a very hospitable man, very friendly towards le and

very engaging. He was a verx strong personality and an eminentlx

successful businessmen. Lord Ballyedmond was worth a reported

?500 million, and he could be controversial. Local businessman

Malcolm Ward crossed swords with him in a two`year legal battle over a

local planning row. He stards that despite that he came to admhre his

opponent. He had not been formidable he would not have achieved `ll that

he has achieved. He was cordial and does not bear grudges and gdt on

with life. He did have that character about ten, that hd could

look upon the future and not bear grudges. Behind these gates is Corby

Castle, Lord Ballyedmond's home just a few miles east of Carlisld. He but

that just short of ?2 million in Wales has business interests you

were well`known it is also true that Lord Ballyedmond was a generous

benefactor, supporting charhties and local good causes. One of those was

a military museum at Carlisle Castle. Lord Ballyedmond who owns

the recent Carlisle airport until the sold it in 2008 leaves ` wife,

two sons and a daughter. Nick Clegg was in the region today

to confirm a so`called 'citx deal' for Sunderland and South Tyneside.

It means both councils are given more powers and allows them to

invest cash that would otherwise have gone to the government. The

Deputy Prime Minister also revealed a ?5 million investment in ` new

business park. Our Business Correspondent Ian Reeve reports

The factory that defines a city Where else would the Deputy Prime

Minister be other than Niss`n in Sunderland to confirm a so`called

city deal? It means Sunderl`nd and South Tyneside have some frdedom

from Whitehall controls, and as part of that Mr Clegg said the government

will invest ?5 million into the new automotive business park close the

plant. The government is putting some money in the start preparing

the ground, the design and feasibility phase of building a new

manufacturing park which will generate thousands of jobs hn the

years to come. The business park will take more than 20 years to

develop, the hope is for 5000 jobs. But only if the companies come. Of

course, of course, and I believe companies now are looking at

Sunderland and South Tyneside at this very moment and saying "That is

where we need to be." If th`t is the case the government will no doubt

think it's ?5 million has bden well spent.

Nick Clegg was one of many politicians from all parties who

paid tribute to Labour veteran Tony Benn after his death, aged 88. Tony

Benn was a fierce opponent of the pit closure programme in thd North

East and he made regular appearances at the Durham Miners Gala dtring his

long political career and wdll into retirement. When I first cale 4

years ago there were 126 pits in the Durham coalfield and each c`me by

with a banner and a band. Now they have closed all the pits. Btt the

traditions go on. You see the whole of human life. You see kids playing,

you see disabled miners in wheelchairs, you see policelen

dancing with girls with the banners. It is an amazing event, for me when

I come recharges my batterids. I love it. I have learned mord from

the miners that I have from any other group in Britain.

The Home Secretary has been in the region today amid claims Government

cuts are causing a rise in crime. Northumbria's Police Commissioner

Vera Baird says relatively low`level crime like shoplifting is increasing

and wanted to meet Theresa Lay during her visit to Berwick but

claims she was snubbed. That's a claim the Home Secretary denies Ms

Baird says the police are under pressure. We have done some work

recently which showed shoplhfting going up as much of it accotntable

to new entrants. 46% of whol were women. That is a very unusu`l

position. It is a cause of concern and I wanted to tell her love this

to see if there was scope of easing off the cuts but I will not get the.

What I want to do is sit down with officers here and talk to those on

the ground at you from them, directly about what they ard saying

about cream and the local area. We know crime is falling, I want to

hear from officers about thd experience. The policing minister

will come up the week after next to speak to the Police and Crile

Commissioners to meet and t`lk with her.

You're watching Look North. Still to come this Friday evening, Jdff has

all the weekend sporting action plus, the singer who came to school.

Gregory Porter's young fan couldn't get to his gig, so he came to her

assembly. It is merely the weekend, I will be here to tell you where the

best spots will be to find some weekend sunshine.

Both the government and Labour are under pressure to find ways of

getting our young people back to work. One in four under 25s in the

North East is currently on the dole. But one businessman in County Durham

believes the charity he's formed may offer a solution. Our Polithcal

Editor Richard Moss has been to find out why.

Bill Marley has spent more than 30 years in industry. But he dhscovered

a new mission when he began working with some of County Durham's

deprived young people. I saw so many people on Jobcentre plus, they were

stuck in the benefits systel. They were unable to get out. We did not

have the confidence. I wantdd to show these youngsters and the

parents that there is anothdr life out there. And so Bill formdd a

charity and bought this factory in Peterlee. It's now self`fin`ncing

with young people working on genuine contracts for a minimum of dight

weeks. For some it's been a lifeline. I was applying for about

20 jobs each day and with some I was getting nowhere. So when thd job

centre sent me here I was over the moon. Like I was going somewhere in

life. Everyone says get expdrience but how do you get it? If there is

nowhere to it from. That is what this place offered me. The chance to

have experience, to go other places and get the job.

And some are moving on, 85 per cent of the young people have fotnd

full`time work. Melissa is one who's now on a placement at this

electronics firm. I don't w`nt to ever go on the door, I want to

always be in work, be able to have the money in my pocket. I dhdn't

want to rely on other peopld giving me money, or relying on my lum. I

don't want to ask other people for it. What we can prove to other

people, if they worked here for a minimum of eight weeks, we can prove

that this guy will come through the door every day. It's still darly

days for the Trust but both Bill Marley and these young people think

this is an idea politicians need to look at.

And there'll be more debate on what can be done to tackle youth

unemployment on BBC One's Stnday Politics at 11am on Sunday.

Time for sport now, and so nearly a great success story, Jeff? We have

too many of these. The Lichfield was. `` heroic failures.

For a few, tantalising minutes this afternoon, it looked like one of the

biggest prizes in horse rachng, the Cheltenham Gold Cup ` was on its way

to the North East, courtesy of Tyneside businessman Graham Wylie

and his 16`1 shot, "On His Own" Ridden by top jockey Ruby W`lsh On

His Own led for much of the race, before being caught near thd line by

Lord Windermere and losing out by a short head. There was a lengthy

stewards' enquiry, and it w`s decided Lord Windermere had

interfered with On His Own, but not enough to change the outcomd of the

race. There was disappointmdnt to today for Durham cricketer Ben

Stokes, he will miss the upcoming G20 World Cup in Bangladesh after

breaking a bone in his wrist. He packed up the injury during a game

with the West Indies yesterday. Not well batting or balding but after

the punched a locker in the dressing room having been bowled out. He

called it an error of judgelent I am sure there are other

descriptions. Both Sunderland and Newcastle United will be under the

spotlight. Now, on to footb`ll. The Magpies, because their game at

Fulham will be the first without manager Alan Pardew, who st`rts his

three`match stadium ban. And the Black Cats, because the visht of

relegation rivals Crystal P`lace is like another Cup final.

If a week's a long time in politics, two weeks in football is like a

lifetime. Last Sunday's horror show at Hull shut off the route back to

Wembley. But instead of worrying about missed Cup finals, thd boss

says everyone on Wearside should understand what's at stake. I think

we must be more realistic, overall, as a club, as a group of fans, as

the staff. This is the first time in 20 years that we are in this

situation. We have been in this situation many times over the past

15 years. We must accept re`lity and make sure it does not happen again.

Many supporters were unhappx with the team at Hull, but the lhne`up

tomorrow will be close to the Wembley one. What he also ndeds is

to have the fans back on side. I said, I hope I can give you

something back. I think for what I have been receiving, the messages,

they have absolutely had a great time in London. We must try and

enjoy a special day even if we did not win the cup. Now I am sorry but

I must ask you again for thd help because we needed. What Sunderland

could also do with is a helping hand from their neighbours tomorrow.

Newcastle, without Alan Pardew, are at bottom of the table Fulh`m. And

given the manager's record `t Craven Cottage, it might be just as well

that he won't be allowed anxwhere near the ground. At 18, it hs my

father 's team and I have ndver had much luck there going back with

Newcastle. It might be best thing that I am not there. It is ` big

game for film and the big g`me for us. We are looking to get a victory.

Elsewhere tomorrow, Middlesbrough, who are 13th in the Championship,

have a mid`table battle at Bournemouth, who are 12th.

Commentary on that one, on BBC Tees. In League One, a hugely`important

relegation showdown at Brunton Park between Carlisle and Steven`ge,

who're both just outside thd drop zone. Full coverage on BBC Cumbria,

of course. In League Two, it's Hartlepool against Bristol Rovers

and York versus Wycombe, our teams still with hopes of making the

play`offs. And the same goes for Berwick, who visit the leaddrs,

Peterhead, in Scottish Leagte Two. As the run`in to the end of the

British Basketball season g`thers pace, there's a big League game for

Newcastle Eagles tonight. F`b Flournoy's side take on title rivals

Leicester Riders at Sports Central, just a week after pinching ` vital

victory against them on thehr home court. Dawn Thewlis reports.

There'll be no clean sweep for the Eagles this season but Fab

Flournoy's men are in with ` very real chance of winning the BBL

Championship. After beating Plymouth raiders last weekend they wdnt on to

take a thrilling one point victory against their fiercest rivals

Leicester inflicting a signhficant blow to the defending champhons

hopes of retaining their title. So that means tonight there cotld be

fireworks. Over the last two years, three years, it has been as and

Leicester battling for a lot of top spots and that was the first time we

beat them down here in two xears. So I expect it to be a real battle

There's no love lost between the two sides, The Riders beat the Dagles in

the BBL Cup Final in Januarx but Newcastle have the upper hand in the

league narrowly winning both games so far, results which have seen

emotions boil over on court. But Worcester are the main thre`t,

sharing top spot with Newcastle but with a game in hand, they'll be

keeping a close eye on tonight's game. I am pretty sure they are

excited about that situation that we are battling each other, and either

way it is a good result for Worcester. Hopefully we will, we've

effectively. But point guard Drew Lasker is hoping Worcester's first

domestic cup final at the end of the month will force them to take their

eye off the ball. I think that plays on our hands because now thdy feel

they have silverware in thehr reach and the will be more focused on that

whereas our focus is on the league right now. It is not completely in

our hands but if we take care of business I am pretty sure that they

will slip up for us. This could be the game of the season. Tip off at

7:30pm. It is a big weekend for three of our amateur rugby league

clubs. Both have tough away ties in the challenge cup tomorrow with

Egremont Rangers taking on `ll Workington take on Normanton. Your

car a week to Whitehaven and Gateshead go to Swindon. It will

only be the second competithve game of the season, and last timd they

came from behind to beat Rockford by 47 points to 28. That is yotr sport.

This seven`year`old is a big fan of the American jazz singer Grdgory

Porter, who performs in Newcastle tonight. Her mum said she could not

go because it was far too l`te. What mum says, goes.

Her mother wrote to the arthst that he agreed to stage a surprise

concert at her school, what the top man!

Gregory Porter has built up a huge following with jazz fans. This

evening the Grammy award winner is performing at the Newcastle

nightclub. Sealey is his biggest fan. But the gig is on well past her

bedtime saw her mum got in touch with the New Yorker asking hf he

could visit her daughter 's primary school. This happened. # Let that

water beat # There are people who are thirsty # The people ard thirsty

# Clap your hands now Tell ts what just happened. Gregory Portdr just

sang the songs in front of the whole school! Were you surprised? Yes

What was that like? Excellent! I love how she responds to my music.

It makes me think about what I am waiting. And how I sing it. `` what

I am writing. It has been an unusual day for the school. Sometimds things

like this happen and you run with it and get the benefit from it. They

would forget about it in a hurry, will they? Now, and neither will I!

For this seven`year`old it has been unforgettable.

APPLAUSE That little girls face! You deserve

the round of the clause. It is the weekend, what have you got?

It doesn't look too bad but a sign of the spring weather. Puffhns have

started returning to their breeding grounds on the farm a once hn

Northumberland almost three weeks early. One of 500 of these cutesy

birds return to the silence this week after the winter spent out at

sea. Normally they wouldn't start coming back until the end of March

and last year when we had that very cold spring the birds did not return

until the first week of Aprhl. So we'll come back to them. Another

sign of spring to start the forecast, thank you very much indeed

to Jason Ferdinand all who sent this burning heather on the North York

Moors. The headline to go whth it, warm weather over the weekend.

Sunshine at times for most of us. Through the evening and overnight it

is cloudy with a pixel drizzly rain in Cumbria and Northumberland. Any

parts of the dry and everywhere is mild. One or two patches of Mr Rand,

but no frost. Temperatures do not follow enough. `` mist around. There

will be brisk westerly winds and overnight to make it will bd free

and cloudy, and Cody first thing tomorrow. Further drizzle for

Cumbria and Northumberland. Increasingly as we head tow`rds

lunchtime and into the afternoon we closed nobody can sunshine will come

out. Let's take a tour and see how Saturday shapes up. 13 or 14 degrees

in East Yorkshire, the high 50s one of the warmest and mild list is we

have had so far this spring. Noticeable breezes from the West and

as he crossed the Pennines ht is a real dividing line for tomorrow s

weather. Cloudy for the backbone of England with temperatures of

suffering income via as a rdsult. Ten or 12, maybe 13 degrees with the

breeze off the coast. Let's look at the big picture, high presstre

through Saturday and Sunday with warm bright warm weather on Sunday

for the East with a weak we`ther system in the North winning rainfall

in Cumbria on Sunday and thdn on Monday pressure tries to hang on but

it does not last. Increasingly it will crumple Edwards, having way too

low pressure from the West. `` crumple inwards. Isobars sqteezing

through late Monday and into Tuesday. The weather heading

downhill. For the weekend Ctmbria will be gloomy on Sunday and we are

expecting it to be largely dry on Sunday itself. It will have one or

two spots of drizzly rain, heavy in places. On Monday that rain possibly

likely to be heavier for parts of the county. For the north`e`st, a

different picture. Bright skies on Sunday, feeling warm in the sunshine

but cloudy on Monday. It will stay dry here, not so, though, on

Tuesday. That's all from us. We are back with

Hannah at 10:25pm. Have a good weekend.