07/04/2014 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

A drive to recruit doctors `nd nurses at two troubled hosphtals

gets under way. A bridge too far? ` the latdst

dramatic twist in the row over fines and restrictions on this city centre

crossing. And is it also a fridge too far Can

this man really run 104 milds with a kitchen appliance strapped to his

back? In sport ` it's Wembley for West

Auckland ` but crunch time for Sunderland!

And there's more misery for Newcastle United ` it's left the

fans asking: "Just where dods the club go from here?"

First tonight, a former Armx officer has been jailed for a minimtm of 34

years, for the murder of an estate agent in York. Jeremy Green had

burgled Nicole Waterhouse's flat because he needed money. He'd also

tried to kill Nicole's colldague, Karen Browne. The judge said Green's

savagery had been "almost bdyond belief." John Cundy has this report.

Jeremy Green, once a public schoolboy, later an army officer

discharged for stealing. Sthll seeking money, the conman mtrdered

Nicole Waterhouse in a flat in York last October. As well as a life

sentence, today Green was ghven a 24 year concurrent sentence for trying

to kill Nicole's friend, Karen Browne. She still bears the scars of

the attack on her. Leeds Crown Court heard how Jeremy Green had subjected

Nicole Waterhouse and Karen Brown to eight hours of terror that October

day. He cut Nicole's throat with a knife and a piece of glass, and left

Karen lying in the flat with life threatening injuries. He tells lies

to make himself more appealhng, certainly to females. In short, he

is callous, he is devious, he is manipulative, and he is

self`centred. Nicole Waterhouse s family left court, saying what she

endured that terrible day, they must endure forever.

A 20`year`old man has died hn South Shields after taking what's believed

to be a 'home`made' ecstasy tablet. The man was rushed to South Tyneside

Hospital in the early hours of yesterday morning but he later died.

Police say anyone who believes they've taken a tablet from the

home`made batch, which is p`le green in colour, should seek medical

assistance immediately. It may be 30 years ago, but North

East Labour MPs say it's tile for a public inquiry into the beh`viour of

the police and the courts dtring the miners' strike. And some sax pickets

prosecuted during the dispute should have their convictions quashed. But

as our Political Editor Richard Moss reports, the Government inshsts an

inquiry would be a waste of time and money.

Eppleton Pit in County Durh`m. Or what's left of it. 30 years ago

miner's wife Florence Anderson was on the picket line here, whdn police

officers arrested her. They had hold me and punch me into the van. I

stumbled into van. When we got to the other plays, it was the same

attitude, just pointing us. I sat there and I couldn't believd the

lies that were common from the police officers. Florence Anderson

was found guilty of threatening behaviour, a crime she says she

didn't commit. She thinks there must be an inquiry into why ` in her view

` the innocent were found gtilty. It was not just me. Ordinary pdople

find themselves before the courts. Lads were sacked in some pets. It

was like living in a place. And she has support from some North East

Labour MPs who'd like to sed convictions overturned. And also

from a woman who now overseds police officers, but 30 years ago was

defending miners in court. H think it is key that when are these people

have injustice at the way they were treated. They need to know there

were getting improvements and panzers. `` answers. But ond

Conservative, who was a North East MP in 1984, rejects any talk of

inquiries, apologies or amndsties. It would be wrong to but thdre's

alongside events which needdd a enquiry, such as the Hillsborough

event, where there is seriots loss of life. I think we know wh`t the

causes of the strike were. We know how it ended I think it is best to

leave it there now. But although the north's pits are now closed, it

seems the debate about the 0984 strike won't so easily be consigned

to history. The Duke of Northumberland hs

auctioning almost 80 works of art to cover the cost of flood rep`ir work

at Newburn on the outskirts of Newcastle. The sale by Sothdby's is

expected to raise more than ?15 million. Northumberland Est`tes and

Dunelm Homes are still in ldgal dispute over the cost of delolishing

two apartment blocks followhng severe flooding in September 20 2.

Our correspondent, Adrian Phtches, is at the site in Newburn now.

Remind us what's happened over the past year and a half. Every go back

to the horrendous summer of 201 , torrential rain all summer `nd then

in September 2012, floods across the region. Here, a call that collapsed

an enormous amount of water release gushed through Spencer caught, a new

development. It undermines one block and leopard standing just pottering

on those blocks. `` left it. It have to be demolished and in Jantary this

year a second block had to be demolished too. The people who have

left have yet to move back. And the culvert has been repaired ` but it's

cost millions? It has indeed. It was a land that the Jew owned. They paid

for repairs and it has been repaired. `` Duke. It has bden paid,

but the money used was taken from another pot money use on historic

estate. Therefore, it has h`d to raise more money to cover those

costs. So what is the Duke selling off to help pay the repair bills? A

variety of things. There is a bust worth ?6 million. There is `

painting which is valued at ?3 million. There are documents, such

as letters written by Elizabeth the first, and indeed various printed

book in the English languagd. The Duke of Northumberland is not

selling off the family items. The money will cover the costs of a

culvert and may well be reqtired, in indeed, Northumberland Estates is

found liable. That'll be in court to decide who is liable.

A drive to recruit doctors `nd nurses at two troubled hosphtals in

Cumbria has begun. The North Cumbria NHS Trust is short of 50 permanent

consultants at the Cumberland Infirmary and the West Cumbdrland

Hospital. The positions are being covered by temporary staff but it's

hoped the 'looking for a frdsh start' campaign will change that.

Alison Freeman's been to medt two doctors who have just moved to the

county. He says it's the perfect job. Dr

Jason Gane has given up citx living to work in west Cumbria. Thd Trust

which looks after the West Cumberland Hospital and the

Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle is in Special Measures. But thd

paediatric consultant says he's getting more opportunities here `

both personal and professional ` than he would elsewhere. It is a

combination of quality of lhfe, beautiful area, but also

professional challenges as well There is a lot of impact yot can

make here. Down in London, hf I was to take a post I would be doing some

else's job. Up here you havd a chance to influence services,

influence how things are happening and make sure you deliver qtality

care. Do you like it here? Ht is fantastic stuff. I haven't thought

about London once since I ldft Dr Gane is the type of staff mdmber the

Trust wants to attract with its Looking for a Fresh Start c`mpaign.

It will advertise hospital jobs and the benefits of living in Ctmbria.

At the moment locums are behng used to cover 50 permanent consultant

positions that are vacant hdre at the two north Cumbria hospitals

This latest recruitment drive will see the net cast far and wide across

the country to try and fill some of those positions. Recently three

junior doctors were removed from the Whitehaven hospital because there

weren't enough consultants to train them. Dr Joanna Cox moved hdre from

North Tyneside General Hosphtal at the beginning of March. She's

involved in training staff. The model of service that we have had,

which is very dependent on junior doctors, is not the only model

available. We have to make sure we can support services for people out

in West Cumbria without being reliant, either on junior doctors oe

locums, so I think we will be able to recruit staff to fill those

permanent posts. I think people will come here and will see the dxciting

things going on, the enormots potential, and the great pldasure

that can come from living in a beautiful part of the world like

this. Alison joins us from our Culbria

newsroom now. Alison, why h`s recruitment been so difficult at the

two north Cumbria hospitals? It s a combination of reasons. Firstly the

Trust is in special measures after concerns were raised about the high

levels of death rates there. And not everyone sees joining a strtggling

hospital as a challenge to be relished. The Trust is also facing

uncertainty, with the proposed take`over by the Northumbri` Trust

still on hold, while work b`lancing the books and sorting out ldvels of

poor performance takes placd. The remote nature of the county can also

put people off, although both doctors we heard from there saw the

beauty of Cumbria as a sellhng point. And that's something the

Trust hope this new campaign will play on ` as well as the

opportunities that could cole from being part of a larger trust.

Still to come on Monday's Look North, Dawn joins me for tonight's

Teamtalk. Plus: Playing it cool ` the man planning a 104 mile run with

a fridge on his back. And the weather has been good. A

much fresher feel to things today. Find out later on what it whll be

like. The seven month saga of York's Lendal Bridge and its camer`

enforced penalty notices has taken a dramatic new twist. While the legal

argument continues over whether the restrictions ` and fines ` `re in

fact lawful, the council saxs it will stop issuing penalties. But, it

says, it won't stop gathering information. If the courts rule in

favour of the council, it s`ys it'll press ahead with retrospecthvely

imposed fines. Here's Spencdr Stokes.

The aim of the Lendal Bridgd and Coppergate restrictions, according

to city of York Council, was to reduce traffic and create a more

attractive city centre. What it has done is confuse people and the

latest elements have added to that confusion. The closure trial was

launched on 27 August last xear for a six month period. That trhal then

ended on February 27th, by which time ?1.3 million had been raised

from fines. But fines continued to be issued. Last week, the

independent traffic adjudic`tor said the council may have acted

unlawfully. City of York Cotncil then sought the road legal `dvice

with an independent lawyer ruling they can continue to issue penalty

tickets. Today, number platds have been recorded but fines aren't being

issued, until the legal process has finished. Some drivers were risking

it, and others are still un`ware. Several vehicles have been coming

across the road this afternoon on the bridge, this one is one of them.

I will see if this chap driving the Fiesta knows he may be getthng a

fine. Hello. Do you know about the rules on Lendal Bridge? I'vd just

noticed. You may have got the ? 5 fine. Does that bother you? It

bothers me but not a great deal I can do about it. Do you think the

signs are clear enough? No. I will let you get on. City of York Council

say that although they have received a ?1.3 million in fines, thdir

income is only ?700,000, because of the scheme's running cost, but there

seems to be little support. To get to my gym in the morning takes me 35

minutes, where's this way it is five or ten minutes. What happens to

people who have been fined `lready? Can they get their money back? I

think we are confused. I don't think they should shut it. It is

ridiculous. A final decision on the fines is expected later this week.

The future of the Lendal Brhdge and Coppergate scheme will be ddcided on

6th of May. York City Council defended the

restrictions. The director said the idea was to encourage peopld onto

buses to make the city more pleasant. He encourage thosd who

have received penalty noticds not to ignore them. Follow the process

Don't believe anything will change. Follow that route. Use the penalty

charge notices with information on the back, and make sure you deal

with a fine. It's a challenge he fears might kill him. The m`n known

as Tony the Fridge is preparing to run the London Marathon four times,

back to back, in a single d`y ` all while carrying a six stone fridge on

his back. But Tony, from Hebburn on Tyneside, says the gruelling

104`mile effort will be his final charity run. Peter Harris rdports.

If this looks a bit mad, th`t is because it is. Tony is about to run

the London Marathon four tiles back`to`back in 24 hours. It is

risky. My life is at risk. There is no question about it. The body can

go into shock. I have to kedp a pace of a about 11`minute miles, carrying

the fridge. I'm sure I'll bd swept along with a crowd in the fhrst

marathon. I will be possiblx jumping on public transport because it is

such a journey back, with the fridge, then get back to thd start

line and away we go again. Lean slightly forward. I felt thd only

way to test it is try it myself That is difficult. You have to do

104.7 miles. Dear me. I would rather not. On the even service of the

road. You don't need to convince me, Tony. I am convinced. Tony's run is

for Cancer Research. One last mammoth fridge`based challenge. It

is my destiny to go as far `s I can and, what ever the outcome hs, I'm

going to get to the end as best I can. I have to take that ch`nce As

for life threatening challenges this is the last one. I havd to

apologise to my family. I promise I won't be as crazy in the future

Mad, but good luck. We're starting tonight not with the

Premier League but in the Northern League, because ` for the sdcond

time in three years ` West @uckland have booked a place at Wembley! Yes,

it was still all to play for after a goalless first leg remember but West

had to travel down to Leicestershire to face St Andrews on their home

turf, and in a pretty nervy game it wasn't until well into the second

half that England schoolboy Brady Hickey fired in the opener for the

home side. wasn't until well into the second

half that England schoolboy With around ten minutes to go it looked

like it wasn't going to be West Auckland's day ` but then up stepped

the hero of the hour! Yes, Steve Richardson's header levelled things

up for the County Durham side ` and with just three minutes left and

extra time looming Peter Dixon's side won a corner! It was hdaded in

by Stuart Banks, possibly whth the help of a deflection off Richardson

` and they're still arguing now about whose goal it was. It doesn't

really matter who gets the credit because it was the goal that takes

West back to Wembley. They'll play Sholing from the Wessex Prelier

Division on May tenth. Incrddibly, Northern League clubs have won every

Vase since Whitley Bay's trhumph back in 2009 ` let's hope it's

another one this year! And before we move on to thd doom

and gloom of the Premier Le`gue let's enjoy another good news story

` Wearsider Steph Houghton celebrated her first match `s

England captain with a thumping 9`0 win over Montenegro in their 20 5

World Cup qualifier. And before we move on to thd doom

and And among the scorers w`s her Manchester City team`mate, Jill

Scott, with a beautiful strhke and a first international goal for Demi

Stokes as well ` all three of them used to play for Sunderland ladies.

Shame Gus Poyet couldn't pl`y them tonight!

Because, let's face it, the blokes don't look like pulling the team out

of trouble, do they? Away at Tottenham tonight ` and aftdr the

weekend results, the Black Cats are bottom of the Premier Leagud table,

after Fulham's win at Aston Villa. Psychologically, not a great place

to be, with just eight games to go. Psychologically, not a great place

to be, with just eight games They've hit a slump at just the wrong time,

haven't they? Games in hand, but since winning the derby at

Newcastle, they've picked up just one point from six matches ` it s

not looking good, I'm afraid. A lot of people questioning Gus Poyet s

team selections of late, especially with him leaving top`scorer Adam

Johnson on the bench. He normally plays wide, of course. Now Poyet's

talking about playing Johnson as a striker at White Hart Lane. But has

he under`used him? For some reason, he did not affect

the game in those games that I would like. I know he can do it. H looked

for a solution. The decision was to bring him on against Liverpool.

There was a big impact, bec`use with a shade against West Ham he was an

impact. I would like to as people what happens if he does not have an

impact. Who is making a mistake Me or you? We shall see. And you can

hear Gus Poyet's reaction to this evening's game on Late Kick Off at

11.25pm tonight. Guests include the former Sunderland pair of Jtlio Arca

and Darren Williams. Julio, of course, also played for

Middlesbrough ` Darren is now manager at Whitby Town. And there'll

also be a feature on Carlisle United's one season in the top

flight ` 40 years ago ` the 197 /74 campaign, when they actuallx topped

the old First Division. That's now the Premier League for you

youngsters out there! If yot want to put a question to the team ` you can

tweet them on #LKONEC. Right ` can't put it off anx longer.

Newcastle United's second 4`0 defeat in a row. You have to ask ` what the

devil's going on? Before my disunited, everyone is up

for it `` Manchester United. Lee Charnley has been made managing

director, but he does not w`nt to do any interviews. What is going on at

Newcastle? They have not scored in their last 11 games. They'rd not the

same team that beat Manchester United at Old Trafford. You won t

win without your best players. They have players injured. No Waxne

Rooney for Manchester United, though. The quality of the goals was

great. A lovely touch coming up here from Juan Mata. If this guy shakes

his head anymore, he will end up with a bad neck. Middlesbrotgh's

defeat of Derby has raised hopes for next season. Back`to`back whns. A

nice finish there. Derby prdss at the end but couldn't force ` late

equaliser. The Carlisle man`ger was proud of his team. This plaxer is

enjoying his life back at C`rlisle. It lifts them out of the relegation

zone. They kept the fourth clean sheet in five games. A warnhng for

Hartlepool. Portsmouth scordd early on. The home side missed a penalty,

but hardly sliding. York earned a hard`fought draw. It is a f`ntastic

point away at a difficult place To come this season, many teams have

got rolled over. I'm delighted with the point and the work done in by

the players. And another grdat result for promotion chasing

Gateshead in the Conference. They're giving themselves a really good

chance of playing in League Two next season. They thrashed struggling

Tamworth 5`0 on Saturday ` Jamie Chandler with the opening goal.

There was a brace for Rob R`mshaw and Marcus Maddison ` no fewer than

three goals in the last thrde minutes of the game and that moves

Gary Mills side up to fourth after a fourth straight win.

And what about Newcastle Eagles Fab Flournoy's side are just two wins

away from claiming the BBL Championship after a dramathc 8 `78

victory over Sheffield Sharks on Friday. After looking way off the

pace not so very long ago, their eight game winning streak h`s

completely turned the title race on its head. If they beat bottom teams

Surrey and Birmingham next weekend it'll be their fifth Championship

title in seven years. But it was a miserable weekdnd for

our speedway teams. Workington Comets saw two meetings washed out,

and after taking a 30`point beating in Edinburgh the night before,

Saturday saw Berwick Bandits lose the return League Cup match by 7

points to 43. It was a similar story for Newcastle Diamonds ` be`ten home

and away by Somerset Rebels, who walked off with the Premier Shield.

Onto the weather now. Spring must be on its way, because the council have

taken my green bean away. It was very wet in places. The temperatures

over the weekend started to climb. It was 19 Celsius in Cumbri`. Those

temperatures came down todax, and much fresher feel today. Down to

eight degrees this afternoon and today's rain made it feel cold. And

tomorrow. Most places will see sunshine and most places will have

one or two showers. That brdeze comes in from the west, keeping

things feeling cool. There `re one or two showers this evening, but

they will be doing on the wdsterly winds, is a mixture of clear spells

and showers. A colder feel to things than the last few nights.

Temperatures could get down as low as three Celsius. Tomorrow there

will be some sunshine. It is a day of sunny spells and scatterdd

showers. It could be lovely sun one moment, black clouds the next. That

wind will blow the showers `way so they shouldn't last too long. The

temperatures do make it into double figures, peaking in Middlesbrough

tomorrow. That is the picture for tomorrow. We have high pressure in

the south, but never dominated our weather. These weather fronts in the

North are too close for comfort so it is southern part of the country

which will benefit. At the dnd of the week, things I'd start to

brighten up. If you are out and about, one or two showers whth sunny

spells in between. Wednesdax January has `` generally has a cloudier

feel. Thursday is also cloudy. On Friday things is quite another. Most

places will see sunshine but it will stay on the breezy side. Highs of

just into the double figures. Thanks Paul. Finally a look at tonhght s

headlines: Peaches Geldof h`s died. She was 25. The circumstancds of her

death are not clear. And a former Army officer h`s been

jailed for a minimum of 34 xears for the murder of an estate agent in

York. That is it for now. Goodbye.