05/01/2017 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello and welcome to Thursday's Look North.

Tonight: We're sorry and we'll learn from our mistakes .

The apology from Cleveland's Chief Constable over

We should not have used those powers to get details from journalists

He died after a leg fracture went unnoticed.

Now a hospital has changed its x-ray procedures.

If it's not an accident or an emergency, please

The message from health bosses after thousands turn up at casualty

And the bid to bring more celebrity A-listers

In football - more players on the move in the January transfer window.

And after losing to the top two over the holidays,

there's another tough game ahead for Newcastle Falcons.

The Chief Constable of Cleveland Police issued a public

It came after his force admitted unlawfully using anti-terror powers

to secretly monitor people's private phone records.

This afternoon, Iain Spittal said the force would

learn from its mistakes and promised major changes.

Mr Spittal apologised to the people whose phones were monitored.

He said every surveillance request involving phone data from the last

And he also promised to get rid of the force's professional

standards department after a series of scandals.

The force had already admitted acting unlawfully

by using legislation reserved for serious crime to monitor

the phone records of journalists and solicitors in 2012 to see

We should not have used those powers, we should not have used

those powers to get details from journalists so it's

Last month, at a tribunal in London, two former Cleveland Police officers

claimed their private phone records had also been secretly monitored

after they challenged misconduct at the force.

The Professional Standards Department set their stall out

and went out to get me, which was an utter disgrace.

I honestly think they were trying to stitch me up.

I think they were using any means, unlawful or otherwise,

and mainly otherwise, to stitch me up.

Over a four-month period in 2012, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal

in London heard Cleveland Police monitored over a million

minutes of telephone data from just six people.

Some of your police officers broke the law, surely they should now face

There is a subtle difference between unlawful and breaking the law.

What the IPT have said is that the use of the power was unlawful.

That does not necessarily lead to a criminal offence being committed.

If criminal offences have been committed then we will deal

Cleveland's Crime Commissioner said the force would learn

from its mistakes, but even he accepts we have been here before.

We've had police officers sacked, sent to prison, racism rows,

corruption scandals, now police officers secretly

You're the Crime Commissioner, you never seem to be doing

I've got a robust scrutiny process in place, which looks at all aspects

Well, they do, but we've got to bear in mind that we're policing an area

We're dealing with up to 1,000 calls a day from the public.

These are a very small minority of incidents,

very serious incidents, but they are a very small minority

of incidents that affect a very small number of people.

But this latest scandal has led some to call

Cleveland Police should not be abolished.

Cleveland Police, every day, delivers outstanding

But it's constantly mired by these scandals and problems.

Every day, people who work for Cleveland Police save people's

I'm confident that I am the right leader for this organisation to make

sure we move through this phase so that the service we deliver

A grieving family have welcomed changes to x-ray procedures

at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough after their

severely disabled son died after an unnoticed leg fracture.

Callum Robinson died at the Teesside hospital after a fall from his bed

at home days earlier, while being looked

Callum Robinson had lived his 14 years with serious physical

In August of 2014, while being seen by a Voyage Healthcare worker,

he slipped from his bed, resulting in two leg injuries,

including the fracture which eventually needed operating

Teesside Coroner's Court heard today the fracture wasn't

detected in an initial x-ray at James Cook Hospital

because it was felt Callum needn't have his incontinence pad removed,

resulting in a sub-optimal x-ray image.

But Callum's family are still confused about how the initial fall

happened while being looked after by care worker Amy Carter.

The other element was basically at James Cook, where we actually

had him checked over by a doctor, he was x-rayed, the x-ray was poor

Unfortunately that delay between, as Dr Bob Platter said,

He wasn't in a good position to battle the fractures.

In court today, Paul said his initial request

for a repeat x-ray was at first refused, but he's welcomed changes

made in the radiology department since then.

We are pleased that changes have been put in place,

especially two new procedures which makes it really clear

I think there was just too much discretion by the radiographer.

In a statement, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust said it would

like to offer sympathy to Mr and Mrs Robinson and their family.

The trust has been open and honest and is sorry it did not identify

the fracture initially and has now strengthened its procedures.

Voyage Specialist Healthcare said Callum slipped from his bed

while under their care and they added the incident

was thoroughly investigated by the police and the Health

and Safety Executive and no further action was taken.

Amy Carter's training was up-to-date and included specialist training

In concluding the inquest, the coroner, Karen Welsh,

said Mr and Mrs Robinson always accepted they'd lose

Callum at some point, but not in such a tragic

Four teenage boys have been arrested after a 15-year-old girl

The attack is said to have happened around 7.30pm on Tuesday

near the Cloffocks car park in Workington.

The three 13-year-olds and a 14-year-old are in police

custody and detectives are continuing to

Now, would you go to your local casualty department with a broken

fingernail, a bout of toothache or a sore throat?

Well, some people do and it puts unnecessary

In fact, between the 1st and 25th December, more than 53,000 people

went to major A departments across the North-East.

Yet only 15,000 of those actually needed emergency treatment -

that's less than 30% of all those who attended.

It's prompted health bosses to urge people not to waste the time of busy

hospital teams with minor ailments and illnesses.

Damian O'Neil's at A at the Royal Victoria Infirmary

Fit and well, I hope. Yes. This is a very busy hospital and it's seen its

fair share of dubious visits, but this is a problem affecting all

major hospitals across the north-east. Those figures you're

mentioned are being described as unprecedented. It seems every winter

there is an increase of people going to A with minor ailments, but this

year is bigger than ever. 38,000 in the north-east went to A when they

had no business being there. Hospital bosses say this is a huge

waste of time and resources. We're seeing people with colds,

runny noses, sore throats, All of these things can be safely

managed by another route. Clinical pharmacists are available

on most high streets A lot of GP surgeries offer

same-day appointments. It's always worth

trying your GP first. And there are lots of walk-in

centres who can provide safe Not everybody needs

an A department. A is designed for serious,

life-threatening illness and injury and that's what we need

to keep it for. As well as the coughs and colds, a

lot of people are turning up with winter vomiting bug is all too vague

or simply because they are drunk. If you turn up with a common winter

virus, you run the risk of infecting everybody else around you. The

message is clear. Think very hard before you make the decision to go

to your A department. Every year we do a big publicity

campaign to try and help people Think about the pharmacist,

think about their GP. If they're concerned,

the 111 service will talk them through their symptoms to make sure

they're not missing any serious or underlying problems

and direct them appropriately. If they need to go

to an A department, the 111 service will advise them

to do that. If they need to go and see

a pharmacist, it will give The hospitals are stressing they

won't turn anybody away and if you do have a serious condition, you

absolutely should go to A If you just have a cough and cold, they say

stay at home, rest and drink lots of fluids. If you have broken

fingernail, and emery board should probably do trick.

A Newcastle company's been fined over ?7,000 for the unauthorised

sale of nitrous oxide after an undercover investigation

by the BBC's Inside Out programme and BBC Newcastle.

Although nitrous oxide is used legally in the catering industry,

it can be fatal when inhaled as a drug.

Newcastle Council, which brought today's court case, says

the judgement sends out a warning to other firms.

Here's our news correspondent, Mark Denten.

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a legal product used in the catering

industry, but it can also be used as a drug with potentially fatal risks.

Two former Northumbria University students, David Jenkins and Jonathan

Lawrence, ran to whip, which sold nitrous oxide director students.

Today both men appeared in court charged, along with their company

with the un-authorised sale of nitrous oxide.

The court heard David Jenkins and Jonathan Lawrence's company,

Out Of The Kitchen Ltd, made a total profit in 2015-16 of ?40,000.

Toon Whip, part of that company, made a ?10,000 profit alone.

The court heard the case came to light after an undercover

investigation by the BBC's Inside Out programme,

in which undercover reporter Philippa Goymer purchased two boxes

She was given instructions by staff, who were not Jenkins on Lawrence.

Two people working as distributors for the company also showed our

reporter how to use above room to inhale the gas.

Magistrates here imposed a fine totalling ?7,620

on Out Of The Kitchen Ltd, which must be paid within 14 days.

Newcastle Council trading standards brought the case and says it's a

warning to other firms. I'm absolutely delighted, it sends out a

firm and clear message to those people who are selling nitrous oxide

and potentially putting people's lives that risks. All credit to the

BBC, the Stinger exposed the company and highlighted what they are doing

and the sale of much as oxide for recreational purposes. We know young

people participate in this, but we are aware there are deaths

associated with taking it. We have a responsibility as the local

authority to look after people's health and well-being. The BBC

played a key role in this activity. Meanwhile, the case

against David Jenkins and Jonathan Lawrence was adjourned

until later this month. School children in Sunderland

were treated to a special performance by musicians

from the Royal Philharmonic The performance for children with

special needs at Sunningdale School was led by world-renowned composer

Tim Steiner. The musicians are touring special

schools in Sunderland as part of the Sound Around project -

aimed at engaging young people A performance that was music

to the ears of children Some of the country's

finest musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

took a break from their globetrotting careers

to stop off in Sunderland, playing everything from

classical favourites MONTAGUES AND CAPULETS,

DANCE OF THE KNIGHTS. One of the things that we believe,

and absolutely is the case, is that when you put young people

in the presence of first-class musicians playing first-class music,

everybody responds really positively It's such a good way to bring people

together in quite meaningful ways. A chance for the children to see,

hear and feel the music. The schools tour is part

of the Sound Around project, which aims to engage young people

with live orchestral music. Music is being squeezed

in the curriculum in schools, but we think it's very important

that people all over the country should have access to this

world-class kind of orchestral We don't have local,

easily accessible opportunities for children, so for children to be

able to hear and play with a London orchestra is just

a fantastic opportunity. Young people from schools

across the city will also help to produce concerts

at the Sunderland Empire in March. Basketball is well ex back tonight's

sports news is coming up. Plus, the bid by one of our seaside

towns to coax more big names After a crisp winter's day-to-day,

all change for tomorrow thanks to this weather front. Join me shortly

for the full forecast. A Cumbrian soldier who suffered

life-changing injuries in Afghanistan sets off later this

week to climb the highest mountain Del Spry was in a vehicle blown up

by a roadside bomb in 2009, leaving him with brain

injuries and deafness. He's now part of a team of disabled

veterans hoping to reach the summit of Mount Aconcagua

in the Argentinian Andes. Former signalman Del Spry,

training here on the 99 steps of the Wetherall viaduct

near Carlisle, has already faced Not least being blown

up by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan and left

with life-changing injuries. The injuries, the main part

was a brain injury where I had a lot It has been difficult

to get back on my feet. Actually, just getting back

on track with my life. Now Del is part of a team

of disabled veterans hoping to achieve a world first in climbing

the highest mountains on each of the seven continents

and reaching both Poles unaided. He leaves later this month

to tackle the tallest peak in the Andes, Mount Aconcagua,

at nearly 23,000 feet. Being part of the team as well,

it's a really tight-knit team, we've gone through a

rigorous selection to get It's great to be amongst

that camaraderie again. The Adaptive Challenge,

as it's known, represents a grand ambition, but the spirit

is all about rebuilding It's not about your disability,

it's about your abilities. There's various injuries

within the team - gunshot It just proves that

anything's possible. The team leaves for South America

at the end of this week After all, climbing mountains

is what many have done Plans have been revealed to coax

more big stars to Scarborough with an increase in concerts

at the town's open-air theatre. Councillors are being asked

to approve plans to nearly double the number of concert

dates for 2017. The concert promoters say

it'll give the local It's not even London,

but Scarborough, playing host to big names last summer in the Open Air

Theatre. With 6,500 seats, it's the biggest

in Europe and hosted They went so well the promoters

now want to schedule almost double that,

18, in 2017. We saw the opportunity that actually

artists want to come here. In terms of the geography

of the country, it's a great location that's not really tapped

into and we have such a great venue. So looking at it with the council,

we said, right, OK, we've done really well with ten or 11 shows,

almost all of them have sold out, Ten years ago, the theatre

was in a sorry state. It had been closed for decades

and lay abandoned and unused. It was reopened by the Queen

in 2010 with high hopes. But they've taken

a while be realised. The theatre reopened

in the teeth of the recession. The going in those early

years was really tough, but the extra dates nearly double

the business here. It's estimated the concerts

will give a ?5 million boost 2016 shows attracted in excess

of 50,000 people to the venue, equating to around ?2.5 million

for the local economy. Having additional shows

is absolutely fantastic news. It could mean a return

to the glory days of the 1930s, when the theatre played a central

part in Scarborough's prosperity. The crowds then liked

lavish musicals. These days it's the likes

of Beach Boys, Cliff Richard and Olly Murs that will bring

in the crowds in 2017. If councillors back the proposals

for more dates, expect more announcements from the stars

that they too are adding Singing along to that one!

I hope our microphones were faded out, that wouldn't have been

pleasant for you. Let's start with rugby union.

Newcastle Falcons had a tough time over the holidays.

They'd played the Premiership's top two sides over Christmas

and New Year and there's no let-up tomorrow, when they take

But after coming close to beating leaders Wasps last

week at Kingston Park, this one might be too close to call,

The Falcons came away empty-handed from champions Saracens

on Christmas Eve and subsequently stunned many by taking a 12-point

lead in the opening minutes against Wasps last Friday.

At the end, though, they had to settle for two bonus points,

a result both disappointing and encouraging in equal measure.

I think we'd be encouraged by the performance,

I think Wasps, along with Sarries, are a top-two team.

To run them so close is good to perform that well

and show we can compete, but also disappointing

Home advantage shouldn't be underestimated.

The Falcons beat Bath at Kingston Park last season

and will want to make amends for the drubbing they suffered

against the star-studded side at The Rec in September.

Bath scored eight tries against the Falcons earlier

in the season on home turf and will be looking to get back

to winning ways after two defeats on the trot.

But after coming so close to beating leaders Wasps last week,

the Falcons will be full of confidence and are

looking upwards rather than over their shoulder.

That game against Bath gave us a bit of a reality check.

After that, we worked hard and we went away

and we've won at Gloucester, we've won at Northampton and we've

Harlequins was another cracking game.

We feel like we've learned from that experience

We are now a club looking towards that top six.

We want to be in the top half of the league and after

Hopefully having home advantage on Friday will swing

I think we're confident but we're not arrogant,

We know on our day, mentally, if we are switched on and turn up,

But if you're not on the money for the whole 80 minutes,

like we saw on Friday against Wasps, they will beat you.

We have to be really good for the whole 80 minutes,

not drop off for two or three minutes here and there.

Hopefully we'll do that against Bath and win the game.

On to football, and a couple more comings and goings

Fulham's young Irish defender Sean Kavanagh has joined

And two players are leaving Middlesbrough.

Belgian international midfielder Julien de Sart will see out the rest

And goalkeeper Tomas Meijas has returned home to Spain.

He's moved to the second division side Rayo Vallecano

Meanwhile, the West Ham boss, Slaven Bilic, reported to have had

a bid turned down for Jermain Defoe, has today been talking

up his admiration for the in-form Sunderland striker.

He has the things that are most important in a football

Last season he was maybe, or probably, the main

He continues to do the same this season.

We shall hear a response from David Moyes tomorrow.

Another club hoping to hang on to their top scorer during this

month's transfer window are Carlisle United.

The Cumbrians, who play at in-form League Two rivals

Colchester on Saturday, lost their unbeaten home

record last weekend, despite Charlie Wyke giving

Manager Keith Curle wants to see the young striker continue

to inspire his side's promotion push.

If somebody comes in with an offer that I think is right

for the football club, right for Charlie and right

But if not, I'm more than happy with the focus that Charlie's got.

Charlie likes scoring goals and Charlie is very happy

with the professional environment he's working in because

He's at a great age and he's got a very good work ethic.

Tomorrow night will have a full look ahead to the FA Cup weekend. Now

time for the weather and it's been affording us the most fantastic

views. Crystal clear days. Some lovely pictures last night and

another couple tonight. If you send us pictures, send us accurate

information with the photos, that helps. This one comes from earlier

today. Jeff tells us this is exhibition Park in Newcastle earlier

today with ducks standing on ice. If we take a close look, I think we'll

find they are not ducks, they are black headed gulls. Thanks for the

picture anyway. He's chuffed just to be featured! Most of us will see a

frost again tonight, but it will be temporary. It will cloud over

through the night and temperatures will rise as rain moves in from the

West. Clear skies and a blue haze on the map at first. Temperatures will

drop to subzero, but cloud will bring patchy rain later, the breeze

will pick up and temperatures will recover. The temperatures on the map

of minimum values. Tomorrow is a different day altogether. A lot more

cloud around, outbreaks of Rainford many as well. That rain becomes

quite widespread, the heaviest of the rain at times in the West. It

stays cloudy with intermittent rain throughout the afternoon. A much

milder day with temperatures up to nine Celsius in Whitehaven, but it

will be breezy as well. That's the picture for tomorrow. That weather

front brings us the wetter weather. High-pressure tries to build for the

weekend and it feeds in on a westerly wind. It keeps us generally

dry as we head through the weekend. Tomorrow, a lot of cloud, outbreaks

of rain and breezy, but relatively mild. Saturday will stay generally

cloudy. Eight or nine Celsius. Sunday will see the cloud become

more broken so you're more likely to see brighter spells, especially in

eastern areas in that West 's south-westerly breeze. Temperatures

up to eight or nine Celsius on Sunday afternoon. That's the way the

weather is looking as we head towards the weekend. If you're in

any doubt, like Jeff, I shall explain. The -- the differences are

very subtle, but they are there if you look closely! I will have more

weather tonight and no more ducks. There's the January calendar winner

sorted already. You're very flustered! That's it

from us than now. If you are on a late shift at work or driving back

later, the careful because it could be liked -- it could be icy. See you

at 10:30pm. Goodbye.