23/01/2017 Look North (North East and Cumbria)

Hello, and welcome to Monday's Look North.

Jailed, the fake builders who cheated elderly

Meanwhile, police hunt three men who attacked a pensioner

and stole his life savings in a quiet County Durham village.

How one in five children in the north-east is brought up

in a home struggling to pay energy bills.

Why plans to re-introduce a wild cat into the countryside

In sport, we'll round-up all the weekend's football

And we'll bring you winners from around the world,

both with a pretty strong Cumbrian connection!

A judge called them despicable, a gang of fake builders who targeted

elderly people in our region, conning them out of

Another, an 87-year-widow, was pushed to the ground

In most cases, the gang took money without doing any work at all.

Tonight, three of them are in prison.

Well, our news correspondent Mark Denten is outside

The judge here today called it a despicable case of criminal conduct,

a gang of men who operated throughout our region targeting

deliberately vulnerable people, especially pensioners, and then

effectively robbing then, in some cases, of their life savings.

Far from being ashamed, they had celebrated, taking photos of one of

their victims to zest money, filming themselves celebrating.

The judge said they had a warped sense of achievement. Tonight, three

of them are locked up. Sunderland's suburbs,

many of the elderly One criminal gang called

it an opportunity. These men were part of it,

they posed as builders pressurising vulnerable

people into handing over thousands of pounds

for work that wasn't needed

and rarely carried out. Often using this red van,

they targeted pensioners including a former miner,

75-year-old George Metcalfe who, over a period of weeks,

withdrew ?30,000 from his bank account,

his The gang turned up here

on Newlands Avenue in Sunderland at the home

of Joan was knocked over

and fractured her hip A neighbour found her

but it was ten hours later. She had lain in this little

kitchen for ten hours screaming for help, and it was only

by chance somebody overheard her She died three months

later in hospital. Today, three members of the gang

were sent to prison, Lee Davidson for five years,

Philip Orton for three years and nine months,

The judge said the three men could not be held

criminally responsible for Mrs Barnett's death.

Another man, Levi Gales, 44, was charged with her

A statement by one of the neighbours with read out by a police officer

We've visited her in hospital but she seemed to have lost all interest

in life. One member of the gang is still on

the run, the judge adjourned his sentencing until he is recaptured.

Well, meanwhile, Durham Police are hunting three men who attacked

a pensioner and stole his life savings over the weekend.

It happened in the village of Coronation near Bishop Auckland.

Alison Freeman joins us from there now.

Police are calling this a horrific and terrifying attack on an elderly

man in his own home. Police were called after 8:30pm on

Saturday, the 77-year-old had gone to his coal shed when three men with

face coverings tackled him. They hit him over the head with a coal

shovel, dragged him inside, and searched his belongings.

They left with his life savings. The man did need hospital treatment but

fortunately his injuries were not serious.

We spoke to one of the victims's relatives who lives in the same

street and he described how quickly it all happened.

He said he didn't know, he said they were over the wall

The man is 77 years old with three young lads on top of him,

They took him to hospital and he stayed overnight.

I've lived here al lmy life and used to know every one in every house.

Do we know how much money was stolen?

Durham Police won't give the exact figure but say it is substantial,

his life savings, and are warning people not to keep large sums of

cash in their home. The officer in charge told us the impact it had had

on the victim. He is alone in his own

home, the one place you're supposed to feel safe

and comfortable in and this type of He's too old to put up much

of a fight and there were So, it's an absolutely

terrifying ordeal and something which no one

should have to go through. I've spoken to him every day

since this has taken place, several times, and he is just

devastated at the moment. He is just really struggling

to come to terms with it. He has a great family

behind him, though. The police say they need as much

information as possible to catch the three men responsible.

Back to you. A woman's died following a crash

involving a coach and a car It happened just off

the northbound side of the A19 The woman was taken

to the James Cook Hospital The driver of the coach,

which was empty at the time, You've probably heard of food banks,

but what about fuel banks? One-off payments are now being given

to families struggling One in five children

in the north-east is brought up in a home struggling

with fuel poverty. Kirsten O'Brien has been looking

at the problem for tonight's Jacqui and Michael Turnbull

live in Sacriston. Michael works as a security guard

at Durham University, and Jacqui is a student

and full time mum. Because you're trying

to provide for your family, and it just gets to the stage

where you just can't do it. How aware do you think

the kids are about it? Yes, my little girl definitely

does, my little boy I mean the first thing she says

to me in a morning is, Mummy, can we have toast today or do

we have to have cereal A four-year old shouldn't know

about that, they shouldn't 100,000 children are living in

the fuel poverty in the north-east. That's one in five of our children,

it's totally unacceptable. Fuel poverty is the inability to pay

for your fuel bills and having It's closely linked to general

poverty, but additionally there is inequality in the way

people are asked to In, Durham there is now a fuel bank

organised through the county's ?49 in the winter and ?30

in the summer is available for people on pre-

payment meters who've run out It came about because we found that

people who were coming to the food bank weren't just in crisis

for food, they also In some cases, couldn't even cook

the food that we gave them We are able to put them forward

for a voucher so they've got fuel to heat and cook the food

that we give them. When they turned around and said,

we can give you ?49 for your electricity,

I cried and said, how do I pay it And they explained and they said,

no, it's a gift, you don't But in our region, the scheme just

operates in County Durham, That's because only one

energy supplier, NPower, is prepared to fund the vouchers,

leaving thousands of Kirsten O'Brien, BBC

Look North, Durham. And you can hear from Energy UK,

the organisation representing energy suppliers, on whether or not it's

prepared to roll out the scheme nationally,

on tonight's Inside out A leisure centre closed by council

cuts in the deprived West End of Newcastle could re-open

this summer and be run The Friends Of Elswick Pool have

presented a business plan to the city council and hope

to become a successful trust. It's only been closed for 15 months,

but green algae already clouds However, a community group plans

to clean up the pool and re-open it by the end of the summer,

if the city council There is so much about the pool

that was really great before. So, we had the steam room, sauna,

swimming lessons, women only, but there is so much more

that the building could be. When we did community consultation,

people overwhelmingly said that they wanted things

like a soft-play area, So, we are really listening

to the community, and we want to be In an area with few

amenities, the pool and gym are hugely important for local

people's health and well-being. My son has had

swimming lessons here. I'd love my daughter

to have swimming lessons. It is not feasible to

get to any other pool. For people with disabilities,

it is a good pool. For young people with young

families, excellent. That is why I feel it is a great

loss to the community if we can't The man who has helped community

groups in both Jesmond and Fenham to run their own pools is now

advising the Elswick group. And he sees a bright

future for the site. It's a very, very good

building, Elswick Pool. And if I think of the ones I have

looked at around the country, It's a modern pool, has

fantastic facilities, but it needs a little bit of work

to get it back, before we can open Newcastle City Council says it's

worked with the Friends for a year now, and is committed to the pool's

reopening, but only when a long-term Adrian Pitches, BBC

Look North, Elswick. An MP wants a plan to re-introduce

a wild cat into Northumberland to be scrapped, because he says local

people don't want it to happen. Hexham's Guy Opperman says a survey

he carried out suggests nine in ten people in the Kielder area

are opposed to the lynx But those behind the plan insist it

does have local backing. Here's our political

editor Richard Moss. For solitude, a winter's day

in Kielder is ideal. How about shareing these forests

with the Eurasian lynx? It has been extinct in Britain

since the Middle Ages but a wildlife group wants to release at least ten

of them here. If I was to encounter

a lynx now, number one, What I'd be seeing is a cat 70

centimetres high to its shoulders, one metre in length,

weighing in at 20-40 kilos, a quarter to a half

of my body weight. Lynx Trust UK which is behind

the plans say the cats will control Local farmers feel they might

also fancy a nibble I cannot see the fact that they will

live entirely on deer. If there is a lamb a little bit slow

getting up onto its feet, You can't tell me that they aren't

going to say, I'm not It's a hard enough job eking

a living out of this landscape without the added problem

of another predator. The trust's stats suggest

only a handful of lambs will be taken each year,

and compensation is promised. A local MP says a survey he has done

shows the lynx will not be welcome. I went to the 400 residents

of the villages of the local area, and had a response from 96 houses,

a 25% response is actually very good Out of 96, 93 were

unequivocally against. There are enthusiasts, Michael Brown

runs Kielder's only pub. He said the lynx effect is something

the businesses desperately need. It is a dying area,

it's time for change. It will bring tourists

into rural areas with Curiosity will get the best

of people and will want to see them. I promise I didn't set this up,

propping up the bar is someone who has seen the lynx's

North American cousin. Canadian forester Zachary

is in Kielder to plant trees. To see one is rare, six

years back in Canada, and this past summer,

I've seen one. Not this dangerous and wild

creature, that would be the wolf. If you introduced wolves,

I'd be more worried. Those behind the plans insist

they are winning support well beyond the odd Canadian,

especially among the businesses. I have seen the survey done by Guy

and it is farcical, highly biased, the preamble is factually

inaccurate and misleading. Guy is in danger of damaging local

businesses and employment The lynx are a huge driver

for ecotourism, almost every business we spoke to in Kielder

is massively supportive Guy Opperman stands by his survey

but the trust hopes to get a license After more than 1,000 years away,

there are still divisions over whether this a cat Northumberland

wants to welcome back. Richard Morse, BBC

Look North, Kielder. Now, it was built in 1770 to produce

flour for families in York. Now, 247 years later,

Yorkshire's only working windmill And the team of people

who've restored the mill But they need more volunteers,

as Phil Connell reports. It was once one of hundreds of mills

in Yorkshire but today it is the only one left

that is working, found in the middle of Windmill Rise,

a residential street in York. Lots of orders this week,

we will have to do some milling. For a small team of volunteers,

the windmill has become Before they arrived,

it was derelict. In 2012 it was restored

to its former glory thanks to ten There were times we thought

we would never get that work done Yes, there were some real

heart in mouth periods. The mill now makes and sells around

30 bags of flour a week. To secure its long-term future

an appeal is being made A chance to learn skills that

have been passed down We have done the hard work

by getting the mill restored, but it is almost harder to keep it

in a decent condition. It is one thing getting the money

to do it in the first place but continuing the income is crucial

and volunteers are key. We would love anybody who has

the time and physical energy. It is quite a physical

job, to get involved. And take over from us old ones

who are beginning to see the end For anyone interested

in volunteering, there are two open days at the mill this weekend,

a chance to learn something Newcastle back on top

of the Championship, a win for Hartlepool's caretaker

boss, but more misery for our two As if they weren't short of enough

players, Sunderland defender Papy Djilobodji is facing

a four-match ban, having today been charged with violent

conduct for swiping out the referee had a good view, it was

an aggressive shove, I still think he will be banned.

He has already been sent off this season.

Victor Annatjie be has picked up a knee injury. Just back from another

injury. Opening that ligament, that will be

if you weeks. And this one as well.

A direct hit, not happy. Even before kick-off,

the Black Cats were back at the foot of the table

following Swansea's any great

response at the Hawthorns. And there was some pretty awful

defending for both goals. 11 players back here. Any set piece,

you have to look to win the first context.

Third, fourth, back in the net. What about this from the left back,

forcing a throw in. Good pressure, then you need to

react but he is facing the wrong place, ball still in play. West Brom

attacked the space left. A good ball into the box. They are unfortunate,

2-0 after 36 minutes, a mountain to climb.

David Moyes was not impressed. We are doing everything

we can to eradicate it but it is a disease

at the moment. I take responsibility

for that, I pick the That is what we have to tackle

at this moment in time. We have to hope that

our turn for results Well, like Sunderland, Middlesbrough

are in a bit of a rut right now, without a Premier League win

since before Christmas. And the home defeat to West Ham saw

head coach Aitor Karanka criticising fans as they urged the team

to attack more in the later stages. Always dangerous to have a go

at your own supporters, Steve? Newly promoted side, four points

clear of the relegation sign -- so, but the fans are unhappy with their

style of play. Andy Carroll getting a couple of

goals. You can't give him a run and leave him unmarked. Middlesbrough

got themselves back in the game, a good goal.

They have success in wide areas. But not getting on the end of it.

Apparently, we have heard this. And the Northern Echo reporting

chairman Steve Gibson has turned down a ?50 million offer

from a Chinese consortium The money he has put in, I think he

is entitled to more than that, and with his emotional attachment.

Patrick Bamford came on. But the manager wasn't happy after the game.

The last minutes, we weren't in the way that the crowd demanded.

Even last season, there were moments, we didn't score,

we didn't create one chance playing in that style.

Because we must decide to win more games.

A bit of leapfrogging going on in the Championship.

Brighton reclaiming top spot on Friday night,

before Newcastle beat bottom club Rotherham to retake

And, while it turned into a bit of a rout,

the Millers didn't make it easy for the Magpies, particularly

They nearly took the lead here, fortunate with that.

Clark came in and made an incredible save, straight off the training

ground. Darren Murphy is the man of the

moment. Great vision. Very difficult to turn with your back to goal.

After that, Newcastle ran away with it. They have had if you wobble is,

but they are strong enough to get through.

There was in a lot of consistency from the packs to catch them.

Shelvey dictating the plate, finding space. Good run from Ritchie.

A comfortable win. Brighton go back to the top of the championship if

they beat Cardiff. In League Two, caretaker boss

Sam Collins guided Hartlepool to victory over Stevenage,

as new boss Dave Jones Is Jones the right man

for the Pools job, Steve? I worked for Dave Jones at Scott

Port, a good appointment -- at Stockport. He is a good appointment.

Jason Kennedy here. It is not happening for Carlisle.

Two points from four games. Thank youth that can see you again

next week. -- thanking you for that. And Durham have signed South African

batsman Stephen Cook for the first But Ben Stokes was once again

England's hero as they beat India And he laid some demons

to rest in the process. Stokes hit an unbeaten 57 off just

39 balls and took three wickets, including key man Virat Kohli,

in a man of the match performance. A contrast to his nightmare

at Eden Gardens nine months ago, when Carlos Brathwaite hit him

for four successive sixes in the final over,

as the West Indies beat England There was a bit of banter

flying around leading up Yes, it's nice to come back

here and get rid of any of the bad It was another game

of cricket to focus on, In basketball, Newcastle Eagles

have been knocked off Ahead of the home game

with Worcester Wolves, they paraded the BBL Cup they'd won

five days earlier. But in a repeat of last

year's result, Worcester spoiled the party with a shock win

by 112 points to 103, as Leicester Riders pushed

the Eagles into second place. But we'll end with a winner,

because M Sport, run by Malcolm Wilson and based

in Cockermouth, yesterday won the world famous Monte Carlo Rally,

in the snow with Sebastien Ogier A huge achievement

for the Cumbrian team. And M Sport's first

World Rally win since 2012. Fantastic stuff, a bit of snow

there. We've heard the warning for really

severe cold. There is scope for some optimism.

Some optimistic weather pictures. A bit of frost in the Lake District

but sunshine as well the second picture, will leave Spaniel

delighted to see the sun rising. And a bit of optimism in the third

picture, as the snowdrops begin to appear in North Yorkshire.

It will get colder. A cold night tonight but not everywhere will see

a frost. Some cloud drifting in from the North west overnight. The

further south and east, the cold and you will be with dense and freezing

fog patches. Temperatures by the end of the night, subzero in those

colder clearer areas, just above freezing further north and west

where the breeze picks up as well. Tomorrow morning, that early frost

and fog will slowly lift and clear to be replaced by these cloudy

skies. Not as much blue sky as today, the classic enough in the

north and west Apache and light rain. Further east, the drier it

will stay. A range of textures after a frosty start. Only tomorrow

afternoon -- a range of temperatures. Eight Celsius in

Carlisle. The winds, a noticeable southerly breeze tomorrow. The winds

will be a feature of the weather. You can see the lines tightening up,

fairly windy conditions through the middle part of the week. Thursday,

we picked up a South easterly from the continent bringing in some

really cold air, bitterly cold. By the end of the week, the winds

swinging background to a south-westerly. -- Swinging back

around. Wednesday, temperatures up to eight Celsius but cooler in the

breeze. Thursday, temperatures much cooler in the east.

Wrap up warm. I was just checking, those pictures of that rally, it was

Monte Carlo in the snow! It is topsy-turvy.

Join us again just after the Ten O'Clock News.

To break someone physically... Agh! ..is not a problem.