Teesside Evening Gazette

Drugs cash was bag full of toilet roll, court is told

A FATAL machete attack took place after a bag meant to contain a cash payment for drugs had been filled with toilet paper, a jury heard. One of the four accused of murdering Anthony Dickons told a court that the bag “should have been money – around...

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TWO EASY TO WAYS CLAIM

‘Best value notice’ will remain in place

MINISTERS are considering “appropriate next steps based on the evidence” when it comes to the lifting of a best value notice slapped on the Tees Valley Combined Authority last year. The notice – a formal notification of concerns about governance and...

Deal is sealed for £2bn incinerator

CONTRACTS valued at £2bn have been signed for the delivery of a controversial household waste incinerator scheme on Teesside. The deal on the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF) marks the end of a process lasting several years when the scheme...

MAN WHO TRIED TO RAPE JOGGER IS JAILED

A MAN who tried to rape a woman out running has been locked up for seven years. Michael Wanless, 41, punched his victim in the jaw in the incident in Eston on a morning in 2023. As the woman lay on the ground, he began pulling at her clothing and...

Murder accused’s internet searches

ONE of the four males accused of murdering Anthony Dickons in a “ferocious” machete attack, made a number of online searches afterwards, a jury has heard. Daniel Simpson, 31, searched for “attempted murder”; “ferry to Belfast”; “non extradition...

Evie builds on her family history on the Steel River of today

A YOUNG quay worker has become the fourth generation of her family to work on a site that continues to power Teesside’s industrial might. Evie Duce, 20, is a logistics coordinator at Steel River Quay, South Bank, helping to oversee major shipment...

BBC Proms to make its debut at town hall

BBC Proms will make its debut at Middlesbrough Town Hall this summer in a “landmark moment” for music in the town. The BBC Proms in the North East returns in 2026 with its biggest regional programme yet, spanning Middlesbrough, The Glasshouse in...

A TURNING POINT AT LAST?

IPSWICH DRAW MAY HAVE ENDED AUTOMATIC PROMOTION HOPES – BUT BORO CAN TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR PERFORMANCE: SPORT

Stadium trek has a very special goal

AN AVID fundraiser will take in a hat-trick of North East football stadiums as he tackles his latest charity challenge. Paul Cunningham and best pal Craig Strike will cover 42 miles this Wednesday, April 22, starting at St James’ Park in...

Drivers are being ‘ambushed’ by limited speed info

UNSUSPECTING motorists have been ticketed for speeding on a country lane after not realising it has a 30mph limit. A stretch between Skelton Green and Boosbeck in East Cleveland has been subject to speed camera enforcement action after concerns about...

CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE IN ‘EXCELLENT’ HANDS

TEESSIDE’S Education Training Collective (Etc.) has been named a Clean Energy Technical Excellence College by the Department for Education. One of just five Clean Energy TECS announced nationally, it puts the Teesside college group, which incorporates...

A ‘positive experience’ after a traumatic ordeal

A NINE-YEAR-OLD boy injured in a hit-and-run in Thornaby has visited the Matrix team following the traumatic ordeal. Ezra Nunn, from Thornaby, was involved in a collision with an electric bike last month. The nine-year-old suffered only minor...

Making a ‘hole’ load of progress on road repairs

MIDDLESBROUGH Council is repairing potholes at the second highest rate of any local authority in the UK, according to a survey. Between 2021 and 2025 a total of 47,154 pothole repairs were completed in the borough, equating to 8,144 per 100km of road....

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‘We need a push on rehoming people’

CLEAN-UP issues associated with homelessness in Middlesbrough could harm its bid to become the UK’S next City of Culture, a councillor has suggested. The council’s bid was recently longlisted for the prestigious title due to be awarded for 2029....

Community is left ‘absolutely devastated’ at death of girl in suspected dog attack

A COMMUNITY in Dormanstown has been left stunned and heartbroken after a baby girl died in a suspected dog attack. Neighbours on Hardale Grove described the death of the girl – who was just three months old – as “absolutely devastating” and...

Care home celebrates ‘good’ authority rating

COUNCIL plans to revamp a “much loved” kids paddling pool in Redcar have been hit by delays. Concerns were first raised about the condition of the pool, on The Stray close to the beach, two years ago when it was described as neglected and in need of...

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PARAMEDICS BEING MET WITH MORE VIOLENCE THAN EVER

PARAMEDICS and ambulance workers in the North East are facing more violence and aggression on the frontline than ever before. North East Ambulance Service bosses say they’ve seen a steep 47% increase in “reported violence and aggression incidents”...

Public parole hearing bid over killer

NOTORIOUS murderer Billy Dunlop could face another public parole hearing after serving more than 20 years behind bars. In September last year, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) confirmed Dunlop’s case would be referred again to the Parole Board, “in line...

DON’T MISS A THING!

THE looming closure of a care home has left the daughter of a resident in despair. Donna Ward said her mum Lorraine Welsh has specific needs and would not be able to cope when she has to move out of the Gables in Middlesbrough.

HOUSE IS TARGETED BY GUNMAN

AN investigation has been launched after gunshots were fired at a house in Thornaby. Officers attended Northumberland Road at around 3.30am on Thursday after reports that a firearm had been discharged. According to one resident, a couple live at the...

‘UTTER CHAOS’ OVER THE BINS

ALMOST 6,000 households missed out on recycling collections on the first day of a new system, prompting an apology from Stockton Council. A leading councillor has said they are overcoming “teething problems”, while an MP has criticised the system...

SUSPECTED MENINGITIS CASE IS PROBED

A SUSPECTED meningitis case at a school in Teesside is being investigated, with the UK Health Security Agency warning people to “remain aware”. Reported to health authorities on Tuesday, the case involves a student at Conyers School and Sixth Form in...

Mayor to get more planning powers

THE Tees Valley mayor is set to get more planning powers, at the expense of local councillors. Changes to planning policy are currently making their way through parliament, with greater powers going to the regional level, while councillors will be...

MUM LIVED THE HIGH LIFE ON HER CROOKED PARTNER’S DRUG CASH

A Mother-of-four who helped to “conceal” her partner’s “serious criminality” – and spent £145,000 of the profits on luxury cars, holidays and watches – has been jailed. Samantha Donovan 33, used her business Teesside Furnishings as a cover to hide...

Councillor puts the boot in on lay-by ‘blot’

A COUNCILLOR has been accused of “political point-scoring” after criticising the “disgusting state” of a lay-by on the A171 Guisborough to Whitby Road. Redcar and Cleveland councillor Steve Kay highlighted littering and evidence of drug use in the...

Neighbour hailed a hero as boy is saved

A NEIGHBOUR has been hailed a ‘hero’ for saving the life of a young boy as flames ripped through a Hartlepool home. Four fire appliances were fighting the flames after fire broke out in a terraced property on Hartlepool’s Lindsay Road. The woman, who...

GUILTY TWO WOMEN

A FORMER Middlesbrough drug dealer has been convicted of detaining two women against their will, one of whom he brutally attacked while holding her captive. Following a trial at Teesside Crown Court, a jury found Vincent Agar, 80, guilty of six of...

‘We owe Karen a huge thank you for everything’

A VETERAN of Teesside Airport’s Air Traffic Control team has retired after more than four decades of service. Karen Maidment put down her headphones for the final time on Saturday, March 21, ending a career which started at the airport in 1981. Karen...

Drone footage shows progress at Grove Hill

DRONE footage of a new affordable homes development in Grove Hill in Middlesbrough has been shared as the project passes its halfway point. The 296-home Hillside Gardens development, on Grove Hill, will consist of two, three and four-bedroom houses...

Doorman jailed for sexual assault

A PUB doorman sexually assaulted an underage girl, after plying her with drink and drugs. Faisal Baruud was caught when police stopped his Range Rover Evoque as he drove through Stockton, in the early hours last year. Teesside Crown Court heard...

‘We need a clean set of audited accounts’

THE Tees Valley mayor has said he does not think that TVCA’S Best Value Notice (BVN) will be lifted “for some time”. Conservative Mayor Ben Houchen gave his view to Tees Valley residents during Mayor’s Question Time, held in Darlington last Wednesday,...

DONNA KEOGH MURDER PROBE RETURNS TO LEEDS

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Middlesbrough girl Donna Keogh are focusing their investigation on Leeds as they explore potential sightings in the city. Donna disappeared in 1998 with her family so far facing an agonising wait of almost 28...

FEARS OVER FINANCIAL STABILITY OF STDC

DEBT levels at the South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) have triggered fears over its financial sustainability – prompting a call to take back regeneration land fully into public ownership. Debts built up by the STDC, which is responsible for the...

NOT A SINGLE PENNY FOR TEESSIDE

TEES Valley Combined Authority will not receive any of the £1.7bn citycentre funding announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. The move has been slammed by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who said Teesside has been let down for too long by governments “of...

BIDDING FOR CITY OF CULTURE 2029

INNOVATION

SO CRUEL

AN Army veteran-turned-nurse who put his migraines down to work stress from 12-hour shifts has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Steve Lamb, 46, turned out to have a grade four glioblastoma brain tumour after he was rushed to hospital when he...

Stranded in the Far East

A DISTRAUGHT family is “going through hell” as they battle to bring their seriously ill loved one home from Thailand. Marie Peacock, from Eston, became poorly five days after landing in the country with her husband Ray. Marie, 71, had complained of...

NO SIGN OF MUM FOR SIX WEEKS

A FRANTIC family have appealed for help in finding their loved one who has been missing in France for more than six weeks. Stephanie Thomson was last seen by her husband Ken on Thursday, January 29, and there have been no sightings since. Stephanie...

Tributes to ‘one of Boro’s finest’

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for a popular dad of four who has died just weeks after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour. Michael O’gara was on holiday in the Maldives with his family in January this year when he started to be sick and have...

KILLER IS RELEASED

A MURDERER, once deemed so dangerous he should die in prison, has been freed this week as the Deputy Prime Minister prepares to mount legal action. The Gazette has learned Reginald Wilson was released on licence, despite David Lammy serving papers...

PAUL WAS THE ‘BEST SON IN THE WORLD’

THE man who died following an incident in New Marske at the weekend has been named by police. Paul Stewart Miller died following an incident in an alleyway between Dale Street and Arthur Terrace on Friday, March 6. The 30-year-old, who lived in...

Van careers off road into busy restaurant

TERROR AS VAN SMASHES INTO BUSY RESTAURANT STAFF and customers were left “traumatised” after a vehicle hit a taxi, mounted a pavement and smashed into a restaurant window, showering them with glass. Mr T’s on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough – which has...

SHOCK AT MURDER PROBE

NEIGHBOURS in the quiet village of New Marske have spoken of their shock following a suspected murder on their doorsteps. An investigation is under way after a man died following reports of a ‘violent assault’ in an alleyway. Paramedics were called...

DRUG TURF WAR SHOOTERS LOCKED UP

A DUO who cycled to a Teesside home late at night and fired through the back door have been locked up. Liam Hope and Rachel Mcnamara were embroiled in a turf war on a Stockton estate. Along with another man – who has never been identified – the two...

ACCUSED RECEIVED DRUGS FROM POLICE, COURT IS TOLD

AN alleged victim of Vincent Agar who claims he “tortured” her on two separate occasions told a court he received his drugs off Middlesbrough Police. Agar is accused of imprisoning and viciously attacking the woman in two historic incidents in...

WOMAN TELLS COURT OF ‘TORTURE CHAMBER’ AND ‘GIRL HANDCUFFED TO RADIATOR’

A WOMAN says the “drug dealer” accused of imprisoning and viciously attacking her said he’d take her “up to the torture chamber”, a trial has heard. Vincent Agar, known as Vince, 80, denies eight offences against two women in Middlesbrough at around...

‘SCARRED FOR LIFE’

170 STEEL JOBS SAVED

THE owners of Liberty Steel’s pipe making operation in Hartlepool say a rescue buyer has been found, saving about 170 jobs. An internal email sent to staff at the Brenda Road facility says a deal is close to be being finalised. An unnamed “major,...

COMING BACK WITH A BANG

FIREWORKS are set to return to Stockton for the first time in five years. The fireworks show at Stockton Riverside – a major draw for families and residents across Teesside - was last enjoyed by thousands in 2021. It was cancelled in 2022 and has not...

KNIFE CRIME WORRY

ADMISSIONS to Teesside hospitals as a result of injuries caused by blades or knives have shown a worrying increase – with patients aged under 25 the greatest concern. In the 12 months to July last year, 30 people who were aged under 25s sought...

On the move

PLANS for a £200m lithium refining plant at Wilton in Redcar have been dropped – and moved to Billingham instead. Tees Valley Lithium (TVL) will create 66 jobs initially with hopes of many more to follow. And optimism has been sparked that a mining...

120MPH SHAME

A TRAFFIC management worker from Middlesbrough employed to help keep the roads safe was caught speeding at up to 120mph while over the limit for cannabis. Yousef Majid put lives at risk while behind the wheel of a luxury high-powered Mercedes on the...

Kidnap duo found guilty

A man has denied outraging public decency by recording himself naked and wearing black lingerie in a Middlesbrough park. David Causier also pleaded not guilty to possession of extreme pornographic images involving a number of animals. The...

‘BEAUTIFUL BOY’ MYLO ‘TOUCHED HEARTS OF EVERYONE HE MET’

GRACIE, 5, HAS ULTRA RARE DISORDER

A BRAVE youngster – who underwent heart surgery at age just one – has been diagnosed with a rare disorder shared with less than 35 people worldwide. Gracie Charlton’s mum, Sophie, spent four years with scores of hospital visits trying to get to the...

TWIN PEAKS

A COUPLE who were told they could never have children now have two sets of twins – born on the same day one year apart. Alisha Young, 25, and Connor Craster, 26, discovered they were expecting naturally conceived twins while she was at the hospital to...

INMATES ‘FREEZING’

A MENTOR and ‘big sister’ of a prisoner who is “absolutely freezing” has shared her concerns for the welfare of inmates at a North East jail. HMP Holme House in Stockton has been left without heating and hot water for a week now. It is still unclear...

MAKE ANN MING A DAME

CALLS to make justice campaigner Ann Ming a Dame have been taken to the Prime Minister by the Tees Valley Mayor. Ben Houchen wrote to Keir Starmer, Justice Secretary David Lammy and other politicians, urging them to recognise Ann with the top...

FUJIFILM’S £400M EXPANSION OPENS

POINTED SHOTGUN AT TWO WOMEN IN FLAT

AN intoxicated man threatened two women with a shotgun before firing it inside a block of flats. Jamie Bullock, 38, caused his victims to go into hiding when he pointed a shotgun at them before firing it at the ceiling following an argument over his...

Man dies in A19 crash

A MAN has died following an accident on the A19 in Stockton. The northbound carriageway was closed yesterday, following the fatal crash at around 7am, just before the Norton turn-off. The pedestrian, a 50-year-old man, died at the scene. Cleveland...

We can host the Olympics

NORTHERN leaders including Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen want the North to host the Olympics. A group of 12 mayors and council leaders - from all four main political parties - have written to the Government setting out how the Olympics could be staged...

SLASHED MAN ‘FROM SHOULDER TO HIP’

A STOCKTON builder who slashed a man from his “right shoulder to his left hip” while on bail for assaulting a police officer has been jailed. Darren Mcgee, 45, punched a man on Dovecot Street, before pulling him to the ground and stamping on his...

‘HE’S A MONSTER’

THE former wife of “Suffolk Strangler” Steve Wright has told how she left the serial killer after fearing for her own life. As Steve Wright admitted killing a sixth victim, Victoria Hall, his former partner also shared her belief that he may have...

Options on table for regeneration scheme

SIX options are on the table for the future of the Gresham regeneration scheme. The project, formally named Crown Square back in May 2025, hit a brick wall at the back end of 2025 as the scheme was deemed “financially unviable” and now potential...

JAILED FOR SAVAGE ATTACK

A Drug-fuelled brute attacked a woman he barely knew in her own home during a horrifying ordeal. Lewis Adams left his victim with a bleed on the brain and 11 fractures including to eight ribs, her nose, clavicles and sternum. Teesside Crown Court...

‘HE LEFT ME IN THE ROAD, NOT KNOWING IF I WAS ALIVE OR DEAD’

A DRUG-DRIVER smashed into a pedestrian and drove off “not knowing if he was alive or dead”. Police and paramedics were out looking for Craig Pollock, 37, on November 5, 2025, when he got hold of the keys to his mother’s BMW and began revving the...