Latest news with #Gateshead
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Kittens found in taped-up box in Gateshead woods 'need their mum'
It would "be a miracle" if four kittens found in a taped-up box in woodland survive without their mother, a charity has owner of the cat and the abandoned kittens, which were found by a dog walker in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, on Wednesday, has been urged to come was found dead while the other three were badly injured, with bite marks and puncture in the care of Pawz for Thought, the charity said it believed the animals were no more than a day old when they were left and wanted them to be reunited with their mum to better their chances of survival. Lorraine Thornton, a volunteer for the charity, said she did not believe the kittens were ever meant to be found."Without mum they just die very quickly, but I don't understand the point of leaving them in the middle of the woods, in the middle of nowhere," Ms Thornton said."They weren't meant to be found, they were disregarded like rubbish and dumped." Ms Thornton said the Sunderland-based charity had seen a significant increase in the number of kittens being currently has 23 young kittens living in her house, because they need to be bottle fed every two hours."It's an exhausting strain," she said. "For the kittens, the best thing has always been with mum, they don't have such a good chance with me."The charity put out an appeal to the person who dumped the kittens to come forward."If we could get that cat, she could raise her could neuter her and return her to the owner, neutered free of charge," Ms Thornton said."It's a miracle that somebody found them and it'll be another miracle if they actually survive the trauma that they've been through. "Obviously we always try and we always give everything we have, but it's not a guarantee." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Newcastle PC told woman he could 'get away' with groping
A police constable who told a woman he could "get away" with groping her because of his job has been give a suspended prison sentence decades Jardine, 79, who worked in Newcastle until his retirement, was found guilty of a historical count of indecent assault after his victim reported it in May 2022, the city's crown court woman said the impact of his actions had stayed with her for years and she still saw his "grinning face" in her mind every him to eight months in prison, suspended for 18 months, Judge Julie Clemitson said Jardine's behaviour was "lewd and disgusting" and he "violated the trust" placed in police officers. Jardine, of Millbrook in Felling, Gateshead, gave the woman tight bear hugs during which she could feel he was aroused and poured water on her shirt to try and make it see-through, prosecutor Christopher Rose also made "thrusting motions as if having sex" and made "lewd comments or jokes", the prosecutor she complained, Jardine told her "I can get away it, I'm a PC no-one will believe you", the court heard. 'Just desserts' In a statement read to the court, the woman said it took her years to pluck up the strength and courage to report Jardine's said she felt "embarrassed" and "aggrieved" and had "always wanted answers" from woman said she thought the abuse was a factor in her depression and she felt "grateful" jurors had believed mitigation, Andrew Walker said the woman had been heard, believed and vindicated, while Jardine was "embarrassed and ashamed beyond belief after being convicted of an offence of this nature".Mr Walker said: "A good deal of just desserts have already been satisfied by way of the conviction alone." 'Can't hide behind badge' Judge Clemitson said Jardine laughed about his behaviour at the time but the woman found it "deeply unpleasant" and was "quite afraid" of said what could be seen as "relatively limited violations" could cause "lifelong harm" to victims."You were working as a serving police officer and any members of the public were entitled to trust you would protect them rather than harm them," Judge Clemitson said. Instead, Jardine "violated that trust" and, like other officers convicted of sexual offences, risked damaging the public's faith in the police, the judge said a prison term was merited because it was "important" victims felt able to speak out, perpetrators understand they "cannot hide behind a badge or rely on a position of authority" and the public sees those who "break the oath to protect and serve" are due to his age and lack of any other convictions, the judge said the great-grandfather's sentence could be court heard contesting the trial had already cost Jardine £7,000 and he was ordered to pay a further £3,000 towards prosecution costs. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Gateshead flat residents unable to return home after flood
Dozens of people have been told they will not be able to return to their homes inside a tower block following an internal of Priory Court in Gateshead were evacuated on 6 June and investigations show restoring the building's electrical supply could take "several months".About 30 households were moved to hotels or emergency accommodation, with Gateshead Council covering the correspondence seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), the local authority has now contacted residents to say it has "made the difficult decision to decommission Priory Court with immediate effect". James Gray had moved there from another tower block following similar problems last 55-year-old said going through the experience again was devastating."The worst part for me is getting that money, putting it into the new flat, decorating it out, spending money on the furniture and it's just money down the drain," he said. 'Massive upheaval' Kenneth Forrest, 80, who has lived there for decades, moved into his daughter's home following the daughter, Lesley Stanners, said: "The council has said there will be people to help him move, but there are memories in that house."He could do some shopping, put a bet on, talk to people and keep himself going until I got there after work."He knew everybody in the flats. It's going to be a whole new different thing." Sheila Blatchford, who lived in the building for 10 years, described the news as a "massive upheaval", but praised the council."They've done everything they can for us within their remit and they have been here every day since it happened," she Labour-led council says all residents will be given "critical need" prioritisation for rehousing, including direct lettings and support with residents may face being relocated on a temporary basis until something permanent can be Chris Buckley, the council's cabinet member for housing, said: "We fully recognise how difficult this news will be, and we are currently talking directly to every individual concerned about next steps and the support and assistance the council will provide."This is not the outcome anyone wanted, but we must face the reality of the situation."We are committed to doing everything we can to meet the needs of each resident and ensure they are rehoused with our full support."Neighbouring Peareth Court and Park Court, which are located near to the closed Gateshead Highway flyover, are also being decommissioned due to the cost of maintaining them, with occupants due to be updated this week. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Safety concerns rise over Gateshead illegal off-road bikers
Urgent action is being called for to stop illegal off-road biking putting walkers, cyclists and horse riders at living in the Eighton Banks area of Gateshead said the problem of motorcyclists illegally using a nearby bridleway was steadily getting worse, with peaks on weekends.A BBC drone captured footage of several scramblers using the route, which used to be part of the old Bowes Rail Line servicing nearby coal Police said it remained committed to tackling anti-social behaviour. 'Someone will get hurt' The concerns come as the Government's Crime and Policing Bill progresses through Parliament with the aim of enhancing police Dixon, who has lived in the area for more than 40 years, said: "The police can't do anything about it and cannot catch them."He said someone could be seriously injured if the problem was not Smith, from Jarrow, rides her horse around Eighton Banks and said she had first-hand experience of how the animals reacted when spooked."There was one incident a couple of years ago where a stolen motorbike accelerated past us and we ended up in a ditch with one horse on its side," she said."This is what we're up against most of the time." 'Vehicles to be destroyed' A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said the problem was being taken seriously and a number of bikes had been seized from an address in added the vehicles were linked to dangerous driving and would eventually be the help of Gateshead Council, the force has put up signs to remind the public that motorbike use in the bridleway is illegal and urged anyone with similar concerns about their area to get in touch. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook and Instagram.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Plans for 20,000 plot natural burial ground
A "natural burial ground" containing about 20,000 plots could be built, if plans are approved by a local authority. Forever Green Fields has submitted the application to Gateshead Council for the site between Crawcrook and Prudhoe, on land north of Hexham Road near Bradley Hall Farm. Natural burial grounds, which are different to more traditional cemeteries, require bodies to be buried with biodegradable coffins and without embalming treatments, the plans said. In its application, the company said the plots were needed because "burial space in the UK is becoming scarce at an ever-increasing rate". It citied figures from the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICM), which it said had "estimated that within the next five to 10 years, 30% of UK local authorities will have run out of burial space." "These calculations only consider current rates of burial and do not allow for the increasing number of total deaths arising from the nationally expanding population and ageing population nor shortages of burial space in neighbour council areas," the application added. The plans state the new grounds would contain between 18,871 to 22,287 plots, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. They also said natural burial grounds "promote natural landscape" by using native foliage to encourage habitats for wildlife, and use natural memorials such as trees or wooden markers. Four similar burial grounds have opened in the North East over the last 20 years, the application said, which are located at: Seven Penny Meadow, Durham Belsay Woodland Burials, Northumberland Northumberland Woodland Burials, Northumberland Blue House Woodland Burials, Durham Gateshead Council received the application on 24 April, which is awaiting a decision from council planners. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook and Instagram. Row over woodlands burial ground plan intensifies Quaker burial ground recognised for its importance Gateshead Council
