The Journal

New Hope for Cancer Patients

THREE cancer charities have given hope to North East cancer patients who fail to respond to treatment by offering them one last throw of the dice in their battle for survival. Page 12 FINANCIAL PLANNING info@rlfp.co.uk www.rlfp.co.uk

U-Turn Over Id Cards Plan

Heartache for Grieving Mother

Just Let Him Off to Get On with His Life ; Four Years On, with a Legal Bill of Pounds 10,000 and Counting, Judge Blasts Council Over Driver with Out-of-Date Disabled Parking Badge

TWO parking tickets served on a disabled driver who failed to displaying his valid pass condemned him to a four-year legal battle which reached a climax yesterday. Retired policeman David Athey, 59, was fined pounds 120 for the offences in 2005, but his appeal against the case wasn"t heard until yesterday when Judge Esmond Faulks, sitting at Newcastle Crown Court, blasted a North council for a case which has cost the taxpayer at least pounds 10,000.

Inside Today

Varied Career

BINGO! is the latest venture in the varied career of the play's director Anne Orwin. Anne, who lives in Whitley Bay, appeared in 17 series of TV's Byker Grove, in which she played foster mum Lu Gallagher. "Byker Grove was a great breeding ground for young talent and it was like a family by the end," said Anne.

Social Commentary of a Different Kind ; Drama About a Club to Be Shown in a Club

AN over-60s drama group will be hoping for a full house when they stage their latest play, called Bingo! The play is set in the concert room of a social club at the start of a session.

Chip Pan Drama ; North Today: Blaze

Carers Thanked ; North Today: Recognition

End of the Line? ; North Today: Concern

One in Six Jobless ; North Today: Unemployment

River Plunge ; North Today: Police

'I Needed to Put a Face to This Monster' ; Mother Sees Man Accused of Terror Bomb

THE MOTHER of a woman killed in a Turkish terrorist blast spoke of her heartache last night after the trial of the suspected bomber was adjourned for three months. Sharon Holden's 21-year-old daughter was killed on July 16, 2005, when a bomb ripped through a tourist bus in the Turkish seaside resort of Kusadasi.

North Artist Fears for His Future

A DURHAM artist who was cleared of mocking Turkey's prime minister by portraying him as a dog in a collage has fled the country after hearing his acquittal has been overturned. Michael Dickinson, 59, returned home after hearing a late-night TV report saying the acquittal had been quashed and a new trial was pending. "I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I was told by a woman, whose husband had seen it, and I said 'He must be dreaming'," he said.

'Waste of Time and Cash' ; Judge Questions Wisdom of Case

AJUDGE has branded the prosecution of a disabled former policeman for displaying an out-of-date parking badge a complete waste of taxpayers' money. David Athey was taken to court after not paying two parking fines imposed when he mistakenly displayed a disabled badge that had expired. He appealed against the decision but it has taken four years for his case to come before a crown court judge and is estimated to have cost the taxpayer up to pounds 10,000.

Uk Assets Seized ; Britain Today: Fraud

Bad Teachers Could Be Banned From Class

TEACHERS will face five-year check-ups to ensure they are fit to teach and could be banned from the classroom if they are not up to scratch. Children's Secretary Ed Balls announced yesterday the "licence to teach" which he said will put teachers on a par with doctors and solicitors.

Johnson Performs U-Turn On Id Cards ; Controversial Cards Will Not Be Compulsory

HOME Secretary Alan Johnson last night signalled a major climbdown on ID cards as he ruled out making them compulsory. Plans to force some airport workers to carry the controversial cards were also dramatically ditched. In his first major policy decision since his appointment less than a month ago, Mr Johnson said the cards would always be voluntary for British nationals.

Bill in Doubt ; Britain Today: Expenses

Cancer Meat Link ; Britain Today: Health