The Journal

Young Boy Raped by an 11-Year-Old

Designer Gets Amazing Chance ; Fashion

North East Must Have Rail Link

Electric Car Boost ; Network of Charging Points Set to Become a Reality

AREGIONAL drive to become a global hub for electric cars today moves up a gear with a new multi-million pound boost for a charging network. The North East is already leading development of plug-in charging points and is a strong contender to make electric vehicles at Nissan's plant in Washington.

Inside Today

Catwalk Dream for Flamboyant Emma ; Designer's Creations Go to Vienna

FLAMBOYANT fashion designer Emma Bell will be showcasing her colourful designs at Vienna Fashion Week. Emma, 26, from Kingston Park, Newcastle, was offered the dream opportunity to send her clothes down the catwalk after she awarded an artist in residence programme based in the Museums Quarter in Vienna.

Dog Walker Rescued After Fall From Cliff

RESCUE teams helped a Teesside man after he fell down a cliff in Saltburn while walking his dog. The 45-year-old man from Nunthorpe made an emergency call from his mobile phone after falling down the ravine yesterday at about 10.20am.

Helicopter Lifts Injured Man From Town Centre

A TOWN centre was brought to a dramatic standstill after an elderly man was found on the pavement. Shoppers watched as a Great North Air Ambulance set down on Marygate in Berwick after a 91-year-old man suffered chest and leg injuries.

Angry Dad Fizzing Over Wasp Nest in the Rafters

AN ANGRY father believes health and safety rules prevented a council's pest controllers from using a step ladder to reach a wasps' nest above his baby daughter's bedroom. David Roberts called the exterminators after the wasps set up home in the rafters of the bungalow he shares with his wife, Robbyn, and baby daughter, Ava.

North's Electric Plans Accelerate ; Drive for Green Cars Moves Up a Gear

AREGIONAL drive to become a global hub for electric cars today moves up a gear with a multi-million pound boost for a charging network. The North East is already leading development of plug-in charging points and is a strong contender to make electric vehicles at Nissan's plant in Washington.

Bomb Alert ; Britain Today: Drama

Player 'Hit Fan' ; Britain Today: Court

Beatles Go Live ; Britain Today: Consumer

Gobbledegook ; Britain Today: Language

Mum's Horror As Boy Killed by Train

A WOMAN watched in horror as her two-year-old son was hit by a train travelling at 60mph after trying in vain to stop him toddling on to a railway line. Johnny Hall, who would have been three in October, died instantly after being hit on a level crossing at Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, on Monday, police officers said.

Pay Cut and End of Cheap Beer for Mps ; Cameron Calls for Politicians to Take Lead

DAVID Cameron laid down the gauntlet to Gordon Brown yesterday by pledging to slash pay, perks and costs at Westminster. The Tory leader outlined plans to cut the number of MPs by 10%, reduce ministerial salaries and do away with subsidised food and drink.

High-Speed Link for Entire Uk Backed ; Eleven Cities Want North East Inclusion

ANORTH East political leader will today travel to London to tell Transport Secretary Lord Adonis that high-speed rail must come to the region. Newcastle City Council leader John Shipley will spell out his message at the launch of a new campaign by 11 major UK cities calling for a high-speed rail (HSR) system across the UK and to connect to the system already built in Europe. Newcastle, Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester wil...

Man Had Images of Under-16s On Computer

A NORTHUMBERLAND man who had indecent images of girls under 16 on his computer has been put on the sex offenders' register for five years. Gordon Barrass, 51, of Bolsover Street, Ashington, was sentenced by magistrates at South East Northumberland law courts yesterday having previously been found guilty of a charge of making indecent photographs of a child.

Drink-Drive Doctor Had Children Passengers

A DOCTOR has been banned from driving after he was caught carrying two children in his car while drunk at the wheel. Niaz Ahmed, 50, of Cleadon, South Tyneside, was driving with his seven-year-old son and his five-year-old friend when he crashed his Mercedes into two cars, a court heard.

Jobs Fear Over Mobile Phone Firms' Merger ; Workers in Firing Line After Telecom Giants Link Up

THOUSANDS of North East call centre jobs are in jeopardy after the merger of two mobile phone firms. Orange yesterday announced it is joining forces with T-Mobile in a move which has implications for the job market across the region.