Tyneside stories you might have missed this week
The jail sentence of man whose illegal cannabis factory exploded and killed a boy has been found not to be too lenient, how a lose aspirin dose could cut cancer for some people and watch the moment when 18 kayakers were rescued from the sea.Here are five stories from Tyneside you might have missed this week.
Cannabis factory killer's sentence not too lenient
A man whose illegal cannabis factory exploded in a block of flats, killing a seven-year-old boy, will not have his sentence referred to the Court of Appeal over concerns it was too short.Archie York died alongside 35-year-old Jason Laws when the blast caused by Reece Galbraith, 33, destroyed several homes in Benwell, Newcastle, in October.At Newcastle Crown Court, Galbraith, of Gateshead, admitted two counts of manslaughter and was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment.Read more about what the Attorney General's Office said here
Watch the moment 18 kayakers were rescued from the sea
The RNLI released bodycam footage of the moment 18 kayakers and paddleboarders were rescued from the sea.They were part of a group of 32 adults and children who got into difficulty on Tuesday at Cullercoats Bay.Everyone involved was brought back to safety, although one of the children was taken to hospital as a precaution.RNLI lifeguard George Legg said the "intense situation" occurred because the kayakers had been caught in force five winds outside the harbour, which created "lots of wind chop".
Low aspirin dose 'cuts cancer risk in some people'
A study to find the right dose of aspirin to reduce the risk of cancer in some patients has found the smallest amount works just as well as larger ones, according to a leading researcher.The trial involved 1,879 people with Lynch syndrome who were given three different-sized doses of the painkiller.Prof Sir John Burn, from Newcastle University, said he would ask health regulators to formally advise a low dose of 75mg be prescribed to those with the genetic condition, which puts them at a greater cancer risk.Read more about the trial here
Lamp-posts approved for Northern Lights viewpoint
The installation of street lighting along a stretch of road which has become popular for viewing the Northern Lights has been approved.On Wednesday, South Tyneside Council has approved the establishment of lamp-posts along the coast road in South Shields, in order to improve safety along what is a National Cycle Network route.Campaigners and those living near the Leas nature reserve previously told the BBC the lights would damage wildlife and cause light pollution.Read more about the plans here
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BBC News
25 minutes ago
- BBC News
Zara Aleena: Silent walkers 'finish the journey she couldn't'
The murder of Zara Aleena, a law graduate from east London, has been marked on its third anniversary by a silent 35-year-old was walking home in Ilford from a night out when she was killed by sexual predator Jordan McSweeney just minutes from her front family have said her death "was not inevitable" and that the subsequent investigation exposed failings in institutions like the probation service and the had been released from prison just nine days before he stalked, assaulted and murdered Ms Aleena in what was described as a "brutal attack". Ms Aleena's aunt, Farah Naz, said her niece's death "must mean something - it must lead to something better - that's what keeps us going."The anniversary is heavy, of course - but the truth is, every day since Zara was taken from us has been hard."Every day, it's hard to comprehend." The walk was intended not only to honour Ms Aleena's life but also as a "protest against a system that failed her", Ms Naz said."Protest against a culture that excuses violence."What happened to Zara is not acceptable. It is not inevitable. It is not human."We must not look the other way."This day gives us space to speak her name, to honour her and to keep her at the heart of the change that's needed." Ms Naz added: "Progress has been made, but women are still not safe."We hope the vigil offered a space for quiet reflection and also for shared resolve. It's a moment to remember Zara and also to recognise the depth of the injustice."We stand together against the violence and the systems that still enable it. We walk Zara home, and we say 'no more'." Another marcher said it had been "a beautiful day as the community gathered to walk home a beautiful soul. "Finishing the journey Zara Aleena couldn't when she was snatched away so cruelly three years ago."We can all commit to never being bystanders. Step in, call it out." Vigil organisers said "a misogynistic culture still underpins institutions and streets", and "prevention remains secondary to response".Ms Naz said: "Zara's legacy is already taking shape through policy shifts, public conversation, and the determination of so many people working for change."Health Secretary Wes Streeting - who had been Ms Aleena's MP - addressed the vigil and said: "We have come together to celebrate and recognise a life that was tragically and horrifically cut short and to recognise the damage it has inflicted on our whole community."Women and girls who were already afraid to walk our streets are now even more afraid looking at the consequences of what happens when, on a normal night out and on your way home, something so horrific can happen in our neighbourhood." A jury at Ms Aleena's inquest last year found her death was contributed to by multiple state agencies failing to act in accordance with policies and procedures. Coroner Nadia Persaud issued a prevention of future deaths report, warning similar killings could occur unless action was instructed the Probation Service and the Metropolitan Police to improve their staffing levels, poor understanding around risk assessment and a "lack of professional curiosity" were all listed as matters of concern, as was a "lack of rigour, detail and independence" of a Met investigation into the case, Ms Persaud concluded. On Sunday, Ms Naz was joined by the relatives of other women who have been murdered – primary school teacher Sabina Nessa and mother-of-three Jan hope to meet the prime minister next month about their campaign for a new law to force offenders to attend their sentencing minister Alex Davies-Jones also attended. She said: "Today, we stand with Zara's family. With her friends. With Farah Naz, who has carried Zara's legacy with extraordinary strength and purpose."We stand with the families of Sabina Nessa and Jan Mustafa, who know this pain too deeply. Your grief has become a rallying cry. Your courage has driven real change." McSweeney was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 38 years in December 2022 after admitting sexually assaulting and murdering Ms November 2023, he won a Court of Appeal bid to reduce the minimum term of his life sentence to 33 years.
Telegraph
26 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Tree that killed girl, 7, was ‘propped up by metal poles'
A tree that collapsed and killed a seven-year-old girl in Southend-on-Sea on Saturday had been 'propped up by metal supports for years'. She and four other children were taken to hospital after a branch fell in Chalkwell Park while they were playing underneath it. One six-year-old girl remains in critical condition. Dozens of members of the public rushed to help those trapped underneath the fallen tree before police officers, paramedics and firefighters attended. Cllr James Courtenay, who leads the council's Conservative group and represents the ward in which the tragedy took place, called for an investigation into what happened. He said: 'We shouldn't rush to judgment, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't conduct a full and thorough investigation.' He added: 'I believe the council should review internally what knowledge it has and what actions should be taken in the park and other parks. We need one investigation that gets to the bottom of it and understands what happened.' Mr Courtenay, 42, said he believed the tree had been supported by poles for years, if not decades. 'I went down this morning and laid flowers on behalf of the Chalkwell councillors and the Conservative group on the council. You could see a steady flow of people coming to visit,' he added. 'I think my reaction was one of disbelief. That tree had been there for so long, it was an old tree when I was a lad. 'In this day and age, parents are always worried about their children in parks, but the one thing you wouldn't worry about is a tree collapsing. I can barely begin to imagine what the family must feel. Their world has been turned upside down in seconds.' Writing on Facebook, Jack Whitaker, a resident, said: 'I live five minutes down the road. [The] tree had been braced for years. A very light reduction had been carried out a few years ago. '[The] limb that had been braced was substantial and held a huge amount of lateral weight. Said limb was in a high-risk area with lots of foot traffic directly under its path.' Nicholas Salman wrote on social media: 'Can't just stick a few metal poles under a 20-tonne tree and leave it and expect it to be ok. Then build a bench under to help kids climb up. 'My kids tried to do the same, but obviously I stopped them as one is six years old! Absolutely heartbreaking, my thoughts are with the family.' 'A danger for years' Victoria Muscat also commented on the tragedy online, saying it was 'totally avoidable'. She said: 'They've known it's a danger for years. Thoughts are with the family.' Chris Roftis agreed: 'The council should have a tree person who checks every day if trees are rotting, unsafe etc. So council has got a lot of answering to do as well.' Southend-on-Sea city council has been contacted for comment. A spokesman for Essex Police said: 'Shortly before 3pm on Saturday, June 28, it was reported a tree had partially collapsed in Chalkwell Park. 'A number of children were caught beneath the tree and suffered injuries. The park was busy with members of the public and many immediately went to their aid.' Ch Supt Leighton Hammett of Essex Police added: 'Families are facing unimaginable hardship this evening and all of our thoughts are with them at this time. 'I cannot begin to put into words how difficult today's events have been, and continue to be, for them. 'It's also not lost on me how traumatic it must have been for the members of the public who witnessed this awful incident.'
Telegraph
42 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Another tier of justice at Glastonbury
Whipping up the mob with language designed to encourage violence is unlawful. It is the reason why Lucy Connolly, a child minder and mother, is serving a lengthy jail term for a tweet she posted after the Southport murders last year. Mrs Connolly accepted her guilt and was given what many consider an excessively harsh sentence. So what are we to make of the goings on at Glastonbury at the weekend? A hitherto (and deservedly) obscure duo called Bob Vylan called for 'death' to the Israeli military. At the very least this is the sort of hate speech that virtually guarantees a visit from the police if done online but not, it seems, in front of thousands of festival-goers. Is it surprising that people believe there is a two-tier legal system – a phrase dismissed by Lord Hermer, the Attorney General last week as 'disgusting' – when they see the law applied in such a blatantly biased way? Perhaps Lord Hermer can ensure Bob Vylan are properly investigated by the police and sent to prison if convicted. The other 'band' that used Glastonbury as a platform for their bone-headed world view was, inevitably, Kneecap, the Northern Irish outfit named after a brutal form of IRA retributive violence. Their leader is already facing a court hearing for allegedly encouraging terrorism by declaring support for Hamas and Hezbollah, both proscribed organisations. The country will be watching very closely to see what happens in both of these cases. Their outcomes will be measured against the punishment imposed on Mrs Connolly. The increasingly preposterous Lord Hermer assures us that there is no two-tier justice. We shall see.
