Local News

A 32-year-old man is due to appear in court today in connection with the death of a 58-year-old grandad in Carlin How on Friday afternoon;

Middlesbrough Council is urging people who use taxis or share transport to wear face coverings and help stop the spread of covid-19;

...and Teesside comedian Roy “Chubby” Brown is blazing a national trail by performing in front of up to 400 fans.

A 32-year-old man is due to appear in court today in connection with the death of a 58-year-old grandad in Carlin How on Friday afternoon.

The man will appear at Teesside Magistrates Court charged with the manslaughter of Christopher Kay.

Mr Kay, who lived in the village, died in hospital after suffering serious chest injuries, believed to have been caused by a firearm.

Two men, aged 31 and 35, and a woman aged 32, were also arrested in connection with the incident in Brotton Road.

The men have been released with bail conditions pending further enquiries, while the woman has been released with no further action.

In a statement, Mr Kay’s family said they were trying to come to terms with the fact a member of their family had been taken from them.

They thanked members of the public for trying to help at the scene and urged anyone with information, no matter how small or trivial, to come forward.

Cleveland Police are appealing for anyone with information, or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage, to call them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Middlesbrough Council is urging people who use taxis or share transport to wear face coverings and help stop the spread of covid-19.

Health chiefs say that wearing face coverings in taxis and other shared vehicles can protect public health and support the local economy.

The call comes after contact tracing work found a small number of positive tests linked to individuals who share cars to and from work.

There is also concern over a minority of people who use taxis but don't cover their faces.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said taxi drivers provide a great service throughout the town but their safety, as well as the safety of their passengers, must be protected.

He said that wearing a face covering was a small price to pay for people to enjoy more of the freedoms that have returned in recent months.

And Teesside comedian Roy “Chubby” Brown is blazing a national trail by performing in front of up to 400 fans.

Throughout the covid-19 crisis, the 75-year-old comic has been posting daily blogs on Facebook and last month, streamed a virtual gig to subscribers.

But Roy has now announced that on September 12, he’ll appear “live” at the Joe Longthorne Theatre on Blackpool’s North Pier.

And in doing so, he becomes one of the first acts nationally to resume gigs in front of a live audience.

Only 400 people will be allowed into the 1,200 capacity venue and strict covid-19 compliance measures will be in place, including temperature checks, a one way system, social distancing in the bars and a mist tent.

Chubby said that if the gig goes smoothly, he hopes to do at least one a week after that.