Local News

A court has heard how a man carried out two robberies armed with a hypodermic needle and threatened to inject staff with acid;

Another world-famous rocker has backed the campaign to see a major arena return to Redcar;

...and there have been moving scenes in Redcar as the town's branch of the Royal British Legion celebrated it's centenary yesterday.

A court has heard how a man carried out two robberies armed with a hypodermic needle and threatened to inject staff with acid.

Jason Lee Hipkins stole £550 from a Tesco Express and £280 from a Cooplands bakery after threatening till staff with a needle, which was actually filled with Ribena.

The 42-year-old also attempted to rob a One Stop Shop, and claimed the needle was "full of hepatitis", but ended up leaving empty handed.

Mr Hipkins, of Frederick Street in North Ormesby, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, via link from HMP Durham, to be sentenced for two counts of robbery and one count of attempted robbery.

He was given a six year and eight month prison sentence, with a five year extension.

Another world-famous rocker has backed the campaign to see a major arena return to Redcar.

Paul Rodgers has backed the plan to resurrect the Coatham Bowl, joining the likes of Sting, Saltburn-born legend David Coverdale and Cockney Rebel’s Steve Harley in supporting the plans.

Paul says he belives the new arena will be a great cultural, social and economic boost to the whole of Teesside.

A group of business people from our area is asking Redcar and Cleveland Council to get behind the scheme to replace the much-loved Coatham Bowl with a 5,000 seat indoor auditorium.

There have been moving scenes in Redcar as the town's branch of the Royal British Legion celebrated it's centenary yesterday.

To commemorate the fact that the Redcar branch was 100 years old, members spent yesterday parading the branch standard around the town.

They branch has also been granted consent to add a 100 year pennant to the Standard.

This will happen at a church service which will include the blessing at 11am on Sunday 25th July at Christ Church, Coatham, Redcar.