Local News
Zetland FM Local News - 2nd March 2017
A 57-year-old Redcar man is today beginning a 27 year prison sentence after a terrifying catalogue of sex crimes spanning five decades;
Protesters have cheered and applauded outside Teesside Magistrates court after two Redcar men who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty yesterday were jailed;
...and Cleveland Police are enforcing new penalties for using a mobile phone while driving in a week-long crackdown.
A 57-year-old Redcar man is today beginning a 27 year prison sentence after a terrifying catalogue of sex crimes spanning five decades.
Michael Dunn, of Alfred Street in Redcar, carried out sex attacks on four women and girls in abuse carried out in the Teesside and Manchester areas.
One victim, aged just 14, was forced to hide from police in a secret cavity behind his fridge, which was camouflaged with a false wall and was guarded by German Shepherd dogs.
Yesterday a jury at Teesside Crown Court convicted him on 16 charges - 10 of rape, three of indecent assault, and three of false imprisonment.
Protesters cheered and applauded outside Teesside Magistrates court yesterday after two Redcar men who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty were jailed.
Richard Finch and Michael Heathcock were sentenced to four months in jail and a lifetime animal ban.
It comes after a dog called Scamp was found in Kirkleatham Woods in October buried alive with a nail hammered through his head.
We spoke with some of the campaigners who are happy with the outcome but believe punishments should be tougher:
Speaking to Zetland FM, Redcar MP Anna Turley told us that she believes that the case highlights how the law is too lenient when it comes to animal abuse:
Cleveland Police are enforcing new penalties for using a mobile phone while driving in a week-long crackdown.
Officers will be out in both marked and unmarked police cars looking for any drivers using their phone.
The campaign has already begun and will last until next Tuesday.
Under new laws people caught using their mobiles will be subject to a two hundred pound fine and six points on their licence.
This is the second campaign this year after 61 drivers in Cleveland were caught using their phone.