Local News

A Redcar man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder;

A local MP has called for Opportunity Area status for schools in Redcar and Cleveland;

...and more than 50 uninsured vehicles were seized during a week-long crackdown on vehicles being used on roads without insurance.

A Redcar man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder.

Barry Francis Gardener, aged 36, of Cleveland Street in the town, appeared in police custody at Teesside Magistrates' Court yesterday.

He did not enter a plea.

Magistrates adjourned the case for him to appear at Middlesbrough’s Teesside Crown Court on November 23.

A police appeal to trace Mr Gardener was launched on Monday after an alleged assault in the Coatham area of the town in the early hours of Friday, October 27.

He was located a few hours later and subsequently charged with attempted murder.

A local MP has called for Opportunity Area status for schools in Redcar and Cleveland.

Simon Clarke, the MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has written to Education Secretary Justine Greening asking for “Opportunity Area” status to be granted for the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland.

The purpose of Opportunity Areas is to focus local and national resources on increasing social mobility.  The twelve Opportunity Areas announced to date are sharing £72 million to boost opportunities for young people in these communities.

In a speech to the Teach First conference last month, Justine Greening said it would be great to introduce an Opportunity Area in the North East.

Now Simon is calling on her to put Redcar and Cleveland top of the list.

More than 50 uninsured vehicles were seized during a week-long crackdown on vehicles being used on roads without insurance.

The national campaign, led by the Motor Insurance Bureau, took place from Monday 16th October to Sunday 22nd October across Cleveland and Durham.

Officers from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit took part in Operation Drive Insured and seized 54 uninsured vehicles, found three drivers to be under the influence of drink or drugs and recovered one stolen vehicle. 

Other offences detected as a result of the campaign included two drivers contravening red lights, four drivers using their mobile phones at the wheel, five vehicles with no MOT, three speeding drivers, two drivers without a licence and two motorists not wearing seatbelts.