North East Media (2026)

02/09/2026

Several Local Schools to Close Early Ahead of Funeral Linked to A66 Crash

Several schools in the South Bank and surrounding areas are set to close early on Friday 4 September ahead of the funeral of one of the occupants of the Volkswagen Passat involved in the recent A66 crash.

The funeral will take place at St John the Evangelist Church on Normanby Road, with large numbers of mourners expected to attend.

The A66 collision, which happened near South Bank on 22 August, claimed the lives of seven people, including two Cleveland Police officers and five occupants of a Volkswagen Passat.

With significant numbers expected in the area for the funeral, local schools have agreed to stagger their closing times to help reduce congestion and minimise disruption to pupils, families and staff travelling home.

The planned arrangements are:

* Archway Academy Teesville – 11.45am
* St Peter’s – 12pm
* South Bank Primary School – 12pm
* Outwood Academy – 12pm
* St Margaret’s – 12.15pm

At South Bank Primary, pupils who use Local Authority transport will be collected from school at 11.30am.

Parents and carers have been advised to collect children from their usual collection points when their school closes. Children who normally walk home independently will also be allowed to leave at the earlier time, in line with their usual arrangements.

The schools have worked alongside the Local Authority and other local headteachers to put the staggered closures in place.

The early closures are designed to help ensure children, families and staff can leave the area safely while allowing the funeral and associated traffic to take place with as little disruption as possible.

Schools have thanked parents and carers for their understanding as the local community comes together ahead of the funeral.

02/09/2026

Have you seen Rory Copeland and William White?

Police are seeking to speak with Rory Copeland and William White in connection with a number of Shopliftings in the Consett area.

The two individuals have links to Consett, Chester-Le-Street, Stanley and Durham.

If you have seen them or know where they are, please don’t comment here.

Instead, email [email protected] should you know where the pair are staying or if you sight the pair, call officers on 101.

It is believed that Copeland and White will continue to target local businesses until they are located and detained.

Please do not comment or message officers via Facebook regarding this matter as it is not monitored 24/7.

As a friendly reminder to anyone considering harbouring a wanted person or misleading the Police, it is an offence to do so under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Act, and will not be tolerated.

02/09/2026

𝐁𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

A man has been left hospitalised with significant, life-changing injuries after being involved in a collision when two boys drove illegal bikes in Thornaby in January.

More than seven months on from the collision, which took place on Thorntree Road on 31st January 2026, the man remains in hospital with significant, life-changing injuries.

The 46-year-old man, who has a wife and seven children, can no longer be at home with his family and remains in hospital where he can receive around the clock care.

Two 16-year-old boys, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were both 15 years old when they drove the illegal bikes in the Thornaby town centre area.

As they made their way towards Thorntree Road, the victim was on a pedal cycle when he was hit by one of them and was left with multiple serious injuries.

The rider of the illegal bike was arrested and later charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance.

The second rider removed the illegal bikes from the scene, and was charged with perverting the course of justice, possession of a class B drug, driving without a licence or insurance and driving dangerously.

Both pleaded guilty to the offences and were sentenced today, Wednesday 2nd September. Both were disqualified from driving and received a Youth Offending Team referral. One must also pay £495 in compensation.

Officer in the case, Detective Constable Nichola Lamport, from Cleveland Police’s Collision Investigation Unit, said: “The actions of these two young boys have left a father-of-seven hospitalised, unable to be at home with his family, and in need of around-the-clock care.

“We presented a thorough and robust investigation to the courts, working closely with the family of the victim, and we are all disappointed with today’s sentence. It is very fortunate that this man didn’t lose his life, and it could have happened so easily, but his injuries will impact him for the rest of his life.

“This case shows that there are lessons to be learned around thinking twice before riding such powerful, dangerous and illegal machines. This is an important educational message; vehicles are not toys and can be dangerous – potentially lethal - weapons on our roads.”

02/09/2026

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a man who died at a pub on Christmas Eve.

Steven Shevels died after hitting his head on the concrete floor of the beer garden of the Queen’s Head pub, in Willington, on Christmas Eve last year.

Martin Greensmith, 37, admitted pushing the 61-year-old but denied manslaughter.

However, following a seven-day trial at Teesside Crown Court this week, a jury found him guilty.

Greensmith had just been told Steven was his biological father hours before the incident took place.

Shortly after hearing this news, Greensmith and Steven had an interaction in the beer garden which culminated with Greensmith pushing Steven, who fell and struck his head on the ground.

Greensmith was one of several people who went to help Steven, but he left the pub shortly before emergency services arrived.

He was arrested on Christmas Day after returning to his home in Willington.

Examination of his mobile phone revealed he had spent an hour searching online for solicitors and looking at a page about involuntary manslaughter.

Speaking after the verdict, Steven’s sister Angela spoke of how his death had affected their family.

“My brother Steven was the victim of an unprovoked act of violence that took his life far too soon,” she said. “His passing has left a hole in all our hearts, and a future forever changed for all of his family, friends, and everyone who knew him.”

Detective Chief Inspector Alfie Keane, of Durham Constabulary, who led the investigation, said: “This is a truly devastating case. It shows how split-second decisions can have life-long consequences and an unimaginable impact on everyone around them.

“Our thoughts remain with Steven’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

He will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on October 21.

02/09/2026

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision involving a motorcycle, which happened yesterday, Tuesday, September 1, at approximately 2.05pm, on Greencroft Parkway, Stanely.

The vehicle, a green Kawasaki ZX6, was travelling towards the junction with the A693 where officers believe it carried out an overtake before losing control, striking the kerb with the driver being ejected from the bike.

The 60-year-old rider was taken to hospital by air ambulance with suspected serious abdominal injuries.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who saw the bike around this time, in particular the driver of the vehicle the bike overtook prior to the collision.

If you can help, please contact Durham Constabulary’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit by email at [email protected], quoting incident number 242 of September 1.

02/09/2026

Officers are appealing for witnesses following a collision which left a woman with serious injuries.

Shortly before 11am on Sunday (August 30), police received a report of a collision involving a car and a pedestrian in Blyth, Northumberland.

It was reported that a white Ford Kuga collided with a woman who was in the road at the roundabout at the junction of Ridley Avenue and Wellington Street.

Emergency services attended the scene and the pedestrian – a woman in her 40s – was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

She remains in hospital in a condition described as stable.

The driver of the Ford remained at the scene and is assisting officers with their enquiries.

A section of the road was closed for a period of time but re-opened just after 3pm the same day.

Officers from Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit (RPU) have launched an investigation to determine the full circumstances surrounding the collision – and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They are especially keen to hear from anyone with CCTV, dash cam or mobile phone footage of the collision, or the moments leading up to it, to come forward.

Anyone with information or footage should get in touch by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, or by using live chat and report forms on the Force’s website.

Those unable to make contact in these ways can call 101.

Please quote reference number: NP-20260830-0408.

02/09/2026

Darlington Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was approached by a man as she walked her dog.

The victim, who is in her 50s, was walking her dog alone by the river close to Rockliffe Hall Hotel at approximately 4pm yesterday (Tuesday, Sept 1)

As she walked along the riverbanks, with the river to her left and golf course to her right, she was suddenly approached by a man close to the marked private fishing area.

He made a number of comments and moved towards her causing her to move back and run away to raise the alarm. She was left distressed, but physically unharmed.

The victim able to provide a partial description of her attacker, who was white, middle-aged, of slim build and was around 5ft 10 tall. He was wearing dark clothing and a hoodie with the hood up pulled over his face.

Detectives are investigating the incident and have asked anyone with information to call police on 101, referencing incident 340 of September 1.

02/09/2026

A woman has been jailed for more than five years after a robbery took place targeting an elderly man in Middlesbrough.

On Sunday 19th April around 9:30pm, 39-year-old Leoni Prince from Crescent Road in Middlesbrough attacked a man in his seventies in a property on Glamis Grove, before stealing his belongings.

She attended the property with two men who had their hoods up and stormed into the house dragging the victim along the hallway.

They punched and kicked the man whilst demanding his bank card and searching his jacket pockets.

The three searched the bedrooms of the property and even threatened to kill the man.

Leoni left the property with a carrier bag of items, and the victim was then able to phone for help. They had taken the man’s bank card and £100 in cash, and electrical items including a laptop, headphones and X Box.

After an investigation by Middlesbrough CID officers, Leoni Prince was identified and charged with robbery. She was sentenced on Thursday 27th August at Teesside Crown Court to five years and three months in prison, plus a restraining order was put in place for ten years to prevent her from contacting the victim.

Detective Constable Itsharm Ramzan, of Middlesbrough CID, said: "The bravery shown by the victim throughout this investigation has been nothing short of extraordinary. He was violently attacked, yet he demonstrated immense courage and determination in helping officers bring the offender to justice.

“This sentence sends a clear and unequivocal message to those who target vulnerable people for personal gain. If you choose to commit violent crime in our communities, we will pursue every available line of enquiry to identify you, locate you, arrest you and place the evidence before the courts. It does not matter how long it takes or where you attempt to hide, we will work tirelessly to ensure you are held accountable for your actions.

“Those who prey on the elderly and vulnerable are among the most cowardly offenders we deal with. Cleveland Police will continue to relentlessly target such criminals, and we will do everything within our power to ensure that those responsible are removed from our streets and face the consequences. We hope this sentence provides reassurance to the public and demonstrates that violent offenders will be brought to justice."

A man arrested was later released without charge. Officers would urge anyone with information regarding the identity of the two men to contact Cleveland Police on 101, quoting reference number 073730 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously online or by calling 0800 555 111.

02/09/2026

Sadly, a body was located today in the search for missing 33-year-old Liam Loughlin, from Middlesbrough.

His death is not being treated as suspicious, and a file will be prepared for the coroner.

Our thoughts are with Liam’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.

01/09/2026

£2M EXTRA FUNDING FOR CLEVELAND POLICE TO TACKLE SERIOUS CRIME

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced that the Government will provide Cleveland Police with an additional £2 million to help tackle serious crime across the area.

Responding to the announcement, Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey welcomed the immediate funding but warned that a one-off payment does not address the force’s longer-term financial pressures.

He said the additional £2m will help Cleveland Police deal with the aftermath of recent incidents, but argued that the force continues to face chronic underfunding.

Matt Storey is calling on the Government to provide at least an additional £20 million every year, which he says would help recruit and retain around 200 additional police officers and strengthen the fight against serious and organised crime.

North East Media

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