22/08 COMMENT FROM BRAKE ON THE SENTENCING OF ASHLEY LINDO

COMMENT FROM BRAKE ON THE SENTENCING OF ASHLEY LINDO, WHO RAN OVER AND KILLED DANIEL CONROY CURTIN

Ashley Lindo, aged 16, the ‘joyrider’ who ran over and killed Daniel Conroy-Curtin in May this year was today given a prison sentence of three years, after pleading guilty both to causing death by dangerous driving and aggravated vehicle taking. Both these charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison. Lindo could be released after serving just 18 months.

Daniel Conroy-Curtin from Middlesbrough died from brain injuries after he was knocked down while playing with friends in a park. The court heard Lindo, who has several convictions for stealing cars, was performing handbrake turns as he drove across the park. In the car with Lindo were co-accused Lee Fenton,19, and Jason Wheatley, 18. Lindo and the co-accused fled the scene after hitting Daniel. The co-accused will be sentenced at a later date.

Daniel’s mother released pictures of her son on life-support to the media in May. Daniel never regained consciousness and died nine days after the incident.

Mary Williams OBE, chief executive of road safety charity Brake, said: “Brake is dismayed that such a lenient sentence has been awarded to a young driver who stole a car and took a young child’s life through his appallingly selfish actions. Brake is all too aware of the terrible pain and devastation that a death on the road inflicts on families and communities. Token sentences like this make a mockery of our justice system and do little to deter other young people who are tempted to steal cars and drive dangerously with little thought of the consequences. The maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years in prison, yet even in cases like this where the driver was unlicensed and driving a stolen vehicle, we see drivers escaping with a much lesser sentence.”

20/05 DRUGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN PILOTED IN BILLINGHAM SCHOOLS

DRUGS AWARENESS CAMPAIGN PILOTED IN BILLINGHAM SCHOOLS

A week-long campaign to educate schoolchildren about the perils of
drugs is underway in Billingham.

The town has been chosen to pilot the scheme, which if successful, will
hopefully roll out to the rest of the borough during the next year.

Every school has signed up to take part in the campaign, which comes
just prior to National Tackling Drugs Day on May 23. Posters have gone up
in classrooms and special assemblies held to make students aware of the
dangers of taking drugs as well as offering confidential help and
advice through Stockton Drug Action Team's young people's service STASH. In
addition, 800 letters including a guide for families, have gone to the
parents of Year 11 pupils advising on the dangers of drugs and alcohol.

Sue Maddison, Stockton's Head of Drug Strategy, said: "Together with
Billingham Local Strategic Partnership and Stockton Borough Council we
are taking direct positive action to raise awareness of substance misuse
in Billingham.

"We want everyone in the borough to understand the dangers of drugs and
this is the first step in our awareness programme. We are not just
educating pupils but the whole community. Drugs affect everybody and we
have put up posters in GP surgeries, community centres and drug treatment
agencies to raise awareness in not just children, but their parents and
the wider community."

STASH (Stockton Together Against Substance Harm) was officially
launched in March and provides a comprehensive service for young people under
19 with substance misuse issues including; advice and information, harm
reduction, clinical interventions, work with families, assertive
outreach through community and drop in sessions. The service has an open
referral system and also offers support to parents, carers and family
members.

STASH can be contacted by telephoning (01642) 607 028 or by visiting
their base at Malborough House, 30-32 Yarm Road, Stockton TS18 3NG
between 8:45am and 4:45pm Monday to Friday.

For further advice on tackling drugs or other services in Stockton
contact Stockton Drug Action Team on (01642) 528474 or log on to the
website at http://www.stockton.gov.uk/drugactionteam

12/04 Localnewsgroup launches one of the largest network coverages in Britain

Localnewsgroup launches one of the largest network coverages in Britain.This will enable members in towns to send messages to each and post information online.Get a wepage or even put their products in a central shop www.streetshop.co.uk

Part of the service is to offer local business a chance to get online. This will help to reduce spam emails.

Members will be able to update their webpage online from their own computer or build a network of users who can update their data in a group.

If you want to go further. We can intergrate this with a shopping site and you can sell your services or goods online.

Registration if FREE for business users or members of groups or societies.
This registration will enable you to send messages to other members.

If you require a webpage or shopping site we will quote a price depending on your requirements.

CLICK TO GET AN EQUIRY FORM