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Three people have been charged by police with a spate of burglaries just hours after officers received the call. In the early hours of Wednesday morning police received a number of reports of burglaries in the Greenside area. Three houses were targeted as well as a shed and a number of vehicles on the Rookwood Hill estate. One vehicle was also stolen. A number of items had been taken during the incidents including high value power tools. Officers from the Gateshead West Neighbourhood Policing Team launched an investigation and within hours they had made three arrests. Further enquiries into the incidents have been ongoing and property from the burglaries has been returned to their owner. In the early hours of the morning three men were charged with a string of burglary offences and today they have appeared in court. - Peter Robinson, 43, of Tweed Street, Chopwell, charged with four counts of burglary, three counts of theft from motor vehicle, theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance and driving without a licence. - Jonathan Gregory, 37, of No Fixed Abode, charged with four counts of burglary, three counts of theft from motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle. - Colin Urwin, 43, of Blyth Street, Chopwell, charged with four counts of burglary, three counts of theft from motor vehicle and theft of a motor vehicle. They all appeared before Bedlington Magistrates Court yesterday where they were released on bail to appear at Newcastle Crown Court. Anyone with information about the burglaries cans till contact police by calling 101 extension 64336 quoting log 332 24/10/17.

Tragic Bethany Fisher’s family are fighting to get the driver that killed her locked up for longer. The 19-year-old died when Jordan O’Donnell’s Ford Mondeo smashed into parked vehicles in Bedlington , with Bethany in the back seat. O’Donnell admitted causing death by dangerous driving and was jailed for six years at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this month. But after hearing the killer driver could spend as little as two-and-half years behind bars, Bethany’s family have vowed to fight for a longer sentence. Bethany’s mum, Isabel Easson, has now made an official request to appeal against the sentence in a bid to get O’Donnell’s prison term increased. And today the tragic teen’s aunt, Suzanne Scott, has told how the family do not believe they have yet got justice for Bethany.

Northumbria’s Mini Police has gone from strength to strength as the newest recruits have all now enrolled on to the scheme. Last month the force announced it was extending the popular scheme, aimed at year five primary school children, after its successful launch in April. Now, all of the new recruits have taken up their position as Mini Police and are playing their part in policing. The scheme gives primary school children the chance to work with their local police and learn about a host of topics to help keep them and their friends safe. Superintendent Sarah Pitt has been instrumental in setting up the scheme. She said: “I’m really proud we’ve been able to extend the Mini Police scheme, it has proved to be really popular and it’s been encouraging to see how many schools want to get involved and I hope our newest recruits enjoy their new role.” Unique to the Northumbria scheme the Mini Police is led by the force’s Volunteer Police Cadets. Supt Pitt added: “Our Volunteer Police Cadet scheme has ran for a number of years now and we’re very impressed by the young individuals who join the scheme as young teenagers and develop into confident young adults and wanted to give them the opportunity to develop their leadership skills even further and they play an instrumental part in delivering the Mini Police.” Recruitment for the Volunteer Police Cadet scheme is currently open and will run until the end of October. Visit Northumbria Police’s Career website for details on how to apply. There are no school children enrolled on the Mini Police scheme with the schools now involved including:- In Northumberland: Newborough School, Hexham Grange Primary School, Blyth Meadowdale Academy, Bedlington Chantry Middle, Morpeth In North Tyneside: St Columba’s RC Primary School, Wallsend Riverside Primary School, North Shields In Newcastle: Westgate Hill Primary School, Newcastle St Bedes Primary School, Newcastle Thomas Walling Academy, Newcastle In Gateshead: Falla Park Primary School, Felling Eslington School, Gateshead In South Tyneside: Laygate Community Primary, South Shields St Mary’s Primary School, Jarrow In Sunderland: Academy 360, Sunderland Easington Lane Primary School, Houghton Southwick Community Primary, Southwick View the full news release

A Bedlington resident has praised St Oswald’s Hospice for its family support before and after the death of his wife.

Bethany Fisher’s devastated parents bravely read out heartbreaking statements in court as the killer driver who took their “beautiful daughter” from them was locked up. Mum Isabel Easson found her daughter dying after Jordan O’Donnell lost control of his Ford Mondeo ST outside her house. O’Donnell was “on the face of it showing off” after offering to give 19-year-old birthday girl Bethany and her best friend, Meg McBurnie, a lift. As he reached estimated speeds of around 60mph in residential streets of Bedlington, Northumberland, the girls in the back seat asked him to stop it. But as the 20-year-old - who had only passed his test weeks earlier - carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a bend, he lost control, smashing into parked cars, careering out of control and hitting a fence and wall. The noise of the crash woke Isabel and she went out into the street on Victoria Terrace to seek to help - only to be confronted with the horrific scene of her daughter fatally injured and Meg lying on the ground screaming in agony.

A teenager out celebrating her 19th birthday was killed outside her mum’s home by a danger driver who ignored her pleas to slow down then fled the scene and left her to die. Jordan O’Donnell was “on the face of it showing off” behind the wheel of a high-powered saloon after offering to give Bethany Fisher and her best friend, Meg McBurnie, a lift. As he reached estimated speeds of around 60mph in residential streets of Bedlington, Northumberland, the girls in the back seat asked him to stop it. But as the 20-year-old - who had only passed his test weeks earlier - carried out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre on a bend, he lost control, smashing into parked cars, careering out of control and hitting a fence and wall. The noise of the crash woke Bethany’s mum, Isabel Easson, and she went out into the street on Victoria Terrace to seek to help - only to be confronted with the horrific scene of her daughter fatally injured and Meg lying on the ground screaming in agony. Despite the devastation he had caused, O’Donnell callously fled to his home nearby and calmly phoned police, lying that his turbo-charged Ford Mondeo ST had been stolen during a burglary at his home and requesting police attend.

Man jailed following fatal collision in Bedlington. Today, Jordan O’Donnell, 20-years-old of Waverley Court in Bedlington, has been sentenced to 6 years in prison following a fatal collision earlier this year. The incident took place at around 1.45am on 19th August 2017, on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington and involved a car colliding with a number of parked vehicles. The driver of the car, Jordan O’Donnell, left the scene without reporting it to police and later tried to claim his vehicle had been stolen to try and avoid prosecution. A passenger in Jordan’s car, 19-year-old Bethany Fisher, sadly died at the scene and another woman sustained serious injuries as a result of the collision. Jordan appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on 18th September 2017, where he pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving, causing death whilst uninsured, attempting to pervert the course of justice and failing to stop after a road traffic collision. Sergeant Steve Armstrong, Northumbria Police Motor Patrols said: “Jordan O’Donnell’s actions that evening were extremely dangerous. He drove his Ford Mondeo motor car in a dangerous manner at speeds well in excess of the speed limit through a built up residential area and showed no regard to the safety of members of the public or his passengers. At the time of the fatal collision Jordan was under the influence of alcohol and his vehicle was not insured. “I would like to thank the local community in Bedlington for their help and support during this investigation and my thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved at this difficult time. “Northumbria Police are committed to dealing with those who think that it is acceptable to drive motor vehicles on the road in a dangerous manner, under the influence of alcohol or uninsured and anyone who is identified as doing this will face prosecution.”

People are dying because passers by are too scared to carry out CPR – a heart charity has claimed. The British Heart Foundation said 85% of people would not give CPR if someone suffered a cardiac arrest due to a lack of knowledge. Every minute without CPR increases a person’s risk of death by around 10%. The BHF survey found that just 41% of people in the North East would feel confident giving CPR to a stranger, citing concerns about causing more harm than good. However, more than a third of North East residents feel they lack the skills and knowledge to perform CPR at all. Mike Jones, 63, from Nedderton near Bedlington, had his life saved by CPR when he suffered a cardiac arrest on June 19 after a game of table tennis.

They are the scenes of some of the North East’s most notorious crimes - but how many people realise it? Most are mundane sites you wouldn’t look twice at. But due to events they have the notoriety of being a part of the region’s criminal history. While some have changed beyond recognition due to re-development, others look familiar to those who remember the original crimes. Here we list the scenes of the most infamous of crimes as they were when the event took place and how they look now. Location: Pesspool Bridge, South Hetton, County Durham. January 5, 1967. Arguably the North East’s most famous crime, the so-called ‘one-armed bandit murder’ which reputedly helped inspire the Get Carter film starring Michael Caine.

A coach at a Newcastle trampoline club has appeared in court charged with child sex offences. Louis Murray, 22, from Blakelaw, has been charged with engaging in sexual activity with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. He appeared before Bedlington Magistrates Court on Monday morning where he was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court at a later date. Specialist officers are supporting the male victim in this case who attended the club ran by Louis Murray. Police will continue to work with the local authority as their investigation continues but officers are encouraging anyone who thinks they have information that would be useful to police to get in touch by calling 101 quoting log 821 07/10/17.

A new 20 mph speed limit has been introduced outside Stannington First School following the safety concerns of parents, teachers and local councillors. New 20mph signage has been erected outside the school advising motorists they are entering a reduced speed zone, while plans are in place to introduce double yellow lines and keep clear signs outside and around the school. Young pupils have also been involved in a competition to design a symbol and slogan to promote slow and safe driving past their school. The winning slogans have been included on a banner which is now proudly displayed outside of the school. Stannington First School is situated on Church Road and has over 100 pupils between the ages of 3 and 9 years on its register. The school has worked closely with local County Councillor, Eileen Armstrong, the parish council, Northumbria Police and Northumberland County Council to secure the 20 mph speed limit. Local county councillor, Cllr Eileen Armstrong said: “ Stannington First School is very close to the road. Parents and teachers were becoming increasingly concerned, about the speed of the traffic in the vicinity of the school and justifiably so. The introduction of the new speed restriction by the council makes Church Road a safer place for everyone. ” “ I would like to congratulate the winners on their designs for the new banner which will go a long way to help enforce this important message.” Research has found clear evidence that decreased traffic speeds reduce collisions and casualties. Collisions happen less often and when they do happen there is less risk of fatal injury.” Northumberland County Councillor Glen Sanderson, cabinet member for environment and local services said: “ Cllr Armstrong has worked hard with local people to get this scheme off the ground - it is a great idea and I’m sure it will be successful.”

A fun evening event featuring a quiz and curry! Tickets are £5 and are availble from Helen Browell (helen@browell.info), from the Community Help Hub or just send us a message on Facebook. Ticket includes curry and quiz entry. There will be cash bar at the event.

Former Journal and Chronicle reporter Dave Black has died suddenly aged 61. The father-of-two died at home in the early hours on Sunday morning. Dave was a well-respected journalist who worked for the Northumberland Gazette before moving to work for the Journal in 1986. His family have been left devastated by his sudden unexpected death. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Linda, daughter Cassie, 29, son, Robbie, 32 and step-daughter Donna Anderson. He lived in Alnwick for over 30 years and covered south east Northumberland for both the Chronicle and the Journal before he left four years ago.

The 1st November sees the launch of our Christmas Holistic Special Offers Magazine! It's the perfect way to drop hints as to what you would like for Christmas.

A Partner-Free Shopping Evening so that you can drop hints over the next few weeks of what you would like for Christmas and they can buy in confidence that you won't see what they've bought you for Christmas! Our Christmas offers magazine will be available through Facebook and via The Old Police Station from Wednesday 1st November.

Details to follow...

A popular Choppington pub is set to blossom after the completion of a major refurbishment.

In October there is World Mental Health Day on the 10th and OCD Awareness Week from the 8th - 14th. I am delighted to be able to honour these two events as part of the #ListeningPost programe and host a #ListeningPost on Wednesday 11th October between 9am - 12. Listening Posts are a concept that has been set up in the UK for individuals to host Listening Posts so that people can come and visit and have the opportunity to talk and be listened to. The idea is to support people so that they feel heard and supported by individuals who have spent time understanding the importance of good mental health either through their own journeys or through professional coaching training. My interest comes from my own journey with mental health and inparticular OCD and anxiety. I offer a welcoming space as part of the Listening Post event for you to be able to have a space where you can talk and be heard. I'm not taking bookings for the event, if you would like to join in all you need to do is turn up to my treatment rooms on Wednesday 11th October between 9am - 12. The Listening Post spaces will run on a first come first served basis and can last as long as you feel you need. If you have any questions please feel free to message me, you can find out more about The Listening Post project here: https://listenforwellbeing.com/about/

A mobile phone app which makes it easier for residents to report issues affecting their local community is being rolled out across the region. The mobile app, ‘MyStreet Northumberland’, was designed by the Safer Northumberland Partnership and Improving Croft and Cowpen Quay (ICCQ) following a pilot in the “12 Streets” campaign which focused on identifying issues affecting twelve streets in Cowpen Quay and putting in long-term solutions. Residents can download the new app and use it to access information on a number of problems such as anti-social behaviour, noise, litter, street lighting and roads all in one place. From here, app users can access advice or report specific incidents to the council or if they have information or concerns about crime and disorder where they live they can access advice via the app or they can contact their local neighbourhood policing team direct. Councillor John Riddle, chair of Safer Northumberland, said: “While Northumberland has low crime levels, we know there are issues that affect people’s quality of life and it’s important communities can easily access advice and report anything they’re worried about. “The app has already been successful, being downloaded thousands of times in its first year, and we’re delighted it’s being rolled out by Northumbria Police to other local authorities in the area.” The app is free to download onto iPhone, Android, and Windows devices by searching ‘MyStreet’ in the app store. People should always call 999 when it’s an emergency.

Control freak Carl Tennant subjected his partner to a terrifying attack after complaining that his breakfast was not ready - then set about giving her a “broken nose for Christmas”. The brute had already sought to snuff out any independence the woman had, even discouraging her from travelling to visit friends and family. A court heard he viewed his then-girlfriend’s primary duty as being to serve and look after him. In October last year he launched an attack after complaining about their relationship and about his breakfast not being ready, Newcastle Crown Court heard. He grabbed her and pushed her, threw a piece of metal artwork at her and lifted her up by her ankles. When Tennant noticed she was bleeding he dragged her upstairs to run a bath and threw the hysterical woman in, fully clothed.

The devastated family of tragic Bethany Fisher have opened up their hearts for the first time since the teenager’s death. The 19-year-old was on a night out celebrating her birthday with friends when she was fatally injured in a car crash on Victoria Terrace, Bedlington, on August 19. Jordan O’Donnell was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo when he lost control of the vehicle. Passenger Bethany died from her injuries while her best pal Meg McBurnie, who was also in the car, was seriously hurt in the crash. Bethany’s auntie Suzanne Scott, from Blyth, revealed the family is still struggling to come to terms with losing their “beautiful girl”. Holding back the tears, the mum-of-three said: “I’m absolutely heartbroken and can’t believe I won’t see or hear her voice again.

New beginners Jillates Pilates with Jill class. Book your place to strengthen your core, improve your posture and joint mobility.

Reiki Share- Everyone Welcome :) Informal and friendly session for anyone interested in or practicing Reiki- bring your friends so they can experience the relaxing, calming benefits of Reiki. Due to the continuing success and expansion of the group and several enquiries recently for disabled or limited mobility access IReiki Share Bedlington has moved to East Bedlington Community Centre, 16 & 17 Station Rd, Bedlington NE22 7JW. It is a large, light and airy room with a beautiful feel. There is also a small room we can use if anyone wishes to have a more private treatment as well as a mezzanine area for watching/ chatting!. There is loads of parking and I am still able to offer tea/ coffee. The time is slightly different as the room is already booked in the morning so the new time is 1pm-4.30pm (drop in). The session will be £5 per person or £4 concessions, please note it will no longer be donations based, however once the expenses have been covered I will be donating the remaining of the funds to Water Aid. Many thanks Lindsey x

Ian Lavery has welcomed the news that the future of Bedlington’s Humford Dam looks like it is becoming increasingly secure.

Volunteers collected more than 20 bags of rubbish during a litter-pick at Gallagher Park in Bedlington.