Latest news with #Peterlee
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans unveiled for 70 affordable homes on former County Durham industrial site
A housing association has announced a proposal to redevelop a former industrial site in County Durham to address the growing need for affordable housing. Believe housing wants to transform 2.77 hectares of disused land on the North East Industrial Estate, off Armstrong Road, in Peterlee, into a community with 70 new affordable homes. The plan, made in collaboration with planning consultant Lichfields and regional housebuilder Oaktree Living, includes eight bungalows and 62 houses, all with private gardens and parking, that would be available for social rent or affordable home ownership. The proposal is being shared with neighbouring residents for feedback. Further details and an opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed development, by Wednesday, July 23, can be found at This feedback will help shape the final proposal before a planning application is submitted to Durham County Council. Tom Winter, assistant director of development at believe housing, said: "Our nearby Weavers Close development has been very popular, providing the high-quality affordable homes people deserve. "However, more homes are needed, and we believe this site is perfect for development. "We aim to deliver energy-efficient, affordable homes that are healthy and affordable to run while regenerating this eyesore site, which has been vacant for more than two years and is no longer needed for industrial use. READ MORE: Rare breed of horse cherished by the late Queen joins Bishop Auckland theatre show Town to step out in style for ball in memory of 'much-loved' Grace and Wendy Plans to transform Grade II-listed church into housing, offices, and gym approved "The site is well-positioned for access to amenities and employment opportunities in Peterlee, as well as Durham, Sunderland, Newcastle, and beyond. "If approved, this project will improve lives, enhance the area, support local infrastructure, and boost local jobs and businesses during construction." Building work could start next year, if planning permission is approved and government funding towards redevelopment costs is secured.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Game over for Tomb Raider composer after Covid loan fraud conviction
A video game composer and sound designer best know for his work on the Tomb Raider series has been jailed for fraudulently applying for a Covid loan. Peter Connelly, who is based in Durham, overstated his company's turnover to obtain a second Bounce Back Loan of £37,500 in 2020 when businesses were only entitled to a single loan. Connelly had previously secured a legitimate Bounce Back Loan worth £22,000 one month earlier. The 52-year-old, of Lambton Court, Peterlee, was jailed for 16 months at a hearing of Durham Crown Court on Thursday, 17 July. He was also disqualified as a company director for six years. Tomb Raider composer 'blatantly disregarded the rules' David Snasdell, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: 'Peter Connelly blatantly disregarded the rules of the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, designed to support small and medium-sized businesses during the pandemic. 'Connelly not only secured two loans when businesses were only allowed one, but deliberately inflated his company's turnover to receive more money than he was entitled to. 'The Insolvency Service is the lead agency for tackling Bounce Back Loan misconduct and we remain committed to ensuring fraudsters who stole from the public purse during a national emergency are brought to justice.' Connelly was the sole director of Peter Connelly Limited, established in June 2008. The company was known as Universal Sound Design Limited up until November 2012, and it described its trading as 'sound recording and music publishing activities'. First Bounce Back Loan was allowed According to the Insolvency Service, Connelly's first application for a Bounce Back Loan was in May 2020, when he secured £22,000. It added that this application was within the rules of the scheme. However, one month later in June 2020, Connelly applied to a different bank for a Bounce Back Loan of £37,500, claiming his company's turnover for 2019 was £150,000, the organisation said. The Insolvency Service said its analysis revealed his turnover was just over £58,000, meaning he substantially inflated it on his second application. Connelly also falsely declared that this was the only loan he had applied for, it added. The Insolvency Service said that in interviews, Connelly said he had been given the opportunity to re-imagine the music for the Tomb Raider soundtrack. This was a significant project which had the potential to be very lucrative, he added. To complete the project, Connelly said he had taken out personal loans and sold his car. However, Connelly said everything stalled at the start of the pandemic. Peter Connelly Limited went into liquidation in August 2021. Neither loan had been repaid at this time, the Insolvency Service said. Connelly himself entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) in June 2022, a legally binding agreement where he has committed to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner to repay his debts. The IVA remains active, the Insolvency Service said. Sign in to access your portfolio
BBC News
6 days ago
- BBC News
Peterlee pair who raped girl as teenagers jailed 40 years on
Two men who raped a young girl and sexually abused a boy 40 years ago have been Willis, 57, and Anthony Douglas, 58, finally faced justice for their 1980s offending after one of their victims reported them to police in 2019, Newcastle Crown Court teenagers, the pair jointly raped and molested a primary-school-age girl and sexually abused a boy, while Willis also assaulted two other children, the court who admitted multiple sexual offences and was found guilty of others, including rape, was jailed for 13 years. Douglas, who was convicted by jurors, was jailed for 16 years with a one-year extended licence. The two rapists were living in Peterlee, County Durham, at the time of the abuse, with Willis, formerly known as Neil Blenkinsop, aged between 14 and 17 and Douglas aged 19 to 20, the court were both found guilty of indecent assault and rape against a girl, with Douglas, now of Hartlepool, also convicted of three further counts of rape in relation to the same a statement read to the court, the victim said the pair had "destroyed" her life, adding: "No child should ever have to live through what they did."She said she still thought about the abuse daily but there had now been some justice and she hoped the two men would feel as scared "every day" as their victims had been. Police find victims Willis, now of Ealing in Greater London, was also found guilty of assaulting a boy, a crime which today would be classed as rape, and Douglas was convicted of indecency with a child relating to the same had admitted crimes including indecent assault against a third victim, but was found guilty of offences including indecency with a child against a of the victims reported what had happened in 2019, with police then tracking down the others, all of whom had thought they were the only ones to be abused, the court Robert Adams said he had to sentence the two men according to the rules in place for their ages at the time of the men will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- BBC News
Peterlee casino burglars caused £8k damage to steal 40p
Two burglars caused £8,000 of damage at a casino only to make off with just 40p as part of series of break-ins, a court has Smith and Peter Robinson also stole £11,000 worth of cigarettes and scratch cards from a supermarket in Peterlee, County Durham, during a spate of burglaries in January and February, Teesside Crown Court heard.A business owner, from Seaham, who had a motorbike and tools worth £18,000 taken, said the burglary had threatened the survival of his men from Peterlee admitted multiple counts of burglary, with Smith, 24, jailed for 16 months and Robinson, 26, given a two-year community order. 'Taken away livelihood' The users of two neighbouring units at Hall Dene Way industrial estate, Seaham, reported they had been broken into on 10 January, prosecutor Ellen Wright was a fledgling dog grooming business, which had cleaning products, dog coats and treats worth almost £2,600 stolen, the court the other, an £11,000 Harley Davidson motorbike and £7,000 worth of tools and other equipment were stolen, with the business owner's van also substantially damaged during the burglary, Ms Wright a statement submitted to the court, the business owner said his van was away for four months being fixed and he had lost about £60,000 in revenue, while he also had to take out a £22,000 loan to stay afloat and his insurance premiums had "gone up massively".He said whoever targeted his business had "basically taken away" his livelihood and he and his staff were "absolutely floored", having to work hard to get back on admitted carrying out both Seaham burglaries, and he was joined on later raids by Robinson, the court heard. 'Attacked fruit machines' On 30 January, the store manager of Morrisons on Oakerside Drive in Peterlee arrived at about 03:00 GMT to find burglars had broken in through a rear window and stolen tobacco, cigarettes and scratch cards worth £11,000, Ms Wright the early hours of 2 February, burglars were caught on camera smashing up fruit machines at Admiral Casino in Peterlee, the court Wright said the men only managed to get 40p but the damage they caused to the machines was estimated to be £8,000.A short time later they broke into a van and stole tools worth £3,383, the court of Elliott Road, admitted four counts of burglary and one of theft, while Robinson, of Burt Close, pleaded guilty to two burglaries and a part of his community order, Robinson must also abide by four months of electronic monitoring of his movements and work with the Probation Service. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Warning over spate of deadly fake Botox injections in UK region - as 36 year-old left fighting for her life
A mother-of-three was left seriously ill in hospital after a receiving a knock-off and illegal ' Botox ' treatment from an aesthetic beautician. Kaylie Bailey, 36, from Peterlee, in County Durham, paid £75 for three 'Botox' injections from Gemma Gray—which was half of what it cost on a previous visit. 'Botox' is the most recognised brand of the substance botulinum toxin which is typically used to paralyse facial muscles with the aim of reducing wrinkles. Within days of receiving the bargain treatment, she suddenly began to struggle to see, reported the BBC. Initially doctors at Sunderland Royal Hospital, diagnosed her with the eye condition ptosis—which is when the upper eyelid droops—and told her to rest before sending her home. According to the Hospital Trust, medics told her it was likely related to the beauty treatment she'd had, and advised to see a GP if her symptoms worsened. But in the subsequent days her condition deteriorated, so she was rushed back to hospital where she was told she had botulism. This is a paralysis-triggering bacterial infection that can cause muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and even death. The mother is one of now 28 other people diagnosed with toxic poisoning after getting anti-wrinkle injections in North East England, according to the BBC. Due to her serious condition, she spent three days on the Intensive Care Unit and was treated with an anti-toxin. At one point the young mother stopped breathing and had to be resuscitated by medics. 'I remember lying on the bed thinking "I'm dying here, and I don't want to",' she said through tears, while telling her experience to the BBC. This has risen from 14 reports of severe eyelid drooping, double vision, trouble swallowing, slurred speech and lethargy, earlier this month. While still under investigation by the UK Health Security Agency, the reactions are believed to be linked to botulism after aesthetic treatments. In the hospital trust's response to the BBC, they added that botulinum toxicity is an incredibly rare condition 'not seen by the majority of doctors during their careers'. Since being released from hospital Ms Bailey has had to wear an eye patch, which is a constant reminder of the traumatic ordeal. After returning home, she contacted the beautician who administered the 'Botox' Mrs Gray who she said told her it was a 'nationwide problem with the product'. Mrs Gray, formerly known as Gemma Brown, runs her business Belissimo Aesthetics, from her home near Bishop Auckland and at a salon in Blackhall—and advertises it as being 'fully trained and insured'. But it is important to note that this is not linked to any other businesses of the same name. The BBC reported that she administered an illegal type of botulinum toxin, called Toxpia, to a number of patients. This product from South Korea, is not licensed for use in the UK and it is an offence to sell or supply it, according to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. But Mrs Gray told clients it was a 'new type of Botox' and charged between £75 and £1000 for three areas of treatment. It is also understood by the BBC that she sold the Topxia to another aesthetic practitioner who administered it to clients who went on to fall ill. The mother said: 'When I went in (for the anti-wrinkle jab appointment), I felt like she was rushing that much it stung, my eyes were watering that much off it. 'I cannot believe she's even dared to do that to people. She didn't even know what was in it and we're having to live with what she's done to us. I nearly died because of it.' She isn't the only person who had a severe reaction after having a treatment by the beautician. Paula Harrison, 54, also had a reaction after visiting Mrs Gray at a salon in Blackhall, Co Durham in late May, reported the BBC. The 54-year-old had previously been to the beautician for a lip-filler procedure, so went back for what she thought was Botox and under-eye filler. Then after a few days, mother-of-three also became unwell—she told the BBC her throat was closing up and she was unable to eat. So, she went to Sunderland Hospital where she had to stay for four days to receive an anti-toxin treatment. Mrs Gray told Mrs Harrison that it was a 'new treatment on trial' and that she was devastated, the BBC reported. '(Mrs Gray) is playing with people's lives. Luckily, I'm alright, but I could have been dead,' said Mrs Harrison. The BBC reached out to Mrs Gray to provide her with a chance to reply to the allegations, but she declined to comment. However, she has told clients that she is sorry for what happened and described feeling bad that they became ill.
