Police check school coaches and find defects (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Cleveland Police check school coaches across Teesside and find defects

5:12pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News By Chris Webber, Reporter (Stockton/Hartlepool)

CLEVELAND Police have checked over 30 coaches and mini buses that transport children to school in order to carry out safety checks. The safety checks were carried out at identified school sites across all of Teesside after children had disembarked from the vehicle and gone into school. In Stockton one minibus was seized for having no insurance and four others were issued with mechanical prohibitions for defective brakes and tyres and lights. In Hartlepool nine vehicles were stopped and four prohibition notices were issued. Officers also issued two vehicle prohibition notices in Middlesbrough.

MAN BLINDED: A 28-year-old man was temporarily blinded following a knife-point robbery at North Ormesby, Middlesbrough. The victim was on Beaumont Road at 1am on Saturday, March 9 when he was approached by three men who threatened him with a knife and sprayed him twice in the eyes with an unknown substance. They then punched him in the face before stealing his jacket and mobile phone. The suspects spoke with an Eastern European accent. Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Dave Stewart of Middlesbrough CID.

ELECTRIC OPPORTUNITY: An event in Stockton next week will help businesses across Teesside see how electric vehicles could reduce their transport costs and boost the area’s green technology sector industry. The event is being organised by Stockton council ecology organisations. It will be held between 8.30am and 1pm on Friday, March 22 at CableCom, Westland Way on Preston Farm Industrial Estate, Stockton. Find out more at tadea.com/tomorrowsworldtoday

TEENAGER ATTACK: An 18-year-old was tripped and then punched and kicked to his head and body, police have revealed. The man was walking along Sandringham Road, Middlesbrough at 10.45pm on Saturday, March 9 when he was tripped from behind. Two hooded males, aged between 17 and 20, ran off towards Overdale Road after the beating. The victim was treated for a fracture to his right cheekbone. Anyone with information is asked to contact DC Phil Dawson of Middlesbrough CID on the non-emergency number 101.

BIG GIG: Ian Hooper, once of famous 1970s pop group Mott the Hoople, will peform at The Arc in Stockton on Tuesday, March 26 at 8pm. Tickets cost £22.50 from arconline.co.uk or 01642-525199.