Three years after he was tortured to death, Jimmy Prout's family say they are still waiting for answers.

Former prime minister Sir John Major has accused the Government of embarking on a policy of national "self harm" over Brexit.

He made the comments during a speech at Newcastle Cathedral today.

Sir John also said young people and those who are less well-off will be most impacted by the EU withdrawal.

He told the North East England Chamber of Commerce: "I believe Brexit is regressive.

"The campaigners for 'Leave' promised better times, yet Brexit will deliver far worse times.

"The Centre for European Reform estimates Brexit is already costing our public finances #320 million a week.

"And this, of course, excludes the 'divorce bill' of #39 billion, and the growing cost across Government of managing our exit from Europe.

"In addition, almost every sector of business has warned of trouble ahead - and every independent study of every conceivable Brexit - even by our own Government - shows that once we leave, the UK will be worse off, year after year after year.

"I can recall nothing to match this."

He also expressed concerns over poverty levels and called for more emphasis to be put on regional investment.

Image source, Getty Images

Current North East Young Entrepreneur of the Year Lizzy Hodcroft has been in Downing Street to react to report on female business founders.

It showed 89% of all investment from venture capital in 2017 went to all-male founder teams.

Ms Hodcroft, founder of The Sweet Beet and the peer to peer mental health platform Myndr, said: "In North East, there is only a small handful of VCs to access and changing behaviours and unconscious bias in needed more than ever.

“It's all good that we have this report and it's hopeful to see that many VCs have outlined their plans on how they plan on tackling this issue. I do hope that this does not just turn into a vanity project that does not leave the London area.”

The research was commissioned by Chancellor Philip Hammond at his 2017 Budget and undertaken by the British Business Bank.

A taxi driver who helped police catch a burglar has received an award.

Last month, Paul Johnston, 31, picked up a teenager in the Washington area.

During the journey, the teen boasted he'd just carried out a burglary at Biddick Academy earlier that evening but claimed he "wouldn't get caught" by police.

Image source, Northumbria Police

Mr Johnston, a taxi driver of 13 years, quizzed the passenger further and then contacted his local PC.

Two males - aged 16 and 32 - were arrested on suspicion of burglary.

Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt said: "It would have been easy for Paul to overlook the passenger's claims, but his willingness to do the right thing and inform police has led to a crime being solved that may have otherwise gone undetected.

"We are incredibly thankful to Paul for his support and a commendation was the least he deserved after going above and beyond."

The girl was attacked in an alleyway in Stockton by a stranger after being followed, police say.

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Daniel Holland

For the first time in 10 years, councillors in Newcastle will get a pay rise.

The representatives agreed to give themselves a 2.5% pay rise, which will cost taxpayers an extra £26,000 a year.

It means councillors' annual allowance will increase by £225, to £9,000 a year.

The pay boost comes at a time when local authorities around the country see their budgets slashed.

By 2022, the council's budget will have been reduced by £327m in 12 years.

Image source, NCJ Media

Joyce McCarty, the council's deputy leader, said: "There are issues with some councillors who don't necessarily understand the commitment you have to give.

"Some of our members do struggle around work and time commitments of their own, because we all want to complete our role to the best of our ability.

"We are still among the lowest councils for allowances in the North East and in comparison to other core cities."

The decision was agreed at a meeting of Newcastle City Council on Wednesday evening and passed without any opposition.

The last time city councillors had a pay rise was in 2009, before they cut their wages by 5% in 2013 in response to massive budget cuts.

How would you spend your leave? This man has chosen to spread positivity and give people free hugs. He stopped in Newcastle as well.

Peterlee will see one of the first elite football academies for girls in the country.

St Bede's Comprehensive school will open its doors to the most promising young female players in the region in September.

The hope is they'll deliver the professional footballers of the future, with thriving senior clubs on the doorstep ready to reap the benefits.

Image source, Getty Creative Stock

Lucy Moody
Journalist

A blue plaque is to be added to Newcastle's Quayside to commemorate Billy Purvis's contribution to North East culture.

Otherwise known as the Jester of the North, Billy was regarded as the "first professional Geordie", for his work as an actor, comedian and conjurer.

On 18 February Newcastle City Council will be unveiling the plaque in The Close on Newcastle Quayside at 11:00.

BBC Tees

Redcar and Cleveland Council is hoping to attract new foster families by sharing the stories of the children currently looking for a home.

The council is looking for long-term carers for Robyn, six, and Lucy, eight. They’d like separate bedrooms if possible because although they "love each other, they sometimes fight".

Charlie, six, and Luke, five, came into care last year and are ready to move into a long-term placement.

They love seeing their mother regularly and also like to keep in touch with their grandparents and great grandparents.

Image source, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council

Zoe Wills (pictured), from Redcar, was fostered throughout her childhood and is now in her second year of a social work degree at Teesside University.

She said: “I would urge people to become foster carers. There will be plenty of bad days but there will be more good ones.

"I know I wasn’t an easy child to cope with but I want to say thank you to my foster mum for everything she did for me and especially for her perseverance.”

Councillor Craig Hannaway said the authority has seen a 66% increase in the number of children in care over the last five years.

A recruitment event will be held at Redcar Heart on 13 February from 17:30 to 19:00.

BBC Newcastle

Four men armed with baseball bats broke into a flat to confront the owners about a non-existent cannabis farm in what police are calling a "case of mistaken identity".

The men broke into the flat on Standerton Terrace in Craghead, Stanley, at about 20:00 on Sunday.

It is thought the men were looking for a cannabis factory and, after threatening the occupants – a man and a woman – they realised they had got the wrong property and left, Durham Police said.

Det Con Christopher Bentham said: “This appears to be a case of mistaken identity, which has left the victims extremely distressed.

“We are following a number of lines of inquiry to trace the perpetrators, but would urge anyone who saw anything suspicious at the time of the incident, or has any information on it to get in touch with us."

BBC Newcastle

He was known for performing with his "little ukulele" and now two instruments made famous by George Formby are set to go under the hammer.

Formby fan George Johnson, from Gateshead, snapped up the ukulele and banjo ukulele, but kept them hidden so as not to anger his wife. Mr Johnson's family are now selling his collection after his death last summer at the age of 91.

Image source, PA

The instruments have a guide price of £19,000 for the pair and will be sold alongside other Formby mementos.

They are due to be sold in Etwall, Derbyshire, on 19 March.

Sunderland midfielder Lynden Gooch is celebrating becoming a father.

Today will start cloudy with outbreaks of rain, along with possible snow over high ground.

It will be turning drier and brighter into this afternoon but with the chance of one or two showers. The day will also be rather windy.

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Joe Day's daughters were born at about 20:20 GMT on Tuesday night.

The RMT union said Northern rail had offered a guarantee of a conductor on all trains.

Super-fan George Johnson kept his collection of Formby memorabilia hidden from his wife for years.

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Cleveland Police is accused of "staggering from scandal to scandal" after its former chief resigns.