Local News

Conservative MPs have blocked Redcar MP Anna Turley's bill to toughen up animal cruelty sentences;

Two charity boxes have been stolen from a family-run business in Loftus;

... and Redcar and Cleveland Council has set its budget for the coming financial year.

Conservative MPs have blocked Redcar MP Anna Turley's bill to toughen up animal cruelty sentences.

Anna spoke in parliament yesterday to try and increase the maximum sentence for animal cruelty from six months to five years.

She queued overnight to make sure the bill would get a second hearing.

But when it finally came up in parliament three Conservative MPs stopped it from progressing. 

The bill will be back on the agenda in March but it's unlikely that it will be heard.

Despite this Anna says this is "not the end of her battle" for Baby's Law - named after a pet bulldog that was abused in Redcar.

Andrew and Daniel Frankish filmed themselves kicking, punching and throwing Baby down the stairs and received just a suspended sentence and an electronic tag - prompting Anna's campaign.

Two charity boxes have been stolen from a family-run business in Loftus.

The owners of Willow Cake Shop got to their store yesterday morning to find the window smashed. 

Everything seemed to be intact until they realised two charity boxes had been stolen - for one RNLI and another for Loftus tree fund.

Cleveland Police are currently investigating the incident and urge anyone with information to call the non-emergency number 101.

They are also asking for any properties in the area with CCTV footage to get in touch.

Redcar and Cleveland Council has set its budget for the coming financial year.

They've also approved a new financial plan which aims to balance investments with a 25 point 6 million pound budget cut for the next three years.

Councillors have agreed to increase council tax by almost two per cent.

This is despite the their new focus on promoting the area as a tourist destination - with 250 thousand pounds set aside for events like the Festival of Thrift.

Consultations are still being held for other plans including cuts to library and street lights.