Accused of murder

Dec 8 2006 By The Journal

A woman appeared before Newcastle Crown Court yesterday accused of killing her former partner, who was stabbed in the heart.

Janet Taylor, 39, of Wardle Gardens, Gateshead, is charged with the murder of Keith Weightman, the father of her eight-month-old son.

She also faces a further linked charge of conspiracy with others to pervert the course of justice.

The others facing the conspiracy charge are her present partner John Gibson, 47, of Fisherwell Road, Pelaw, his daughter Sarah Gibson, 18, also of Fisherwell Road, Michael Dodds, 28, of Binsby Gardens, Wrekenton, and his brother Barry Dodds, 21, of Hopper Road, Felling, all Gateshead.

No charges were put and all five were further remanded in custody after the case was adjourned until February 6.

Candle drama

AN elderly woman had to be rescued from her flat after she left a Christmas candle surrounded by tinsel burning on her windowsill.

The 83-year-old resident of a retirement home in the Spinny area of Heaton, Newcastle, was helped from her 13th floor flat by a warden and two home helps.

She did not require hospital treatment.

The fire had already burnt itself out, but firefighters from Wallsend and Gosforth helped clear the smoke from her room.

Life adventure

TWO youngsters are heading for a trip of a lifetime after receiving a donation from their local Indian restaurant.

The Diwan-E-Am restaurant on Priestpopple in Hexham played host to a fund-raising effort by teenagers Alistair Hall and Tim Pike.

The 16-year-olds from Dame Allen's School in Newcastle are part of a group of 10 pupils venturing to Tanzania on a character-building experience next year.