Tyne Tees durham News

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• County Durham
• durham

• UK
• durham
• County Durham

A damning report has found that social workers missed vital warning signs that led to a County Durham toddler dying from a brutal attack at the hands of his mother's boyfriend.

Slater Sharkey's father had raised concerns weeks before but officials failed to act.

As Gregg Easteal reports, Durham's Safeguarding Children's Board has now apologised for the failures and says changes have already been made to its procedures.

You can watch his full report below.

• UK
• Durham

It has emerged that social workers missed vital warning signs that led to a baby suffering catastrophic brain damage after being attacked by his mother's partner.

A serious case review found that the father of 13 month-old Slater Sharkey raised concerns in the weeks before his son was attacked, but officials failed to act.

Richard Morgan was convicted of manslaughter after he experienced what he called a "momentary lack of control" in December 2010 and attacked Slater while his mother was out.

The baby suffered 25 bruises to his body and died as a result.

Durham's Safeguarding Children's Board has now apologised for the failures and say recommendations have been acted upon.

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• Richard Morgan
• Durham

The following roads will be affected by road closures during the Pearl Isumi Tour Series - which is due to take place around the Durham area today.

• Quarryheads Lane (south) – strictly residents only access between 7.00am and midday. Road closed from midday to midnight.
• Grove Street, Margery Lane (south) and Quarryheads Lane (north) – road closed from 7.00am to midnight.
• *North Road (east/bottom of Crossgate) *– road closed from 10.00am to midnight.

• Margery Lane (north), Crossgate, South Street, Pimlico – road closed from midday to midnight.

The A690 Crossgate Peth and Alexandria Crescent will remain open at all times.

• UK
• Durham
• cycling

More than £1m has been spent on artwork at Durham University.

Pieces by Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and Alexander Calder hang on the walls of buildings like the Palatine centre.

The University say developing collections is essential. Students say the money could be put to better use.

• Education
• Durham
• Durham University

A spokesman for Durham University said developing its collections of art was "essential".

Students have called it a disgrace that the university spent £1.4m on art while increasing tuition fees to £9,000 a year.

But the statement, released by the university, said:

“Durham University is a custodian of many fine treasures and developing our collections of graphic art and sculpture for public display was an essential part of the original concept for the Palatine Centre.

“Some of the artwork was commissioned and reflects the University’s academic strengths and the heritage of our region.

“The works that can now be viewed represent a rich and varied presentation of 20th and 21st century art.

“The University organises free guided tours and staff, students and the public are encouraged to come and enjoy it.”

• Education
• Durham
• Durham University

Durham University has spent £1.4m on art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol, while raising tuition fees for students. The costs have been uncovered by a Freedom of Information Act request by student journalists at Palatinate, the student newspaper.

• Education
• Durham
• Durham University

The Chief Constable of Durham Police has spent a couple of hours as a hairdresser to pick up tips on customer service.

Chief Constable Mike Barton met with the founder of Toni & Guy Toni Mascolo to see what the police can learn from hairdressing in Durham city.

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• Durham
• County Durham