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Teesside stories you may have missed this week

Northumbria Police Two images side by side. On the left is the mugshot of Kwan, who is bald and clean shaven with thin framed glasses. On the right is Kwan in disguise, his skin is much more tanned and he had a fake black moustache and goatee beard, thicker-framed glasses and a black wigNorthumbria Police
A podcast delves into the crimes of Thomas Kwan, who created a fake ID under the name Raj Patel

Hopes that a film and TV village could reshape Hartlepool, bullying found during an inspection at Cleveland Fire Brigade and a podcast about the GP poisoner, Thomas Kwan.

Here are some stories you may have missed on Teesside this week.

Hartlepool could become a film industry hub

Hartlepool Borough Council A CGI of Hartlepool film production village. The aerial image shows a number of new white buildings in the centre of the town which will make up the new film and TV facilities.Hartlepool Borough Council
Hartlepool film production village aims to provide film crews with everthing they need to complete their project

It is hoped a new film production village will bolster the north-east of England's reputation as a centre for the screen industry, while boosting its economy and regenerating a town.

The village is planned for Hartlepool and aims to provide film makers with everything they need to make a movie or TV show without having to leave the region.

  • Read more about the plans here

'You wouldn't expect this to happen...'

Northumbria Police Still from CCTV footage of Kwan, all in black and wearing a black hat and carrying a bag walking up grey tile stairs. There's a pinky-red stripe on the wall following the line of the chrome handrail.Northumbria Police
Thomas Kwan checked into a hotel under a false name the night before the attack at the house in Newcastle, jurors heard

BBC Look North's Peter Harris gives his account of reporting on Dr Thomas Kwan, who injected his mother's partner with poison.

Driven by greed and a thirst for revenge on his mother regarding the details of her will, he was jailed for 31 years and is likely to die in prison. His victim, mercifully, is on the mend, but traumatised by the unprovoked attack from someone he thought was an NHS nurse.

  • Listen to the podcast and read about the story here

Bullying found in workforce at Cleveland Fire Brigade

Peter Rickard, chief fire officer at Cleveland Fire Brigade. He has short grey hair and is wearing a black uniform with white shirt and black tie. He is standing in front of a fire engine and looking directly into the camera.
Peter Rickard, chief fire officer at Cleveland Fire Brigade, said he could not give an assurance bullying had been rooted out

Bullying and micromanaging have been flagged during an inspection of a fire service.

Senior leaders encouraged feedback and challenge from all parts of the workforce but there were examples of "bullying, micromanaging and abuse of authority", its report said.

However, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) found that progress had been made at Cleveland Fire Brigade (CFB) since its last inspection in 2022.

  • Read more about the inspection findings here

Women's rugby void sees talent 'heading south'

Francesca Johnson-Harding A close-up, head and shoulders shot of Francesca Johnson-Harding, chair of North East Women's XV. She is standing on a green rugby pitch wearing a blue and black tracksuit top with the collar turned up. Her blonde hair is tied back and she is slightly side on, turning towards the camera smiling.Francesca Johnson-Harding
Francesca Johnson-Harding says it is "heartbreaking" to watch young women moving south to play rugby

Women's rugby in north-east England is at risk of losing its best players due to a "lack of opportunities and sponsorship", a club chief has said.

Following the demise of Darlington Mowden Park Sharks in 2024, North East Women's XV has been trying to raise funding for an elite team.

  • Learn more about the team's aims here

Girl's school trip mudslide death ruled accident

Family handout Leah Harrison, looking directly into the camera. She has long brown hair and pictured is wearing a silver tiara and purple dress.Family handout
Leah's head teacher had been impressed with how she took to the activities on the trip

The death of a 10-year-old girl caught in a mudslide while on a school trip has been ruled an accident by an inquest jury.

Leah Harrison, a Year 6 pupil at Mount Pleasant Primary School in Darlington, died in May last year during a residential trip to Carlton Adventure in Carlton-in-Cleveland, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park.

  • Read about the inquest here

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