News in brief

Durham graduate killed in Ecuador crash

A graduate of Durham University was one of the young women killed in a bus crash in Ecuador on Saturday 12 April. Sarah Howard, of Northwich, Cheshire, was on her first expedition as a freelance expedition leader for the travel specialists VentureCo, writes David Rhys Elward.

Ms Howard, 26, and the four gap students were nearing the end of an eight-hour journey, travelling from the capital, Quito, to a fishing village where they had been due to start a volunteer project, when a lorry carrying sand ploughed into the left side of the bus in which they were travelling.

The former Durham student was a member of University College and graduated in 2003 with a degree in Modern Languages.

Her parents told the media that Ms Howard had a passion for travelling and was in Ecuador on her final expedition. She had been accepted onto an NHS management- training scheme and was due to start in September.

A Durham University spokesman said: “We are very sorry to learn of Sarah’s death and the thoughts and prayers of the Durham University community are with her family and friends at this very sad time. Our sympathy also goes to all those who have been affected by this tragedy.”

The Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Higgins has written to her mother, Pam Howard, suggesting a small memorial, according to her parents’ wishes.

Man dies after Loft Assault

The safety of Durham’s North Road has been questioned once again by council members and the local constabulary following the assault, and subsequent death, of a 21 year old man in “The Loft” nightclub, during the early hours of Sunday 16th March, writes Ed Salmon.

Graeme Pounder, a gardener and part-time taxi clerk from Stanley, had spent the evening celebrating a friend’s birthday when he was struck on the head by 18 year old Joseph Longstaff, also from Stanley, causing severe head injuries. Despite the best efforts of club staff and local paramedics, Mr Pounder, who had collapsed immediately, could not be revived and was rushed to University Hospital, Durham, before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. His condition deteriorated overnight and Mr Pounder died from a cardiac arrest the following day in hospital.

Mr Longstaff, who had also been involved in the birthdaycelebrations and was a friend of Mr Pounder, was detained following the incident by the club’s bouncers and remanded in custody by Durham police. Although he was initially charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and offered bail, this has since been withdrawn and replaced with a murder charge, at the request of prosecutor Janet Coxon, following Mr Pounder’s death.

Mr Longstaff appeared before a judge at Newcastle Crown Court on April 1st, charged with the murder of Graeme Pounder, and entered no plea. He is due to return to court on June 6th, with a provisional trial date set for October, and will remain in custody until the June hearing. Mr Pounder, described as “very caring” by his parents, was buried alongside his older brother, Kevin, who died in a car accident in 2004.

Arrest after River Pursuit

A 21 year old man from Durham City was arrested following a highpowered
chase along the River Wear, writes Alex Raby.

The man, believed to be a ‘getaway driver’ for a group of thieves, who stole several sets of riggers on 31st March, was arrested on suspicion of theft after being surrounded by police, who had caught him on foot and in cars. Police spokesperson George Oliver said “police received a phone call from a member of the public, saying four men were acting suspiciously in the area around Hild Bede College. The suspicious group were believed to have aluminium board rigging from the rowing club. A witness reported seeing two of the men on a motorised dinghy. When police arrived, we established that one of the group had gone upstream on the river in the dinghy. He was arrested on suspicion of theft and subsequently released on police bail pending further enquiries.” The man was due to report on 23 April, to have his bail extended, or be charged with an offence.

The three other assailants are believed to have escaped with the stolen riggers through Pelaw Woods, where it is suggested that they aimed to sell them for scrap. Police have had no further information. The theft came shortly before Durham Constabulary announced a three-month plan to cut down on theft in Durham.