Life and Death in North East England

In 2026 weight-loss drugs will continue to be a main topic of conversation, but it's feared that many are racking up the pounds in debt, as they lose the pounds of weight - more info here - https://www.hellorayo.co.uk/hits-radio/uk/news/financial-impact-of-weight-loss-injections-uk

WARNING - This story contains a raw account of the aftermath of a deadly explosion. In the early hours of October 16th, 2024, a powerful blast rocked homes in Benwell, Newcastle The blast on Violet Close destroyed multiple addresses, claimed two lives and displaced hundreds of residents. Micky Welch meets Katherine Errington, the mother of 7 year old Archie York, he was the innocent victim that night.

Monday 2nd September 2024 marks exactly one month since the streets of Sunderland turned violent. The Far Right disorder, which saw buildings and vehicles smashed, looted and burnt out, was linked to the Southport killings.

31 years after her death a man has finally been found guilty of murdering Nikki Allan in Sunderland. More on the story here - https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/local/news/nikki-allan-murder-guilty/

Raoul Moat's shooting spree in July 2010 left a man murdered, a woman fighting for her life, a police officer blinded, and a community terrorised. It also saw Paul "Gazza" Gascoigne take some chicken, beer and fishing rods to the scene to try and make the gunman surrender. Micky Welch takes you behind the scenes of the story.

7 years on from the murder of Tipu Sultan in South Shields there's still no motive been found. Two men were convicted and are in prison. More here: https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/local/news/murder-without-motive-tipu-sultan/

At the start of 2020, before Covid-19 and lockdown, I spent time with several North East families who have lost loved ones to violent crime. In this new documentary "Life After Death" we hear their stories, how do you cope in the hours, days, weeks and years after somebody so close to you is taken away? Can you ever recover from such a tragic event? Can you ever get justice?

A dad whose son was shot in the head in remote farmland in County Durham is still seeking justice 20 years later. The remains of 23 year old Mark Corley were found in December 2000. His body lay there for 6 months before it was found. Five people went to trial but got off as officers were bugging their conversations Linconshire Police tell me if any new evidence comes forward then the case can progress - Tony is still hoping for justice

Brilliant North Shields singer/song writer Sam Fender sat down with Micky Welch to chat about his debut album 'Hypersonic Missiles', mental health, gigging and tours, Christmas, pub crawls, the Gallagher brothers, Stormzy and much more....

In 2018 35 people in Gateshead died from suspected drugs misuse. That's a huge jump, almost 200% from the year before. Read more here https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/local/news/gateshead-drugs-and-deaths/

Micky's award winning documentary looking at mental health and the high suicide rates in the North East of England. Much more here - https://planetradio.co.uk/metro/local/news/be-here-tomorrow/

The DarkWeb isn't part of the internet that's one click away, it's hidden and takes special software before you get on to it. Micky Welch has spent the last year investigating it. Some of the things he's found are unbelievable.

To many in Newcastle the name Sayers automatically instils a sense of fear. The family have ruled the criminal underbelly on Tyneside for the last 30 years. John Henry, Michael and Stephen Sayers have spent 50 years combined in some of the highest security prisons up and down the UK. But now, 49 year old Stephen is turning his back on crime and wants to help young offenders realise they're on a path to destruction unless they change their ways. A new book and DVD due out this year have offered him the chance to have his say on what it was really like being a Sayers and being one of the most feared and respected criminal families in the UK You can find out more here - http://www.metroradio.co.uk/localnews/underbelly-criminal-mastermind-turns-back-on-crime/

A North East University Student who has just graduated told me us he wouldn't have got through Uni without "Study Pills" Modafinil should be prescription only, and, only available after treatment with a hospital specialist. The drug is meant for Narcolepsy sufferers, the condition where people are prone to falling asleep anywhere, anytime. However, as I found, the drug is readily available for less than £1 per pill, on websites. We've used an actors voice to hide the identity of the student. More on - http://www.metroradio.co.uk/news/local/i-owe-my-degree-to-drugs/

My undercover investigation has helped see 28 suspected peadophiles arrested 8 of the men have been convicted for a total of almost 21 years combined. They were caught over a 12 month period when I posed as a 14 year old school girl on a free dating app.