Sunderland Echo

Companies keen to build on the success of trading with Europe

- Gareth Crickmer echo.news@jpimedia.co.uk @sunderland­echo

The UK’s new trading relationsh­ip with the EU means that businesses are able

to seize new opportunit­ies as we strike trade deals with the world’s fastest growing markets. Outside the EU customs union, there are also new processes

and rules which they have been preparing for.

THE UK’S new relationsh­ip with the EU started on January 1, bringing updated rules on exports, imports, tariffs, qualificat­ions, hiring and travel.

Many businesses were well prepared and are successful­ly trading.

To keep moving forward, there are steps all businesses can take to adapt to the new changes.

They include ...

Making customs declaratio­ns when exporting goods to the EU. You can make the declaratio­ns but most businesses use a courier,

freight forwarder or customs agent.

Ensuring you have an EORI number starting with GB. If exporting, you need to check that the EU business you’re exporting to is also ready.

Checking the need for a visa or work permit.

Checking the rules on the UK’s new points-based immigratio­n system when hiring from outside the UK.

A married government worker viewed indecent images of underage teenage girls for “escapism”, a court heard.

Police found 47 category C photos of children on Colin Handyside’s computer when they raided his property in Sulgrave Road, Sulgrave, Washington.

The then Department for Work and Pensions employee’s offending, between August 11, 2014 and May 10, 2018, came after the deaths of three of his brothers, magistrate­s were told.

As a result of his arrest for his one-off and only criminal conviction, Handyside, 65, resigned from his job.

He has now been sentenced to 45 days of rehabilita­tion work with the Probation Service after a judge heard he was at low risk of further offending.

And he must spend the next 16 weeks indoors, between 6pm and 6am, as part of an electronic­ally monitored curfew and 24-month community order.

Prosecutor Grace Taylor told South Tyneside Magistrate­s’ Court: “Police receive intelligen­ce that indecent images were being accessed by the defendant.

“A black Acer tower was forensical­ly examined, and 47 category C images were found.”

Amy Hossack, defending, said: “Ultimately, he’s a man of previous good character who appears to have been going through some difficult times in his life.

“At the time, he had his son and his partner living with him and he had lost three brothers in the past three years.

“They were arguing and there was a lot of tumult in the house. Viewing the images was escapism for him.

“He’s very remorseful and upset at the whole process. He worked for the DWP for a decade, but as a result of this he has resigned.

“He’s lost his job and he finds himself before the court. All of this has served to punish him considerab­ly.”

Handyside admitted making an indecent photograph or pseudo-photograph of a child, with category C being the lowest offence level.

District Judge Kathryn Meek refused a prosecutio­n request to place him on a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, saying it was disproport­ionate to his crime.

At his first court appearance in January, he was made subject for five years to the sex offenders’ register, and must pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

 ??  ?? MOVING FORWARD: Many businesses are successful­ly trading with Europe and planning to expand their markets.
MOVING FORWARD: Many businesses are successful­ly trading with Europe and planning to expand their markets.
 ??  ?? The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrate­s’ Court.
The case was heard at South Tyneside Magistrate­s’ Court.

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