Innocence or guilt?
The English language is complex, confusing and creative.
Acquitted means found not guilty; it does not mean they have been found innocent.
People can make up their own minds as to the innocence or guilt of ex-US President Donald Trump.
My mind is already made up as to which it is.
And talking of exPresident Trump, he described his impeachment trial as the “greatest witchhunt in the history of our country”.
Hasn't he heard of the McCarthyism trials or perhaps the original witch hunt, the Salem witch trials?
Dennis Fitzgerald. Sent via email.
Please get in touch with your views on the issues that matter to you.
At Childline we talk to children and young people about all sorts of things going on in their lives, including about their schools, friends, family and their own mental health.
One of the concerns we get a lot of contacts about is emotional abuse. It can be really damaging to a child when they hear a constant stream of negative comments, or are ignored by those who are supposed to care for them.
This is why we’ve launched our new campaign, called Words Can Hurt, so children know that if they’re subjected to emotional abuse they can and should ask for help – whether that’s from Childline or a trusted adult in their day-to-day life. With emotional abuse a child will talk about incidents, feelings, or the way they’re treated by someone. They’ll tell us about the names they’re called, how they are constantly belittled or embarrassed by those who are supposed to help and support them, or how they’re told they’re worthless and a waste of space.
One young person told us: “Whenever I get upset about anything, they make it seem like it’s all my fault. But when I try not to say anything and ignore them, they make me feel guilty and say I’m being ungrateful.
“They compare me to my siblings and make rude comments about me, like about how often I wash. I really want to be somewhere else now, but I just don’t know what to do.”
Emotional abuse can be so damaging to children and young people because if they’re told damaging things often enough they start to believe it. It can cause developmental problems, speech difficulties or an inability to speak, or problems with maintaining a healthy weight.
It may also cause neurotic behaviours such as hair twisting or making repetitive sounds and actions, they may be unable to play, or feel extreme fear of making mistakes. In some cases, this can lead to self-harm and even suicidal thoughts.
Children should never have to suffer through living with emotional abuse, and at Childline we are always here, over the phone or online, for any child than needs us.
If you have worries about a child, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk for advice and support.
A seafront pub has lodged plans to extend its outdoor balcony area for customers to help it bounce back after lockdown.
An application has been submitted to Sunderland City Council for Grannie Annie’s Pub and Pantry, off Marine Walk in Roker.
This includes building a new side extension and extending the venue’s rear terrace to provide more space for patrons under Covid-19 social-distancing.
The roadmap for lifting lockdown has a provisional reopening date of April 12 for outdoor areas of pubs, with indoor areas hoped to open from May 17 and all social-distancing restrictions lifted by June 21 if conditions allow.
The site earmarked for development at Grannie Annie’s currently houses a shipping container used for storage – but this would be removed if the plans are approved.
The statement explains: “The materials to the new extension are to match the previous single-storey extension [to the rear] with the new walls to comprise of painted brickwork.
“Doors are to be PPC aluminium.
"The proposed side terrace is to be formed in new painted steel framework, and composite decking to the roof with new metal and glass balustrade to match existing as detailed in the previous approved planning approval.
“The new extension has [been] designed to be sympathetic […] in terms of scale and materials to match the existing previous extension and approved planning permission for the terrace.“
The building dates back to the 1970s and was known as The Smugglers before being taken over and re-branded by its current owners.
Plans for a balcony area to the rear of the building were previously approved in 2018.
The planning statement adds: “With the current pandemic restricting internal social distancing the extension of the terrace is proposed to allow for better operational use and whilst maintaining customers in an attractive terrace enclosure.”
Grannie Annie’s is currently closed in line with Government restrictions on the hospitality sector but is still running a ‘takeaway serving hatch’ on weekends, for the likes of cakes and hot drinks.
Sunderland City Council is expected to rule on the venue’s extension plans by mid-April.