A man who left a family traumatised after a fake kidnapping report led to armed police raiding their home as they ate dinner has been jailed. Ricki Kendall, 30, called 999 to say he had seen a man being bundled into a house at knifepoint in Newcastle last December, theContinue Reading
The Tyne and Wear Metro’s brand-new trains have officially hit the tracks—and the first passengers to board were left in awe, calling the experience “absolutely amazing.” Excitement reached a fever pitch on Wednesday morning as the £362 million fleet of state-of-the-art Stadler-built carriages made its highly anticipated debut. Word spreadContinue Reading
Two popular Christmas markets in the UK have been rebranded as “Winter Markets” to avoid causing offence—a decision that has sparked heated debate and left many questioning the nation’s values and identity. The move, reportedly made to create a more inclusive atmosphere, has drawn both praise and criticism. However, forContinue Reading
Officers have been out in force across the UK to disrupt rogue employers who hire migrants illegally and exploit vulnerable people, and to address the promise of illegal jobs that are used by criminal smuggling gangs to sell spaces in small boats crossing the Channel. Particular focus has been onContinue Reading
A special Letters to Heaven post box has been installed at the Stockton-on-Tees Crematorium to allow grieving relatives to send letters to loved ones who are no longer with us. Bereaved family and friends can post cards, letters and other messages into the white and gold memorial post box, andContinue Reading
Latest situation Take action to prevent bird flu and stop it spreading. Be vigilant for signs of disease and report it to keep your birds safe. 23 December 2024 Following the report of suspicion of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry at a premises near Hingham, South Norfolk, Norfolk (AIV SOSContinue Reading
A former professional footballer has been banned from being a company director for eight years. Kieron Minto-St.Aimie claimed a £25,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan for the St Aimie’s Sports Academy Community Interest Company in Brent, when it was entitled to much less. Elizabeth Pigney, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:Continue Reading
A FORMER patient who suffered a life-threatening stroke has praised a hospital team for saving her life. Jillian Ryan, 62, is back to running her home business after suffering from a severe stroke earlier this year. In September 2023, Jill woke up in her home in Thirsk with a denseContinue Reading
A specialist team setup to assist our takedown of serious and organised crime has now passed the milestone of 500 years in jail sentences. Operation Venetic was launched in 2020 with our officers working alongside international law enforcement agencies to clampdown on organised criminal networks by infiltrating the encrypted messagingContinue Reading
The first of 10 potentially life-saving bleed kits has been installed in a city, as part of an initiative by a murdered teenager’s parents. Connor Brown died in a knife attack in Sunderland in 2019, and his parents Tanya and Simon Brown set up a trust in his name. ThisContinue Reading
Local musicians have joined forces to raise more than £50,000 for a charity tackling child poverty in Sunderland. A large concert – involving more than 10 bands – was held at the Fire Station earlier this month. Organisers said £51,955 had been raised – more than any other single charityContinue Reading
A landlord has been forced to pay more than £25,000 for failing to get licences for six of his homes. Kamran Adil’s properties in Blackhall Colliery, near Peterlee in County Durham, had problems including electrical hazards and structural concerns. Durham County Council uses selective licences to regulate landlords and ensureContinue Reading
Officers are appealing to the public for their help to locate a missing teenage girl. Santana Hailstones, aged 13, was last seen in the Westgate Road area of Newcastle city centre at around 5pm on Friday (December 20). However, Santana has not been heard from since – and officers areContinue Reading
A three-year-old girl who had a life-saving organ transplant will appear on the Christmas special of Casualty to highlight the importance of donation. Beatrix, from Burnopfield in County Durham, spent more than a year in the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle waiting for a new heart. She had her transplant inContinue Reading
Workers at the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in Newcastle are set to commence an eight-week strike on Monday. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) announced the strike to support three colleagues it claims were unfairly dismissed. A picket line is planned outside HMRC’s Benton Park offices, accordingContinue Reading
Animal Rising has released footage from facilities as part of its probe into the RSPCA’s “Assured Scheme,” which certifies farms, food producers, and retailers meeting specific animal welfare standards. The RSPCA responded by stating it takes poor animal welfare allegations “incredibly seriously.” The charity denied claims of inaction, highlighting increasedContinue Reading
Kearney FM’s Managing Director, Aaron Kearney, is set to launch his brand-new podcast, The Daily Dose of Aaron, on 31st December 2024. The podcast promises to cover “everything and anything,” offering listeners engaging conversations, insightful stories, and plenty of surprises. New episodes will be released every Wednesday and Sunday atContinue Reading
A new puppet theatre in Newcastle has been vandalised, just days after reaching its fundraising target to establish a permanent space. Moving Parts Arts, the organisation behind the popular Newcastle Puppetry Festival, was preparing to transform an abandoned AA call centre in Elswick into a creative hub for puppetry andContinue Reading
Just days after the announced closure of Middlesbrough’s Cineworld, Odeon has confirmed plans to take over the venue. The cinema, located on Marton Road, is among several Cineworld sites impacted by a nationwide restructuring plan and is slated to close in January. Landlords Legal & General (L&G) announced that OdeonContinue Reading
A non-league footballer has appeared in court charged with the murder of another player following an altercation at York Station. James Hitchcock, a goalkeeper for Barton Town FC, sustained serious injuries on 15 December after a night out in York. He passed away in hospital on Wednesday. Mckenzie Dicicco, 22,Continue Reading
A paedophile caught in an online sting where he thought he was sending sexual messages to a 14-year-old girl has been jailed for three years. Nathaniel Morley, 26, invited the “girl” to commit a sex act, not realising he was talking to online paedophile hunters, Teesside Crown Court heard. AfterContinue Reading
new skate park and the transformation of a play area have been granted planning permission. Guisborough’s King George V playing fields in Howlbeck Road will undergo changes to benefit an area “which has been in sad decline”, ward councillor Bill Clarke said. The application described plans for “wheeled play provision”,Continue Reading
Image (C) Durham Police A man who stabbed his ex-partner more than 30 times after she told him she didn’t want to be with him anymore has been jailed for 17 years. Andrew Fowler stabbed his former partner, Anastasia Wade, around 35 times on her arms, back and neck whileContinue Reading
Holidaymakers who decide to drive under the influence once they touch down at the airport are being targeted as part of a new police operation. The first of its kind in the North East, Operation Take Off sees Durham officers team up with Northumbria Police to take dangerous drivers offContinue Reading
Mason Longstaff from the Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland area who was a volunteer with local charity Angel Trust has been convicted. He has been convicted with 18 months suspended sentence and had to sign a SHPO for 10 years. Angel Trust in a statement has said: Recently, social mediaContinue Reading
Thousands of people will receive their benefit payments earlier than usual this month due to the upcoming bank holidays for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. Here’s what you need to know: Why Are Payments Early? Benefit payments are typically not processed on bank holidays. If your paymentContinue Reading
Arriva North East will implement fare changes starting January 1, 2025. In response to customer and stakeholder feedback regarding the complexity of the single fare structure, most single fares in the region will now be set at £1.60 or £1.70 for short trips, £2.30 for slightly longer journeys, and cappedContinue Reading
Mr Hayhoe began his role on 3 December and will be in post for a fixed-term of one-year. Mr Hayhoe will work across government to draw on the expertise in the Public Sector Fraud Authority, Government Commercial Function, and Department of Health and Social Care to use every means possibleContinue Reading
GPs will be able to spend more time treating patients under proposed reforms to general practice which will bring back the family doctor and slash red tape. The proposals fall under the new GP contract for 2025/26, which is now out for consultation with the British Medical Association’s General PracticeContinue Reading
The Prime Minister has today confirmed the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson to be the next British Ambassador to the United States of America. His Majesty the King approved the appointment on the recommendation of the Prime Minister and the Foreign Secretary. Lord Mandelson is co-founder of Global Counsel, aContinue Reading
Police have launched a dedicated Retail Crime Squad to tackle shoplifting and anti-social behaviour over the festive period in Gateshead. Started on Monday (December 16), it brings together officers from Northumbria Police’s response and neighbourhood policing teams to address key issues in the town centre and Team Valley. Led byContinue Reading
A new campaign is underway to ramp up efforts to prevent burglary and car crime over the winter months thanks to funding from Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen. The County Durham and Darlington PCC has invested £18k into Durham Constabulary’s Winter Nights 2024 operation. The initiative, which runs until January 2025,Continue Reading
A DEVOTED lead nurse from Teesside is helping to shape the future of UK healthcare research after landing a prestigious new role. Nicky Cunningham, from South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been appointed as the regional research setting lead for all hospitals across the North East and North Cumbria.Continue Reading
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has expressed her shock that young drivers can still purchase illegal and unroadworthy vehicles without compulsory checks following another tragic death. The County Durham and Darlington PCC met Karen and John Rowlands, from Durham, earlier this week to discuss the tragic death of theirContinue Reading
Trials for a “new approach” to inspections will start in the first week of next term, Ofsted has announced as it ploughs ahead with reform despite sector concerns over moving too quickly. The trial will involve visits to a “small number of volunteer schools” to “informally test elements of theContinue Reading
(C) Durham Police A Durham woman whose infant son drowned unsupervised in the bath while she played a video game on her mobile phone has been jailed for seven years today after pleading guilty to gross negligence manslaughter at Teesside Crown Court. Danielle Massey, 31, of West Chilton Terrace, Ferryhill,Continue Reading
Images (C): Zoe Place Hospice Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice in Middlesbrough received a new bundle of advanced tech equipment from a charity that provides life-changing technology. This new donation continues a longstanding partnership with Lifelites, a charity that has been supporting the hospice for many years. Lifelites has been working with Zoe’s PlaceContinue Reading
The leader of Gateshead Council has urged commuters to avoid peak travel times on Monday, marking the first working day following the closure of the Gateshead Flyover. The flyover was shut down on Friday night after inspections revealed “serious concerns” about its structural integrity, prompting immediate action. Councillor Martin GannonContinue Reading
Mark has been let go or left GB News 🚨STATEMENT GB News have made the decision to permanently relieve me of my duties at the channel I will speak publicly about this in due course — Mark Dolan (@mrmarkdolan) December 18, 2024 18 Hours ago Mark posted: 🚨SOME NEWS I’veContinue Reading
Officers have released an image of a man they are hoping to trace as they investigate a report of fraud in North Tyneside. Police received a report that a man had entered B&Q on Middle Engine Lane in Wallsend at 1pm on Friday, November 22. The man has then pickedContinue Reading
We know there are plenty of Christmas classics out there – but we’ve decided to pull together our very own festive wanted compilation. With just 7 days to go until the big day, we’re sharing the faces of some of those we want to speak to in connection with burglary, theft and shopliftingContinue Reading
The devastated family of an ‘amazing’ and beloved man who sadly died following a collision in Newcastle have paid a heartfelt tribute to him. Shortly after 11.30pm on November 28, officers received a report of a one-vehicle collision on the A69 close to Throckley. It was reported that a greyContinue Reading
Hartlepool CID has charged a man in connection with a burglary at King Johns Tavern on South Road and a shop theft in Sainsburys on Murray Street. The shop theft was reported to have occurred on Sunday 15th December whilst the burglary reportedly happened on Tuesday 17th December. Officers charged the 36-year-oldContinue Reading
Three people have sought hospital treatment after taking what police and public health colleagues believe could be contaminated crack cocaine. Cleveland Police is currently treating the incidents as linked and while we would not advocate the use of illegal drugs, we would warn drug users that there appears to beContinue Reading
Jonathan Evis is currently wanted on recall to prison. The 32-year-old is described as white, around 5’10” tall, with brown hair and blue eyes. Evis is known to frequent both Stockton and Thornaby and is believed to be in one of these areas. Anyone who has information on Evis’s whereaboutsContinue Reading
So far, the Cleveland Police investigation – codenamed Operation Acorn – has led to detectives in the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) identifying 17 individuals from the wanted images that have been released. Here we have 18 men and one woman whose images have been issued but they areContinue Reading
Officers were called to The Black Swan pub in Parkgate, Darlington, on Monday evening (December 16) after reports of a man being locked inside the venue. Upon arrival, police discovered that a window had been smashed using a bar stool, and the man who was reportedly trapped was no longerContinue Reading
Officers investigating a robbery in Newcastle have identified a man they would like to trace. At around 1am on Sunday, November 3, it was reported that an offender has approached a man on Grainger Street in Newcastle city centre. The offender punched the man, knocking him to the floor, andContinue Reading
The government has relaunched the Net Zero Council, bringing together a broader range of voices to deepen the partnership between government, the private sector, civil society and local authorities, to support plans to accelerate to net zero across the economy. The Council will act as the primary stakeholder forum supportingContinue Reading
New legislation to improve buses and boost local control of services moved a step closer today (17 December 2024), as the Bus Services Bill was introduced in the House of Lords. The bill will put buses back at the heart of communities, enhance connections to work and vital appointments toContinue Reading
A FRANTIC search has been launched for two missing schoolgirls thought to have travelled together on a train. Alissa, 11, and Kacey, 14, are missing from St Albans in Hertfordshire. They are believed to have taken a train together to Watford and Wembley. Alissa is described as being around 4ft tall, and hasContinue Reading
The A64 in North Yorkshire is closed eastbound between he A169 (Old Malton) and B1428 (Norton-on-Derwent) due to a collision. North Yorkshire Police are in attendance. Diversion Route Road users are being diverted via local routes. If this closure impacts on your planned route, please allow extra journey time. PlanContinue Reading
It is with great sadness that East Durham Veterans Trust announces the passing of Dominic on the 4th of December, after bravely battling brain cancer. Dominic was a beloved member of the community, cherished by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Dominic’s funeral will take place on Wednesday,Continue Reading
Today (17 December 2024) the Government has announced that it intends to provide just over £1m to be directed into Neighbourhood Policing across County Durham and Darlington. This is part of the overall funding allocation for Durham Constabulary in the next financial year (2025-2026). Police and Crime Commissioner for theContinue Reading
As we step into the new year, Kearney FM is thrilled to announce a major shake-up to our show programming, introducing fresh content and exciting new shows for 2025. We are committed to keeping our listeners entertained, informed, and engaged with dynamic programming that reflects the heart of our community.Continue Reading
