Courts across the region have sentenced individuals for heinous crimes, ranging from murder and sexual assault to burglary and domestic violence. Here is a summary of the cases that saw justice served this month: Army Veteran’s Jealous Rage Leads to Prison Army veteran Steven Files, 36, has been sentenced toContinue Reading
Officers are appealing for information after a man was assaulted by a group of men in Loftus. At around 6:10pm on Friday 27th December, the man was on Gladstone Street in Loftus when he was assaulted by a group of men who pulled up in a black car. The 34-year-oldContinue Reading
Do you recognise the items in these images? Officers investigating a theft from a motor vehicle in Park Road, Hartlepool, are appealing for the owners of the items in these images to come forward. The theft happened shortly after 5am on Saturday 28 December 2024, and two people were arrestedContinue Reading
A man who stole a slushie machine, a Jägermeister dispenser, and a pizza oven from a Hartlepool bar has avoided immediate prison time. Samuel Musgrave, 49, dressed in a high-visibility vest, walked into the Out Out bar on Navigation Point on June 13 and made off with items valued atContinue Reading
A Stockton-on-Tees man has been handed a conditional discharge after admitting to stealing jars of mayonnaise and peanut butter from a local store. James Dobbing, 43, of Leybourne Terrace, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on December 18, where he pleaded guilty to the theft and two counts of failing toContinue Reading
A problem property at the centre of drug dealing and other crime on a Middlesbrough estate has been shut down. The bad behaviour associated with the home on Dunsley Close has caused misery for those living in Berwick Hills in recent months. But after hard work from the Council’s EastContinue Reading
Two alleyway dumpers who fly-tipped in central Middlesbrough have been hit with court fines. Furniture was dumped in separate cases at Portman Street and Wicklow Street, investigations by Middlesbrough Council’s Environmental Neighbourhood Safety Team found. After a report that mattresses and other furniture had been left in an alleyway atContinue Reading
At least 17 homes belonging to the Christian Tripura community were reportedly set on fire on Christmas Eve in Bandarban, Bangladesh. The attack left residents, who had been away in a nearby village for prayers and Christmas celebrations, homeless and devastated. According to reports from the Daily Star, the targetedContinue Reading
Armed police were deployed to Acklam Road shortly before 5 PM today, prompting a significant response near the Acklam Car Garage and Esso petrol station. Despite the heavy police presence, the incident is not believed to be connected to the garage. As of 5:30 PM, the road has reportedly beenContinue Reading
Authorities are urging the public to avoid using “dodgy” Fire TV sticks as a major crackdown on illegal streaming continues across the UK. FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft), in collaboration with police forces, has issued cease-and-desist orders to 30 suppliers of illicit streaming devices, threatening legal action if these activitiesContinue Reading
CCTV is to be installed at a row of shops after council wardens were “attacked by thugs wielding sticks”. The incident took place earlier in the year when staff visited Spencer Beck shops, off Allendale Road, in Ormesby near Middlesbrough. Conservative Curt Pugh, who sits on Redcar and Cleveland BoroughContinue Reading
Cleveland Police are urgently searching for a man believed to have sustained “significant injuries” during an assault in Grangetown, Redcar and Cleveland. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, at around 2:15 BST, on Eversham Road. Officers were called to the scene following reports of an attack. AContinue Reading
Tributes have been paid to a cyclist who died in a crash two days before Christmas. Anthony Brian Milburn died in the collision with a BMW on the A688 close to Binchester Services, near Bishop Auckland in County Durham. The 34-year-old dad was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital inContinue Reading
In a shocking incident on Christmas Day morning, ambulance workers were subjected to violence while attempting to provide care to someone in need. A North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) first responder was returning to her station in a rapid response vehicle when she noticed a person sitting alone in theContinue Reading
Officers have released images of a man they would like to identify after they received a report that counterfeit bank notes were used at a shop in Newcastle city centre. Police received a report that just after 2.30pm on Friday, November 22, a man entered CEX Entertainment on Northumberland Street.Continue Reading
Three taxi marshals have been removed from duty after a passenger was reportedly pressured into giving them a tip. Darlington Borough Council was told a person was not allowed to get into a taxi without tipping a marshal over the weekend. It said the marshals had been pulled from dutyContinue Reading
A 31-year-old man has been left with serious injuries following a violent attack inside a Redcar nightclub during the early hours of Christmas Day. The incident occurred at The Deck on Bath Street at approximately 2:20 a.m., Cleveland Police said. The victim sustained “extensive injuries to his ear,” a biteContinue Reading
A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery following an armed police response in Hardwick, Stockton. Cleveland Police were called to Newham Road at approximately 8:35 p.m. on Thursday after receiving reports of a robbery involving a 40-year-old woman. Officers, including armed units, quickly attended the scene andContinue Reading
A coroner has criticised an ambulance trust after they failed to deal with complaints relating to an ‘unsafe’ paramedic before he killed a junior colleague in a horror smash. ‘Beautiful’ Alice Clark, 21, suffered catastrophic injuries when Edward Riding crashed their emergency vehicle into the rear of a cement lorry,Continue Reading
The collision occurred at 07:40 GMT on Monday on the A688 at Binchester Blocks, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and involved a BMW 5 Series car. The cyclist, a man in his 30s, was airlifted to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital but died later, Durham Police said. The road wasContinue Reading
An eight-year-old boy who lives with a disability has been praised for saving the life of his dad who had slipped into a diabetic coma. Durham Police said Tyler gave the 999 call handler “vital information”, while also keeping his four-year-old sister calm, after dad Jamie Miller became seriously illContinue Reading
Officers are appealing to the public for their help to locate a missing South Tyneside man. Mark Forshaw, aged 36, was last seen in the North Road area of Boldon Colliery between 7.30am and 8am on Monday (December 23). However, Mark has not been heard from since – as officersContinue Reading
Police are appealing for information after a pedestrian is left with life-threatening injuries following a collision in Gateshead. Shortly after 11:15pm yesterday (Monday), police received a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on High West Street, in the Gateshead area. It was reported that a blackContinue Reading
Officers searching for a wanted man are appealing to the public to help locate him. Wayne Fenwick, 25, is wanted on a prison recall and is understood to be actively evading arrest. Extensive searches to locate him have been ongoing across the region. Fenwick has links across the Northumbria area –Continue Reading
Officers are appealing for the public’s help to locate a missing North Tyneside woman. Chelsea Beavers, 25, from the North Shields area, was last seen at about 2.30pm on Saturday. Police and Chelsea’s family are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare. Chelsea is described as white, 5ft 6in tall of slim build with longContinue Reading
The A1M in North Yorkshire/County Durham is closed in both directions between J57 (Stapleton) and J58 (Darlington) due to a collision involving two vehicles. Emergency services are on scene. National Highways Traffic Officers are also in attendance assisting with traffic management. Collision investigation will be taking place so the roadContinue Reading
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
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 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
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 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
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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
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
A prolific burglar who has repeatedly targeted elderly victims is back behind bars after once again stealing from a vulnerable member of the Northumberland community. Shortly after 10.30am on September 1, Lee Wooden was allowed entry to the property in the Blyth area under the pretence of needing a glassContinue Reading
Officers have released images of man they are hoping to identify as they investigate a report of assault in Northumberland. At around 8.30pm on Thursday, October 31, the male victim, who is in his 20s, was outside The Wallaw Pub on Union Street in Blyth. It was reported that aContinue Reading
A thirsty criminal was arrested, charged and put before court after officers tracked him down following a city centre burglary. Northumbria Police were informed of a report of burglary at a premises on Dean Street in Newcastle which took place on the morning of December 2. More than £1,000-worth ofContinue Reading
