Mark Freer was caught with a block of cocaine worth £21,500 and two knives, and made racist threats to police officers

The court heard harrowing recordings as former Merseyside Police officer Ryan Theaker threatened and sexually assaulted a woman in a hotel room

There are huge queues of traffic in Jarrow after a collision on Newcastle Road

Wiktor Kuca, 21, erupted in fury and headbutted a doorman at Manchester Walkabout after being stopped with a bottle of WKD, before producing a knife

The Office for Product Safety and Standards warns the chemical risk from the handbags could harm the health of children

A 60-year-old motorbike rider was airlifted to hospital with suspected serious abdominal injuries following a crash in Stanley

The food chain said it was offering 'insurance' to customers

High Borrans remains set for closure in November this year, but the possibility of formal talks around its future is now on the cards.

New research has found problems for workers on certain contracts

Heritage teams are hoping to raise £3,000 in donations to begin a first phase of repairs at the historic Dunston Staiths, to ensure it can remain open to the public

A number of free jobs roadshows are planned to take place across Newcastle this September

Developer Jomast has confirmed that it hopes to begin a major transformation of Westgate Road's derelict Angel Heights later this year

Lorry driver Barry Hunt, who has no previous convictions, had been returning to the UK from Thailand when he was stopped at Customs.

Paul Charlton, of Heaton, assaulted a teenager who viewed him as her grandfather-figure during drunken violence

A Monkseaton middle school is undergoing a transformation after being saved from closure.

All of the important details about the Lotto and Thunderball draws

The winning National Lottery numbers for tonight's Lotto and Thunderball draws

Two teenagers have been sentenced after they drove illegal bikes in Thornaby town centre and hit a cyclist, leaving the dad-of-seven with life-changing injuries

Gloria Blackman has lived in Knott Memorial Flats for 38 years and has had her mobility impacted when she suffered a spinal fracture

Paedophile Marc Lillie, 38, lived a 'secluded life' at home and rarely left the house, a court heard

Martin Thompson, 42, was found with 'depraved' indecent images and believed he was sending sex chats to a boy on Snapchat - but it was an undercover cop

MPs have been urged to rethink the returning assisted dying bill.

A selection of tributes to people who have passed away around the North East

Steven Shevels was killed on Christmas Eve by a man who had only just found out their true relationship.

Andy Burnham said the Government would "see what can be done"