A schoolgirl who claims former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson engaged in sexual activity with her has told a court she was "bigging herself up" on social media.

Image source, PA

Orlando Pownall QC, defending Mr Johnson, asked her about a Snapchat message which said: "He's picking me up this week and I'm riding him." 

The teenager said: "I was trying to big myself up as any 15-year-old girl would."

She added: "When you idolise someone and that happens to you, you're not thinking at the time."

Mr Johnson denies two counts of sexual activity with a child. He has admitted one charge and a charge of grooming. 

The Shields Gazette

Superstar Beyoncé's Wearside show is close to selling out less than four hours after they went on sale., external

Image source, Shields Gazette

Both The Gazette and The Northern Echo dedicated their front pages to Ali Brownlee, the BBC Tees presenter and football commentator who died three months after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. 

Image source, The Gazette

Image source, The Northern Echo

The Shields Gazette

A violent thug launched an unprovoked attack on a town centre shopper and assaulted three police officers just hours after he was let out of jail., external

Image source, Shields Gazette

A schoolgirl has told a jury how former Sunderland winger Adam Johnson made her out to be a liar following a sexual encounter in his car.

Image source, PA

Today, she was asked by Orlando Pownall QC, defending Johnson, whether she was still trying to protect the 28-year-old. 

Appearing in court by video-link, the girl became upset and tearful as she said: "No, because he did nothing to protect me and he made me out to be a liar."

Mr Johnson denies two counts of sexual activity with a child. He has admitted one charge and a charge of grooming.

A County Durham amateur footballer is quitting the game after waiting in agony for an ambulance for more than five hours. 

Gareth Ayers was only on the pitch for five minutes, playing for Willington against Crook Town in the Northern League on Friday night, when he broke his leg in several places.

The ambulance didn't show up until 02:15. 

The North East Ambulance Service has apologised, but pointed to the heavy workloads of life-threatening emergencies crews had to attend on Friday night.

It adds that new recruitment plans should improve response times in the coming months. 

The death of a toddler who choked on a grape at a Pizza Hut restaurant was an accident, an inquest has ruled.

Two-year-old Jacob Jenkins died five days after going for a meal at the Hartlepool branch last year.

Image source, Hartlepool Mail

His parents Abigail Wilson and David Jenkins chose to turn off his life support on 15 October.

The inquest in Newcastle heard he suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury and coroner Karen Dilks returned a verdict of accidental death.

Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has arrived at Bradford Crown Court for day three of his trial, accused of sexual activity with a child.

Mr Johnson denies the charges.

More updates will follow across the day.

Thanks to Beth Mills from Wooler in Northumberland for this picture of a glorious Northumberland sunrise.

Image source, Beth Mills

If you have any pictures you think we should see, you can tweet us @BBCNewsNE, external, email us, or contact us through our Facebook page, external.  

The Northern Echo
Newspaper

A man is behind bars for the first time having fallen for an internet sting by online vigilantes, posing as a 15-year-old girl., external

Image source, The Northern Echo

Beyoncé fans hoping see her perform at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland have been waiting for tickets to go on sale today.

Josh, aged six, and Archie, five, waited in line since 08:00.   

Some camped out the night before, but seemed in good spirits despite the cold...

Tributes have been flooding in following the news that BBC Tees presenter, football commentator, and Voice of the Boro Ali Brownlee has died.

Flowers, scarves, and messages have been left at the gates of Riverside Stadium this morning.

And at last night's Boro match against Leeds, fans shone their phone lights together in tribute.

Image source, PA

Image source, PA

BBC Sport

Some news from yesterday you may have missed - Relegation-threatened Sunderland have announced reductions to their season-ticket prices for the 2016-17 campaign.

The Black Cats are the second Premier League club to take the step after West Ham did so as a result of the record television rights deal.

Image source, Getty Images

"Keeping the cost of watching football at a realistic level is something that is very topical at present," said chief executive Margaret Byrne.

Liverpool scrapped plans for a £77 matchday ticket after protests by fans.

French energy firm EDF will extend the life of four of its eight nuclear power plants in the UK.

One of those is in Hartlepool, which EDF has announced will stay open until 2024.

However, it seems this was first announced in 2013

Image source, Getty Images

A Ford Transit and a Suzuki Jimny collided on the eastbound carriageway of the A69 at Haydon Bridge at about 07:00 on Monday.

The male drive of the Suzuki suffered serious injuries. He was treated at the scene by paramedics but was pronounced dead.

Francesca, a two-year-old Shetland pony, recently found herself stuck in her hay feeder.

Image source, CDD Fire and Rescue

Described by the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue as "Francesca the greedy Shetland pony", she seemed to be after the last scraps of hay when she became wedged.

The team was able to free her, and she made it out unharmed.

BBC Weather

A dry, cold, frosty and bright start, but becoming increasingly cloudy and windy through the day. 

Rain arriving into the west by late evening, perhaps turning wintry over hills.  

Check the forecast where you are.

Rebecca Turner
BBC North East

We'll be here until 18:00 bringing you news, sport, weather and travel from across the North East.

If you'd like to get in touch you can tweet us @BBCNewsNE, external, email us, or contact us through our Facebook page, external.