Summary

  • Ex-Sunderland and England footballer Adam Johnson jailed for six years

  • Follows convictions for sexual activity with a child and grooming

  • Judge told he inflicted 'severe psychological harm' on schoolgirl

  • Court also hears Adam Johnson had animal porn on his laptop

Live Reporting

Rebecca Turner

  1. Adam Johnson runs into court to avoid media

    Adam Johnson has sprinted into court for his child sex sentencing hearing.

    The former Sunderland winger tried to avoid the waiting media.

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  2. Man charged with killing elderly woman in Sunderland in 2014

    A man has been charged with killing an elderly woman in Sunderland in 2014.

    William Levi Gales,  44, of Borrowdale Street, is charged with manslaughter over the death of Joan Barnett.

    The 87-year-old woman died following an incident in Newlands Avenue, Tunstall. She suffered injuries and was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital where she later died.

    Mr Gales has also been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, along with three Hartlepool men.

    They are Phillip Robert Orton, 54, of Windemere Road, Michael Anthony Gales, 27, of Brenda Road, and Lee Davidson, 30, of Chepstow Walk. 

    They are all due to appear before Sunderland Magistrates' Court on , April 26.

  3. Adam Johnson leaves home for child sex sentencing
    Breaking

    Former Sunderland footballer Adam Johnson has left his County Durham home to be sentenced for engaging in sexual activity with a 15-year-old fan. 

    Escorted in a black Mercedes with blacked out windows, the former England winger is expected to be jailed at Bradford Crown Court.

    Johnson was told by a judge he faced a "substantial prison sentence" after hewas found guilty of one offence of sexual activity with a child by a jury earlier this month.

    The 28-year-old, from Castle Eden, had already admitted another count of the same offence and also grooming the girl.

    Adam Johnson leaves home

  4. Council and traders to work together on changes to Darlington market

    Darlington's Covered Market is to be taken on and improved according to the Borough Council.

    MarketDarlington Borough Council

    A meeting was held recently between traders and Council officials.

    It was agreed that they'd invite private sector companies to take over the running of the Covered Market and the twice-weekly outdoor markets.

    The council say efforts to find a preferred partner will be stepped up over the coming months and the markets will trade as normal in the meantime. 

  5. Police on the scene after two women murdered in Redcar
    Breaking

    Police remain outside a house in Redcar after two women were murdered last night.

    Scene of attack

    A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering two women in separate attacks, one of which took place in Mapleton Crescent, pictured above.

    Cleveland Police received a report that a woman had been seriously injured at at 20:45 last night, and then seven minutes later a member of the public reported that a woman was being violently assaulted in nearby Byland Close. 

    Police outside on Maple Crescent

    Police say both women died after suffering serious injuries

    A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder.

  6. South Tyneside Council to decide position on devolution

    Fergus Hewison
    BBC Newcastle political reporter

    South Tyneside Council's cabinet will meet this morning to decide its position on devolution.

    The government says North East devolution is a "historic opportunity" and it will work with all councils that want to participate  

    Gateshead rejected devolution leaving a hole at the centre of the North East devolution project.  

    But Newcastle, North Tyneside, Sunderland, Durham and Northumberland want to move ahead with devolution in some form if their conditions are met.

    The deadline is in May.

  8. Weather: Cloudy and breezy

    BBC Weather

    A dry start but cloudy and breezy through the day with outbreaks of rain spreading across the region during the morning.

    Rain will become lighter and patchier through the afternoon clearing most parts by the evening.  

    Check the weather where you are.

  9. Travel: Accident involving three cars in Gateshead

    BBC Travel

    The A184 Park Road in Gateshead is partially blocked and there's very slow traffic southbound at the Old Fold Road junction because of an accident involving three cars.  

    Check the traffic and travel for Tyne and Wear and Teesside.

  10. Man held after two women killed in separate attacks in Redcar
    Breaking

    Two women have been killed in separate attacks on Teesside. 

    Police said the first woman was found seriously injured at a house in Mapleton Crescent in Redcar at about 20:45 last night

    A short time later officers received reports that a second woman was being attacked in nearby Byland Close. 

    Both women subsequently died, a Cleveland Police spokesman said. A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of murder.

    Redcar map

  11. Good morning, welcome to our live coverage

    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, email us, or contact us via Facebook.