The jury has retired in the case of two teenagers accused of beating a woman to death.

Angela Wrightson was found with more than 100 injuries at her Hartlepool home in December 2014.

Image source, Cleveland Police/PA

The girls, then aged 13 and 14, deny the charge, the older has admitted manslaughter. Neither can be named for legal reasons.

The judge at Leeds Crown Court told the jury not to feel rushed as it was important at this stage to reach a unanimous verdict.

The news that plans for the second phase of a renewable energy plant on Teesside have been scrapped is "another blow" for the region, a Teesside MP says.

Air Products has announced it is pulling out of the energy-from-waste development at Port Clarence.

Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland,described it as "the latest part of the crisis that is sweeping the UK's industrial sector". 

He said: "I will be seeking assurances from Air Products that they are looking to find a sustainable, long-term buyer who can continue with this project and that they are not just looking to scrap the whole plant, which is nearly complete."

X Factor judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini will not be part of the show when it returns later this year.

The Newcastle-born singer is the latest change to the line-up after fellow judge Nick Grimshaw said he was leaving the show as well.

Presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack will also be replaced by Dermot O'Leary who's returning after a year away.

"I've missed making music. I have had such an amazing experience being a judge on The X Factor," the former Girls Aloud singer said in a statement.

Image source, PA

 "I have learnt so much and enjoyed nurturing talent but I've missed making music and am excited to be recording again."  

A third person has been arrested in connection with a firearms incident in Byker.

Police said a 22-year-old Newcastle man was questioned on suspicion of making threats to kill, and later bailed.

Following the incident on 30 March, an 18-year-old woman has been charged with possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and violence, and another man, 20, has been arrested and bailed.

Towns and cities across the north of England are being invited to bid to host a major exhibition promoting northern art, culture and design.

The Great Exhibition of the North will get £5m Government cash, with "public and private funders" providing any further budget.

The competition will run until June, with the winner announced in October.

Image source, Anthony O'Neil/Geograph

A file of evidence against a man suspected of murdering a schoolgirl almost 40 years ago has been submitted to prosecutors, the BBC has learnt.

Robert Black - who died in prison in January - killed four young girls including 11-year-old Susan Maxwell from Northumberland.

He is now believed to have murdered 13-year-old Genette Tate in Devon in 1978.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the file runs to "scores of pages".

The Gazette
Newspaper

Today's Gazette front page and link to the main story, external.

Image source, The Gazette

A man has died in a house fire in County Durham.

Firefighters put out the blaze at Beech Close in Brasside, in the Framwellgate Moor area of the city, last night, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

A joint investigation between the police and the fire service is now under way.

Floral tributes have been left outside the home of an elderly woman whose body was found after a house fire in Hartlepool.

The body of 79-year-old Norma Bell was discovered inside the house in Westbourne Road on Sunday morning. Police say she was murdered.

Mrs Bell, who had been a foster parent to more than 50 children and would have turned 80 next month, died before the fire started.

Her family described her as "loving and caring", adding that the manner of her death was "heartbreaking".

Owain Wyn Evans
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Cloudy and wet for much of the day with spells of drizzle and light rain.

Clearing away from the west throughout the afternoon, with drier and eventually brighter conditions later.

Check the forecast where you are.

A man with an axe has been Tasered by police following a stand-off in Newcastle.

Officers were called to reports of a man in distress in Welbeck Road at 18:50 last night.

Image source, Google

He was Tasered when he approached officers "in an aggressive manner", about an hour and 45 minutes later.

The force said he was arrested for "outstanding matters" but have not given any more details.

Catherine Lee
BBC News online

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