Torbjorn Kettlewell, 30, has been jailed for life with a minimum of 29 years after being found guilty of murdering his former partner Kelly Franklin in Hartlepool last August.

Kettlewell, previously admitted stabbing her more than 30 times in the street but denied murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Image source, CLEVELAND POLICE

His new lover Julie Wass was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for eight years.

Image source, Cleveland Police

Durham Police have shared this video of one of their - ahem - well trained and disciplined police dogs.

Two fire crews were attacked on call-outs, including having stones and bricks thrown at them.

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service said the stones and bricks were thrown from a bridge at its Rainton Bridge crew while they dealt with a fire on Monday night.

On the same night a crew from Byker was attacked when they were called to a fire at Evistones Gardens in Newcastle.

Northumbria Police said: "Firefighters are there to keep us safe and they put themselves at risk every day to protect the people they serve.

"This type of behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

They asked anyone with information to contact them on 101.

The owner of Bamburgh Castle has announced dogs will be allowed to visit its grounds from 1 April.

Francis Watson-Armstrong (pictured below) said it follows a successful trial on New Year's Day.

Image source, Bamburgh Castle

Dogs (apart from assistance dogs) will still be barred from the state rooms and tea room but the castle is converting the stables to an indoor seating area where pooches can pass the time.

A castle spokesman said the decision is sure to "set tails wagging".

BBC Tees
BBC Tees Sport

Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis praised Newport County as the "better team" after the Welsh side triumphed 2-0 in the their FA Cup fourth round replay last night.

Pulis, who was born and raised in Newport, said: "They were the better team, they ran all over us. It was men against boys. Forget the conditions, you have to match people and that's the real disappointment.

"Give them credit, they were fantastic tonight and they deserve their win. The tempo of the game was really poor from us. I am desperately disappointed at the lack of real commitment. We were outfought and outplayed.

"We've been fantastic away from home this year. They have regularly turned up and put in performances but it's different circumstances tonight and we never coped with it."

Local Democracy Reporting Service
Herbert Soden

People living in Northumbria Police's force area could soon pay more council tax, because of "unprecedented cuts to funding".

Bosses want to increase the police precept, which is added to council tax bills, by £24 next year for Band D homes and £16 for Band A properties.

Northumbria Police says cuts have already reduced their budget by £142m in the last nine years.

A report adds: "The force has taken the biggest financial hit of all the forces in England and Wales following both the 2010 and 2015 Comprehensive Spending Review and central funding for policing in Northumbria has dropped by 31% since 2010."

Members of the Northumbria's Police and Crime Panel will vote on the proposals later today.

The Government says it's providing up to £970m of extra funding.

BBC Weather

Today will see a chilly start but it is then expected to be mainly dry and mild with spells of sunshine, which could be hazy.

However, there is the risk of some showers, especially this afternoon.

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Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of today's news, sport, weather and travel from across the North East of England.

You can also stay up to date with BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees and Look North.

If you want to get in touch with any news or send us photos you can tweet us, external, contact us via our Facebook, external page or email us.

Newport County's fantastic FA Cup run continues as they stun Championship Middlesbrough to set up a fifth-round clash with Manchester City.

Padraig Amond's superb strike from a well-worked corner helps Newport beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at Rodney Parade to set up a fifth-round tie against Manchester City.

Watch highlights as League Two Newport County shock Championship Middlesbrough 2-0 at Rodney Parade to set up a fifth-round tie against Manchester City.

Newport County's Robbie Willmott puts the League Two side ahead against Championship Middlesbrough and potentially set up a fifth-round tie against Manchester City.

A court hears the DNP pills were "toxic" and could cause "serious harmful side effects and fatalities".

Our live updates have finished for the day but any breaking news, sport or travel will still appear here overnight.

You can also stay up to date with BBC Newcastle, BBC Tees and Look North.

We'll be back with more updates from 08:00 tomorrow and we hope you can join us then.

If you want to get in touch with any news or send us photos you can tweet us, external, contact us via our Facebook , externalpage or email us.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

There are plans to open up a mini golf in the food quarter of the Metrocentre.

Namco, which operates the Funscape centre in the Qube, would be running the new attraction, which would replace two restaurants on the upper and lower level malls.

Gateshead Council is expected to decide whether to grant the application by 19 March.

Image source, Herbert Soden

Lucy Moody
Journalist

"Missile throwing, pitch invasion or public order will not be tolerated."

That's the message from Cleveland Police ahead of Middlesbrough's game against Leeds United on Saturday.

Along with additional policing, a dispersal order will be in place in Middlesbrough town centre, giving officers extra powers to move on any groups who may be causing a disturbance for 24 hours.

Chief Supt John Lyons said: "The overwhelming majority of football fans attending this match will simply wish to watch the game, support their team and enjoy the day, but sadly a small minority of fans attend matches to engage in antisocial behaviour and disorder, which can spoil the game for genuine fans and their families.

"Officers will be in and around the Riverside Stadium alongside colleagues from British Transport Police, Middlesbrough FC and Mounted Section colleagues from Northumbria Police.

“There will be dogs trained to search for pyrotechnics and drugs at all entrances to the stadium and anyone found to be in possession of either will not be permitted to enter and risk facing criminal proceedings."

At a previous home game against the rivals in March, five Leeds United fans were arrested in connection with public order offences and throwing missiles.

BBC Sport

Newcastle's former England Under-21 midfielder Isaac Hayden, 23, insists he is fully committed to the club until the end of the season despite handing in a transfer request last summer and having endured a "difficult" January transfer window, external.

Image source, Reuters

Premiership Rugby wants "crucial" discussions with the RFU on the future competition structure of the professional club game in England.

Mark Denten
BBC Look North

Nissan says it continues to “enjoy open dialogue“ with the Government after deciding not to produce the new X-Trail at its Sunderland.

Nissan must now reapply for £58.4m of Government funding agreed in 2016.

In a statement the firm says it will “discuss any implications” with the Government “for this grant support”.

Image source, Nissan