The Shields Gazette

A terminally-ill teenager from South Tyneside has defied the odds to become an ambassador to his favourite football team., external

Image source, Shields Gazette

Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Dame Vera Baird says people who've been raped may not report it if they have to surrender their phones to the police.

Police consent forms, which ask permission to access messages, photographs and other data stored on mobile phones, have been introduced across England and Wales.

But the QC said: "The forms are just part of the problem as police and prosecutors look to harvest third-party material, such as school records and medical notes. The police are really saying 'If you don't let us do this, the CPS won't prosecute".

"It is a real concern that people will be put off making a complaint in the first place if it's widely thought they are going to have to hand over lots of personal data - everyone lives on their phones, particularly teenagers."

The change was brought in following the collapse of a series of rape trials after critical material stored on phones came to light.

Image source, Labour Party

A mother and daughter have spent a year thousands of miles away from their husband and father.

Hartlepool Mail
Newspaper

The Mayor of Tees Valley has claimed Hartlepool’s Middleton cabins could have been saved by council chiefs after giving them access to £10m., external

Image source, Hartlepool Mail

A buzzard was put to sleep in Hexham, Northumberland, over the weekend after it suffered gunshot injuries.

Police were called on Friday morning to a wildlife sanctuary where the injured bird had been taken. The injuries were such that the bird had to be put down.

Police are appealing for anyone with any information about who shot the buzzard to contact them.

Image source, Non-BBC Copyright image

Newcastle Falcons flanker Connor Collett signs a new two-year contract to keep him with the Premiership club.

All opioid medicines in the UK will carry prominent warnings on their labels saying they can cause addiction, the health secretary has announced.

Matt Hancock acted after figures in England and Wales revealed a-more-than 60% increase in prescriptions for opioid painkillers in the last decade.

The North East and Cumbria had the highest number, NHS figures revealed.

Making the announcement, Mr Hancock said people needed protection "from the darker side to painkillers".

Health experts welcomed the move, saying opioids can cause "life-altering and sometimes fatal addictions".

There are no Metros between Benton and Tynemouth because a length of overhead line has come down.

Go North East and Arriva are accepting Metro tickets on their services.

BBC Newcastle

A County Durham woman is appealing to the NHS to fund a vital operation.

Jessica Sadler was born with a hole in her heart, which was only found when she collapsed with a stroke on her 24th birthday.

Jessica, of Sedgefield, says she's been told NHS England won't pay for her operation even though it's available in other parts of the UK. Without it, there's a risk she could have another stroke.

The organisation says it's consulting on whether there's enough evidence to offer this type of operation in the future.

"You've got to live with it, so it's like I cook to match my mood."

BBC Tees

Crime gangs are being warned by Durham's chief constable that the county won't be easy prey for them.

Mike Barton says the problem of so-called county lines gangs - where youngsters or vulnerable people are used to traffic drugs across different parts of the country - is rising again.

Image source, Durham Constabulary

Hundreds of people turned out for the unveiling of a new statue celebrating the mining heritage of Hetton-le-Hole.

The sculpture, which is called Da Said "Men Don't Cry", features a pitman preparing to send his son down the pit for the first time in the 1840s.

Created by Ray Lonsdale, the man behind Seaham's Tommy statue, it marks the sacrifices made by thousands of children sent to work in the mines.

Taking four years of planning, it was commissioned by Culture for Hetton and unveiled on Saturday.

Durham make it four wins out of five in the One-Day Cup group stage with a three-wicket win over Derbyshire.

Abbie Dewhurst
Weather Presenter, BBC Look North

Mist, fog and low cloud will slowly lift through the morning to allow some sunshine through. This afternoon will be dry with lengthy periods of sun.

Tonight will then be dry with lengthy clear periods. After midnight, mist, fog and low cloud may start to form under the light winds.

Good morning. As ever, we've got all the news, sport, travel and weather through the day.

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