1. Boy, 12, arrested after teenager hurt in attackpublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 16 April 2021

    A 12-year-old boy was arrested after a 13-year-old boy was assaulted and robbed in Billingham.

    The teenager was punched and kicked outside Windlestone Road shops at 09:00 after he was approached by a group of about 10 young teens, Cleveland Police said.

    He is being treated in hospital for his injuries.

    Money was stolen in the attack and police are asking anyone who saw what happened to come forward.

    Windlestone Road shops, BillighamImage source, Google
  2. Woman sold fake lenses as 'easy way to make money'published at 14:33 British Summer Time 16 April 2021

    Zahra Gillani is convicted of selling counterfeit items she bought through a Chinese website.

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  3. Listen: Sunday's rugby league commentariespublished at 12:53 British Summer Time 16 April 2021

    Hull FC play Warrington Wolves in the Super League and Bradford Bulls host Halifax Panthers in the Championship - listen to BBC local radio commentary.

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  4. Relive day two of nine County Championship matchespublished at 09:53 British Summer Time 16 April 2021

    Relive day two of nine County Championship matches, including James Bracey's century for Gloucestershire against Somerset.

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  5. Covid testing programme scaled back in Newcastlepublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 16 April 2021

    Daniel Holland
    Local Democracy Reporter

    A project set up in Newcastle to identify Covid cases among key workers showing no symptons is being reduced at two sites in the city, because not enough people are coming forward.

    Take up for rapid-turnaround lateral flow tests, at the Newcastle Civic Centre and Westgate College sites, has “consistently remained well below the available capacity”.

    The council said an estimated 7,500 tests have been conducted across the two sites so far, roughly 800 per week – 85% short of the maximum capacity of 5,200 per week.

    Covid tests ready in Newcastle Civic centre banqueting hall

    Both venues will now see the number of days they're open reduced.

    A testing facility in the civic centre’s banqueting hall will open from 08:00-16:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and the Westgate College site will operate from 08:00-16:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays.

    Last week the government announced everyone in England can now get two lateral flow tests a week, which can provide results in just half an hour, every week regardless of their job or whether they have Covid symptoms.

    The testing kits are now available via home delivery or collection, as well as through school and workplace testing and community testing offered by councils.

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    Along with the broadening of supply, we are adjusting opening hours in line with demand for supervised testing while retaining the flexibility to increase capacity if and when required.

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    The community testing centres remain open for people to book appointments for tests or to drop in to collect home test kits.”

    Prof Eugene Milne, Newcastle director of public health

  6. Essex humbled while Stevens rolls onpublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Wickets aplenty fall on the first day at Chelmsford but runs continue to flow for batsmen around the County Championship.

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  7. Bowlers dominate as Durham lead Essexpublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Durham blow away Essex for just 96 in the first innings of their County Championship game before stuttering to 148-8 at stumps.

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  8. Lawro's predictions v Soccer AM star Tubespublished at 18:19 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Mark Lawrenson takes on Soccer AM star Tubes to make predictions for this weekend's FA Cup semi-final ties and Premier League fixtures.

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  9. The candidates standing to be North Tyneside mayorpublished at 18:16 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    There are five people hoping to be elected mayor of North Tyneside on 6 May.

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  10. Listen: Saturday's Premiership commentariespublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Listen to live BBC radio commentary from Saturday's action in the Gallagher Premiership and Championship.

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  11. Government 'not involved' in Newcastle United salepublished at 15:27 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Downing Street says an aide was asked to check the progress of the deal but not intervene.

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  12. Man in woods 'could have been murdered weeks ago'published at 15:00 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    The body of Tomasz Dembler, 39, was found by two members of the public in Middlesbrough on Monday.

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  13. Police van burnt out in petrol bomb attackpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Two men threw petrol bombs into a police yard damaging two vehicles.

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  14. Police vans damaged in petrol bomb attackpublished at 14:09 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Two vans were damaged when petrol bombs were thrown into the back yard of a police building in North Ormesby.

    It happened yesterday at about 21:10 when two men threw the petrol bombs into the yard on Kings Road, Cleveland Police said.

    No one was injured but one vehicle was severely damaged by fire and another scorched.

    The road was closed while fire crews and police officers investigated.

    Police building on Kings Road, North OrmesbyImage source, Google
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    “It is absolutely unacceptable and extremely dangerous that someone should throw petrol bombs at our police vehicles.

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    This could have led to someone being seriously injured or worse, and it will not be tolerated."

    Assistant Chief Constable Steve Graham, Cleveland Police

  15. The candidates standing to be Northumbria PCCpublished at 11:53 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    People in the Northumbria Police area will elect a police and crime commissioner on 6 May.

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  16. Newcastle Falcons apply for new 'fan zones'published at 11:16 British Summer Time 15 April 2021

    Daniel Holland
    Local Democracy Reporter

    Newcastle Falcons rugby club bosses want to create two outdoor food and drink areas on match days, a hearing has heard.

    The new zones, which would be located outside the stadium’s south stand and north west corner, would help fans stay socially distanced when supporters are finally allowed back.

    If the plans are approved by the council, the areas could feature food vendors and bars open two hours before kick-off and one hour after full-time, but they will not be allowed to play music.

    Kingston Park ground of Newcastle Falcons

    Eight neighbours in Kenton Bank Foot lodged objections against the scheme, with complaints about noise, people urinating against neighbours’ fences, and throwing bottles and cans into gardens.

    The club has also asked for permission to host more drive-in cinema events in the car park of the Kingston Park ground.

    Solicitor Richard Arnot said there was “no desire to upset or disturb anybody” and that the cinema events would have no alcohol served and no loudspeakers, with the sound instead coming through car radios via a Bluetooth connection.

    Newcastle City Council will decide on the Falcons’ licence application within five working days of the hearing.

  17. Listen: Saturday's National League commentariespublished at 19:31 British Summer Time 14 April 2021

    Listen to BBC radio commentary from Saturday's action in the National League.

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  18. Man jailed for £10,000 Covid grant fraudpublished at 18:13 British Summer Time 14 April 2021

    He fraudulently claimed £10,000 to support a business, but then gave the money to someone else.

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  19. Contact lenses sold on Facebook 'were dangerous'published at 16:22 British Summer Time 14 April 2021

    Zahra Gillani sourced her products from a Chinese website "notorious" for fakes, a court hears.

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  20. Relive day one of nine County Championship matchespublished at 15:24 British Summer Time 14 April 2021

    Relive day one of the second round of County Championship matches, including Essex's collapse against Durham.

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