Midfielder Oliver Finney, 27, was found not guilty following a trial at Chester Crown Court.

A study finds 4,490 patients visited A&E five times or more in a year - the highest in England.

Craig McCrory amassed a collection of more than 3,000 sexual images of children, a court hears.

A judge says John Angus "robbed" his young victim of "a happier life".

BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Nick Barnes assesses the impact of Eliezer Mayenda and Sunderland's efforts to bring through youth.

Preston Morlaee grabbed the woman by the throat a day after he raped her, a court hears.

They were found unconscious in Stockton after taking suspected sleeping pills, police say

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini questions the decision to play Alan Browne as a winger in their Championship defeat by Coventry.

The incident took place when Leeds United played Sunderland at Elland Road in February, police say.

A Northumberland army veteran is using the River Tees to train for a 310 mile (500km) canoe trek.

A woman in her 20s and a young girl are being treated in hospital, Northumbria police say.

The organiser says the event was held to show that the town is not about "hate and division".

Four village councillors are told to have conduct training after complaints are upheld.

The former Smith's Dockyards on the River Tees are now being operated by a ship repair company.

The Planning Inspectorate dismisses an appeal for an advertising screen near the Royal Hospital.

League Cup celebrations continue, with Blyth's Dan Burn nominated for the Freedom of Northumberland.

Valentino Nikolov and three others stole more than £1m worth of goods from homes, a court hears.

A judge says Luke Gallagher's "terrifying" behaviour was "ugly, vicious and nasty".

Demolition of the flyover, which has been closed since December, is confirmed by Gateshead Council.

Daniel Allison, who ignored court orders to bombard his ex with hundreds of calls, is jailed.