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Hello and welcome to the breaking news blog for Friday December 14, 2018.

We will be bringing you regular updates throughout the day of all the breaking news and sport.

We have pictures, video, tweets and comments covering the latest Newcastle and North East traffic, weather forecasts, crime and council news too.

It’s Kathryn Riddell here and I’ll be keeping you updated on what’s going on across the North East including the latest on the roads.

If you would like to get in touch with us today about any breaking news, here are my details:

Phone: 0191 201 6107

Email: kathryn.riddell@reachplc.com

Twitter: @KathrynRiddell

You can reach the ChronicleLive newsdesk on 0191 201 6446 and to get breaking news sent straight to your phone, download the free ChronicleLive app here.

Have a lovely weekend

Now a look at some of the day’s big news stories as I wish you a nice weekend.

  1. Heavily pregnant woman raped by musician as she tried to protect her unborn baby
  2. Bill Turnbull’s prostate cancer battle sparks spike in demand for health services
  3. Charlie Pope died after falling into canal on night out - but was barred from getting on bus hours earlier
  4. Euromillions results: Friday’s winning Lotto numbers for £76m draw and Thunderball
  5. Engineer who posted links to ISIS propaganda on Facebook jailed for seven years
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What to expect during snow and ice warning

The weather warning in place in the North East this weekend has been upgraded, with the Met Office warning conditions could pose a danger to life.

An amber warning for snow and ice has now been issued on Saturday and Sunday, have warned of potentially perilous travelling conditions.

Snow expected to begin falling on Saturday evening and could be heavy by around 9pm.

Freezing rain, black ice and slippy surfaces are all likely due to the temperature plunge.

People are warned to expect:

  • Injuries from slips and falls and danger to life on icy surfaces are likely
  • Black ice may form quickly affecting bus, train and air travel
  • Dangerous driving conditions are likely leading to road traffic collisions, road closures and longer journey times
  • Pavements and cycle paths likely to become instantly impassable because of the sudden formation of black ice
  • Power and other services, such as telephone and mobile phone coverage, likely to be interrupted or cut
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Emergency services at Swan House roundabout

The fire bridge, police and ambulance were called to 55 Degrees North on Swan House Roundabout in Newcastle after reports of smoke in the building.

Four fire engines and three ambulances were sent to the scene at around 8.15pm tonight.

Paramedics have since been stood down as nobody needed hospital treatment.

We will bring you more information on this when we can.

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Euromillions winning numbers

Tonight’s National Lottery EuroMillions winning numbers are: 12, 29, 38, 42, 44.

The Lucky Stars are 2 and 12. Tonight’s estimated jackpot is £76 million.

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No Christmas party for Newcastle United players

Newcastle United players have cancelled their planned Christmas party for the second year in succession - a move which has been backed by manager Rafa Benitez following his team’s recent dip in form.

The Magpies have picked up just one point from their last three matches, and face crucial back-to-back fixtures against relegation rivals Huddersfield Town and Fulham over the course of the next two weekends during a festive period which could define United’s season as a whole.

And there’s no mood for celebrating.

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New health clinic offers free places to weight loss class

A new obesity clinic has opened in Newcastle and is offering 100 people free access to its weight loss programme.

After three years of planning and £250,000 of investment, On Health has opened its first branch in Heaton.

Shaun Hughes, 34, working out with his trainer
Shaun Hughes, 34, working out with his trainer (Image: Unknown)

The business plans to support both NHS and private clients lose weight with the help of its team of qualified health professionals.

Find out how the clinic tackles obesity.

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Madness announce Newcastle gig for 2019

Ska favourites Madness will make a return to Newcastle in 2019 with a summer date at Newcastle Racecourse.

The band, currently on their Arena tour The Sound of Madness, have - without hardly drawing breath - already signed up to a series of outdoor racecourse gigs for next year including one for their Geordie fans who’ll see them back on North East turf next August.

Madness are to play Newcastle in summer 2019
Madness are to play Newcastle in summer 2019 (Image: PR)

And the Suggs-led hit-makers are promising to play all their hits and fan favourites so expect the likes of Baggy Trousers, Our House, One Step Beyond, My Girl and It Must Be Love.

Find out more about the gig.

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Inquest held into Charlie Pope's death after fall into canal

A student who died after falling into a city centre canal during a night out had left to go home hours earlier - but was barred from getting on a bus.

The canal just of Whitworth Street where Charlie Pope (pictured right) died
The canal just of Whitworth Street where Charlie Pope (pictured right) died (Image: Steve Allen)

Charlie Pope’s body was discovered in the Rochdale Canal on March 2 after he disappeared on a night out during the notorious ‘Beast from the East’ storm.

At his inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court, his flatmate told how the pair had attempted to head home more than four hours before his death but a bus driver had deemed Charlie ‘too drunk’ to board.

More on the inquest heard today.

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Metro delays

Some delays now on the Metro between South Hylton and Airport.

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More breakdowns expected on the roads

Following an amber alert by the Met Office of snow and ice, breakdown cover provider, Green Flag is expecting up to a 39 per cent increase in breakdowns over the weekend.

There is predicted to be over 76,600 breakdowns and up to 126,300 calls between Saturday and Monday.

Lucy Davies at Green Flag, said:

With forecasted severe weather conditions, we can expect possible delays on the roads, transport delays or cancellations, and road closures, meaning drivers heading out for festive events and Christmas shopping should take extra care in these challenging conditions. This could also impact commuters heading to work on Monday morning.

It’s important for drivers to check their vehicles before leaving home, approach the roads with caution when driving, and ensure they leave a safe distance between other vehicles to decrease the risk of encountering a problem on the roads.

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Overnight closure on A19

The A19 will be closed in both directions overnight at Silverlink while work continues at the junctions.

How the Silverlink roundabout in North Tyneside could look after the improvement work
How the Silverlink roundabout in North Tyneside could look after the improvement work (Image: Newcastle Journal)

The road closure is between the A193 Howdon and the A186 Holystone.

It will reopen at 6am.

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Top things for kids to do in the school holidays

Christmas Day alone is enough for families to think about but, with schools soon to break up - at varying times too to add to the pressures - those with children have to think up ways to keep them well enough occupied not to go rifling for presents.

Enjoying the Christmas spirit at the Life Science Centre ice rink
Enjoying the Christmas spirit at the Life Science Centre ice rink

And then, once the party-hand strewn whirlwind of wrapping paper, fizz, turkey and pud is over and parents are out the other side they then have to tease the young ones down from their sugar high with ways to lure them out of the house and away from the TV.

So, here we’ve compiled, as our festive gift to readers, a list of 10 ideas of where to take the children over the Christmas school holiday.

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What is the BBC setting up in Newcastle?

Passers-by could not fail to spot the activity outside Newcastle Central Station on Friday morning as a huge BBC lorry arrived in the city.

Many stopped in their tracks at the sight of the BBC Events logo on the vehicle as it negotiated its way into a spot directly outside the station.

And, as workers got to work opening it up, it’s here that a pop-up cinema will take shape for free premiere screenings on Saturday of some of the BBC’s top Christmas specials.

At various slots between 10am and 2.30pm on Saturday, those with tickets will be the very first to watch new programmes of children’s favourites Zog and The Midnight Gang as well as Mrs Brown’s Boys which is often said to be the most-watched Christmas show on TV.

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Tide times

It will be high tide at these times this evening.

Blyth: 7.51pm

Sunderland: 7.53pm

River Tyne (North Shields): 7.55pm

Newcastle: 7.58pm

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Freezing day with ice and snow

It will be a cold, frosty start tomorrow then windy with gales by the coast.

Heavy and freezing rain will lead to icy conditions in the afternoon, turning to snow and blizzards, mainly on hills later.

Maximum temperature 2C.

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Engineer who posted links to ISIS propaganda jailed

An engineer who posted links to extremist propaganda videos which were designed to “support, justify and glorify the actions of Islamic State” has been jailed for seven years.

Abdulrahman Alcharbati “intended to encourage acts of terrorism” when he shared the links on his openly accessible social media page in February last year, a judge ruled.

Abdulrahman-Alcharbati
Abdulrahman-Alcharbati (Image: Handout)

In shocking footage played to Newcastle Crown Court during his trial, Syrian soldiers were violently beaten to death and dragged away tied to motorbikes as a man whipped a crowd of onlookers into a “frenzy”.

More on the extreme posts.

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Busy heading into Newcastle

Queueing traffic now on the A184 Askew Road eastbound in Gateshead approaching the Tyne Bridge.

Travel time is 12 minutes.

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News headlines tonight

Some of the big headlines of the day here.

  1. Think life is tough behind bars? The benefits of being locked up over Christmas
  2. UN’s visit to Newcastle to investigate poverty must be ‘wake-up call’ for city
  3. What is freezing rain? Met Office explain why UK weather phenomenon is so dangerous
  4. Why armed police will be in Newcastle city centre over the Christmas period
  5. 1,200 homes WILL be built at Newcastle’s Great Park despite thousands of objections
Designs for a 1,200-home development at Newcastle Great Park
Designs for a 1,200-home development at Newcastle Great Park (Image: Copyright Unknown)
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Overnight works on LNER

There will be an amended service on London North Eastern Railway trains between York and Newcastle due to engineering works this weekend.

The works start at 11pm tomorrow and finish at 6am on Sunday.

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Perks of being a prisoner at Christmas

Prison is meant to be a time for reflection and rehabilitation.

At Christmas prisoners will have to spend time away from their families due to the crimes they have committed, but is it all doom and gloom?

Inmates do have some perks over the festive period, including access to a free gym and a chance to earn cash, Hull Live reports.

Here’s some of the perks of being a prisoner over Christmas.

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Gritters out tonight and tomorrow

Gritters will be out today across County Durham this evening.

Gritters out on the High Pennine roads, County Durham
Gritters out on the High Pennine roads, County Durham (Image: Durham County Council)

They will then be back on standby, going out where needed, from 4am tomorrow.

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See inside Georgian-style home with 'unrivalled' living space

Fancy packing your bags and moving to this modern mansion-style home near Tynemouth’s popular coast?

You could - but only if you’ve got close to £800,000 to spare.

For that, estate agents Cooke and Co say you get “unrivalled living space” and a fully-fitted “beautiful luxury kitchen”.

Built on a modern estate, it’s got the luxurious trappings of a much older building, including marble fireplaces and attractive spindle staircases.

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Why armed police will be in Newcastle city centre over Christmas

Armed police will continue to patrol shopping centres and Christmas markets during the festive season.

Officers equipped with guns have been spotted by shoppers around Newcastle city centre but there’s no reason to worry, they say.

Northumbria Police say patrols regularly take place in busy areas such as Northumberland Street, around Grey’s Monument and Central Station.

The visible patrols have been taking place in the wake of a number of terror attacks across Europe and the UK in the last two years.

Armed police mingle with shoppers in Newcastle City Centre
Armed police mingle with shoppers in Newcastle City Centre (Image: newcastle chronicle)

Currently the terror alert in the UK is ‘severe’ which means an attack is highly likely but despite this there is no specific intelligence of an increased threat over the festive period.

The ‘severe’ alert has been in place since September 2017 after being downgraded from the highest level, ‘critical’ which means an attack is expected imminently.

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Keep these things away from your pets this Christmas

A vet is warning pet owners to be extra vigilant in the run up to Christmas.

Staff at Hadrian Vets, in Hexham, Northumberland, say most homes are full of extra food and drink during the festive period and there are more cases of potentially fatal poisoning than at any other time of year.

Common emergencies include dogs choking or suffering internal damage from turkey bones, and pets being poisoned by chocolate, mince pies, Christmas cake and pudding, while overfeeding fatty food can damage your pet’s pancreas or cause gastroenteritis.

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NUFC takeover news

Could we have a takeover soon? Get the latest from the NUFC team.

Peter Kenyon and a general view of St James' Park
Peter Kenyon and a general view of St James' Park (Image: James Vellacott )
  1. Newcastle United takeover talk: New report suggests Peter Kenyon is £100million short of asking price
  2. Rafa Benitez confirms double injury blow ahead of Newcastle’s crunch Huddersfield clash
  3. Rafa Benitez wins Manager of the Month and dedicates to the award to Newcastle backroom staff
  4. What’s the latest on Newcastle’s takeover? Is Dummett fit? Is Almiron’s deal agreed? Issues for Rafa
  5. Rafa Benitez issues January window warning as winter transfer talk hots up
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Trains running to timetable

Normal service has resumed on London North Eastern Railway between Morpeth and Berwick-upon-Tweed following an earlier speed restriction.

A safety inspection had to be carried out after a piece of defective track was found at Acklington.

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Thug threatened bank cashier with FEBREZE bottle

A bank robber who used a bottle of Febreze to threaten a cashier has been jailed.

Terrified staff handed Simon Jones cash at the Natwest bank in Bishop Auckland after he claimed he was armed with acid.

Simon Jones (inset) and the Natwest bank he held up with a bottle of Febreze
Simon Jones (inset) and the Natwest bank he held up with a bottle of Febreze

Jones went into the bank on Newgate Street on May 17 wearing a mask, plastic gloves and dark glasses.

He was also carrying a bottle of Febreze air freshener, and waited in a queue behind customers.

He was arrested hours later.

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Island crossing times

It will be dangerous to cross over to Holy Island now until 9.45pm.

The Holy Island of Lindisfarne
The Holy Island of Lindisfarne (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

You can then use the causeway road until 6.20am.

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Advice for drivers in icy conditions

As we head into a freezing weekend, drivers have been urged to prepare for the weather.

Highways England’s national winter and severe weather team leader, Paul Furlong, said:

Gritters will be out treating our roads around the clock, however freezing rain can cause black ice to form very rapidly and preparations may not prevent incidents occurring. We will continue to monitor conditions and re-treat the network where necessary.

It is essential to keep your distance and reduce your speed - black ice is difficult to see, so even when conditions seem normal, it can be very slippery leading to very dangerous driving conditions.

Drivers should plan their journeys, monitor weather reports and pack a winter kit of blankets, food, water and a shovel.

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Delays reported on North East buses

It’s very busy on public transport this afternoon - workers heading home and Christmas shoppers are all adding to the traffic.

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