Hello and welcome to the breaking news blog for Friday June 14, 2019.
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 Katie Collings 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 6144
Email: katie.collings@reachplc.com
Twitter: @KCollingsNews
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.
Today's must-read news, sport and entertainment
Key Events
Good night
That’s all from me tonight - we’ll be back with more live news updates tomorrow at 9am.
In the meantime, here are the top 10 news stories on our website right now.
- Night Owls on Metro Radio to end, as Alan Robson says: ‘I’m gutted beyond words’
- North East news LIVE: Kenton Lane reopened after elderly woman is knocked over by car
- Bunty’s fish and chip shop owner killed during stroll by danger driver in hurry to get home from work
- Tesco pervert caught with head under cubicle in women’s toilets at North Shields
- Here are the 50 Best Places to Work in the North East for 2019
Friends of fugitive John Tams urged to 'give him up'
Police hunting wanted fugitive John Tams have urged anyone helping him evade capture to “do the right thing” and hand him in.
The 56-year-old has been on the run for almost six months and police are warning the public not to approach him.
Detectives probing a number of offences which happened in Newcastle, including stalking and making threats to kill a woman, urgently want to speak to Tams.
But all attempts to find him have failed.
Cops believe he is now “actively avoiding” them and that others may be shielding him.
And today Det Chief Insp Paul Knox, of Northumbria Police, has warned anyone who is helping him that they should give him up now.
Commuters urged to ditch cars for Clean Air Day
Commuters on Tyneside are being urged to leave their cars at home next week and help end a toxic air crisis.
Council bosses want drivers heading to work or on the school run to make a change to their daily routine to mark Clean Air Day next Thursday, June 20.
It comes amid controversial plans to impose a clean air toll on North East roads by 2021, as city chiefs grapple with a government order to cut dangerous and illegal emissions levels on busy commuter routes like the Tyne Bridge.
It is hoped that the tolls will encourage many people to switch to walking, cycling, or public transport - all of which they are encouraged to test out on Thursday.
Coun Arlene Ainsley, cabinet member for transport and air quality at Newcastle City Council, said: “More than 19,000 people took part in the recent air quality consultation so it’s clear that the issue of pollution and how we tackle it is of huge interest to the public.”
Dad smashes world record for spinning cushion on finger
James Ferguson has powered his way into the Guinness Book of World Records with his unusual talent of spinning a cushion on his finger.
The dad-of-two from West Boldon smashed the record to smithereens with his effort of one hour and four minutes on Friday afternoon.
Cheered on by family and friends at the Old Fox pub in Felling , Gateshead , James eased past previous record-holder and former Britain’s Got Talent contestant Thomas “Bounce” Senior.
Danger driver jailed for killing chippy owner
A family was torn apart when a much loved mum was mowed down and killed while out for an evening stroll - by a danger driver in a rush to get home from work.
Popular fish and chip shop owner Ranjit Grewal, known as Rani, was enjoying a walk on a spring night with her husband and sister-in-law when her life was cruelly snatched away “for absolutely no reason”.
Mrs Grewal, 49, who had owned Bunty’s Chip Shop, in Newbiggin Hall, with her husband, Jatinder, for more than 20 years, was on a path in Spital Tongues, Newcastle, when tragedy struck last April.
Uninsured driver Ionut Mihai was on his way home from work when he carried out a double overtaking manoeuvre on a 30mph road approaching a blind bend during “15 seconds of madness”, having previously been driving in a safe manner.
After he swerved back into the correct lane, he hit a car edging out of a junction then careered into the family on the path.
As Mihai was jailed for five years and three months, Mr Grewal, said in a victim impact statement read to Newcastle Crown Court : “On April 16 2018 my world was turned upside down.”
45 Newcastle play areas to get makeover
Dozens of run-down play parks across Newcastle are about to get a major makeover.
Council bosses have chosen the first 45 playgrounds across the city that will be transformed under a massive investment project.
The locations have been earmarked for the most urgent upgrades based on how dilapidated they currently are, the number of children in the area, levels of childhood obesity and deprivation, and how close they are to another play area, school or transport link.
The Swans Recreation Ground in Walkergate has been judged as the most in need of a revamp, followed by the Normanton Terrace play area in the West End and the Leazes Park play area.
If the proposals are signed off by Newcastle City Council’s cabinet on Monday, the works should take between 12 and 18 months to complete.
Restaurant plans unveiled for old bingo hall
A former bingo hall in Westerhope could be transformed into a new restaurant, coffee shop and bar.
New plans have emerged to redevelop the old Orion Bingo Hall in Stamfordham Road, which it was rumoured earlier this year would be turned into a Wetherspoons.
However, designs now lodged with Newcastle City Council would see a restaurant and cafe open on the site, plus a new bar upstairs.
The building operated as a bingo hall for decades and was relaunched by Hay Bingo in 2017, before which it had fallen into a state of disrepair, but then closed down again last year.
But a new developer is hoping to breathe new life into the site and bring new jobs to Westerhope.
A19 update
The road has been cleared and recovery work completed on the A19 Northbound from A191 (Holystone Roundabout, West Allotment) to B1319 Dudley Lane (Annitsford) after reports of a moped left on the road
Speed sensors show traffic flowing through the area
Train cancelled
The 18.35 train from Newcastle Central to Birmingham New Street is delayed.
It was due to call at Durham, Darlington, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby and Birmingham New Street
Moped left on A19
There are reports of the A19 Northbound being partially blocked due to recovery work and abandoned vehicle from A191 (Holystone Roundabout, West Allotment) to B1319 Dudley Lane (Annitsford)
A report suggests a moped has been left on the road. The vehicle is in the process of being moved.
A693 update
The A693 in both directions is partially blocked and there is slow traffic due to an accident around Tower Road.
Near Greencroft Industrial Estate.
Crash on A693
There are reports of an accident on the A693 around Tower Road at Annfield Plain, County Durham. Traffic is coping well.
On the roads
A quick rush hour round-up:
- One lane closed and long delays due to emergency repairs on A1 Western Bypass Southbound at J73 A694 Derwenthaugh Road (Blaydon / Consett Turn Off). Congestion to J79 (Gosforth Park). Travel time is around 40 minutes.
- Traffic heavier than normal on A1 Western Bypass Northbound from the (Metro Centre, Gateshead) to A69 / A186 (Hexham Turn Off / Denton Burn Roundabout, Newcastle). Travel time is 15 minutes.
- Queueing traffic on A184 Newcastle Road Eastbound at A19 (Testo’s Roundabout). Congestion to the White Mare Pool Roundabout. In the roadworks area.
- Queueing traffic on A1 Western Bypass Southbound from B1318 / A1056 (Gosforth Park / Seaton Burn) to Kingston Park Road (Kingston Park / Gosforth Turn Off). Travel time is 11 minutes.
- Slow traffic on A189 at B1334 (North Seaton Roundabout). On the roundabout.
- Very slow traffic on A1231 St Michaels Way between A183 Livingstone Road roundabout and A690 (Durham Road Roundabout).
A167 accident cleared
Traffic has returned to normal after an accident has been cleared on the A167 Northbound at Church Street.
Usual Friday traffic is causing delays on the southbound side.
A1(M) tree branch removed
A tree branch has been removed from the road on the A1(M) Southbound at J64 A195 Western Highway (Washington).
Another wet weekend ahead
We’re in for another wet weekend in the North East this June.
Summer appears to still not be arriving as heavy showers and clouds continue in the region.
The Met Office predict that conditions will become brighter at the beginning of next week before the rain comes back on Wednesday.
There are no indications that the Met Office will need to impose any weather warnings this weekend.
Forecaster Grahame Madge told us what to expect - see the full forecast here.
Tesco perv caught with head under toilet cubicle
A serial sex pest is facing jail after being caught perving in the women’s toilets in a supermarket.
Brian Melucci startled a woman as she went to flush by leering at her from underneath the cubicle in Tesco Extra on Norham Road in North Shields.
The shocked victim tried to confront the pervert, but the 24-year-old repeatedly ignored her and quickly scuttled to the store’s exit.
Melucci denied charges of observing a person doing a private act and breaching a sexual health prevention order following the unsavoury episode on April 11.
However, he was found guilty on both counts following a trial at North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and has been warned he will likely be sentenced to at least a year behind bars.
A1(M) tree update
There are reports of a tree branch on the road on the A1(M) Southbound at J64 A195 Western Highway (Washington). Traffic is said to be coping well.
Speed sensors show no traffic impact at this time, however there was an accident earlier which has since cleared.
Game Digital and Adidas close in Newcastle
The turmoil in the retail sector has continued with news that two shops in Newcastle’s Eldon Square are to close.
Video game retailer Game Digital has said its store is to close on Saturday, while Adidas’s large two-floor branch has already shut its doors.
Fans of Newcastle’s Game store were left dismayed when staff revealed on Twitter that the shop was closing. The news was announced just two days before the company leaves Eldon Square.
The message, published on Twitter and Facebook, read: “We are disappointed to announce that our store will be closing its doors Saturday 15th June for the last time. We would like to thank all our customers for shipping with us over the years. All you current/future preorders will be honoured.”
It is unknown how many staff work in the Newcastle shop but it is understood that all affected have been redeployed to other branches in the region
Fans of the store have sent messages of support to the shop’s staff and praised them for supporting the local gaming community.
