North East news RECAP: Man brought to safety on Wearmouth Bridge in Sunderland

Have a good night

That’s all from me tonight.

I’ll leave you with some of the top news tonight.

1. Paedophile facing jail after seven year campaign of abuse against two young girls
2. Diamond strip cocaine network: ‘Culture of catastrophe’ dragged decent men down, court told
   
3. Smirking South Shields woman beater Jack Bushell out of jail - and he served less than a year
   
4. Nick Forbes warns of ‘catastrophic’ no-deal as North East misses out on Brexit funding for key ports
   
5. Three arrested after alleged daytime brawl on Northumberland Street in Newcastle
   

Smirking South Shields woman beater Jack Bushell out of jail

A violent thug jailed for a brutal attack on his girlfriend has been released - having served less than a year.

Jack Bushell dragged terrified mum-of-one Jade Gallagher through the street before punching her unconscious.

Bushell - naked throughout the attack - beat her so violently she vomited.

His police custody photo showed the South Shields savage seemingly smirking at his handiwork.

He has now been released.

Man helped back from bridge railings

A man has been brought back to safety more than six hours after climbing over the railings of a Sunderland bridge.

Emergency services were called to Wearmouth Bridge, which crosses the River Wear, just after 10am on Wednesday.

A man was on the wrong side of the railings and police began trying to persuade him to come back onto the bridge.

Firefighters and an RNLI lifeboat crew were also on standby.

As negotiators spoke to the man, one lane of the bridge was closed to southbound traffic.

The footpath on one side of the bridge was also taped off.

The man was eventually brought to safety just before 4.30pm, more than six hours after emergency services arrived.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “At about 10.05am this morning police received a report of a man on the wrong side of the railings of the Wearmouth Bridge. Officers attended to engage with the man and he has now been brought back to safety.

“The footpath was closed and one lane was closed southbound while emergency services were in attendance.”

Train taken out of service

There are Metro delays now of up to 20 minutes to trains running between South Hylton and Pelaw.

This is due to a train being withdrawn from service.

Winning lottery numbers

Tonight’s National Lottery Lotto winning numbers are 11, 14, 26, 51, 53, 58 and the Bonus Ball is 30. Tonight’s estimated jackpot is £5m.

Tonight’s National Lottery Thunderball winning numbers are 4, 9, 19, 27, 32 and the Thunderball is 7.

Full transcript of Lee Ryder's Newcastle United Q & A

Steve Bruce’s start at Newcastle United hasn’t quite gone to plan - two defeats in his two opening games.

The head coach will take his side to the capital this Sunday to face Tottenham facing questions over his tactics, and the 3-0 thrashing off Norwich City.

Replacing Rafa Benitez in the dug-out was always going to be difficult but losing the two opening games of the season has heaped pressure on Bruce.

Our chief sports writer Lee Ryder answers your questions on the key NUFC talking points of the week.

Northumberland tourism economy tops £1bn

Spending by tourists visiting Northumberland topped £1bn for the first time last year, a new report says.

Research for Northumberland Tourism shows that the visitor economy in Northumberland is continuing to grow year-on-year, with a 8% increase in the amount of money spent to £1.002bn.

The tourism body said that more than 10m people visited the county in 2018 and that the tourism economy supported the equivalent of more than 15,000 jobs.

More on the figures.

North East restaurants which won prizes at the English Curry Awards

Indian restaurants across the North East have impressed judges to claim prizes at the English Curry Awards.

Newcastle ‘s Jaipur Exclusive Indian Restaurant & Takeaway was named North East Restaurant of the Year at the ceremony, held in Birmingham.

Firuz Khan, who runs Jaipur, in West Road, West Denton , said: “All credit goes to our dedicated team for their hard work and passion. Thanks to all our customers for nominating us, making us worthy and supporting us for over 25 years.”

More on the restaurant awards.

Diamond strip cocaine network sentencing

Cocaine snorting and dealing in trendy Newcastle bars was a “culture of catastrophe” which dragged decent men down, a court heard.

A network of men, including doormen, promoters, a bar manager, a former solider, a barber and a man with a doctorate are all facing the prospect of prison for their part in drugs supply offences.

The case centres on the so-called Diamond Strip area, in and around Collingwood Street, which became a hotbed for cocaine dealing.

Police temporarily shut down bars in the area in December 2017 after an undercover operation smashed the gang.

Rubbish fire call outs

Firefighters on duty across Tyneside and Wearside have been busy tonight.

They have been called to a garden fire in Houghton-le-Spring, two rubbish fires in Saltwell Park, rush on fire at the Springwell estate and a bin fire in Boldon.

Sun setting

The sun will set around the North East shortly.

Sunset will be at around 8.26pm and sunrise tomorrow will be at around 5.53am.

Metro delays reported

There are delays of up to 30 minutes to Metro trains running between South Gosforth and St James tonight.

This is due to a train being withdrawn from service.

What's On latest

Some of the latest news from our What’s On team.

1. The North East restaurants which won prizes at the English Curry Awards
   
2. Frankie and Benny’s to give away free burgers for National Burger Day
   
3. Newcastle Mela 2019 - lineup, acts and entertainment for bank holiday celebration
   
4. Marks & Spencer Newcastle to host Swap Shop for Little Shop toys as they get sold on eBay
   
5. Locations of all 50 Elmers in Newcastle & the North East - and what they look like

Flight delays

Two flight have faced delays on their way to Newcastle Airport.

A Flybe plane from Aberdeen was due to land at 7.55pm but is now expected at 8.21pm.

Another Flybe aircraft from Southampton was due to arrive at 8.20pm but will now land at 8.37pm.

Burger giveaway tomorrow

There seems to be a day for pretty much everything now from chips to prosecco and gin to sandwiches and this week sees the return of National Burger Day.

The now annual event sees a number of burger enthusiasts tuck into a variety of burgers while plenty of bars and restaurants are putting on special offers to mark the occasion.

And if you fall into the category of big burger lover, you might want to get yourself to your nearest Frankie & Benny’s as they are giving them away for FREE.

There are a number of Frankie & Benny’s in the Newcastle area, including two in the city centre and one at intu Metrocentre.

Burgers up for grabs from 12 - 5.30pm include the Classic Beef Burger, Classic Cheese Burger, Bacon & Cheese Burger, The House Special Burger, Classic Chicken Burger, The Smoky Beet Burger and Viva La Vegan Burger.

And there isn’t much small print to claim your free burger. You just need to sign up for the offer at the Frankie & Benny’s website to get your voucher.

You’ll also need to buy a pint of Budweiser or bottles of Coca Cola to tuck in.

Shocking cost of medicine in the US

A report has shown the extreme difference in prices for medicines and operations between the UK and USA.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, it would make us heavily reliant on a trade agreement with the US.

Campaigners say this desperation would put us in such a weak position we would have to make major concessions.

And the NHS, which spends £140billion annually, is reportedly the prize the US companies want, the Mirror reports.

More on the report.

A1 closure tonight

The A1(M) southbound will be closed overnight due to roadworks from J64 A195 Western Highway, Washington to J63 A167 Chester-Le-Street.

The road closes at 8pm and is due to reopen at 6am.

Travel warning as East Coast Main Line closed at weekend

Train companies have urged people hoping for a weekend getaway to the capital not to travel as major rail improvement works get under way.

King’s Cross is closed on Saturday and Sunday due to Network Rail engineering work, meaning no trains will be running between London and Peterborough.

Newcastle United fans hoping to watch Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur are among thousands of people due to be affected, and train operator London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has issued a “do not travel” warning for the route advising services will be ‘severely restricted’.

Andrew Haines, chief executive of Network Rail, said: “There is never a convenient time to close parts of the railway.

“We are very aware that bank holiday engineering work affects many people who will have wanted to make the most of the long weekend.

“But the only reasons we do the work then is because it affects far fewer people than a closure on a normal working day.

“We plan to use every minute of the closures to work towards delivering a service that our passengers deserve and most of the railway network will be open as usual.

“Only some routes will be closed, so if you are thinking about travelling please plan ahead.”

And this weekend passengers are being warned services that do run will be extremely busy.

Latest news today

Some of the top news this evening.

1. Paedophile facing jail after seven year campaign of abuse against two young girls
   
2. Diamond strip cocaine network: ‘Culture of catastrophe’ dragged decent men down, court told
   
3. Smirking South Shields woman beater Jack Bushell out of jail - and he served less than a year
   
4. Nick Forbes warns of ‘catastrophic’ no-deal as North East misses out on Brexit funding for key ports
   
5. Three arrested after alleged daytime brawl on Northumberland Street in Newcastle
   

Alarm as Government suggests HS2 may never come north

City leaders have expressed alarm after the Government confirmed it was considering scrapping the northern section of HS2 - so the high speed line only ran between London and Birmingham.

It would mean plans to extend the new rail network to Leeds and Manchester were axed, ending hopes of running high speed trains to Newcastle.

The core cities group, which represents major cities including Newcastle, said this would be an “unmitigated disaster.”

However, a review of HS2, announced by Boris Johnson’s government, will also consider the option of building new rail lines in the North first, and putting planned new lines in the south of England on the back burner.

Latest on the review.

City centre parking

If you’re heading to Newcastle city centre this evening be aware that Dean Street car park is getting busy.

The car park is almost full.

Metro works this weekend

A replacement bus service will be running for the Tyne And Wear Metro between Wallsend and Tynemouth this weekend due to engineering works.

The works are taking place all of Saturday until around 6.30pm on Sunday.

Cloudy with some rain tomorrow

There will be some isolated sunny spells at first tomorrow, otherwise it will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, clearing during the night.

Windy, especially across the hills. Maximum temperature 21C.

Nick Forbes warns of 'catastrophic' no-deal as North East misses funding

North East councils are in dire need of more cash to “pick up the pieces” after a no-deal Brexit, according Newcastle’s Labour leader.

Nick Forbes says that a new cash injection announced by the government on Wednesday will not be enough to avert a “catastrophic shock to the system” if the UK leaves the European Union without a deal on October 31.

Robert Jenrick MP, the new local government secretary, revealed that an extra £5m of Brexit preparation funding will be given to local councils which either have, or are near to, a major air, land or sea port.

But none of that money is earmarked for North East councils.

NUFC headlines

Some of the top NUFC news stories tonight.

1. Dwight Gayle worry, no bomb squad and extra wingers: What we spotted from Newcastle United training
   
2. Newcastle United’s Allan Saint-Maximin sticks to his promise - and visits the NUFC Fans Foodbank
   
3. Newcastle United news LIVE - Latest on Steve Bruce, formation, discontent, NUFC takeover talk
   
4. What Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce did to former Spurs player Hossam Ghaly shows other side
   
5. Chris Waddle: The truth about Newcastle United’s attempt to bring me ‘home’ in 1992
   

Ru Paul's Drag Race UK lineup

There was great excitement at the end of last year when it was finally revealed, after LOADS of speculation that Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK was definitely happening.

Drag Race is without any shadow of a doubt a worldwide phenemenon. Whether its regular series or Allstar seasons, fans are glued for every sashay away, death drop and tongue top as queens battle it out in a bid to be the last one standing an earning a place in the Drag Race Hall of Fame.

The show has made massive stars of the likes of Bianca Del Rio, Alaska, Sasha Velour and Miss Vanjie and now 10 UK queens are lining up to make their claim for the prize in the UK version.

Speaking about Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Ru said: ‘Each of the UK queens is so unique, so courageous and so special. I can’t wait for the UK – and the world – to fall in love with them the same way I did.’

Crash on A19 cleared

A crash on the A19 south near the A690 in Sunderland has been cleared.

One lane had been blocked between the A690 and the A1018.

Highways England traffic officers have managed to reopen the road.

Lanes reopen on bridge

All lanes are open on the Wearmouth Bridge again and traffic has returned to normal.

Police have now left the bridge and all lanes are open southbound.

Crossing times

It is not safe now to use the Holy Island causeway.

It will be safe to cross again after 10.10pm.

Man accused of murdering Scott Patterson appears in court

A man charged with the brutal murder of a young dad in Blyth has appeared in court.

Police were called to an address on Hallside Road at around 1.55am on Monday following a report a man had been assaulted.

Emergency services found Scott Patterson, 30, had sustained injuries consistent with a stabbing and was pronounced dead at the scene.

There was a court hearing today.