Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and afternoon we'll bring you some of the latest from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest. Today, the biggest news stories include the grieving mother of a young woman who was stabbed by her partner has said that knife crime "destroys families".
There's also a child rapist who has been put back behind bars after sex chats with a 14-year-old girl, and Amanda Staveley has hinted that Newcastle United could emulate Manchester City's multi-club structure in the future. Looking towards next week a yellow weather warning for snow and has been issued for Monday and Tuesday, and Haymarket Metro Station will be closed due to works on all three of its escalators.
This is your lunchtime North East Today update.
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Grieving mother of South Tyneside woman stabbed to death by partner said knife crime 'destroys families'
The grieving mother of a young woman who was stabbed to death by her partner said knife crime destroys families.
Gemma Finnigan, 24, was killed by Daniel Johnson at their home in Boldon Colliery, South Tyneside, in September 2013. He had become convinced she was possessed by the devil.
Johnson, who was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, lashed out at Gemma after weeks of bizarre behaviour. He strangled and beat her until she was unconscious before stabbing her in the back and front 14 times.
Newcastle child rapist back behind bars for 'graphic' sex chats with '14-year-old'
A child rapist is back behind bars after trying to engage in sexual communication with a 14-year-old girl.
Thomas McCall, who was jailed in 2011 for raping a 13-year-old girl, thought he was talking to another child online when he explained in graphic terms what he wanted to do to her. In fact he was communicating with a decoy profile set up by paedophile hunting vigilantes and he was arrested.
Now the 48-year-old pervert, of Stanton Street, Arthur's Hill, Newcastle, who poses a high risk to teenage girls, has been sent back to prison by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court.
'If it's the right fit' - Amanda Staveley admits Newcastle United could copy Manchester City model
Newcastle United could follow in Manchester City's footsteps by becoming a multi-club structure, according to co-owner Amanda Staveley.
The financier was speaking at the FT Business of Football summit on Thursday and touched on a number of topics, including Financial Fair Play, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund and the future of the Magpies. Manchester City, New York City, Melbourne City, Yokohama F. Marinos, Montevideo City Torque, Girona FC, Sichuan Jiuniu and Mumbai City FC are just some of the teams under the umbrella of the City Football Group (CGF).
Newcastle and their ownership could decide to repeat such a trick on Tyneside, should it prove to be the 'right fit'. “Obviously if we’re looking at everything in terms of how we grow Newcastle, how we grow our brand, how we grow our club,” Staveley explained.
Met Office issues urgent yellow snow and ice warning for Monday and Tuesday as Arctic blast approaches
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for ice and snow, ahead of flurries and freezing conditions expected next week.
Millions of North East and Scottish residents will be affected by the warnings, which are set to come into play for Monday and Tuesday (March 6 and 7).
People in the affected areas have been informed of potential delays to travel, with some drivers even possibly becoming stranded with their vehicles.
Metro apologises as Haymarket Station closed until next week due to escalator repairs
Metro has advised customers to use Monument or Jesmond stations this weekend as Haymarket will be closed until next week.
In the early hours of Friday morning, Metro announced on its Twitter account that trains would not be stopping at Haymarket. And that will continue over the weekend and into next week as all three escalators are undergoing repair work.
One is the subject of long-term repairs, whilst the two others have both developed faults. Since Sunday evening, Haymarket has been exit only due to a fault on one of its escalators, and city centre commuters have had to board trains at Central Station or Monument.
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