Welcome to your morning look at the news across the North East.
Every day we'll bring you some of the latest news from the region. This includes everything from breaking news, features and sport.
Below are some of the biggest stories from Thursday evening:
'Inhuman': North Shields couple jailed for a total of 50 years for trying to murder friend
A monstrous couple who tried to murder their friend in a sickening torture-style attack have been jailed for a total of 50 years.
Jon Hamblin and Jessica Whinham subjected their guest, Paul Binks, to a horrifying ordeal, in which he was stabbed in his sleep and left with his intestines hanging out. He was then strangled with a cord before he was put in a bath and told he would be drowned.
Hamblin and Whinham tried to blame each other for what police labelled "inhuman" violence but were both convicted of attempted murder last year. Now Hamblin has been locked up for 29 years while Whinham got 21 years.
As the pair were sentenced, victim impact statements from Mr Binks outlined the devastating impact his shocking ordeal has had on him. Two weeks after the attack, Mr Binks said: “I have flashbacks of being in the bath and begging for my life. I know I could have died. I have flashbacks and in my mind I feel the blade going inside me."
Read the full story, here.
North East braced for Storm Otto as Met Office issues warning of up to 75mph winds
The North East is bracing for strong winds and heavy rain as the Met Office issued a warning ahead of the arrival of Storm Otto.
The storm will see gusts of up to 75mph hit Scotland and the North on Friday, with officials warning of disruption to public transport and potential power cuts. Injuries from “flying debris” are also possible.
A yellow weather warning for wind is in place from 5am until 2pm, before the storm moves east and hammers Denmark. Met Office chief meteorologist Andy Page said: “Storm Otto will bring high winds and rain to the UK, with some northern parts of Scotland and the North East of England likely to get the strongest gusts of wind, possibly in excess of 75mph.
"Warnings have been issued and could be updated as Storm Otto develops. There’s a chance of travel disruption and high-sided vehicles could be particularly prone to disrupted plans in this set-up. There’s associated rain with Storm Otto, with 40-50 mm of rain likely to fall over parts of western Scotland.”
Read the full story, here.
Eldon Square to put on superhero event for youngsters this February half term
Youngsters will be able to meet Spiderman and Supergirl at Eldon Square this February half term as the Newcastle shopping centre puts on a day of family fun.
Eldon Square has announced its plans for a superhero-themed event on Wednesday, February 22 to entertain little heroes during the school holidays. It will be held at Upper Greys Quarter, opposite Chatime, between 11am and 4pm and will give children the opportunity to transform into a miniature superhero with fun craft activities.
The event will see children design and colour in their own superhero masks that they can take home to wow their families and friends. At regular intervals throughout the day, children will also be able to pose for photos with Supergirl and Spiderman.
Read the full story, here.
Teenager who stabbed man in stomach in Newcastle city centre snared by DNA on Fanta bottle
A teenager who stabbed a young man in the stomach on a busy Newcastle city centre street was snared after leaving his DNA on a bottle of Fanta at the scene.
The 17-year-old encountered victim Connor Hardy on Grainger Street and there was an exchange between them which ended in the teenager sticking a knife in the victim's stomach, causing a life-threatening injury which required emergency surgery.
The attacker, who we are currently banned from identifying, was originally charged with wounding with intent but prosecutors accepted his plea to the lesser offence of unlawful wounding. Now the teen, who has previous convictions for possessing an offensive weapon, burglary, handling stolen goods and fraud, has been given a sentence of youth custody.
Newcastle Crown Court heard it was around 6.45pm on August 17 last year when Connor was walking on Grainger Street, Newcastle and he stopped and spoke to the 17-year-old, who was standing at a bus-stop. Connor asked him where he was from and he was told London.
Claire Anderson, prosecuting, said: "CCTV shows Connor Hardy walk away and then he turned around and further interacted with him. At this point the defendant followed Mr Hardy and there was an altercation between the pair."
Read the full story, here.
Durham grandmother walked hand-in-hand with husband just hours before she was found dead at home
A Durham grandmother who was allegedly murdered by her husband was captured on CCTV walking hand-in-hand with him just hours before she was found dead.
Sally Turner, 50, died after suffering numerous stab wounds at a home in Cuthbert Avenue, Durham on June 22 last year. Her husband, Harry Turner, 54, is currently facing a trial at Teesside Crown Court charged with her murder - which he denies. He has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of loss of control - which the Crown does not accept.
The trial, which began on Monday, February 13, has so far heard from witnesses, including a taxi driver Sally was having an affair with at the time of her death, and Royal Mail work colleagues of Turner. The court has also heard evidence from Dr Louise Mulcahy, a forensic pathologist, who said that Sally’s cause of death was due to multiple stab wounds to her neck and torso.
On Thursday, February 16, the jury watched CCTV footage of Turner's movements on June 22, 2022, the day that Sally was found dead.
Footage played in the court showed Turner walking into a Tesco petrol station and making a purchase before walking away. He is then seen entering the main Tesco store nearby and buying coffee pods on a self-service checkout before walking out of the store.
Read the full story, here.
North Shields attempted murder victim's emotional reunion with strangers that saved his life
Attempted murder victim Paul Binks has thanked the strangers that saved his life.
After being subjected to a sadistic attack by former friends Jon Hamblin and Jessica Whinham, Mr Binks might not have survived had it not been for the quick-thinking of couple Rex and Harleen Werewolf, who took him in and gave him first aid when he turned up on their doorstep.
And yesterday, after the attackers were jailed for a total of 50 years for their evil actions, Harleen has told of the emotional moment they were reunited.
The 29-year-old said: "We just hugged at first. It was very emotional. To be honest I still can't believe I actually did what I did. We are just thankful he's still alive."
Newcastle Crown Court heard how Mr Binks, had been subjected to a savage and prolonged attack by Whinham and Hamblin while staying with the couple at Whinham's flat in North Shields.
Read the full story, here.
Premier League pre-season tour decision expected as USA tour mooted for Newcastle United
Newcastle United's pre-season plans could unfold next month following suggestions the Magpies are due to jet back to the United States this summer.
Chronicle Live understands Premier League chiefs are expected to firm up plans for summer participation across the pond after recent top-flight meetings saw Newcastle, Leeds, Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea mooted for friendly games across the States. New Jersey, Philadelphia and Atlanta were all mentioned as potential venues - which would be a massive boost for United fans Stateside.
The Premier League have indicated confirmation for all the clubs mentioned will come soon - although with Leeds threatened by relegation, there is a question mark over their involvement in a top-flight backed tournament. For the first time in many years though, Newcastle can plan for pre-season knowing which division they will be in next season with 41 points in the bag.
And Brighton have told their own fanbase: "The club expects to confirm pre-season overseas travel plans for July 2023 towards the end of March. We are aware of the level of interest from our supporters and will announce details as soon as plans are finalised."
Read the full story, here.
Amad will return 're-energised' after being rested at QPR, says Tony Mowbray
Tony Mowbray hopes that leaving Amad out of Sunderland's starting XI at QPR will see him 're-energised' when he returns to the side - insisting the on-loan Manchester United forward is not a 'robot' who can perform for 90 minutes every week.
Amad has been one of the stars of the season for the Black Cats, but Mowbray is conscious of the physical and mental demands on the 20-year-old.
Prior to the midweek game at Loftus Road, Amad had started Sunderland's last 18 games in a row - and had completed the full 90 minutes in 12 of those - and that led to Mowbray opting to rest him against QPR, a matter of days after he had taken him off two-thirds of the way through in the home win against Reading.
Sunderland won 3-0 at QPR even without Amad starting, and he is likely to return to the side for Saturday's home game against Bristol City.
It was important [to rest Amad]," said Mowbray. "He is not a robot, he needs to re-energise mentally as well as physically.
"It looks to me as though he is a pretty robust footballer - he's played just about every minute up until the last week or so, when we brought him off [against Reading] and left him out [against QPR]. Hopefully this period is of benefit to him moving forward, emotionally and psychologically to hit the reset button and show everybody just how talented he is and almost to say to the coach that it's difficult to leave him out."
Read the full story, here.
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