North East news RECAP: Latest breaking news, sport, weather, traffic and travel

Today's top stories

That’s all from me today, here’s a look at our most read stories of the day:

1. Predators plied schoolgirl with drink and drugs during Walker Park rape plot
2. Newcastle in 1978: Remembering the city in 20 photographs from 40 years ago
3. Newcastle United’s Under-23 coach Peter Beardsley accused of bullying Toon youngster
4. What is planned for these empty and abandoned sites in and around Newcastle?
5. Tragic Jodie Wilkinson’s sister vows to stop at nothing to bring her killer to justice

What will the weather be like tomorrow?

“Dry and clear during the evening and overnight with light winds inland. A sharp frost will return to rural inland areas, but onshore breezes will lift temperatures near coasts. Minimum temperature -4 °C.”

Five mocktail recipes to help you through dry January

Are you tackling dry January?

If you’ve tried it before you’ll know it’s no easy feat. The long dark winter nights when Christmas festivities seem like a distant memory are enough to make anyone want a few cocktails.

But after the party-filled month of December no one could blame you for wanting to do a little detox.

The concept is now backed by the charity Alcohol Concern who say that it “enables you to take control of your relationship with alcohol” and “drive a conversation” about drinking.

They expect 3.1 million people to take part in Dry January this year.

So here we show you five recipes for some alcohol-free mocktails to get you through the month should you be taking part.

First up, Aldi’s Cranberry Fizz (serves around 8 people)

Ingredients:

• 2 litres of Rio D’oro cranberry juice
• 500ml Vive Lemonade
• 150ml Aqueo sparkling water
• 2 sliced oranges
• 1 sliced lime
• 1 sliced lemon

Method:

Combine the cranberry juice and lemonade, stir in the sparkling water, add the fruit and serve with ice.

Next, the Asda Berry Slush (serves around six people)

Ingredients:

• 150g of sugar
• 300g of raspberries
• 300g of blueberries
• Asda red grape juice or Shloer sparkling red grape juice

Method:

Put the sugar and 300ml of water in a pan and heat, add fruit and simmer for two minutes.

Pass through a sieve then freeze in ice cube trays.

Crush six cubes for each drink.

See more here.

What will the weather be like tonight?

The Met Office says:

“Any wintry showers will quickly clear to leave a dry day with sunny spells and light winds. Very frosty at first, and some inland areas may remain below freezing all day, but onshore easterly breezes will lift coastal temperatures slightly. Maximum temperature 6 °C.”

Collision in Chester-le-Street

There’s reports of a collision on the A6127 North Road at Longdean Park.

Dog dies after reportedly eating poison

A family has been left in tears after their pet dog died when it was reportedly poisoned at a Newcastle beauty spot.

Wolf, the Alaskan Malamute, had celebrated its 12th birthday when tragedy struck after being out walking with his owner Amanda Blair.

The dog-lover had taken her large breed sled dog to Heaton Park and Jesmond Dene when it is believed he consumed rat poison.

Hers is one of a list of complaints from dog owners who have claimed their pooches have fallen seriously ill after being poisoned.

“Wolf was 12 years and 17 days old, he was part of the family and we are devastated that he had died in this way,” said Amanda, 53, of Heaton, Newcastle.

“He’d been given a clean bill of health just two weeks prior from the vet during his check-up. But then he just went down hill.

“Over the Christmas period I was busy and only took him walking to Heaton Park and Jesmond Dene, so I can narrow it down to there where he has eaten the poison.

“My two grandchildren live with me and they are in bits. They are in tears, we all are.”

Dog owners are now being warned to stay vigilant after reports of pets being poisoned around the parks.

Reports have been received of alleged poisoning incidents in the Heaton Park and Jesmond Dene area, while other poisoning incidents have also been reported around the Rising Sun Country Park in Benton.

At this stage, it is not clear what type of substances the pets may have ingested, however it is suspected the Heaton Park incident may have involved rat poison.

Read more here.

All lanes open on the A1

Delays on the Felling Bypass

Traffic is busy but moving on the A184 eastbound from Gateshead Highway to Heworth Roundabout.

One lane remains closed

One lane has reopened but one remains closed on the A1 Western Bypass northbound at Kenton Bar Roundabout.

Car fire on the A1

Police have updated us on the situation:

Incident on the A1

We are still trying to find out exactly what’s going on here on the A1 northbound at Westerhope:

It could potentially be congestion due to the broken down Mini.

Broken down Mini on the A1

This could cause some delays:

Pubs could be allowed to open late on the weekend of the Royal Wedding

Pubs across the country are set to be allowed to open late on the weekend of the Royal Wedding.

Prince Harry will marry Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle on Saturday, May 19.

Opening hours could be extended to 1am on both the Friday and Saturday.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said:

“The Royal Wedding will be a time of national celebration, and we want everyone to be able to make the most of such an historic occasion.

“I hope that this relaxation of the licensing hours will allow people to extend their festivities and come together to mark what will be a very special moment for the country.”

The Government will hold a four-week public consultation before finalising the plans.

Opening hours were also extended for Prince William’s wedding in 2011, and for the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016.

Prince Harry, 33, and Suits actor Ms Markle, 36, announced their engagement in November.

British Beer and Pub Association chief executive Brigid Simmonds said the extra hours could be worth £10m to the pub trade.

She said:

“This is great news for pubs and pub-goers and shows the government has listened to our calls to put pubs at the heart of the Royal Wedding celebrations.

“Visitors see the Great British pub as a cultural icon, almost as much as the Royal Family.”

Delays in North Tyneside

Traffic is slow on the A19 southbound at the Silverlink Roundabout in the roadworks area.

Busy in Swalwell

There’s congestion on the A694 Derwenthaugh Road at Shibdon Road Roundabout.

What really happens when you're called up to do jury service?

The best experience most of us will have of inside a courtroom is what we have seen on the latest TV crime drama.

However, in reality, at any point in our adult lives, most of us could be summoned to carry out jury service.

When a person is pleading not guilty to a crime, they are put on trial in front of 12 jurors who will listen to the evidence and then decide whether or not they should be convicted.

At least 10 jurors have to agree on the verdict and failure to reach this may lead to a retrial.

But what is it really like behind the scenes of jury service, and what can you expect if you are called upon to carry out your civil duty?

The thought of a scary judge and a criminal in the dock might sound quite daunting for the everyday person, so here we break down what happens.

How do you know you have been called for jury service?

A letter, including a jury summons form, will be sent to your address.

The chosen court will be as close as possible to where you live and the dates will have already been decided for you.

The form must be completed and returned within seven days of receiving it.

A fine of up to £1,000 is payable if you don’t return the form or don’t turn up for jury service.

You may be able to turn down jury service if you have already booked a holiday, you’re having an operation or your employer won’t give you time off work. However you can only do this once.

Read more here.

Heavy in Durham

Traffic is queuing on the A688 Thinford Lane westbound at the A167.

Ryton collision update

A spokesperson for Northumbria Police said that the driver has been arrested on suspicion of driving whilst over the alcohol limit and the road - Holburn Lane - has now been reopened.

Metro running on time

Collision in Gateshead

Be aware of this in Ryton:

Frosty start to the day

Heavy in Gateshead

There’s queuing traffic on the A184 Askew Road eastbound at the A167 Tyne Bridge Approach.

More Metro delays

Slow on the Coast Road

There’s congestion as usual on the A1058 Coast Road inbound from Newton Road to the Central Motorway.

Ice warning issued for North East

A yellow weather warning for ice has been issued as temperatures are expected to plummet across the North East.

Ice is expected to cause problems across the region as temperatures could drop as low as -4C tonight.

Motorists and pedestrians have both urged to take care on roads, pavements and cycle paths.

A Met Office spokesman said: “Temperatures will fall sharply under clear spells after dark allowing some icy patches to form, especially where showers have fallen during Saturday daytime and where showers occurred during Saturday evening and night.”

Large parts of the Scottish Borders and Yorkshire and Humber are also being affected by ice.

The yellow weather warning is due to expire on Sunday morning.

For the rest of the day across the North East, the Met Office predicts there will be sunny spells and light winds.

A spokesman said:

“Very frosty at first, and some inland areas may remain below freezing all day, but onshore easterly breezes will lift coastal temperatures slightly.

“It will be dry and clear during the evening and overnight with light winds inland.

“A sharp frost will return to rural inland areas, but onshore breezes will lift temperatures near coasts. Minimum temperature -4C.”

Busy in Durham

Traffic is busy but moving on the A690 Leazes Road at Framwelgate Peth near The Gates Roundabout.

Slow on the Central Motorway

There’s congestion as usual on the A167(M) northbound from City Road to Great North Road.

Traffic lights out of order in Cramlington

The traffic signals on the A19 at the A189 Spine Road near Moor Farm Roundabout are out of order but traffic is said to be coping well.

Metro delays:

This is due to a failed train

Get in touch

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@trinitymirror.com

Twitter: @KCollingsNews