Hello and welcome to the breaking news blog for Friday May 4, 2018.

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 Kathryn Riddell here and if you would like to get in touch with us today about any breaking news, here are my details:

Phone: 0191 201 6107

Email: kathryn.riddell@trinitymirror.com

Twitter: @KathrynRiddell

To get breaking news sent straight to your phone, download our app here.

Goodnight!

That’s all from us this Friday - but we’ll be back tomorrow from 9am with more breaking news.

See you then - for now here are today’s top stories.

  1. Watch Noel Gallagher’s foul-mouthed dig at Newcastle United during his sold out show
  2. The putrid stench emitting from Gateshead is so bad it’s caught the Government’s attention
  3. Firefighters at Quayside RECAP: Emergency services called to blaze outside restaurant
  4. See the luxury lifestyle enjoyed by Fenham trafficking gang while their victims lived in poverty
  5. North Tyneside Council local election results in full - here’s how the candidates scored

One of Britain's most wanted fugitives is captured

One of Britain’s most wanted fugitives has been captured by armed officers in Barcelona.

Jamie Acourt was detained after he left the Metropolitan Sagrada Familia Gym on Friday, the National Crime Agency said.

Jamie Acourt was listed as one of the top ten most wanted British fugitives in 2016
Jamie Acourt was listed as one of the top ten most wanted British fugitives in 2016 (Image: BBC)

The 41-year-old, from south London, is wanted by the Metropolitan Police over his alleged involvement in the large-scale supply of drugs.

Acourt, who was apprehended on a European Arrest Warrant, will appear in court in Madrid next week for an extradition hearing.

Rafa Benitez reveals what Islam Slimani told him after ban confirmed

Islam Slimani wants to stay and train with Newcastle United until the end of the season - despite being unavailable for the Magpies’ final three matches.

The 29-year-old was given a three-match suspension by the Football Association after pleading guilty to violent conduct for kicking out at West Bromwich Albion’s Craig Dawson.

Islam Slimani controls the ball during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on May 3, 2018
Islam Slimani controls the ball during the Newcastle United Training Session at the Newcastle United Training Centre on May 3, 2018 (Image: Newcastle United)

Slimani appealed against the severity of the three-game ban, but that was rejected out of hand by the FA.

Here’s what Benitez had to say.

Popular Tynemouth cafe Woods to go into liquidation but will be open

The owners of a popular Tynemouth coffee shop company have been forced to put the business into liquidation - but they have brewed up plans to carry on.

Steven and Dianne Smallwood have traded three Woods Coffee cafes in North Tyneside - two in Tynemouth and one in North Shields - for several years, building up a business which has become a regular haunt for residents and tourists.

Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street
Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The firm is the trading name for their firm Mister Woods Coffee Tynemouth Ltd.

More on the news.

What are the opening times for Splash Pad?

Plenty of families flocked there as soon as the sun comes out and fingers crossed we’ll see many more warm and sunny days in the region so many more can enjoy Chester-le-Street Splash Pad.

Opening of the Splash Pad at Chester-le-Street Riverside
Opening of the Splash Pad at Chester-le-Street Riverside

The popular attraction at Riverside Park drew loads of visitors last year and looks set to do exactly the same in 2018.

Durham County Council recognises the park’s attraction to people from right around the region and made a significant investment into the new Splash Pad which replaced the ageing pool that used to be there.

Here’s when it will open.

Watch Noel Gallagher's foul-mouthed dig at Newcastle United

Noel Gallagher says there is “f*** all” going on in Newcastle as he brazenly ripped into the city during his gig at the Metro Radio Arena.

The former Oasis guitarist could not resist a dig at Newcastle United and Sunderland either.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds played a sell-out gig on Tyneside on Thursday night.

The Manchester City fan, who has seen his side wrap up the Premier League title, first took aim at the region’s football clubs.

Sunset times

The sun will set on another day at around 8.47pm tonight.

The bank holiday weekend starts with tomorrow’s sunrise at 5.18am.

Temperatures are expected to be record-breaking with highs of around 20C in the North East.

Metro delays end

Normal service has resumed on the Tyne and Wear Metro following earlier train faults.

There had been delays systemwide.

Timelapse of vote count

It’s been a busy couple of days for many councils as local elections have been held, votes counted and councillors elected.

North Tyneside began their count at 10am this morning - but our timelapse video makes short work of all that counting!

Business round-up

News on a popular cafe and more from business.

Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street
Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
  1. Popular Tynemouth cafe Woods to go into liquidation amid tax row - but it WILL stay open
  2. Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct says parliamentary probe wiped ‘millions’ from its value
  3. Northumberland company named the UK’s best family business
  4. Newcastle’s shipping container village Stack takes shape - and first tenants are revealed
  5. Shock and sadness as Campus North in Newcastle announces decision to close

Places to explore in magical Northumberland this weekend

Break out the sun cream, the bank holiday weekend promises to be beautifully warm and sunny.

Forecasters are predicting highs of up to 21 degrees with some of us lucky to have three days off work.

This is the time to get out and about and Northumberland has so many places to explore.

Take a look at our video above for some inspiration.

Fire outside Quayside restaurant

A fire broke out at a Quayside restaurant in Newcastle on Friday afternoon.

Firefighters called to Quayside restaurant
Firefighters called to Quayside restaurant

Firefighters and police officers were called to Sabatini restaurant on King Street at around 4pm when a blaze started by the building’s fire exit.

Several fire engines and police vehicles parked along the Quayside to deal with the incident, which was resolved within an hour.

Police officers directed traffic around busy roads on the Quayside and asked the public to avoid the area.

Fire crews from Colby Court and Byker were dispatched to the scene.

The restaurant has reassured customers it is open as normal.

Slow after lights fail

Still heavy traffic on the A184 Askew Road in Gateshead due to a traffic light failure before the A167 Tyne Bridge Approach.

Traffic is slow on the surrounding roads.

Bank Holiday supermarket opening times

At one time Bank Holiday weekends would see lengthy queues at shops for daily essentials such as bread and milk and the thought that either might run out would create a near panic.

These days, of course, we can buy pretty much what we want whenever we want as supermarkets rarely miss a potential customer opportunity and hate to close their doors.

A Morrisons shopping trolley
A Morrisons shopping trolley

But many of us are never sure quite how much Bank Holiday weekends still affect shops’ opening hours and usually we expect that some restrictions continue to apply.

Check out this weekend’s opening hours.

Two flights cancelled

Two Flybe planes to Newcastle have been cancelled this evening.

Flihgt BE7665 from Aberdeen was due to land at 6.05pm and flight NE147 from Southampton was due at 8.15pm.

Both have been scrapped.

How councils shape up after elections

This is how local elections have shaken up councils in the North East.

Elections took place yesterday in Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland - with a Labour majority in these councils there was still some excitement overnight.

What's On news

All of the best read What’s On news tonight.

  1. Chester-le-Street Splash Pad: What are the opening times for Riverside Park attraction?
  2. When are Haltwhistle outdoor swimming pools open this year and how much is it to go?
  3. Replica of Meghan Markle’s engagement ring on sale for just £14.99 at Argos
  4. Poundland selling its own version of Victoria’s Secret body mists and they look almost identical
Poundland's Secret Sass sprays
Poundland's Secret Sass sprays (Image: Becca Payne/Extreme Couponing & Bargains UK)

Four arrests after video attack shared on social media

Four teenagers have been arrested after schoolgirls were subjected to a vicious attack in Ashington.

Two videos of the attacks has been widely shared on social media and appear to show groups of schoolchildren assaulting girls in parks.

Detectives say they have arrested four people and are calling for witnesses and people with footage of the alleged attacks to come forward.

Urging people not to continue sharing the footage, Chief Inspector Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: “We are aware of footage circulating on social media regarding an assault in Ashington.

“Officers are trying to identify the victims and offenders involved, and will take robust action against anybody found to be participating in this unlawful activity.”

Anybody with footage, or who has more information, should contact police at 101 quoting reference 1078 030518.

Latest traffic update from Cowgate

Here’s how Cowgate is looking now after a broken down vehicle was reported near KFC.

Traffic seems to be moving well despite the breakdown.

Dry and warm weekend

Any early mist and low cloud on Saturday morning should soon clear to give another dry and very warm day with some good spells of sunshine.

Maximum temperature 23C.

Breakdown causing Cowgate delays

A broken down vehicle is causing delays at Cowgate in Newcastle.

Police are attending and waiting for the vehicle to be cleared.

Smell in Gateshead is being investigated by Government

It’s a stench locals claim makes them feel sick.

A pungent pong, emitting from a Gateshead skatepark, has wafted near the Felling bypass for weeks.

Now that smell’s caught the Environment Agency’s nose.

Dynamix Skatepark in Gateshead
Dynamix Skatepark in Gateshead (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

The Government department has launched a probe into the odour - or more specifically, what’s causing it.

Traffic back to normal on Quayside

Traffic has now returned to normal on the Quayside after emergency services have left the scene of a fire on King Street.

The Quayside had been very congested earlier due to the emergency vehicles parked up.

Top news tonight

All of the best read news from our website tonight.

Noel Gallagher on stage at Metro Radio Arena
Noel Gallagher on stage at Metro Radio Arena
  1. Watch Noel Gallagher’s foul-mouthed dig at Newcastle United during his sold out show
  2. Local elections results 2018 LIVE: Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland results
  3. Missing 13-year-old girl from Durham found after almost two days
  4. Gateshead murderer to be jailed for life after he admits stabbing Harry Singh to death
  5. Scotty T jokes about ‘shopping at Poundland and living with his mam’ in hilarious tweet

High tide times

It will be high tide at these times across the coast.

Blyth: 6.06pm

Sunderland: 6.10pm

River Tyne (North Shields): 6.15pm

Newcastle: 6.18pm

Slow traffic at Silverlink

Very slow traffic on the A19 south at the Silverlink Roundabout due to an earlier broken down vehicle.

The breakdown was in the roadworks area but has now been cleared.

Delays on the Metro

There are delays across the Tyne And Wear Metro due to earlier train faults.

Passengers have been advised to leave extra time for their journey.

Man denies causing a nuisance during alleged rooftop stand-off

A man has denied causing a public nuisance by allegedly taking part in a rooftop stand-off with police in Newcastle.

Christopher Cook is accused of scaling the old police station, on Pilgrim Street, in the city centre, at around 4.15am on Wednesday, May 2.

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Parts of the road were closed as police dealt with the suspected stand-off for eight hours until the 39-year-old allegedly came down.

Cook, of Ladykirk Road, in Benwell, Newcastle, was arrested and appeared at South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded not guilty to one count of causing a public nuisance.

More on the court appearance.

Island crossing

it’s no longer safe to cross over to Holy Island.

It will be safe to cross over the causeway road after 9.35pm.

Best of business news

All of today’s top business news.

Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street
Mister Woods on Tynemouth Front Street (Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
  1. Popular Tynemouth cafe Woods to go into liquidation amid tax row - but it WILL stay open
  2. Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct says parliamentary probe wiped ‘millions’ from its value
  3. Shock and sadness as Campus North in Newcastle announces decision to close
  4. Two North East businesses make Top 10 of UK’s most innovative firms
  5. Northumberland company named the UK’s best family business
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