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CPS News Centre

Criminal cases that the Crown Prosecution Service take to court are in the news every day. This section also covers many issues related to our work, including violence against women and girls, hate crime, support for victims and witnesses, statistics, and speeches by the Director of Public Prosecutions and other senior staff.

Latest news

You can find our latest news stories here and search for older stories. You can also find more information about high-profile cases and the work of the CPS.

Working with the media

To make criminal court reporting more open, the CPS, police, and media representatives created a joint protocol (agreement) for working together. We are currently working on an updated version of the protocol. 

Showing 11 - 20 of 55 results for area "North East"

Date format: mm/dd/yyyy
Date format: mm/dd/yyyy

Darlington man who fatally stabbed his daughter during ‘play fight’ convicted of her murder

A father who claimed to have fatally stabbed his daughter during a ‘play-fight’ in their home has been convicted at Teesside Crown Court today of her murder.Simon Vickers, 50, of Geneva Road, Darlington, was convicted over the death of his daughter, Scarlett Vickers, after fatally wounding her in…
Press Release Violent crime North East

Violent sexual predator who tried to murder schoolgirl jailed

A violent sexual predator who tried to murder a schoolgirl has been jailed for 38 years at Teesside Crown Court today.Ellis Dismore, 24, of Stoneyhurst Avenue, Middlesbrough, hounded one of his victims online for many months before ambushing her as she walked home from school. He then chased her,…
Press Release Sexual offences North East

Sexual predator sentenced for online sexual abuse of UK and US schoolgirls

A sexual predator who coerced children from across the UK and the US into sexual activity has been sentenced today at Durham Crown Court. Mark Dodds, 38, of Old Elvet, Durham was sentenced following his conviction after trial of five charges of sexual assault against one of his victims, with a…
Press Release Sexual offences North East

Woman who played video game while her son drowned unsupervised in bath sentenced

**Trigger warning - details some may find distressingA Durham woman whose infant son drowned unsupervised in the bath while she played a video game on her mobile phone has been jailed today after pleading guilty to gross negligence manslaughter at Teesside Crown Court. Danielle Massey, 31, of…
Press Release North East

Darlington man convicted of murdering partner’s infant son

A Darlington man who caused fatal injuries to his partner’s infant son has been convicted of his murder at Teesside Crown Court today.Christopher Stockton, 38, of Neasham Road, Darlington, was found guilty after trial of the murder of 22-month-old Charlie Roberts. He was also found guilty of a…
Press Release North East

Violent sexual predator who tried to kill a schoolgirl convicted of further offences against eight others

A violent sexual predator who tried to murder a schoolgirl has been convicted of further offences against eight others at Teesside Crown Court today. Ellis Dismore, 24, of Stoneyhurst Avenue, Middlesbrough, has been convicted for the second time, after being found guilty after trial in…
Press Release Sexual offences North East

Dangerous dog owner convicted for fatal attack

A dog owner whose XL bully fatally attacked another man has been convicted today at Newcastle Crown Court. Christopher Bell, 45, of De La Pole Avenue, Hull, pleaded guilty to one count of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control resulting in death. The charge relates to an attack…
Press Release North East

GP convicted after injecting man with flesh-eating toxin during fake covid vaccination

A Sunderland doctor has been convicted of attempting to kill his mother’s partner, after injecting him with a toxin that caused a flesh-eating disease during a faked COVID vaccine appointment.Thomas Kwan, 48, of Brading Court, Ingleby Barwick, pleaded guilty to one charge of attempted murder today…
Press Release Violent crime North East

First sentence for riot following Sunderland disorder

The first person to be convicted of riot following the recent disorder across the UK has been sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court. Kieran Usher, 32, of Bramwell Road, Hendon, was sentenced to four years and four months' imprisonment after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge…
Press Release North East

Ex-cricket coach, previously jailed for abuse of young boys, is sentenced again after more victims come forward

An ex-cricket coach previously jailed for multiple sex offences against young boys has been sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court for offences against two further victims. Michael Strange, 64, who is already serving a jail sentence as a result of previous offences, was sentenced after…
Press Release Sexual offences North East

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Media protocol

To ensure greater openness in the reporting of criminal proceedings, the CPS, the police and media representatives developed a joint protocol for working together. We are currently in the process of updating the protocol.

Read the current protocol

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