Welcome to your daily look at the news in the North East.
Each morning and lunchtime we'll bring you some of the latest news from the North East - from breaking news and top stories to NUFC updates and the cost of living latest.
Today, we bring you news that a Byker man has pleaded guilty to a burglary spree he carried out to 'pay off cocaine debt'.
Our reporter Daniel Hall wrote that Paul Kenny was involved in a series of burglaries around Christmas and New Year in Jesmond and Ouseburn.
Several shops, cafes and bakeries around the east end of Newcastle reported break-ins during the Christmas period, with officers finding that many of them had broken windows and doors where an offender had forced entry, as well as missing tills, stock, and electronics.
Paul Kenny, 47, of Grafton House, appeared at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Monday in connection with a string of burglaries, including one suspected to be on Christmas Day at Batch Bakery and Café.
Kenny was charged on January 4 with stolen items and damage caused running up a total of thousands of pounds.
As well as pleading guilty to burglaries at Country Whey House, The Cook House, Batch Bakery and Café, The Garage Café, Peace & Loaf, and Posh pups, his solicitor asked that seven further burglaries be taken into consideration.
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Mam claims she suffered miscarriage after having to leave her Throckley home
We also brought you the news that a Newcastle mam claims she suffered miscarriage after having to leave her Throckley home.
Reporter Kristy Dawson wrote that Naomi Ross says she was in the early stages of pregnancy when she left her one-bedroom flat in Throckley, Newcastle. The 29-year-old said an infestation of rats had entered her property and were running around inside.
She said there were rats in the property next door and she had contacted Your Homes Newcastle, who operates the flats, to tell them about the issue in October last year.
However she claims nothing was done by the housing company until the neighbour was moved out of the property two months later in December. By then, she says, the rats had made their way into her home.
Naomi said she had no choice but to leave the property after finding the rats in her flat on December 5 last year. A few days later, she discovered that she had sadly lost her baby.
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Newcastle duo's Adidas experience gives Magpies kit boost
Newcastle United writer Aaron Stokes revealed that the Magpies may already have an advantage when it comes to striking a bumper new kit supplier deal with former partners Adidas.
Newcastle United have two boardroom members with links to Adidas amid rumours of a kit sponsorship change.
Speculation is rife Adidas may soon be manufacturing Newcastle United kits once again after a 13-year absence. Some of the Magpies' most revered strips of recent times were made by the sportswear giants, most notably the Brown Ale-sponsored classics from the Entertainers era.
Current manufacturers Castore signed a 'multi-year' deal with Newcastle back in 2021 but have been criticised by supporters over delayed deliveries and customer service. Publicly the club insist they will continue to work with the brand while seeking improvements in future.
However, the club plan to review all current partnerships over time and two recent boardroom appointments have connections with Adidas through previous roles. New Chief Commercial Officer Peter Silverstone and CEO Darren Eales have both worked with the company in the past at Arsenal and Atalanta respectively.
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Magpies' interest in Chelsea trio Gallagher, Loftus-Cheek and Ziyech
And, finally, time for another delve into the transfer rumours surrounding Newcastle United today.
Chelsea have already followed up a significant summer transfer spend with a number of high-profile January signings, including Mykhailo Mudryk for a reported £88.5 million. The Blues have endured a turbulent season to date, and the influx of talent will now lead to Graham Potter having to trim down his squad.
Now, Football Writer Chris Knight has reported that The Telegraph claim the Magpies are mulling over a move for Conor Gallagher, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Hakim Ziyech. The Morocco international could be allowed to depart, while Potter is said to be keen to keep both midfielders.
The Blue have to cut two non-homegrown players ahead of their Champions League knockout tie against Borussia Dortmund next month. However, the report outlines that Gallagher looks to be the priority target with an injury setback for Bruno Guimaraes emphasising Newcastle's need for midfield reinforcements.
You can read more about this story here
That's all from us for now, but check back at 5am tomorrow for your next North East Today update.
In the meantime, keep up-to-date with all the latest and sign up to our newsletters here.
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