The gunman held four people hostage and sparked an armed stand-off with police lasting hours.

Police searched a river and scrambled a helicopter in a bid to locate the boy, who was in his bedroom.

That's all from us for today - thank you for joining us. 

You can still catch up with the latest news throughout the night on BBC Tees , BBC Newcastle , Look North , and online.

If you'd like to get in touch or share your North East pictures with us, you can do so on Twitter, external , Facebook, external , or via email .

We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00. Have a good evening. 

A dry evening with some clear spells.

It will cloud over later, with the odd spot of rain possible for some places.

Image source, bbc

A cycle and access map of Hartlepool aims to promote alternatives to car travel, the council has said.

It has produced an updated guide to the borough's network of public footpaths, cycle routes, bridleways, byways and quiet roads.

Places of interest are also included, along with information about the local section of the England Coast Path National Trail which stretches from Seaton Carew to Hart Station.

The map is available from a range of pubic buildings including libraries and leisure centres.

Image source, Hartlepool Council

Newcastle City Council is asking people what they think about tall buildings being given planning permission in the future.

It follows the approval of a 26-storey block of flats on Rutherford Street.

The council says it needs to "provide clarity to investors" on the type of developments people want. 

Current guidance suggests such tall structures should be in an appropriate place, of excellent design quality and should enhance the location. 

A public consultation is under way and will run until the middle of May.

Image source, Rutherford Street Living

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service has a new chief officer.

Chris Lowther is to take over the role next week following the retirement of Tom Capeling.

He began his career as at Gateshead Community Fire Station in 1997 and went on to become area manager, then assistant chief officer.

Image source, Tyne aand Wear Fire and Rescue Service

Mr Lowther said: “It is humbling to have been appointed chief fire officer and I look forward to continuing to serve the community of Tyne and Wear – a community that I have served for 20 years."

The Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight teams are among the displays once again set to wow the crowds at the Sunderland International Airshow.

Centred on the Roker seafront, the event has been running since 1989 and is thougth to be the largest free international airshow in the world.

It will run from 21 to 23 July and is expected to attract up to one million spectators.

Other aerial displays include the RAF Typhoon team, and Flight Lieutenant Ryan Lawton said: "Each year we are delighted to display over the spectacular coastline at Sunderland."

A man was struck with a metal pole during an attempted robbery in Hartlepool.

The 58-year-old cyclist was approached at traffic lights on Stockton Road by two men.

He was threatened and hit with the pole, which struck his backpack. He was then able to flee.

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 06:00 BST, is asked to contact Cleveland Police.

BBC Sport

Sunderland have released a statement on David Moyes after he told a BBC reporter she might "get a slap". 

The club says the  exchange was "wholly inappropriate" and such actions are not condoned or excused in any way".

They add that they "continue to fully support" Moyes as Sunderland manager.

Image source, Reuters

Sunderland boss David Moyes says he "deeply regrets" telling a BBC reporter she might "get a slap".

After the post match interview Moyes was recorded telling Vicki Sparks she "might get a slap even though you're a woman" and told her to be "careful" next time she visited.

Sunderland season ticket holder Carolyn Smith says it was "off air banter." Wales international hockey player and sports journalist Beth Fisher argues it was an "intimidating warning".

A Catholic priest who sexually abused a teenage student breached his position of trust in a "spectacular and horrific" way, a court has heard .

Father Michael Higginbottom, 74, now of West Farm Roa, Newcastle, is accused of abusing the boy when he was a teacher at St Joseph's College in Upholland, Lancashire, in the 1970s. 

Liverpool Crown Court heard the boy was 13 and 14 at the time of the allegations against Mr Higginbottom. 

He denies four counts of a serious sexual offence and indecent assault. The trial continues.

Image source, Doug Elliott

An elderly man who was thought to have been struck by a reversing vehicle has died in hospital.

The 80-year-old fell to the ground and suffered a head injury in North Shields at the junction of Lynn Road and the Coast Road on Monday morning.

Northumbria Police said it is believed he was hit by a Peugeot white panel van, which was backing out of a car park.

The force has appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident at 10:55 BST to get in touch.

Councillors in Hartlepool have described a £600,000 Coastal Communities Fund grant as "tremendous news".

The cash will form part of a £1.3m revamp for Seaton Carew, which is expected to be completed by March 2018. 

Improvements will include a new outdoor leisure park with water jets and play equipment, and work on the Grade II listed bus station and clock tower.

Image source, Hartlepool Council

Rolando Aarons was allegedly involved in the disturbance in the VIP section at Livello in October.

Sunderland Echo
Newspaper

A rapist who served a jail term more than a decade ago has been put back behind bars after more victims came forward. , external  

Image source, Sunderland Echo

Police searching for missing nine-year-old Josh Dinning, of Gateshead, have found him safe and well.

Newcastle City Council said it is "concerned" about the collapse of the facade of the former Odeon Cinema.

Its engineers and surveyers remain at the Pilgrim Street site, liaising with the contractor and Health and Safety Executive inspectors.

Councillor Ged Bell, cabinet member for investment and development, said: "The safety of the public is paramount - thank goodness no-one was injured. 

"The demolition was being carried out on behalf of a developer - while the council must be notified of a demolition it is not responsible for it. "

"The Health and Safety Executive is investigating the collapse and like everyone else we await with interest their findings to find out what happened to avoid this kind of thing happening again."

The demolition of the former Odeon cinema - the remains of which collapsed last night - began in January.

Some regarded it as a sad end to the art-deco landmark building, which opened with much fanfare as the Paramount Cinema in 1931.

A souvenir brochure promised it would host "the mightiest galaxy of talent ever assembled", and it entertained generations of film-goers until it closed in 2002.

Image source, Tyne and Wear Archives

The site was earmarked for retail use and, despite a campaign to save it, demolition began earlier this year.

The structure has since been shrouded in scaffolding.