Northumbria Police want to speak to 80 female victims or witnesses to sexual exploitation in Newcastle

Arrests total now stands at 30 after Northumbria Police's Operation Sanctuary involves three further men being questioned over a city rape

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Deputy Chief Constable of Northumbria Police Steve Ashman talks about Operation Sanctuary

Police investigating allegations of sexual exploitation on Tyneside now want to speak to 80 women.

The announcement from Northumbria Police this morning came as three further men were arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to rape as part of Operation Sanctuary.

The total of people arrested by officers now stands at 30, and includes two women.

The arrests were made in Newcastle after a woman in her twenties attended a police station in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Raids which led to the arrests of 27 people last week were made in the west and east ofNewcastle, Gateshead and South Tyneside.

Family thank community for support after body found in search for missing Michael Mawson

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Sisters Maria and Sandy Mawson

The devastated family of Michael Mawson have issued a heartfelt thank you to those who helped with the search operation.

Members of the Gateshead community rallied around the family of the 59-year-old after he went missing at the weekend.

But, yesterday afternoon, police combing the area surrounding Michael’s home in Chopwell, Gateshead, found the body of a man.

His twin daughters Sandy and Maria said the family were heartbroken at the discovery but said they wanted to thank everyone who had supported them over the past week.

“If my dad knew about all the support he would just be overwhelmed by it,” said 26-year-old Sandy. “We are all so grateful to everyone who has helped with the search and the police and Chronicle as well for the appeal.

What's in a name? Celebs who really should be related

7 Feb 2014 18:43

Here we find 11 North East celebrities and their namesakes who - it has to be said - are not related to them in any way

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What's in a name? Celebs who really should be related

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Our names usually tell us apart, but can also throw up some strange bedfellows. Here we find 10 North East celebrities and their namesakes who - it has to be said - are not related to them in any way...

Alan Shearer/Harry Shearer

- one is Newcastle United's greatest ever goalscorer, the other the voice of Mr Burns in The Simpsons and the bass player in Spinal Tap

Cheryl Cole/Nat King Cole

- musical greats separated by half a century, race and a few thousand miles

Tim Healy/Dennis Healey

- one a stalwart of the Tyneside acting scene, the greatest leader Labour never had

Ruel Fox Dr Fox

Business as usual at Newcastle United, insists boss Alan Pardew0

Alan Pardew has insisted Newcastle United will carry on regardless after a tough week on Tyneside

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Action Images / Lee Smith

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew

Alan Pardew has insisted Newcastle United will carry on regardless after a tough week on Tyneside.

To compound derby-day defeat, the controversial exit of director of football Joe Kinnear and the resignation of coach Willie Donachie have left the club in a state of disarray.

However, Pardew said: “My message is the same, it is about taking the club forward.

“We cannot stand still, we have to go forward, so it gives us an opportunity to do that.

“Let’s be honest, the derby was an emotional game and the fan running on the pitch with a season ticket and all that, that is what our fans are and we will never take that away from them.

“They are passionate, they love the club and the best thing I can try to do is get the best team I can out there to get results for them.

Juventus preparing for Paul Pogba departure as they eye Man City & Chelsea target Fernando

MANCHESTER CITY and Chelsea could face a battle to sign Fernando from Porto in the summer after Juventus lined up the midfielder as a possible replacement for Paul Pogba, who continues to be linked with a move to PSG, Arsenal or Manchester United.

Fernando could head to Juventus in the summer [GETTY]

Juventus have always strenuously denied that Pogba will be allowed to leave and see the Frenchman as a big part of the future in Turin.

But they also accept that every player has his price, and they would not be able to resist an enormous bid for the 20-year-old star.

And according to reports in France that is even more the case now that Fernando could be available for nothing in the summer.

The 26-year-old Brazilian-born midfielder was part of a failed deal on deadline day that would have seen him join Manchester City along with Eliaquim Mangala in the £45m move.

Chelsea ‘make Liverpool striker Luis Suarez their top summer transfer target’

Chelsea are believed to have made Liverpool striker Luis Suarez their top summer transfer target following talks this week.

Blues boss Jose Mourinho was scheduled to sit down with Roman Abramovich to discuss the fallout from the January window – along with his plans for player recruitment ahead of next season.

And, according to reports in South America, Mourinho made it clear that Liverpool hitman Suarez is the number one player he wants to drive the club forward.

We used to be friends 

but my ex-husband's 

new lover has turned 

him against me

I was good friends with him up until he met this woman but now – for some unknown reason – she has sent me nasty emails and turned him against me

Getty

Dear Coleen

I’ve been separated from my husband for seven years and he recently started divorce proceedings because he has become engaged to a woman he met a few months ago.

I’m happy to go ahead with it and actually asked him for a divorce years ago, but he refused.

I was good friends with him up until he met this woman but now – for some unknown reason – she has sent me nasty emails and turned him against me.

And a best friend who I’ve known for 40 years socialises with the two of them and I feel that she should be supporting me.