Sunderland & North East News

26/09/2026

BREAKING: Do you recognise these youths? 🚨

A witness at the Potato Garth has stated these two young men were throwing rocks at a swan, as well as people's dogs and a woman walking on her own earlier today. Police have been involved.

26/09/2026

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26/09/2026

🎃 Sunderland’s Halloween map is LIVE – and some streets are already getting ahead of the crowds!

It might still feel early to be thinking about Halloween, but the new and improved Sunderland Trick or Treat map is now live – and families across the city can start adding their doors.

The free community map is designed to make trick or treating a little easier. There’s nothing to buy and no sign-up required – simply add your house to let local trick or treaters know that they’re welcome to knock.

You can even add the times you’re happy for people to visit, helping families plan their route around the neighbourhood.

And it’s not just Sunderland itself. The map covers areas including Roker, Fulwell, Southwick, Seaburn, Silksworth, Washington and Houghton – just search your postcode to find your area.

There are already a few stops appearing around the city, but with Halloween still some way off, it’s very much early days.

Adding your house now could mean you’re the first stop on your street to appear on the map. 👻

And if your plans change, there’s no problem – you can edit or remove your stop at any time.

SOURCES: Trick or Treat Map

VERIFICATION SCORE: 95/100 ✅

26/09/2026

26/09/2026

⚠️ ESCAPED EMU TURNS COUNTRY ROAD INTO A WRESTLING MATCH — THEN HEADBUTTS THE MAN TRYING TO STOP IT

An escaped emu gave one man a fight he certainly wasn’t expecting after the huge bird ended up loose on a country road in Salcombe, Devon.

Footage captured on September 9 shows a man wrestling with the animal as he desperately tries to keep it under control. At one point, he can be heard shouting: “Emu down, emu down!”

But the bird wasn’t giving up.

After around 20 seconds of struggling, the emu suddenly headbutted the man, sending him flying onto the road before it bolted away and headed back towards the gated property it had escaped from.

And there was an unlikely witness to the entire showdown — an alpaca standing inside the farm gates, appearing to watch the chaos unfold.

James Barker, 46, filmed the bizarre encounter after spotting the emu while driving past.

He said: “It’s not something you see every day!”

The footage was later shared online by James’s wife Ro Barker and reportedly attracted more than two million views.

One viewer summed it up simply: “Only in Salcombe!”

SOURCES: Footage and eyewitness account supplied by James Barker via SWNS; details reported from the supplied news report.

VERIFICATION SCORE: 82/100 ✅

26/09/2026

⚠️ Man accused of strangling partner faces court after allegations of VIOLENT ATTACK at Newcastle home

A 26-year-old man has appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court accused of a series of violent offences against his partner at her home.

Keiran Maines, of North Grove, Ryton, Gateshead, is accused of intentionally strangling the woman during two separate incidents.

The first alleged strangulation took place between October 31, 2025 and December 1, 2025. Maines pleaded guilty to that allegation when he appeared in court.

However, he denied a second allegation of intentional strangulation and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm relating to an alleged incident on February 26 this year.

Prosecutor Clare Haswell told magistrates that Maines and the woman were partners and alleged that during the February incident he bit her, repeatedly punched her and grabbed her by the hair.

The prosecution also alleges that he intentionally strangled her during the incident.

Magistrates accepted jurisdiction in the case, but Maines elected to have the contested matters heard before a judge and jury at Newcastle Crown Court.

He was released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on October 22.

The allegations relating to the February incident have not been proven. Maines has denied those charges.

SOURCES: Newcastle Magistrates’ Court / prosecution case

VERIFICATION SCORE: 91/100 ✅

26/09/2026

⚠️ DOG FOUND ON FABER ROAD — BUT THERE’S ONE PROBLEM…

A dog has reportedly been found on Faber Road, with the animal appearing to have a name and contact number attached to its collar.

The dog, named Bear, is described as being friendly and is currently with the person who found him.

However, attempts to contact the number attached to Bear’s collar have reportedly gone unanswered.

The finder has shared Bear’s photograph in the hope that someone recognises him and can help reunite him with his owner.

If you know Bear, recognise the dog from the photograph, or know who owns him, please get in touch with the person who made the original post.

Please share locally so this reaches Bear’s owner. 🐾

SOURCES: Original Facebook post supplied to SGM, including photograph and details from the finder.

VERIFICATION SCORE: 65/100 ⚠️ — Based on a first-hand social media post and photograph, but the ownership and contact details have not been independently verified.