DETECTIVES investigating a suspected shooting in Newcastle have recovered a gun and charged a man.

Last Wednesday police received intelligence that a firearm was discharged on Bentinck Street in Elswick at about 1am.

The incident was not reported to police but officers later became aware that a 19-year-old man was in hospital for injuries consistent with being shot.

In the past week officers have searched multiple addresses across the west end of Newcastle and arrested 12 people. A firearm has also been recovered from the River Tyne.

Kenneth Thompson, 45, of Bentinck Street, Elswick, is charged with possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm to commit an indictable offence and criminal damage.

He appeared before Bedlington Magistrates’ Court on Thursday and was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on September 16.