TWO men have appeared in court charged in connection with a series of criminal damage offences on Christmas Day.

An investigation was launched following a string of incidents which saw individuals smashing car and house windows in Shiney Row and Houghton-le-Spring last month.

The incidents all happened between 8.30pm and 10.30pm on Leyburn Grove, `and on Ross Lea in Shiney Row.

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A team of detectives have been carrying out a range of enquiries into the crime spate, and on Thursda) two men were arrested in connection with the damages.

Tony Plows, 29, of no fixed abode, and Gareth Husband, 22, of Queensway, Houghton-le-Spring, are both charged with three counts of criminal damage.

They appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Detective Sergeant Alan Whittle, of Northumbria Police, said: “Since our public appeal a fortnight ago, we have received some excellent intelligence and information about this unacceptable crime spate.

“We are committed to ensuring anybody responsible is brought to justice, and our enquiries have led us to identifying two individuals who were arrested and have now been charged.

“I would ask that people avoid any speculation in the community or on social media that could jeopardise the ongoing legal proceedings.

“We are continuing to carry out patrols in the area and will use every tactic at our disposal in order to tackle this type of offending. Anyone with concerns or who has information about what happened on the evening of December 25 is asked to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page of our website or by calling 101 quoting log NP-20211225-0595. Alternatively, you can pass on information via independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by ringing 0800 555 111.

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