A MAN who torched the home he shared with his partner because they had a row was jailed for a year yesterday.

Stephen Lincoln, 20, set fire to the curtains of the flat in Coquet Avenue, South Shields, after an argument with Helen Bell on July 13, causing £1,000 worth of damage. Lincoln, now of St Cuthbert's Avenue, South Shields, admitted arson.

MURDER CHARGE: A teenager accused of murdering a neighbour at his 18th birthday party has made his first appearance at crown court. David Mitchell, 18, is accused of stabbing Paul Best as he celebrated at his home in North Crescent, Easington Village, County Durham, earlier this month. No plea was taken during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday and Mr Mitchell, also of North Crescent, spoke only to confirm his name. He was remanded in custody until April 18.

SHOTGUN RAID: Armed robbers escaped with cash after holding up a supermarket. Two men raided the Kwik Save store, in the Sunderland Retail Park, on Thursday, at about 7.55pm, just before closing time. The pair, one brandishing a sawn-off shotgun, forced their way into the cash office, and made off with a bag of money. The pair fled in a T-registration, dark estate car, believed to have been fitted with a roofrack.

PEACE RESOLUTION: A Labour-run council has added its voice to the anti-war movement. Gateshead Council yesterday agreed a resolution on the Iraqi crisis. The Labour resolution - supported by the Liberal Democrats - argued that a pre-emptive attack on Iraq was neither necessary nor justified and that it would produce incalculable risks to international peace and stability.

MISSING CAT: RSPCA worker June Levey is anxious to trace the owner of a white tortoiseshell cat, found three weeks ago in a coal yard at Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire. The cat, believed to be a year old, has distinctive paws with an extra claw. Its owner is asked to call (01609) 776652.

BRIDGE DELAYS: Fans heading to the Stadium of Light for the Sunderland game against Middlesbrough this afternoon face delays as Wearmouth Bridge, which is being re-painted, will be reduced to one lane in each direction from 12.30pm. Following the match, all four lanes will be open.

ROAD CLOSED: North Road, Rainton Bridge, County Durham, will be closed between Mill Terrace and Suffolk Street, Hetton-le-Hole, tomorrow, for carriageway strengthening work. Drivers will be able to use Gillas Lane, Houghton Road and Bog Row instead.

MANFREDS VISIT: Sixties band Manfred Mann, now known as The Manfreds, will perform at the Gala Theatre, Durham, on Monday, March 24, at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17 and £14.50 and are available on 0191-332 4042.

LIFE SHOW: An exhibition based on the BBC wildlife series The Life of Mammals will be staged at the International Centre for Life, Times Square, Newcastle, from Thursday until Sunday, March 2.