Hartlepool man charged with killing of Sunderland pensioner

It follows an incident in Newlands Avenue, Tunstall in Sunderland when Joan Barnett, 87, suffered injuries and was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital where she subsequently died.

William Levi Gales, 44, of Borrowdale Street in Hartlepool, also been jointly charged with conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, along with three other men, in connection with four offences involving vulnerable people in the North East.

The three charged with the alleged fraud offences are Phillip Robert Orton, 54, of Windemere Road, Michael Anthony Gales, 27, of Brenda Road and Lee Davidson, 30, of Chepstow Walk, all Hartlepol.

All four men are due to appear before Sunderland Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, April 26.