A FAMILY accused of hiring a hitman to assassinate a rival will be retried in the new year.

Arthur Pattinson, 42, is said to have been paid by the Anderson family to murder Stanley Creswell in a drive-by shooting. All the men accused of being involved deny conspiracy to murder, as well as other charges, and have been tried at Newcastle Crown Court over the past six weeks.

But after deliberating for more than five days, Mr Justice Fulford discharged the jury from the case when they sent him a note saying they were deadlocked.

The case was brought back to court yesterday where the judge set a date of next January 17 for the new trial.

The jury had heard how the assassination attempt failed when the bullet passed through Mr Creswell's arm.

Mr Pattinson is said to have been hired to kill Mr Creswell, 36, following a long-running feud with William "Ike" Anderson, 29, over £60,000.

During the trial, jurors heard how "Ike" fled to the Dominican Republic a few days before the shooting after threatening Mr Creswell with an imitation pistol.

His father, William Anderson, 55, and uncles Stanley Anderson, 43, and Thomas Anderson, 47, were said to have continued with the feud.

Stanley Anderson, of North View, Easington Lane, near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside, maintained his not guilty plea throughout the trial. He was cleared of all charges last week.

William Anderson, of High Street, Easington Lane, admitted two charges of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He denies conspiracy to harass and conspiracy to murder.

Thomas Anderson, of Borrowdale Street, Hetton, William Anderson, and Pattinson, of Striding Edge, Washington, all deny conspiracy to harass and conspiracy to murder.