A TEENAGER landed himself in it when he tried to snatch a mobile phone from a ten-year-old boy.

The youngster put up a struggle and his attacker fell into a pile of dog dirt. It happened in Stockton Road, Hartlepool, at 5.15pm on Thursday. The empty-handed and smelly mugger ran off. He is thought to be about 16, but no further description is available. Anyone who has information is asked to call Cleveland Police on (01642) 326 326.

FERRY JUMP: An immigrant who was refused entry to the UK became so desperate that he jumped off the ferry taking him out of the country. The 25-year-old Lithuanian arrived in the North-East on a ship from Scandinavia yesterday morning, but was refused permission to land. He was put on a DFDS ferry leaving North Tyneside for Gothenburg, Sweden. But at 3.10pm, as the ship began to pull away from the harbour, the man leapt off the deck and into the River Tyne. He was picked up by a passing yacht and taken ashore by the Tynemouth inshore lifeboat. He has been detained by police.

STABBING CHARGE: A teenager appeared in court yesterday accused of stabbing a man in the neck. Damian Sharkey, 19, of Solgrave, Washington, near Sunderland, appeared at Houghton Magistrates' Court charged with wounding with intent. It follows an incident in the early hours of Thursday, when a 47-year-old was stabbed in Shafto Terrace, Washington Concord. He recovered in Sunderland General Hospital and has been discharged.

DRIVER NAMED: The man killed in Wednesday's car accident near Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, has been named. He was Colin Tyreman, 39, from Rosedale Crescent, Loftus, in Cleveland. He was driving three people in a white Toyota Corolla from Marton to Keldholme when he lost control. The car collided with a tree and ended up in the path of a blue Honda Civic at about 10.30pm. Witnesses are asked to call police on (01723) 509555.

DRUGS FARM: Police uncovered a cannabis farm in a raid yesterday. Officers raided an address in Walker, Newcastle, and recovered 50 cannabis plants, with a street value of £10,000. No arrests were made.

ROAD CLOSED: Part of the Central Motorway near the Tyne Bridge, in Newcastle, will be closed for seven hours overnight on Thursday. The closure will affect the A167 from Newbridge Street to Swan House to allow work to take place.

BALLET CLASS: The Birmingham Royal Ballet will hold a masterclass for young dancers at the Empire Theatre, High Street West, Sunderland, on Tuesday, from 1pm to 3pm. To join, call 0191-514 2517.

TOON AIR: New Belgian airline SN Brussels has become the sponsor of Newcastle United's Youth Academy.

SHOPPING HOURS: Gateshead's MetroCentre will be open on Bank Holiday Monday from 10am to 6pm.