AN MP has sought to plug a legal loophole, which she says has let child killers escape prosecution.

Vera Baird QC, Labour MP for Redcar, has put down an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Commons. She said: "The present situation is that where two adults have responsibility for a child and are present at the death of that child, and neither will give evidence, then neither can be prosecuted. Under my amendment, it will be possible in future to prosecute both adults as being jointly liable."

COMMON ASSAULT: A sheet metal worker who lashed out at his ex-girlfriend during a row has been ordered to pay her compensation. William Daglish, 35, struck Donna Crollman as she was trying to get away from him in a taxi last year. Newcastle Crown Court heard how Ms Crollman was left with a red and swollen ear after the attack. Daglish, of Suffolk Road, Hebburn, pleaded guilty to common assault at an earlier hearing and sentence was deferred. Judge Beatrice Bolton conditionally discharged Daglish, who has previous conviction for harassment of women, ordered him to pay £500 compensation to Ms Crollman and £175 in court costs.

RACIAL ASSAULT: Police have asked bus passengers to come forward following a racially aggravated assault in Newcastle at 11.05pm on Saturday, March 22. A police spokesman said a 45-year-old man of Arabic origin was assaulted on the 10d bus from North Kenton to West Denton Park, outside Newcastle Central Station. He suffered minor injuries. A 35-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-214 6555 ext 62126.

ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITE: The Northern Echo has launched an entertainment website, which includes listings and reviews for events and festivals in the North. The site includes a gig guide, music, film, book and theatre reviews, a museum and gallery guide, and competitions. The site also has cinema listings and reviews, a television guide, and features the paper's entertainment columnists. Log on to www.entertain mentnortheast.co.uk

EXPLOSIVES ADMITTED: A man appeared in court yesterday and admitted possessing explosives. Anthony Hughes, 31, pleaded guilty to a charge of having an explosive substance on January 7 last year. Sentencing was adjourned for the preparation of reports at Newcastle Crown Court and Hughes, of Foss Way, South Shields, was remanded in custody until May 2.

CAREER JUMP: Olympic triple jumper Jonathan Edwards is joining the content board of communications regulator Ofcom. The 36-year-old presenter of BBC's Songs of Praise, from Newcastle, will be England's representative on the board, responsible for looking at television and radio standards, accuracy and fairness.

NEW SERIES: Robson Green and Cold Feet star Hermione Norris will be in the North to film a second series of Wire in the Blood. Coastal Productions has chosen a warehouse near the Tyne Tunnel to film special effects for the series, to be screened in the autumn.

BRIDGE CLOSURE: The Newport Bride approach road, between Stockton and Middlesbrough, will be closed tomorrow, from 7am to 7pm.