A MAN appeared in court yesterday on charges stemming from a four-hour siege in which a newsagent's shop assistant was allegedly held at knifepoint.
Thomas John Fletcher, 27, also known as Jordan Hunter, of Gateshead, came before the town's magistrates charged with false imprisonment, affray and possession of an offensive weapon.
The case was adjourned and he was remanded in custody to appear at Newcastle Crown Court next Monday.
He was arrested after the peaceful conclusion of the incident, at Jackson Street News, which led to police sealing off an area of Gateshead town centre for several hours on Saturday morning.
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