A MAN appeared in court yesterday charged with the attempted rape of a teenage girl.

Ian Cairns, 19, of Wensleydale Avenue, Usworth, Washington, Wearside, is accused of attacking the 17-year-old on October 10 last year. He entered a not guilty plea at Newcastle Crown Court and will be tried on July 1. Mr Cairns was granted conditional bail to a hostel in Newcastle.

MURDER CHARGE: A man has appeared at Crown Court charged with the murder of Kelly Risborough. The 23-year-old mother-of-one, of Pennywell, Sunderland, was found dead at her home on April 22. Leslie Purvis, of Palgrove Road, Sunderland, spoke only to confirm his name during a short hearing at Newcastle Crown Court yesterday. No plea was taken from the 40-year-old and he was remanded in custody until June 7.

CLAPTON CALLS: Mike Hall, the Durham-born Eric Clapton look and sound-alike, will be performing the legendary guitarist's hits at the Billingham Forum, Teesside, next Tuesday, with his band Classic Clapton. The gig is the band's only North-East date. For details, call (01642) 552663.

SCOUT CAMP: More than 800 Scouts and Guides from across the North-East will make camp at Hawkhirst Adventure Camp, on the shores of Kielder Reservoir, Northumberland, from Friday to Monday. The event, which will have a Romans and Reivers theme, will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the camp.

SMOKING BAN: Shoppers will no longer be able to light up while walking between shops on the upper level of The Galleries shopping centre, Washington, near Sunderland. A smoking ban is being introduced but the management will still allow smoking on the lower floor, although it hopes smokers will refrain as much as possible.

SWEET LAUNCH: A new Harry Potter sweet range is being launched in the North-East. Children will be able to pick up a free sample of Harry Potter's Sherbet Lemons from Boyes store, in Darlington, on Tuesday, between 3.15pm and 4.15pm.

VICTIM NAMED: A pedestrian killed in an accident on the A167, in Cowgate, Newcastle, on Tuesday has been named. He was Ronald William Boak, 48, of Moorview Crescent, Cowgate. Police appealed for witnesses to the crash, which involved a Citroen, to contact 0191-214 6555.

HOUSE RAID: A woman was slapped across the face by a raider she surprised in her home in Denton View, Winlaton, Gateshead, early on Tuesday. The victim believed there were other burglars involved, as she heard voices downstairs. A police spokesman said the raiders fled with a quantity of cash and a Rolex watch.

WOMAN FREED: Firefighters freed a woman who became trapped in her bathroom because of a faulty lock. The incident happened at a house in Overfields, Middlesbrough, yesterday.