Charges over sword incident

A man has been charged with various offences following an alleged hostage incident near Sunderland.

Officers were called to Fence Houses, near Washington, after reports that two men, one man wielding a sword, were trying to steal cars.

And a man was allegedly held hostage for a short time at his house in Shiny Row.

A 23-year-old man from Houghton-le-Spring has been charged with false imprisonment, attempted kidnap, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of a controlled drug.

He will appear before Houghton magistrates on Tuesday.

Northumbria Police are interviewing a second man about the incidents, which happened on Sunday.

A police spokesman said a sword and a knife were recovered from the scene.