Murder trial jury moved to hotel

The jury in the trial of Robert Black, a van driver charged with murdering three girls, was last night at an hotel after failing to reach a verdict. The jury will resume its deliberations at Newcastle Crown Court today. He is accused of killing Susan Maxwell, 11, in 1982; Caroline Hogg, 5, in 1983; and Sarah Harper, 10, in March 1986.

Black, 47, formerly of Stamford Hill, north London, denies nine charges arising from these incidents and a 10th of kidnap.