A MAN whose arrest prompted police to call out bomb disposal experts has been charged with a several offences.

The drama unfolded shortly after 11pm on Wednesday, when a vehicle failed to stop for police on Old Durham Road, Gateshead.

The vehicle crashed on the A194 at Follingsby and a man, 43, was arrested.

An investigation to a number of nearby addresses where a man and a woman were found to have suffered injuries following an assault.

They were taken to hospital where the man remains in a critical but stable condition.

The woman’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

During a search of an address on Northbourne Street, Gateshead, police discovered a number of suspicious items and called in the bomb squad.

Residents living nearby were temporarily evacuated while police ensured the area was safe.

After tests were carried out on the items, it was deemed there was no wider threat to the public and an investigation into the items is ongoing.

Ian Hood, 43, of Northbourne Street, Gateshead, was due to appear before magistrates in South Tyneside on Friday.

He has been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, causing grievous bodily harm with intent, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, no insurance use and failing to provide a specimen.