Newcastle driver badly beaten in van

A man suffered serious neck injuries when he was assaulted while sitting in his van on Tyneside.

Police said the 48-year-old was found by local residents in Howlett Hall Road, Newcastle, on Friday.

He was in hospital in a serious but "stable" condition, police said. They believe the attacker may have driven off in the direction of Denton Road.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said the attack appeared to be "completely unprovoked" and appealed for witnesses.