Man arrested for reinstating Newcastle’s St James’ Park sign in paint

A 29-year-old man has been arrested for criminal damage after the words St James’ Park were daubed in white paint on a wall where Newcastle owners had yesterday removed some St James’ Park lettering.

The removal of the signage outside the ground was filmed sparking fury among Magpies supporters. Somebody decided to rectify the lettering being taken away by painting the stadium’s ‘former’ name onto the wall.

A Northumbria police spokesman said: “At 1.57am today a man was arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after a wall was vandalised at the Newcastle United ground. Michael Atkinson, 29, of Hareydene, Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, has been charged with criminal damage and is due to appear before Newcastle magistrates on 7 March.”