The child was adopted by a Northumberland woman who is dating a prisoner, the Court of Appeal hears.
The Liberal Democrats came first in Newcastle and claimed second place in Sunderland and Gateshead.
Reform's focus on Starmer "paid off in spades", the BBC's North East political editor says.
Reform UK is now the leading power in Gateshead and Labour is left with just 12 councillors.
Voters in four council areas, connected by the Tyne and Wear Metro, give us their election views.
Gateshead Council will have an all-out election on Thursday 7 May where all seats are contested.
Plans for 990 homes by the Metrocentre in Gateshead are to be examined by a government inspector.
The demolition of the flyover is expected to take six months and cause some traffic disruption.
The removal of Computer House gives contractors better access to the doomed A167 Flyover.
