You are welcome Sophie. Please do let us know if you do manage to find an article about your ancestor when you visit the library. I hope you are possibly able to find a gravestone too.
Just to speed things up when you arrive at the Archives looking for the criminal mugshots album I have found some references for you. I am sure you will have a lot of things to cover in the short time you are here so I am hoping this will give you a head start.
I would also bring some ID just in case they ask for this. I have asked the staff about a day photography pass and I have been told this is £10. You can always look at the photos first before you decide to go ahead with buying the day photography pass.
The reference you will need to get the album is:
DX1388/1
In the huge album -
John George Battista is on Page 166 - date 30.1.10 & also on Page 232 - date 9.6.13
John looks like he has lost a little weight in the second photo and has a longer fringe but I believe he is the same man.
Lily Spence @ Battista is on Page 190 - date 22.3.12
Robert Guthrie is on Page 212 - date is also 22.3.12
Note there is another Robert Guthrie on Page 133 - date 23.7.08 - however, I am not at all sure this is the same man.
The Shields Daily News paper at North Shields library, local studies department may be able to give some clues. This newspaper is at the North Shields library. It is a while back since I looked at the write ups but as I recall the 'crime' by Lily and Robert jointly (conviction date 22.3.12) was for receiving stolen goods.