THE following cases were heard at Peterlee and Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Courts in the last week.

LEE JAMES BARGATE, 49, was discharged conditionally for 12 months after he breached a non-molestation order in Darlington on November 20. The Sissons Place, Middleton resident, was ordered to pay a £22 victim surcharge and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

SHANE MICHAEL LOWTHER, 30, of West Broke Villas, Darlington, was convicted of assaulting two police officers on August 4 at Thornley, in east Durham. Lowther was given a 16-week prison sentence and ordered to pay £100 compensation.

BILLIE JOE SMYTH, of Seventh Street, Bracklhall Colliery, was fined £50 for breaching a domestic violence protection notice on November 22. The 29-year-old pleaded guilty.

DARRAN SHAUN PATRICK WILSON, 36, of Longfield Road, Darlington, drove a Renault Scenic whilst banned from driving. The incident took place on November 22, on Whessoe Road. He also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and driving without insurance. Wilson was handed a 12-week consecutive prison sentence and made to pay £128 to fund victim services.

RICHARD LEE BENN, 30, was discharged conditionally for 12 months after he was caught driving at Thinford on November 20, while disqualified from driving. Benn, of Coppice Road, Highfields, pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay £22 to fund victim services and given six penalty driving points.

JACK RIDDELL, 19, of Sledmore Drive, Spennymoor, was caught in possession of a knife in a public place on October 2. He indicated a plea of guilt and was given a community order requiring him to undergo rehabilitation. He was also made to pay £95 to fund victim services and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

DARRYL ANTHONY HENRY, of Shelley Road, Darlington, was caught in possession of class A drugs on June 7. The 26-year-old indicated a plea of guilt and was discharged conditionally for 12 months and made to pay a £22 victim surcharge. Henry was also ordered to pay £85 court costs.

PAUL ANTHONY GRAHAM was handed a community order after he assaulted a police officer at Willington, on October 2. The 36-year-old indicated a plea of guilt and was ordered to pay £100 compensation. Graham of Hall Lane Estate, Willington, was also made to pay a £95 victim surcharge. He also pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on that same date at Hall Lane Estate. Graham was given no separate penalty.

CLAIRE LOUISE VENISON, 41, of Bridge Street, Howden-le-Wear, stole a bottle of vodka from Aldi in Crook on July 27. She pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay £14 compensation a £95 victim surcharge and £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

COLIN MAY, of High Barnes, Great Lumley, was given an eight-week prison sentence after he breached a restraining order on November 5, of this year. The 29-year-old indicated a plea of guilt.

JOHN OLIVER THOMPSON, 37, stole a Stanley tool bag and its contents on November 21, at Ferryhill. The Kitchener Terrace, Ferryhill resident, was handed a community order ordering him to undergo rehabilitation. Thompson was also caught in possession on cocaine a day later.