A COUPLE are to appear at crown court next month after a stabbing incident in which a man suffered serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.

Angus Fitzgerald is alleged to have inflicted the blow with a knife before driving dangerously from the scene, in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, on Friday February 9.

The 54-year-old defendant, of Sycamore Grove, Willington, is accused of wounding with intent to commit grievous bodily harm, possessing an offensive weapon in public and dangerous driving.

His alleged accomplice, thirty-year-old Joanne Sarah Bowser, also of Sycamore Grove, Willington, is charged with affray and aiding and abetting an act of grievous bodily harm with intent.

Both appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates who sent the case to Durham Crown Court, where they are due to appear at a plea and case management hearing, on Tuesday March 13.

Ms Bowser was granted bail by the magistrates, but bail was turned down for her co-accused by a judge at the crown court, and he will remain remanded in custody.