A MAN accused of attempted murder will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to the lesser charge of wounding with intent.
Barry Gardener confessed to attacking a woman in the early hours of October 27 in the Coatham area of Redcar, east Cleveland, when he appeared in court on Thursday.
The prosecution will offer no evidence on attempted murder when he returns to Teesside Crown Court to be sentenced on May 16.
Gardener, 36, of Cleveland Street, Redcar, appeared in front of Judge Simon Bourne-Arton, QC, on a live video-link from Durham Prison.
Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said: “A psychiatric report indicates he is fit for a determinate sentence, and there do not appear to be any mental health issues, other than depressive episodes around the time of the offence.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here