A MAN shot by police has pleaded guilty today to possession of a firearm and said the officer who discharged the weapon was "fully justified" in his actions.

Samuel Houlihan, who was shot during an incident in Etherley Dene, Bishop Auckland, on the morning of Friday, May 25, appeared via video link from the nearby prison, at Durham Crown Court this afternoon.

The 24-year-old, of Linburn Drive, Bishop Auckland, admitted possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and possessing a firearm when prohibited within three years of his release from prison.

Houlihan's barrister, Rod Hunt, said there was a "mental health background" in the case and requested an adjournment for the preparation of a psychiatric report.

He told the court that his client wanted, through him, to apologise to a taxi driver caught up in the incident, and to the firearms officer who shot him.

Mr Hunt said: "As there will be an investigation into the shooting, he would like to make it clear that the officer was fully justified in what he did, and he would like to fully apologise to the taxi driver who was caught up in this."

Agreeing to the adjournment, Judge Christopher Prince said: "Bearing in mind that there will be an ongoing investigation, I have to say it can do no harm at all for the offender to acknowledge that shooting him was the right and proper thing to do and that will be conveyed to the relevant authorities."

Houlihan was remanded to remain in custody and to appear at Durham Crown Court for sentence on August 10.