THE following cases were heard by magistrates sitting in South Durham yesterday;

* Craig Weller, of Albatross Way, Darlington, was fined £60 and ordered to pay £34 court costs after pleading guilty to being abusive and threatening in a public place. The court was shown closed circuit television camera footage of the 23-year-old being aggressive towards a group of people and pushing two men. Weller committed the offence just days before a conditional discharge he was given for a similar crime was about to expire. The court issued a further conditional discharge for 12 months, but warned Weller that he would face a custodial sentence if he committed another offence during the 12-month period.

* Andrew Harrison, of Vernon Gardens, Darlington, has pleaded guilty to ten charges of criminal damage. The 22-year-old had his case adjourned until July 21 for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

* Sarah Redshaw, of Byron Road, Darlington, was fined £60 and ordered to pay court costs of £20 after pleading guilty to theft. The 27-year-old was caught stealing a tub of eye-cream in Boots, in Northgate, Darlington. Redshaw was already the subject of a community rehabilitation order for similar offences committed in January and April. The 12-month order, which the court heard she was complying with, will continue.

* A Darlington man has been banned from the driving for 16 months after pleading guilty to drink-driving. David Britain, of Eggleston View, was also fined £50. The 20-year-old told the court he would enrol on a drink-driving rehabilitation course, which would cost £120 and would mean his ban being reduced by four months. The court warned Britain he could face a prison sentence if he was caught driving while disqualified.

* Robert Royal, of Geneva Road, Darlington, was given a 12-month community rehabilitation order after pleading guilty to breaking into a garage and stealing a motorbike. Under the order, the 21-year-old must complete 100 hours of voluntary work. He was also fined £80. The bike was recovered soon after the theft, in June last year, and returned to its owner.