A WOMAN admitted attempting to intimidate a witness in a case in which her boyfriend was acquitted.

Jane Reeks was seen banging on the door of a house in Trafford Close, Darlington, late at night last November.

Durham Crown Court heard she demanded to be let in to see a woman who alleged her boyfriend, Neil Muttrie, indecently touched her.

He was accused of groping a woman who bent over to pick up a mobile phone outside the Mardi Gras club, in Gladstone Street, Darlington, in March.

The court heard that Mr Muttrie was heard telling Reeks that she was not helping his case as he attempted to escort her away. The wing mirror of a car parked outside the house was damaged in the incident.

Jim Withyman, prosecuting, said the woman Reeks wanted to see was not at the house, although her younger sister was woken by her shouting.

Reeks, 24, admitted a charge of attempting to intimidate a witness at an earlier hearing, but she could not be dealt with until the outcome of Mr Muttrie's trial for the alleged indecent assault.

Mr Muttrie, 21,of Mallory Court, Darlington, denied the charge and was yesterday found not guilty after a three-day trial.

He was discharged with a defendants' costs order made in his favour.

Reeks, of Kempton Court, Darlington, was then called and given a one-year conditional discharge, but ordered to pay £100 for the damage to the wing mirror.

Recorder Jonathan Aitken said had she done more than just bang at the door and shout, she would have faced a more serious sentence.