A MAN has appeared in court charged with possession of an offensive weapon following an incident at a North-East horse fair.

Thomas Watson was arrested in Copeland Road, West Auckland, County Durham, carrying two knuckledusters following the incident on May 30.

The 19-year-old, from Black Lane, Wheatley Hill, admitted buying the knuckledusters and carrying them when he appeared at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court yesterday. He would not say why he bought them.

He was fined £150 and ordered to pay £34 costs as well as having to forfeit the knuckledusters.

Four other men have been released on police bail pending further inquiries after someone reported hearing gunshots in the early hours of Sunday, May 30 at Seagraves Horse Fair, in West Auckland.

John Riley, 21, of Lime Tree Avenue, Doncaster, has been charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and violent disorder, and Patrick William Watson, 26, of Applegarth Bungalow, also Doncaster, has been charged with violent disorder.

Both men appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court earlier this month and are due to appear at Teesside Crown Court on Tuesday, June 29.