A DOMESTIC violence counsellor attacked his former girlfriend with a picture frame, a court heard yesterday.

Former JP Paul Geldart is said to have thrown the picture frame at Melanie Lumsden on August 26, 2002.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that he had been assigned to be Miss Lumsden's domestic violence counsellor by Darlington Women's Refuge.

Robin Turton, prosecuting, said their relationship became intimate, although it had later been broken off by Miss Lumsden.

On the day in question, Miss Lumsden was at her friend Sharon Hardy's house when Mr Geldart arrived in an aggressive and agitated mood.

Mr Turton said: "Despite their efforts to calm him down, his temper got worse and ultimately he picked up a photo frame, raised it above his head and threw it at Miss Lumsden. It struck her on the right side of her head."

He said Mr Geldart, 46, admitted in police interview throwing the picture frame, but said it was an accident.

The court heard from Dr Vinod Kumar Daripally, who treated Miss Lumsden.

He described a 2cm cut to her head, which required three staples, a 2cm cut to her right cheek and a superficial cut to her eye.

Mr Geldart, of Hercules Street, Darlington denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The case continues.