The following cases were heard by South Durham magistrates sitting in Darlington yesterday.

WARRANTS ISSUED: Warrants without bail were issued for Ian McCallum, 29, of Neasham Road, George Archer Bell, 36, of North Road, Jason Noble, 30, of Easson Road, and Andrew Vickers, 31, of Cavendish Drive, all Darlington, after they failed to attend court.

All have been found guilty of motoring offences, including driving without insurance and without an MoT certificate.

CONDITIONAL DISCHARGE: A woman who pleaded guilty to shoplifting from Morrisons supermarket was given a six-month conditional discharge by magistrates.

Patricia Dowd, 49, of Bluebell Close, Newton Aycliffe, admitted stealing goods worth more than £24 in August. She was ordered to pay £50 costs.

CHARGES WITHDRAWN: Charges of driving without insurance and without an MoT certificate against Richard Ferguson, 20, of Gleneagles Road, Darlington, were withdrawn.

Mr Ferguson also faces two further charges - failing to produce his licence and having a rear windscreen which was not safety glass. The case was adjourned until April 14.

CASE ADJOURNED: The case against Stewart Savage, 23, of The Fairway, Darlington, was adjourned until May 8.

Mr Savage is accused of breaching a 180-hour community punishment order imposed for taking a car without consent.

CHARGE DROPPED: A speeding charge against Stuart Blackett, 31, of Canney Hill, Bishop Auckland, was discontinued.

BREACH ADMITTED: Anthony Price, 24, of Middleton Street, Darlington, admitted breaching a nine-month community rehabilitation order. The case was adjourned until April 26.