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

INDECENCY CHARGE: Steven James Beck, 43, of Belvedere Road, Darlington, appeared before magistrates on a charge of indecent assault on a girl under 14. He was remanded on unconditional bail until April 22.

ASSAULT CASE: Garry Keith Turner, 29, of Holmwood Grove, Darlington, and Stephanie Henry, 30, of Easby Close, Darlington, were bound over to keep the peace in the sum of £100 for six months on a charge of common assault.

VIOLENCE CHARGE: Hayley Swift, 18, of Greenbank Court, Darlington, denied a charge of using or threatening unlawful violence. She was remanded on unconditional bail and will appear again on April 18.

THEFT ACCUSATION: Andrea Mairs, 29, of Stooperdale Avenue, Darlington, appeared before the court accused of stealing £800 from her former employer Ponden Mill. She was remanded on unconditional bail to appear before the court again on April 29.

CHARGE DENIED: Mario Bright, 27, of Waverley Terrace, Darlington, denied charges of harassment and criminal damage. He will appear again on April 29 for a pre-trial review. He was remanded on bail with the conditions that he does not directly or indirectly contact the prosecution witnesses.

ASSAULT CHARGE: Andrew Shanaz Hussain, 36, and Scott Ryan, 25, both of Close Street, Darlington, appeared before magistrates on charges of assault and threats of violence. They were remanded on bail, on the condition neither approaches prosecution witnesses. They will appear again on April 15.

HARASSMENT DENIAL: Paul Dixon, of Arthur Street, Darlington, denied charges of harassment between 1994 and 2003 and possessing an offensive weapon on March 21. He was remanded on bail, on the condition that he lives at Arthur Street and does not go within 400 yards of Cartmel Terrace. A further hearing was set for April 29.

DRIVING CHARGES: Sean Woolf, 30, of Westgarth Terrace, Darlington, appeared before magistrates on driving charges, including having no insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The case was adjourned until April 7 and he was remanded on unconditional bail.