The following cases were heard by Darlington magistrates yesterday:

ASSAULT CHARGE: Rachel Milne, 20, of Whytebridge Drive, Darlington pleaded guilty to assaulting Catherine Hamilton.

Magistrates heard that Milne had been upset at the death of a close relative on the day she hit Miss Hamilton.

She was given a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay £75 compensation and £55 costs.

CASE ADJOURNED: The case against Richard Miller, 26, of Brinkburn Avenue, Darlington has been adjourned till February 4 at 10am.

He is charged with using threatening or abusive behaviour and resisting arrest on January 12. Miller was granted unconditional bail.

GUILTY PLEA: Tracey Simmons, 26, of Abbotsfield Way, Darlington, admitted a charge of fear or provocation of violence on January 14.

She was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £55 costs.

HEARING ADJOURNED: Edward Rogers, 50, of Willow Place, Darlington, appeared before the court charged with assaulting Raymond Kirwan on November 26. The case was adjourned until February 4.

PLEA ENTERED: Terrence Brannigan, 50, of Verdun Terrace, Ferryhill, denied charges of failing to provide a breath specimen, and driving without insurance, a licence and test certificate. The case was adjourned until March 4.

CHARGE WITHDRAWN: A charge of driving without insurance against Francis Kirby, 39, of Bourlon Barracks, Catterick Garrison, was withdrawn.

BOUND OVER: Karen Hodgson, 33 and Shaun Ashton, 32, of Kensington Gardens, Darlington agreed to be bound over for 12 months.

Charges against them of being drunk and disorderly on January 11 were withdrawn.

GUILTY PLEAS: Neil Chapman, 29, of Langdale Road, Darlington admitted possession of three Ecstacy tablets, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and failing to stop after an accident.

Sentencing was adjourned until February 20, and Chapman was granted bail.

REVIEW DATE: A pre-trial review will be held on March 4 regarding the case of David Milburn, 37, of Fulford Place, Darlington, who denied a charge of harassment of Lesley Milburn.

SHOP THEFT: A heroin addict told the magistrates that he was under stress when he stole aftershave from a shop.

Martin Hill, 25, of Langdale Road, Darlington said he and his wife were undergoing fertility treatment when he stole the goods from House of Fraser in Darlington on January 16.

Hill was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £60 costs.

PLEAS ENTERED: James Harris, of Shearwater Avenue, Darlington, denied using threatening or abusive behaviour in Garden Street, Darlington. The case was adjourned until March 4. Harris was granted bail.

GUILTY PLEA: Martin Kelly, 39, of Minors Crescent, Darlington, admitted stealing three toys from Boyes in Darlington on December 24. The case was adjourned until February 20 for pre-sentence reports