A TEENAGER who assaulted a woman has been spared jail.

The 17-year-old girl pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm following an assault outside Blakes pub in Newton Aycliffe in March.

Yesterday, Newton Aycliffe Youth Court heard that the girl, who is from Newton Aycliffe, saw the victim as she was coming out of the pub.

The teenager shouted abuse at the woman and an argument developed, which revolved around rumours that she had once been a lesbian.

A fight broke out and the woman was left with several injuries, including a swollen and black eye, a swollen forehead and bruising across her chest.

The girl's solicitor, Zoe Passfield, said there had been no further trouble since the assault took place and her client hoped to join the RAF.

Ms Passfield said: "In custody she would be associating with young people who have far more criminal elements in their lives."

Magistrates ordered the girl to comply to a three-month referral order and ordered her to pay £100 compensation and £43 costs.