A CROWN Court judge will appear at court next week accused of failing to keep her dog under proper control.

Judge Beatrice Bolton has been summoned by police to appear at Alnwick Magistrates Court on July 28.

The 56-year-old, from Rothbury, Northumberland, who is based at Newcastle Crown Court, has not been sitting this week.

The alleged incident happened on May 31 in Rothbury, close to where the judge lives.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "A 56-year-old woman has been reported for summons in respect of failing to keep a dog owned by her under proper control."

A spokesman for the Judicial Communications Office said: "Judge Bolton has not been suspended and she is on leave at the moment.

"She is not sitting but has not been suspended."