A JUDGE told a man he was “very sensible” to plead guilty to a series of attacks on a woman.

Carl Turner admitted three counts of assault by beating in respect of the victim, the offences occurring in May this year.

The 27-year-old of Meadow Lane, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, appeared at Teesside Crown Court via a video link from Holme House Prison, Stockton.

Judge Sean Morris had stood the case down for a short while so Turner could hold discussions with his barrister.

The court was told that the defendant had received psychiatric help while on remand in prison and a longer than usual report needed to be compiled on him before he could be sentenced.

Turner will be sentenced next month.