A CARE worker confronted the parents of her sister's partner after a car damage incident, a court heard.

Joanne Wray, 26, of Appleby Close, Darlington, was found guilty of a public order offence by magistrates and was fined £207, ordered to pay £200 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

The court heard she was 'extremely protective' of her family.

She had been in a violent relationship in the past and didn't want her sister to go through the same thing, the court was told.

Wray was concerned about her sister's safety after her car was damaged but accepted she should not have confronted the man's parents 'in a temper'.