ONE of two inmates involved in a Christmas Day confrontation has now pleaded guilty to charges arising from the clash.

Paul Oliver, 23, and 21-year-old Sharif Kalimba were to have faced trial over their respective roles in the incident at Durham Prison, on December 25, 2017.

They came to loggerheads on a landing, with both alleged to have been in possession of improvised weapons at the time.

Prison staff managed to intervene to prevent the incident developing further.

Oliver, from Westcott Street, Stockton, previously denied being in possession of an unauthorised weapon in prison, a razor blade moulded onto a plastic fork, and causing an affray.

Appearing at a further hearing at Durham Crown Court, via video link from HMP Hewell, in Worcestershire, Oliver changed pleas to guilty to both offences.

The court was told Oliver is now serving a 14-year-sentence for a series of offences, including a machete attack on a woman, imposed at Cambridge Crown Court, in May last year.

Amrit Jandoo, mitigating, said Oliver is being assessed for a potential transfer to Roseberry Park Hospital, a mental health facility in Middlesbrough.

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned sentence pending completion of the assessment and remanded Oliver to remain in custody.