A DARLINGTON man has pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a man before stabbing him in the back.

Lewis Firth also admitted assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest following the incident on Newton Lane, Darlington, last month.

Additionally, the 19-year-old, of Whitby Way, Darlington, admitted a charge of possession of an offensive weapon when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court yesterday in connection with the incident on October 5.

Judge Peter Armstrong heard that the defendant wanted to plead not guilty to a charge of wounding with intent but enter a plea of guilty to the lesser charge of grievous bodily harm.

The judge adjourned the hearing until November 25 to allow the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to accept the guilty plea to the lesser offence and whether any additional charges were to be laid.

Firth was remanded in custody until his next hearing at the court and the judge requested that a pre-sentence report be prepared.