A COUNCILLOR is due to go on trial charged with assault.

Stephen Akers-Belcher, who serves on Hartlepool Borough Council, is accused of assaulting two men on November 3 last year.

The councillor appeared at Teesside Magistrates' Court alongside Lewis Akers.

Mr Akers is facing two further charges, one of assault and another of criminal damage caused in a police station.

Mr Akers-Belcher, 41, of Westbrooke Avenue, Hartlepool, and Mr Akers, 28, of Conway Walk, Hartlepool, appeared in court together for the short hearing on Friday afternoon.

Their legal representative Neil Taylor told the court that both had attended court despite police sending details to the wrong addresses.

The pair are due to appear at Peterlee Magistrates' Court for trial on October 16.

They were both released on unconditional bail until the trial.