A FORMER Chairman of Darlington Football Club is due back before the courts in December to appeal against his conviction for harassment.

In a short virtual hearing at Teesside Crown Court today, it was agreed that George Reynolds’s appeal will be heard on December 17 back at Teesside.

The appeal was due to be heard sooner, but has been delayed several times by the coronavirus pandemic.

The court heard today that a representative of Mr Reynolds has recently been working in a building in Newcastle where people had contracted coronavirus.

That, coupled with Mr Reynolds age, 84, and the fact that he is living in tier two restricted area, meant that the appeal was rescheduled again.

Mr Reynolds, of Monument Court, Durham, was found guilty of harassing a Durham County Councillor over a planning row.

He lodged his appeal following the conviction at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in September last year.