THE young victim of a stabbing in Darlington suffered potentially life-changing injuries after being stabbed in the kidney, a court heard.

The boy, in his mid-teens, was hurt during an incident in the town on Monday afternoon.

Today, a teenager appeared in court accused of unlawfully and maliciously wounding a young person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, also faces a charge of possession of a knife.

Emergency services were called to Collingsway, in the West Park area of the town, at approximately 12.45pm on Monday following reports of a stabbing.

The injured boy was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he remains with urostomy and colostomy bags fitted.

Prosecutor Ian Martin said: “There was an injury to the kidney and the victim has currently got urostomy and colostomy bags.

“He has potentially significantly life-changing damage to that area of his internal plumbing, so to speak.”

Deputy District Judge Clare Davies, sitting at County Durham and Darlington Magistrates’ Court at Newton Aycliffe, adjourned the case to a youth court at the same court.

She remanded the defendant into secure accommodation until his next court appearance on Friday, June 25.