A MAN has admitted carrying out a street stabbing in Stanley in July.

But the accused, 32-year-old Craig Ward, claims his actions were in response to the victim throwing rocks at his mother’s home in the Hollyhill Gardens area, on Saturday July 10, this year.

Ward is said to have emerged from the house armed with the knife before inflicting several stab wounds on the victim, who was taken to Newcastle’s royal Victoria Infirmary for treatment.

Appearing via video link from Durham Prison, where he has been on remand, Ward, of Memorial Homes, in Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, admitted having a bladed article in public.

He denied wounding with intent but admitted the slightly less serious charge of unlawful wounding.

Christine Egerton, prosecuting, said she would relay those pleas to Crown reviewing lawyers for consideration.

Judge James Adkin adjourned for a provisional trial date in the week beginning December 20, but remanded Ward in custody pending a pre-trial hearing, on December 10.

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