A MAN questioned over an assault on a woman deliberately gave an investigating police officer false details, a court heard.

David Michael Ambler was detained by police in the aftermath of the incident, on Friday August 20, and when asked for his details, gave the officer a false name, date of birth and address.

Ambler, 24, of Woodland View, Shildon, appeared before Newton Aycliffe magistrates three days later, charged with assault by beating and doing an act tending or intended to pervert the course of justice.

He was bailed to appear at Durham Crown Court this week, but he did not attend and so Judge James Adkin issued a bench warrant for his arrest.

The warrant was swiftly activated and Ambler was produced in court the following day, when he admitted both original charges and failing to attend court.

Jane Waugh, for Ambler, asked Judge Ray Singh to grant bail, before sentence, but he refused and remanded him in custody until the hearing, on October 15.

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