A MAN, now aged 27, received a four-year prison sentence for having sexual relations with an underage girl, among cases completed at Durham Crown Court, last week.

Richard Jacob Addison, of Freville Street, Shildon, who was 25 at the time of the offences, admitted two counts of sexual activity with a child at a pre-trial hearing, in September, having previously denied the charges.

He was sentenced on Friday by Recorder Richard Thyne, who also made Addison subject of registration as a sex offender, plus a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order, relating to the victim, all for life.

IN another case, inmate Philippa Bligh, 44, originally from Somerset, received a 27-month prison sentence, to be served along with her existing jail term, after admitting unauthorised possession of a bladed item by a prisoner.

It follows the finding of an improvised bladed article in a cell solely occupied by the defendant at Low Newton Prison, Durham, on July 19 this year.

KEVIN Metcalf, 40, of Orchard Court, Bishop Auckland, received a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, also on Friday, after admitting possessing a bladed article in public and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 at a previous hearing.

He must also observe a three-month 9pm to 7am electronically-monitored curfew and undergo 25 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.

Metcalf must pay a £156 statutory surcharge.

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