A woman accused of racially or religiously aggravated harassment will admit a version of the offence after being found fit to plead, a court was told.
The case of Carole Watson was previously adjourned for a mental health assessment to see if she was considered able to enter a plea.
A provisional trial date for the case was pencilled in to be heard at Durham Crown Court in mid-September next year.
She appeared back at the court yesterday (Monday, June 22) when her counsel, Beatrice Allsop, told the hearing that the assessment has now been completed and the finding is that she is considered to be fit to plead.
Miss Allsop said she has discussed the case with the defendant and an offer will be made to plead to a section five version of the charge of racially or religiously aggravated harassment of a woman, said to have taken place in West Cornforth, on June 4, 2024.
She is currently accused of the slightly more serious section four version of intentional harassment to cause alarm or distress.
Miss Allsop said the 65-year-old defendant, of Barmpton Lane, Darlington, has moved away from the West Cornforth area since the alleged incident took place.
“It is also some time ago, now, since the incident occurred.”
Recorder Tony Hawks said it would appear to make sense for the case to be resolved without the need for a trial.
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Caroline McGurk, prosecuting, told the court: “Once the offer of a plea is formally communicated to the Crown Prosecution Service, it will have to be passed on to the officer in the case and he will have to consult with the complainant.”
Recorder Hawks agreed to adjourn the hearing for three weeks to allow that consultation to take place and the decision to be made by the Crown.
Bailing Watson to return to court on Monday July 13, he told her: “I hope there won’t have to be a trial in this case as I’m told you have now moved away from the area where it is said to have taken place.”
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