A MAN has admitted putting his ex-girlfriend in fear of violence by harassing her and a further charge of threatening to destroy or damage property.

Martin Saunders, 23, of Pasture Field, Sedgefield, pleaded guilty to the two charges following an appearance at Teesside Crown Court.

The defendant is said to have threatened his ex-girlfriend Louise Wren after entering her house as a trespasser and also made abusive phone calls to her.

He further pleads guilty to threatening to destroy or damage the house and a car belonging to another man, Keith Snowball.

Saunders denies a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm said to have been committed against Ms Wren and an offence of burglary in Skirlaw Road, Newton Aycliffe, in which a mobile phone and house key were allegedly stolen.

All the offences are said to have been committed on March 13. Judge George Moorhouse remanded Saunders in custody and said a date would be fixed later for his trial on the not guilty pleas.