A YOUTH smashed a police car window by headbutting it five times after discovering his girlfriend had been unfaithful, a court heard yesterday.

The 17-year-old shouted abuse at police and had to be restrained after officers were called to the domestic row on the night of April 27.

Darlington Youth Court also heard how one of the officers feared for his safety, after suspecting the teenager was concealing a weapon in his jacket.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said:"He refused to answer the officer's questions, and was told to calm down, but he became more agitated.

"He put his hand inside his jacket, and appeared to be trying to pull something out. The officer feared for his safety, and took him to the floor."

Mr Grogan said the youth kicked the police car window when they tried to put him inside, before headbutting it.

Nigel Boddy, mitigating, said: "At the time, he was suffering from the most severe provocation, in that he had just found out his girlfriend had been unfaithful."

The youth pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour and damaging a police car. Magistrates adjourned sentencing until a later date.