A DOMESTIC violence counsellor and former magistrate yesterday denied being "obsessed" with the woman he is accused of assaulting.

Former Darlington councillor Paul Geldart told Durham Crown Court he had "fallen" for Melanie Lumsden but claimed it was no infatuation.

Mr Geldart, 44, was speaking under cross-examination by prosecuting barrister Robin Turton on the third day of his trial.

He denies assaulting Miss Lumsden, causing her actual bodily harm. He is alleged to have thrown a picture frame at her during a row, causing facial injuries.

Mr Geldart told the court he simply flung the frame backwards as he made his way from the bedroom of a friend of Miss Lumsden, in Mitchell Street, Darlington, following the confrontation on August 26, last year.

Miss Lumsden claims he thrust it at her in anger from short range.

Mr Geldart, of Hercules Street, Darlington, told the court the relationship began after he was contacted by Miss Lumsden last year because of voluntary work he performed with a domestic violence unit in the town.

They split on July 9, as Mr Geldart was unhappy that she was seeing a former boyfriend, who he said had assaulted her.

But he said Miss Lumsden rang him on August 26 and he invited her to his house "to talk".

On arrival, he said she began removing her clothes and he told her not to, although he said they did kiss and hug passionately.

He said they arranged to meet, but shortly afterwards he saw her in a car with her ex-boyfriend and felt "upset".

Mr Geldart said he went to confront her at the house in Mitchell Street.

"I was totally upset and humiliated and I wanted to know why," he said.

He said he hated violence and would never have deliberately hurt Miss Lumsden.

The trial continues.