A MAN damaged a door while attempting to get into his girlfriend's house, a court heard yesterday.

Police were called to a house in Hawthorne Road, Sedgefield, in the early hours of December 27, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told.

Christian Lee Hodgson, 26, of Matven Street, Sedgefield, thought his partner was out when he called at 5am. Hodgson, who had been knocking on the front door for some time, put a hole in the rear door while trying to get in, but was unable to get in the interior door.

The police arrived and tried to arrest him on suspicion of burglary. Hodgson, who was trying to get to his girlfriend so she could explain the situation, resisted and was struck on the leg with a baton. The struggle continued in the police vehicle and he was struck again.

Hodgson was eventually charged with criminal damage and resisting arrest, both of which he admitted.

He was fined a total of £150, plus £55 prosecution costs, and ordered to pay £180 compensation to Sedgefield Borough Council for damaging the door.