Assault charge admitted

A man who admitted assaulting his partner will be sentenced later this month.

Geoffrey Ward, 44, of Chestnut Close, Shildon, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Pamela Fowler between December 24 and 27, when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

The case was adjourned for preparation of pre-sentence reports and Ward, who was remanded in custody, will be sentenced in three weeks.

INQUEST VERDICT: A Shildon man took his own life, South West Durham Coroner Colin Penna ruled yesterday. Mark Woods, who was in his 30s, was found hanging on the stairs at his home, in Jubilee Road, by neighbours on Saturday. He had left a note which was found by police.

SHOP CLOSURE: The Greenwoods clothes shop in Skinnergate, Darlington, will be closed on Tuesday, as a mark of respect to the Queen Mother, whose funeral will be held that day.

HOUSE BURGLED: A Phillips 28in television and remote control, a Phillips videocassette player with remote control, a Phillips hi-fi, a Goodmans digital videodisc player and several Power Devil tools have been stolen from a house in Bede Terrace, Ferryhill.

PLANNING MEETING: A meeting of Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee will be held today at the council offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor, at 10am.

VALLEY WALK: An eight-mile walk through the Gaunless Valley to Toft Hill starts from the car park in West Auckland, near the post office, at 10.30am tomorrow. Pre-booking is not necessary, but there is a charge of £2 for adults and £1 for children and pensioners, payable at the start.

GOODS STOLEN: A 25in colour television, a Ferguson videocassette recorder, a Thompson digital videodisc player and Sony PlayStation console, worth a total of £700, were taken from a house in High Street, West Cornforth, between 5.50pm on March 27 and 11.15am on Wednesday.

ARTISTIC FLOURISH: An artist will complete a painting in front of an audience at The Cornmill Centre, Darlington, next week. Megan Burford's work will be on display thanks to Crown Fine Arts, which promotes local artists.

MARKET DAY: The Salvation Army citadel in Northgate, Darlington, is holding a mini-market on Saturday, April 20, from 10am to noon.

IT CLUB: Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, Darlington, is running a children's computing course for nine to 12-year-olds. For details call (01325) 461315.

MILITARY EXHIBITION: The Darlington Military Modelling Society is holding an exhibition on Saturday, April 13, at The Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington.

ROAD WORKS: Traffic lights will be operating in Abbey Road, Sadberge, from Monday for five days, to allow Northumbrian Water to carry out pipeline work