A CAR passenger was left needing plastic surgery after he was stabbed in the face after the vehicle pulled up to a road junction.

The 20-year-old, from South Stanley, County Durham, was in his father's dark blue Suzuki Vitara at the junction of Avon Road and Durham Road in South Stanley at 1pm on Monday.

Police said that his window was open and while his father was waiting to turn, he was injured in the left cheek.

The stabbing left a deep wound and the victim needed plastic surgery at University Hospital of North Durham.

Witnesses are asked to contact Stanley CID on 0845 60 60 365.

l Francis Burns, 58, of Keir Hardie Avenue, South Stanley, appeared before Consett magistrates charged with wounding on Tuesday. His case was adjourned and he was given conditional bail.