A Darlington man has been made the subject of a court order after pleading guilty to assaulting his wife.

Keith Cooper, of Cartmell Terrace, is starting an 18-month community rehabilitation order, which will include an awareness course on domestic violence.

The 48-year-old appeared at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday and admitted punching his wife twice in the face and being drunk and disorderly.

Immediately after his arrest, Cooper's wife made a formal complaint to the police saying she had been assaulted the previous day.

The court was told alcohol had played a part in the assault and, since the incident on August 2, he had cut down the amount he drank.

For being drunk and disorderly he was given a 12-month conditional discharge. He was also ordered to pay £35 costs.