A MAN who has admitted two separate assaults committed only weeks apart, last year, was told to expect to receive a custodial sentence.

The warning was given to Gareth William Walton after he admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and causing grievous bodily harm (gbh) with intent at a hearing at Durham Crown Court.

His pleas were tendered a week before his scheduled trial on the gbh with intent charge at the court.

The first count relates to an assault in which a man was bitten on the chest in Winston Road, Staindrop, on August 15, last year.

In the second incident Walton accepts striking a man getting out of a car with a crow bar, breaking his arm, in Cornforth Lane, Coxhoe, on September 22.

Judge James Adkin asked for preparation of a pre-sentence report on Walton by the Probation Service.

Andrew Finlay, for Walton, said he plans to gather character references on behalf of his client prior to sentencing.

Adjourning, Judge Adkin bailed the 35-year-old defendant, of Albert Street, Shildon, to return for sentence on Tuesday July 13.

But he told him: “You did the right thing by pleading guilty.

“I’m reasonably certain a Durham jury would have found you guilty in this case.

“You should expect to receive a custodial sentence. You should be prepared for that.”