A MAN appeared in court after he smashed his partner's window with a baseball bat.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard on Tuesday that Anthony Whittacker was arguing with his partner, in Bishop Auckland, on the night of June 6.

Robert Willoughby, mitigating, said that Whittacker thought his partner was cheating on him and that there were concerns over his drinking.

Whittacker admitted criminal damage but denied a charge of resisting arrest and three charges of assaulting a police officer.

The 25-year-old of Weardale Drive, Bishop Auckland, was sentenced to nine weeks in prison.

He will stand trial for the resist and assault charges on a date to be fixed.

A further charge of failing to surrender to South Durham magistrates on July 3 was withdrawn in light of his sentence.