A woman has admitted charges arising from a street confrontation in which one person was stabbed and another assaulted outside a launderette.

Rachel Elaine Shaw was arrested following the incident on Sunderland Road, Gilesgate Moor, Durham, shortly before 5pm, on Tuesday June 13.

Armed police, paramedics, firefighters and an air ambulance all attended the scene, outside the Old Cinema Launderette, on Marshall Terrace, where a cordon was put in place.

A woman was taken to hospital suffering injuries, described at the time as, “serious, but not life-threatening”.

Read more: Woman named and appears in court over Gilesgate stabbing

The 43-year-old defendant was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assaulting another woman by beating and having a bladed article, a knife, in public, on Marshall Terrace.

She, subsequently, appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe when the charges were not put to her, but she was remanded in custody, at Low Newton Women's Prison, near Durham, and the case was sent to be heard at the city's crown court.

Shaw was produced at the court for today’s (Monday July 17) plea hearing, when she admitted the knife possession and assault charges.

She pleaded not guilty to wounding with intent, however, but, instead, did admit the slightly less serious offence of unlawful wounding.

Jonathan Harley, prosecuting, said he would have to consult with the reviewing Crown lawyer to see if those admissions, on that basis, would be considered acceptable.

Mr Harley appeared back before the court later in the morning session to confirm those pleas were, now, “acceptable” to the Crown.

Read more: Woman charged after stabbing in Gilesgate at launderette

Tony Davis, for the defendant, told the court there was, “a significant background” to the case and said the defence has instructed a consultant psychologist to draw up a report on Shaw prior to the sentencing hearing, but that it may take several weeks for it to be concluded.

Judge James Adkin said he would also require a background report to be prepared by the Probation Service prior to the sentencing hearing.

Addressing Shaw, Judge Adkin said: “You have pleaded guilty to charges which in my view should be enough.

“The next stage is for you to be sentenced and that won’t happen until the court knows more about you and your background.

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“Just because I’m adjourning for those reports should not be taken as any indication as to what the sentence will be.

“On any view you are walking across the street with a knife to engage in a fight and then you engage in a fight with a knife.”

Judge Adkin remanded Shaw, of Kepier Crescent, Durham, to return to custody until the sentencing hearing, which was agreed will take place at the court, on September 1.