A woman is to stand trial in the New Year accused of causing a deep facial slash injury in an encounter with another female.

Claire Louise Makepeace is accused of inflicting the knife wound on the other woman in Chester-le-Street, on Tuesday, November 21 this year.

Appearing at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court just prior to Christmas, the 41-year-old defendant, of Twelfth Avenue, Chester-le-Street, denied a charge of wounding with intent.

The Northern Echo:

Prosecuting counsel Lee Fish told the court: “The allegation is that this lady (the complainant) was attacked with a knife in circumstances where there’s evidence that this was planned due to evidence of messages, which the defendant doesn’t accept sending.”

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A timetable was agreed in the case, in which the prosecution must submit its evidence by January 12, with a defence statement to be filed by February 9, culminating in a trial, estimated to run for two days, starting at the court on Wednesday, May 1.

Recorder Gurdial Singh adjourned the hearing and remanded the defendant to remain in custody.

Defence counsel Tony Davis said he planned to lodge a bail application on the defendant’s behalf to a judge sitting in chambers in due course.