Sentence on a man who has admitted a charge of wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm on a woman has been adjourned to confirm medical evidence as to her injuries.

Mark Bellingham previously admitted the wounding charge, without intent, as opposed to the more serious wounding with intent, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court, in April.

The 41-year-old defendant, of Snowdon Place, Peterlee, appeared via video link from Durham Prison for yesterday’s (Monday June 24) scheduled sentencing hearing.

Judge Richard Bennett immediately asked prosecution counsel Jonathan Harley about the evidence relating to the victim’s injuries.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

In the prosecution opening of the case it is said she suffered two fractured cheekbones, arising from the incident at an address in Horden, on October 31, last year.

Mr Harley said it was taken from a conversation with the complainant in which she confirmed she suffered two broken cheekbones and may require surgery.

But in the victim impact statement prepared for the hearing she is said to have made no reference to the injuries.

“As far as I’m aware she hasn’t had any surgery and was recovering in a ‘natural way’, as well as taking painkillers,” said Mr Harley.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Referring to a photograph of the complainant following the incident, Mark Styles, representing Bellingham, said: “The visible injuries are quite obvious with swelling to both cheeks, but I haven’t seen any medical evidence to prove it.

“There’s clear swelling and bruising to the face and the general area around the face and also on the neck area, but other that I can’t accept anything without medical evidence.”

Judge Bennett said: “At the moment there’s a suggestion of two fractured cheekbones.”

Referring to the post-incident victim photographic he said: “It’s awful. There must have been some significant injuries suffered.

“I’m not minded to pass sentence today, but it’s important he’s sentenced on what the evidence is.

“On the face of it, there are fractures to the cheeks, but we need some confirmation of that.”

He asked Mr Harley to come back after consulting the Crown, hopefully with the evidence required.

Addressing the defendant via the video link, Judge Bennett told him: “I can’t sentence you today, but I need to sentence you on clear effectual evidence.

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“There’s no medical evidence to support the contention of the fractured cheekbones.

“It may make a difference to the length of the sentence.”

Judge Bennett remanded the defendant to remain in custody pending sentence, which may take place on Friday (June 28) if the evidence sought is forthcoming.