A woman was told that a prison sentence is "likely to follow" after she admitted carrying out a serious assault on a man last month.

The warning was given to Samatha Appleby as she appeared at a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court via video link from Low Newton Women's Prison, on the outskirts of the city.

Charged with wounding with intent, in an incident in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, on Sunday August 4, she pleaded not guilty.

But she offered a guilty plea to the alternative of unlawful wounding to account for her actions.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Prosecution counsel Jon Harley said after consideration by the Crown those pleas were considered "acceptable".

Sam Ponniah, representing the defendant, asked for preparation of a background report to be prepared on his client, by the Probation Service, before she is sentenced later this month.

Judge Geoffrey Marson KC agreed to the request and then addressed the 36-year-old defendant, of Hawthorn Terrace, Shotton Colliery.

Adjourning sentence until a hearing at the court on Thursday, September 26, he told Appleby: "I'm going to adjourn for sentence until then, to allow time for the preparation of the pre-sentence report.

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"The fact I'm adjourning for a report should not be seen as any indication as to the sentence in this case.

"An immediate custodial sentence is likely to follow."

Appleby was remanded to remain in custody at HMP Low Newton until the sentencing hearing.