A MAN accused of head-butting his girlfriend on Valentine's Day is to stand trial.
Mark Kilpatrick, 33, of Harcourt Street, Darlington, initially pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court last month.
He was due to be sentenced yesterday, but, after hearing comments he had made to the probation service in a pre-sentence report, magistrates said they could not accept his plea.
They entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and declined jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to Darlington Magistrates' Court on April 27, when the case is expected to be committed to crown court for trial. He is on unconditional bail until then
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