THE following cases were heard by South Durham magistrates at Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday:

THEFT ALLEGATION: John Eeles, 25, of Appleton Road, Stockton, is charged with stealing a Ford Transit van worth £1,000 and driving without a licence or insurance on October 3. The case was adjourned to October 28.

DISORDERLY BEHAVIOUR: James Watson, 20, of Claremont Road, Darlington, admitted being drunk and disorderly in Gladstone Street, Darlington. He was given a six month conditional discharge with £34 costs to pay.

DRINK-DRIVER: Scott Currey, 21, of Baydale Road, Darlington admitted drink-driving. The case was adjourned until November 6 at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.

WOUNDING CHARGE: The case against Matthew Ironside, 22, of Emley Moor Road, Darlington, who is charged with wounding Michael Weston in Darlington, was adjourned until November 4.

CASE ADJOURNED: Christopher McStravick, 23, of Thirlmere Road, Darlington, and Darren McStravick, 29, of Headingley Crescent, Darlington, were charged with using or threatening unlawful violence. Darren McStravick is also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to John Waite. The case was adjourned until November 4.

OFFENCE DENIED: Anthony Hannah, 35, of Bentick Road, Newcastle, denied attempting to steal £160 from the Acorn Christian Bookshop in Darlington. He will appear again at Durham Crown Court on November 24.

HEROIN CHARGE: The case against Brian Smith, 44, of Ribble Drive, Darlington, who is charged with two counts of intent to supply heroin and one of possession, was adjourned to Durham Crown Court on November 24.

CASE ADJOURNED: The case against Richard Brown, 65, of Park Lane, Darlington, who is charged with nine counts of indecent assault and one of attempted indecent assault was adjourned to December 9.

CROWN COURT: Stuart Hall, 18, of Berrybank Crescent, Darlington, Paul Hanlon, 19, of Nickstream Lane, Darlington, and a 17-year-old girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with using or threatening unlawful violence in Darlington. The case was adjourned to Durham Crown Court on November 24.

NEW DATE: The case against Lee Ellin, 18, of Pateley Moor Crescent, in Darlington, who faces an allegation of assault, was adjourned to November 4.

GIRLFRIEND ASSAULTED: Andrew Paul Bateson, 34, of Hapers Terrace, Middleton St George, admitted assaulting his girlfriend, Anne Marie Turnpenny, on August 2, in a drunken fight. He was ordered to pay a £100 fine and £118 costs.