A MOTHER agreed to be bound over by a court yesterday after attacking her former partner.

Jean Ann Clulow, of North Lodge Terrace, Darlington, appeared at Darlington Magistrates' Court accused of assaulting Kevin Lewis on July 23 last year.

The court heard the 42-year-old had attacked her former partner after he returned home without one of their children, who had recently being diagnosed with a tumour.

Kevin Grogan, prosecuting, said: "There was an altercation and she used violence. She bit him and hit his groin.

"She accepts the circumstances."

The court heard that the defendant and victim had had a difficult relationship which often resulted in domestic violence.

In mitigation, the court was told Ms Clulow was worried that the child had not returned with Mr Lewis.

"She expressed concern about the absence of the child. That child had been ill for many years and very recently was diagnosed with a tumour," said her solicitor.

"You can well imagine her state of mind, she simply went into a panic.

"She accepts entirely that in doing what she did that she overstepped the mark."

Magistrates agreed that Ms Clulow would be bound over for 12 months and the charge against her was formerly dismissed.