THE brother of a teenage girl found himself in trouble after he tried to stop police arresting her.

Derek Mafham, of Yarm Road, Darlington, grabbed hold of a policewoman and swore at her during an early morning disturbance in the town's Gladstone Street.

The 19-year-old became abusive after police arrived to arrest his sister, Joanne Mafham, 18, on suspicion of breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Darlington Magistrates' Court was told that Derek Mafham pushed the policewoman, swore at her and ran away. The police officer pursued him and felt Mafham grab her right arm in an attempt to prevent her arresting his sister. He continued to shout abuse at the officer and was arrested.

Mafham pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, and obstructing a police officer, on February 23. He was fined £70 for obstructing the officer and £25 for the drunk and disorderly offence. He was ordered to pay £55 costs.

* Joanne Mafham, 18, of Yarm Road, Darlington, appeared before Darlington Magistrates Court accused of breaching a landmark court order that made legal history last year. She and another girl became the first friends to be made subject to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order by magistrates in an attempt to curb their offending in Darlington.

She is accused of breaching the order on January 25. The case was adjourned until Tuesday.