A MAN has appeared in court charged with indecently assaulting three women between 1999 and 2001.

Stuart Hill, 50, from St Agatha's Close, Brandon, County Durham, spoke only to confirm his name at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court. Three charges of indecent assault on three women, between December 1999 and May 2001, were put to Mr Hill. A charge of witness intimidation on Sharon King, a former partner of Mr Hill, was added to the file. He was released on conditional bail and will appear before Durham Crown Court on June 12.

WOMAN MISSING: Police in Washington are appealing for information following the disappearance of a 49-year-old woman. Maureen Noble was last seen at her home in Marlborough Road, Washington, Wearside. Police said her family are worried about her safety. She was last seen at about 9am on Wednesday. She is about 5ft, pale, slim with green eyes. She wears a nose stud and has dark shoulder-length hair. She wears a lot of jewellery. Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66426.

Court date: A 30-year-old man will appear before Teesside magistrates on Tuesday charged in connection with crashing a car into a house in Middlesbrough. Police were called to Archibald Street at 10pm on Thursday after a vehicle smashed into the side of a house before being driven off. Officers caught up with the car in Outhwaite Street. A man from Coulby Newham has been charged with five traffic offences and unlawful possession of a class B drug.

LOCKED UP: An 18-year-old was locked up for 15 months yesterday after admitting a charge of aggravated vehicle taking, one of driving while disqualified and another of having no insurance. Stephen Sweeney, of Stockdale Avenue, Redcar, east Cleveland appeared at Teesside Crown Court. The court heard that while being pursued by police, Sweeney had driven at up to 80mph in a built-up area, driven on a cycle path and gone the wrong way round a roundabout on March 6 this year. Judge George Moorhouse sentenced him to 15 months in a young offenders institution and banned him from driving for three years.

STAR WARS: The Customs House, in South Shields, will be one of the first cinemas in the region and among the first in the world to screen Star Wars: Attack of the Clones - with a showing at 12.01am on Thursday, May 16. Seat reservations for the movie are being taken at the cinema's box office. Tickets cost £3.80, or £2.80 for children and concessions and £11.80 for family tickets. For further details, contact box office 0191-4541234.

MAN CHARGED: A man appeared in court yesterday charged with attempted murder. Richard William Francis, 49, of St Nicholas Close, Richmond, pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempting to murder Marjorie Isabel Francis on March 5 this year. The case was adjourned for three weeks and Mr Francis was remanded in custody.

Special guest: Former Test cricket umpire Dickie Bird is to be guest of honour at this year's bed race, in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire. The event, which raises money for local charities, takes place on June 8, starting at King James' School.

Birthday concert: The Easingwold Singers are celebrating their 20th anniversary by staging a concert tonight at 7.30pm, in Easingwold School Hall. Tickets are available at the door.