A TEENAGER who hit an 11-year-old boy has appeared in court.

Liam Anthony Armstrong, 19, pleaded guilty at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday to two counts of actual bodily harm.

The court heard how Armstrong, of Manor Grove, Cockfield, hit the boy, a neighbour's son, on two occasions in March last year, causing multiple bruises and cuts.

Toby Thomas, prosecuting, said Armstrong told the police he had slapped the boy a few times because he was being cheeky and "to toughen him up".

Liam Bryson, in mitigation, said his client had been given permission by the boy's stepfather to chastise him if he was being cheeky - an allegation the prosecution denied.

Mr Bryson said: "He has given him an open-handed slap to the back of the head and legs."

Magistrates adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report until March 22 at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court.