A SUSPECT in a serious assault case wrote to a friend with instructions about how to make sure his accuser did not go to court to give evidence against him.

Jonathan Whitworth was on remand in prison accused of throwing water over another man when he tried to fix a "walk-out", Teesside Crown Court heard.

His letter - to another inmate, who was due for release - contained orders to take the alleged victim out on the day of the trial to ensure the case collapsed.

Officials at Holme House Prison in Stockton intercepted the correspondence in which Whitworth also laughs when he says his accuser "will get the kettle".

The letter says: "Only one week to go. Bet you can't wait. I'm glad my trial has been put back to Jan. Now you will be able to make sure I get a walk-out.

"Make friends with him and on the day take him for a drink out of the way. Do that for me then we'll be out together to make lots of £ in the rogue traders van.

"Make sure he knows everyone in here is going to do him in, but if it all goes well for me it will be forgot (sic) about . . . for a week or so. Ha ha."

Whitworth's grievous bodily harm trial was abandoned by prosecutors after his accuser told jurors he did not know who attacked him last August.

The 24-year-old, of Arkley Crescent, Hartlepool, walked free from court, but was then hit with a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

He pleaded guilty to the offence - as well as breaching two suspended prison terms for affray and damage - and was jailed for a total of 14 months yesterday.

The judge, Recorder Simon Hickey, told him: "It is a serious offence to attempt to pervert the course of justice, and a prison sentence must follow."

Robin Denny, mitigating, described the letter as "prison show off" and said it did not lead to the alleged victim not coming up to proof at the trial.

Mr Denny told the court that there was never any contact between the pair - who had been friends - and he had not been threatened in the run-up to the case.

The court heard how Whitworth spent the equivalent of an eight-month sentence on remand before no evidence was offered against him for the assault.