A CONSERVATIVE councillor in the region has appeared in court charged with assaulting a woman.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court was told yesterday that Stockton Borough councillor Mark Chatburn was involved in an altercation with the woman on Tuesday, July 24.

The 33-year-old, of Bridge Street, Yarm , near Stockton, is due to go on trial at the court in December after his solicitor indicated a not guilty plea on his client’s behalf to a charge of assault by beating during a short hearing.

Details of the incident were not read out in court after Mr Chatburn’s solicitor, Neil Douglas, asked the court clerk to simply hand up the document to magistrates to set a trial date.

Mr Chatburn, who also represents Yarm on the town council, has been suspended by his local Conservative group until the outcome of the trial is known.

Last night, Conservative Group leader on Stockton council, Ken Lupton, who is among those bidding to become the elected police and crime commissioner for Cleveland Police, said: “Mr Chatburn has been suspended from the Conservative group while the case is in progress. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this point.”

Although he has been suspended from his political party, Councillor Chatburn will still be able to sit as a councillor on both the borough and town councils.

A spokeswoman for Stockton council said: “We are aware of the court case. We are unable to comment further until the outcome of the trial is known.”

Mr Chatburn’s trial is listed to be heard at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on December 18.