A TEENAGER who assaulted the manager of a supported housing complex and the police officer that came to arrest him appeared before magistrates today (Tuesday, April 1).

Robert Charles Scott Stevenson pushed the housing officer at his accommodation, at Witton Park, near Bishop Auckland, several times causing him to stumble and graze his face on September 9.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court, said Stevenson, of Station Road, Easington, near Peterlee, assaulted the man after he confronted him for being drunk.

The 18-year-old was then locked out of the property and he retaliated by throwing a garden rake at a window.

When the police arrived, Stevenson struggled and swung his head about, resulting in him head-butting a male officer.

Stevenson pleaded guilty to assault by beating, assaulting a police officer, criminal damage and failing to show up at a previous court hearing on September 27.

He also admitted stealing various food items from McColl’s in Newton Aycliffe on November 6 and a packet of pork loin steaks worth £3 from Evenwood Stores in Bishop Auckland on November 11.

A further criminal damage charge, involving £150-worth of damage to a fire door at another supported housing complex in Consett on October 17, was also admitted.

Andy Clinton, mitigating, said Stevenson had lost his temper and acted recklessly after being falsely accused of stealing the alcohol.

“He admits the assault against the officer on the basis that he was struggling and threw his head back,” said Mr Clinton.

“He did not realise the officer was behind him.”

Magistrates sentenced Stevenson to a 24-month conditional discharge to allow an existing community order, which includes probation supervision, to continue.

He was also ordered to pay a total of £253 compensation to his victims.