A MAN who assaulted a woman after walking uninvited into her home has been ordered to pay compensation.

Jonathan Stanley Armstrong walked into the woman's house in Spennymoor on June 14, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court was told.

The 19-year-old had earlier stolen a bottle of wine from the town's Asda store.

Prosecutor John Garside said the theft happened at 4pm on June 14, after which Armstrong made his way to the woman's home.

Mr Garside said: "He was looking for her son, who was upstairs at the time.

"They used to be friends."

The woman told Armstrong to leave and her refused, said Mr Garside.

The son heard the commotion and came to help his mother, who was pushed by Armstrong."

Warren Ridley, mitigating, said his client had 'significant problems' including alcoholism.

Mr Ridley said: "He has tended, in the past, to gravitate towards an unsavoury group when in the Spennymoor area."

Armstrong, who admitted theft and assault, used to live in the town, but his address was given in court as a hostel in Chester-le-Street.

He was put on a two-month curfew, from 6pm to 6am, and ordered to pay £50 compensation.