Blackhall woman to be sentenced in June on domestic violence charges

A woman has admitted a charge of intentional strangulation of her husband, having previously pleaded guilty to two offences of assault.Amanda Wood, who is remanded in custody at Low Newton Prison, Durham, will now be sentenced at Durham Crown Court in June, after a judge indicated that "all options remain open" regarding the case outcome.The now 39-year-old defendant from Eleventh Street, Blackhall Colliery, previously admitted two assault charges, one against her husband and another against a different female, both purportedly at their address in Blackhall Colliery on November 30 of the previous year. However, she denied accusations of intentional strangulation during a January hearing.The case was scheduled for a trial on May 27 but was brought before the court earlier on April 29 for plea, where she admitted the strangulation charge. Prosecutor Chris Baker confirmed that this admission was "acceptable" to the Crown. The other four charges, including causing grievous bodily harm with intent and controlling and coercive behavior within a family relationship, as well as two counts of threatening with an offensive weapon, were left on file.Judge Nathan Adams adjourned the hearing for a Probation Service report, and told Wood, "You have now pleaded guilty to strangulation and to the assault counts you have previously admitted. Sentence will now take place in June, and you will remain in custody until then." The sentencing date is set for June 19.Wood is currently remanded in custody at Low Newton Prison, Durham. The court proceedings indicate that her case is ongoing, with the option of varied sentencing depending on the future assessment by the Probation Service.