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National
David Huntley

Stanley man threatened to kill two women and 'burn down' houses

A County Durham man who made threats to kill two women has been warned he faces a possible prison sentence.

Scott Anderson threatened to kill two women and made a threatening phone call to one of them on July 12, last year.

The 34-year-old, who was also found to be in possession of cannabis, threatened to "burn down" the house of a man, as well as threatening to burn down a house belonging to one of the women, on the same day.

Read more: Go here for the latest reports and live updates from North East courts

Anderson appeared at Durham Crown Court on Wednesday to be sentenced for two counts of threats to kill, two counts of threatening to damage or destroy property, sending a communication conveying a threatening message, and possession of a class B drug.

All of the charges date back to the same day and were committed in Stanley.

But the sentencing was adjourned until next month, so that a pre-sentence report can be compiled.

Recorder Jamie Hill QC said they were "clearly serious matters" and said a custodial sentence could be the "most likely outcome".

He told Anderson that a pre-sentence report needed to be put together so that the court "knows more about your current situation".

"Because of the nature of the charges, whoever passes sentence will be looking at a custodial sentence as a starting point", he added.

Anderson, of Orwell Gardens, Stanley, will return to the court for sentence on Wednesday, March 9.

He was given conditional bail until then.

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