Spennymoor thug could spend years behind bars for attack

The warning was given to defendant Callum Garbutt after he changed plea and admitted a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, at a hearing at Durham Crown Court.

Garbutt, 21, who appeared via video link from HMP Durham, attacked another man in Spennymoor, on December 14, 2024.

The court was told the defendant had previously admitted the lesser offence of unlawful wounding, but without the intent element.

Now he has admitted the more serious wounding with intent allegation, the other plea can be vacated.

Calum McNicholas, for Garbutt, said: “The facts are relatively straight-forward but there may be some complexity to this defendant.”

Mr McNicholas asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow for preparation of both a psychological assessment on the defendant and a background report by the Probation Service.

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Judge Nathan Adams agreed to the adjournment for the reports to be compiled but said the starting point, according to the sentencing guidelines, is likely to be four or five years.

Adjourning the case until the sentencing hearing, on Friday June 12, Judge Adams told Garbutt, of Catherine Close, Spennymoor: “As you have now pleaded there no longer needs to be a trial.

“But you will remain in custody in the meantime.”