A man has been handed a curfew by magistrates after admitting a malicious communication.

Kevin Newham, 43, of Sycamore Street, Haltwhistle, indicated a plea of guilty to the charge before North Northumbria Magistrates' Court, which was sitting at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

The court heard Newham made a telephone call that conveyed a threat, causing distress or anxiety to a woman on October 2 last year at Blyth.

Magistrates told him he had to comply with a three month curfew and also handed him a restraining order to stay away from the victim until October 20 next year.

Newham must also pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service and a £95 victim services surcharge.