A Seaham man who faced threats to kill and false imprisonment accusations has had the charges against him dropped.
Barry Dhesi was accused of committing the serious offences on August 1, last year, but denied the two charges.
The 50-year-old was due to face a trial on Monday, January 17, facing one charge of false imprisonment, allegedly committed in Seaham, and one charge of threats to kill.
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But the trial was scrapped after the prosecution offered no evidence, and he was formally found not guilty.
Dhesi was, however, dealt with for a drugs possession charge, which he pleaded guilty to.
He appeared at Durham Crown Court on January 17, via link from Teesside Magistrates' Court, to be sentenced for the single charge.
Judge Ray Singh told the court that the drugs possession charge was the "only outstanding matter" he faced and that he had made "full admissions" and pleaded guilty.
Dhesi, of Queen Alexandra Road, Seaham, was given a 12 month conditional discharge.