John Makie was due to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (August 6) after he admitted making a telephone call that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. The 48-year-old of Hawthorn Street, Peterlee, pleaded guilty to the offence between June 28 and August 19, 2024. He also admitted failing to surrender to custody on June 5, this year. Marcus Blakelock, prosecuting, asked the magistrates to issue an arrest warrant after the defendant failed to appear in court. William Unsworth, the chairman of the magistrates’ bench, accepted the plea and issued the warrant for Makie’s arrest.