A FORMER pub landlord has been convicted of sexual assault following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Tony Furphy, who is still a joint licensee of the Baydale Beck Inn at Low Coniscliffe, near Darlington, had denied five separate charges of sexual assault on a woman or women over 16, between April 2017 and January 2018.

But a jury found him guilty of all five charges and he will be sentenced at Teesside on February 8.

He was released on bail and pre-sentence reports will be prepared ahead of his next court appearance.

Mr Furphy, 48, gave his address in court as the Baydale Beck Inn, Gate Lane, Low Coniscliffe.

He is understood to still work at the pub regularly although his co-licensee is the designated premises supervisor under the licence, which means she has day-to-day responsibility for the running of the business.

Darlington Borough Council confirmed Mr Furphy was a joint licensee.

A spokeswoman said licensees can face reviews of their licences if they are convicted of a crime but this is not always the case and can depend on the charges.