REALITY TV star and security company boss Francis Jones has been charged with assault by beating following an alleged incident at Darlington's new Amazon warehouse building on Wednesday night.

The star of BBC series Rent-a-Cop was arrested just after 8.30pm at the warehouse site, which is patrolled by his company Sparta Security.

Darlington Police confirmed that they had arrested and formally charged Mr Jones, of Hurworth, near Darlington, following allegations he had assaulted a member of his own staff.

He was released on bail and will appear before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on July 16.

A police spokeswoman said: "Officers were called out to the Amazon warehouse at 8.30pm.

"A 38-year-old man has been arrested and charged with assault by beating."

Sparta Security was based on Darlington's North Road but is now run from a unit in Newton Aycliffe.