ALCOHOL was the kryptonite that caused the downfall of a man dressed as Superman who tangled with the law in a drunken night out, a court was told today.

Daniel Walls landed himself in the dock at Peterlee Magistrates Court after punching a special inspector in Durham City in the early hours of Sunday, December 21, while dressed as the superhero.

And although the two blows were less than superhuman, they were powerful enough to earn the 28-year-old a £590 fine for assault.

Blair Martin, prosecuting, said Special Inspector Philip Salkeld and a colleague were on foot patrol at the city’s Walkergate complex when they saw an incident near the Slug and Lettuce.

He said: “Security men were pulling two males back from each other– one was dressed as Superman outfit and the other in a red Christmas jumper.

“Special Inspector Salkeld went towards the man in the Superman outfit, who was very aggressive and was trying to punch the other man.

“The officer got between the two and the defendant punched him twice – one blow landed on his chin and the other on his shoulder. It wasn’t a strong contact.”

Doormen pulled Walls to the ground, as the “cavalry arrived”.

Walls unstable on his feet, his speech was slurred and he breath smelt of alcohol.

Mr Martin added: “It would appear alcohol had been his (Walls’) kryptonite, because he said he had consumed Corona and single shots of vodka and he’s not a regular drinker.”

“His recollection is not the greatest but he accepts the officer’s account.”

Paul McAlindon, mitigating, said Walls was a gym enthusiast who rarely drank alcohol - the last time being almost a year before the incident in question.

He added: “He has drunk on this occasion it and it has affected him more than it would a regular drinker.”

“He is very remorseful about it - for his actions involving the officer and he is personally embarrassed having to come to court.”

Mr McAlindon said thankfully the officer was not injured by the two blows that “weren’t particularly powerful”.

At the time of the incident, Walls was reported to be accompanied by a man dressed as Bananaman – but there was no mention of him in court.

Walls of Waldridge Hall Court, Chester-le-Street, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duties, was ordered to pay £50 compensation and court costs and victim's surcharge of £145.