A MAN who threatened teachers and reduced a schoolgirl to tears while wearing a monkey onesie has been sentenced for his part in a drunken disturbance at a North-East academy.

Daniel Brannigan threatened to knock out two teachers when he and a 16-year-old youth trespassed in the grounds of Woodham Academy in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, on Friday, January 23.

Brannigan, 23, also engaged in a “heated discussion” with three year 11 schoolgirls, with one distressed pupil left in tears.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reason, grabbed a 14-year-old boy by the throat, punched another pupil in the face and spat at a police officer.

The pair pleaded guilty to charges of using threatening and abusive words and behaviour at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on Wednesday, February 8, with the youth also admitting assault and assaulting a police officer.

Magistrates heard the youth was upset as he believed a relative at the school was being bullied.

He received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and was ordered to pay £100 compensation at a youth court on Monday, February 23.

The case against Brannigan, who was described as wearing a monkey onesie during part of the incident, had been adjourned for probation reports.

Today (Wednesday, March 4), he returned to court for sentence.

Andrea Milsom, prosecuting, said the pair first arrived at the school at 1pm when pupils were on their lunch break and left after the initial disturbance, only to return at 3pm.

She described their conduct as “threatening, aggressive and abusive,” adding: “This defendant didn’t actually assault anyone but the whole situation taken together clearly caused the school, the children and the parents who were no doubt informed great concern.”

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said Brannigan, of Guthrum Place, Newton Aycliffe, regretted his actions.

“I doubt he would have been in the school grounds if this grievance about a friend’s cousin being bullied had not been brought to his attention,” said Mr Hunsley.

“He was in drink and was persuaded to go with the youth.”

Mr Hunsley added: “He may have been the adult but he was not the prime mover in what happened.”

Brannigan received six weeks in custody but magistrates suspended the sentence for 12 months, during which he will be supervised by the Probation Service.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £80 victim surcharge.