POLICE have confirmed that a man has been arrested and bailed in connection with the assault of a North-East father-of-one.

Mark Dixon was badly beaten as he made his way home from the Copper Beech pub, in Darlington, in the early hours of Saturday, June 20.

The 43-year-old, who was left with head, face and back injuries, said he feared he would die at the hands of his assailant.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police confirmed a 25-year-old local man had been arrested in connection with the assault and released on bail pending further inquiries.

The Northern Echo: STITCHES: Mark Dixon's injuries after being attacked in Darlington
STITCHES: Mark Dixon's injuries after being attacked in Darlington

Mr Dixon earlier said he feared he would be killed during the assault as he was walking home.

He had been playing pool in the pub and said there was a good atmosphere and no angry words were exchanged.

But he believes it was a fellow drinker from the Copper Beech who followed him and launched the violent assault.

The Northern Echo:
Mark Dixon following the attack in Darlington

"I left the pub at midnight and there was a group of us talking for about ten minutes," he said.

"I set off up Neasham Road and went down a little alley, when I felt a presence behind me. As I turned round, I was met with a thud to the front of my head.

"He didn't say a word. I was trying to look at him as he was raining blows. I remember him repeatedly kicking and stamping on me and I was trying to get into a ball to protect myself.

"I knew I was bleeding, I just didn't realise the severity of it."

Mr Dixon faces being unable to work for a month as he recovers from his injuries.

He added: "I honestly thought he was going to kill me, because of the amount of times he kicked me and stamped on me.

"I got the impression something spooked him and he turned round and looked back towards Neasham Road.

"That was my opportunity to get away.

"I crawled along the rest of the alley and every time I tried to get up, I kept falling back down."

Mr Dixon managed to reach a friend's home, where the alarm was raised and the father-of-one was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

"My friend came downstairs and I was apparently curled up in a ball, shivering and covered in blood."

His assailant is described as between 5ft 10in and 6ft, in his mid 20s, with mousy-coloured hair and stubble.

Mr Dixon said he feels fortunate not to have been more seriously injured in the assault A Durham Police spokeswoman confirmed the incident had been reported to officers.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.