TWO people have been given suspended jail sentences after being convicted for a violent pub attack.

Newcastle Crown Court was told the owner of Gateshead's Ryton Hotel was assaulted and racially abused, while the bar supervisor was attacked and hit over the hear with a glass bottle causing a serious injury.

On Friday, February 12 2016, the owner of the Ryton Hotel was assaulted and racially abused.

The bar supervisor was also violently assaulted and hit over the head with a glass bottle causing serious injury during the incident on Friday, February 12, last year.

Tyler Bullerwell, 20, of Ash Grove in Ryton, was charged with wounding and racially aggravated common assault, while Michael Ritson, 21, of Lime Grove in Ryton, was charged with affray.

They both pleaded guilty to the offences.

Bullerwell was given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and Ritson a six-month suspended jail sentence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sarah Munnelly, said after the hearing: "This was an unprovoked violent attack that has left an innocent woman with a permanent scar to her head.

"The victims have remained strong throughout the course of this investigation and I hope today gives them some closure.

"It's disappointing that custodial sentences were not handed to the pair, however they are now on suspended sentences and if they are involved in any more trouble they will face going to jail."

In a statement released by the victims of the attack, they said: “We have maintained our silence throughout the past year while this case was going through the courts but today we are overjoyed that the truth has prevailed and that Tyler Bullerwell and Michael Ritson have been found guilty of the cowardly offences they have committed.

"We want to thank Northumbria Police, in particular Detective Constable Munnelly and Police Constable Hyde, for their support throughout this investigation and excellent work."