A FATHER threw a drink over his ex-partner in a pub before going on to punch one of her relatives after his son's christening.

Liam Gibbon, of Bede Crescent in Newton Aycliffe, was arguing with his former partner in the Cobblers Hall pub in the town in July last year when a staff member saw him throw the drink.

They were asked to leave after the victim retaliated by throwing a drink over him.

The 25-year-old, who admitted a charge of assault, as well as breaching an anti-social behaviour order at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court yesterday, was then seen buying beer from a shop.

A family member of the victim knocked the beer out of his hand, to which Gibbon responded by throwing a punch.

Claire Irvin. prosecuting, read out a statement from Gibbon's ex in which she said she was "heartbroken" he would do what he did in front of their child.

Tom Morgan, mitigating, said Gibbon had been subject to ridicule from family members throughout the evening and the punch had been in "self defence".

A probation officer told the court that Gibbon was "working very hard" and his child was his "main concern".

Riddle was given a 12-month community order and ordered to pay £300 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

He was also given a restraining order against the victim for 12 months.