A MAN involved in a drunken brawl with a friend outside a dales’ town pub was berated for his “loutish” behaviour by a judge.

John Rowley and his drinking companion were asked to leave the Pack Horse, in Stanhope, due to their unruly behaviour, before heading to the nearby Bonny Moorhen for a further drink.

Durham Crown Court heard they began fighting each other in the street after leaving the Moorhen, late on November 25, 2016.

Nick Adlington, prosecuting, said: “He was intoxicated, aggressive, and, having been ejected from one pub earlier, they, essentially, had a punch up in the street.”

Rowley, 21, of Paragon Street, Stanhope, admitted affray and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour.

Peter Sabiston, for Rowley, told the court: “This wasn’t his finest hour. It was drunken and clearly offensive behaviour late at night.”

But he said the defendant has kept out of trouble since and is a hard-working man, employed by a steel casting company making components for oil rigs.

Recorder Eric Elliott told Rowley: “You behaved in a loutish and offensive manner. You clearly had far too much to drink and got into trouble with a so-called friend.”

He ordered Rowley to perform 100-hours unpaid work, with £80 costs. His friend was cautioned for his actions.