AN opportunist acting as a Good Samaritan helped himself to an assault victim’s watch, a court heard.

Andrew James Kitson was apparently coming to the aid of a heavily inebriated man, who was being badly beaten in a pub assault.

But, while apparently trying to fend the attacker off the almost prone victim, Kitson covertly removed the man’s wrist watch and placed it in his pocket.

Durham Crown Court was told Kitson also threw his shoe at the victim, striking him in the face, and poured the contents of two plastic jugs over him.

Following the sustained incident, both Kitson and the main assailant left the pub.

Peter Sabiston, prosecuting, said the badly injured man was left lying unconscious and required hospital treatment following the assault, at Oddfellows, in Church Street, Seaham, on October 21, last year.

The court heard the attacker was jailed for seven years for the attack, but Kitson was not arrested for some time, until after he was picked out on an identity procedure.

When interviewed the 38-year-old defendant, of Wolsey Road, Seaham, made no reply, but went on to admit a charge of robbery at a previous court hearing.

Paul Currer, mitigating, said Kitson was, “mortified that he acted as he did, taking advantage of someone who was severely beaten.”

Mr Currer said since the incident, the defendant has had chance to speak to the victim to apologise personally over events that day.

He said Kitson “made efforts” to have the watch returned to its owner the day after the incident.

Mr Currer added: “He is hugely remorseful about the way he behaved, which he regards as ‘despicable’.

Imposing a 16-month prison sentence, Judge Christopher Prince said: “It’s a most unusual case.

“On one hand he’s trying to protect the victim, but on the other he’s taking advantage of the sustained and vicious attack by another man.”