A FORMULA One fan jumped on stage and assaulted a guitarist because he could not hear his television over the noise of the rock band playing.

Kevin Mills, 38, pushed his way through hundreds of music fans and climbed on stage at a community carnival. He had been watching the Hungarian Grand Prix at home nearby.

Debra Jones, prosecuting, said at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, that Mills got on stage and approached guitarist Martin Fraser, 20, and said "get off, nobody wants to hear you".

Mrs Jones said: "Mr Fraser felt a heavy strike on the back of his head and tumbled forward to the ground. He tried to protect his guitar but struck his head on the back of the amplifier.

"A number of people from the audience got onto the bandstand and pulled the defendant away."

The Northumbria University student, from Wheatley Hill, County Durham, suffered a bump on his head and a grazed knee.

The day had been organised by Horden Parish Council, in Horden Welfare Park, Wearside.

Jason Taylor, mitigating, said Mills, from Durham Avenue, Horden, was drinking heavily and had a borderline personality disorder. He said: "There has been some considerable noise. It has got to him for 30 minutes until he has lost his temper."

Mills pleaded guilty to committing assault on August 5.

He was fined £100, with £50 compensation and £43 costs.