A BUSINESSMAN who beat up a council official and chased him across town in his car will be electronically tagged, a court has ruled.

David Parkinson snapped after planning officer Neil Foreman removed a sign from outside his furniture warehouse in Longfield Road, Darlington.

The 56-year-old pursued the Darlington Borough Council worker across town before he punched him five times in the face to reclaim the sign.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Parkinson had a dispute with the council over the advertising sign, which had been the subject of complaints from the public.

The council sent him a letter advising him of the complaints and its right to remove the sign.

Graeme Gaston, prosecuting, said trouble flared on October 16 when Mr Foreman arrived at the warehouse, but found the defendant was not there. He removed the sign and drove off.

As he drove along Whessoe Road, a white van, driven in the opposite direction by Parkinson, swerved in front of him.

Mr Gaston said: "He decided it was best to go to the police station. There was a chase into the centre of Darlington and Mr Foreman was followed by the defendant.

"He was brought to a halt by traffic on Bondgate, and as he was sitting in his vehicle, the front-seat passenger in the defendant's car, believed to be his son, tried to pull the sign from the back of his car.

"Mr Foreman got out of the car and the defendant approached him and started to punch, saying 'leave go, leave go'.

"Mr Foreman let go of the sign and there was a scuffle."

Parkinson was restrained and police were called.

Dan Cordey, in mitigation, said: "He said to me it was utter stupidity. He simply lost his head. He accepts it was inexcusable."

Parkinson, of Waltham Close, Darlington, admitted assault, and a charge of dangerous driving was ordered to lie on file.

He was ordered to carry out a 100-hour community punishment order and was electronically tagged for four weeks between 6pm and 2am.

He must also pay £250 compensation and £250 costs.