TWO men who headbutted and kicked a stranger in an unprovoked attack will be sentenced at crown court.

Kevin Ashton, 24, and Daniel Fleary, 21, had been drinking in Darlington on May 3 when Fleary accused a man of staring at him in a kebab shop.

Toby Thomas, prosecuting, told Darlington magistrates that the man, Mark Lawson, told them he did not want any trouble, so Fleary tried to shake his hand. But Mr Lawson refused and trouble flared.

"They went on to headbutt this man causing him to fall to the ground, where he was subjected to kicks, and it was only through the intervention of other people that the assault was ended," said Mr Thomas.

He said the kicks were to the victim's head and one witness said they stamped on him.

"Fortunately, the victim did not suffer significant injuries but, potentially, there could have been quite serious injuries inflicted," he said.

Fleary, of Water View, Middleton St George, near Darlington, and Ashton, of Trecastell, Ingleby Barwick, near Stockton, both pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

In mitigation, Graham Hunsley said there was no medical statement or photographs detailing the injuries because they had not been severe, and suggested magistrates could deal with the case.

However, magistrate Doreen Chamberlain refused jurisdiction.

The case was adjourned to Durham Crown Court at a date to be arranged.

Fleary also pleaded guilty to assaulting Paul Pettitt, at Middleton St George, on April 25.