A MAN who intervened in a domestic dispute was attacked, a court heard.

John Matthew Alderson, who had been involved in a row at his girlfriend's home, turned his attentions on the peacemaker, a family friend.

Durham Crown Court was told Alderson used a shard of glass as a weapon after smashing the bathroom mirror in the house in Eldon Street, Darlington.

He thrust at his victim, causing several cuts and lacerations to the head, before others stepped in.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the victim was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Alderson was arrested and accepted responsibility.

The court heard the incident took place after Alderson, his girlfriend and other friends, returned to her house following a night out in Darlington town centre.

A row developed between Alderson and his girlfriend and the victim of the assault was awoken by the noise, becoming involved in trying to calm matters, said Mr Bennett.

Alderson, 25, of Westbourne Grove, Darlington, admitted wounding.

Paul Cleasby, mitigating, said Alderson developed learning difficulties and was involved in his first meaningful relationship at the time of the incident.

He said on the night out he reacted badly to an incident in which he accused his girlfriend of making advances to a visiting Norwegian sailor.

Mr Cleasby said the row developed on their return home and it was accepted the victim of the assault was merely trying to intervene to calm the situation.

Judge Tony Briggs said a prison sentence would have been justified, but he believed it was a situation unlikely to be repeated. He imposed a three-year community rehabilitation programme, with Alderson under the supervision of the Probation Service.