TWO police officers were injured by a man in a fracas outside a Spennymoor nightclub, a court was told yesterday.

John Christopher Taylor, 24, of Wood View, Spennymoor, appeared before magistrates at Newton Aycliffe.

He admitted being drunk and disorderly and two charges of resisting a police officer, following the incident on December 21.

Paul Turner, prosecuting, said that two men, believed to be brothers, were seen fighting outside The Cube nightclub at about 2.20am.

When Taylor was arrested for being drunk and disorderly, he began flailing around with his arms and struck one officer, grazing her on the chin with a ring he was wearing. She also turned her ankle in the struggle.

As the struggle continued, Taylor struck a second officer on the chin with his head.

In a police interview the following morning, Taylor said he could not remember the incident, but accepted the police version of what happened.

Michael Clarke, for Taylor, said his client had just lost his job and had been drinking heavily in Spennymoor with his brother.

Mr Clarke said Taylor, who was of previous good character, had been punched by someone outside the nightclub and his brother had tried to pull them apart.

"In his confused state, John didn't appreciate what was going on and he ended up grappling with his brother. The police came on to the scene and thought they were fighting," he said.

Mr Clarke said CCTV footage showed Taylor had been co-operating until someone in the crowd shouted out, after which he struggled.

Taylor, who said he had not intended to injure the officers, was ordered to pay £50 compensation for each of the resisting arrest charges.

He was also given a six- month conditional discharge for being drunk and disorderly.