AN apprentice plasterer headbutted the daughter of former Middlesbrough FC manager Bryan Robson after insulting her father, a court heard yesterday.

Mark Bregazzi, 20, attacked Claire Robson after a night out in Durham City during which he drank pints of snakebite - a mixture of cider and lager - and vodka shots, Chester-le-Street magistrates were told.

Miss Robson had ten stitches put in a head wound following the attack, which occurred in front of witnesses as she tried to book a taxi in the early hours of Sunday, January 20.

Bregazzi, who was told he could face a prison sentence, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, but denied head-butting Miss Robson. He said he was trying to push her away, using his head.

The packed courtroom heard how Bregazzi was talking to Miss Robson's friend, Louise Defty, outside Pratt's Taxis, in North Road, when he spotted the former international's daughter inside.

Ian White, prosecuting, told the court that Bregazzi berated Miss Robson, 21, about the lack of success of her father at Middlesbrough Football Club.

Another of her friends, Donna Hickman, said in police interviews: "As soon as he saw Claire he shouted abusive comments at her. So she said, 'you know nothing about my dad, or my family'."

Mr White told how Miss Robson pushed him away, before he head-butted her in the face with such force that her head hit the wall.

With blood gushing from her forehead, she was bundled into a taxi and taken to the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment.

Miss Robson was discharged later the same day, returning home to Chester-le-Street.

Mr Robson travelled with his wife, Denise, from their home in Cheshire to comfort their eldest daughter.

Bregazzi, of Dominion Road, Brandon, near Durham City, admitted he made abusive comments about Middlesbrough FC, but disputed headbutting Miss Robson.

John Grierson, mitigating, said that his client moved his head forward to push Miss Robson away and their heads collided.

He said: "There was a comment made about her father's lack of success as Middlesbrough manager. This hit a raw nerve with his daughter.

"He was affected by alcohol and it was not a significant assault."

Bregazzi was granted unconditional bail to reappear before Durham magistrates on February 27 for sentencing.