AN ATTACKER who left his victim with a suspected broken jaw held a grudge over injuries he had suffered in a car accident some 20 years earlier, a court heard.

David Horner, 40, set upon Thomas Malcolm Clarke after drinking at Ferryhill Station Working Men's Club, in Ferryhill, County Durham.

Teesside Crown Court heard there was a history between the two men as a result of the car accident in which Horner broke his legs.

Chris Morrison, prosectuting, said there had been no real contact between the two since, although both drank in the club on occasion.

He said that Mr Clarke, 56, left the club at about 11.10pm on November 20 last year and noticed Horner across the road at a bus stop.He walked on, stopping for a rest as he suffered from emphysema. When he turned round, he was punched in the face and fell to the ground.

Horner, a gas engineer, then aimed kicks at his body.

The attack stopped when a witness told Horner to "pack it in". Asked what it was about, Horner replied: "He knows what it is for".

Although Mr Clarke was initially diagnosed with a suspected broken jaw, the injury was not as first feared. However he was left with tenderness to his chest, bruising and swelling to his right eye, a cut under his right eyebrow and a hand injury.

Horner, of Skipton Close, Ferryhill, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The judge, Recorder James Hyland said Horner could not complain if he was sent to prison, but said since he had kept out of trouble for the last 11 years he would instead order him to pay compensation.

Horner was told to pay £1,750 compensation to his victim, with £700 court costs, and given a 180 hour community punishment order.