TWO teenagers who attacked a bar worker with a stool during a late-night brawl have been spared jailed.

Lee Robson and Christopher Thompson were told it was only their guilty pleas and lack of previous convictions which saved them from going to prison.

Teesside Crown Court heard the pair attacked Karl Dyer, deputy manager at Aruba bar, Commercial Street, Darlington, on April 16 last year.

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said Mr Dyer had been preparing to close the bar, at about 11.30pm, when the defendants were refused drinks.

Thompson snapped a pool cue and one of the men approached the bar worker with the cue behind his back while the other smashed a bottle before punching Mr Dyer.

Mr Faulks told the court that the bar worker fell to the ground and was hit over the head five times with a stool.

The violence only ended after door staff working nearby came to the rescue and the police were called.

Both men admitted they had been drinking.

The pair pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Thompson had previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage at magistrates court.

Judge Peter Bowers said: "Counsel was right when they said it represented the worst type of bar room brawl.

"The man was simply doing his job to try and control rowdiness in public houses."

Thompson, 18, of Belford Gardens, Darlington, was given 100 hours community punishment and ordered to pay £350 compensation to the victim as well as £250 costs. Robson, 19, of Elland Court, Darlington was told to pay £500 compensation and £250 costs and to carry out 100 hours community punishment.