A TEENAGER suffered a fractured skull when he was hit in the forehead by a half-brick thrown into his garden.

Gary Proudfoot, who was 19 at the time, has undergone several operations in the 15 months since the incident and may yet have to have a metal plate inserted if the skull bone fails to heal.

Durham Crown Court heard that a mob gathered at the front of his home, in Lilac Court, Shildon, County Durham, in what they considered a reprisal attack after windows at two nearby houses were broken in the early hours of August 23, last year.

Missiles were thrown over the 6ft fence and when Mr Proudfoot emerged to see what was taking place, he was hit by the half-brick.

John Gillette, prosecuting, said that in response to the initial volley of missiles at the house, another “went in the opposite direction”, damaging a car.

Several arrests were made soon after the incident and it led to Lee Anthony Bell, 20, of Fir Tree, Shildon, admitting causing grievous bodily harm.

Ian Collingwood, 26, of John Street, and Jamie Alderson, also 26, of Redworth Road, both Shildon, who were among the mob, admitted using threatening behaviour.

Mr Gillette said Mr Proudfoot denied responsibility for the broken windows.

Alex Burns, for Alderson and Collingwood, said they were bystanders when the missiles were thrown.

Chris Baker, for Bell, said he went to Proudfoot’s house because his niece and nephew had been in one of the properties where a window was smashed earlier.

He said Bell “stupidly”

threw the half-brick, and said: “He admits it was a reckless act and significant injury was caused. But he is of previous good character, with a low risk of further offending.”

Imposing a ten-month sentence in a young offenders’ institution, Judge Christopher Prince told Bell: “You were part of a gang who decided to exact revenge on Mr Proudfoot for his perceived wrongdoing.

“He denies being out breaking windows earlier, but even if he had, it is not for mobs to take the law into their own hands.”

Collingwood and Alderson were given 12-month community orders, to include 100 hours of unpaid work.