A CHURCH volunteer who assists charitable groups displayed a different side to his character while drinking with a friend.

John Draco took exception when another customer refused the offer of a hand shake, during a busy evening in the Penny Gill, Spennymoor, on December 30.

Durham Crown Court heard the former tattooist and electrician, who was wearing a t-shirt bearing a ‘death’ motif, sprang to his feet and grabbed the older man.

Other drinkers pulled Draco away, but, after further pushing and shoving, they tried to usher him from the premises.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said as one customer told him to leave, Draco lunged forward and bit him in the left cheek.

The shocked victim managed to break free, and, although he escaped serious injury, he remains scarred.

Mr Newcombe said as Draco and his friend made for another pub across the road, he banged the back of a car with his fist, damaging the vehicle.

Having uttered threatening comments to a barman in that pub, claiming to be, “an outlaw”, he was again ejected.

Mr Newcombe said he and his friend were then involved in a street clash with two friends of the man bitten earlier, one of whom suffered a fractured wrist..

Draco claimed he was the victim, and, having denied affray, assault by beating and causing actual bodily harm, he changed his pleas on the day of his scheduled trial. He also admitted criminal damage.

Victoria Lamballe, mitigating, said Draco, 33, of Rowan Place, Newton Aycliffe, has a previous clean record and his “appalling” actions that night were out of character.

“He’s involved with his local church, running a non-profit making charitable organisation that helps the homeless, as well as assisting in the families’ office at Catterick Garrison.”

Recorder Ray Singh said he behaved, “in a violent, drunken and aggressive manner.”

But, given Draco’s previous good character and eventual admissions, Recorder Singh imposed a 16-month prison term, suspended for two years, with orders to perform 180 hours’ unpaid work and pay £720 compensation.