A MAN has admitted a New Year attack in which he punched and headbutted a Good Samaritan outside a nightclub in Darlington.

Cory Thomas West, 23, of Throstlenest Avenue, Darlington, was seen to throw a punch at a man on January 3, when a member of the public intervened - leading to him getting punched and headbutted.

The court heard that he was detained by security staff until police arrived to arrest him.

West admitted a charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence when he appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday.

The conviction breaches a two-year suspended prison sentence he received in October at Teesside Crown Court.

Magistrates referred the case back to the crown court for sentencing.