AN irate guest at an engagement party broke the jaw of a distant relative who was trying to calm him, a court was told.

Terry Farrel, who had been threatening to assault another guest, was immediately apologetic after landing the single punch and offered to assist in taking the injured man to hospital.

Durham Crown Court heard that although the victim’s mouth filled with blood he was initially unaware of the extent of the injury.

He remained with party-goers, moving on from the venue, the Coach and Horses, in Leadgate, near Consett, to another establishment.

But, Ian Mullarkey, prosecuting, said as the evening went on, the pain worsened until he was unable to open his mouth.

He was taken to hospital in Durham, where doctors diagnosed a fractured lower jaw.

Following transfer to Sunderland Royal Hospital the jaw was wired, and further follow up treatment was required, including insertion of a metal plate.

Mr Mullarkey said in the aftermath of the incident, on Saturday April 26, the defendant contacted the victim to apologise and voluntarily attended a police station.

He told police that he was taking medication for mental health difficulties but, mixed with five to six pints of lager, he “lost his head”.

Farrel said he became flustered when several people approached him urging him to calm down, and added: “When I’m in one, I’m in one.”

Mr Mullarkey said the victim suffered pain for some time after the incident.

Farrel, 18, of Derwent Crescent, Consett, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said the defendant’s “remorse” was evident from reports presented to the court, adding that he is keen to address his problems, and has sought help to deal with anger management issues.

“It’s clear that on the day in question he was in drink and it may well have been exacerbated by the medication he was taking.”

Judge Robert Adams told Farrel that having had a bad record for violence in his younger days, there appeared to have been, “a significant gap” in his offending, until the latest incident.

“It appears you had no intention to cause this level of harm, and there was certainly a lack of pre-meditation.

“You may not have been to custody before, but if you continue to act in this way you will end up going to custody.”

The judge imposed a four month custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and Farrel must undergo probation supervision for the first 12 months.

Farrel will also be subject of a one month electronically-tagged home curfew, from 8pm to 7am.