A MAN queuing at a fast food takeaway on New Year’s morning was attacked after being accused of earlier touching a woman inappropriately, a court heard.

Naomi Ruddick made the allegation when she spotted the man who she claimed had groped her at a night spot earlier, as both waited for service at the counter of the takeaway, in Chester-le-Street town centre.

Durham Crown Court was told her allegation resulted in another customer in the premises, Ayden Ross McLean, offering to speak to the pinpointed man outside, where he punched him in the face, knocking him to the ground.

This was followed by Ruddick kicking him twice to the head area when he fell.

The court heard the victim suffered a suspected fracture to the cheek bone.

Ruddick previously admitted assault by beating, for aggressively pointing at the man inside the premises.

But, both she and McLean denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

They were to have stood trial today (Thursday October 1), but both pleaded ‘guilty’ to the lesser charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, which was “accepted” by the Crown.

Both 21-year-old Ruddick, of Windsor Terrace, New Kyo, near Stanley, and 18-year-old McLean, of Sevenacres, Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, were bailed to return for sentence on November 20.

Judge Christopher Prince told them “all options” remain open when they return for sentence.