A MAN who relieved the victim of a drunken attack of his watch, is to be sentenced at court, next month.

It follows a plea hearing at Durham Crown Court in which Andrew James Kitson admitted a charge of robbery arising out of the incident on October 21, last year.

The case was previously adjourned for a preparation of a psychiatric report on the 38-year-old defendant, of Wolsey Road, Seaham.

His barrister, Paul Cross, told the court: “It was thought post-traumatic stress disorder may have contributed to the defendant committing this offence, given the slightly odd circumstances.

“Someone else started the violence and a separate case is being prosecuted for causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

“It’s accepted that he (the defendant) was trying to stop the other man from inflicting violence, so it’s a slightly unusual situation.”

Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said: “It’s clear the injured party had a great deal to drink that day and the Crown accept the violence inflicted on him was not part of the robbery offence.”

Mr Cross “He accepts minimal violence, throwing something at the complainant and emptying the contents of two glasses over his head, before going through his pockets, but it’s nothing like the violence involving the other man.”

Mr Cross asked for preparation of a background report on Kitson by the Probation Service in the light of the psychiatric report findings.

Judge Christopher Prince agreed and 38-year-old Kitson was remanded to remain in custody pending the sentencing hearing, on August 3.