A NEW Year’s Eve reveller punched a man queuing for a takeaway as punishment for him supposedly having touched a woman inappropriately in a club earlier in the night, a court heard.

Ayden Ross McLean punched and floored the man in the doorway of a pizza takeaway in Chester-le-Street town centre in the early hours of New Year’s Day 2015, Durham Crown Court heard.

The victim, who was heavily intoxicated, had little or no recollection of the night, Ros Scott-Bell, prosecuting, told the court – other than that he had had to change his kebab because it was served with the wrong sauce.

But when he awoke the following morning, he realised he had sustained an injury to his right eye.

Naomi Ruddick claimed he had touched her inappropriately on the leg in Chester-le-Street’s Roxy’s Nightclub.

When the two bumped into each other later in the takeaway, she was aggressive towards him, the court heard, slapping him and pushing him towards the door.

It was then that McLean punched the man in the face, knocking him to the floor. Ruddick then kicked him while he was on the ground.

Ruddick, of Windsor Terrace, New Kyo, near Stanley, admitted assault by beating and assault causing actual bodily harm and previously was given a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

McLean, 18, of Sevenacres, Great Lumley, near Chester-le-Street, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to a 12-month community order.

He must also complete 100 hours of unpaid work for the benefit of the community and pay £500 compensation to his victim.

McLean, who works as a roofer, accepted his victim was helpless due to his intoxication but had “no agenda”, the court was told.

Judge Christopher Prince said he had taken account of McLean’s age and early guilty plea. He made no order that McLean should pay the costs of prosecuting the case.

Both Ruddick and McLean were originally charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They were due to stand trial last October, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of assault causing actual bodily harm, which was formally accepted by the Crown.