A DRUNKEN thug, who left a trail of damage in a village pub, attacked an innocent customer after being asked to leave the premises, a court heard.

Lee Willis landed a forceful blow, which caused the victim to collapse to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement, outside The Shoes, in Sacriston, County Durham, on Friday, February 5.

Durham Crown Court heard that the regular was leaving the Plawsworth Road pub, looking down at his phone, when Willis ran up to him and punched him in the face with his right fist.

David Crook, prosecuting, said onlookers described his head hitting the ground with “a sickening thud”.

He lay unconscious as Willis, and a friend who had been with him in the pub, hurriedly left the scene.

When the victim came round he could not recall what happened, but was in great pain and had to undergo surgery with pins and a metal plate being inserted to his jaw.

The self-employed man had to take a fortnight off work, losing income, and attended hospital for five further appointments.

Mr Crook said although the pins have been removed the plate will remain in situ, while the victim still suffers facial numbness which may never disappear.

The court heard that earlier, in the pub, Willis was warned about his behaviour after punching a gaming machine as he and a friend became more boisterous.

Mr Crook said after a bottle was smashed they were asked to leave, but just became abusive.

The landlady’s mother, who was looking after the pub on behalf of her daughter, went outside to ring the police, but was joined by Willis who she described as “behaving like a mad man.”

He appeared to be about to attack her when her partner appeared, holding a puppy, and he was also threatened.

It was after this that the customer emerged and was attacked by Willis.

When the landlady’s mother went back into the pub, she discovered the pool table and a gaming machine were toppled over, while a plasma screen television was smashed, costing £650 to replace.

Willis, 24, of Ripon Court, Sacriston, admitted unlawful wounding and affray.

Michael Collins, in mitigation, said the defendant was “extremely sorry” for the injuries and distress he caused.

Mr Collins said Willis was in a “low frame of mind” at the time, but “reacted entirely inappropriately” in the pub.

Jailing him for 26 months, Judge Simon Hickey told him: “You reacted in an appalling manner.

“This hapless man was merely leaving the pub and simply walked out into this mayhem.”

The judge imposed restraining orders, without limit of time, preventing Willis from approaching or contacting the victim, and the other two people he threatened outside the pub.