A DRUNK teenager headbutted a delivery driver after being thrown out of a takeaway, a court heard.

Connor McVay, 19, of Oakwood Road, Stanley, went to the takeaway in the early hours of the morning trying to start a fight with staff and customers.

He was then removed from the shop but approached a delivery driver and began attacking him.

He pleaded guilty to assault by beating, at South Durham Magistrates Court yesterday.

Joanne Hesse, prosecuting, said McVay punched the driver in the chest and to the face, then went on to 'rapidly headbutt him'.

His defence solicitor Nic Musgrove said the defendant had little memory of the incident due to alcohol consumption. He had been in hospital with mental health difficulties brought on by binge drinking.

Since the attack, on February 18, McVay had been knocked over by a taxi which led to a spell in intensive care and major brain surgery.

He has now quit drinking and apologised to the victim and witnesses.

He was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £150 compensation.