A MAN has been left in fear of leaving his home after two men assaulted him for no reason in a bar, a court was told.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court heard how the men punched the victim several times to the back of the head in an unprovoked attack.

Lewis Holmes, of Adamson Street, Shildon, appeared jointly charged yesterday (Thursday 18) with Matthew Soutar, of John Terrace, Bishop Auckland, for the assault which took place on Thursday, September 11 in Bishop Auckland.

Lorraine Cooper, prosecuting, said the victim went outside for a cigarette and was talking to some friends when the two men approached him.

“One of them punched him in the face, causing him to stumble backwards, they then punched him to the back of the head and on his back before he fell over and they continued to assault him,” she said.

A statement from the victim said: “I am now in fear of leaving my house since this incident took place.

“I honestly think that if I did not get up off the floor I believe that I would have been killed.”

Nick Woodhouse, mitigating, said: “It does appear to be a mystery why these two men would behave in this way. It is completely out of character.”

Holmes and Soutar, both 21, pleaded guilty to assaulting a person and occasioning actual bodily harm.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report and will return to Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on Thursday, January 15.