TWO brothers were arrested after arguing with police following a derby day drinking session, a court has heard.

Rikki Lee Copping, 27, and his brother Thomas Howard Copping, 25, had been out drinking in Bishop Auckland on April 14 to see Newcastle United’s 3-0 loss to Sunderland, magistrates in Newton Aycliffe were told.

The pair left Hogan’s on Newgate Street when the pub closed at 11.30pm and were walking towards Cockton Hill Road when they came across a large group of people outside the Cumberland Arms.

Prosecutor Joanne Hesse said police officers arrived to break up the group but as they went to leave they saw Rikki Copping, of Bewick Main caravan park in Birtley, throw a punch at another man.

Officers went to arrest him but he tensed his arm making it harder for him to be handcuffed and causing him to fall to the floor, the court heard.

Thomas Copping, who lives at General Bucher Court in Bishop Auckland, started swearing at police and tried to pull his brother from their grasp, the court heard.

Rikki Copping admitted using threatening behaviour and restricting a PC while Thomas Copping pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and obstructing an officer.

The court heard both men had drunk about eight pints during the day.

Liam Brison representing Thomas Copping said his client did not understand why his brother was being arrested and had intervened to try and get his brother out of trouble.

Magistrates adjourned the case until Friday (May 3) for pre-sentence reports to be prepared.