A MAN committed “a dreadful” attack with an axe he found during a “frenzied” brawl outside a club, a court heard.

Kevin Armstrong was not involved in the original violence, in the street outside The Victory Club, in Easington Colliery, where drinkers were watching televised football, in early evening on Boxing Day, 2016.

But, Durham Crown Court was told, “unwisely”, he decided to go outside, himself, to assist someone involved in the melee.

Penny Bottomley, prosecuting, said although there was some“provocation” from others, at some point Armstrong picked up an axe, which had been removed from the back of an open backed van, and inflicted a blow to the face of one of those present, causing injuries which required hospital treatment.

He also banged the axe on the door of the premises, but he did not appear to have it when he left on foot with his daughter.

The court heard that although the wound appeared serious, it did not result in any “boney” injury being inflicted and was dealt with by way of stitches.

Forty-year-old Armstrong, a roofer, of Webb Square, Horden, originally denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, affray and possessing an offensive weapon.

Court proceedings have since involved several listing dates, but, most recently, on the scheduled opening day of the hearing, at Newcastle Crown Court, he changed his pleas to guilty.

Amrit Jandoo, in mitigation, told the sentencing hearing, in Durham: “It was a really frenzied incident occurring after a great deal of alcohol had been had by all those involved. The defendant, perhaps unwisely, went outside to see the fight taking place and thought it was unfair.”

Mr Jandoo said Armstrong feared being attacked himself and saw the axe, which he picked up for protection, but others had also armed themselves with other tools from the vehicle.

“It’s unfortunate that he behaved in this way, but the injury, while serious, was, fortunately, not long-lasting and the complainant was released from hospital fairly soon afterwards.

“Mr Armstrong was concerned about the welfare of his daughter, who was at the premises, outside where the fights were taking place and he banged the axe on the door to get staff to come out to sort it out.”

Mr Jandoo added that the blow inflicted was “an impulsive act and one he clearly regrets”.

Jailing him for two years, Recorder Jonathan Aitken told Armstrong: “This was a dreadful attack with an axe, but I accept it wasn’t pre-meditated and that you didn’t take it with you.”