A DRINKER who has been banned from all of Darlington's pubs after getting into fights has been handed a suspended prison sentence for his latest bouts of violence.

Rhys Hunter, 22, of Dublin Street, Darlington, admitted one charge of assault by beating, a public order offence, and a breach of bail conditions, when he appeared before magistrates in Newton Aycliffe.

Prosecuting, John Garside said: "This was outside the Joseph Pease public house in Darlington.

"The defendant approached a male and punched him in the face.

"The force of the punch has caused the male to fall unconscious to the ground. He was identified from CCTV footage.

"In interview, he was asked if he was responsible for the assault, and if he thought that was normal behaviour, but he remained silent throughout the interview.

"He was shown the CCTV but still remained silent throughout.

"The victim in this case has provided a statement saying he doesn't wish to pursue any complaint. He claimed he had no idea he was assaulted he can't remember anything about the night, could only remember waking up in hospital. He didn't wish to make a complaint and said he wanted to be left alone."

Another assault took place outside the Boot and Shoe in Darlington town centre.

Mr Garside said Hunter got into an altercation with a man and 'took it outside' into Church Row, where Hunter punched the victim to the side of the head and face, causing his lip to split open.

That assault was also caught on CCTV, and Hunter said he punched the man because he had bullied him when he was younger.

Lisa Carney, mitigating on behalf of Hunter, said alcohol was a key part of his offending and he accepted the 'red mist' descended when he had been drinking.

"He is barred from all public houses in the Darlington area, your worships," she told magistrates.

"Certainly this young man needs help with alcohol." She said he had spent a brief amount of time in prison last year which was 'not something he wishes to repeat'.

Hunter received 12-month community order as recently as January for similar offences, she said.

But if he returned to prison he was likely to lose the prospect of impending work as a roofer, his relationship would collapse and it was unlikely he would receive the alcohol support he needed. Magistrates imposed a 12 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. They also ordered him to pay £100 compensation to the complainant and also take part in ten rehabilitation activity requirement days to address his alcohol issues.