A PERCEIVED mock remark sparked a brawl in a town centre pub, which left the victim with two fractured eye sockets, a court heard.

Jax Harrison, Robert Slater and Lewis Patterson took part in the attack on a man drinking with his wife in The Oddfellows, in Seaham, late on October 19, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that Harrison believed that the complainant made the comment: “Irn Bru man”, in his direction.

Harrison went over to the man and threw a punch, knocking both him and the victim over, before they grappled on the floor.

Slater, who followed Harrison, holding his coat, also threw one or two punches, before being pulled away.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said other drinkers separated those involved in the melee, before Patterson approached the victim, pushed pub staff aside and landed a forceful punch to his face, causing him to fall onto a bench and the floor.

Mr Dryden said the victim suffered facial injuries, bruising, and abrasions to his torso, neck and hand. A CT scan in hospital revealed the fractures to both eye sockets.

The court heard he also suffered deep mental scars arising from the attack.

All three defendants were arrested ten days after the incident.

Harrison said he believed three “lads” were disrespectful to him and approached the complainant believing he was one of that trio.

Slater said he followed Harrison and admitted punching one man, but played no further part, while Patterson said he lashed out after seeing Harrison with blood on his face.

Patterson, 23, of Stavordale Street West, Seaham, admitted causing grievous bodily harm, while Harrison, 41, of Wordsworth Avenue, and Slater, 46, of Eastlea Crescent, both Seaham, each admitted affray.

Jane Waugh, for Harrison, said the former soldier, diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder arising from Army service in Bosnia, has medical and mental health issues and is prone to impulsive behaviour.

Alex Burns, for Slater, and Liam O’Brien, for Patterson, said it was out of character for their respective clients, neither of whom has any previous convictions.

Recorder Ian Harris described the incident as, “horrific thuggery” and all three men could have received immediate prison sentences.

But he passed suspended prison sentences on all three, 15 months each for Harrison and Patterson, and eight months for Slater, all suspended for two years.

Harrison was given a six-month 10pm to 7am home curfew and ordered to pay £200 compensation.

Slater must perform 150 hours unpaid work and pay £200 compensation, while Patterson was given 120-hours unpaid work, with £700 compensation and a six-month 9pm to 6am curfew.