A MAN who pestered a couple enjoying a birthday celebration went on to attack the male partner of the pair with keys after being told to “grow up”, a court heard.

Alan Stephen Barefoot, who was drinking with friends, placed a pornographic magazine on the table in front of the couple, at the Dean and Chapter pub, in Ferryhill.

Durham Crown Court was told that although they pushed the magazine away, Barefoot repeated the act, holding the magazine in front of them when they crossed paths again in a nearby pizza shop, later that evening.

Ian West, prosecuting, said after being told to “grow up”, Barefoot ran after the couple when they left the takeaway.

Mr West said the male turned and believed he could see something metallic in Barefoot’s hand as he approached from behind.

He landed a pre-emptive strike, punching Barefoot before he could use the implement in his hand.

Mr West said: “He was trying to prevent him using whatever was in his hand on his face, but he didn’t realise, at that time, that he had sustained injuries.”

The confrontation was broken up by two men, concerned that Barefoot was brushing against a car parked outside a property.

It was only as Barefoot and friends left the scene that the victim realised he had suffered a number of cuts to his face, arm and behind the ear.

He went to hospital for his injuries to be treated with stitches and medical glue.

Although the incident took place on December 1, 2018, Barefoot was not arrested until January, but he refused to answer police questions.

He was picked out as the culprit by the couple following an identity procedure.

The 30-year-old defendant, who was living in Kelvin Street, Ferryhill, at the time, initially admitted assault causing actual bodily harm at a previous hearing on the basis that he used keys after being attacked himself.

The prosecution refused to accept his account, which was withdrawn before a scheduled trial of issue.

Mr West said a number of Barefoot’s 33 convictions, for 61 offences, were for violence and since the Ferryhill incident he has served a prison sentence for possession of an airgun with intent to cause a fear of violence.

Nicholas Askins, mitigating, said as a result the defendant has spent most of this year in prison and his “desire” is now to draw a line under his offending.

Imposing a one-year prison sentence, Judge James Adkin said he was prepared to accept the ‘weapon’ used by Barefoot, in the “sustained” attack, was a set of keys.

But he said the sentence should only begin at the end of his existing jail term.