A MAN has appeared at court for his part in a violent attack against a 67-year-old victim during a performance by a Johnny Cash tribute.

Jack David Mason appeared before Magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe yesterday for the incident that took place at The Forum Music Centre, on Borough Road, in Darlington.

The court heard that the victim asked Mason and his father to calm down on the dance floor after they bumped into his wife and violence broke out between them.

Claire Irving, prosecuting, said the victim is a regular volunteer at the venue and on that evening he was on the door collecting tickets before going inside to meet his wife and watch the performance.

She said: “The defendant bumped into [the victim’s] wife and the victim spoke to the defendant’s father, David Mason, and asked the defendant and his father to calm down because they were bumping into other customers.

“Towards the end of the show he went to the front to take a photograph and he was grabbed by the throat and punched. He fell to the floor and was punched in the face again.

“He [Mason] straddled him and put his thumbs in his mouth and began pulling, the victim said he felt as though his mouth was going to be ripped apart so he bit down.

“The defendant then put his little fingers in his eyes looking as if he was trying to pop them out.”

The victim was left with bruising to his face, ribs and elbow and needed treatment at hospital.

Mason, 27, pleaded guilty to one charge of assault by beating on June 29, 2018.

Michael Clarke, mitigating, said there were two sides to every story and his client had no previous convictions.

He said: “We have a young man here who has seven years service with the army, he has spent some time in Australia, returned home and has looked for work immediately.

“His father and brother pleaded guilty to similar offences, he accepts that his behaviour goes beyond self defence of his father.

“There were injuries, but in my submission they were not serious injuries. Mr Mason received a nasty bite to his fingers and needed hospital treatment. It was a momentary lapse and a blip.”

Mason, of Edgecombe Drive, Darlington, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the victim.

He must also pay £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.