A TEENAGER ejected from a pub attacked another drinker who was being detained by door staff.

Lewis Graham Hutton, then 18, was asked to leave the Wicket Gate, in Chester-le-Street, following an incident inside the Front Street pub, at 12.45am on December 7, 2018.

Durham Crown Court was told he seemed to have calmed down and was talking to door staff when a glass was thrown in their direction.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said it did not hit Hutton and a man near the pub exit was detained by the security personnel.

As the man was on the ground being restrained, Hutton approached and delivered a forceful kick to his head, causing a loud “thud” and an immediate flow of blood from the mouth.

First aid was administered by the door staff and an ambulance was called.

The victim suffered a fractured eye socket and received subsequent hospital surgery.

Hutton, who ran off, was later pinpointed by a witness following an identity parade, but denied it and made no further comment in two police interviews.

The court was told that the victim, a self-employed man in his 30s, could not work for several weeks, suffering a substantial loss in earnings.

Hutton, now 20, of Waldridge Road, Chester-le-Street, admitted unlawful wounding at a hearing last month.

Lorraine Mustard, for Hutton, presented several character testimonials for the court, conceded he behave in a “completely unacceptable” manner that night.

But she said he has not been in trouble before or since and is considered by the Probation Service to pose a “low risk” of reoffending.

Recorder Jo Kidd said he finally had, “the good sense to plead guilty”, despite his earlier denials.

Having read “glowing references”, and, given Hutton’s young age and previous good character, she said she could “draw back” from an immediate custodial sentence.

She imposed an 18-month sentence, suspended for two years, during which he must carry out 200-hours’ unpaid work. He must also pay £500 compensation to the victim.