A MAN was punched twice in the head after his attacker remarked that the first blow "wasn't hard enough," a court heard.

Samuel Beau Callaghan appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating.

The incident took place down a darkened alleyway in Darlington following a night out on March 10.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said an exchange took place between the defendant and his friends and the victim in a bar before the incident took place.

He added: "It appears the defendant has instigated the assault.

"He punched [the victim] once to the side of the head, remarked that he wasn't happy with the first punch because it wasn't hard enough and punched him again."

Peter Thubron, mitigating, said his client acted in self-defence but accepted than two blows was over the top.

The 19-year-old was fined £80 and ordered to pay £50 compensation.