A STUDENT suffered a significant injury after he was smashed over the head with a pool cue following a drunken misunderstanding, a court heard.

The victim was left needing 13 stitches when he was attacked while he was sitting down in Mr Grey's pub in Northallerton.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the university student was targeted by Cameron Moss-Cardie after he was perceived to have made a homophobic comment.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said the victim needed hospital treatment after the defendant launched the unprovoked attack on December 17, 2019.

The court heard how the victim had tried to apologise for whatever slight the person had suffered but his efforts were rejected while in the smoking area.

"He was unsure how he had upset him," he said. "He returned inside the pub and was warned by the barman to stay away from the man as he had upset him."

The victim then sat down in the pub but attacked from behind by the defendant. He said: "Moss-Cardie who had been playing pool with the other man came across and struck him forcibly with the pool cue.

"Moss-Cardie then ran out of the pub with his friend.

"It's fair to say that the victim doesn't have much recollection of what happened other than being struck on the head and being knocked to the floor."

Mr Baker said the victim was taken to hospital for treatment to the gash on his head and received 13 staples to seal the wound.

In a victim impact statement, the student said he struggles to come home from university due to the incident and was unable to leave the house and meet up with friends after it knocked his confidence.

He added and when he is out drinking he 'is always looking over his shoulder' as a result of the attack.

The court heard that the 22-year-old handed himself in to the police and indicated he would plead guilty when he first appeared at magistrates' court.

In mitigation, Robert Mochrie, said his client had never been in trouble before and was highly thought of at his place of employment.

"This was something of a cowardly attack," he said. "A cowardly attack which is outwith his usual conduct."

Mr Mochrie said Moss-Cardie had consumed up to nine pints of alcohol and had acted out of some 'misguided loyalty' to his friend over the perceived slight.

Judge Stephen Ashurst said there was absolutely no evidence that the victim had made any sort of homophobic remark.

He said: "This was an unnecessary use of force. you have shown remorse and you are ashamed of what you have done."

Moss-Cardie was given a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay his victim £1,500 in compensation on placed on a three month curfew.