TWO men in their forties came to blows in a residential street in mid-afternoon in full view of neighbours, a court was told.

Both participants, Shaun Anthony Pollitt and Daniel Williamson, were injured in the clash, in Durham Road, Crook, on Friday June 25.

Durham Crown Court heard that nearby householders became aware of a disturbance in the street at about 3.45pm.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said Pollitt was later to say he went to the street to recover a phone from an ex-partner.

But, Mr Dryden told the court Pollitt’s former partner said he had been on the phone to her, being abusive and threatening.

“But there came to a point when both men were outside an address on Durham Road.

“There were verbal shouts to start with, moving on to a physical altercation, squaring up with each other, with both going to the ground, getting up and punches were thrown.”

Mr Dryden said some witnesses, one an “independent” observer, described Williamson holding a small knife, but he was to claim it was a Batman-shape key ring.

Pollitt was said to have got into a car before being driven away.

Both were arrested later that day, when Pollitt had bandages to injuries on his arm and Williamson appeared to have a wound to the back of the head.

He claimed he used the keys to swing at Pollitt causing the injury after he was struck with a garden ornament.

Pollitt, 48, of Arthur Street, and his co-accused, 45, of Hope Street, both Crook, each admitted a charge of affray.

Williamson also admitted possessing an offensive weapon, a “sharp metallic object”.

Judge Ray Singh said: “Whatever the rights and wrongs, whatever the issue and the reason you attended, you both behaved abysmally in a street where neighbours living with children were probably witnessing what was taking place, causing significant distress to some of those members of the public.

“You got yourselves involved in an affray and injury was caused to both of you.”

The judge passed an 18-month sentence on Williamson, suspended for two years, with a four-month electronically-monitored 8pm to 8am curfew.

Pollitt received a nine-month sentence, also suspended for two years.

Both defendants must also complete 15 probation-led rehabilitation activity days.

 

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054