The mother of a teenager who was assaulted outside a takeaway has spoken out about the ordeal.

The 17-year-old had been walking to his home in Middleton St George, near Darlington, when he was assaulted by the 36-year-old ex-partner of his mum.

Stacey Burrows, who has since had to move to avoid her former partner, has spoken out about the impact of the attack.

Lee Dixon appeared in court this week, when he pleaded guilty to the assault.

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It relates to an incident on April 23 this year, when Dixon attacked a boy outside the Golden Chef Chinese restaurant in Middleton St George.

“He was terrified,” said Stacey. “When it first happened he went to stay with his girlfriend because he was so terrified.

“He was traumatised by the whole event. No-one expects a 36-year-old to attack a child. It’s absolutely disgusting and we have to live in the village.

“He was just walking home from work after a 12 hour shift.

“He (Dixon) just saw him and decided to take his anger out on him. The poor lad was just walking home and he was scared half witless.”

Dixon, of Piermont Crescent, Darlington, admitted one charge of assault when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

He will have to pay £250 in compensation to his victim and was made subject to a community order which means he will have to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.

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She added: “He now has a criminal record for the rest of his life and he is known to be an offender which is not a good look.

“He’s serving a sentence from the outside. I just want people to know what happened.

“I never imagined he was that kind of person but it really shows what people can do.”

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