A drunken thug who flashed his genitals at a couple during a violent disturbance has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years.

Steven Smith kicked the couple’s rear gate in before being confronted about his behaviour and reacting violently by throwing punches and grabbing the man around the neck.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 35-year-old kicked off on April 16 last year when he started shouting obscenities in the street before lashing out at the couple’s gate.

Tabitha Buck, prosecuting, said: “When the complainant came out of his house, he saw the defendant shouting ‘do I always have to f***ing apologise’ and he appeared to be intoxicated as his behaviour seemed erratic.”

She said Smith then walked away from turning around and charging back towards the man in an aggressive manner.

“He steps back, pulls down his jogging bottoms, grabs hold of his penis shouting ‘have some of this’,” she added.

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Miss Buck said that during the melee that followed Smith elbowed the man several times to the head before he has grabbed the victim around the neck after wrestling him to the ground and began to choke him.

The victim suffered a fractured wrist and a broken finger during the assault.

Smith, of West Street, Seaham, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, exposure, and criminal damage.

The court heard how Smith was being supported by his partner and was addressing his alcohol consumption following his arrest.

Judge Christopher Smith sentenced Smith to 18 months in custody suspended for 18 months following his guilty pleas.

He said: “This is a sorry day; you have not been in trouble really in the past – a couple of minor things a few years ago – and suddenly you find yourself in crown court.

“In a load of drink, you were kicking a gate and when people come out to ask you to stop, you then set-to in this persistent piece of violence towards that man.

“Some of which has some worrying aspects to it, putting your arms around anyone’s neck is dangerous behaviour. Bizarrely in the middle of all this you pull your trousers down.”

Smith was also ordered to attend 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

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