A JUDGE has criticised five men after a fight spilled out of a town centre bar and onto the street.

In total, three doormen and two customers were involved in the violence outside Cactus Jacks, in Darlington, in the summer last year.

Security images of the trouble were shown to Judge Brian Forster as he sentenced the men.

All five narrowly avoided jail, but were criticised by the judge for "inexcusable" behaviour.

He said: "All of you must understand that the last thing the public wants to see is fighting taking place outside public houses or bars, particularly late at night."

He told drinkers Philip Newnham and Robert Stark: "There was no excuse at all for you fighting the doormen."

He told bouncers George Timofte, Peter Barlow and Gary Mc- Kelvey: "You were employed to prevent disorder, but you lost control, you joined in and you took part in unlawful fighting."

All five admitted affray following the incident in Commercial Street at 11.30pm on June 10, and were ordered to pay £300 costs.

Stark, 27, of Barningham Street, Darlington, who was the least involved in the violence, was given a one-month electronic tag curfew.

Newnham, 38, of The Green, Cockerton, near Darlington, who is said to have started the trouble, was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work.

The three doormen were also ordered to carry out work for the community - Timofte for 180 hours, McKelvey 220 hours and Barlow 180 hours.

Timofte, 25, of Petch Street, Stockton, was said to have a promising future and is planning to study meteorology at university.

Brian Russell, in mitigation, said Barlow, 31, of Grainger Street, Hartlepool, had carried out a lot of community work and was well-respected.

Dan Cordey, in mitigation, said former soldier McKelvey, 26, of Waltham Close, Darlington, was provoked by threats made by Newnham.

All the door staff risk losing their jobs, and McKelvey, who has applied to join the police, could also be sacked from his store security work.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said trouble started as staff tried to eject the two friends after complaints about the use of a bucking bronco machine.

The video showed McKelvey pushing Newnham into the street, then Newnham throwing punches at him before he is knocked to the ground and hit.

Stark threw a punch at Mc- Kelvey, but missed, and was taken to the ground before Barlow kicked him and Timofte stamped on him.