AN anti-social nuisance was back behind bars for a random drunken attack within hours of his release from a previous prison sentence.

Paul Blakelock went on a drinking spree on January 28, following his release from a sentence for assault and breaching an anti-social behaviour order.

But at 11.45pm, he approached a man who was talking to a woman as he made his way home from a pub, in Cottages Row, Seaham, County Durham.

Blakelock adopted a boxer's stance and danced round as if in the ring, before striking the innocent victim a blow above the left temple, causing him to bleed.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court the victim was taken to hospital and had to have a wound stitched.

Blakelock was arrested several hours later and gave no comment when interviewed.

Miss Masters said the attack automatically put him in breach of the four-year anti-social behaviour order, imposed by magistrates in May 2006.

Among the terms of the order, Blakelock is prohibited from intimidating and harassing anyone in public.

Miss Masters said Blakelock had 24 previous convictions, plus a number of breaches of the order.

Mark Styles, for Blakelock, told the court: "This happened on the day of his release from the previous sentence and is considered a high risk of re-offending.

"He clearly had consumed drink that day after coming out of custody and can't sensibly explain why he behaved like he did, although he claims drink didn't really play a part.

"He's still only 25 and is building up an unenviable record.

"It's up to him to show if he has the determination of ridding himself of his dependency on one substance or another.

"He managed to wean himself off heroin and then developed a problem with methadone, combined with alcohol problems, as well."

Mr Styles said Blakelock conceded he behaved "highly inappropriately", and apologised to the victim of his random attack.

"There is no entrenched pattern of violence - it's repetitive nuisance behaviour," said Mr Styles.

Blakelock, of Burnip Road, Murton, County Durham, who previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm, was jailed for 15 months, including three months for breaching the order.