TWO fathers have been ordered to pay £1,500 in compensation after breaking a man's nose in an unprovoked drunken attack.

Darren Patrick McPhee, 22, of Melsonby Crescent, and Jason Paul Midgley, 29, of Fenby Avenue, both Darlington, punched and kicked Mark Bailey while out celebrating in the town, South Durham Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Mr Bailey suffered bruising and swelling to his face and eye and had to have surgery on his nose.

The attack happened on September 16, when McPhee and Midgley were out celebrating, having both recently become fathers.

Barry Smith, prosecuting, told magistrates that Mr Bailey had left The Turks Head, in Bondgate, where he was drinking with his girlfriend, to get some money from a nearby cash machine.

He said Mr Bailey noticed a group of six or seven young people, who accused him of shouting at some girls, and became worried.

"He tried to get away, but unfortunately for him he did not get away quickly enough," he said.

At a previous hearing, magistrates were shown security camera footage of Midgley, a father-of-four, punching Mr Bailey and then kicking him while he was on the ground. McPhee also punched him.

Mr Bailey ran away and took refuge in a nearby pizza shop, where he called the police.

The two defendants were arrested and, at a court hearing, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Magistrates were shown a collection of photographs showing the extent of Mr Bailey's injuries.

Graham Hunsley, for the defendants, said there were some inconsistencies and questioned whether all the injuries suffered by Mr Bailey had been as a direct result of the two punches and a kick captured on security film.

He said Mr Bailey had admitted in interview that he, like the two defendants, had been drunk and had a hazy recollection of events.

"Seeing the video, it is difficult to imagine how those injuries to different parts could all come from those three blows," said Mr Hunsley.

Midgley and McPhee, who are both shopfitters, were ordered to pay Mr Bailey £1,500 compensation. They were each fined £250, and ordered to pay £34 costs.