A YOUNG man who struck a teenager over the head with a bottle still has little memory of the incident, a court heard.

But Shaun Embleton, who admitted being drunk at the time, accepts he must have been responsible.

Durham Crown Court was told the 18-year-old victim did not suffer serious injury as the bottle did not smash. He was treated at hospital for a cut above the right eyebrow.

The incident took place as Embleton crossed paths with the victim and his friend as they were making their separate ways home, on Humphrey Close, Newton Aycliffe, late at night.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said Embleton had asked for a cigarette and then grabbed a bottle they were drinking from and hit his victim with it before running away.

Stuart Allison, mitigating, said Embleton had great difficulty accepting he had struck out with a bottle, as he had no recollection of it taking place, but he had drunk to excess that night.

Mr Allison said after the incident Embleton suffered some reprisals in the Newton Aycliffe area from people "making his life difficult" but he had kept out of trouble for more than a year and was now working.

Embleton, 20, of Fewston Close, Newton Aycliffe, admitted assault, causing actual bodily harm.

He was given a 100-hour community punishment order, told pay £250 compensation and £100 costs.