A YOUNG man was beaten with a stick and bitten by a long-time friend who accused him of staring at him, a court heard.

The attack took place in front of shoppers outside a convenience store in Wheatley Hill.

Michael James Davies pulled up in a Peugeot vehicle alongside the victim's girlfriend's Fiat Punto car.

Mr Davies, 27, approached the car and opened the passenger door. He asked the 21-year-old man: "What are you looking at?"

Peter Schofield, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court that Mr Davies then took out a club or stick and struck him. Further blows followed and the victim ended up at the rear of the Punto, putting up his arms in an attempt to shield himself from the attack.

He managed to prise the stick from Mr Davies and attempted to pass it on to someone else at the scene.

Mr Schofield said: "The attack did not end there. Mr Davies sank his teeth into his left arm, causing the victim severe pain.

"He then bit his left thumb causing excruciating pain. He screamed for Mr Davies to let go, which he did, but not without a struggle."

Mr Schofield said Mr Davies then jumped on to the Punto bonnet and attempted to kick out the windscreen. A passing woman, leaving the store with her daughter, rang the police on a mobile phone to describe the incident as it took place.

Mr Davies was arrested and said he was defending himself and that he had been assaulted first.

But he admitted jumping on the bonnet and offered to pay for the damage in a police interview.

But 27-year-old Mr Davies, of Wordsworth Avenue, Wheatley Hill, subsequently denied charges of wounding with intent and criminal damage.

He is expected to give evidence today.

The case continues.