TWO young men have been sentenced to 18 and 12 months respectively in a young offenders institution for their part in a fracas in which an off-duty police chief was beaten unconscious.

Lee Makin and Simon Kilpatrick joined two other youths in the attack on Detective Superintendent David Jones and his neighbour, Darren Foster, in Woodham Way, Newton Aycliffe, on March 13 last year.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the attack stemmed from a prank in which a hosepipe was being tied around a tree in Mr Foster's garden.

Although Makin, 19, of Callerton Rise, Aycliffe, and Kilpatrick, 18, also of Aycliffe, were not involved in the prank, they became embroiled in a confrontation with Mr Foster, who had suffered problems with anti-social behaviour from local youths.

Martina Connolly, prosecuting, said Kilpatrick had been particularly threatening towards Mr Foster, and Makin, an apprentice joiner, had prodded his shoulder.

After they left, Mr Foster, of Dudley Drive, Newton Aycliffe, rang the police and got his neighbour, Det Supt Jones, a policeman with 26 years' service on the Durham force, who was off duty, to help look for the four youths.

When they caught up with the four, two of whom cannot be named for legal reasons, they were attacked.

Makin was said to have punched Det Supt Jones two or three times, while blows were also rained on Mr Foster.

Det Supt Jones was taken to hospital with face and leg injuries. He was left with permanent scarring to his face. Mr Foster also required hospital treatment.

When he was arrested, Makin, who was said to be of previous good character, said he had acted in self-defence, saying Det Supt Jones had grabbed him and punched him.

Kilpatrick accepted that he had hit Mr Foster, but said he had been defending his friend.

Judge Peter Fox described it as a disgraceful episode, and said the youths were seen walking off re-enacting the scene and punching the air.

He said: "People are fed up to the back teeth of arrogant youths like you who won't be told to behave."

Makin pleaded guilty to a section 20 wounding offence, while Kilpatrick admitted affray.