THREE friends who carried out an attack on a fourth man after a drinking binge were all jailed for 18 months yesterday.

They turned on Shaun Staples, who had been drinking with them in a flat in Darlington, because they suspected he had hit two of them while they slept off the effects of alcohol.

Durham Crown Court was told that Mr Staples had been staying with Peter Darren Kirk at his flat in Minors Crescent, in the Branksome area.

To thank Kirk and his friend, Andrew McGuffie, Mr Staples went out one morning in April last year to buy a large quantity of cider to share among the trio.

Michael O'Neil, prosecuting, said they drank the cider then fell asleep. Mr Staples woke to find himself being attacked by a fourth man, Kirk's step-brother, Alan Patrick Taylor, who had arrived while they were asleep.

Taylor left but the other two took over the attack on Mr Staples, who was left badly bruised and with a cut lip.

Defence barristers for the three told the court that Taylor admitted giving a "back-hander" to Mr Staples as he thought he had struck his step-brother while he slept. The other two admitted delivering follow-up blows.

Taylor, of Greenbank Road, Kirk, of Minors Crescent, both 37, McGuffie, 43, of Dinsdale Crescent, all Darlington, all admitted wounding Mr Staples.

Recorder John Norris said he apportioned equal blame on the three for Mr Staples' injuries.