A MAN who ran 100 metres to launch an attack on two strangers claimed his drinks had been spiked, a court heard yesterday.

Steven Kniveton, 20, pleaded guilty at Harrogate Magistrates' Court to causing actual bodily harm to Adrian Kidd and assaulting Victoria Elstob.

Caroline Midgley, prosecuting, said the couple had just left Monty's nightclub, in Ripon, when Kniveton, of Fishers Court, High Skellgate, Ripon, ran towards them. When Ms Elstob asked him to go away he punched her and knocked her to the ground.

When Mr Kidd went to her aid, Kniveton backed him up against a wall and hit him on the chin.

Mr Kidd fell, cut his head open, and had to be taken to Harrogate District Hospital.

Mrs Midgley said Kniveton, who was not known to his victims, had been walking away when police arrested him and said he could not remembered what had happened.

In defence, David Camidge said Kniveton, who became a father a fortnight ago, believed his drinks had been spiked because his actions had been out of character.

Kniveton was put on probation for a year, ordered to pay costs of £75 and £120 compensation to Mr Kidd and £75 to Ms Elstob.