AN aspiring Army officer is facing prison after a brutal attack on a fellow pupil in the dormitory of a top public school.

James Slade admitted an attack on Lloyd Pickering in a dormitory of Durham School, before Chester-le-Street magistrates.

He pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to his fellow 18-year-old on their final night at school, following an end of term barbecue.

Mr Pickering needed emergency surgery at the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, during which doctors removed his ruptured spleen.

Ian Walker, prosecuting, told Chester-le-Street magistrates, who adjourned sentence for reports, of the attack, that the attack was vicious. He said that was evident by the nature of the injuries.

In mitigation, Stephen Kettlewell, said Slade was remorseful for what had happened, but claimed Mr Pickering had kicked him first. He said: "Mr Slade accepts that what did occur should never have occurred. The one point that comes through is his regret and remorse."

Mr Kettlewell said Slade, had been planning a career in the Army, where he would have been sponsored through university by the service to eventually become an officer.

Slade, a boarder at the school, who lives in London, and Mr Pickering both left the school on July 6, the day of the attack. Headteacher Neil Kern said the incident had been totally out of character for Slade.

Mr Kern said: "It is something that the teachers and pupils who have known James Slade regard as out of character and we are as surprised and shocked as anybody.

"But that kind of behaviour is not acceptable in society or school and if you do that then you have to take the rap."

Classmates at the 335-pupil school, which dates back to the 15th Century, phoned for an ambulance following the incident, which occured at 3am.