A SENIOR councillor has been ordered to pay damages to a man he punched in the face at a football match seven years ago.

Stephen Walmsley, 51, denied hitting Sunday League football physiotherapist John Lynch during a local cup final in October 1995.

But yesterday, Middlesbrough County Court accepted Mr Lynch's civil claim for damages for assault and battery, and ordered the Stockton Borough Council cabinet member to pay £4,578 plus costs of £4,110.

The two men became embroiled in a heated exchange as Mr Lynch, then physio for Old Thornaby Football Club, tried to tend to one of the team's injured players, Glen Eastick - Councillor Walmsley's nephew.

Mr Lynch, 48, of Valiant Way, Thornaby, said Coun Walmsley swore at him, before punching him on the jaw, knocking him unconscious.

He was treated in hospital for bruising to his jaw and reported the matter to the police the following day.

But the officer involved in the case did not interview Coun Walmsley and the Crown Prosecution Service did not proceed with a criminal case.

Barrister Daniel Edwards, acting for Mr Lynch, said the impact of the punch damaged a disc in his neck, which left him permanently disabled and unable to work.

Coun Walmsley, of Chadderton Drive, Thornaby, told the court that Mr Lynch bundled him out of the way while he was trying to help his nephew.

"I was taken aback more than anything and after that an argument ensued, and yes, it got heated. Mr Lynch came chasing up behind me. I turned and possibly put my arms out. It was more a fending off than anything."

District Judge Christine Arkless said she accepted that Mr Lynch was punched and that he deserved damages.

Mr Lynch said after the verdict he was "absolutely over the moon".

He said: "I've known I was right for seven years and it's finally come out that I'm right. The money was never an issue."

He said he would not have pursued the civil claim if the police had taken action against the councillor. The officer involved in the case has since been admonished and moved to another area.

Coun Walmsley said the verdict was "unbelievable". He said: "That I would go out of my way just to thump somebody is absolutely ridiculous."