THREE men who carried out a revenge attack on a drunken circus performer narrowly escaped prison sentences yesterday.
Durham Crown Court had heard that Joseph Thompson and brothers Jason and Steven Ludlow meted out punishment on Ian Park.
The court was told they retaliated after Park, who was drunk after birthday celebrations in Durham City, cut Jason Ludlow with one of a pair of circus knives he brandished on leaving a pub.
John Evans, prosecuting, said Park, now of Deal, in Kent, was punched and kicked by the Ludlows and Thompson, who left him covered in blood.
Mr Evans said Park suffered a broken nose, cuts and bruises, but was released after treatment at the police station.
He was subsequently placed on probation for a year with £50 costs by Durham magistrates after admitting affray and possessing an offensive weapon.
Jason Ludlow, 25, and 26-year-old Steven, both of Viola Crescent, and 28-year-old Thompson, of Rose Crescent, all Sacriston, admitted affray at an earlier hearing.
They each received community service orders of 240 hours, with £250 costs
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