A TEENAGER knocked out two members of a social club committee then bit the nose of a third man in a drunken spree of violence.

The incident happened at Peterlee Catholic Club shortly before last orders on Saturday, February 26, when chairman Kevin Jones and fellow committee member Kevin Elliott ticked off 18-year-old Robert James Murray for using a fire door.

Durham Crown Court heard he responded by swearing and delivering a single blow to each. Both men, in their late 40s, were knocked to the ground and were temporarily unconscious.

Euan Duff, prosecuting, said: "He was clearly proud of the prowess of the punches.

"Witnesses described him jumping up and down shouting 'I've knocked them out, I've knocked them out'."

Murray went back into the club and was seen pushing his girlfriend, who berated him over the attack.

Another customer, David Stewart, 25, tried to calm Murray, who bit him in the face, splitting open his nose.

Mr Duff said Mr Stewart will suffer long-term scarring, while Mr Jones suffered a broken wrist and Mr Elliott received cuts.

Jane Waugh, for Murray, said he was ashamed of his drunken actions.

Murray, now 19, of Snowdon Place, Peterlee, admitted unlawful wounding and two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Peter Armstrong said, but for his previous clean record, he would have imposed a prison sentence.

He was given a two-year community rehabilitation order, including 100 hours of community punishment work and a six-month curfew, during which he will be electronically tagged.

He must also pay £1,000 compensation to Mr Stewart, £300 to Mr Jones and £200 to Mr Elliott.