A MAN suffered a fractured skull after he was beaten with a piece of wood when intruders burst into a house where he was sleeping with his girlfriend.

Kevin Puttuck was said to remember nothing of the attack, which the prosecution at Teesside Crown Court say was a joint venture between Ian David Hudson and teenager Michael Atkinson.

Hudson, 30, of Minors Crescent, Darlington, has already admitted a charge of aggravated burglary, having inflicted grievous bodily harm on Mr Puttuck. But Atkinson, 19, of Brinkburn Road, Darlington, denies the same charge and is on trial at court.

Yesterday, Tim Bubb, prosecuting, said both Hudson and Mr Atkinson were known to Tracey Barker, the female occupant of the house. She had previously had a relationship with Hudson.

On the night of the attack, on October 6 last year, Hudson, who had been drinking, had argued with his wife and went with Mr Atkinson to Miss Baker's home in Greenbank Road, Darlington.

Mr Bubb said that having discovered her in the bedroom with Mr Puttuck, Hudson left the house and armed himself with a one-metre long piece of wood which he used to "lay into" his victim when he returned.

He said the issue was whether Mr Atkinson took part in the offence, having entered the bedroom.

Mr Bubb said: "The Crown says he must have known about the man who was found upstairs and he must have known about the temper and state of mind of Hudson.

"He also must have known Hudson had armed himself with a piece of wood. Why else then did he go up to the bedroom with him if it was not to support him?"

The court heard that one of Mr Atkinson's fingerprints was found on the bedroom door, while a print of his trainer was found in the front garden of the house.

The jury was shown pictures of the blood-soaked bed in which Mr Puttuck was attacked.

Giving evidence, Miss Baker described how she had "freaked out" when discovering the extent of Mr Puttuck's injuries and ran downstairs to call 999.

The trial continues.