TWO men have admitted carrying out a series of drunken assaults which culminated with police officers being attacked and two injured over a Bank Holiday weekend.

John Pinder and Paul Nixon were told they are likely to receive prison sentences when they are back at Durham Crown Court next month to learn their fate.

Judge Simon Hickey warned them, “not to be under any illusions,” that they would be receive anything other than custodial sentences after guilty pleas were given to six charges that were to have been contested at trial.

They arose from an incident in which police were called to an address in Leadgate, near Consett, at about 4.45pm on Sunday August 27, following a report of a man having been attacked.

As police were attempting to detain the pair, three male and a female officer came under attack, two suffering injuries in the process.

One lost teeth in the incident, as well as suffering jawline injuries, and required corrective dental surgery.

Another officer suffered a broken hand trying to restrain the defendants.

Pinder, now 26, was remanded in custody in the wake of his eventual arrest and Nixon, 46, was bailed.

Both subsequently appeared at the court, when Pinder admitted one charge each of assault with intent to resist or prevent apprehension, and assault causing actual bodily harm.

But the pair were to face trial for six other charges arising from the incident.

Following discussions between lawyers on the day the scheduled trial was to start, the remaining six charges were put to the defendants.

Pinder admitted a further count of assault causing actual bodily harm, two of assault by beating, plus another two of assault with intent to resist apprehension.

Nixon admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and assault with intent to resist apprehension.

Sentence was adjourned to allow preparation of probation reports on both, plus a medical report on Nixon.

Remanding Pinder, of Dunelm Way, back to custody, and Nixon, of John Street, Blackhill, on extended bail, Judge Simon Hickey told both: “Be under no illusions as to what awaits. The likely outcome to these offences are sentences of custody.”