BAD blood boiled over between two young drinkers at a social club on Boxing Day, a court heard.

Words were exchanged between the duo, before Terry Fenwick Blades thrust his arm towards the other man, while holding a whisky glass.

It shattered on the victim's chin, with blood "gushing everywhere", Steven Orange, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court.

He was taken by car to hospital where 13 stitches were used to close the wound, which may leave him permanently scarred.

Mr Orange said the victim had returned with friends from watching Sunderland play Leeds at the Stadium of Light on Boxing Day, and they went for a drink to New Hesleden Social Club, in Murton.

The incident took place in the crowded pool table area in mid-evening, after Blades entered and muttered comments to the other man.

Following the incident, 20-year-old Blades, of Watkin Crescent, Murton, was arrested.

He initially claimed he was responding after being struck first by the other man, but Mr Orange said none of the witnesses backed his account.

Blades, a part-time security guard, admitted causing grievous bodily harm, but he denied that it was with intent.

Mr Orange said the prosecution would accept the plea on the basis that he may have lashed out, fearing he was going to be hit, but not that he was responding to being struck first.

Glen Gatland, mitigating, said the former friends had fallen out over the course of the previous year, after Blades was involved in a fight with the victim's brother.

He claimed that on entering the club, Baldes was fearful as he was on his own and the victim was with a group of his friends.

Mr Gatland presented several character references on behalf of Blades, who had no previous convictions.

Recorder Jonathan Aitken said had the glass been deliberately thrust into the other man's face, Blades would have received an immediate custodial sentence.

But he said, given his previous good character, he was able to impose a 12-month community order, with 200-hours' unpaid work and £200 compensation.