WORDS were exchanged on the dance floor between two men from different Christening celebrations, a court heard yesterday.

Both were asked to leave as tempers frayed, but one of the pair then attacked the other outside the premises.

Durham Crown Court was told that Craig Jones walked up to the other man, who was talking to door staff, and punched him in the face.

Following a brief interlude, he approached again and landed a further blow, knocking the other man temporarily unconscious in the incident outside The Bell, in Sunderland Road, Horden, east Durham, in November last year.

Jane Mitford, prosecuting, said the victim needed six stitches to a cut forehead, and suffered bruising to the chin and cheekbone.

The victim said that after being asked to leave the premises, he remembered standing outside one moment and being attended to by paramedics the next.

When Jones was arrested, he told police he was at a separate Christening party and recalled words being exchanged between two groups.

He said that outside, "some lad was mouthing off", so he approached and struck him, initially claiming self-defence.

Jones, 25, of Stapylton Drive, Peterlee, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Annelise Haugstad, in mitigation, said the offence could put Jones' hopes of becoming a firefighter in jeopardy.

She said: "It remains to be seen whether it still remains open to him.

"It was, indeed, a shocking incident, but he is of impeccable previous character and comes from a supportive family.

"He is horrified at what he did. He became involved due to an unusual amount to drink.

"He felt the other gentleman was coming towards him, but accepts what he did was totally unacceptable."

Miss Haugstad said Jones, a junior rugby coach, now socialises in a "different environment".

Judge Tony Lancaster told him: "It was unprovoked and shameful conduct, leaving this man unconscious after attacking him a second time.

"But all the reports suggest you are normally a law abiding person and I am satisfied it was out of character."

He said he could, therefore, avoid imposing a prison sentence, and ordered Jones to perform 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation to the victim.