A MAN carried out “appalling violence” at his family home, before turning his attention to police summoned to deal with him, a court heard.

John Pinder was said to have been on a near-week-long drinking binge, as well as having taken cannabis, culminating in the list of offences committed on Sunday August 27 last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that assisted by family friend Paul Nixon, he attacked his sister’s partner, slapped her, throttled his mother, before assaulting police officers called to the scene, at the house in Leadgate, near Consett, at about 4.45pm.

Sam Faulks, prosecuting, said the spark appeared to have been the presence of his younger sister’s much older partner at the family home, in Dunelm Way,.

Mr Faulks said Pinder, who frowned on the relationship, believed they were no longer seeing each other.

Pinder and Nixon, both heavily intoxicated, arrived at the house looking for the man, who sought refuge in an upstairs bedroom.

They followed and found him trying to hide under a bed.

Mr Faulks said the victim was repeatedly stamped on, and kicked, but when Pinder’s sister intervened, he managed to escape via a bedroom window.

Having slapped his sister, Pinder tightly placed an arm round his mother’s neck during a verbal confrontation when the first two officers arrived at the house.

One of the officers suffered a forceful blow, knocking him to the ground, causing dental and jawline injuries, which required lengthy corrective treatment.

A female officer went on to suffer stress disorder following the incident, which ended later, outside, after another officer suffered a broken hand trying to fend off a kick from Pinder.

The defendant, 26, of Dunelm Way, who has previously assaulted police officers, admitted three counts of assault with intent to resist arrest, plus two each of assault causing actual bodily harm and assault by beating.

Nixon, 46, of John Street, Blackhill, Consett, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and intending to resist arrest.

David Callan, for Pinder, said, having finally owned up to his actions, he plans to use his time in custody addressing drink and anger management issues.

Vic Laffey, for Nixon, said he played a much lesser role, and was, “a follower rather than a leader”, but he, also, needs to address his alcohol issues.

Judge Simon Hickey jailed Pinder for three years and passed an 18-month sentence on Nixon.

He described it as, “appalling violence”, on family members, friends, plus police officers going about their public duties, causing some of those involved “profound difficulties”, both physically and psychologically.