A TEENAGER who attacked a man twice on the same day in an act of revenge was yesterday behind bars.

The 16-year-old, from north-west Durham, beame angry after being accused of stealing a mobile phone from a 40-year-old man.

He sought him out on hearing that the man had remonstrated with his grandmother over the incident.

Durham Crown Court heard that he went to his home, in the Delves Lane area of Consett, and punched the man in the face, telling him: "Stop pestering my nan about the phone."

He waited outside the house until the victim left later that day and challenged him to a fight in the woods, before launching another attack, in which he landed several blows, leaving him unconscious on the ground.

David Crook, prosecuting, said the victim suffered a fractured jaw, facial bruising and an injury to his left eye in the incident, in May.

He now suffers dizzy spells and has difficulty sleeping.

The teenage defendant, who cannot be identified due to his age, admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm and common assault.

He also admitted a further assault, causing actual bodily harm, to a 14-year-old boy in a separate incident, in which he confronted his victim over an allegation that he had stolen a bicycle, in April.

Mr Crook said this victim was also punched several times in the face, suffering a nose injury which may require further surgery.

The court heard the teenager was on bail for the April incidents when the second set of offences took place just weeks later.

Stephen Rich, mitigating, said the victim in the May attacks is a chronic alcoholic, known to allow young men to smoke and drink in his home.

But Mr Rich conceded the teenager reacted inappropriately on hearing the man had remonstrated with his grandmother.

Imposing a 12-month detention and training order, Recorder Patrick Palmer told the defendant it was "a wholly unjustified act of revenge", and said the incidents were so serious that they could only merit custody.