MISPLACED loyalty landed an older brother in court after he attacked and threatened a man who had made a police statement against his sibling.

Kevin Dodds admitted perverting the course of justice and assaulting Shaun Elliot, in Spennymoor, on June 23.

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard how Dodds had left a stag party earlier that day because he had drank too much and bumped into Mr Elliot by chance.

"It's a prolonged case of intimidation not only in the street but also in the takeaway where Mr Elliot went to seek refuge," said Jonathan Bambro, prosecuting.

During CCTV footage from the takeaway, shown to the court, Dodds was seen shouting at Mr Elliot for several minutes.

Dodds threatened to drag Mr Elliot out of the shop, slapped him twice and punched him once.

Mike Clarke, mitigating, said Dodds was ashamed and embarrassed of his behaviour.

Dodds, 23, of Watson Street, Spennymoor, admitted perverting the course of justice and assault. He was sentenced to 26 weeks jail for perverting the course of justice and six weeks for the assault, suspended for two years. He will undertake 200 hours unpaid work, pay £100 compensation and complete a 12-month supervision order