AN assault victim fled bare-chested after a supermarket clash with the new boyfriend of a former girlfriend, a court heard.

The 20-year-old man was attacked by Anthony Wallace while shopping at the Asda store, in Peterlee, in the early hours of November 23, last year.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, told Durham Crown Court that Wallace thrust a knee in the victim's face and landed blows to his back, head and torso.

"Blood was pouring down his face and body, and the only way for him to escape was for him to slip out of his upper clothing," he said.

"He managed to do this and fled the scene bare-chested, still being pursued."

Police later found Wallace washing his clothing at his home, said Mr Giuliani.

"He was asked why he was doing his washing at 5am, and he said he was due to visit his father, in prison, that day and wanted to look smart for the occasion," he said.

Peter Schofield, mitigating, said there had been a dispute between the two over a girl, who had previously been in a relationship with the assault victim.

But Mr Schofield said the incident took place when Wallace was addicted to heroin.

The offence automatically led to Wallace being recalled to finish part of a previous prison sentence, for a drugs offence, from which he had been released early.

Mr Schofield said it resulted in him being locked up for almost ten months prior to his court appearance, on Friday.

Wallace, 21, of Bradley Street, Easington Colliery, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and theft, relating to the victim's shirt.

Suspending a six-month prison sentence, for two years, Recorder David Gibson told Wallace he had taken into account the time he had spent in custody following his recall to prison after the drugs offence.