The reason why a man carried out an 'unprovoked' assault outside a village pub remains a mystery, a court heard.

But the aggressor, Mark Dunn, who inflicted the forceful, unexpected blow on a man who had just stepped out of The Black Bull, in Old Shotton, put himself at risk of an immediate prison sentence.

Durham Crown Court heard that 35-year-old Dunn, of Brandling Court, Shotton Colliery, admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the day of his scheduled trial, earlier this year.

Jonathan Gittins, prosecuting, said the victim had been drinking at the pub sometime after 8pm on December 22, 2022.

Mr Gittins said there came a point where the injured party left the premises with two females and was followed by the defendant.

(Image: Google Street View)

As he was speaking to one of the females, the victim was suddenly struck by Dunn who lunged at him and punched him in the face, causing him to fall.

His head struck the ground and he was knocked unconscious.

Mr Gittins said the defendant made a brief comment to the victim, before going back into the pub.

The victim recalled coming around on the ground before returning home with a bloodied nose and suffering a headache.

Several days later, having suffered from nausea and continued headaches, he attended hospital where he underwent a CT scan indicating a small fracture to the skull and a broken nose.

CCTV footage obtained from the pub enabled the police to identify the defendant as the man responsible for the attack.

He was arrested on January 9, last year, interviewed and made no comment, and he only went on to admit the charge when the case was to have gone to trial, on April 15, this year.

In an impact statement, the victim spoke of the multiple trips he has had to make to hospital, including for an operation to realign his nose, as well as treatment at an eye infirmary due to an injury suffered to the left eye.

He had migraines for about six months after the incident and still suffers from nerve damage to the left side of his cheek.

The victim has had to take time off work, and said he went several months not wanting to leave home as he felt unsettled in social settings.

(Image: The Northern Echo)

Dunn was said to have seven convictions for 14 past offences, including one for violence as well as receiving cautions for common assault and threatening behaviour, in 2021 and 2022.

Mark Styles, in mitigation, said the defendant was “forthright” in his interview with the Probation Service in helping to prepare a report for the court.

“It’s clear he’s made efforts to reduce his consumption of alcohol.

“Although he has the cautions from 2021 and 2022, in more recent times he seems to have calmed down.”

Mr Styles said the defendant has responsibility for looking after his father, following illness.

“Although this offence clearly crosses the custody threshold, he is capable of rehabilitation and capable of performing unpaid work in the community.”

Judge Richard Bennett said the defendant punched the victim in the face, rendering him briefly unconscious after hitting his head on the ground.

"But, rather than tend to him, you looked at him and went back into the pub to continue your night.

“He regained consciousness and vomited but only went to hospital days later having suffered a fracture to the skull, while also having to have an operation on his nose.

“He also suffers ongoing problems with migraines and has to have his left eye checked, as well as suffering permanent damage to his left cheek.

“He posed no threat to you and you attacked him for no apparent reason.”

Judge Bennett said with “no expectation” of the attack, the victim made no effort to try to protect himself.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo, by clicking here

Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with subscription. Our offer in June is £4 for 4 months. Find out more by clicking here

But the judge noted that Dunn has largely been offence-free in recent years and he, therefore, suspended a 21-month prison sentence for two years, during which he must undergo 300 hours’ unpaid work and attend 20 rehabilitation activity days, overseen by the Probation Service.

He also ordered him to observe a five-month, 7pm to 6am home curfew.

Judge Bennett told Dunn that he must carry out all the elements of the sentence, “to the letter” or he would be brought back to court and the sentence would begin at 21 months.