A GROUP of men who were out celebrating a christening went on to carry out a punishment beating, a court has been told.

All five were jailed after a judge at Durham Crown Court told them "it can never be right" for anyone to take the law into their own hands.

Chris Knox, prosecuting, said "a great deal" was drunk after the family christening of John Hobkirk's child on Sunday, May 30, last year.

While at a pub, a plan was hatched to attack the 39-year-old victim, a man "with a certain reputation" in the Seaham area of County Durham.

He was ambushed near his home in Ryton Crescent and in the "short, sharp, but persistent attack" that followed, he was struck with a machete, slashed with a knife, kicked and punched.

Despite being knocked unconscious and left with a number of injuries, the victim refused to make a complaint.

But, Mr Knox said, it appeared he suffered lacerations "down to the bone", cuts to the front and back of his head, a slash wound to his back, plus a deep cut to a thumb.

"It was a serious attack, but it appears nothing vital was damaged. As far as anyone knows, he has made a reasonable recovery."

Hobkirk, 26, of The Avenue, Steven Radcliffe, 24, and 18-year-old John Prest, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent.

Michael Metcalfe, 27, and Hobkirk's 18-year-old brother, Steven, both admitted violent disorder.

John Hobkirk, of the Avenue, Seaham, was jailed by Judge Beatrice Bolton for three years.

Radcliffe, whose address was not disclosed, was jailed for two years and six months.

Prest, of Eastlea, Seaham, was sent to a young offenders' institution for two years and six months.

Metcalfe, of Portland Avenue, Seaham, was jailed for 15 months and Steven Hobkirk, also of The Avenue, was sentenced to one-year in a young offenders' institution.