A TRAINED boxer broke a man's cheek bone when he punched him, a court heard yesterday.

Daniel Phillips, 18, admitted striking the 19-year-old man twice in a street confrontation at Shotton Colliery, near Peterlee last August.

Durham Crown Court heard that Phillips was among a group of three men involved in the dispute. after comments were made to a girl passing by with friends.

Alexia Zimbler, prosecuting, said while Phillips was recognised as the man responsible for the blows, there were confusing accounts from witnesses over who struck who and the identities of the men accompanying him.

She said: "It's accepted he landed two punches, but he denies suggestions that he kicked the victim.

"He admits using excessive force with the second punch. By his own admission, he's a trained boxer and that's how a cheek bone could have been broken."

Bob Spragg, for Phillips, said: "Words were exchanged and, when he went over, he accepts the second punch went too far, beyond what could be said to be reasonable force."

Phillips, of Milton Grove, Shotton Colliery, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Judge John Milford adjourned sentence for a month, pending preparation of reports on Phillips by the probation service.

The prosecution offered no evidence on a second charge against Phillips, of common assault.

Not guilty verdicts were also recorded on two other Shotton Colliery teenagers who were charged with causing grievous bodily harm after the incident.