A DRUNK man attacked doormen working at a pub's gay night after hurling homophobic abuse at them.

Paul Noble, 31, of Esk Road, Darlington, swung punches at two men, and headbutted one of them, at Berlins, in Darlington, on August 30.

He was so drunk he fell to the floor when he first tried to punch one of them.

Noble admitted threatening violence before South Durham magistrates at Darlington yesterday. He also admitted using threatening behaviour at Bells store in Darlington on September 6.

Noble was asked to leave because he had been banned for shoplifting but refused and held up his hands, which were covered in blood. The shop assistant, who was suffering from cancer, was afraid he might pass on an infection.

Noble also admitted receiving a stolen sandwich from Greggs on November 9 and stealing a sandwich from the bakery on September 8. He pleaded guilty to stealing coffee from the Co-op on October 22 and stealing biscuits from Bells on September 3.

In mitigation, Stephen Andrews said Noble was a heroin addict who was undergoing treatment and stole to feed his habit. He said he had been taunted by the doormen, and wanted to apologise to the woman at Bells. Noble was given a community rehabilitation order for 18 months.