A MAN thrown out of a bar for being drunk was punched to the ground by another drinker, a court heard yesterday.

Charles Andrew Hollywood was drinking with friends in Darlington when the incident happened on March 29.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting at South Durham Magistrates' Court, said Andrew Sharples had been drinking heavily in Bar Size, in Skinnergate, Darlington before being asked to leave by doormen.

He told magistrates, sitting in Darlington, that Hollywood followed Mr Sharples out of the bar and carried out an unprovoked attack.

Mr Grogan said Hollywood punched the victim with a single blow to the left side of the face, leaving him with a cut to his eye and bruising.

Hollywood, 33, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

John Turner, in mitigation, said his client had followed the man to ensure that he definitely left the bar.

"Mr Sharples started to walk back and looked as though he was going to re-enter the premises and it was then that he decided to hit him," said Mr Turner.

Hollywood, of High Stell, Darlington, was fined £200 and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £138 costs.