A 57-YEAR-OLD man kicked a young boy and then hit his aunt in the face, South Durham Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

John Pattison, of Killinghall Row, Darlington, admitted assaulting the 14-year-old youth and the woman.

Magistrates in Darlington heard that Pattison had received a visit from a ten-year-old boy on the day of the offence who had told him that a gang of youths had stolen his bike.

As Pattison walked the young boy home they came across the group and a fracas resulted, during which Pattison kicked one of the youths.

Later the same day, Pattison saw the teenager again with his grandmother and aunt, who both began to shout at him about the assault.

The court was told that Pattison hit the younger woman across the left side of her face.

In a police interview Pattison admitted assaulting the teenager because he said he was responsible for taking the other boy's bike.

The court heard that Pattison, who suffers from depression, also told police he hit the boy's aunt because he was angry.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £20 costs.