A CARPET-FITTER who attacked a man with a pool cue during a fight in a pub has been spared Christmas in jail.

Lee Evans, of Skelton, east Cleveland, hit the male victim over the back of the head with the cue, which broke in half from the force of the blow.

Teesside Crown Court heard that another man also hit the victim, Peter Mogridge, in the face with a pool cue during the incident at the Walton Arms pub, in Skelton, on Sunday, May 3.

Mr Mogridge, who was out drinking with his wife Louise, was left with mild concussion, no feeling in his upper lip and needed 28 stitches in his head.

Robert Terry, prosecuting, said Mrs Mogridge had gone to talk to a group of men who were playing pool after hearing they had been picking on a young man who had learning difficulties..

He said: "She had a word with the lads and told them to leave him alone. A young female appeared and took her to the ground.

"Mr Mogridge walked over and felt a severe pain in the lip and realised he had been hit with a pool cue. He then felt two further blows to the back of his head."

Evans, 20, admitted hitting his victim over the back of the head and pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.

Paul Newcombe, defending, said Mr Mogridge had caused the trouble.

Mr Newcombe said: "He did not want to report it to the police and said he would get the person who had done it.

"The defendant perceived that the victim was the aggressor.

"Mr Evans is terrified of going to jail."

Evans was given a community punishment order of 100 hours over 12 months and made subject to a rehabilitation order for two years.

He was also ordered to pay £750 compensation and £250 costs.

Judge George Moorhouse said he would send him to prison if he did not complete his punishment.