A 17-YEAR-OLD boy was left with a broken nose, chipped teeth and a bleeding mouth after a town centre scuffle in Darlington, a court heard yesterday.

Michael Winn was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital after he was attacked by Neil Beck, 20, in High Row in August.

James Thomas, prosecuting, told South Durham Magistrates' Court that Beck, of Quaker Lane, Darlington, delivered one punch to the teenager, which broke his nose in two places and chipped four of his teeth.

"He had to undergo an operation to re-straighten his nose," he said. He describes it as a slight curvature to the left which will remain permanently."

Mr Thomas said Beck, who pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm, denied the attack to police at first. Later, he admitted it, claiming that he had been set upon by a "gipsy lad".

Graham Hunsley, in mitigation, said Beck was taunted by a group of youths in a car as he walked through the town centre. He decided to confront them when he saw the car stop in High Row.

"He said nothing to police at first because he had been told on the grapevine that if he would fight this boy, perhaps in a boxing ring, it would not be reported to the police."

Beck was ordered to pay £150 compensation to his victim and £50 costs.