A MAN who represented England at karate pleaded guilty yesterday to causing an affray at a house after a drinking spree.

Daniel Morgan, 21, of Darlington, who was in the England karate team on trips to Japan and Luxembourg, was ordered to do community punishment as an alternative to being sent to prison.

Some of Morgan's sporting contacts were said to be shocked by his behaviour, although he had previous convictions for threatening behaviour and criminal damage, resisting arrest and being drunk and disorderly.

Dan Cordey, speaking for Morgan, said he left the sport and the lack of discipline and too much spare time led him into heavy drinking.

He said it was felt that Morgan would benefit from probation supervision rather than a prison sentence.

Morgan surrendered to police after a family's home in Belvedere Road, Darlington, was attacked by a large group of men armed with bats and iron bars.

They smashed windows and hurled bricks into the house.

It was not claimed that Morgan was responsible for any of the damage, said Sean Dryden, prosecuting.

Morgan, of Grainger Street, was ordered to do 100 hours community service and undergo 12 months of commun-ity rehabilitation after he admitted affray.

Part of his sentence will include completing a Think First programme.