A STUDENT who admitted kicking another man in the head was given a conditional discharge yesterday.

Daniel David Hutchinson, a media studies student at the University of Teesside, admitted causing fear or provocation of violence, at Darlington Magistrates' Court.

The 20-year-old, of Wood Street, Spennymoor, County Durham, was charged jointly with a 17-year-old youth who also pleaded guilty but cannot be named for legal reasons.

Jenny Haigh, prosecuting, said the pair were seen on security cameras attacking the man in the early hours of November 8, in Blackwellgate, Darlington. They were picked up by police soon after, and admitted their involvement.

Chris Bunting, in mitigation, said the youth had been attacked by the man after leaving a nightclub, then the pair were subjected to continued verbal abuse until they finally lost their tempers.

Hutchinson was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £55 prosecution costs. The teenager will be sentenced at youth court on Friday