A gay-bashing victim told a court yesterday that he may have been targeted because he was a flirt.

Shaven-headed David Hopwood said that he could not remember the attack in a seaside nightclub that put him in hospital for three days.

Witnesses told police that Mr Hopwood, 30, had beer bottles smashed over his head and was kicked repeatedly in Club Kudos, Redcar, east Cleveland.

Mr Hopwood, unemployed, told a jury: "I was drunk and I don't remember anything about it. I am homosexual and I'm open about it.

"I might have started this incident by being openly flirtatious. That's the way I am if I've had a lot to drink. I'm probably more friendly."

Police arrested Paul Temple, 20, and Alan Bennett, 21, for the early morning attack, said Stephen Duffield, prosecuting. Mr Temple said he thought the victim made a homosexual advance to him. He claimed that Mr Hopwood hit Mr Bennett with a stool.

Mr Temple of Kielder Close, and Mr Bennett of Blayberry Close, both Redcar, plead not guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on October 26 and the alternative charge of unlawful wounding. The case continues.