A MAN who admitted becoming involved in pub violence avoided a jail sentence yesterday.

Paul Wayman, 27, admitted a charge of affray when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, told the court Wayman had been in the White Horse pub, in Ferryhill, on January 11 when he heard his name "being slagged off" in the pub.

He said Wayman, of Broomside, Ferryhill, approached two men and told them to calm down.

Wayman was struck, and as he moved away his elbow caught a man in the face.

Although it looked as if the man had suffered only a black eye, said Mr Newcombe, he later had to have metal plates fitted into his eye socket.

Richard Turton, for Wayman, said only one blow was involved in the incident and that his client was very sorry for what had happened.

Judge Peter Fox said he knew Wayman had not started the violence, but he did not walk away once it started. He imposed a two-year community rehabilitation order.