AN APPRENTICE plasterer head-butted the daughter of former Middlesbrough football manager Bryan Robson after insulting her father, a court heard last week.

Drunken Mark Bregazzi, 20, attacked Claire Robson after a boozy night out in Durham City during which he guzzled pints of snakebite - cider and lager - and vodka shots, Chester-le-Street magistrates were told.

Miss Robson had 10 stitches put in a head wound after the attack that occurred, in front of witnesses, as she tried to book a taxi in the early hours of January 20.

Bregazzi, who was told he could face a jail term, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm but denied head-butting her. He claims he was trying to push her away, 'using his head.'

The court heard how Bregazzi was talking to Miss Robson's friend, Louise Desty, outside Pratt's Taxis in North Road when he spotted the former international's daughter inside booking a cab.

Ian White, prosecuting, said Bregazzi berated Miss Robson, 21, about 'the lack of success of her father at Middlesbrough Football Club.'

Another of her friends, Donna Hickman, said in police interviews: "As soon as he saw Claire he shouted abusive comments at her. So she said 'You know nothing about my dad or my family'."

Mr White then told how Miss Robson pushed him away, before he came back and head-butted her in the face with such force that her head hit the wall behind her.

With blood gushing from her forehead she was taken by taxi to the University Hospital of North Durham for treatment.

Claire was discharged later the same day, returning home to Chester-le-Street.

Bregazzi, of Dominion Road, Brandon, near Durham City, admitted he made abusive comments about Middlesbrough FC but disputed head-butting the victim.

John Grierson, defending, said his client moved forward to push Miss Robson away and their heads collided, causing the injury. He said: "There was a comment made about her father's lack of success as Middlesbrough manager. This hit a raw nerve with his daughter."

Bregazzi was granted unconditional bail to re-appear before Durham magistrates on February 27 for sentencing.