A TEENAGER walked free from court yesterday despite the near fatal consequences of a single blow delivered during a fight.

Apprentice bricklayer Gary Norman landed one punch to the face of 17-year-old Alex Harker during a disturbance between rival groups outside Crook Town football club's Millfield ground, County Durham, following an 18th birthday party, on May 5.

Mr Harker cracked his head on the ground on falling, causing a blood clot and suspected skull fractures.

He was placed on a ventilator in intensive care at Newcastle General Hospital, where he underwent neurosurgery to remove the clot.

Mr Harker was in intensive care for five days and in hospital for three weeks before being allowed to return home to Crook.

Durham Crown Court was told that, almost seven months later, he is recovering well, despite suffering short-term memory loss and being put back a year in his fabrication engineering course at Darlington College of Technology.

Norman, 19, of Carville Estate, Willington, admitted grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.

Returning for sentence yesterday, the court was told it was totally out of character as he was "not a protagonist" in the violence, and only one blow was struck.

Kate Dodds, in mitigation, said Norman remained at the scene, concerned for Mr Harker, and made full admissions to police.

Several testimonials about Norman were presented to the court, including one from former Durham County Council chairman John Richardson, a neighbour, who described him as, "courteous, gentle and very considerate".

The court heard Norman had given up boxing at an amateur club in Shildon as he was "hopeless" and not violent enough.

Recorder Charles Kealy said it was "touch and go" but, accepting it was out of character, he took the "exceptional course" of avoiding what would normally merit a custodial sentence.

Norman was given the maximum 240 hours community punishment order, and was ordered to pay £250 compensation to Mr Harker.

After the hearing Mr Harker's mother Eunice said: "We're disappointed with the sentence, but the main thing is Alex is now okay, that's our main priority."

Mr Harker said: "I might have suffered brain damage because of this. But now I just want to put it behind me and get on with my life."