A MAN who bit and punched two men in a nightclub avoided a jail sentence yesterday.

Daniel Pallent, 20, admitted unlawfully wounding Peter Dixon and an assault causing actual bodily harm on Jonathan Tibbett, at Teesside Crown Court.

Martin Haigh, prosecuting, told the court that Mr Dixon and Mr Tibbett had been at the Tuxedo Royale, in Middlesbrough, last November.

Mr Dixon had seen his friend "being squared up to" and went over to find out what was going on.

Pallent punched Mr Dixon on the forehead, leaving a cut which needed five surgical staples. When Mr Tibbitt tried to intervene, Pallent bit him on the arm.

Pallent, of Barnaby Cresecent, Eston, Middlesbrough, told police he had been repeatedly kicked and punched by an unidentified assailant as he tried to leave the club.

Peter Sabiston, for Pallent, said his client had been provoked by people in the club, but it was not suggested that it was either Mr Dixon or Mr Tibbett.

Mr Recorder Patrick Cosgrove ordered Pallent to complete a 120-hour community punishment order, and ordered him to pay £400 compensation to Mr Dixon and £200 to Mr Tibbett.