A LONG-RUNNING dispute between two families led to a violent confrontation on Christmas Day, a court heard.

Trouble flared in St Helen Auckland, County Durham, on Christmas morning last year as the Iceton and Gilbey families, who have been feuding for about a year, were preparing for dinner.

Prosecuting solicitor David Wilkinson told Sedgefield magistrates that the incident started at about 11.30am when Alan Iceton made threats to fight Lee Gilbey in The Square.

Mr Wilkinson said: "Paul Iceton suddenly appeared in the street with a snooker cue. He struck Lee Gilbey with a blow to the left eye socket."

He said Mr Gilbey was also bitten on the right little finger during the incident.

Paul Iceton, 33, of High Melbourne, Bishop Auckland, admitted assaulting Mr Gilbey. Alan Iceton, 35, also of High Melbourne, pleaded guilty to threatening unlawful violence.

David Harris, defending, said his clients agreed they were "no angels", but said they were aggrieved about the way the prosecution had been brought.

He said a number of matters had been left unexplained, including how Paul Iceton came to have a spade mark on his back.

Mr Harris added: "Certainly the whole incident has left a sour taste in their mouths.

"They considered they were protecting the family and were annoyed and upset that what should have been a quite family get-together on Christmas Day had been spoiled."

He added that the Icetons were concerned that the situation between the families still had not been resolved and added: "Both are ashamed of themselves and they accept they didn't act appropriately, but both of them feel more sinned against than sinned."

Paul Iceton was fined £400 and ordered to pay £100 compensation, plus prosecution costs of £118. Alan Iceton was fined £100, plus £55 costs.