AN explosive incident arose when a former circus human cannonball became the worse the wear for drink during birthday celebrations.

Ex-circus performer Ian Park, armed with a sheath knife in each hand, threatened and chased three men he had been drinking with earlier in the evening, Durham Crown Court was told.

One of the men was struck in the abdomen, suffering a cut. The trio then retaliated and overpowered Park, during the disturbance in Claypath, in Durham city centre.

He was later found unconscious, with a number of injuries and was taken to the city's Dryburn Hospital.

When questioned, Park told police he had a memory blank from leaving the Elm Tree pub, in Crossgate, Durham, earlier in the evening.

The court was told Park worked with the circus at the time, in August 1999, and used the knives to cut ropes as part of his job.

However, he has subsequently been left disabled with spinal injuries after falling 150ft to ground while attempting to erect a circus tent.

Park, of Deal, in Kent, was initially charged with wounding Jason Ludlow with intent. That charge was later withdrawn and replaced by one of affray and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to pay £50 costs when he appeared before Durham magistrates two months after the incident. The three men accused of taking part in counter violence against Park appeared at the crown court yesterday.

Jason Ludlow, 25, and his 26-year-old brother Steven, plus 28-year-old John Thompson, admitted affray.

John Evans, prosecuting, said closed-circuit television footage showed Park armed with the knives, apparently responsible for the first incident.

"But it undoubtedly also demonstrates these defendants were not acting solely in self defence. They assaulted him, and its surprising he emerged with relatively limited injuries."

The hearing was adjourned and the Ludlows, of Viola Crescent, and Thompson, of Rose Crescent, all Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, were bailed pending pre-sentence reports.