A BAD childhood memory sparked off a vicious beating in a pub, a court was told yesterday.

Brothers Matthew and Robert Sowden were drinking in a Darlington pub at the same table as David Stephens.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, said that Robert Sowden, 24, suddenly said to middle-aged Mr Stephens: "Remember when I was 14 and you chased me home, I'll bet you wouldn't pick on me now."

Matthew Sowden punched Mr Stephens in the face knocking him to the floor in the Wheatsheaf pub, Yarm Road, and then kicked him. Robert Sowden also kicked him.

Mr Stephens was kicked 20 to 25 times, said Mr Dryden. The brothers left him with cuts to his forehead, black eyes and bruised ribs.

Robert Sowden, who was on prison licence from a 42-month sentence for robbery and burglary, stressed his brother started it.

Ray Priest, defending, said that Robert Sowden had been responding well to medical and probation help for mental problems.

Sowden, of Chillingham Crescent, Darlington, was jailed for seven months, including four months from his unexpired sentence, after he pleaded guilty to the December 8 actual bodily harm assault and affray.

His brother was sentenced to four months in custody by Darlington magistrates in April.