A former policeman was severely beaten by two teenagers as he tried to wash one of the reveller's vomit from his drive, a court heard yesterday. John Needham, a retired solicitors clerk, 62, was attacked outside his home after Joss Davies, 17, vomited on his driveway after a drinking session last New Year's Eve.

Davies, of Hylton Avenue, South Shields, was throwing up outside Mr Needham's house, so he went outside to swill away the mess.

When water was splashed on Davies he started punching Mr Needham then his friend, William O'Hare, 19, ran over and joined in on the horriffic attack which left Mr Needham with severe facial injuries including a broken cheek bone.

Both Davies and O'Hare, of Watson Avenue, South Shields, denied causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but admitted the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

Euan Duff, prosecuting, said: "Mr Needham heard a noise outside, he saw Davies vomiting on the drive, he went out to swill the vomit away. On the second swilling he caught Davies by splashing him.

"That prompted Davies to take a punch at Mr Needham."

Mr Needham tried to shield himself with a plastic bucket from the second punch swung by Davies.

Mr Duff said: "He was pushed to the ground by Davies and hit by another 15-year-old girl.

"O'Hare then came across and delivered the first absolute full force kick to Mr Needham's face.

"It is likely to have caused a fracture to the cheek bone.

"Each then joined in the attack kicking him on the ground and delivering punches."

The attack only stopped when Mrs Needham came out of the house to find her husband with multiple facial injuries including cuts and severe swelling and a fractured cheek bone.

Mr Duff added: "Each of them was under the influence of drink and obviously the drink plays a part. The drink was disinhibiting."

Defending for Davies, Peter Schofield, said: "He is clearly under no illusions about the seriousness of this matter."

And for O'Hare, Gavin Doig, told the court he was previously of good character.

Mr Justice Andrew Smith, adjourned sentence for reports and summoned the pair to appear before Newcastle Crown Court again in three weeks time.

He refused the teenagers bail and remanded them into custody and warned them: "I take the view this was a very serious attack, it doesn't seem to me in all the circumstances bail would be appropriate."