KICKING a police officer ‘full force’ in the head and knocking him unconscious led to a court appearance for a father-of-one.

Darlington Magistrates’ Court heard today (Tuesday, May 14) that 25-year-old Stephen Page was outside Yates’s pub in Skinnergate when trouble broke out between a group of men and door staff.

Prosecutor Blair Martin described how a police officer arrived and was confronted by a large group of men.

Mr Martin said: “The defendant’s brother was arrested.

“The officer has taken out his pepper spray and the defendant has kicked the officer with full force to the head and knocked his helmet off.

“He has fallen backwards unconscious.”

The police officer was taken to hospital and suffered headaches and a sore ear following the attack on November 9.

Page, of Warwick Square, Darlington, pleaded guilty to assaulting the officer.

Graham Hunsley, mitigating, said Page was not involved in the trouble outside the bar until he saw what he believed was his brother being “manhandled” by the police officer.

“That prompted the action, he kicked out, fortunately only the once,” said Mr Hunsley.

“The light seems to have dawned at that point and he steps back.”

Mr Hunsley said that CCTV images of the scene clearly show Page’s girlfriend shouting at him and throwing something at him to stop him from getting further involved in the fighting.

He added that Page, who has a three-year-old child, was “thoroughly ashamed” of his actions.

Magistrates adjourned the case for a probation report and Page will be sentenced on May 28.