Man suffered horrific injuries after glass attack on night out

Lloyd Jackson was left covered in blood and temporarily unable to see, after having a pint glass rammed into the side of his face in the Green Dragon pub.

Peter Brown, from Darlington, is on trial at Teesside Crown Court, accused of wounding Mr Jackson with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on March 3.

Mr Brown, 28, later told police he was acting in self-defence, and claimed he feared 25-year-old Londoner Mr Jackson might have been carrying a weapon.

The court heard that the two men exchanged words at the bar, after one of them bumped into the other, and they were seen on CCTV speaking for eight minutes.

Defence barrister Analise Haugstad yesterday claimed Mr Jackson was "bigging it up" about violence, Millwall Football Club and gangsters, as the men spoke.

But Mr Jackson said he had wanted to move to see his friends, and insisted under cross-examination: "I don't know any gangsters and don't like football."

The security film shows Mr Jackson leave the bar, Mr Brown move as if to follow him, but return and pick up a full pint glass and go off in the same direction.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, told the jury that the CCTV did not capture the attack, but three others - including a doorman and Mr Jackson's brother and friend - saw what happened.

Giving evidence yesterday, Mr Jackson said he felt a presence behind him as he walked to the toilets.

He said he turned around and was smashed in the face with a glass.

Mr Towers told the jury of eight men and four women: "The Crown would say that he went back to the bar deliberately because he wanted to maximise the injury caused to Mr Jackson.

"The Crown's case is that this was an unprovoked attack, that it was premeditated to the extent that Mr Brown took the decision to go back to the bar and pick up the pint glass ready to use it against Mr Jackson."

Mr Brown, of Napier Street, denies wounding with intent.

The trial continues.