TWO young men have admitted their respective roles in an unprovoked street attack.

Richard Thompson and Bradley Robson previously denied charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and affray stemming from the incident in Chester-le-Street, in the early hours of Sunday May 24.

A 37-year-old man, who was walking home with a friend from a night out, was said to have been attacked following a confrontation with the duo.

He suffered serious stab wounds to his hand and thumb as a result of a blow inflicted with a kitchen knife. It was said to have pierced his hand.

Having fallen to the ground he was then punched and kicked.

Following their denials at the previous hearing, at Durham Crown Court, in July, the case was adjourned for a provisional three-day trial this week.

But the pair, both aged 20, were brought back before the court today, when an amended indictment was put to them.

Thompson, this time, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent, while Robson pleaded guilty to a new count of unlawful wounding.

It was on the basis that Thompson sought out the kitchen knife, from a house he had visited earlier on the evening of the incident, before inflicting the blow to the victim’s hand.

Robson's role was in joining the attack, landing blows to the man after he fell to the ground.

The court was told both men, who have been in custody since their arrest following the incident, have previous criminal records.

Bob Spragg, representing Robson, and Caroline Goodwin, for Thompson, asked for sentence to be adjourned to allow for the preparation of reports on their clients by the Probation Service.

Agreeing to their request, Judge Christopher Prince said he wanted to see an up-dated statement on the long-term impact of the attack on the victim before passing sentence.

He told the pair: "These are very serious charges but I’ll need to see these reports before passing sentence."

Judge Prince, therefore, adjourned sentence to Friday December 4, and remanded Thompson, of Moorfoot Avenue, and Robson, of Lowther Avenue, both Chester-le-Street, back into custody.

He also extended their custody time limits to cover the period until the reports are prepared.