A MAN who was involved in a drunken altercation outside a working men’s club appeared before magistrates today (Friday, December 20).

Patrick Campbell, of Melrose Drive, St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, pleaded guilty to the offence of being drunk and disorderly in a public place at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court.

John Garside, prosecuting, said police were alerted to a disturbance outside West Auckland Workingmen’s Club at 12.30am on Sunday, December 1.

“The defendant was on the street and appeared highly agitated,” said Mr Garside. “He was bouncing on his feet and squaring up to another male.

"He was pointing in the other man’s face in a disorderly manner, like he was about to take part in a fight.”

Mr Garside said that Campbell ran away when the police officers approached him but was quickly caught and arrested.

Campbell, who was unrepresented, gave no mitigation.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.