(Image: The Northern Echo)
A 'ten out of ten' drunk punched a man in the face before his daughter kicked and punched at the victim during a fracas with a couple outside of a Darlington pub.
Garry Harris, 46, his daughter Chloe and their friend Callum Hall became involved in a confrontation with a couple on Tubwell Row shortly before 2am on Monday, May 26, last year.
Teesside Crown Court heard a woman was allegedly struck as the group left The Quays pub.
Following an exchange of words, Garry Harris punched the man in the face and knocked him down.
After they were separated, he again put him to the ground and Chloe Harris, 24, was said to have kicked and punched him.
He suffered bruising and fractures to his jaw and nose, could not eat solid food for some time, and had to take time off work.
Prosecutor Anthony Pettengell said the victim also punched Garry Harris and was later cautioned for affray.
The injured woman said she went to intervene when the man with her was first attacked, but she remembers nothing after that, including her own assault.
She said her face was badly bruised and she later gave up her job because of the emotional trauma.
She said she was afraid to return to Darlington town centre and the incident had damaged her confidence and sense of security.
Mr Pettengell said Harris admitted being “ten out of ten” drunk and told police he was defending his daughter.
Chloe Harris said she was “moderately drunk” and apologised when shown CCTV of the incident.
Hall said he was acting in self-defence.
Garry Harris, of Fenby Avenue, and Chloe Harris, of Westminster Road, both Darlington, admitted unlawful wounding.
Hall, 24, of Larch Court, Darlington, and his two co-defendants each also admitted a separate charge of affray.
Mr Pettengell said Garry Harris has 26 convictions for 46 offences but a limited record of violence, while Chloe Harris has only one conviction, for dangerous driving, dating from 2022.
Hall was of previous good character.
The three defendants’ barristers said none of them knew the victims previously and there has been no further trouble since that night.
Judge Deborah Sherwin said there did not appear to be any need for restraining orders as all those involved had no history beyond that incident.
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The judge said alcohol had clearly fuelled the violence.
She sentenced both Garry and Chloe Harris to 12-month prison sentences, suspended for two years. Both were also ordered to complete 15 probation-run activity sessions. Garry Harris was ordered to complete 50 hours' unpaid work, while Chloe Harris was given a 90-day alcohol treatment requirement.
Hall was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and was also ordered to complete 50 hours of unpaid work.