A BIRTHDAY night out cost a 20-year-old nearly £300 and left him with a conviction for two offences.

Ryan Whitfield, of Emley Moor Road, Darlington, was celebrating his birthday earlier this month when he was ordered to be quiet by a police officer he went onto assault.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe yesterday heard the defendant was seen swearing and shouting in the Houndgate area of the town at about 3.45am on May 7.

Alan Davison, prosecuting, said he swore at the officer who told him to move on and, while attempting to arrest him, he was struck to the face and left with a “fat lip”.

Andrew Clinton, mitigating, said his client was celebrating his birthday and began arguing with his girlfriend as they walked home.

He said Whitfield, who came from a respectable family, acted inappropriately, adding the strike was not deliberate but happened during a scuffle.

After pleading guilty to three counts, Whitfield was fined £40 for the assault, £40 for being drunk and disorderly and was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the police officer plus £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.