Derek Pallas was jailed in 2004 for four-and-a-half-years after knocking down mum-of-two Leslie Lawrence on the A19 at Hylton Bridge.

The 35-year-old had been riding her 600cc Yamaha motorbike when Pallas, who had no insurance or licence, hit her in a Ford Fiesta at 80mph as he had swerved to avoid another car.

As her father, who had been riding behind, tried to save Mrs Lawrence, of Cromwell Street, Millfield, Pallas got in a passing car and was later found at his girlfriend's home.

Now the 26-year-old is starting a fresh prison sentence for his part in two assaults, which led to a judge branding him out of control and a bully.

Durham Crown Court heard how Pallas and pal Gavin Burnham attacked a 16-year-old boy in the street on the afternoon of January 29, leaving the victim blind in one eye for a time after the incident.

Burnham, 25, of Grey Gables, Brandon, and Pallas, formerly of Brandon and now of Medway, Great Lumley, admitted grievous bodily harm. Burnham will be sentenced next month.

The court also heard how father-of-three Pallas stabbed Christopher Turnbull in April as he sought revenge for damage caused to his own property, despite his partner telling him he was the wrong man.

He was found guilty of wounding with intent in a trial this week after a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm was not accepted by the court.

The court was told his criminal record dated back 10 years and also included convictions for criminal damage, possession of an air weapon and matters of dishonesty.

Judge Simon Myerson jailed him for three years yesterday for the stabbing and a further 10 months to run consecutively for the "disgraceful" attack on the 16-year-old.

He said: "You approached a 16-year-old boy and you took part in an assault on that boy which was totally unprovoked and in my judgment is the worst sort of bullying.

"He lost the sight in his eye for a period of time.

"Quite what you thought it would achieve, involving yourself in the beating like that is beyond me, at least I came to the conclusion you are an unpleasant man who is a danger to the public."

He said of the knife attack: "In an effort to revenge somebody for damage to your own property, you stabbed Christopher Turnbull four times in the back.

"You were told by your own partner you were attacking the wrong man.
"The excuse offered was inexcusable, that you were unable to stop although you had the wrong person suggests that you couldn't control yourself."

Yvonne Taylor, defending, said the root of Pallas' troubles were alcohol and that he did not wish to drink again and that he had reduced his intake of methadone through a programme.