Sunderland pub attack: Accused in court after man left with serious injuries outside bar

Northumbria Police said a 37-year-old man was left with serious injuries after the attack outside the Jolly Potter, in Railway Terrace, South Hylton, in the early hours of Sunday.

He remains in a stable condition in hospital, after it is alleged he was attacked from behind by a man, who struck him over the head, three times, with what is believed to be a baton.

John Norton Cook, of Cambria Street, South Hylton, was charged with unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

He also faced a second charge of being in possession of an offensive weapon, an expandable baton, on the same date.

The 42-year-old entered no pleas to the charges, with both matters sent to Newcastle Crown Court for trial on Wednesday June 15.

Cook was granted bail until then, with the conditions that he does not contact prosecution witnesses and keeps to a daily curfew between the hours of 8pm and 5am.