Metro station brawler took knuckle duster to pre-arranged mass fight in South Shields

Tahib Hussain went to Brockley Whins armed with a knuckle duster to ensure a fight that had been planned was "fair".

But Newcastle Crown Court heard he "lost his temper" when he saw a group of males fighting and so joined in by throwing punches and kicks.

The court heard metal bars, pool cues, spanners, a rolling pin and a golf club were found discarded at the station after the violence in June 2018, which was caught on CCTV.

Prosecutor Paul Cross told the court: "Essentially it was a group of males who came to attack another youth.

"People called the police but didn't make statements."

The court heard the youth who was attacked also refused to make a statement to the police and it remains unclear what, if any, injuries he had.

Hussain told police he had gone to the fight because he "wanted to make sure it was fair".

Mr Cross added: "He said he walked down the platform, saw males fighting and he accepted he lost his temper".

Hussain, 20, of Wenlock Road, South Shields, admitted affray.

He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he smashed a Metro train window by kicking it out with his leg in January last year.

Others who took part in the violence have been dealt with by the courts separately.

The court heard in the more than two years that have passed since the violence, Hussain has moved away from his peers, got into a settled relationship and has worked well with the probation service.

Judge Robert Spragg sentenced him to a community order with rehabilitation requirements and a four-month night-time curfew.

After being sentenced, Hussain asked the judge if he could pay compensation for the Metro window he smashed.

Judge Spragg said it was an "unusual request" and ordered him to pay £412.

The judge said: "It shows how far he has come that he is prepared to take responsibility."

Tony Cornberg, defending, said Hussain had a difficult upbringing and is "itching to get back to work" and stay out of trouble.

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