Oz rugby ace floored over Pommy jibe

Swoop on suburban targets

CLASH Stannard and Oliver AN Australian rugby union captain called a British tourist a “Pommy c***” and hit him before being floored by one punch in retaliation, a court heard.

Sam Oliver, 23, said he had reacted “instinctively” when he was hit “out of the blue” by James Stannard, 35, then captain of Australia’s Rugby Sevens team.

Oliver said Stannard had been “f ’ing and blinding” at him outside a kebab shop in Sydney in the early hours of March 30.

When he was hit, Stannard fell and struck his head suffering a fractured skull. He was unable to compete at the Commonwealth Games in April.

Oliver, of Newcastle, was cleared of assault.

The magistrate Richard Funston said “alcohol played a huge part”. ARREST A suspect at Newton Aycliffe POLICE batter down a front door on a suburban housing estate in an early-morning drugs raid.

A machete and two rifles were seized in Newton Aycliffe, Co Durham. One local said: “Drugs get everywhere.”

The Mirror joined Operation Sledgehammer, involving 80 officers, in swoops at seven addresses. These were linked to actions in Lancashire, Cleveland and West Yorkshire.

Seven men and one woman were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A and B drugs.

Durham Police said the raids were a “huge success”. FOUND This gas powered air rifle