MOTORISTS driving past Workington’s Wetherspoons pub had to take evasive action as a drinker pursued another man over the road, trying to punch him.

But the man regarded by police as the “aggressor” claimed he did not initiate the violent incident on the afternoon of Sunday, April 21.

At Carlisle’s Rickergate court, the lawyer representing 43-year-old Slawomir Szczepanek said he had been attacked inside the pub by the man he was following and attempting punch.

The defendant, formerly living at Newby Bridge, admitted using threatening behaviour. Prosecutor George Shelley outlined the facts.

He said police became involved after receiving reports of a confrontation between two men in Oxford Street, outside the Wetherspoons pub, at around 3pm.

The defendant, wearing a distinctive orange T-shirt, was viewed as the aggressor.

He had reportedly shouted at staff inside the pub and as a result he was asked to leave.  “He started punching another male in the pub,” said the prosecutor.

“CCTV cameras captured the man in the orange T-shirt exiting the pub. Another male in a cap approached. The defendant and threw a punch with his right hand towards the male.

“He tried to remove himself from the defendant, but he followed him, trying to punch him while being aggressive and boisterous and gesturing. He followed the male into the road.

“Vehicles had to slow down and take evasive action.”

The court heard that the defendant, who has now moved to Scotland, had drink-related previous convictions.

Duncan Campbell, defending, told the court: “He very much regrets his behaviour, but he did not initiate what happened. He was enjoying a drink in the pub when a person at the bar hit him and fractured his nose.

“He was very angry and as a result of the injuries he sustained he lost his job.” The lawyer accepted that the defendant’s actions – aggressively pursuing the other man - could not be described as self-defence.

District Judge John Temperley said it appeared to be drink that gets Szczepanek into trouble. He imposed a one-year community order, with 100 hours of unpaid work in the community.

This will be added to 200 hours of unpaid work that the defendant has yet to complete in Scotland for separate offending. The defendant must also pay £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.