AN Ellesmere Port man who claimed he was 'play fighting' with his friend in a Chester pub had thrown him to the ground, tried to choke him and threw a shoe at him.

Chester Magistrates Court heard on Monday, October 22 that Daniel Percival, 22, formerly of Sumner Road, Chester but now of Harfield Gardens, Little Sutton, was involved in "disgraceful conduct" at the Bull & Stirrup pub on Northgate Street on October 4.

But following the altercation, caught on the pub's CCTV cameras, Percival's friend did not want to press charges and had been there to pick him up when Percival left custody, the court heard.

Percival, who was already subject to a crown court community order imposed in June, admitted a charge of threatening behaviour and was handed a new 12-month community order with 70 hours unpaid work.

Prosecuting, Adam Warner said it was 9.15pm when police were notified of reports of an assault.

A witness said Percival had tried to choke the victim, pushed him and threw a shoe at him, before throwing him to the ground and there was a smack sound as the victim hit the floor.

The court heard they were friends, had been 'play fighting', and had been drinking since 1.30pm.

Percival accepted his behaviour was "disgraceful".

In his defence, the court heard it was a drinking session which had gone badly wrong.

Percival had been served at the Bull & Stirrup but his friend was refused as he was deemed too drunk by pub staff, and the victim tried to grab beer off Percival as a result.

The victim was taken to hospital but no injuries were found.

His response to the existing community order had been good and he had completed 37.5 out of the 200 hours unpaid work requirement.

Deputy District Judge Andrew Jebb told Percival: "Your behaviour on that occasion was totally unacceptable. Anyone running or visiting a pub should be able to enjoy it without you and your friend behaving the way you did.

"You are accumulating a worrying set of convictions and you are still only 22."

As well as the community order, Percival must pay £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.