A CHESTER man seen 'throwing haymakers' as city centre nightclub staff sought to restrain him has been handed a 12-month community order.

John Matthew Holland, 39, of Mark Close, pleaded guilty at the first opportunity at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, January 24 to threatening behaviour with intent to cause violence.

Prosecuting, Rob Youds told the court police were called to the scene outside Cruise nightclub in St John Street on New Year's Eve where Holland was seen throwing 'haymaker' punches and acting aggressive to door staff.

He was arrested and taken to custody.

When interviewed, Holland said he had been out with friends and they had a "table full of booze" at Lono Cove, and could not remember what had happened afterwards.

He had nine previous convictions for 16 offences, none of which were for public order offences but there was one previous assault from 2014 and one for being drunk and disorderly in 2018.

A probation report heard Holland had been fully co-operative in interview.

In the month preceding that New Year's Eve he had split up with his partner and the levels of stress and poor emotional management had led to misuse of alcohol.

He only remembered waking up in the police cell at 5am and was very remorseful and embarrassed when shown CCTV footage of what he had done.

He was not someone who was dependent on alcohol but was a binge drinker and described himself as being '10 out of 10' drunk on that New Year's Eve night.

Defending, Richard Simm said Holland was due to start a work contract in February for 12 weeks in Manchester, but would be able to work a community order around that, recognising he would need to prioritise the community order.

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order to include 35 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement, to feature a 'Managing my emotions' programme, plus a three-month alcohol treatment programme.

Holland must also complete 40 hours unpaid work and must pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.