MAGISTRATES slapped an ASBO on 20-year-old Josh Earwaker, banning him from all pubs in Ely city centre. He had been frog-marched from the Townhouse pub, in Market Street – he was banned under the Pub Watch scheme – and had assaulted a security officer and

MAGISTRATES slapped an ASBO on 20-year-old Josh Earwaker, banning him from all pubs in Ely city centre.

He had been frog-marched from the Townhouse pub, in Market Street - he was banned under the Pub Watch scheme - and had assaulted a security officer and damaged cars.

"Pub staff feel something has to be done about his behaviour," prosecutor Matthew Bradbury told city magistrates on Thursday.

He told how Earwaker had objected when he was not allowed in The Townhouse on October 15 last year. He was "cussing and threatening.

"He rubbed his hands over the bonnet of a Ford Fiesta. He had something in his hand and left scratch marks," said Mr Bradbury. "He tried to kick a window and ripped the wing mirror off a Ford Mondeo."

Earwaker returned to The Townhouse and shouted abuse, and hit security officer Richard Compston in the face. Earwaker, of Church Lane, Little Downham, admitted assault and two charges of criminal damage.

"He has precious little memory of the incident," said Jill McGovern, defending. "He had been depressed and hearing voices and seeing things. He was abusing alcohol and illegal drugs ... leading to unacceptable behaviour."

Earwaker, already subject to a 24-month community order and a three-month suspended prison sentence, was given another one-year community order for the assault. A one-year conditional discharge was imposed for the damage offences, and he was ordered to pay a total of £167.75 compensation, and £180 costs.