A MAN who got "very drunk" and assaulted a staff member at a city centre pub has been sentenced.

William Evans, of Church Road in Dorrington, Shrewsbury, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The 56-year-old admitted one offence of assault by beating, which took place at Chester Street in Wrexham.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that on March 31, Evans was in the Long Pull Pub in the city centre.

He was described as "very drunk" and was asked to leave due to his behaviour - having also been refused service.

Staff member Vicky Bagnall approached the defendant and asked him to leave - but he attempted to grab her hair.

After being removed from the premises with reasonable force, he remained in the vicinity and proceeded to shout and behave aggressively.

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He then moved towards Ms Bagnall and struck her to the face with the outside of his hand, causing her a "glancing blow."

She suffered pain and swelling to her cheek.

Craig Hutchinson, defending, told the court that his client, a father-of-three, had been invited to the Wrexham area by family members as the weekend of the offence had been a "very emotional" one for him.

This was due to his son's death having happened on March 30 the previous year following a car accident.

Mr Hutchinson said: "He consumed so much alcohol, he didn't even remember going to the pub.

The Leader:

"He has pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

"And he doesn't use any excuse for his behaviour."

Mr Hutchinson added the defendant works in the landscaping industry.

Evans received a 12 month community order with 60 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay a £114 victim surcharge, £100 compensation to the victim and £85 prosecution costs.

The court also handed down a two year exclusion order to prohibit his attendance at the Long Pull pub.