A MAN described as a nightmare in drink launched an unprovoked attack on a woman in a Chinese takeaway.

John Mark Roberts, 55, later assaulted a police officer at St Asaph custody in her role as an emergency worker.

Roberts, who has previous convictions for 47 offences including earlier violence, attended court with his bag packed ready for a prison sentence.

But he escaped with a suspended prison sentence at North East Wales Magistrates Court because he had paid privately to attend a residential alcohol rehabilitation course to tackle his alcohol problem.

Roberts, of Plas Haf, Penyffordd, near Holywell, was tagged to remain at the centre in Chorley, Lancashire, for the length of the course.

He admitted assaulting Angela Roberts at The Riverside Take-Away in Ffynnongroyw High Street on the evening of January 11, a customer he did not know, and assaulting PC Vivienne Jones by later kicking her to the lower leg in a holding cell.

Deputy District Judge Huw Edwards imposed a 24 week prison sentence suspended for a year and he was made the subject of a 16 week curfew between 8pm and 6am, initially at the rehabilitation centre.

A restraining order without limit of time was made not to approach Miss Roberts in any way.

Roberts, who thanked the judge for the chance, was ordered to pay £200 compensation to each victim, with £85 costs and a £115 surcharge.

Prosecutor Rhian Jackson said Miss Roberts attended at the take-away where the defendant was said to be abusive to staff.

He had blood on his hand and the next thing he punched Miss Roberts hard to the left cheek bone with a closed fist.

He was arrested, was clearly under the influence of alcohol in custody and arrangements were made for him to be assessed by paramedics.

But while lying on the floor of the custody cell he kicked out at the female officer and caught her to the lower leg.

Interviewed later, he agreed he was extremely intoxicated, had little recollection, but accepted what he had done.

Roberts said he was disgusted with himself, had no excuse and wished to apologise to both victims.

Miss Roberts had been left upset and angry, she had to take pain killers and her sleep had been affected.

She said she was scared of seeing him again because of his reputation.

The officer had been left in pain and limping as a result of the assault.

Andrew Hutchinson, defending, said his client had received a lot of intervention from the probation service which could offer him no more.

There was nothing he could say to mitigate the offences apart from expressing his remorse and shame.

Roberts had written to the Mold court and references had also been handed in on his behalf.

One of them said a sober John Roberts was a gentleman but a drunk John Roberts was a nightmare.

With help from parents, his client had paid the £1,500 deposit of a £5,000 alcohol treatment course which was available to him immediately.