A JUDGE warned a Malvern man the courts would "lose patience" with him if he didn't control his drinking.

Craig Wright, of Albert Road North, had been with friends in the Unicorn pub in Malvern on March 28 when a fight broke out inside.

Wright, aged 23, who pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly, was found by police in the street outside the pub along with a number of other people at the time of the incident, the court heard.

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said: "The defendant was throwing punches and he was being restrained when police turned up. He staggered in to the road and tried to run away. He was clearly drunk and his speech was slurred," he said.

"Traffic had to take action to avoid hitting Wright. The defendant started swearing at officers and was arrested. He does have a previous conviction for being drunk and disorderly."

Wright, defending himself, said: "I had a few too many to drink, and when we were in the pub it was getting heated. Me and my friend tried to leave the pub but some lads followed us. My friend got hit and we started fighting. I've been trying to get help for my drink problems, but it is hard."

District Judge Neil Thomas said: "You have made steps to address your drink problems. Because you've been before the courts for something similar before, the court will eventually lose patience with you."

He ordered Wright to pay a £150 fine, court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.