A MAN who became violent in a Redditch bar after drinking 20 pints of beer has been ordered to carry out unpaid work for the community.

Karl Thompson left an imprint of his hand on a pillar after punching it and then threw an ashtray across the room, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The ashtray splintered, showering another customer in The Steps with glass fragments and leaving him with cuts on his head.

Thompson, aged 39, of Highland Way, pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage.

Sentencing him to a 130-hour community punishment order, Judge Andrew Geddes said: "This was drunken misbehaviour of a very reprehensible kind. You should be ashamed of it."

About 30 people were watching sport on TV in the bar on March 2 when Thompson was rude to the manager, said Brett Stevenson, prosecuting.

He then punched a pillar leaving an impression in the plasterwork and hurled a glass ashtray.

Thompson told police he could not remember much after downing 20 pints.

He had a record for damage and assault.

Peter Arnold, defending, said although he was a hard working man, he became aggressive when drunk.

Lonely Thompson drank heavily to make friends, he added, but he ackowledged his behaviour had been a frightening experience for other customers.

The judge also ordered him to pay £245 compensation and £200 court costs.