A Tewkesbury man who attacked three pub regulars has been banned from public houses for a year.

Mark Eggerton has been banned for a year from all public houses as he begins a community sentence to help him deal with his anger problem.

Eggerton, aged 30, of The Sandfields, Northway Farm, Tewkesbury, admitted causing actual bodily harm to Anthony Hughes and Anthony Wilton on January 23rd 2001.

He also admitted another assault occasioning actual bodily harm on Paul Warnett on July 12, 2000 and failing to answer bail.

Prosecutor Charles Rowe told the court how on July 12, 2000 Eggerton had spotted Paul Warnett while drinking at the Anchor pub in Tewkesbury.

"Mr Eggerton then burst into the toilet and punched Mr Warnett," said Mr Rowe. Mr Warnett emerged from the ordeal with cuts, bruises and bent glasses, the court heard.

It was not until February 15 2001 that Eggerton was finally arrested for this attack and on April 24 was picked out on an identity parade.

His arrest came after another similar pub incident, which took place on January 23 2001 at the Wheatpieces pub in Tewkesbury.

Mr Rowe told the court how "banter" with fellow drinker Anthony Hughes then escalated and Eggerton had attacked him.

When landlord Anthony Wilton came to intervene Eggerton turned round and punched him too, the court heard. Both men were left with cuts on their faces.

Having admitted both offences to police Eggerton then failed to turn up at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on May 9 2001.

This, said Mr Rowe, was the reason why the case had been delayed so much.

Giles Nelson, defending, said Eggerton's pub assault in July, 2000 had been triggered by ill-feeling after he claims he left his wallet at Mr Warnett's house.

Mr Nelson then said the January 2001 pub attack had come after provocation from Mr Hughes who is alleged to have said to Eggerton: "Come on fat boy! If you want it come and get it."

Punching Mr Wilton the landlord was a reaction to being approached from behind, said Mr Nelson.

Sentencing him to an 18-month community rehabiliation order, Judge Jamie Tabor QC banned Eggerton from all pubs for a year and ordered him to pay £100 compensation to Mr Warnett, £50 to Mr Hughes and £100 to Mr Wilton.

The judge added: "It's a chance Mr Eggerton, make sure you take it."