A drunk who lashed out at bar staff after his drink was taken from him has been warned he could go to prison.

Christopher Stocking, 37, of Seacroft Gardens, Watford, lost his temper in Yates, The Parade, Watford, after staff thought he had had too much to drink.

Dacorum magistrates heard on Monday, how Stocking abused bar staff Elizabeth Dunn and swung a punch, which missed at chef Alan Wolstencroft, during a drunken incident on Thursday, July 24.

Before leaving he threatened those inside with a piece of furniture lifted above his head.

Stocking pleaded guilty to a public order offence and an assault charge was dropped when the prosecution conceded he had not struck Mr Wolstencroft.

The offence meant Stocking was in breach of a two-year conditional discharge imposed for a racially aggravated public order offence.

Patrick O’Reilly, for the defence, said his client had an alcohol problem which was the root cause of much of unemployed Stocking’s offending.

He had now reached a crossroads, however, since becoming a grandfather and wants help with his difficulties, the court was told.

Mr O’Reilly said Stocking “does not go out looking for trouble” but “gets into difficulties” when he has been drinking.

During the melee inside the pub Stocking was pushed over while being restrained and banged his head.

Mr O’Reilly said: “He threw a punch, which does not land and some summary justice was meted out to him by the chef.”

Sentencing was adjourned for reports on Tuesday, November 4.

Magistrates warned the defendant the incident was so serious he could go to prison, due to previous similar convictions and breach of conditional discharge.

Stocking was released on conditional bail banning him from licensed premises in the top half of the town.