FIGHTING over a fiver led to two sisters being punched in the face by an Ipswich man, a court has heard.Although Steven Adams was not involved in the initial argument in Queen Street, Ipswich, on June 1, it was he who brought it to an end when he attacked the women who had each slapped him round the face, South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard on Friday.

FIGHTING over a fiver led to two sisters being punched in the face by an Ipswich man, a court has heard.

Although Steven Adams was not involved in the initial argument in Queen Street, Ipswich, on June 1, it was he who brought it to an end when he attacked the women who had each slapped him round the face, South East Suffolk Magistrates Court heard on Friday.

The 26-year-old of Heath Road pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the night in question.

The court was told that the sisters, who had spent the night at Pals nightclub and were waiting for their lift home, had spotted a £5 note on the pavement and picked it up.

A friend of Adams said the money belonged to Adams, and an argument ensued between the friend and the sisters.

In the dispute that followed, one of the women slapped Adams round the face and he responded by punching her in the face, causing her to fall to the ground. Her sister then slapped him and again he retaliated by also punching her in the face.

Two police officers who saw the incident take place arrested Adams at the scene.

Meanwhile both women were taken to hospital and suffered severe bruising and pain to their faces as a result of the assaults.

David Goodin, mitigating, told the court that Adams deeply regretted the incident.

He said: "He had had too much to drink and it shouldn't have happened at all.

"He had been to the cash point and his friend thought he saw a fiver fall from his pocket as he pulled his wallet out. Adams had no idea and the girls didn't know.

"His friend said it was his mates money but they wouldn't give it up. His friend became rude and discourteous but Adams was still not part of it.

"One of them slaps him although he has done nothing whatsoever. He has had too much to drink, has been assaulted and doesn't know why.

"He is ashamed and bitterly regrets lashing out."

Magistrates sentenced Adams to serve an 80-hour community punishment for the assaults.

He was also ordered to pay £80 compensation to one of the woman, £100 to the other and £55 costs.