A 20-YEAR-OLD Ipswich man was told that he was lucky to escape jail after throwing a glass at a barman who refused to serve him.Peter Barnes, of Cemetry Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating after throwing the glass at a barman in The Golf hotel, on Foxhall Road, Ipswich, on July 31.

A 20-YEAR-OLD Ipswich man was told that he was lucky to escape jail after throwing a glass at a barman who refused to serve him.

Peter Barnes, of Cemetry Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to a charge of assault by beating after throwing the glass at a barman in The Golf hotel, on Foxhall Road, Ipswich, on July 31.

South East Suffolk Magistrates' court heard that Barnes had been drinking for much of the afternoon and evening and had sunk ten pints before throwing the glass, at around 9.40pm.

The barman suffered a one and a half inch gash and a one and a half inch scratch to his face following the incident. Barnes was restrained by a member of the public following the incident, before being arrested by police.

The court heard that Barnes, who has a two-year-old child, has not touched a drop of alcohol since the incident and had written a letter of apology to the victim and to the court.

Defending, Diane Infanti said: "Mr Barnes did not intend to hit anybody with the glass but admits that he was reckless. His behaviour had been linked to an alcohol problem but he has taken steps to address this."

The court heard that Barnes, who is now in full-time employment, had suffered four deaths in his close family in the build up to the incident and that his parents had separated.

Chairman of the bench Matthew March said: "You were very close indeed to going to prison today. We have decided against it because you have showed genuine remorse and have got your life in order since then."

He sentenced Barnes to a 12-month community rehabilitation order, which includes an offending behaviour programme. Barnes will also be electronically tagged for the next three months to ensure that he keeps a curfew from 9pm until 7am daily.

He was ordered to pay £200 compensation to the barman and £55 costs, at a rate of £15 per week.