AN unemployed builder pushed his drinking partner down a flight of concrete steps as a joke, a court heard.

AN unemployed builder pushed his drinking partner down a flight of concrete steps as a joke, a court heard.

Jason Howes and Andrew Wiles had left the Cricketers Public House where they had been drinking together when the unfortunate prank took place.

South East Suffolk Magistrate's Court heard that Howes deliberately pushed Mr Wiles with “force” on the back at the top of seven steps and Mr Wiles “flew” forwards only hitting the last step as he landed.

Lesla Small prosecuting said Mr Wiles had drunk “copious” amounts on January 9 and could only remember waking up in the back of an ambulance.

She said Howes, of St Clements Church Lane, Ipswich, was also “heavily intoxicated” and was seen urinating in the pub doorway.

The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to common assault and disorderly behaviour.

His solicitor Tariq Khawan said: “They were drinking in the pub together and were leaving together to go to a different pub. For some strange reason Mr Howes thought it would be amusing and a joke to push his friend. It was a deliberate push but not his intention for what happened.”

The court heard that Howes was a builder by trade but currently unemployed because of the recession.

Mr Khawan said Howes, who suffered with depression, was sorry for what happened and wanted to apologise to his friend but had been advised not to speak to him until after the court case.

Magistrates told him to pay �100 compensation to Mr Wiles who suffered minor injuries, he was also ordered to pay a �70 fine and �45 towards court costs.