FELIXSTOWE man Clint Warren grabbed the ears of an arch enemy to restrain him during a pub fracas, a court heard. Warren admitted assaulting Anthony William Scott in a Felixstowe pub following a long-running feud which goes back two decades.

By Amanda Cresswell

FELIXSTOWE man Clint Warren grabbed the ears of an arch enemy to restrain him during a pub fracas, a court heard.

Warren admitted assaulting Anthony William Scott in a Felixstowe pub following a long-running feud which goes back two decades.

Prosecutor Ian Pells told South East Suffolk Magistrates Scott was preparing for a pool match when thirty minutes later Warren arrived separately with a friend.

Warren came into the pool area where he became aggressive. Scott, whose right ear was injured in the incident, also claimed Warren poked him in the eye, although this is disputed.

On his arrest 46-year-old Warren told police he felt threatened by Scott who was holding a pool cue.

"He grabbed hold of his ears to restrain him which was a martial arts move taught in the past," said Mr Pells.

Dino Barricella, mitigating, told the court: "There has been a long-running feud between the two over 20 years. Warren said Scott beat him up some years earlier."

Warren was on his way out the door when Scott provoked him by jeering at him and making derogatory comments. Scott grabbed him by the ears and sat him down.

"He was provoked," said Barricella. "He accepts he touched him. It was no more than a restraining manoeuvre on his part."

Magistrates granted Warren, of The Walk, Felixstowe, a one year conditional discharge and ordered him to pay Scott £50 compensation. He must also pay a further £55 costs.