AN Ipswich pub landlord will have to wait until the New Year to learn his fate after being convicted of a vicious attack in a town centre street.Edward Roberts lost his temper after Daniel Leaberry swore at him in a restaurant and followed him outside where he kicked and punched him, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

AN Ipswich pub landlord will have to wait until the New Year to learn his fate after being convicted of a vicious attack in a town centre street.

Edward Roberts lost his temper after Daniel Leaberry swore at him in a restaurant and followed him outside where he kicked and punched him, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

A taxi driver, who was forced to do an emergency stop to avoid running Mr Leaberry over after he fell into the road, estimated that the 22-year-old received 15 to 20 blows during the attack.

The taxi driver described the attack as “vicious”.

As Roberts, the landlord of Uncle Tom's Cabin in Vernon Street, Ipswich, walked away after the incident, one witness heard him say in a gloating manner “look at that boys”, the court heard.

Roberts, 41, denied assaulting Mr Leaberry causing him actual bodily harm in June but was found guilty by a jury after a one-day trial.

Adjourning sentence until January, Judge John Holt warned Roberts that all sentencing options would be open to the court when he returned next month.

During the trial the court heard that Roberts and his partner had been to the Hong Kong Restaurant in St Matthews Street, Ipswich, with another couple on the night in question.

Roberts claimed that as they were about to leave Mr Leaberry and two friends had come in and caused a disturbance when the manager said the restaurant was closed.

Roberts said he had caught Mr Leaberry's eye and claimed that Mr Leaberry had sworn at him and told him he would see him outside.

Roberts admitted that as he followed Mr Leaberry out of the restaurant he had aimed a couple of kicks at him, one of which may have made contact with his coat.

He claimed that he had grabbed Mr Leaberry's arm and Mr Leaberry had then produced a small knife and scratched his arm with it.

Roberts denied repeatedly kicking and punching Mr Leaberry while he was on the ground but said he might have accidentally kicked Mr Leaberry in the face when he moved his leg out of the way to avoid being bitten by him.

The court heard that Roberts had no previous convictions.