Man in court for assaulting doorman at Ipswich nightspot The Rep

A man who punched a doorman in a melee in Ipswich town centre in which his wife was injured has been given a community order.

Joseph Watson, of Finbars Walk, Ipswich, pleaded guilty at South East Suffolk Magistrates’ Court to threatening behaviour and assault at the Old Rep bar in the town’s Tower Street on December 4.

Prosecutor Ian Devine said Watson, 31, and his wife had been out drinking. His wife was drunk and was asked to leave the premises.

When he got outside Watson was said to have become aggressive towards door staff and punched a security staff member on the side of the face. Mr Devine said Watson’s wife ended up injured on the floor.

Watson fled the area, leaving his wife outside the Old Rep, but was found by police near to the front of the Sailmakers shopping centre.

The court was told Watson was aggressive, argumentative and obstructive.

Shelley Drew, mitigating, said Watson had left the premises to help his wife sober up and then he attempted to go back inside to pick up some things, which is when things go out of hand.

Mrs Drew said in the melee Watson’s wife was struck in the face and sustained a nasty cut from her mouth to her nose.

Watson is then said to have punched the door staff member he thought was responsible before he panicked and ran off.

District Judge Celia Dawson told Watson: “The court takes a very dim view of door staff being assaulted.”

Watson was sentenced to a 12-month community order with a 120-hour unpaid work requirement.

He must also pay £85 costs and £80 to the victims’ fund.