AN IPSWICH man has been ordered to keep the peace for a year after an early morning fracas outside a night-club. Russell Barker, of Hilton Road, was originally charged with obstructing police after an incident outside Pals in the town centre on March 17, South East Suffolk Magistrates were told.

AN IPSWICH man has been ordered to keep the peace for a year after an early morning fracas outside a night-club.

Russell Barker, of Hilton Road, was originally charged with obstructing police after an incident outside Pals in the town centre on March 17, South East Suffolk Magistrates were told.

But the accusation was withdrawn and instead Barker agreed to be bound over to sum of £200 to keep the peace towards uniformed police officers on duty the town centre.

"Barker was concerned about his friend being arrested and made the officer's job far more difficult than it might have been," said Gareth Davies, prosecuting. "There was a tug of war scenario."

Mark Holt, the solicitor acting on behalf of Barker, who has no previous convictions, told magistrates: "Barker became involved in something which didn't directly involve him."

Bench chairwoman Bernie Stowe told the 26-year-old: "If you keep out of trouble and breach this bind over you will hear no more about it."