Prankster in bingo punch up

A PRANKSTER who shouted out “house” and “bingo” when only minutes into a game turned violent on those who asked him to be quiet.

Joseph Jones had attended the night of bingo at Whitehouse Resident's Community Centre, in Limerick Close, on May 27, to get shelter from the heavy rain.

But once inside he became a nuisance and after an hour of being asked to stop his bad behaviour he punched a man several times in the head and then turned on the man's wife.

The 20-year-old, of Woodlands Way, Ipswich, pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing actual bodily harm, assault and assault on a police officer at South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court, on Friday .

Gareth Davies, prosecuting, said: “It was early evening and there was bingo on.

“Shortly after it started the defendant, who was a regular there, started to become rowdy.

“He was shouting out bingo and house after only one or two numbers were called out.

“June Woodwood, a member of the centre, asked him to be quiet but he ignored her.”

Around an hour later the same woman watched as he sneaked behind the bar and helped himself to a drink.

Mr Davies said: “Mrs Woodwood told him to come out but the defendant reacted and punched Mr Woodwood in the head. He was wearing a heavy ring and caused an injury to Mr Woodwood's head before punching him again.

“Another person intervened and the all ended up on the floor. Mrs Woodwood tried to intervene and she too ended up on the floor.”

Police were called and Jones swore at an officer and pushed him to the ground before being arrested.

James O'Tool, mitigating, said: “He was heavily inebriated. His recollection is hazy. He only planned to go in the centre because it was raining heavily outside and he wanted some shelter.

“He regularly goes behind the bar and pays for the drinks later.

“He is ashamed of himself and would like to apologise to the court and the victims.”

Jones will be sentenced on June 22.