A FIRST date with a girl on Valentine’s Day did not go well for a Covingham scaffolding worker.

First, 32-year-old Anthony Howell upset his date with his boorish behaviour towards her in a Cotswold pub, then he got into a row with the manager and finally he was arrested after using a fire extinguisher to attack a pensioner who intervened to tell him to calm down.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Howell, of Dragonfly Road, Covingham, admitted assaulting 66-year-old Martin Chapman, causing him actual bodily harm at the Riverside pub in Lechlade on Valentine’s Day this year.

His attack left Mr Chapman with a cut over the left eye needing eight stitches, as well as injuries to his nose and face.

Howell, who has a lengthy criminal record, was sentenced to 15 months in jail, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to undergo a 45-day activity requirement and he was made subject to a three-month home curfew from 8pm until 5am.

Prosecutor Julian Kesner said: “That night he went for a drink with a lady he had just met, a Miss Jones, and they went on their date to the Riverside.

“Miss Jones says he made unwanted advances upon her. A little bit of a scene occurred and the bar manager tried to deal with the issue. She was unable to do so successfully.

“Mr Chapman intervened because, as he said, ‘I am 66 years old and I don’t take kindly to bullies.

I stepped in because the man was having a go at the manager and he was being unpleasant. I tried to defuse the situation.’”

Mr Kesner said the situation escalated as a result of his intervention and Howell grabbed a glass and tried to smash it.

He then picked up a fire extinguisher and pushed it at Mr Chapman.

In a victim statement Mr Chapman described his facial injuries and said the damage had left him suffering headaches as well as needing optical treatment. He now has to wear glasses all the time, which he had not before.

Mr Kesner said Howell had made 25 previous court appearances for 83 offences, including wounding, possessing an offensive weapon, being drunk and common assault.

He committed the latest offence in breach of a court community order.

Joe Maloney, defending, said: “After the bar manager came across Mr Chapman said ‘Let’s take this outside.’ Using the fire extinguisher was on the spur of the moment. He has little recollection of the glass.

“He accepts he went outside at the invitation of Mr Chapman. It was a foolish invitation and a foolish acceptance.”

Recorder Malcolm Gibney told Howell: “You engaged in what is described as rather boorish behaviour trying to press your attentions upon the young lady.

“When what occurred with Mr Chapman took place she took the opportunity to escape.”