A MAN assaulted his childhood sweetheart in a Worcester nightclub because she was dancing with other men, a court was told.

Leighton Butler also assaulted Danielle Tyler’s friend in Tramps before twice pushing a police officer in the chest.

His behaviour was described as “out of character” and was blamed on his relationship with Miss Tyler coming to an abrupt end just as the couple were about to move in together.

The 20-year-old, of Hayslan Road, Malvern, admitted two charges of assault by beating, one of assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty, and one of using threatening words or behaviour causing harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared before Worester’s magistrates.

All charges related to incidents which happened in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, August 2.

Lisa Mayne, prosecuting, said Butler had been in a relationship with Miss Tyler for about six years but the court was told how she had told him she was not going to move in with him the previous night.

Brian O’Connell, defending, said: “He didn’t deal with that particularly well.”

Mrs Mayne said an amicable evening turned sour once Butler, Miss Tyler and her friend entered Tramps at about midnight.

Mrs Mayne said Butler did not like the girls dancing with other men and cornered his girlfriend in a room at one point. Door staff spoke with Butler and let him back in the club in Angel Place but the two girls tried to avoid all contact with him after that.

Mrs Mayne said it was in the smoking area outside that Butler struck Miss Tyler and her friend on the head and in the face, respectively.

Butler was seen being thrown out of the club by a police officer at about 1am. Mrs Mayne said Butler swore at him before pushing him in the chest and running away. After the officer caught up with the defendant he was pushed again, causing some discomfort, and CS spray was used to help detain Butler.

Mr O’Connell said Butler had no previous convictions. “It was a one-off, completely out of character,” he said.

“He was emotional because his relationship had gone down the drain and he’d had too much to drink.

“By his own admission he behaved appallingly and he apologises to everyone.”

Butler was sentenced to carry out 100 hours’ unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order and made to pay £85 court costs.

No order for compensation was made because magistrates did not believe the injuries suffered by the girls and the policeman were “sufficient”.