A MAN has been ordered to stay out of Wrexham city centre for the next year after a 'heated' incident outside a pub.

Lee Blackwell, of Alvanley Road in Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court for sentence on Thursday for sentence.

The 44-year-old had previously admitted one offence of criminal damage and two of assaulting an emergency worker.

Prosecutor Justin Espie told the court that at around 11pm on June 14 this year, CCTV operators spotted Blackwell arguing "in a heated manner" with another member of the public outside the Golden Lion pub in Wrexham city centre.

During the course of the incident, he cracked one of the pub's windows and when a security guard tried to take hold of him, he ran away.

Police were directed to his location by the CCTV team.

When he was placed under arrest, Blackwell kicked out - making contact with the legs of two officers.

Thankfully, neither officer sustained any visible injury. But Mr Espie invited the court to consider imposing compensation for the psychological harm and discomfort caused by the defendant, as well as £180 for the damaged window.

In mitigation, the court heard it was a positive feature in the defendant's life that he had secured supported accommodation, having previously been street homeless.

The court heard he had been using alcohol and substances for many years in order to make his homelessness "more bearable" and at that time didn't have any particular support structure in place.

But it was hoped that him gaining accommodation would lead to an improvement in his tackling dependency on substances.

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The court was asked to give him a chance to rehabilitate himself, as there was a "realistic prospect" of him turning his life around.

Compensation of £100 was awarded to each of the two police officers Blackwell kicked, as well as £180 for the damaged window.

A community order of 12 months was handed down, which included 15 days of rehabilitation activity, a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and a three month curfew.

The court also imposed a prohibited activity requirement, banning him from attending Wrexham city centre for the next year.