A former Harrogate doorman has been sentenced after chasing a man and assaulting him in the street.

Jesse Durrant appeared before Harrogate Magistrates Court on Friday (October 16) where he spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

Durrant, 31, appeared in court for a sentencing hearing after previously pleading guilty to two charges of assault by beating and one charge of using threatening and abusive words with intent to cause fear of violence.

Georgina Fishwick, prosecuting, said the 31-year-old committed the assaults while working at two separate bars in North Yorkshire.

The court previously heard that Durrant had been working as security staff at Mojo bar, on Parliament Street, in the early hours of May 23 this year.

The prosecution said a male had been refused entry to the bar, but managed to get past security into the premises.

Durrant was asked to eject him, the court heard.

But, when he did the prosecution said during the ejection Durrant slapped the male.

The court heard that this led to retaliation from the male outside the bar and the defendant became aggressive.

Magistrates were told the man then ran off, but Durrant, of South Farm Crescent in Leeds, followed him.

The prosecutor said:

The court heard that Durrant claimed he had been abused by the male and he reacted to it.

Assault in York

In a separate incident, the court heard that the 31-year-old was working at Revolution bar in York when he punched a named man who was being ejected from the bar.

Ms Fishwick said the victim had initially complained to security about another man in the bar, but was himself “grabbed by door staff” and taken outside.

During the ejection, Durrant, who was at the door, punched the man in the back of the head.

Tahir Younas, defending, said the defendant had pleaded guilty to the offences at the first opportunity.

Mr Younas said Durrant made a “full and frank admission” to police about the York assault. He said the defendant punched the man as he believed he had assaulted his colleagues.

The defence told the court that Durrant was abused by the male on the second occasion outside Mojo bar in Harrogate.

However, Mr Younas said the defendant accepted that he had “gone overboard”.

He said:

Mr Younas said Durrant resigned his position as a security guard after the incidents and was now in receipt of Universal Credit while he looks for alternative employment.

Magistrates sentenced Durrant to a 12-month community order, which includes 120 hours of unpaid work and a probation requirement.

He was also ordered to pay a victims’ surcharge of £114 and court costs of £85.