A 20-year-old Ashstead man has received a two year ban from all Leatherhead pubs involved in the Pubwatch scheme.

Luke Goodge, of Ralliwood Road, was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £87 in costs.

Mr Goodge appeared at South East Surrey Magistrates Court on Thursday 18th March. He became verbally abusive and insulting to the duty manager at The Brewery Inn, Ashtead, and pushed staff at the pub on November 29 last year.

Pubwatch is a community based crime prevention scheme, organised by the licensees themselves to afford each other confidence and support, as well as some form of protection.

Police statistics show a significant decrease in violent offenders in pubs where Pubwatch is in operation In Leatherhead, 18 pubs are involved in the scheme, including The Brewery Inn.

Ashtead safer neighbourhood officer, PC Jason Woods said: “Surrey Police is committed to stamping out this kind of anti-social behaviour and we are working closely with local licensees to urge them to inform us when they are the victims of inappropriate behaviour in their licensed premises.”

PC Woods added: “This conviction sends out a clear message that we will prosecute offenders.”