A BRIEF flurry of violence in the bar of a plush hotel has cost a businessman £2,840 and a suspended prison sentence.

Paul Anderson lost his temper following an exchange of words after accusing a female customer of pushing in – to order a drink of milk – at Fusion bar, at Ramside Hall Hotel, at Carrville, near Durham, shortly before midnight, on January 8.

Durham Crown Court was told the woman apologised, but her husband then had words with Anderson, who retorted: “What’s it got to do with you, Big Ears?”

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, told the court matters then “escalated”.

“The complainant in this case would say the defendant is entirely to blame for this.

“At the outset, I have to concede there were arguments over the rights and wrongs of each other’s position, as to who did what.”

Both men’s partners intervened to separate them, but then they too became involved in an exchange.

Anderson and the other man then sought to part the women, but in doing that “things appear to have gone too far,” said Mr Abrahams.

It culminated in Anderson pushing off, then punching the other man, who fell to the ground, where he suffered further blows, including kicks, as the women tried to drag them away.

The victim suffered reddening and grazes to the throat, the side of the face and the top of his head, while his shirt was ripped down the back.

Anderson, a former bouncer, whose shirt was also torn off in the melee, later told police he could not recall much of the incident, but added he was “not the sort of chap to do that sort of thing.”

Appearing at a plea hearing, the 31-year-old, of Rothbury Avenue, Horden, County Durham, admitted a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for affray, for an incident while working as a doorman, outside a nightclub, in 2009, and a caution for common assault stemming from a fight, involving others, at a social club, in 2015.

Lorraine Mustard, mitigating, told the court: “Thankfully, the injuries here were relatively minor, and, although there was some level of confrontation, he has made no attempt to step back from taking responsibility.

“As he’s said since: ‘It doesn’t sound like me’.”

Judge Christopher Prince said: “It’s sad to see a 31-year-old behaving like this. It’s immature beyond belief.”

Telling Anderson it was time for him to “grow up”, he imposed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, during which he must perform 250 hours’ unpaid work, and complete 15 rehabilitation activity days, under the supervision of the Probation Service.

Anderson, who runs a business buying and selling utilities, was also ordered to pay a total of £2,840 in costs, compensation and court surcharge.