A TICKETLESS punter who attacked two security guards when he was ejected from a racecourse has been locked up for 22 months.

Christopher Hugill was told by a judge at Teesside Crown Court that his behaviour was "thoroughly sickening" and "ugly".

The court heard how Hugill, of Chester Walk, Colburn, North Yorkshire, has 11 previous convictions for violence on his record.

He lashed out after he had to be twice removed from Catterick Racecourse last October because he did not have a paid-for entry pass.

The owners of the track have now successfully applied to have him banned from their other courses in Thirsk, Wetherby and Redcar.

He was told by Judge Sean Morris on Monday: "You have been out of trouble some time for violence, but I cannot ignore the fact for years and years you have been beating people up.

"I have a public duty to perform. I am not here just to think about you. I have to think about the public, and when people step outside the law like this, they cannot blame the court for the consequences."

Nigel Soppitt, mitigating, said 32-year-old Hugill has mental health problems, and had not taken his medication on the day of the assaults.

A guard aged 63 suffered a broken nose and eye socket, and his colleague more minor injuries when they were each punched once.

Prosecutor Paul Newcombe said Hugill tried to barge past them to get into the course, and when he was challenged, he said his friends inside had his ticket.

He was allowed in on the understanding he returned with the pass, but when he did not he was walked to the exit by the two members of staff.

Mr Newcombe said he then climbed over a wall to get back to trackside, and hit out when he was ejected for a second time.

In a basis of plea as he admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, and assault, Hugill said he believed his "actions were necessary in the great of the moment".

Mr Soppitt said: "He says he is appalled by his behaviour in hindsight. He accepts these were two men going about their business, concerned whether he should have been in the racecourse or not, and should not have been subjected to aggression from him."

The judge told Hugill: "They were doing their duty, assisting the public at a public race meeting, and you attacked them.

"It must have been an ugly sight for members of the public, and children go to these events, and it must have been thoroughly sickening."