A DRINKER barred from his local pub has been given a restraining order to keep him away from the landlord and premises.

Mark Young, 34, was barred from the Turbinia pub, in Newton Aycliffe, in November 2003, magistrates heard.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said the pub operates a zero tolerance policy towards drugs and Young was barred on suspicion of drug dealing.

During the next 13 months, he regularly abused landlord Gary Soakell and made a nuisance of himself near the pub.

Miss Masters said: "At least once a month he would walk past the pub and gesture through the window, sometimes as if cutting his throat, through the glass.

"He would call Mr Soakell a nonce and would say that he would 'get it'."

In mitigation, the court heard how Young was simply a nuisance towards Mr Soak ell and caused him no physical harm.

Young, of Skipton Close, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to harassment before South Durham magistrates sitting at Newton Aycliffe.

He was fined £150 costs and was ordered to stay away from the Turbinia and Mr Soakell.