A TEENAGER who knocked a man unconscious in Selby has avoided a ban from the town’s pubs.

Luke Oates, 19, appeared before York Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating at the Blackamoor Head pub, in Finkle Street.

The court heard that Oates had been drinking in Selby with friends on March 8 when he entered the pub and an altercation took place, which led to him striking Daniel Howard with a single punch.

After he was punched, Mr Howard fell backwards on to the bar’s DJ booth, and was temporarily unconscious, the court heard. Mr Howard also suffered some bruising following the assault.

Sally Howard, for Oates, said her client admitted punching Mr Howard, but said the incident was not premeditated, rather the result of a “verbal altercation”, and there was “nothing to indicate he is a violent man”.

Mrs Howard said: “It is very unusual for complete strangers to enter into a dispute for no reason whatsoever and for someone to lash out for no reason whatsoever.

“He did not seek this stranger out and decide to punch him. It was a result of a verbal altercation which caused him to lash out.”

Magistrate Tony Hargreaves said he would not issue an order banning Oates, of Kippax, Leeds, from the pubs of Selby, and ordered him to pay prosecution costs of £85, a victim surcharge of £20, a fine of £70, and compensation to Mr Howard of £100.

He said: “By your own admission, you have knocked somebody unconscious.

“I am sure something caused you to lash out and for that single act, you will pay the costs.

“If this is a one-off case, there is no reason Selby should not have the benefit of your custom, but if you go back into Selby and act like you have just done, the consequences will be greater.”