A BARMAID has been banned from every pub in a North Yorkshire towny - except the one she works in.

Elizabeth Elliott, 20, assaulted four people in two different pubs, magistrates were told.

The court handed down an order barring her from all but one of Selby's 23 licensed premises. For the next six months, Elliott will only be allowed to enter and work in the Station Inn, in Ousegate.

Emma Pearce, prosecuting, said Elliott launched an unprovoked assault on student Joanne Zdrenka on November 4, in the Griffin, in Micklegate.

Elliott, of Ryedale Way, Brayton, also admitted attacking Louise Milivojivic on January 20 in Bar PM, in Water Lane.

Miss Pearce said Elliott hit Miss Zdrenka on the side of her head, then left the Griffin. Miss Zdrenka suffered swelling round her eyebrow.

Miss Pearce said: "When Miss Zdrenka followed the defendant outside, Elliott waved her fists at her, saying 'come on, come on', as if she wanted to fight her."

In a separate incident two months later, Elliott punched Miss Milivojivic. Miss Milivojivic fell, tripped on some stairs, and was punched by Elliott again as she tried to get up. The victim suffered a bruised and swollen eye.

On behalf of Tim Grogan, pictured, the licensing officer for Selby, Miss Pearce asked magistrates to issue an order banning Elliott from every pub in town except the Station Inn.

Elliott pleaded guilty to two assaults and asked for two more, also at Bar PM, to be taken into consideration.

Dennis Lofthouse, mitigating, said Elliott was working as a barmaid to support her young child, and was very remorseful about the incidents. He said the assaults were an "aberration" in her life.

Presiding magistrate Pauline Wilkinson ordered Elliott to pay £50 compensation each to Miss Zdrenka and Miss Milivojivic, gave her a nine-month community rehabilitation order, and banned her from 22 named town centre pubs for six months.

After the case, Mr Grogan said: "The magistrates clearly recognised that this girl should be excluded from licensed premises. Her behaviour involved separate, violent and unprovoked attacks.

"This sends a strong message that Selby District Council is determined to ensure that people frequenting public houses in the town can enjoy their drinks without fear of being attacked by those who are unable to control their behaviour."

Updated: 09:42 Saturday, March 19, 2005