A DRUNK 21-year-old man from Barrow who threatened to smash a barmaid's jaw in two was described as acting "like a wild animal".

Steven Craig Samuel Eilbeck claims the incident kicked off as he thought his dad was being attacked as they enjoyed a boozy Christmas night out in The Strawberry pub.

The self-employed mechanic, of Worcester Street, appeared before Furness Magistrates' Court last Thursday.

Prosecutor Mr John Appleby said: "The first thing I should make clear to the court is that Mr Eilbeck was not the only person involved in this incident. His father Mark Eilbeck pleaded guilty to common assault on April 12. he was given a three month curfew between 8pm and 7am and told to pay £85 court costs.

"It was about 10.30pm and the bar person said she remembers seeing the men and this defendant was so drunk he was staggering and having difficulty standing up. His father went to buy two drinks but she said that she would only give him one as she thought the other man had had enough.

"He became aggressive and leaned towards her pointing. he poured his drink over the bar and then lifted the glass up to throw it at her and his arm was grabbed by another customer to prevent this happening. She said she was scared and thought she was going to be assaulted.

"This defendant then jumped on the other male and punched him. He was described as acting like a wild animal.

"Both were taken out and the defendant said to the bar person 'I am going to split your jaw in two.' His father responded 'so you're going to hit a woman are you?'"

Eilbeck pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour on December 23, last year, in the Abbey Road pub, Barrow.

Miss Amy Watkin, defending, said: "Mr Eilbeck had gone into the pub to celebrate the Christmas festivities. He wasn't drunk or he would have been arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He had left the area and when he came back he saw what he thought was an altercation between his father and another male. He instinctively went to help his father.

"He accepts his behaviour is over zealous. He didn't threaten the woman. He said 'what if someone tried to break your father's jaw?'

"He has since apologised to the man and it has been accepted."

Sentencing Eilbeck, District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "There are a number of aggravating features here. You were in drink, it occurred on licensed premises and you used violence which in such premises can grow and get bigger.

"If you behave like this again you'll find yourself in prison."

He was given a 12-month community order and will do 100 hours of unpaid work in the community during that time. He was told to pay £85 court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.