A BAE worker who was having a ‘bad day’ because his dog was put down spat on a doorman and told him ‘I’m going to smash your head in’, a court heard.

Barrow man David Lee Baratt, 35, appeared in court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating.

He was said to have tried to gain entry to Arribar in Barrow’s Cavendish Street and got into an altercation with bouncer Jamie Jagger on July 26.

South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court was told he tried to throw a punch at the man but his fist was caught by him.

Baratt was then said to have spat on the man’s chest.

It happened after he was told he had to take off his hat to enter the bar but put it back on after he was let inside, the court heard.

Prosecutor Amy Labram told the court: “It happened on Cavendish Street outside Arribar. The suspect was asked to remove his cap to go into the club. He was asked to leave after putting it back on.

“He became volatile and proceeded to spit on the door staff.”

The court was told he said to the man: “I’m going to smash your head in.

“Where do you live? I will come round your house.”

He was arrested at the scene.

The victim said in a statement: “It’s not something I expect to happen to me at work.”

The court was told the defendant had previously been jailed in 2017 for assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was also said to have had a criminal record stretching to 29 previous offences.

The prosecutor said the offence was aggravated by the time and location.

Baratt’s solicitor Karen Templeton said he had recently got out of prison and had struggled with a drink problem.

She said in mitigation: “Since he has come out of prison he has recognised drink as a problem.

“He has not drunk since he came out of prison.

“He had a particularly bad and did go out for a drink.

“He was more affected more than would be the case.

“He was upset because his dog had to be put down.

“He was very ashamed at the spitting.

“The drinking was a one off.

“He is very sorry about this.

“It was a bad day, he had a drink, it should never have happened.

“He himself says it is unacceptable.”

Baratt, of Bristol Street, was sentenced to 100 hours unpaid work in the community.

The defendant was also told to pay £25 in compensation to the victim.

As well as that he was told to pay a £90 victim surcharge and £85 in prosecution costs.