A WORCESTER man who punched a victim twice after initially breaking up a fight, has been given a community order.

Shane Johnson, of Wells Road, pleaded guilty to a public order offence in Angel Street when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Prosecuting, Kerry Lovegrove told Magistrates Johnson had been arrested by police after being identified by door staff of the Slug and Lettuce at 10.40pm on November 25.

Miss Lovegrove said the 23-year-old broke up a fight between two men, then left.

She said he then walked back into the middle of the fight, took off his jacket, and swung out twice, hitting the victim to the floor.

Miss Lovegrove added the victim had made no complaint, which was why it was being treated as a public order offence.

Defending, Judith Kenny explained Johnson was walking home and had seen the fight, getting involved by telling one of the men to walk away.

Mrs Kenny said he was then pushed and acted in self defence, but admitted returning to the fight and punching the man twice, which was caught on CCTV.

"It was not several punches, it was twice," Mrs Kenny said.

She said the victim was kicked on the floor by others after being floored - which "was nothing to do with Johnson".

Mrs Kenny added that Johnson should be given credit for his early guilty plea, and the fact he was very candid in his police interview about what happened.

The court heard Johnson had previous convictions, including three this year. He had been fined on each occasion and owed £1,255 to the court.

A probation service report, requested by Magistrates, found Johnson had been remorseful for his actions, and recommended Johnson carrying out unpaid work to "give something back to the community".

Magistrates gave Johnson a 12-month community order, with an unpaid work requirement of 100 hours.

He was ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £85 - a total of £220 which was added to his outstanding fines.