A DRUNKEN pair left a driver so scared he ran a red light after an all-night drinking session in Hereford.

Josh John Bruton admitted assaulting a person by beating and using threatening and abusive words or behaviour, while Nathan Kyle Hare admitted using threatening and abusive words or behaviour when they appeared before magistrates in Hereford.

Police had received a number of calls about two men who had been causing a disturbance in Hereford on July 11, prosecutor Ralph Robyns Landricombe said.

The callers included a man who said he had been assaulted by a man with scruffy hair and a khaki top.

The court heard the victim had been part of a group exercising near Hereford's swimming pool when he heard shouting and was approached, slapped, and pushed by Bruton.

Another witness reported seeing the pair running in and out of traffic on Belmont Road, punch a car, and try to start a fight with the occupants of another.

A third reported Bruton approaching him while he was stopped in traffic on Belmont Road, swearing, and making threats.

"He was so scared he ran a red light to get away," Mr Robyns Landricombe said.

The pair were found in Hereford's Ledbury Road, where they were arrested after a struggle.

In interview, Hare told police they had been drinking at a friend's house from 7pm to 8am, and that he had consumed about two litres of rum plus beer and shots, and had smoked two or three grams of cannabis. He said he could not remember much.

Bruton made no comment.

Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Bruton, 20, and Hare, 22, said the pair had taken part in a 12-hour drinking session before heading out to go home.

"Neither of them are proud of their behaviour and accept it was not necessary to say the least," she said.

The court heard Bruton had made no comment during interview as he could not remember what had happened, but that he accepted what the victims had said.

"There were personal issues at the time and both took to alcohol to alleviate the issues that they have," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

Hare, who is of no fixed address, was handed a 12 month conditional discharge and must pay costs of £75 and a £22 victim surcharge.

Bruton, of Queensway, received a 12-month community order and 60 hours of unpaid work He must also pay compensation of £75 to the assault victim, £50 to the other, and a £95 victim surcharge.