A MAN who offered a Chester doorman £20 for a fight, before gouging him in the eyes, has been handed a community order.

Rickie-Lee Brennan, 33, of Birch Street, Bury, had earlier pleaded guilty to the sole charge of assault by beating.

Prosecuting at Chester Magistrates Court on Friday, January 21, Amie Gouldson said it was 9.50pm on July 30, 2021 when Brennan was seen offering to fight the door staff, and offering them £20.

Brennan was repeatedly told to move on, but he then threw two punches to the doorman's face and nose, then using his thumbs to gouge the doorman's eyes. Other door staff then intervened.

The defendant had four previous convictions for four offences, his most recent in 2014.

Defending, Adam Antoszkiw said Brennan had been out of trouble for a long time and had "managed to get back on the straight and narrow", setting up his own business.

But Brennan's relationship broke down and drink and drugs "started to creep back in".

However, as there had been no repeat offending since July, the offence "could be described as a blip in his recovery".

Brennan had made "candid" admissions and gave a good insight into what he had done.

There was some stability in his life now and he was due to start work again, and the sentencing would "draw to a close what had been a turbulent bit in his life".

District Judge Nicholas Sanders said: "Initially I was concerned, but you have been out of trouble for a long time and the indication from this [pre-sentence] report is that things are getting back together."

Brennan was sentenced to a 12-month community order, to include up to 20 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and 160 hours unpaid work.

He must pay £250 compensation to the doorman, plus £95 victim surcharge and £85 court costs.