Drunken anger led to Dingdong’s dingdong
His real name is Dingdong Veg and, true to his name, the 60-year-old appeared before magistrates after getting into a drunken rage at a picturesque village pub near Bath.
Veg lost his temper when he was asked to leave the George Inn in Bathampton, throwing items including his walking stick before pushing worker Alexander Cross in the face.
At Bath Magistrates’ Court, Veg apologised for the drunken incident, having pleaded guilty to assault and threatening behaviour at an earlier hearing.
Veg, who had told a court employee he liked to be referred to by his full name, said: “I regret it enormously.
“I am sorry for the pain I caused. It was the drink.”
On the day of the incident, May 8, Veg had walked into the pub and bought a bottle of wine at around 1pm, said Joanna Packer, prosecuting. Later on in the day, after staff refused to serve him, he became abusive.
Ms Packer said: “He was asked to leave. At this point he became threatening and started swearing at staff.
“He started picking up items from tables and throwing them around before threatening staff with his walking stick.
“His attention turned to Alexander Cross, who was a member of staff. He was pointing his finger in his face before pushing his hand toward his face.”
Veg left the pub but was stopped by police a short distance away on the Kennet and Avon Canal. He apologised in a police interview.
The court heard how Veg, of Brooklyn Road in Bath, had a conviction last year for assault.
Chairman of the bench Richard Curry gave him a 12-month community order which included a sixmonth alcohol treatment programme. He also ordered him to pay Mr Cross £100 compensation.