A MAN punched and kneed another man who believed him responsible for flattening his tyres, heard Skipton magistrates.

Matthew Bookbinder subjected David Woods to a 'sustained' attack involving his fists and knees following an incident in Grassington the night before, the court heard.

Bookbinder, 43, pleaded guilty to assault by beating, and was ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work and up to 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement.

Bookbinder, who at the time was working at the Devonshire Hotel, Grassington, was also ordered to pay his victim £100 compensation.

The court was told that Mr Woods believed Bookbinder was responsible for his car tyres being let down the night before.

Bookbinder and some friends had been drinking at the Black Horse Pub, also in the town, where Mr Woods was the supervisor.

Following an incident in the pub, Mr Woods had made the decision not to serve the group with any more drinks. He had later discovered his flat tyres and had decided they were connected, said prosecutor, Martin Butterworth.

Mr Woods went to the Devonshire Hotel on September 2, where Bookbinder was setting up for the day, and followed him inside from the garden.

Once inside, and recorded on CCTV, Bookbinder pulled Mr Woods to another part of the building before subjecting him to a sustained assault.

He put him in a headlock and punched him with clenched fists and dragged him to a bench where he continued to punch and knee him, said Mr Butterworth.

Mr Woods was left with a bloodied and swollen nose and scratches to his face.

The court heard Bookbinder, now of Court Gardens, Snaith, had lost his job as a result of the attack and had relocated to East Yorkshire.

In mitigation, the court heard he was exhausted after long hours of work, that he normally diffused potential situations and was very remorseful.

His solicitor, Chris Bird, said he denied having anything to do with Mr Woods tyres and that there had been a degree of provocation which Bookbinder had tried to ignore.

Bookbinder, in addition to the 12 month community order, was also ordered to pay costs of £85 and surcharge of £60.