A MAN who assaulted a female bar boss in a Greenock pub has been barred from the premises — by court order.

Leslie Connelly, 59, seized the woman by her neck after she came round to speak to him about 'comments' he had made.

The victim managed to break free from his grip and other customers removed him from Lithgows, on Cathcart Street.

Connelly had also been charged with acting in an aggressive and intimidating manner towards patrons and with making threats of violence but his not guilty plea to these allegations were accepted.

Defence lawyer Aidan Gallagher said: "Having seen the footage he is quite rightly embarrassed and ashamed at his behaviour towards the female, with whom he had no previous bother.

"He has not returned to the pub, despite living effectively upstairs from it."

Connelly, of Cross Shore Street, committed the offence on October 7 last year.

Procurator fiscal Ziad Ul Hassan told Greenock Sheriff Court: "He started to make comments to other people and the member of staff came from behind the bar.

"The accused moved towards the complainer and seized her neck.

"She broke free and others came forward and the accused was ushered outside."

Solicitor Mr Gallagher said: "He drank to excess and has no recollection of the incident.

"It is clear from his record that there has been a severe alcohol problem for a number of years.

"He has achieved periods of sobriety and then, for want of a better phrase, he has fallen off the wagon.

"His last offence was in 2016."

Sheriff Derek Hamilton placed Connelly under supervision and on an alcohol treatment programme for 12 months.

He also ordered him not to enter Lithgows during that time period.