A KENDAL man was handed a community order by magistrates for punching the manager of an Indian restaurant.

Linley Hassan, 25, of Bishopdale Close, pleaded guilty at South Lakeland Magistrates' Court to assaulting Mohamed Ahmed in a dispute over paying for a drink at the bar.

Lisa Hine, prosecuting, said Hassan, who is a deaf mute, went into India, on Blackhall Road, and tried to speak to Mr Ahmed using sign language.

“When Mr Ahmed said he did not understand, the defendant pointed at a bottle of Jack Daniels and held up two fingers and two £5 notes.

“However when Mr Ahmed gave him the drink he put the money back in his pocket – with the communication problems Mr Ahmed thought it would be easier to just let him have it.”

Magistrates heard that when Hassan finished his drink he then asked for a double Jack Daniels and coke.

Mr Ahmed wrote the price down on a piece of paper, but when Hassan looked at the paper he stuck two fingers up at the victim ‘in an offensive manner’ and punched him.

The court was told that because Hassan was drunk the punch was not fast and caught Mr Ahmed lightly on the shoulder.

Hassan was given a 15-month community order with supervision and ordered to pay £100 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.