A man who had been drinking threatened to smash the windows of a York pub and set it on fire and then punched and kicked a woman who tried to calm him down.

Stuart Campbell, 26, appeared before York Magistrates’ Court yesterday, accused of assault, racially aggravated behaviour, and attempted criminal damage to the Corner House pub in Burton Stone Lane early on Sunday morning.

Sam Rogers, prosecuting, told the court Campbell, of no fixed address, had been drinking with friends in the pub and the group had become rowdy and a nuisance.

Landlord Steve Pryce told them to lower their voices on several occasions, before asking them to leave, at which point there was an argument and shouting, with Campbell stating: “I’m going to smash your windows and set fire to your pub.” He also directed several racial insults towards Mr Pryce.

Campbell then picked up a brick but failed to smash the pub window.

Ms Rogers said a female visitor to the pub stepped outside for a cigarette and tried to help calm the situation, but Campbell “lunged towards her and punched her in the face, which caused her to fall to the floor”, at which point, Campbell kicked her.

Campbell was restrained by the woman’s husband and Mr Pryce until police arrived. Campbell was arrested and remanded in custody until yesterday’s court appearance.

The court heard Campbell was already due to be sentenced by magistrates, for possession of a Class B drug and a pocket knife, on Friday.

Campbell pleaded guilty to all three of the new charges, and was released on conditional bail to reappear before the court on Friday to be sentenced.