A MAN who smacked another man in the face with a ukulele in York has been banned from the city.

Carlos Pearson admitted attacking a man in his twenties outside York Explore library in Museum Street, on the afternoon September 9.

Pearson, 23, has appeared before York Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm. He was sentenced to four months in prison, suspended for a year.

Initial reports at the time were that the weapon was a banjo, but a witness said he believed the weapon was a ukulele - and North Yorkshire Police today confirmed that was correct.

A witness told The Press at the time: “He just walked out of the library carrying it and went straight over to him.

York Press:

“There was nothing, no hostilities or anything, the victim was just talking to his mates. The guy just walked over and I heard it. It made a right mess of his face. I think he hit him once or twice.”

Pearson, of Samuel Court in Barnsley, has also been ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, and banned from entering York until November 6, 2017.

The Press was told at the time that a woman had stepped between the two men to try to defuse the situation.

Another witness told The Press the attacker hit the victim once with the instrument and said: "Come on, you want it again?"

He said the attacker had mentioned revenge. 

He told The Press: "The male was attacked by another male; both males were in their early twenties.

"There was a gang of people and one male sprung on another male but I didn't see it happen.

"I heard the sound of a bone breaking and then when I looked round the lad who had been assaulted was walking towards the library entrance with blood dropping down his nose, while still arguing with the other lad.

"A female from the group was holding the attacker to stop him going after him."