A MAN with a 35-year history of violent offences has been banned from almost every pub in York city centre after attacking a bar manager.

A judge has excluded Anthony William Booth, 53, of Ancress Walk, near Nunnery Lane, from all licensed premises within the Bar Walls with the exception of The Priory in Micklegate, after his barrister told a court it was Booth’s “local”.

The six-month ban was imposed following an assault on Tracy Lovett, the manager at The Punch Bowl in Blossom Street on September 24 last year, when Booth hit Ms Lovett in the face, causing her to fall to the ground.

Prosecutor Chris Smith told York Crown Court that Ms Lovett was asking Booth, who had previously been barred from the pub, to leave when the attack took place.

Mr Smith said Booth then left The Punch Bowl and the police went to Booth’s home, where he refused to let them in.

A stand-off ensued for about half an hour, when Booth threw a chair and a metal bar at officers from a balcony.

Mr Smith said Booth had a “significant record” of offending, with 109 offences dating back to 1976.

He was sent to prison in 1991 for assault causing bodily harm, wounding and affray, and in 2000 he was jailed for five years for stabbing a man.

The court heard Booth had previously been banned for 12 months from going into licensed premises within the Bar Walls, an order which was imposed in September 2009.

Booth pleaded guilty to assault and a public order offence.

Glenn Parsons, for Booth, said: “He has a diagnosed personality disorder and there has been a marked deceleration in his violence in recent years.

“His condition can only be managed and not be cured, by taking certain medication and staying away from alcohol. This process is ongoing and will be for the rest of his life. He regrets finding himself before the court.”

Mr Parsons said Booth claimed he hit Ms Lovett with an open hand and she was not injured in the incident.

The Judge, Recorder David Hatton QC, sentenced Booth to a four-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months with a supervision order.

He imposed a six-month exclusion order banning Booth from all licensed premises within the city walls with the exception of The Priory, Micklegate, which was left out of the ban at the request of Booth’s barrister.

John Lacy, the council’s licensing manager, said the banning order was very rare. He said: “I wholeheartedly support the judge’s decision. We need to protect our landlords and bar staff from being put in dangerous and difficult positions.”