A BINGE drinker's drunken antics could deter people from visiting York, the city's magistrates court heard.

Thomas Luke Marshall ruined a family’s pleasant day in the city by attacking the father, district judge Adrian Lower said.

The 24-year-old claimed his actions were a “prank” but he was wrong.

The district judge heard how Marshall, 24, struck the father from behind, which caused him to fall onto his wife on St Leonard’s Place, in full view of other members of the public.

“People who come to York do so for a number of reasons. One reason is that York is seen as a very safe city to visit, work and live in,” said the district judge.

But assaults like the one committed by Marshall put people off coming to the city.

“They quite understandably think they could find other cities where there is no risk of being shoved by drunken people like you,” said the district judge.

Prosecutor Katherine Schofield said on a separate occasion police had to be called to stop a drunk Marshall, running into Eboracum Way and weaving in between vehicles.

He responded to being rescued by calling the officers’ names.

Marshall told police he came to York to see his girlfriend.

Marshall, of Chapel Terrace, Church Lane, Wheldrake, pleaded guilty to assaulting the tourist and a public order offence.

He was given a 12-month community order with 200 hours’ unpaid work, a six-month alcohol treatment programme and 10 days’ rehabilitation activities.

He was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the tourist, plus a £120 fine, plus £100 costs.