A FATHER who smashed the windows of a York pub and threatened to kill the landlord during a terrifying Boxing Day bar brawl has escaped jail.

Mark Anthony Powell, of Cornlands Road, has been ordered to undertake 150 hours' community service for his role in fighting at The Poacher, in Acomb.

His elder son, David Powell, 21, has already served a nine-month jail term for his role in the fracas. The court was told how he threatened landlord Wayne Colley with a knife.

A previous court heard how David Powell, his girlfriend Claire Moran, 22, and Julie Anne Gough, 41, hurled glass ashtrays, attacked Mr Colley and made death threats after a five-hour drinking session.

Earlier this week, York Crown Court was told that Mark Powell did not start the incident, but joined in.

Charlotte Worsley, prosecuting, said Mr Powell "put in" the pub's windows with an advertising board, before he and his son went back inside and threatened to kill Mr Colley.

He has been ordered to pay £800 compensation to the pub, on top of £200 court costs. He is also banned from returning to the pub for 12 months.

Recorder Henry Prosser told Powell, 44, who admitted violent disorder, to "grow up". He said: "You do not need me to tell you this was an absolutely disgraceful incident.

"The landlord and his wife must have been absolutely terrified by what happened, and they are entitled to expect people who come into their public houses to behave decently.

"You were not the instigator of the incident, but you joined in and you caused considerable damage to the windows."

Mrs Worsley said the trouble started on Boxing Day at 9pm after David Powell was told he was "out of order" by a customer during a heated exchange with a female customer.

Shortly afterwards, Gough punched a drinker, who had to be taken outside by the landlord. He returned to see David Powell smashing a glass on a table, before Gough threw beer at him.

After the group left the pub, David Powell returned with a knife, swore and threatened to kill Mr Colley. Mr Colley was forced to defend himself with furniture, and David Powell smashed a chair against the pool table lights.

Moran, of Dringhouses, was given 180 hours' community service. Gough, of Marsden Avenue was given 120 hours. They both admitted violent disorder.

Last week the Evening Press reported that David Powell and his brother, Lee, have been banned from the Chapelfields estate until 2010 under Antisocial Behaviour Orders (Asbos).

Updated: 10:40 Thursday, July 21, 2005