AN EAST Cowes man who punched a woman and smashed furniture at Salvation Army accommodation while drunk, was spared jail because a judge said it was more sensible to help treat his alcohol problem.

Tobias Green admitted common assault and affray at Calverts Hotel, Newport, on February 11.

Karen Wood, who was working in the lounge of the Salvation Army-run hotel, saw Green shouting at residents — threatening to kill them.

Green unnerved Mrs Wood and her colleague on reception, Mary Jelly, by looking at them while making the threat.

Mrs Jelly said she saw Green stab a folder with a pen, then attack her colleague by punching her face, around the ear, before she fled to safety, said Michael Mason, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.

Green was drunk when making the unprovoked attack and causing the criminal damage that followed — smashing tables and chairs and damaging a perspex Covid screen.

While he was wielding a broken picture frame, the police arrived and he turned his aggression on officers, who had to subdue him by using a Taser, Mr Mason explained.

In interview, Green told police he was drunk and had taken pregabalin tablets — prescribed for anxiety — and claimed he had no memory of what happened.

He had been drinking from 11am until 4pm that day, the court was told.

Green also admitted common assault and criminal damage against his mother, on May 17. 

"His mothersaid her son was drunk and abusive towards her, shouting at her inches from her face before he assaulted her," said Mr Mason.

She called the police when she discovered he had damaged picture frames and china pots belonging to her.

"She said she fears for her safety and that he would kill her," said Mr Mason.

Green, with burglary of non-dwelling in 2014 and assaulting an emergency worker last October, for which he received a 12-month conditional discharge, was breached by his latest offences.

For Green, Oscar Vincent said his client's probation report catalogued his deteriorating mental state, his relationship breakdown and street homelessness, which led him to alcohol abuse.

"He takes full responsibility for his actions and apologises to the staff of Calverts for the distress caused. He also has no further contact with his mother," said Mr Vincent.

Green, 33, was handed 18 months' probation, to include a six-month alcohol treatment requirement and 15 rehabilitation sessions.

Judge David Melville told him: "You behaved appallingly in the Calverts Hotel. You were so drunk, you couldn't even remember what you had done. Then three months later, an assault on your mother.

"Drinking seems to be the cause of your problems. At your age it's about time you grappled with your drinking. If you don't, it will kill you — but not before you might have killed somebody else.

"Your offending deserves custody straightaway, but having read a report about you, it would be just about unjust to send you directly to prison. I needed to decide if it was sensible to send somebody to prison if they need assistance.

"It is up to you to follow the alcohol treatment and put this drinking behind you, otherwise you'll end up inside."