A DRUNK man punched a former police officer before pushing him into a shop window, a court heard.

Mark Barnes, of Dorchester Road, Weymouth, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court to admit assault by beating and criminal damage. 

It refers to an incident on September 5, 2023. 

Christina Norgan, prosecuting, said Barnes was seen shouting and arguing with an acquaintance at Bell Street car park in Shaftesbury. 

This was seen by a member of the public who, when trying to walk past, was pushed to the ground by Barnes' acquaintance.

This was witnessed by another man, a former police officer, who rang the police to report it. 

Magistrates heard Barnes then approached the victim, recognising him as a former police officer, and said: "I know you were a copper. I don't give a **** I'd kill you anyway."

Barnes hit him on his left arm when he was told to leave.

The victim then followed Barnes so he could give police officers an exact location. 

The pair eventually stopped outside Hays Travel at High Street, Shaftesbury where Barnes turned round and punched the victim in the side of the face and pushed him into the window of the travel agency. 

The glass shattered and the victim sustained minor cuts as a result. 

Barnes, aged 60, has had 31 previous convictions for 74 offences.

The prosecutor described Barnes' behaviour as "reckless" and added that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. 

Lee Christmas, mitigating, said credit should be given for Barnes' guilty plea at the first opportunity and highlighted how he hasn't offended for nine years.

He also said that Barnes was working to reduce his alcohol intake and despite a history of substance misuse, he hasn't touched drugs for a year. 

Colin Weston, chair of the magistrates' bench, told Barnes: " We are making a conditional discharge that will last for two years. 

"We have taken into account the timely guilty plea. Without it, it would have been three years."

Barnes has been ordered to pay compensation to cover the damage to the shop window at £972 and must pay £200 in compensation to the victim. 

There were no court costs or surcharge as compensation was given priority.