A CHEF has been banned from every pub in Oxfordshire and can no longer come into the city at night after admitting a string of drunken street attacks.

Bobby Thomas, of Meadow View Road, Kennington, narrowly avoided jail but was handed a three-year antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) and told to pay £1,015 in compensation and court costs.

At Oxford Magistrates’ Court on Monday, the 20-year-old admitted actual bodily harm after attacking Luke Morris, and a further charge of using threatening words or behaviour on the same night on July 8, both in Upper Fisher Row, Oxford.

At an earlier hearing on January 3, he admitted charges of common assault and using threatening words or behaviour against Alistair Barlow in New Road, Oxford on July 24.

On the same day he was convicted of actual bodily harm after dislocating Sam Dallimore’s elbow in the New Road brawl.

Magistrates heard Thomas was subject to a 17-week suspended sentence for previous crimes, which they could activate, immediately sending him to prison.

But after hearing from defence lawyer Daniel Wright and being told of his excellent progress with the probation service and his new job at the Holiday Inn, in North Oxford, they were persuaded that jailing him would set him back in his battle with booze.

Mr Wright said: “Mr Thomas will be the first to realise that these offences are unsavoury and he understands the impact it has had on others. These offences are clearly related to alcohol.”

Thomas was ordered to pay £715 to his victims and £300 in court costs and charges, and handed a 12-month community order and a three-year Asbo banning him from the county’s pubs.

Magistrate Gordon Halliday warned him: “You are going to have a marathon now, not a sprint. This is a chance to turn your life around.”

Pc Mike Ellis said: “Bobby has now shown a commitment to stop offending, and this is reflected in the outcome of the court case.

“This Asbo will help ensure the safety of the public, whilst ensuring that Bobby is able to continue to make good on his assurances.

“It is notable that he has not come to police notice since last summer.”