A THUG who attacked door staff with a wheel-brace after being kicked out of a busy Minehead pub has avoided jail.

Cameron Watts attacked two bouncers at the Duke of Wellington after being thrown out with a group of other men for causing trouble during a late-night drinking session.

The 24-year-old dad was given a nine-month suspended prison sentence after admitting two counts of assault and possessing an offensive weapon at Taunton Crown Court last week.

The court heard that Watts, of Widgeon Close, was drinking in the popular pub and hotel on April 6 when door staff heard a fracas coming from the smoking area.

After being thrown out of the town centre venue, Watts returned armed with a wheel-brace before attacking the pub’s security staff, leaving one with a marked face and the other with a damaged hand.

Defending, Ed Boyce said Watts did not intend to use the weapon and that he had ‘positive plans’ for the future.

He added: “He is still a young man. The bouncers intervened and he was taken to the ground. Thankfully the injuries to them were relatively minor.

“It’s clear that he can stay out of trouble and can co-operate. He has positive plans for the future with his partner and his daughter.”

Recorder David Bartlett told Watts: “Fortunately you did not cause the door staff any serious injuries. It’s fortunate otherwise this sentence would have been very different.

“The most serious offence is the offensive weapon. It is a miracle you did not cause more serious injuries.”