Drinker Colm McCarthy didn't like the idea of a new closed circuit television system being fitted to his local so he smashed two of the cameras with a pool cue.

The 35-year-old was a regular at the Moonrakers pub when he launched the drunken attack on the equipment, a court heard.

But now he has been barred and ordered to pay for the broken equipment after appearing before magistrates in the town.

Nicola Wootton, prosecuting, told the court that McCarthy was in the pub on the evening of Friday February 13 when the incident took place.

"The pub had recently been taken over by new licensees and various parts had been refurbished which included new security in the bar and lounge area," she said.

Shortly before 10pm she said McCarthy was seen by the CCTV footage to approach underneath one of the domes on the ceiling and whack it with a pool cue.

He then took another swipe at the damaged equipment which was dangling from the ceiling as a result of the first blow.

She said that he then approached a second camera and attacked it in the same manner causing a total of £300 of damage.

Phil Jeapes, landlord at the Moonrak-ers, said: "The cameras had only been fitted earlier that day. They were smashed up within the space of half a day.

"I think it was disgusting behaviour very foolish and very silly.

"I'd had the cameras fitted for the benefit of everyone because the pub does have a slight reputation. They were there to help everyone."

The court was told that McCarthy had a long list of previous convictions and owed the court almost £1,000 in fines for other matters.

McCarthy, of Akers Way, pleaded guilty to a charge of criminal damage.

David Gostling, defending, said that his client was extremely drunk at the time he attacked the two cameras.

"He, and he is not alone of drinkers at the pub, took serious exception to the eye on the ceiling of their pub," he told magistrates.

"But he was the one who decided, because he had had too much to drink, to take it out on the cameras."

He said that as a result of the incident his client had been barred from the Moonrakers, where he was a regular drinker.

As a result of the incident and him being barred from the pub he had stopped going out drinking, he said.

"He said 'I have taken it as a wake up call'," Mr Gostling told the court.

He said that his client was now in full-time work and in a position to pay off his fines at a rate of £100 a month.

Magistrates imposed a compensation order of £300 and ordered he pay £34 costs.

Barrie Hudson