A 34-year-old man who intimidated and upset a nightclub manager in Skipton, was sentenced to an 18 months community order by Skipton magistrates.

Gerard Duthart, who pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis on October 25 last year and to two counts of using threatening behaviour to Gemma Rishworth on August 24and August 27, last year, was also told he would undergo 12 months supervision and have to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £3,00 towards court costs.

Prosecutor, Caroline Midgley said, Duthart, of Rowland Street, Skipton, became abusive after being told not to drink outside the Grove Bar in Keighley Road, Skipton.

He called Miss Rishworth insulting names, squared up to her, at one time made a cutting motion across his throat directed at her and told her his gang was bigger then her gang.

When arrested, he complained of chest pains and was taken to Airedale Hospital after claiming he had taken a cocktail of drugs, but then admitted it was a sham to irritate the police. A small amount of cannabis was later found in his possession.

In mitigation, the court heard that after leaving the army and a job in the fire service, his life had plunged and he had begun misusing cannabis and drinking too much alcohol.