A RACEGOER who was out celebrating winning with his friends headbutted a hole through the wall of a Hereford pub, a court heard.

Nicholas Martin, 52, admitted to causing £300 worth of damage to a plasterboard wall in The Long Bar when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates Court last week.

Adrian Jones, prosecuting, said that on February 1 Martin had been drinking in The Long Bar on Commercial Road when he went to leave with a glass under his coat.

"The bar manager asked him to return the glass when he became aggressive," said Mr Jones.

"Martin said 'watch this' before headbutting the wall opposite the bar which caused a hole in it."

On interview Martin, of Cherwell Walk, Bettws, Newport, Gwent, said that he had been out drinking for three hours and had three drinks.

He said he had been at Hereford Races and his horse had won so went celebrating.

Martin said that he had asked staff for a plastic cup and then had tried to leave with a glass.

Chris Read, mitigating, said that Martin had came to Hereford with his friends and had been to the races.

"It was coming to the end of the evening when two things happened at the same time," said Mr Read.

"A stereotypical late night argument started with another drinker while Martin was trying to leave with his last drink and the bar manager was trying to get his glass back.

"In an effort to avoid further confrontation he headbutted the wall to say leave me alone and don't get involved with me.

"In the heat of the confrontation he didn't realise the wall was flimsy and the damage was caused."

Magistrates handed Martin a conditional discharge for six months. He was also ordered to pay Long Bar £300 compensation, £135 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.