A DRUNKEN thug attacked and racially abused a barman when bar staff refused to serve him more booze in a pub.

Thomas Pigford crushed Jasdeep Lall’s arm so hard against the wall it broke the barman’s wrist leaving him temporarily unable to work.

Now 24-year-old Pigford, of Middle Road, Sholing, Southampton, is behind bars after being jailed for 16 months having admitted causing racially aggravated actual bodily harm.

Southampton Crown Court heard how the pipe fitter had been drinking with friends in Inferno nightclub in Bevois Valley.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke told the court how Pigford had became involved in a “heated conversation” with other drinkers and with bar staff who had refused to serve him more alcohol.

Mr Lall intervened when Pigford verbally abused a barmaid who was trying to stop him picking up a pint of beer from the side.

Daily Echo:

Mr Meeke told the court: “Mr Lall tried to restrain him and the defendant started shouting and swearing at him, saying ‘I want a drink, you’ve got no right to throw me out’.”

In the struggle the barman’s arm was “squashed awkwardly” against the wall and Pigford shouted racial abuse at him as a doorman helped throw him out, the court heard.

Pigford was arrested further down the street by police.

Mr Lall suffered a broken wrist which needed a cast, leaving him temporarily unable to work, while he was distressed by the racial abuse, the court heard.

When interviewed Pigford – who has several previous convictions for violence, including battery and the assault of a police officer – admitted alcohol had “taken the better of him”.

In mitigation Rebecca Vanstone said Pigford had no intention to cause the bouncer harm.

She told the court he had shown remorse and was eager to continue with his employment.

But sentencing him to 16 months in prison, Recorder Alistair Malcolm QC said: “Clearly you are quite incapable of controlling your temper, particularly when you’ve had too much to drink.”

Pigford must also pay a £100 victim surcharge.