A WORKS night out ended with a date with the magistrates for a man whose clothes did not fit a Hereford pub's dress code.

Jack Robert Henry Wheeler, of Little Dewchurch, Herefordshire, admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court on October 2.

Nicola Ritchie, prosecuting, said the incident took place at 9.30pm on August 31 after Wheeler was denied entry to Hogarth's gin palace on Commercial Road, Hereford.

Door staff said police were called after Wheeler took off his watch and became verbally aggressive.

Speaking in his own defence, Wheeler said that he had already entered the bar when he was approached by staff who told him he had to leave because he was wearing tracksuit bottoms.

"I was not aware of this rule and asked if I could stay as I was on a works do," Wheeler said.

"He said no and removed me with force. He pushed me and told me to leave, at which point my watch became loose, so I took it off and put it in my pocket.

"They said this was an aggressive move, but my watch was in fact broken."

Wheeler said he had not been aggressive and had been restrained on the floor and threatened by door staff.

"I regret not leaving. I should have just walked away, and not stayed to argue my point," Wheeler said.

Magistrates handed Wheeler a six month conditional discharge. He must pay costs of £135 and a £21 victim surcharge.