A middle-aged bankrupt assaulted a Keighley building society manager during a row over documents, magistrates heard.

Stephen Kershaw, 50, was given a community rehabilitation order which will involve an anger management programme when he appeared before Bingley magistrates last Friday afternoon.

Kershaw, of Cottingley, admitted assaulting Marie Mullins at the Yorkshire Building Society and failing to surrender to custody.

David Lampitt, prosecuting, said Kershaw had first gone to the building society's Keighley branch in February after getting into financial difficulties.

He had behaved in a manner that was "not acceptable'" and was sent a letter warning him about his future conduct.

There were no more problems until he returned to the branch on May 27 seeking documents.

After he become abusive to another member of staff, the manager was called to speak to Kershaw and although he had initially remained calm subsequently became "abusive, irate and somewhat threatening" towards her.

Mr Lampitt said the manager had felt "frightened and intimidated" and had told police how Kershaw began wagging his finger at her, shouting abuse and then lunged at her with his fist.

Kershaw continued shouting abuse despite being asked to leave the branch.

He had accepted "prodding" the manager but denied deliberately punching her.

Christopher Bird, mitigating, said Kershaw's accounts had been frozen as a result of being made bankrupt, adding that he had gone to the branch to obtain documents needed by his solicitor.

"It certainly wasn't the case that he went into the branch intending to cause problems," he said. "He does regret the whole incident and certainly has no intention of causing any further trouble."

Magistrates gave Kershaw, who had no previous convictions and retired several years ago because of ill health, a six-month community rehabilitation order for each offence with the sentences to run concurrently.

He was also ordered to pay Marie Mullins £50 compensation.