AN angry drunken ex-husband gave a man who he believed had a fling with his former wife a comprehensive battering . Anthony Wallington, 51, had downed nine pints of lager when he attacked Kevin Moran outside the Pear Tree pub, St Albans Crown Court heard

AN angry drunken ex-husband gave a man who he believed had a fling with his former wife a "comprehensive battering".

Anthony Wallington, 51, had downed nine pints of lager when he attacked Kevin Moran outside the Pear Tree pub, St Albans Crown Court heard yesterday (Tuesday).

Prosecutor Nadia Silver said Wallington had seen Mr Moran smile at his wife in the pub.

When the victim went outside for a cigarette Wallington approached him and said: "You are a dead man, walking."

Both men went back inside the pub, but when Mr Moran went outside again Wendy Wallington followed to say "hello".

The prosecutor said: "The defendant then went flying out of the pub at Mr Moran, shouting and swearing."

Mr Moran was grabbed by the collar and Wallington tried, but failed, to headbutt him.

Another drinker tried to step in, but Wallington then punched the victim to the head, back and shoulders and kicked his legs.

He fell over a small wall and hit his head on the brickwork.

At the QE2 Hospital he was treated for bruises to his arms and legs. He had a cut to his left knee.

Wallington, of Mill Green Road, WGC, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm on Sunday, October 7 last year.

John Burton, defending, said the couple, who had three children, split up last year after 28 years of marriage.

He said when they had met up at the pub Wallington had hoped for a reconciliation.

He said both the Wallingtons now had new partners, but he had lost his job as a funeral director.

He said his client had been provoked after Mr Moran had made a gesture to him.

Judge Michael Baker QC told Wallington: "You had far too much to drink. You suffered a complete loss of temper.

"You gave a man who had a brief fling with your wife a comprehensive battering."

The judge passed a four-month jail sentence suspended for 18 months with a supervision order for 12 months.

Wallington must complete 100 hours unpaid work and pay £500 costs.