Comic fined after assault

Chubby Brown was preparing for a show when the incident took place

Comedian Roy "Chubby" Brown has been fined after admitting he assaulted a man at a seaside resort.

The comic, who appeared before magistrates under his real name, Roy Vasey, hit the victim with a golfing umbrella in Blackpool.

Magistrates heard the Teesside-born comic, struck Edward McCullough on the resort's North Pier, when Mr McCullough had gone to find out the cost of tickets for the comic's show.

On Wednesday the prosecution told the court the comedian - who lives in North Yorkshire - lashed out when Mr McCullough shouted at him with abusive language.

The court heard Mr McCullough, from Glasgow, was with his partner and daughter when the incident happened in July.

'Glassing threat'

Prosecutor Jo Shepherd said Vasey, 58, of The Firs, East Harsley, Northallerton, grabbed Mr McCullough under the arms and pulled him out of his chair, before assaulting him with the umbrella.

For Vasey's defence, Barry Speaker said the comic had been subjected to "appalling abuse" by Mr McCullough "and one witness heard him threaten to glass the comic".

Vasey's performances are notorious for their obscenities and he specialises in poking fun at members of the audience.

"[Chubby's] performance in the theatre is not how he behaves when he is not working," said Mr Speaker.

"My client grabbed the complainant by the t-shirt with the view to...telling him to stop [the obscenities]."

Vasey was fined £200 after pleading guilty to assault, and also ordered to pay £80 in compensation and £70 costs. He apologised to the court for what had happened.