A military-trained thug punched a bar worker and strangled a police officer because he thought his jacket had been stolen.

Owen Gayle reached over the bar and slapped the barman in the face while on a night out at O’Neill’s in Above Bar Street.

Southampton Crown Court heard the 39-year-old became angry when he was told he would have to find his missing jacket himself.

The military and martial arts-trained attacker was approached by more staff before he punched the same man in the face, knocking him backwards.

Door staff restrained him and police arrived to arrest him.

READ MORE: Southampton landlord fined £2,700 for breaching planning rules

But he began hurling abuse at the PC before grabbing him by the throat, leaving a red mark on his neck.

Gayle, of Tenby Close, Southampton, was arrested following the incident on July 15, 2023 but answered no comment when interviewed.

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker, two offences he initially denied. He changed his plea to both both in June and admitted the offences.

O'Neill's, SouthamptonO'Neill's, Southampton (Image: Newsquest)

Sentencing him on Tuesday, Judge Christopher Parker KC said: “You are a powerful man with military training and training in martial arts and you were completely unregulated with your temper.

“You slapped him when you didn’t get immediately what you wanted. You punched him in the face.

“You by yourself managed to create a very serious amount of disturbance to other people who were quietly enjoying their time out.

“You used your size and training and your anger to attack an officer who was simply carrying out his duty in keeping the peace.”

READ MORE: Calmore man shot at ex-partner with lookalike gun after break-up

Chris Gaiger, mitigating said his client is “ashamed of his behaviour” and “accepts that he was in drink at the time”.

“Alcohol clearly got the better of him. He became involved in this situation and matters here escalated.

“He hasn’t been there since the offence and he has no intention to go there at all.”

Gayle was handed an eight-month sentence suspended for two years. He must complete 280 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation days.

He was ordered to pay £2,000 compensation - £1,000 to each victim – and was banned from O’Neill’s for a year.

Gayle has one previous conviction for two offences, including assaulting a constable.

Mr Gaiger said his client had stayed out of trouble for “a long period of time”.