A MAN who was jailed for driving his car at a group of bouncers has been banned from all the pubs and clubs in a North-East town.

Shaun Cooper was sent to prison for two-and-a-half years earlier this year after he drove his car at doormen working at a Hartlepool nightclub during a drunken rage.

Pub owners in the town have now voted to ban Cooper from their premises for five years, saying he was a clear danger to the safety of their staff and customers.

The banning order, imposed by Hartlepool Licensees' Association, means Cooper, who was jailed on his 21st birthday, cannot enter any of their premises - more than 40 in total.

Richard Sewell, chairman of the association and landlord of The Park Inn, said: "We had discussions about this guy when this first happened and, when he was convicted, we decided action should be taken.

"We have to think about the safety of our customers and staff, and we don't want people like this anywhere near our premises."

Cooper, of Dowson Road, Hartlepool, was seen arguing with the bouncers after he was thrown out of 42nd Street nightclub last December.

He was heard by witnesses saying: "I am going to come back and kill you."

Cooper, who had drunk up to 12 pints, then returned in his Citroen car and drove at a group of doormen before reversing and driving at them again.

He pleaded guilty to six attempts to inflict grievous bodily harm, one count of dangerous driving, driving an uninsured vehicle, driving with excess alcohol and to affray.

Mr Sewell said: "He may not even come back to the town when he's released but if he does, basically he's not welcome in any of our premises."