An area manager at Poundstretcher lost his job after he attacked a regional controller at a Great Yarmouth store during a return to work interview, a court heard.

Brian Brownlie, of Gorleston and who was responsible for 19 stores, had been off work after suffering a breakdown and had been interviewed by two other senior managers when he carried out the assault on April 19 this year.

Great Yarmouth Magistrates Court heard he had become angry and aggressive when asked about his previous conduct, including using betting websites at work, and how he followed company policies.

Tess Mann, prosecuting, said Brownlie, 34, of High Street, then flipped a table which hit a regional controller on the underside of his chin and then punched him.

James Hartley, mitigating, said Brownlie described the incident as a scuffle and accepted he should not have reacted the way he did.

Brownlie, who was sacked, admitted assault and was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay costs of £85.