An "aggressive" council worker who head-butted a witness within metres of a court could face jail.

Gardener Steven Frazer pleaded guilty to intimidating Lain Foggerty at Folkestone Magistrate's Court.

At the time of the attack in April 2017, the 32-year-old had been appearing before the same court for a separate assault on Mr Foggerty.

He was handed a suspended prison sentence for that offence.

Before the hearing, the father-of-one set upon his victim in a split-second attack at the foot of the court steps, magistrates heard.

“The victim was walking along Court Approach with his partner, he was approached by Mr Frazer, who became aggressive towards him,” prosecutor Paul Edwards said.

“He tried to pull him away, (Frazer) was still being threatening, then leaned towards his face head-butting him on his nose causing pain and discomfort.”

When magistrates saw the court’s own CCTV footage, Frazer, dressed in jeans and a beige top, could be seen shaking his head.

Recordings showed Frazer, who lived in The Bullrushes in Ashford at the time of the assault, squaring up to Mr Foggerty before launching his head towards his face.

Following the strike Mr Foggerty - Frazer’s ex-neighbour - could be seen holding his head in his hands.

"The victim was walking with his partner when he was approached by Frazer who became aggressive towards him" - Paul Edwards

The prosecution said Frazer, now of Seabourne Road, Dymchurch, had a history of assaults including battery and breach of a non-molestation order.

Yet during the trial Frazer, a landscape gardener for Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC), pleaded that he was a "changed man".

Tony Harden, defending, told the court his client is running the 2019 London Marathon to raise money for poorly children.

The court heard probation services label the defendant medium to high risk, adding his outbursts are triggered by being "unable to articulate himself".

Probation officer Jane Bratton added Frazer could be dealt with by way of an anger management course.

However magistrates, who have six months prison sentencing powers, sent the case to crown court where punishment can be tougher.

Frazer, who was released on unconditional bail and a restraining order against Mr Foggerty, will appear at Canterbury Crown Court at a later date.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council said Frazer was employed as agency staff.