An irate electrician took centre stage at a Maidstone theatre when he attacked a deputy manager and pushed him down stairs during a parking row.

Drama of a different type unfolded when Daniel Knapp left work at Dorothy Perkins, in Week Street, at 7pm and saw his car, in Rose Yard, had been blocked in by another driver.

The 41-year-old visited several bars, pubs and restaurants in Earl Street to find the car owner before ending up at The Hazlitt, culminating in him wedging his knee against Sean Hallihan’s throat.

Adrian Crossley, prosecuting at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, said: “The defendant asked the duty manager Sean Hallihan whether the vehicle was known to him and he said he couldn’t assist.

“The defendant seems to have left then for half-an-hour and then returned and repeated his requests that more is done to find out the owner of the vehicle that was blocking him."

Knapp, of New Romney, threatened to disrupt the ongoing drum concert put on by children for parents in the auditorium on March 20.

His attempts to enter the main area of the theatre were thwarted when he was made aware police had been informed of the attack on Mr Hallihan.

Mr Crossley said: “The defendant then released Mr Hallihan and then walked towards the theatre exit.

“He was followed by Mr Hallihan and he was told to remain for police to talk with him. At this point the defendant pushed him again and he lost his balance because he was at the top of some stairs.

“There was a second push in similar circumstances and the defendant tried to exit the theatre. He was located by police and later arrested.”

Knapp was convicted of a single charge of assault by beating following a trial. He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and £350 costs.

Mr Hallihan revealed to the court he was left shaken by the terrifying incident and suffered bruising across his entire body as well as a “bruised ego”.