A Carlisle factory worker, who got drunk at work as he celebrated becoming a father, turned violent and attacked two colleagues.

Shaun Beaty, 26, was one of three workers reported to their managers for being drunk while on shift at the Cavaghan & Gray factory, in Eastern Way, the city's Rickergate court heard.

When they tried to escort him off the premises he became threatening, threatening to stab somebody with a pen, and throwing punches.

He rounded off his bad behaviour by urinating in front of colleagues.

In court, Beaty, of Stonehouse Park, Thursby, admitted two common assaults.

Pam Ward, prosecuting, said the factory's hygiene team leader was alerted after three workers in his team were found to be drunk at work on the afternoon of November 6.

Beaty was near a smoking shelter where senior staff found him with his workmates.

They were clearly drunk.

"They were stumbling, slurring their words, and not making any sense," said Mrs Ward.

The manager asked the men why they were drunk, and told them it was his responsibility to ensure they were safe.

He pointed out that they had to work with chemicals and machinery and needed to be in a fit and proper state to work safely at the factory.

The manager took the other men to their lockers to collect their belongings but the defendant, who needed help to walk in a straight line, became aggressive.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pen, said Mrs Ward.

Holding it in his fist, he had the pen six inches away from the face of one of the colleagues trying to help him leave the factory, the court heard.

The man later said that if he had not moved, Beaty would have stabbed him with the pen.

It was at this point, as a colleague stepped forward to intervene, that Beaty threw a punch at the man's face, knocking his spectacles off.

The two men ended up grappling on the floor, with the manager trying to restrain Beaty and the defendant yelling threats at him.

The colleague again told Beaty it was his responsibility to get him home safe. The defendant was shouting that he would take them all on.

At one stage, the defendant was heard telling colleagues that he would smash their faces in.

Mark Shepherd, for Beaty, said the defendant had been celebrating the birth of his first child, but when he arrived at work he was offered a stronger drink.

The lawyer said Beaty felt ashamed but simply did not recall what happened that day.

"He was dismissed for gross misconduct," said the lawyer. "He was told he wasn't welcome back as a consequence of what took place.

"He acknowledges that his behaviour in drink is a massive problem for him."

District Judge Gerald Chalk imposed a community order, with a condition that Beaty must complete 160 hours of unpaid work in the community.

He must also pay £80 compensation to both victims and prosecution costs of £85.