Three people were hurt when a pub brawl broke out over a chihuahua's cardigan and bonnet.

William Gunn believed his beloved dog Bambi had been run over after she ran off during a row at a city centre pub.

After searching for his pet, Gunn returned to The Kensington in Kensington Gardens, Brighton, and attacked licensee Malcolm Cordier, accusing him of killing his pet.

Gunn, 41, of Marine Parade, Brighton, hit him with a bar stool and when it broke continued to attack him with one of its wooden legs, breaking two of Mr Cordier's ribs.

Pub owner Peter Piggot was hit over the head and needed eight stitches.

Barmaid Jane Hill also suffered a head wound when she tried to intervene on May 28 last year.

Piers Power, prosecuting at Hove Crown Court yesterday, said Gunn had been barred from the pub a few days earlier after a row over Bambi's cardigan.

He said: "Gunn went into The Kensington with his pet chihuahua dressed in the cardigan and a matching bonnet.

"The following day Mr Cordier discovered one of the toilets had been blocked by the turquoise cardigan.

"Gunn returned on May 24, with a chihuahua, which was not wearing the clothes it had previously been seen in.

"There was an argument during which Gunn denied blocking the toilet and he was told he was barred."

The court heard Gunn was refused entry when he returned two days later.

There was another argument and Bambi became so frightened he jumped out of his owner's arms and ran off.

Gunn told police he gave chase and saw a car go over the top of the dog. He said Bambi then vanished.

Police later found the little dog alive and handed it to Gunn's sister for safe keeping. However, it later escaped and has not been seen since.

Jos Greenhow, defending, said Gunn had a very close relationship with Bambi and the dog was the centre of his life.

He said: "He has suffered from bullying throughout his life and has found it easier to build relationships with animals rather than people.

"At the time this happened, he was on steroids to build up his physique.

"He had decided to bulk himself up to make himself a more formidable person in order to deter people from making his life difficult.

"He was not aware of the side effects steroids can have and he accepts he lost his temper, overreacted and lost control."

He claimed Gunn had acted in self-defence after being punched by Mr Cordier.

Mr Greenhow said Gunn had mistaken Mr Piggot and Miss Hall's attempts to intervene as an attack on him.

Gunn pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Cordier and Mr Piggot, and actual bodily harm to Miss Hall at an earlier hearing.

Recorder Simon Crookenden imposed a three-year community rehabilitation order on Gunn and ordered him to attend an anger management course.

Gunn was also ordered to pay compensation of £150 to Mr Cordier, £300 to Mr Piggot, and £150 to Miss Hall.