'Red Dwarf' star sentenced for 'bin rage'

Former Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of community service for an attack on two refuse collectors.

Jan Lisiecki claimed that the star, who played Cat in the popular sci-fi comedy series, waved a knife at him and his son when they failed to pick up his bin earlier this year.

"The offences are aggravated because these were two men who were carrying out their employment, and they are entitled to be able to do that without fear of being assaulted by anybody," said District Judge Margot Coleman at Brent Magistrates' Court.

In addition to the sentence, Jules was ordered to pay £350 costs and £75 compensation to both Lisiecki and his son.

John-Jules said outside the court that his "conscience is clear" and he will take the community service in his stride.

"I've been doing community service for over 30 years, this is just another day. I've been in showbusiness 30 years, I've never had an article written about anything good that I've done," he said.