The conductor of the English Philharmonic Orchestra was allegedly slapped to the ground and kicked repeatedly by the landlord of his local Dudley pub, a court heard.

Charles Neil Moore, conductor of the prestigious orchestra, was giving evidence at the trial of the landlord of The Black Bear, Deepdale Lane, Gornal – David Mitchinson, who is charged with assault and battery. Mr Moore told Dudley Magistrates yesterday he was assaulted in a “brutal attack” alleged to have taken place on January 1 this year.

He said he told Mr Mitchinson CCTV cameras on his house would capture any trouble but was attacked as he turned to go back into his house.

“A hand came to the side of my face, I was knocked to the ground and subjected to a brutal kicking,” Mr Moore, who lives in the same street as the pub in Deepdale Lane, Gornal said. “I walked like Quasimodo for three weeks my ribs were that bruised,” the 58-year-old added.

But Miss Amanda Ingram, defending, said Mitchinson, 55, simply pushed Mr Moore away in self defence after he was pushed first when he asked Mr Moore to stop insulting him.

She said Mr Moore was a liar with a history of aggression and a long-standing dislike of Mr Mitchinson since he was banned from the Black Bear seven years ago.

She said Mr Moore had been shouting abuse at Mitchinson during the evening. Miss Ingram said: “What really happened is the defendant went to your drive and asked you to stop insulting him.”

“You crumpled onto the chipping stones on your drive because you had been drinking,” she added.

Miss Ingram successfully applied to the magistrates for a “bad character” ruling against Mr Moore, a designation which means his evidence has less legal credibility.

The trial was adjourned and will continue on October 17.