FURY over overdraft fees led an Exeter man to attack a female bank worker, punching her unconscious at a city centre branch, a court has heard.

Marcus Butler, 33, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for a year for the attack upon an employee at the Lloyds bank in Exeter High Street.

The woman's tooth was knocked loose, she needed her jaw to be temporarily wired together and is still suffering the pain of her injuries, after Butler kicked her and then punched her in the face.

She fell into a Christmas tree that was on display and was knocked unconscious by the attack, Exeter Crown Court was told on Friday.

Butler, who is unemployed and homeless, was angry that he had been charged £39 for a 98p overdraft.

He lashed out before waiting to find out that the bank was going to drop the fee after staff learnt of his circumstances.

He said in a statement: "I would like to apologise but would not bank with them any more."

Butler has pleaded guilty to causing the woman actual bodily harm. He has previous convictions for violence against another woman, drugs and harassment.

Prosecutor Ann Hampshire said the victim was a branch team leader who went over to help other staff on December 10 last year, because Butler was being abusive and was known as being a difficult customer.

"Lloyds Bank is one of those branches where the glass partitions have been removed and staff are in an open-plan situation between them and customers," said the prosecutor.

The woman told Butler that his account was being closed because of his repeatedly aggressive behaviour, and handed his money over.

"She described his continued swearing, and because she didn't want to inflame the situation, she turned away," said Ms Hampshire. "She took two steps away and suffered a kick to her leg.

"As she turned around, she was punched very hard to the face, to her right cheek by her jaw, and fell into a display Christmas tree and momentarily lost consciousness. When she came to, she was lying in the tree with pain to her face."

The woman said in a statement: "I will not consider dealing with irate customers as I am in fear and I will not risk getting hurt again. It is sad as other staff used to come to me to help defuse situations as I, from my experience, could calm people down.

"The whole experience has knocked my faith in human nature."

Defence counsel Nigel Wraith said Butler had a difficult upbringing, was homeless and had financial problems. He had felt embarrassed about his situation at the bank before he lashed out. "He doesn't know why he did what he did," said Mr Wraith. "He never sought to do it."

He added Butler did not flee the scene and was arrested outside.

Recorder Paul Derbyshire told the defendant: "This was an entirely unprovoked attack by you on a lady who was simply trying to do her job."