A former Conservative Party press adviser and regional newspaper columnist has been hauled before a judge after rugby-tackling his lover in a beer garden.

David Kuczora pleaded guilty to battery after attacking his male victim, the Birmingham Mail has reported.

Kuczora, pictured, formerly worked for the Tories as a regional political press adviser for the West Midlands and also served as a columnist for the Mail and the Birmingham Post.

He admitted battery at Birmingham Crown Court, which was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service as an alternative to a charge of assault by beating, which was denied. The CPS told the hearing it would not be pursuing an allegation of witness intimidation.

The court heard the 38-year-old had been in a “toxic relationship” with his victim, with whom he had been on a “heavy-drinking spree” before the incident at The Duke Inn, in Sutton Coldfield, on 27 March this year.

Mark Phillips, prosecuting, said: “These two gentleman had been on a heavy-drinking spree before this incident. Alcohol plays a major part.”

Tom Walkling, defending, argued his client had already been subjected to a “not insubstantial punishment”, including spending a night in custody as well as several weeks on curfew, and suggested he could be dealt with by way of a conditional discharge.

Mr Walkling added: “The features behind this case are the toxic relationship he had.”

But Judge Andrew Smith KC said the offence was aggravated by the fact there was a domestic violence protection order in place, as well as the fact Kuczora has previous convictions for battery.

Judge Smith also stated the defendant was previously given a conditional discharge for drunken disorderly behaviour which he breached by committing a similar offence.

He told the court: “Even within the character material, it is bluntly put by one testimonial he has a problem with alcohol.

“My instinctive view is that the court may consider another form of order which might prevent further offending.”

Adjourning the case until 15 February in order for a pre-sentence report, the judge warned Kuczora “all options remain open to the court”.

Kuczora, who currently works as a project consultant, was granted bail with conditions not to contact the victim.

Speaking to the Mail after the hearing, he said: “It’s relieving that the serious charges of ABH (assault occasioning actual bodily harm) and witness intimidation have been found to be unsupported by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“This was a drunken tiff between two lovers in a beer garden in Sutton Coldfield. We had been drinking heavily and it got out of hand.

“It was a stupid mistake which has wasted the police and courts’ time.

“I regret it had to get this far but I respect whatever decision the judge makes.”