Alan Johnston, 20, who admitted threatening behaviour, was already subject to a suspended sentence order for a previous offence.

But Scarborough magistrates opted against sending Johnston to prison due to the progress he was making with a community order.

Prosecuting, Dawn Birkett said Johnston and another man, Craig Robinson, had an altercation in Scarborough Library in Vernon Road at about 5.30pm last Thursday.

A witness saw the pair near the equipment desk and was concerned but at first thought they were "joking around".

But seconds later they began pushing and swearing at each other.

Mrs Birkett said: "At one point one had the other pinned to the floor. They were being aggressive and continued trying to hit each other."

Police were called and arrested the two men. Robinson was also charged and will be dealt with at a separate hearing.

Days earlier Scarborough magistrates heard Johnston, of Alma Square, admit breaching the peace following an argument with a neighbour, and he agreed to be bound over for six months in the sum of £50.

Ian Brickman, mitigating, said items belonging to Johnston including keys, cash and a mobile phone were stolen from his flat.

Mr Brickman said: "He made inquiries about that and was told by a friend that the person who may know about it was the co-accused, who he found in Scarborough Library.

"He was distressed and upset and was trying to get to the bottom of what had happened."

When Johnston spoke to him about it Robinson became agitated and pushed Johnston against shelves in the library.

Mr Brickman added: "He wasn't the instigator of the violent situation but does accept there was a scuffle between them."

He said Johnston had started the Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage It programme and asked magistrates to give him a "final chance".

Johnston was conditionally discharged for 12 months and his community order was extended to include 24 months supervision. He was also fined £50 for breaching the peace.